Punishment, Shock the World

"Let me give it a try." At this moment, the shadow of a figure of a youth stepped forward. He was none other than Ning Feng, from the Ning Clan!

"Ning Feng, he should be able to pass." The eyes of the spectators flashed with excitement as they observed. Ning Feng walked towards the stone mirror on the left, placing his palm into the groove with the shape of a "凹". Instantly, the two darkened orbs at the bottom of the mirror lit up. And swiftly afterwards, the 3rd, the 4th, all the way to the 6th light orb, lit up in succession. His affinity with Heaven and Earth's Yuan Qi, was a 6-star rating.

Immediately, he proceeded onwards to the stone mirror on the right, undergoing the inspection procedure once again. His affinity with Astral Qi, was a 4-star rating. This evaluation caused many in the audience to gasp in awe. Today, Ning Feng from the Ning Clan definitely had a chance to enroll in one of the four great and prestigious academies.

Atop the stage, the representatives collectively inclined their heads in agreement, signifying that Ning Feng was eligible for the second round of examination.

Ning Feng smiled elatedly, pleased with himself, with traces of hot-bloodedness of youth apparent on his features, as he stood on the opposite side of the crowd.

Very quickly, six others went up for the examination. The majority of the six managed to impress a few of the representatives, but to no avail. The criteria of passing the first examination was for all representatives to concur.

"To think that the affinity Chen Yu has for sensing the Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi is a 7-star rating, even higher than Ning Feng. Although he only has a 3-star rating affinity for Astral Qi, with his current talent, all three other representatives had given their agreement, with the exception of the Emperor Star Academy. Truly, it's not so easy for one to enter the Emperor Star Academy.

The crowd discussed in a low voice — it was simply too difficult to enter the Emperor Star Academy. That place was the cradle for true, peak-level geniuses.

"Lin Yue is the awesome one! Not only is she one of the four great beauties, her talent is shockingly high too. To think that her affinity for the Astral Qi has reached the realm of a 6-star talent; As expected of one who condensed her first Astral Soul at the age of 13."

"So what? Next up, it's Autumn Snow's turn." The gaze of the spectators were riveted on the silhouettes of the two figures who'd yet to take the examination — Autumn Snow and Qin Wentian. Obviously, Qin Wentian was neglected. The audience only had eyes for Autumn Snow.

"Qin Wentian, you better watch this clearly." Autumn Snow cast a sidelong glance at Qin Wentian as she lifted her foot, and proceeded to the Yuan Observing Mirror on the left. Placing her exquisite jade-like hands into the groove in the shape of a "凹", instantaneously, three of the darkened orbs lit up, and a moment later, a total of seven orbs shone with dazzling light. She was a 7-star talent!

"If not for me spending untold amounts of time on mediation to heighten my sensory ability towards the Astral Constellations, I would've long surpassed the 7-star talent rating of today." Autumn Snow lightly said. She didn't even gaze at Qin Wentian as she swiftly proceeded on to the Astral Observing Mirror on the right. She repeated her actions, placing her jade-like hands into the groove, and in that instant, the darkened orbs lit up, shining dazzlingly, akin to a starry radiance of the boundless stars in the skies

"How bright." The spectators could feel piercing pain in their eyes, and swiftly, the eight orbs, other than dazzlingly shining, were also emanating Astral Light, invoking agitation and shock to countless members of the audience in the grandstand, causing them to stand up involuntarily for a better look.

"7-star talent for Heaven and Earth's Yuan Qi, and 8-star talent for Astral Qi from the Constellations. What a monster."

Silence, abruptly manifested, as many people gasped, and drew in a cold breath.

"Autumn Snow, the Royal Academy, welcomes your enrollment." Talon smiled gently. This was only the first examination, yet to think that the representative for the Royal Academy was willing to accept her enrollment straight away based on the talent she displayed.

"The Seven Stars Academy, welcomes your enrollment."

"Divine Wind Academy, sincerely invites you to be one of our members."

A representative from the Emperor Star Academy, standing beside Mustang, also opened his mouth, preparing to welcome Autumn Snow. However, at that instant, Mustang lowly intoned, "Wait a bit."

The expression of the representative froze, as he questioned Mustang with his gaze as he asked, "What do you mean? Why are you stopping me?"

