Chapter 24 An Invitation from Tranquility Academy
“Thank you, elder.”
Ding Hao accepted the badge and left in confusion.
“Why did he just guess my ranking?”
“What was going on? Could the elder really not test my meridian quality, or did he discover something?”
Ding Hao could not figure it out.
“Never mind. Second Tier meridians are still above average, and in addition to my God-Level element, I have a bright future in martial arts.”
Ding Hao’s resolve was unshaken.
When it was almost noon, Ding Hao finished his comprehension test in the fourth arena.
Comprehension was his strength.
He did not hide anything.
Putting up airs would be the most foolish thing to do at this moment, because his performance would determine his status among future Swordsmanship-seeking Sect disciples, and consequently decide the resources and knowledge he received. Therefore, he had to display his value to the sect now.
The comprehension test was basically learning a swords skill demonstrated by a third-generation disciple in a short period of time.
It was a very fair assessment.
Every test-taker had to learn a different skill, but they were equally difficult.
It only took one look for Ding Hao to master it.
Also, his skill was no weaker than the third-generation disciples’ at all.
This kind of outstanding performance stunned everyone.
All the elders were stunned and rated his comprehension to be “exceptional”. Then, they could not help but ask him to try a few other skills, which he accomplished just as easily as before. Those who suspected that he was cheating all ended up in awe of his talent.
News of his godlike performance in the other tests had also spread throughout the crowds.
Every year, geniuses would emerge in Swordsmanship-seeking Sect’s entrance tests, and this year it was Ding Hao’s name that echoed everywhere. Soon, even those who had not seen him in person knew of his talent, and countless testing elders were in shock.
It was even rumored that a couple elusive inner gate elders were showing interest in this genius.
At high noon:
Ding Hao did not continue his test, but sat down under a tree and began eating his lunch.
After completing four tests, there was no doubt about his acceptance of the sect. He decided to take this time to think about next steps.
That outer gate elder Liu Wenkuang was right. After entering the sect, he had to find a good master. In this world, one’s master was just as important as one’s sect.
However, this was mostly up to luck.
“Are you Ding Hao?” a loud voice suddenly asked.
Ding Hao looked up and saw a young man dressed extravagantly. He walked over with two armored guards and looked at Ding Hao proudly.
Ding Hao knew who he was.
He was the handsome and haughty Cao Yu, who was deemed First-level Water element during the first round of tests.
Ding Hao nodded and asked, “What do you want?”
“I heard you have a God-level mysterious element and think you’re some kind of genius. How short-sighted. Let me tell you that I am the only genius, so you’d better realize that elements mean nothing. After we enter Swordsmanship-seeking Sect, only fast cultivators will prevail. Ding Hao, let’s see who’s stronger in six months! I hope you won’t let me down!”
Cao Yu then turned to leave with his two guards.
“I’m also here to tell you that I want to challenge you when we enter the sect.”
“I, Ge Yin, will also exceed you to become the strongest fifth-generation disciple.”
“Haha, I want to get in on this challenge too…”
After Cao Yu instigated, a couple outstanding test-takers also boldly challenged Ding Hao.
They had all performed so well in previous tests that they were sure to enter the sect.
Their childlike faces were filled with confidence and pride, reminding Ding Hao of his high school days in his past life. When he got the highest test scores in his grade, many “competitors” had announced that they would exceed him in the next test.
This was the spirit of youth!
At this moment, Ding Hao realized that his performance was too noticeable and had attracted animosity.
Now, entering Swordsmanship-seeking Sect was not a problem for Ding Hao.
Fiercer challenges would await him inside the sect.
Also, unlike high school, these rivalries would be a lot more dangerous, possibly concerning life or death.
Ding Hao smiled widely.
He welcomed the competition.
“Excuse me, are you Ding Hao?” someone else asked.
“That’s me. Are you here to challenge…” Ding Hao looked up in annoyance but suddenly froze.
This time, the speaker was not a test-taker, but a middle-aged man with a white beard. He wore a teal robe and gave off a gentle aura, making those around him instantly feel a sense of trust.
“Sir, you are…” Ding Hao stood up.
“You’re really a young genius,” the man said with a smile. “I’m Li Mu, a teacher at the first human sect in Snow Providence, Tranquility Academy. Would you like to join my academy?”
Tranquility Academy?
Ding Hao was shocked.
A bolt of lightning flashed through his mind.
Ding Hao suddenly remembered that on his first day of arriving in this world, he had heard some Swordsmanship-seeking Sect disciples discussing the “Four Great Swordsmen of Snow Province”.
They had mentioned in their talk that Swordsmanship-seeking Sect’s “Wind-chasing Swordsman”, Guan Feidu, had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, but he was easily defeated by a mysterious 14-year-old swordsman. This was the incident of the century in Snow Province.
That young man turned out to be the genius from Tranquility Academy, Mu Tianyang.
According to Swordsmanship-seeking Sect History, Tranquility Academy was the first human sect in Snow Province, and the only seventh-grade sect in the province. It dominated even the eighth-grade Swordsmanship-seeking Sect in terms of power and amount of masters.
It was rumored that Tranquility Academy’s selection criteria were so strict that they did not accept anyone but geniuses.
He would never have expected a teacher from Tranquility Academy to personally invite him to join.