Eternal Glory

As Lin Xi inhumanely questioned Mu Shan Zi about the meaning of "Destined Selection," the poised girl in the green attire smiled gently, her delicate nose crinkling slightly, akin to a gentle breeze stirring the surface of a tranquil pond. 

Simultaneously, the haughty black-haired youth's extreme arrogance suddenly morphed into shock and confusion, his piercing gaze slicing through the air like a sword, landing squarely on Lin Xi. 

He belonged to the Wen family and, even among the thousands of candidates gathered from across the Yunqin Empire, he stood out, achieving an astonishing score of 31. Yet, he had never anticipated that someone else would match his score, especially a seemingly ordinary boy from a remote border town with an aptitude of merely level two! 

"Destined Selection means that the professors from various departments are vying for a candidate, and the decision is ultimately made by fate," a stunned boy, who had also been selected, responded on behalf of Mu Shan Zi. 

At this point, the candidates who had passed the academy's examination had finally been announced. Even the middle-aged lecturer in the black robe, who had called out Lin Xi's name, couldn't help but glance at him, bewildered by how a boy from a border town could achieve such remarkable results, leading to his fate being determined through the "Destined Selection." 

After casting a glance at Lin Xi, the black-robed lecturer resumed his usual stern tone, slowly declaring, "All candidates who have passed the examination, please remain. Those who have not, kindly take your leave." 

With his words, chaos erupted once more. 

Some unsuccessful candidates wept bitterly, while others, consumed by despair, contemplated self-harm, prompting a group of experienced Qingluan Academy students clad in black robes to navigate the tumultuous scene, preventing tragic incidents from occurring while swiftly dismantling tents. 

"She is Gao Yanan; she has also entered the Destined Selection?" 

Amidst the turmoil, Lin Xi, standing still, noticed the green-clad girl moving to a slightly open area, and to his astonishment, in such a chaotic environment, she leaned against a willow tree by the lakeside and began to doze off, seemingly unfazed by the surrounding noise. 

"I am Liu Yingtian; from now on, we shall be classmates at the academy," the boy who had previously answered Lin Xi's question about "Destined Selection" extended his hand in friendship toward Lin Xi and his companions. 

This stout boy, with a robust build and a kind face, had a darker complexion, dressed in a silken garment of jade green, adorned with a jade lion hanging from his waist. 

Suddenly, Mu Shan Zi flared with indignation, turning to the boy and exclaiming, "Is it really appropriate for you to befriend them at this moment? If you wish to associate with them, at least wait until I have left!" 

Liu Yingtian raised an eyebrow, a dismissive smirk on his lips as he retorted, "Your father is a provincial governor, and mine is also a provincial governor. You have entered the academy, and so have I. Why should I owe you any deference?" 

Mu Shan Zi opened his mouth, but found himself at a loss for words, realizing that he had no grounds to object; after all, forming friendships was a personal choice, and to demand otherwise was indeed rather unreasonable. 

Lin Xi smiled faintly, extending his hand to Liu Yingtian, harboring no significant prejudice against the "Golden Spoon" youth. 

Mu Shan Zi opened his mouth again, his face nearly turning a deep shade of crimson. 

"Actually, there's something I've long wanted to say to everyone…" A thunderous voice erupted from his lips, momentarily silencing the chaotic scene by the lakeside. 

Many of the weeping unsuccessful candidates turned their wide eyes toward Mu Shan Zi, but just as everyone was curious to hear what he would say, the boy, eyes still closed, shouted, "Actually… I am a pig!" 

... 

The efficiency of Qingluan Academy was astonishing; in no time, the chaotic scene by the lakeside was brought under control. All candidates who had failed the examination were escorted away from the campsite, and the tents were neatly folded and stored. 

In contrast, the area outside, where numerous carriages were stationed, grew increasingly frantic. 

Some carriages began to depart, while others, belonging to different academies or local officials, busily sought to recruit the unsuccessful candidates. 

"What's that?" 

Suddenly, many individuals bustling near the carriages froze, especially the elderly men with years of experience. After a moment of distraction, they bowed toward the lakeside. 

Most of those bowing were of considerable status, yet they did so willingly, their eyes reflecting awe and reverence. 

All the candidates sensed this unusual atmosphere and followed the gazes of the bowing individuals. They beheld, under the midday sun, a weathered one-armed elder and six professors emerging from the last dismantled tent, with those present paying their respects to the elder. 

"It's Vice Dean Xia…" 

Someone involuntarily exclaimed the elder's name, inciting a wave of hushed astonishment. 

"He is the Vice Dean Xia? What happened to his arm…" 

Almost all candidates who heard this title, whether they passed or failed, felt as though struck by lightning, as if they were witnessing the elder's countenance for the first time. Once they regained their composure, they bowed toward the elder with a sense of reverence akin to venerating a great mountain. 

"Vice Dean Xia? Who is he?" Lin Xi asked, somewhat dazed. 