"There's no rush." Mustang grinned, as he stopped replying.

Autumn Snow proceeded to the opposite side of the crowd. Arrogance and contempt infusing her gaze as she turned her head back, glancing at Qin Wentian. Akin to a princess looking down on a suitor, who had no idea of the immensity of Heaven and Earth.

Qin Wentian calmly walked before the stone mirror on the left, placing his palm in the groove and instantly, nine darkened light orbs lit up, causing the expressions of the audience to freeze in shock. Qin Wentian's affinity with the Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi, was actually, a 9-star talent rating. The whole crowd including examiners went into frenzy, a 16 years old boy actually had a 9-stars talent rating of affinity with Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi. Most of them started to bite their own tongue and to see if they were dreaming.

Swiftly after, Qin Wentian proceeded onwards, arriving at the stone mirror on the right, lightly placing his palm in the groove, and in that instant, the darkened light orbs begin to sparkle resplendently – seven orbs continually lit up, causing the spectators to be dumbstruck, as though a bolt of lightning went off in their hearts.

"7-star talent!" The pupils of the crowd contracted, but who would have predicted that, the 8th orb, almost immediately, started to light up as well. The brilliance of the astral radiance permeated the whole training grounds, while countless members of the audience were shaking their heads. "How is this possible?"

Qin Wentian shifted his gaze to Autumn Snow as he calmly stated, "8-star talent, is it really that strong?"

As his voice faded away, the 9th and final orb of the Astral Observing Mirror begin to glow.

"Weng!" A buzzing sound rang out. The radiance emitted by the resplendent rays of Astral Light were so dazzling, it was as though it was intending on competing with the Sun. That moment, the whole set of darkened orbs on the Astral Observing Mirror completely lit up.

Suddenly, "Kacha!" A crisp sound rang out. Cracks swiftly appeared on the surface of the Astral Observing Mirror, as the Astral Light began to converge onto a single spot, before explosively shooting up to the heavens. The Astral Observing Mirror, shattered into pieces. Qin Wentian remained standing there, motionlessly, with his palms still extended in the now-destroyed groove. Directing his gaze towards Autumn Snow, he asked again, "8-star talent, is it really that awesome?"

"Hu!" Mustang let out a breath that he didn't realize he was holding. The Astral Observing Mirror shattered, as it was unable to take the pressure caused by a 9-star talent. His eyes began to shine with a light, that was as bright as the constellations in the skies. Once again all of the people here, the Qin clan's members were no exception either, went into super frenzy again, their adopted member whom they thought that he was a trash with crippled meridians surprisingly had peak level talent on both kind of cultivations. Not to mention he had 9-stars talent on the path of Stellar Martial Cultivation, just the talent of affinity with Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi alone was enough to make people's face became green with envy.

"What happened?" The countenance of Talon's senior, Seifer, grew heavy. A 9-star talent before the age of 16. This person, if he stepped on the path of Stellar Martial Cultivators, his future would be boundless.

Under the questioning of his senior Seifer, Talon visibly stiffened as he explained in a low voice, "Senior, this person was born with crippled meridians, and is someone that was unable to practice cultivation. He was driven out from the Bai Clan, with them proposing to annul the previous marriage engagement. Such a man, even if he had a 9-star talent, it is also useless."

Seifer silently nodded his head. He believed that both the Sky Harmony City and Bai Clan, would not make such a mistake. Although he lamented the fact that a 9-star talent was buried like this.

Autumn Snow also glanced at Qin Wentian, her beautiful eyes flickering incessantly. No wonder he was able to guide her; his talent was monstrous indeed. However, what use was there? Ye WuQue, was the real genius, one of the 10 prodigies of the Royal Capital.

"Qin Wentian, you couldn't cultivate, and thus, lacking distractions, were able to focus all your attention on meditation. To think that all your efforts had actually managed to heighten your affinity to such a degree. Truly a tragedy." Autumn Snow calmly stated, as her expression returned to normal. "Next, in the second round of the examination, I will truly show you how great the divide is between you and me."

"Keke!", Talon coldly smiled. "The first round of examination, it will be considered that you passed. However, for the second round, talent is useless. What we want to measure, is strength. If you are unable to meet the qualifications, it means that you are intentionally pulling a prank on the four great academies. When the time comes, I will let you know the consequences of lying. Set up the war drum!"

