46. Entering the Top Class

Chapter 46: Entering the Top Class

"Let's go and give it a try too," Li Yun suddenly said to his sister beside him in front of the Wind-Cutting Fist stone tablet.

Li Zhining's eyes shifted slightly, and she put away her slightly moving hands, nodding her head.

She had already grasped some of the essence and felt she had reached the entry level, but she didn't immediately go for the assessment and instead waited.

She was waiting for her brother to grasp it as well.

Ever since she became aware, she noticed her brother had become increasingly anxious about his cultivation.

Having spent much time together, she could vaguely sense her brother's thoughts.

Among the three siblings at home, both she and the eldest sister had higher talent than their brother. The eldest sister had been taken as an apprentice by a renowned teacher from an early age, but she and her brother stayed in the mansion, often compared and praised by those around them.

Li Yun, as the brother, had the worst cultivation talent among the three siblings, which led him to work extra hard every time she surpassed him in progress, practicing late into the night.

"Let's go." Li Yun patted the dust off his clothes and got up. His eyes swept across, spotting a familiar figure by another stone tablet: Li Yuanzhao.

But the latter was deeply focused on the tablet and didn't notice him, just as he didn't know when Yuanzhao arrived.

Instinctively, he glanced at the spot beside Yuanzhao but didn't see Li Hao there, causing him to frown.

However, he didn't pay much attention and, with a slight huff, led his sister to the center of the square.

"If the practice is not up to par, just go back and practice some more," Li Yun said to his sister.

Li Zhining nodded slightly.

In front of the middle-aged man, there were five people practicing, with others standing around watching, trying to glean inspiration and insights from others' movements.

Suddenly, the siblings spotted a familiar figure standing among them—it was Li Hao.

"Him?" Li Zhining was puzzled.

"He must have come to observe and learn secretly," Li Yun raised an eyebrow, a cold smile appearing in his eyes. Although he didn't know when Li Hao arrived, it was certainly after him, and he wasn't confident in his mastery, let alone Li Hao's.

Outside, Li Hao quietly waited. His extraordinary perception made him aware of the approaching people behind him, but he didn't turn around or pay any attention.

Having greeted them proactively many times only to be met with avoidance, he knew that the once joyful siblings who used to run to the courtyard to listen to stories were gone.

Soon, the practice session ended.

Only three of the five people passed; the other two were still lacking a bit of finesse and precision.

"Let's go." Li Yun led his sister forward. Facing the middle-aged man, who was a head taller than him, his expression remained proud. "We've been studying the Wind-Cutting Fist."

Recognizing their identity through their attire, the middle-aged man nodded slightly, showing a hint of a smile. "Please demonstrate."

The siblings immediately assumed their stances and executed the moves. Soon, they completed the set of moves.

Li Yun, during the turn, failed to move his waist, so his strength didn't reach his fists, resulting in a slightly weaker force.

The middle-aged man was secretly amazed and asked, "How long have you been practicing?"

"Half a day." Li Yun replied calmly, but there was a trace of pride in his eyes. He vaguely sensed that he might have made a small mistake, and the result might not be favorable.

However, considering he had only been practicing for half a day, his progress was already impressive.

"Impressive!" Indeed, as Li Yun expected, the middle-aged man expressed a bit of admiration, causing the corner of the young man's mouth to twitch upward involuntarily.

"Young lady, you've reached entry-level and passed." The middle-aged man took out a badge from his waist and handed it to Li Zhining.

Li Yun was momentarily stunned.

"Your fist technique needs a bit more polish. Keep practicing, and I think you'll master it soon." The middle-aged man said to Li Yun.

Li Yun's face showed a hint of embarrassment. He turned to his sister, "When did you comprehend it?"

Li Zhining put away the badge and quickly said, "Just now."

She didn't lie. She had indeed grasped it not long ago, no more than half an hour earlier.

"Reaching the entry-level of a top-grade martial art in half a day—geniuses like you are rare even in the top class," the middle-aged man said with a smile.

"Does that mean others can do it too?" Li Yun's face changed slightly.

"There were a few yesterday." The middle-aged man smiled, noting that the quality of this year's new disciples was excellent, slightly better than previous years.

Li Yun felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment, his fists clenching unconsciously.

At that moment, the middle-aged man's gaze fell on a familiar figure approaching, recognizing another from the God General's Mansion. He smiled and said, "Are you here to demonstrate too?"

"Mm." Li Hao nodded.

The siblings couldn't help but glance at Li Hao. Li Yun felt slightly better—at least there was someone to take the fall with him.

"Please." The middle-aged man gestured.

Li Hao, straightforward as ever, raised his hand and threw two punches. The force of the punches was like a blade, with a faint sound of a sharp edge slicing through.

The middle-aged man's expression changed dramatically, staring at Li Hao in shock.

Li Hao had already retracted his fists. "Is that enough?"

The middle-aged man snapped back, unable to hold back his surprise, "Did you come yesterday?"

"Today."

"..."

The middle-aged man was slightly taken aback, and another possibility emerged in his mind, causing a shiver not to think deeper. He immediately handed a badge to Li Hao. "Here's your top-class badge."

