The First Heartbeat

Inside the tent presided over by the gaunt elder, a multitude of woolen blankets lay spread across the ground. The candidates who had completed their aptitude tests mostly sat cross-legged upon these blankets, awaiting their turn. This tent was connected to another larger one, where a stern-looking middle-aged instructor in a black robe stood, ready to call out names; upon hearing their name, each candidate would promptly enter the next tent.

Within the larger tent, seven elders from the academy were seated. Six of them occupied a long table, crafted from rosewood and adorned with various items, while all wore black robes embellished with silver stars on their chests and sleeves. In a corner, one elder sat on a cushioned chair, seemingly a mere observer. His robe bore golden star insignia, along with the emblem of a qilin and mandarin ducks. His hair was a faded yellow, and his face was etched with deep, knife-like wrinkles. Notably, he was a one-armed elder.

As Lin Xi began his test, there was a brief pause in the proceedings within the large tent; after one youth was sent to the next tent, no further names were immediately called. 

"Qualification of only two?" The soundproofing of the large tent was remarkably effective; even the nearby candidates could not hear the voices within. Yet, when the gaunt elder announced Lin Xi's qualification, all seven elders seemed to hear it distinctly. A brown-eyed elder with a grizzled beard furrowed his brow and murmured.

A kindly-looking woman also frowned but, glancing at the brown-eyed elder, softly remarked, "Since she recommended him, even if his qualification is lacking, he must possess other exceptional qualities."

"Proceed," the one-armed elder stated matter-of-factly. "We need not concern ourselves with the identity of the recommender; fairness is all that matters."

The other six distinguished elders nodded in agreement, their demeanor resolute. "Yes! Next!"

...

"I truly seem to have a connection with the number two." Lin Xi thought wryly as he stepped into the tent covered in blankets, surveying his surroundings. Back in Deerwood Town, he had been referred to as Young Master Lin Er, and now, during the academy entrance test, his qualification was also a mere two.

No one informed him of what to do next, but the postures of the other candidates seated on the blankets and the stern expression of the black-robed instructor quickly made it clear to him what was expected. His gaze swept across the tent and landed on Zhang Ping, who was also seated cross-legged on a blanket, nodding in his direction. Without hesitation, Lin Xi quietly moved to sit beside Zhang Ping.

"Hmm?" Initially, Lin Xi thought that sitting on a plush blanket in the somewhat humid weather would be uncomfortable, but as he settled down, he was pleasantly surprised; the soft blue blanket felt cool and refreshing against his skin.

"What level?" Zhang Ping inquired softly as soon as Lin Xi sat down.

Lin Xi held up two fingers.

"Two?" Zhang Ping paused, then offered a reassuring tone. "It's no big deal; the academy entrance test isn't solely based on aptitude."

"It's alright; I have no regrets. You, however, have a good chance of entering the Department of Artifice. I doubt many will achieve a qualification of four," Lin Xi replied quietly, nodding as he conversed with Zhang Ping. He noticed the ice queen, Leng Qiuyu, who had captivated Li Kaiyun, sitting nearby. Just then, a sudden uproar erupted from outside the testing area, the noise so loud that it reverberated even within the tent.

Before long, the tent flap was lifted, and to Lin Xi and Zhang Ping's surprise, Meng Bai entered.

"What's going on?" they asked as Meng Bai settled beside them.

Meng Bai's round face, dotted with freckles, glowed with excitement. "My qualification just came out as five."

"Five?" Lin Xi and Zhang Ping exchanged astonished glances.

Before Lin Xi entered, only a few had achieved a qualification of four, making a five exceptionally high. Yet, looking at the plump, freckled boy, Lin Xi found it difficult to associate him with such extraordinary talent.

Feeling somewhat disheartened, Lin Xi couldn't resist asking, "What color is a qualification of five?"

Meng Bai smacked his lips. "It's purple."

"Boom!" At that moment, another wave of commotion erupted outside the testing area.

"Could it be that someone else has achieved a qualification of five?" All eyes in the tent turned toward the entrance, and soon the thick tent flap was flung open, revealing a tall girl in a green dress.

This girl, with her ponytail, did not possess individually striking features, yet together they created an indescribably beautiful aura. Her attire was simple and elegant, radiating youthful vitality.

Lin Xi's breath hitched, his heart racing uncontrollably; in that instant, he experienced the same sensation of love at first sight that Li Kaiyun had described.

This girl, exuding natural charm, resembled the most breathtaking scenery, instantly captivating his soul, like an arrow piercing his heart.

