C20 The Recruitment Test
Three days later, the central square of Wood County City bustled with activity as countless individuals arrived early in the morning.
On the periphery of the square, a long table was set up, behind which sat several figures in green robes, each adorned with a leaf emblem bearing the inscription "South Wind" across their chests. These were the esteemed mentors of the South Wind Academy.
At present, numerous eager young men and women formed lengthy queues, awaiting their turn to be vetted and registered by the mentors. Enrollment at the South Wind Academy was not open to just anyone. Two fundamental criteria had to be met: candidates must be under eighteen years old and have reached at least Level Five of the Meditation Stage.
While these requirements were not overly harsh, they nonetheless excluded many hopefuls. Some, unwilling to accept rejection, attempted to slip through the selection process. Hence, the mentors conducted a thorough review of each applicant's bone age and cultivation level. Only those who met the standards were permitted to enter the square and brace themselves for the forthcoming recruitment assessments.
The square was now teeming with youth from prominent families, including those from the Chen and Wang clans and other distinguished families from the eastern regions of Willow State. These scions of the east enjoyed certain advantages during the recruitment process. Rather than undergoing the same rigorous checks as their peers on the day of the event, their bone age and strength had been pre-screened the day before, allowing them direct access to the square without the need to queue.
Meanwhile, the pavilion at the forefront of the square was occupied by an assembly of well-dressed individuals. These were the family heads and senior elders from Willow State East's major families, who had come to observe the performance of their younger kin. Notably in attendance were Patriarch Chen Shanheng of the Chen family and Patriarch Wang Sheng of the Wang family.
However, the figure seated at the central position of honor was a robust middle-aged man wearing the South Wind Academy mentor's robe—Mentor Yanshan, the overseer of the South Wind Academy's enrollment examinations for Willow State East.
As time marched on, the sound of three consecutive bell tolls echoed through the plaza. Mentor Yanshan rose to his feet atop the pavilion, his resonant voice carrying far and wide, "The registration period is now closed!"
With his declaration, the mentors stationed at the plaza's entrance rose in unison. They paid no heed to the young men and women who had yet to sign up, proceeding instead to the heart of the square.
"Mentor, please wait!"
"I haven't had the chance to register yet!"
...
The sight of the mentors' departure sent a wave of panic through the queue, with many shouting and attempting to surge forward. However, a line of Cultivators clad in the South Wind Academy's uniform promptly took their positions at the entrance, halting those who tried to rush the square.
"Registration has concluded! If you've missed it, you'll have to wait until next time," announced the leading middle-aged man with authoritative gravity.
His words sent a shockwave through the crowd. The next opportunity would not come for another three years, by which time many would be too old to qualify.
"Silence! Any further commotion will not be tolerated," he warned, his stern voice laced with the power of the Spirit Essence Stage, quelling the burgeoning uproar.
The young men and women, feeling the weight of his presence, shuddered with fear. In Wood County City, a Cultivator of the Spirit Essence Stage commanded immense respect and authority.
With the exterior of the square now quieted, Mentor Yanshan surveyed the successful registrants from his vantage point and boomed, "First and foremost, welcome to the South Wind Academy's recruitment test! But remember, this is merely the beginning. To truly join our ranks, you must conquer the preliminary, secondary, and final examinations. Only those who triumph in all three will become official members of the Academy! We now commence with the preliminary test. Are you prepared?"
"Yes, we are!" came the collective response from the square, where faces were alight with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
The thrill of participating in this triennial event was palpable, yet the uncertainty of the impending preliminary test loomed large. Thoughts of the subsequent rounds were put aside; the immediate goal was to advance past this first challenge. Passing the preliminary test was an achievement in itself, promising significant rewards even to those who might not secure a place at the Academy.
For instance, a Chen family disciple who passed would receive a handsome sum of 100,000 gold coins. Other families were sure to offer their own incentives, for the South Wind Academy's enrollment tests were also a strategic contest among Willow State East's leading families. The more of their youth who advanced, the greater their prestige. It was an opportunity to showcase the potential power of each family's next generation.
The strength of the younger generation is a harbinger of a family's future prosperity!
For those young men and women without the backing of powerful families, this was an excellent chance to showcase their abilities. Passing the preliminary test would surely attract the attention of the major families. Even if they didn't make it into South Wind Academy, joining one of these families was a coveted alternative.
The families were eager to recruit such gifted individuals. Despite their different surnames, a signed contract would mitigate any fear of betrayal.
The South Wind Empire's official agreement held limited sway over the South Wind Auction, but for these families and youths, it still carried significant deterrent power.
"Let's get started!"
