The result of the second test, which was the basic knowledge test, had already been announced for Lin Xian. His score was posted near the testing hall. His name was at the very top. He had achieved a perfect score.
Everyone who saw it could only shake their heads in disbelief.
"Is he really that smart?" whispered one of the students.
"Apparently so. Lin Xian was ranked first in the previous test too. He only failed the talent and skill tests," another student replied.
The others nodded. With the results of the first and second tests, Lin Xian's chances had become very high. It made them gulp nervously.
They lowered their heads, remembering how they had mocked Lin Xian when he stepped onto the altar. But the person they had insulted turned out to be far more exceptional than themselves.
"Fools like them only know how to insult others. They never look at their own shortcomings." Lin Xian turned around. He would leave for a while since the third test would be held tomorrow. "They insult others to cover up their own incompetence."
Lin Xian kept walking. He had somewhere he wanted to go. There was something he needed to do. He had to make use of every opportunity he had.
But after just a few steps, someone blocked his path.
It was Liang Fei.
Liang Fei's gaze was cold. He stood upright in the middle of the path, not intending to give way. He hadn't been interested in Lin Xian before, but seeing Ahn Yue so intrigued by him made him curious.
"I won't let you pass. If you want to leave, then fight me," he said. His voice was flat, but sharp.
Lin Xian stopped walking. "What do you mean?"
"I'm challenging you to a fight. Right here, right now!"
Lin Xian stared at him for a few seconds, then shook his head. "Why are you all so desperate to fight me? Do you want to bully someone weaker than you? Are you that much of a coward?!" Lin Xian mocked. "I'm not interested."
That taunt and rejection irritated Liang Fei. Without warning, he stepped forward and launched an attack. A wave of energy formed, heading straight toward Lin Xian.
"I'll teach you a lesson, you trash!" Liang Fei shouted.
But Lin Xian didn't move a single step. He stood still, seemingly resigned. That made Liang Fei more confident, thinking Lin Xian truly couldn't react. But just as the attack was about to hit, Lin Xian smiled widely.
That sudden grin startled Liang Fei, and his attack slightly weakened.
Before the attack could land, a blue flash streaked in from the side. A figure appeared between them. With a single graceful movement, Liang Fei's attack was stopped.
Ahn Yue.
Her white hair fluttered gently as she lowered her hand. Her eyes stared sharply at Liang Fei. The emptiness in her gaze now held a hint of emotion.
"No one is allowed to fight him… except me." She made that clear to Liang Fei.
Her words were short, but the aura that followed them instantly made the air heavy. Wind surged, thunder rumbled in the distance, and the ground beneath their feet began to crack.
The two looked like they were about to clash seriously. Several participants quickly backed away. The atmosphere turned tense.
Liang Fei clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. But he knew fighting Ahn Yue here was a bad idea. There was still one test left. With a frustrated grunt, he backed down.
The atmosphere returned to normal. Ahn Yue also withdrew her power and pressure.
"Why didn't you dodge?" Ahn Yue asked.
"Because I knew you'd save me," Lin Xian replied briefly.
Ahn Yue seemed to smile slightly. She hadn't realized she was being used. That made her even more curious to fight Lin Xian one-on-one.
"You're cunning, Brother Lin."
"That's life. If you rely only on strength, you'll become someone else's tool. But if you have brains without strength, you'll die young," Lin Xian said.
Ahn Yue nodded. "You're mocking me, but I don't mind because you're right. Still, don't be too overconfident next time. If I hadn't stepped in, you would've been defeated by Liang Fei."
After saying that, Ahn Yue walked away. She strolled calmly without looking back.
Behind her, Lin Xian smiled. "Because I knew you'd save me. I never make a decision unless I'm 99% sure it'll work."
Ahn Yue turned around again. But by then, Lin Xian was already far away. He had vanished from her sight.
"I didn't know someone this insane was here."
***
Lin Huangzi laughed loudly. He had just finished a meeting with several other elders. When he returned home, he received news that Lin Xian had achieved a great score in the test.
"Will he pass the entrance test this time?" Lin Huangzi asked.
Lin Shuyin nodded. "The odds are about 70% unless he gets a really low score in the third test. But seeing how serious Xian'er is, I'm sure he'll pass this time."
Lin Huangzi leaned back in his chair. He was greatly relieved. He thought his son wouldn't be able to improve due to his damaged dantian, but he was wrong.
Lin Xian could still become strong through hard work. Lin Huangzi planned to give him a gift once he passed the entrance test.
"What kind of gift should I give him?" Lin Huangzi asked.
He looked at Lin Shuyin, who was sitting in the chair across from him. They were seated at the same round table, facing each other.
"He really likes swords. I think that would be a fitting gift for him," Lin Shuyin replied.
Lin Huangzi nodded. He thought that was a good idea too. He would find the best sword to give to Lin Xian as a reward for his hard work.
Lin Huangzi closed his eyes. He wanted to relax, but suddenly remembered something. He opened his eyes again and looked at Lin Shuyin seriously.
"What about the proposal from Junior Hou?" Lin Huangzi asked.
Lin Shuyin's face instantly fell. Her expression alone answered Huangzi's question. Of course, Shuyin didn't like the man named Hou Zemin.
"I'll think about it." She couldn't meet Huangzi's eyes.
Lin Huangzi knew his adopted sister didn't like the proposal, but she was too reserved to reject it. The one proposing was the son of a Grand Elder. Refusing would be difficult.
"If you truly don't want to, I'll speak to Senior Hou myself. He might understand," said Lin Huangzi.
Shuyin shook her head. "No need. I'll handle it myself." She knew that her rejection could cause trouble for Lin Huangzi or even Lin Xian.
Shuyin felt it was better to sacrifice herself rather than drag the two people she cared about into problems. That would be too selfish.
"I'll tell him later."