"Lin Xi, you can't possibly have fallen for her at first sight like Li Kaiyun, can you?" Meng Bai teased, poking Lin Xi playfully in the side. Lin Xi appeared somewhat dazed.

Lin Xi did not deny it and smiled. "One might say that."

Meng Bai rolled his eyes. "I still think Leng Qiuyu is prettier. If I had to choose, I would pick her."

Lin Xi chuckled, not bothering to argue. Everyone has their own aesthetic preferences, just as some in his previous world found Fan Bingbing beautiful, while others preferred Li Bingbing. He believed the girl in green was more attractive than Leng Qiuyu, though he no longer gazed at her; her image remained vividly etched in his mind.

"That annoying golden spoon has entered.

As he contemplated inquiring with Meng Bai and Zhang Ping about the origins of the young girl in green, Meng Bai suddenly muttered something under his breath. 

The tent flap was lifted once more, and in walked the "Golden Spoon" youth, his hair slick and shiny, tied back, and clad in a white robe adorned with silver embroidery. 

Lin Xi had little interest in the glossy-haired youth, who resembled a movie star, and found himself irresistibly drawn to the young girl in green, who evoked an unprecedented flutter in his heart. 

The girl was scanning her surroundings, her expression serene and her demeanor relaxed. 

A low, disdainful voice reached Lin Xi's ears: "Does a toad aspire to eat swan meat?" 

Meng Bai glared furiously, "What did you say?" The voice belonged to the "Golden Spoon" youth, who had seated himself not far from them. 

The youth lowered his voice, speaking with a sharp, acerbic tone: "A talent of merely two dares to claim that I wouldn't succeed. With her talent of five, her admission to the academy is virtually assured. How could someone like you, who might not even gain entry, dare to dream?" 

Lin Xi was taken aback, suddenly realizing that the "Golden Spoon" youth had overheard Li Kaiyun's earlier remark about not engaging with him, warning that the youth would likely fail and that one could only wonder what would happen next. 

Meng Bai scoffed, "Is your talent truly so remarkable?" 

The "Golden Spoon" youth regarded him coolly, a subtle smirk gracing his lips. "Though I possess only four, that is still superior to your score. It far surpasses his paltry two." 

"Even a score of two doesn't guarantee failure in the entrance exam," Lin Xi retorted, tugging at the flushed face of Meng Bai. He turned to the "Golden Spoon" youth and shrugged. "What if I breeze through the academy entrance?" 

The "Golden Spoon" youth sneered derisively, "That would merely indicate you've stumbled upon good fortune. Such odds may be slim, but they do exist. Even in the Qingtuan Academy, there are bound to be a few students of little merit." 

Lin Xi smiled faintly. "What if I do breeze through and outperform you in the entrance exam?" 

The "Golden Spoon" youth frowned, a shadow of uncharacteristic coldness crossing his youthful, handsome features. "Are you suggesting a competition with me?" 

Lin Xi chuckled. "Indeed." 

"Golden Spoon" regarded Lin Xi with a mocking gaze. "Very well, what shall the stakes be?" 

Lin Xi's eyes nearly crinkled with mirth. "Let's keep it simple: the loser must proclaim loudly in front of everyone, 'There's something I've long wanted to share: I am, in fact, a pig!' It must be loud enough for all to hear." 

"Insane," the "Golden Spoon" youth replied, momentarily taken aback before nodding with a chilling smirk. "Fine, let's do as you propose." 

"Meng Bai, do you truly believe you can enter the academy and score higher than him?" Meng Bai and Zhang Ping regarded Lin Xi with skepticism, their voices low. 

Lin Xi smiled lightly, brushing off their doubts. "In Lu Lin Town, no one has ever bested me in a wager unless I wished to lose intentionally." 

"But the entrance exam cannot be compared to ordinary bets!" Zhang Ping exclaimed, his frustration palpable. Just then, the stern-looking middle-aged instructor in black robes called out his name, "Zhang Ping!" 

Zhang Ping sprang to his feet, casting a glance at Lin Xi and Meng Bai before dashing to the instructor's side. He lifted the heavy curtain and entered the next tent, his flustered demeanor eliciting another round of mocking laughter from the "Golden Spoon" youth. 

With his companion's departure, the atmosphere turned tense, and even Meng Bai fell silent. 

The intervals between candidates entering seemed brief, and the order was not strictly adhered to. Before long, after just one person had gone in, the stern instructor called out Lin Xi's name: "Lin Xi!"