Chapter 49 - Quick and Simple

The test began with only 7 people entering at a time. Unlike the opening examination, where 100 people could easily hold inside, the ranking tournament was a more serious endeavor.

One could expect that some of the people participating in this ranking could even rival Quazi-Earthen Realm powerhouses. Naturally then, the instructors planned for the essence distribution in the Desolate Fang Pagoda to be very concentrated, hence the small number.

Many first-years were eager to enter first so that they can know where their strength lies within the list. No one from the older years stopped them so they cheerfully dashed inside the Desolate Fang Pagoda.

After about half an incense stick of time, all of them begrudgingly exited the pagoda. They mostly had about three wins before they were knocked out. They turned their heads to a stone plaque that was on a pillar some ways away from their location.

It had a long list of names running in columns of 25, each displaying a number beside each name. They turned their eyes towards the right side of the plaque where there was some movement.

Many spaces were formed between people's names, with new names being inscribed in place. It was not that impressive since these were the last 5 columns representing the people in ranks 300 and more.

The truly pitiful people were the ones who did not cause any movement on the plaque since there names did not push anybody's down. These disciples just wanted to grab a hot iron and peel their faces off.

As time progressed, many second-years and third-years began joining the fray, putting their names all over the plaque. Some rejoiced that their names reached past certain columns, while some cried that their names did not budge from their position. The only saving grace was that the plaque only represents your best performance, not your current.

However, not many people had touched the 200's ranking and no one made a dent on the top 100 rankings. Evidently, many nobles and strong looking people did not participate yet, until now.

"Amazing, Zhen Lu finally passed the top 150. This means he can finally be considered for the core disciple discussion." Many disciples spoke fervently about his achievements while Zhen Lu puffed up his chest.

"Don't get so cocky now, might I remind you of why you can never beat me." His pride show was cut short by a short, red haired girl with a large ponytail.

"It is Hai Yulin. She finally left from her training and it looks like she broke through the Mortal General Realm." Everyone was excited to see this rivalry of third-years. Zhen Lu was amazing, but he always seemed to come up short to the prestige of Hai Yulin. Even now, she beat him to the race of Mortal General.

Zhen Lu had nothing to say except the grinding of his teeth as she walked past him. She waved her hands before walking inside. "Anybody wants to be my company?"

Very quickly, multiple second and third years rushed in to fill the other six slots. From the test started, Zhen Lu kept his eye focused on the stone plaque with sheer determination but a little trepidation.

A full incense stick of time passed and Hai Yulin was the last one to remain inside the pagoda. Many disciples began chatting about the rivalry. "It seems that she is going to last longer than Zhen Lu."

"Well, that is to be expected of a Mortal General."

"I would not be surprised if a faction decided to pick her up."

"Look she is coming out now."

They were in strong conversation with each other as Hai Yulin walked out of the pagoda. Everyone almost synchronously turned their heads towards the plaque.

A little movement happened on the 5th column which caused a disciple to exclaim, "She broke through the top 150".

Her new rank was displayed at the bottom of the plaque: Hai Yulin - 125.

She grinned victoriously at Zhen Lu who glanced at her in anger. What was even more shocking was the black-robed person who approached her saying, "would you like to join the Skywing Faction?"

"Skywing Faction! That is the fifth strongest faction in the academy." The disciples eyes were popping in disbelief. That meant that Hai Yulin's potential was even great enough to draw the attention of the top core disciples.

"I don't know what to say." Hai Yulin herself was flabbergasted. She never expected that one of the top factions would actually come looking for her. This was certainly more than she could ask for so obviously she said yes.

The only thing that put a sour mood to this situation was when he eyes drifted to a Zhen Lu who seemed like he was going to break with his clenched fists and building tears. As she tried to say something to him, he quickly fled the scene, prompting her to dash after him while beckoning.

All the excitement subsided slightly because of that awkward moment. Everybody knew that this rivalry was very important to at least one of them, or probably both, but losing is an expected result of any rivalry so this was not without reason.

That being said, no one else took the opportunity to enter the Desolate Fang Pagoda. It was an unspoken rule even seen in the opening examinations that when someone made an impressive performance, the next person has to deliver a similar or better performance, or risk some ridicule and lose face.

Because of that, a group of first-years decided to step up to participate.

"We might as well go now while there is no traffic." Lu Yan lazily stretched his hands behind his head while leading the group of six. Dong Lin seemed to be encouraging a Zhou Wei who was feigning annoyance, and Hua Mei was meekly trailing behind them.

What caught everyone off guard was Qin Qingtian who was earnestly talking to Tian Longmeng. Ever since she invited him to sit beside her, she has been questioning him on his cultivation.

Her zeal and passion when questioning Tian Longmeng came as a complete anomaly to Lu Yan, Zhou Wei, and Hua Mei. They could not believe that this was the same aloof girl who shunned even her older brother and cousins, and even disowned her father because he was too "doting".

Tian Longmeng could not believe it either, thinking something similar to the rest. However, he had to give her credit. The reason for her curiosity is because she noticed that despite his average cultivation he was able to exert physical strength uncharacteristic of any child below 15 years of age.

Tian Longmeng was impressed that although she could not truly perceive the body strengthening path, she was still able to pick up that he was peculiar. So, in the end he decided to divulge some of his lifestyle and cultivation practices.

For him it did not sound like much, but for Qin Qingtian, this was a gold mine of information. To believe that he actually lived in the Desolate Wilderness hunting grey wolves and training under waterfalls. It is no wonder he is the powerful.

Because of this, Qin Qingtian stuck close to Tian Longmeng, even while they were walking in front of a large, bewildered audience. She was not fazed by the crowd's curious stare as she just had to figure out the secrets that held his incredible strength. At times she would even lean on him and grope his muscles to confirm her thoughts.

Lu Yan glanced at Tian Longmeng before shaking his head. This was something he had never seen before. Even Tian Longmeng, who would normally be aloof to the crowd, was turning slightly red in the cheeks from the constant groping and inspections.

Qin Qingtian was finally shaken from her fascination by the cough of Lu Yan. She jumped off Tian Longmeng's body and quickly straightened herself with a slight cough and pretended as if nothing happened.

This only left the crowd even more bewildered, prompting her to impatiently enter the pagoda while indicating for the test to start. "Come now, we do not have time to waste. Find one more person and let us get on with it."

There were no words for her performance. Dong Lin bashfully collected another first-year participant from the bundle and followed the others inside.

Once inside, the disciples finally got the chance to talk about the absurdity of that situation. They began heated discussions; however, it was already cut short by the reactivation of the pagoda.

"Someone came out already, it has only been 30 breaths of time." Many people thought to themselves that the random first-year was probably just unlucky to be in that same group but they were struck blank when they saw Tian Longmeng's appearance at the exit.

They were further shocked by the movement of the plaque and where his name appeared.