Translator: CinderTL
Every year, when new students enrolled at Penglai University, the esteemed professors would fiercely compete for the few outstanding talents among them.
After all, the wolves far outnumbered the prey.
The top-tier students were always few and far between, leaving the senior professors scrambling for their share.
In previous years, the competition had always centered on Upper A-tier students with Dao Bone Aptitude.
But this time, the situation was unprecedented. The professors were vying for a student with Primitive innate talent.
If outsiders witnessed this scene, they would surely be astonished.
Chen Yuntian watched his colleagues bicker intensely, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
"That Jiang Ye kid has performed too exceptionally. He'll be hard to snatch," he thought.
His gaze suddenly shifted to Zhu Honglie, who stood beside him.
"Has Old Zhu finally lost his mind?" Chen Yuntian wondered. "Why isn't he reacting at all? Does he not plan to take any disciples this year?"
Normally, Zhu Honglie was Chen Yuntian's fiercest rival in these competitions.
But this time? The man remained calm and composed, showing no intention of joining the fray.
"Giving up already?" Chen Yuntian nodded inwardly, relieved to have one less competitor.
Zhu Honglie's status within the university was no less prestigious than his own.
Though the man had few renowned disciples to his name, his actual strength surpassed Chen Yuntian's.
"Enough," Elder Bai finally declared. "Stop arguing. The freshmen have completed their trials."
"The students who ranked highest will have the right to choose their mentors."
"Those who wish to take on disciples, come forward now," he said, his figure flickering before vanishing without a trace.
The assembled teachers immediately ceased their arguing.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Whoosh! With a flash, the teachers disappeared, leaving no trace behind.
Inside the Penglai Heavenly Tower, within a vast, silver-white hall,
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Accompanied by shimmering light, figures materialized one after another in the hall.
With the conclusion of Penglai's Gift, the Heaven-Piercing Refinement had officially ended.
Over a thousand freshmen had been teleported to this grand hall.
"It's over."
"Damn it, I didn't pass the trial."
"I wonder what my ranking will be?"
"Look! The rankings are out!" Many noticed a massive holographic screen projecting three lists at the front of the hall:
Freshman Overall Rankings Provincial Overall Rankings * Federation Forty Provinces Rankings
"My ranking..." Lin Yushu stood among the crowd, his face tense.
Though he had failed the trial, he still cared deeply about his position.
Hum~ The rankings on the screen rapidly shifted.
Soon, all three lists were displayed:
Freshman Overall Rankings
1st Place: Jiang Ye
2nd Place: Shen Changxi
3rd Place: Liu Wanxiao
4th Place: Yun Qing'er
West Mountain Province Overall Rankings
1st Place: Jiang Ye (Freshman #1)
2nd Place: Yun Qing'er (Freshman #4)
Third Place: Xu Haoran (35th overall among freshmen)
Fourth Place: Song Wanbai (90th overall among freshmen)
Fifth Place: Zhao Qingli (290th overall among freshmen)
Federation's Forty Provinces Rankings
First Place: East Sea Province
Second Place: Nanyang Province
Nineteenth Place: West Mountain Province
"First place, Jiang Ye? Who's that?"
"Never heard of him. How could he be stronger than Shen Changxi and Liu Wanxiao?"
"Who is he? Does he go to Tianhai High School too?"
The moment the rankings appeared, everyone was stunned.
Shen Changxi and Liu Wanxiao were familiar names.
But Jiang Ye? A name no one had ever heard before!
Meanwhile, the students from West Mountain Province were gaping in disbelief.
"Jiang Ye, first place among freshmen?!"
"Are we seeing this right? Not just first in the province, but first overall among freshmen?" The twenty-odd students from West Mountain Province erupted in excitement.
"Brother Jiang? First place?" Lin Yushu was equally astonished.
He could barely accept Jiang Ye being first in the province.
But first among all freshmen? Unthinkable!
Every other student in the top ten was an Upper A-tier student. Jiang Ye was the only B-tier student among them!
"Look! West Mountain Province jumped to nineteenth place?"
"Isn't that one of the backward provinces?"