After his sentence sounded out, a gigantic drum was brought over and up onto the stage. The drum was constructed from the skin of demonic bulls, and was able to determine the level of a person's strength.

Qin Wentian leveled his gaze at Talon. His talent was the 9-star rating, yet he merely considered to have passed?

How laughable.

Only nine candidates remained after the first round of examination. It was not known how many would be left after the second round. The minimum requirement of the second round was that one must at least have the strength level of 36 bulls. However, that was only the minimum requirement. There was no guarantee that it was sufficient for one to enter one of the four great academies just based on that level of strength.

"Every reverberation of the drum equates to the strength level of 10 bulls. Try your best to enable the drums to sound out. Everyone will have three attempts." A voice explained. Almost immediately after, a figure arrived in front of the drums. Arching his body like the bending of a bow, his strike was similar to a notched arrow, gathering strength. Abruptly, an explosive sound rang out! The body of the figure rushed out, as if his strike carried the force of a rocket, and he swung his fist violently towards the drum.

"Boom." The sound of the drum wavered in the air, resounding throughout the training ground. One reverberation, strength level of 10 bulls.

"Boom, Boom!" The second and third reverberation rang out, but soon after, the sound gradually diminished, it seems as though the strength behind the earlier strike was unable to reach the 4th reverberation. The representatives from the four great academies, collectively shook their heads. The strength of this person was insufficient to make the drum reverberate four times, and he didn't have the talent to become a Stellar Martial Cultivator. As such, he was eliminated.

"Let me try." Lin Yue proceeded forward. Currently, she was suppressed by Autumn Snow, and felt a bit depressed. With a slight intention of will, the shape of a rabbit, condensed from astral light, materialized on her forehead. Obviously, this was the astral soul that she had condensed.

Astral Souls condensed from the rabbit constellation, were able to grant the cultivator a vigorous body, keen ears, agility, and reaction and movement speed. Lin Yue sprung forward, with power comparable to a tornado. "Bang!", her fist instantly struck against the drum.

"Boom, Boom, Boom." The drum sound continually rang out for six times, reverberating through the air. Lin Yue possessed a strength level comparable to 66 bulls. Looking at her small body frame, it was inconceivable to think that she was actually strong enough to slay ferocious beasts.

Lin Yue had already gone all out, holding nothing in reserve in her first attempt.

"You are eligible to join my Seven Stars Academy." One of the representatives extended an invitation to her. The talent of Lin Yue wasn't bad at all, and certainly worthy of nurturing.

"The Divine Wind Academy would welcome you as well." Upon hearing that two of the academies offered a position, a smile broke out on her visage. However, in her heart, she couldn't help but feel disappointment as she turned her gaze to look at the Royal Academy and the Emperor Star Academy. Apparently, she hadn't met the qualifications to join them.

Although she was disappointed, Lin Yue still replied, "I choose to join the Divine Wind Academy."

Other than that, only Chen Yu and Ning Feng managed to perform well enough to secure an invitation, joining the Seven Stars Academy and the Divine Wind Academy respectively. However, both the Royal Academy and the Emperor Star Academy, still had not extend their invitations to any of the candidates. After all, they were here namely for Autumn Snow. The performance of the earlier candidates wouldn't be able to easily move their hearts.

After that, the only participants left were Autumn Snow and two others.

"Qin Wentian, open your eyes and watch this clearly." Autumn Snow lightly said, as she walked in front of the drums, nonchalantly executed an ordinary-looking strike. The drum sounded out five times, reverberating in the air.

"7th level of the Body Refinement Realm, Autumn Snow, just an ordinary strike of hers contained the strength level of 50 bulls! How terrifying. It's said that she delayed her cultivation on purpose to heighten her sensory abilities. If not, her cultivation level would undoubtedly be much higher."

For those who absorbed and cultivated the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth, the strength levels for Martial Cultivators could be classified as: strength level of 1 bull, 4 bulls, 9 bulls, 16 bulls, 25 bulls, and at the 7th stage – strength level of 49 bulls.