Li Kaiyun's legs trembled, not from fear, but from an inner quake; his voice quivered with unutterable meaning, "Vice Dean Xia is one of the seventeen Qingluan Academy members who defended the Falling Star Tomb during the Battle of Falling Star Lake, alongside Dean Zhang. So, he is indeed Vice Dean Xia." 

"One of the seventeen members of Qingluan Academy?" 

Lin Xi was taken aback; although he was merely a traveler in this empire's glorious tale, the stirring songs had etched the legends of these figures clearly in his mind. Amidst the enduring melodies, he often envisioned the seventeen students of Qingluan Academy and the five thousand border troops standing against three hundred thousand soldiers. 

And now, this weathered elder, devoid of any semblance of grandeur, was one of those legendary students. 

The one-armed elder walked at the forefront of the six professors and a line of academy students, nodding slightly in acknowledgment to the crowd, emanating a profound and inspiring aura. 

"Only with courage and loyalty can one forge an everlasting glory, one that will be remembered by all." He paused before the candidates who had passed the examination, suddenly speaking these words. 

His voice was not loud, yet it resonated clearly in everyone's ears. 

"Courage and loyalty are not exclusive to Qingluan Academy; they can be found anywhere, leading to glory." 

Many unsuccessful candidates, still bearing traces of tears on their faces, trembled upon hearing these words, as if suddenly enlightened, and solemnly bowed to the elder once more. 

After delivering his message, the one-armed elder leaned in, speaking in a tone audible only to the candidates by the lakeside, "Welcome to Qingluan Academy." 

A profound silence enveloped Lingxia Lake, leaving all the successful students somewhat at a loss. 

The one-armed elder paid no further heed to anyone else, his wise gaze sweeping over Lin Xi, Gao Yanan, and Wen Xuan Yu before returning to Lin Xi. "Lin Xi, you shall commence the Destined Selection." 

The students in front of Lin Xi parted automatically. He felt as though his legs were leaden, an inexplicable tension gripping his heart. However, to his astonishment, upon hearing the one-armed elder's words, the middle-aged lecturer in black robes merely stepped forward, producing six rolled sheepskin scrolls and placing them in Lin Xi's hands. "Choose one." 

Lin Xi randomly selected one, and the middle-aged lecturer unrolled it before the assembly, revealing the inscription "Cease War." "Destined Selection result: Cease War Department!" he declared solemnly and loudly. 

"After all this, I still belong to the Cease War Department." As the lecturer unveiled the scroll with the words "Cease War," a black-haired man, whose age was difficult to discern, revealed a playful smile. The remaining professors simultaneously turned away in annoyance, their expressions darkening. 

The one-armed elder's gaze fell upon the proudly standing Wen Xuan Yu. "Wen Xuan Yu, it is your turn for the Destined Selection." 

The middle-aged lecturer collected the "Cease War" scroll chosen by Lin Xi, then retrieved one from the remaining five, presenting the four remaining sheepskin scrolls to Wen Xuan Yu. 

This overly simple method of "Destined Selection" became profoundly solemn due to the traditions of Qingluan Academy and the atmosphere following the revelation of the one-armed elder's identity. Everyone watched intently for the outcome, but to their surprise, Wen Xuan Yu did not immediately select a scroll; instead, he raised his head and declared loudly, "I protest! This is unjust!" 

Clearly, he was somewhat nervous, his lips trembling, yet his gaze remained resolute, staring defiantly at all present, including the one-armed elder. 

Everyone inhaled sharply; never before had anyone dared to claim that Qingluan Academy's admissions were unjust. Wen Xuan Yu's audacity sent chills through many: did he not fear that this would jeopardize his admission to Qingluan Academy? 

"Why?" The one-armed elder regarded Wen Xuan Yu with a stern gaze. 

"If the selection were truly fair, after he has chosen, I should also have the option to select from all six departments. However, with the Cease War Department already removed, I am left with only four departments to choose from. This denies me the opportunity to enter two of them." Wen Xuan Yu remained undeterred, glancing at Lin Xi as he proclaimed, "Why can't I join the Cease War Department? Even if his entrance exam score exceeds mine, everyone knows that subsequent cultivation largely relies on aptitude! His aptitude is only level two; I refuse to believe I cannot surpass him in cultivation within the Cease War Department!" 

Upon uttering these words, many faces shifted, particularly those within the Wen family carriage, who turned pale. 

Those who had emerged from Qingluan Academy were well aware of its tradition of accepting challenges; while Wen Xuan Yu's initial statement was defensible, the latter part directly questioned Lin Xi, effectively denouncing his cultivation aptitude. 

"Remember this: at Qingluan Academy, the collective interest of the group always supersedes individual interests," the one-armed elder, however, did not appear angered. He merely looked at Wen Xuan Yu with a calm demeanor and said, "Since you do not accept what we consider appropriate arrangements, I consent to allow you to determine your affiliation among the six departments through fate."