Mentor Yanshan, observing the mix of excitement and anxiety among the young contenders, offered a reassuring smile and turned his gaze to the South Wind Academy mentors below.
The mentors ascended the seven makeshift platforms at the square's center, each setting up a table with a crystal ball secured on a stand.
From the pavilion, Mentor Yanshan began his explanation, "These crystal balls are designed to assess your innate talent. They can gauge your current potential, which is categorized into four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow. Each rank is further divided into three levels: Third, Sixth, and Ninth Grade. The initial phase of the test will determine your talent level. Achieving at least the Sixth Grade of Yellow Rank means you've passed!"
Following his introduction, the seven South Wind Academy mentors on the platforms simultaneously instructed, "We will now call the names of those to be tested!"
"Han Ann."
"Huang Yun."
"Hong Xiantian."
...
Seven names were announced, and seven youths promptly ascended their respective platforms.
"Place your hand on the ball and channel a wisp of Spirit energy!"
Guided by the mentors, all seven youths simultaneously reached out, their hands making contact with the crystal balls as they infused them with Spirit energy.
"Han Ann, Yellow Rank Third Grade. Not qualified!"
"Huang Yun, Yellow Rank Third Grade. Not qualified!"
"Hong Xiantian, Yellow Rank Third Grade. Not qualified!"
...
To the astonishment of onlookers, all seven youths on stage were deemed unqualified, each earning a Third Grade of Yellow Rank.
The youths looked utterly dejected.
They had signed up with a mix of nerves and anticipation, only to be met with disqualification, a bitter pill to swallow.
The South Wind Academy mentors, unfazed, proceeded to read out another set of seven names.
Another group of seven youths took the stage, and once again, all were unqualified, causing the remaining untested youths to grow increasingly anxious.
"The South Wind Academy's entrance exams are notoriously rigorous, eliminating all but a fraction of applicants. The rumors are indeed true!"
"I'm familiar with the talent ranking system. Apparently, Yellow Rank Third Grade suggests no future prospects of reaching the Spirit Essence Stage, whereas Yellow Rank Sixth Grade indicates potential for advancement!"
"That explains it. No wonder those who graduate from South Wind Academy are all Cultivators at the Spirit Essence Stage. They've been vetted right from the start!"
...
The crowd around the square buzzed with conversation at the unfolding scene.
Chen Yi watched with a composed demeanor.
This method of talent assessment, reliant solely on Spirit energy, was not the best measure of a cultivator's true potential. For some unique cultivators, their real talent could not be gauged by Spirit energy alone. Yet, for a place like the South Wind Empire, such testing was deemed sufficient.
The South Wind Academy wasn't exactly elite; a rough estimate of ability was all that was needed.
Moreover, a cultivator's talent could evolve with their growth.
Take Chen Yi's past life, for instance. His talent was respectable in Wood County City, but within the vast Blue Cloud Realm or the Holy Heaven Realm, it was laughably inadequate. Still, he managed to break through numerous barriers and ultimately ascend to the status of a revered figure in the Holy Heaven Realm. Why? Because his talent transformed as he grew. Of course, the Blood Holy Bead played a crucial role in his ascension!
In essence, this test served to weed out those youths unlikely to achieve greatness. Some exceptional cases might slip through the cracks, but the academy wouldn't overhaul a tradition that had stood the test of time for the sake of a few outliers.
"Wang Ying, Yellow Rank Sixth Grade, qualified!"
After three successive rounds of unqualified results, the fourth wave of seven youths finally yielded a pass.
"Fantastic!"
The Wang Family girl with a ponytail beamed with joy atop the platform.
Below, envious eyes watched on.
Atop the pavilion, Wang Sheng's expression remained neutral, despite the scene before him.
His mood was sour; he had no inclination to celebrate the success of a mere disciple.
The reason for his gloom was Wang Yun's absence from the recruitment exam.
Afflicted with the Blood Devouring Curse, Wang Yun was now a shadow of his former self, too frail for even basic movements, let alone the rigors of an entrance exam. Wang Sheng had been frantically seeking a cure for days, but to no avail. Wang Yun's condition remained unresolved.
His mood hadn't improved for days. Missing the recruitment exam meant Wang Yun would lose his chance forever.
What troubled Wang Sheng even more was the fact that there seemed to be no cure for Wang Yun's illness. Without a solution, his condition might become incurable. As his only son, the thought of Wang Yun being permanently incapacitated was unbearable.
"This wretched boy is to blame!"
Wang Sheng's eyes narrowed on Chen Yi below, his expression turning to one of deep resentment. Given the opportunity, he would have taken great pleasure in cutting down the boy himself!