As for Stellar Martial Cultivators, they were indefinitely more powerful. The Astral Soul would be able to boost their strength by a certain degree. Depending on the various kinds of Astral Souls, the degree boosted was different for each, and as such, there was not a definite scale to measure how much their strength level would be boosted by.

Autumn Snow calmly gazed at Qin Wentian, before she retreated a few steps and released her Astral Soul. Golden Crane Astral Soul! The outline of her Astral Soul shone with a faint golden light, signifying that her Astral Soul was condensed from forming an innate link with a constellation of the 3rd Heavenly Layer.

"Crane Cries in the Wilds!" Autumn Snow coldly intoned, as her posture shifted to something similar to a demonic crane hunting its prey, before instantly striking out with a claw-like hand, with speed akin to lightning, as a thunderous sound rumbled out. It was as though thunder had truly appeared, causing shrill buzzing sounds in the ears of the audience, threatening to deafen them.

"Boom, Boom, Boom" Momentarily, five drum sounds rang out. However, the sound had not subsided yet

"Boom" The sound reverberated in the air. This was the 6th reverberation. On the grandstand, the crowd collectively stood up, with solemn expressions on their faces. Genius. She was definitely a genius.

Accompanied by yet another reverberation, the sound lingered in the air. When the 7th sound rang out, it was as though a tornado devastated the entire space, sweeping through Heaven and Earth.

7 reverberations equated to a strength level of 70 bulls! This was the boosting effect caused by the condensation of Astral Soul. To think that the drum that was manufactured using the leather of demonic bulls would vibrate to such an extent that it seemed on the point of disintegrating.

Not only that, Autumn Snow had reached the 7th level of the Body Refinement Realm by absorbing and cultivating using the Yuan Qi from Heaven and Earth. If she had reached this level after the condensation of her Astral Soul, through purely the absorption of Astral Qi, her strength level would undoubtedly be much more tyrannical.

The crowd couldn't help but lose themselves in the face of that incomparable beauty as they gazed upon her. Consequently, Qin Wentian seemed so weak and little in comparison.

Just as she said, in this second round of examination, she would let Qin Wentian see exactly how wide the divide was between the two of them.

On top of the stage, the spectators inclined their heads to look at the empty air, as the residual sound of the drumbeats reverberated in the air, and a terrifying surge of energy emerged — so powerful that it was capable of shocking people.

"A demoness. No wonder Ye WuQue from the Ye Clan was willing to give up the marriage engagement with the royal clan for her. As a phoenix among women, her accomplishments in the future will definitely not be any lesser when compared to Ye WuQue." Seifer from the Royal Academy silently stated in his heart. This woman, regardless of the cost, they must ensure that she joined the Royal Academy.

"Autumn Snow, should you enter the Royal Academy, I can immediately gift you with a Yuanfu-Graded Cultivation Technique, as well as three incomparably exquisite innate-level techniques. How about it?" Seifer offered, extending an invitation for Autumn Snow to join the Royal Academy.

"The same goes for my Divine Wind Academy. We're willing to gift you with a Yuanfu-Graded Cultivation Technique, including three innate-level techniques. Other than that, we would get an elder of the Yuanfu Realm to personally coach you." The Divine Wind Academy immediately raised the bar, offering even better conditions.

"The Seven Star Academy offers you the choice to choose between three Yuanfu-Graded Cultivation Techniques, and would also gift you three innate-level techniques. Not only that, we will grant you special rights to bring five of your family members along for enrolment as well." The Seven Star Academy, not only were they willing to nurture Autumn Snow, they even gave her a chance to extend the invitation to her family members.

"The Emperor Star Academy, welcomes your enrolment." The representative standing beside Mustang, after hearing the invitations made by the other representatives, couldn't tolerate it any longer as he too extended an invitation – causing the placid expression on Autumn Snow, to finally break out into a smile. The four great academies had all extended an invitation to her.

Autumn Snow didn't respond immediately. She turned her body, and calmly stated as she looked to Qin Wentian, "Do you understand now?"

"Understand what?" Qin Wentian asked back.

"Our so called marriage engagement, in the face of the absolute disparity between us, is nothing but a joke. In the future, just peacefully live out your life and be a ordinary human." Autumn Snow calmly continued, "My life and yours, from the start, we were destined to be two parallel lines, never to intersect."