The badge was white, with black letters on one side, indicating top class.

Li Hao glanced at it, pocketed it casually, thanked him, and turned to leave, leaving behind two pairs of slightly astonished eyes.

"He… he also passed?" After Li Hao left, Li Yun couldn't help but ask.

The middle-aged man looked back at him, nodded, "His Wind-Cutting Fist is at least at the skillful level, perhaps… even perfect."

Li Hao's demonstration was too brief for him to determine the exact level.

But without a doubt, it was definitely at the entry level.

"Skillful? Impossible!" Li Yun's eyes widened.

He knew Li Hao had left the mansion with them today, later than himself, so how could he have grasped the skillful level in such a short time?! Even his sister had just reached entry level!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but turn back, staring incredulously at that figure.

Li Zhining stood frozen, watching the departing figure. Suddenly, memories of adults in the courtyard praising Li Hao flashed through her mind: "That child is really smart."

"Yes, very precocious. I've never seen such a clever child. He understands everything at a hint."

"It's a pity he can only cultivate his body; otherwise, with such a brilliant mind, he would definitely be a top-notch prodigy."

Indeed… the adults only ever mentioned his low cultivation ceiling, but no one ever said he wasn't smart enough.

The young girl gently bit her lip, slightly clenching the badge in her hand.

...

...

"I'm back." Li Hao jogged back to the two elders.

Seeing the top-class badge in his hand, the two elders nodded knowingly. Shen Yunqing chuckled, "Congratulations."

"You're too kind, elder," Li Hao smiled slightly, then suggested, "Shall we play another round?"

This kid… The two exchanged a glance, both feeling speechless. Why did this kid seem more addicted to chess than they were?

"Alright, let's play another round." Zhao Zongyuan had already reviewed the previous game and knew his mistakes, so he had the courage to battle again.

Li Hao's heart leapt with joy as he sat down, "Elder, please."

The two began another battle on the chessboard.

To prevent the opponent from quitting, Li Hao didn't play too aggressively, instead slowly drawing out the game and winning with a slight advantage.

Thus, a curious scene appeared on the square: other disciples were busy practicing and honing their skills in front of the stone tablets, while in a corner, a young man was fiercely competing with two elders on the chessboard, occasionally drawing cries of frustration from Zhao Zongyuan and hearty laughter from Shen Yunqing, attracting glances from the other disciples.

Seeing this peculiar scene, many couldn't help but show a hint of curiosity in their eyes.

"You brat, were you playing chess in your mother's womb?" Losing his patience, Zhao Zongyuan felt like tossing his pieces.

Li Hao chuckled.

Curious, Shen Yunqing asked, "Your chess skills must have required some effort. How do you usually practice?"

Just like this… Li Hao thought to himself but only smiled foolishly on the surface.

While playing chess, the two elders chatted with Li Hao about matters in the academy.

"Kid, did you know? A prince joined yesterday and also entered the top class, mastering a technique in just an hour."

"That girl from the Nangong family also came. Her talent is quite terrifying, and I hear she's not even the strongest in her generation."

"Kid, these are your future rivals in the top class. You'd better keep an eye on them."

Hearing the elders' concerns, Li Hao felt a bit overwhelmed and said, "Can't we just focus on the game?"

"..."

The two elders glared.

They had good intentions in warning him, but it seemed he wasn't interested.

Was he here at the Tan Palace Academy just to play chess?

This infuriated Zhao Zongyuan, who became serious once more, concentrating fully, but after a while, his face turned ashen, and he lost by a narrow margin again…

As the sun set, Li Hao was deeply engrossed in the game when he suddenly heard a voice beside him: "Hao-ge?"

Li Hao turned and saw it was Li Yuanzhao, who was cautiously watching him.

"Hmm?"

"I got the badge." Li Yuanzhao said. They arrived late and had been practicing for half a day.

"Oh." Li Hao nodded, not finding it surprising. This kid's talent was on par with Li Zhining's. Despite his somewhat silly demeanor, his beady eyes were full of cunning, quite clever.

"Well… they're waiting for us at the foot of the mountain to return to the mansion together. What do you think, Hao-ge…"

"Let them go first. We'll return later," Li Hao said.

Across from him, the two elders had dark expressions. Was this kid addicted to winning?

"No more, no more," Zhao Zongyuan waved his hand. "It's getting late. You should head back first."

"It's alright. I can see well enough."

"You brat…" The two elders were both amused and exasperated. Shen Yunqing said, "Let's call it a day. You want to play chess, we can have a match after the school term begins."

Li Hao still wanted to continue, but seeing the elders had lost interest, he decided not to force them. "Alright then, thank you for your hospitality today, elders."

With that, he placed a piece down, securing the game's victory.

Satisfied with the experience he gained, Li Hao smiled and stood, bowing respectfully to the two elders before leisurely leading Li Yuanzhao down the mountain.

"Having such a kid in the God General's Mansion, how strange," the two elders watched the two young figures leave, their expressions peculiar as they exchanged glances and began laughing.