"Because of Jiang Ye, the freshman champion! He's from West Mountain Province!" Freshmen from other provinces were equally stunned, especially those from the Western Ten Provinces.
Their provinces typically ranked outside the top thirty.
West Mountain Province had soared to 19th place!
"Seriously? West Mountain Province made it to 19th?"
"Holy shit! They surpassed one of the Eastern Ten Provinces?"
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" The West Mountain Province contingent erupted in frenzy.
West Mountain Province, top 20!
They had never imagined it!
"West Mountain Province! 19th place!" Xu Haoran, Song Wanbai, and the others were ecstatic.
This was their collective glory!
"Jiang Ye, you're a legend!"
"Jiang Ye!!" The freshmen from West Mountain Province roared with excitement.
Apart from the top few, most of West Mountain Province's participants had been eliminated.
Yet they still ranked 19th in the entire Federation?
Undoubtedly, Jiang Ye's contribution was immense!
His victory as the top freshman had significantly boosted the province's ranking.
Tremendously!
"Congratulations, Jiang Ye!" Zhao Qingli smiled at the young man beside her. "You've made quite a name for yourself."
"Congratulations to you too," Jiang Ye replied with a grin. "Making the top 300 qualifies you for a contract upgrade."
Just as he finished speaking,
Buzz!
The entire hall fell into a sudden, brief silence.
A dozen figures materialized in the air above the hall.
Leading them was a man with silver hair, clad in a white robe, radiating an air of scholarly refinement.
"Principal Bai," several freshmen recognized him.
Bai Qiudao, Vice-Principal of Penglai University!
One of Penglai University's publicly acknowledged strongest individuals, rumored to have reached the seventh breakthrough realm, or even higher.
"Children," Elder Bai said gently, "congratulations on completing the Penglai Heaven-Piercing Refinement. Those who didn't pass shouldn't be discouraged; you'll have future opportunities to repeat the trial."
He kept his remarks brief.
After summarizing the trial, Elder Bai continued, "The top one hundred freshman students may freely choose their teachers."
"These are all the highest-ranked professors at Penglai University."
As he spoke, Elder Bai glanced at the dozen or so figures standing beside him.
"Gentlemen, please introduce yourselves to the students," he said with refined courtesy.
The teachers nodded and stepped forward one by one.
"I am Gu Xuantong, specializing in blade techniques. My primary criterion for accepting disciples is courage and tenacity."
"I am Wang Hai, specializing in spear techniques! This will be my final time accepting disciples."
"My name is Zhou Yun, and I only accept female students."
"..."
As the teachers introduced themselves, Chen Yuntian and Zhu Honglie also stepped forward.
"I am Chen Yuntian, and I only accept geniuses. My disciples have already made a name for themselves in the Great Stellar War. Those who become my students will undoubtedly achieve their fourth breakthrough within the seven years of university!"
Penglai University follows a seven-year curriculum.
A hush fell over the hall as his words echoed.
Murmurs of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
Chen Yuntian's self-introduction stood out among all the teachers.
Jiang Ye glanced at the white-haired elder, inwardly surprised. Chen Yuntian, the teacher Zhao Qingli recommended?
Over the past few days, he had learned from Zhao Qingli that this teacher wanted to take him as a disciple. Now, it seemed the man held a high position even within Penglai University.
Just then, another deep voice boomed across the hall.
"I am Zhu Honglie!"
"This old man may not have any dazzling geniuses under his name, but I will be wholeheartedly responsible for each and every disciple. Those who choose me as their master will receive my utmost dedication!"
As the red-haired elder Zhu Honglie finished speaking, many teachers secretly shook their heads.
Empty promises, nothing but hot air. Who would believe such nonsense?
Chen Yuntian chuckled inwardly. Old Zhu, you still haven't learned how to speak properly. With just these empty words, which genius would ever choose you?
With Zhu Honglie's introduction, all the teachers had now presented themselves.
Elder Bai spoke up. "Let's start with the first-ranked student."
"Jiang Ye."
"Which teacher do you choose?" Elder Bai turned to Jiang Ye.
In an instant, all eyes in the hall turned toward him.
(End of the Chapter)
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