After saying that, Autumn Snow turned her body back and walked forward. The gazes of all the spectators were on her, curious about the choice she would make.

"Wait!" At this moment, a voice could be heard, causing Autumn Snow to once again cast her glance towards Qin Wentian. Traces of a smile could be seen in his eyes, causing Autumn Snow to freeze involuntarily.

"Your examination has ended, but what about me? I haven't even started." Qin Wentian tranquilly stated, causing Autumn Snow to raise her eyebrows. Qin Wentian wanted to attempt the examination too?

Qin Wentian proceeded forward, arriving in front of the enormous drum. Currently, he sealed his own cultivation level to the 5th level Heavenly Dipper realm.

"Hmph!" Talon's coldly snorted. If Qin Wentian was unable to cause the drumbeat to reverberate at least three times, he would definitely teach him a lesson.

Mustang narrowed his eyes in laughter, it was as though he knew that a lion — the king of the beasts — was about to rise.

Qin Wentian casually glanced at the enormous drum ahead, next the crowd only saw he casually raised left hand and then he just simply punched the war drum casually.

"Boom" The drumbeat sounded out one time only. Although this was nothing to be surprise of but what made all of them dumbfounded was the war drum got destroyed instead and it tuned into dust and flied off into thin air.

Mustang, Talon, Bai Qingsong, Autumn Snow and the rest went slack jawed, as shock suffused their features. If you could only make one drum sound rang out it meant that you were at the 1st stage, strength of 1 bull however if you destroyed it instead then what did it mean? It actually meant that you at least had the cultivation base at early Heavenly Dipper Realm or higher. Just look at most of the clan's head presented here, most of them were at least at 3rd level Heavenly Dipper Realm and the highest was 6th level. Then you would be considered to have the same standing as one's clan head. This was too shocking, the ones below Heavenly Dipper Realm can never destroy the war drum. All of them didn't know what to say anymore. A 16 years old boy with cultivation base at Heavenly Dipper Realm? Furthermore, it seemed that he was at least at the middle Heavenly Dipper Realm. Right everything went into chaos, no one could keep calm anymore, one of the spectator even took out a knife to slice his wrist to see if he was in illusion or dreaming and the result was he got a bunch of blood spilled out of his wrist and he shouted "Ahhh, my wrist" then all the people here finally woke up from the dazing state.

"Pitiful." Qin Wentian lightly stated, as he glanced at Autumn Snow. In that instance, Astral Light blossomed in radiant splendor – an Astral Soul, with a solid golden halo, in the shape of a gigantic hammer could be seen materializing atop of Qin Wentian's forehead. That halo produced was even brighter and more resplendent than the Astral Soul of Autumn Snow. The energy that emanated from it, was also countless times more terrifying.

One must know that, earlier, when Qin Wentian had his affinity for the Astral Qi tested, he had achieved a 9-star talent rating.

"That Astral Soul was so much brighter than the halo of Autumn Snow's. Surely, it must have originated from the 5rd Heavenly Layer or higher." The hearts of the spectators were all trembling in awe.

But these weren't end yet, suddenly another Astral light brighten out again and it was in the purest gold color and it was in a shape of a heavenly sword. This was the Heavenly God Sword Formation Constellation from 9th heavenly layer but sadly no one here could recognize what it was and which Heavenly Layer it originated from. They only knew that it was from a higher Heavenly layer, well at least from the 6th one was what they could think of.

"Excellent, Excellent!" Qin Chuan could not hold back his joy any longer as he loudly exclaimed. It was as if all the sadness and depression in his heart had been spat out. It was too satisfying! A 9-star talent, as well as an Astral Soul condensed from the 5th Heavenly Layer and another one from a higher layer.

"Who said that my son Wentian was unworthy of Autumn Snow. Is Autumn Snow even worthy enough for him? A Heavenly Dipper Realm expert? Compare to everyone here you all are trash beyond trash. Hehe, don't forget that he is only 16 years old. He could kill anyone here with a flick of his finger. hahaha" Qin Chuan coldly stated, gazing at Bai Qingsong. At this moment, the countenance of Bai Qingsong was extremely ugly to behold, it was as if he dared not believed what was happening before his eyes. How was this possible? Or is he an old man in disguise?

