Instructor Ruo Lin elegantly sat down at the head of the table inside the tent. With a flick of her delicate hand, a parchment scroll and pen appeared before her. Looking at the new students filing in, she said gently:
"Students, congratulations on passing the assessment. You have now officially entered the gates of Jia Nan Academy. However, to better understand and differentiate your potential, I need to record your exact current strength."
"Eight segments of Dou Qi is F-grade potential. Nine segments is E-grade. One-star Dou Practitioner is D-grade, two-star is C-grade, and so on. The highest is S-grade for five-star Dou Practitioner or above. Of course, this is all under the age limit of twenty. Now, from left to right, please state your name, cultivation level, and age."
The students at the front reported one after another. Most were F or E-grade, with the highest so far being only one-star Dou Practitioner.
Soon it was the Xiao Family's turn.
"Xiao Ning, nine segments Dou Qi, age eighteen." "Xiao Mei, nine segments Dou Qi, age sixteen." — Both E-grade.
Then came Xiao Yan: "Xiao Yan, four-star Dou Practitioner, age sixteen."
Instructor Ruo Lin was visibly startled. "A-grade."
After Xiao Yan finished, it was Xiao Tian's turn. However, he was currently lost in thought, studying a Dou Technique in his mind. Xun'er gently tugged his sleeve. "Xiao Tian Ge Ge, it's your turn."
"Oh, already?" Xiao Tian snapped back to attention and reported directly, "Xiao Tian, five-star Dou Master, age sixteen."
Instructor Ruo Lin, who had been about to record the information, instantly stood up. Her gentle, pretty face turned to shock as she trembled slightly. "What realm did you say?"
"Five-star Dou Master."
The moment the words left his mouth again, the entire tent fell into dead silence. Everyone stared at Xiao Tian with mouths agape.
"My goodness, why are you pinching me?" "I'm pinching you to check if I'm dreaming!" "Then why don't you pinch yourself?" "I'm afraid of pain…"
The silence was finally broken by the two students' whispered conversation, causing the tent to erupt in waves of discussion:
"Is this even human?" "Is he really only sixteen? Is there still justice in this world?"
In the corner, Luo Bu and Ge La were sweating profusely, shrinking deeper into the shadows, terrified of being noticed by Xiao Tian.
Instructor Ruo Lin gradually recovered from her shock. A bright glint appeared in her eyes as she stared at Xiao Tian. "I truly didn't expect this… To encounter a genius far beyond S-grade potential. It truly astonishes me."
The devouring gazes from the female students made Xiao Tian feel slightly uncomfortable. Still, for the sake of securing leave later — and knowing a fight might be necessary — he decided it was better to reveal everything now rather than hide it and look awkward later.
"Next," Instructor Ruo Lin said, calming herself and sitting back down.
Xiao Xun'er stepped forward with graceful, lotus-like steps. "Xiao Xun'er, six-star Dou Practitioner, age sixteen."
Another S-grade genius. The crowd's mouths dropped open once more, though they were already somewhat numb from Xiao Tian's reveal. Their horizons had been thoroughly broadened.
As the last person finished, Instructor Ruo Lin was about to put away the parchment when Xiao Tian's voice rang out again:
"Instructor Ruo Lin, I'll present you with another S-grade genius."
"Another one? Who? Where?" Ruo Lin looked around in confusion.
"There." Xiao Tian slightly raised his chin and gestured toward Xiao Yan.
"Xiao Yan? Although he is outstanding, he hasn't reached S-grade standards yet," Ruo Lin said, puzzled.
"Do you want to say it yourself, or should I help you?" Xiao Tian glanced at Xiao Yan and quietly added, "Xiao Yan Zi, you must show your worth. Only then can you do what you want to do."
"I'll say it myself!" Xiao Yan stepped forward and briefly explained his situation — how he had reached four-star Dou Practitioner in just one year after his talent returned.
Everyone's gazes toward Xiao Yan instantly changed.
"If Xiao Tian hadn't spoken up, I would have almost let this genius slip away," Ruo Lin said with satisfaction, looking at the three monstrous talents before her. She could already imagine how envious the other instructors would be when she returned.
Just as she was feeling pleased, both Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan spoke at the same time:
"Instructor Ruo Lin, I plan to take a one-year leave."
"Are you two joking with me?" Ruo Lin looked both exasperated and amused. "That's already one-third of your study time at the academy! As your instructor, I cannot approve such a long leave. Don't make things difficult for me."
"Instructor, I must take this leave. I have very important matters that cannot be delayed. If I cannot get approval, I can only withdraw and re-enroll next year," Xiao Tian said helplessly. Xiao Yan stood silently beside him, but his determined eyes said everything.
Instructor Ruo Lin rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. She had finally recruited such monstrous geniuses and couldn't bear to let them slip away. After a moment of contemplation, her gentle expression gradually faded. She narrowed her eyes and said:
"Whoever can withstand twenty rounds against me, I will grant their leave."
"Good." Xiao Tian had already anticipated this and agreed without hesitation. Xiao Yan also nodded with a forced smile, mentally preparing himself.
"It's too cramped here. Let's move to the plaza." Instructor Ruo Lin stood up and walked outside. With a touch of her storage ring, a sky-blue long whip appeared in her hand. She looked at the two and asked, "Who wants to go first?"
"I'll go first. Please be lenient, Instructor!" Xiao Tian stepped forward.
Instructor Ruo Lin didn't reply with words. Instead, she flicked her wrist. The long whip drew a graceful arc in the air, whistling sharply toward Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian's eyes narrowed. He condensed his flame-attribute Dou Qi, forming a long sword of pure Dou Qi in his hand. Gripping it tightly, he thrust forward like lightning, striking the tip of the whip directly.