The representatives from the four great academies, had sat down after Autumn Snow finished displaying her might. However, at this moment, they all stood up again, gazing at the two blinding Astral Soul atop of Qin Wentian's forehead. How radiant, how resplendent.

"Hu; a monster." Mustang deeply sucked in a huge breath, as his gaze heated up. He was the first to discover the talent of Qin Wentian. To think that, he was a Heavenly Dipper Realm expert.

"The Emperor Star Academy, welcomes your enrolment, ahh no sorry our academy welcome you to be our guest elder." Mustang warmly smiled, and extended the invitation to Qin Wentian.

However, it was as though Qin Wentian had not heard the invitation. His gaze was riveted on Autumn Snow, as a cold smile hung from his lips, "I wish to question the Bai Clan: When did I ever have bad intentions towards Autumn Snow? And as for you, Autumn Snow, do you even have the abilities needed to guide me, a Heavenly Dipper expert?"

It was as though she had been slapped heavily by that gust of wind from his speech. How shocking.

"My life and yours, from the start, we were destined to be two parallel lines, never to intersect. Compare to me you are just an insect; I can squeeze you to death with my just finger. Originally I saw you good attitude and character and I decided to guide you but to think all of you were the fox in shape of the sheep, humph I really want to pinch all of you to death now." Said WenTian as he released his aura and it pressured down Autumn Snow and all the Bai clan's member and forced them to kneeled on the ground.

The prideful words of Autumn Snow lingered in the air. However, how weak did those prideful words sounded now. It diminished into nothingness now.

The gaze of Mustang grew heated as he drew in a deep breath. Decisiveness could be seen flickering in his eyes, as he stated, "The Emperor Star Academy retracts their earlier invitation and raise a ban to Autumn Snow. Qin Wentian, I represent the Emperor Star Academy, and sincerely extend an invitation for you to join us."

The other representatives beside Mustang glanced at him, while their expressions flickered. However, in their hearts, they agreed with his decision. A Heavenly Dipper expert at the age of 16, in the future they couldn't imagine what realm he will become.

"Thank you, teacher Mustang for your invitation, I will seriously consider this. But let me punish all of these people first. Right now I can spare all you from death, however I will cripple Bai QinSong's cultivation, consider this is very merciful enough from me, you even planned to kill me but remember that I spare all of you because of Bai Qing. If not for her, I will cripple or even kill most of you instead." After the sound ended they saw Qin Wentian flew toward Bai Qingsong's direction and then 'Kacha!' the sound of something broken sounded out. Suddenly Bai Qingsong aged 10 more years, his hair turned white, his skin turned wrinkle.

After that he turned his head to look at the Ye clan, "Remember my cultivation base is at 9th level Heavenly Dipper Realm, I can kill anyone from your clan easily. You said that Ye WuQue is the peak level genius right? So what about now? Compare to me he is just an ant right, Ye clan's member?"

All of the Ye clan's people, even the vice clan's head was no exception, didn't dare to say anything they could only endure the pressure of this young expert.

"Go back and tell your clan's number one genius that don't let me see him, if I were to see him I will cripple his cultivation for sure." Added Wentian. Then he walked off from the examination platform and went to his clan's direction.

...

After today's event ended, everyone in the city went into frenzy and spread the news out like thunder. Never in their wildest dream that a boy at 16 years old age had cultivation at 9th level Heavenly Dipper, a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign. Such a young and powerful expert, his future is unimaginable.

later, this news arrived at the Royal Clan and all of them went into chaos. After the decisive consideration, they told all of their clan's member and subordinates not to touch the Qin clan for the time being. The Heavenly Dipper Sovereign is no laughing matter, even in the strongest empire Grand Shang empire, no genius could climb up to this level at such a young age either. If the Royal clan formed good relationship with the Qin clan instead, then in the future they will become a powerhouse the same as Grand Shang empire, just imagine that at 16 Qin WenTian is already a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign, not to mention he could break through to the Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant realm at any moment without a doubt, then in the next 10 years or 30 years what realm will he achieve? That is simply unimaginable. But sadly, they have already offended the Qin clan tremendously. This matter became the hot topic that everyone in the Grand Xia empire were discussing.