"Don't you want to know his situation? I heard he defeated Gui Huo," the man asked.
Wendy's steps didn't falter; this piece of news didn't cause the slightest change in her expression. Gui Huo? To her, he was just an ant. These people were not worth her wasting time paying attention to.
The man watched Wendy disappear, the smile on his lips gradually fading. He opened his personal communicator. "Handle it as you wish."
"Yes, Councilor Buyou," Barzel's voice came through.
For the next half a month, Lu Yin didn't take a single step out of the King of Zishan's residence. On one hand, he was comprehending the Triple Impact combat technique, wanting to integrate it into his other techniques. On the other hand, he was observing the star chart.
During this time, he also rolled the die but found that the most common outcomes were always one pip and four pips. Three pips had never appeared, and neither had six. Two pips had appeared once, but its effect wasn't significant.
Lu Yin decided not to roll the die for the time being. He didn't have many Star Crystals left, and moreover, he felt his spirit was a bit weak, probably due to rolling the die frequently. Before he replenished his Star Crystals, he would stop for now.
Just like that, when Lu Yin had been on Planet Zhenwu for nearly two months, a piece of earth-shattering news that shook the entire Outerverse arrived: the Astral-10 Academy—had arrived.
The Astral-10 Academy, carrying the hopes of countless young people from the Canglan territory, had finally appeared.
Countless academies existed in the universe, but none reached the level of an Astral Combat Academy. Especially when the Astral-9 Academy arrived in the Endless territory, giving birth to countless geniuses and causing the entire Outerverse to boil with excitement. For so many years, the seventy-two territories of the Outerverse had been trying to bring in another Astral Combat Academy. Today, it had finally been realized. The Astral-10 Academy had appeared.
In what form the Astral Combat Academy appeared and how to enter, no one knew. Only a few super experts could receive the news, such as the Great Yu Empire's Undying Yushan, Lianyin Star's Lord Yan Wujiu, and others. On this day, Undying Yushan announced to the entire nation that in five days, Captain Jue Lang of the Imperial Court's Third Squad, Captain Huo Qingshan of the Fifth Squad, Captain Rock Ona of the Ninth Squad, and Crown Prince Dolan Yushan would lead the disciples to the Astral-10 Academy.
Lu Yin also received the notification that he could go to the Astral-10 Academy to participate in the assessment.
The previous Earth trial had failed, so logically, this group of people was not qualified to go. But among them were some with special statuses that no one dared to stop, such as Lu Yin, Jenny Ona, Lulu Mebis, and others. These people could also go to the Astral-10 Academy, plus a group of people who had succeeded in planetary trials and the elites of the Martial Hall, totaling nearly a hundred people.
The Great Yu Empire alone had nearly a hundred people going to the assessment. The entire Canglan territory would have tens of thousands. Adding in the geniuses from other territories and even the Innerverse, who knew how many geniuses the Astral-10 Academy's assessment would gather.
"Shuz and the Five Great Hall Masters are all going, as well as Huo Xiaoling, Jenny Ona, Las, Xia Luo, Lulu..." Looking at the list, Lu Yin felt a bit of anticipation. Among the hundred people, a considerable number were acquaintances, which was great. He wondered how many of them could join the Astral-10 Academy. Huh? Gui Huo is actually here too, traveling with the Great Yu Empire.
At this moment, Lu Yin thought of Comilla, that charming woman from the Red Lotus Demon Palace. Only by joining the Astral-10 Academy and doing something she would be proud of within the academy could she recommend him to join the Outerverse Youth Council. Lu Yin believed she had that ability, after all, she came from the Ten Arbiters Council.
His family wanted him to join the Great Yu Empire's Youth Council. If he joined the Outerverse Youth Council, would it make their jaws drop? Lu Yin was very much looking forward to it.
Just then, a notification came through. Lu Yin glanced at it, a strange look on his face. "Barzel is actually inviting me to a banquet?"
Beep beep beep beep
Gurbach contacted Lu Yin. Lu Yin opened the light screen.
"Did Barzel invite you?" Gurbach asked immediately upon seeing Lu Yin.
Lu Yin nodded. "Invited you too?"
"To be precise, he invited all the disciples going to the Astral-10 Academy for the assessment. Are you going?" Gurbach asked.
Lu Yin was conflicted. From Gui Huo's attitude, he knew that this group from the Outerverse Youth Council did not welcome him, probably because of Wendy Yushan. Attending their banquet at this time would be asking for trouble.
"Lu Yin, it's best to go together. As a councilor of the Outerverse Youth Council, Barzel definitely knows a lot about the Astral Combat Academy," Gurbach said sincerely.
A glint flashed in Lu Yin's eyes. That was right. "Okay, I'll go."
Gurbach nodded and closed the light screen.
In the evening, at the Great Yu Hotel on the Capital Star, in the luxurious top-floor banquet hall, many disciples had already arrived. A considerable number came from noble families, including Las, Ukai Maldo, and others. Huo Xiaoling and Jenny Ona were also there. By the time Lu Yin arrived, the place was almost full.
The first person Lu Yin saw was Shuz. He was just too different. Everyone else was dressed neatly, as if for a wedding. But him? He was dressed the same as usual, and even shirtless, as if afraid others didn't know how many scars he had on his body.
In stark contrast to Shuz was Las, looking like a peacock spreading its tail. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was on a blind date.
It was called a banquet, but in reality, it was for everyone to get to know each other. After all, they were about to go to the Astral-10 Academy for the assessment, and it would be best if they could help each other.
Lu Yin scanned the room, his gaze sweeping past Huo Xiaoling and the other noble disciples, and walked to a long table. There, Gurbach was trying his best to eat a huge piece of meat.
"Why are you here? Not going to network with some people?" Gurbach said with his mouth full, bits of meat falling out as he spoke, scaring away a young lady in a gorgeous robe opposite him, who even dusted her hands before leaving.
Lu Yin shrugged. "Not interested. Why is no one looking for you? You're a Martial Hall Master, one of the top experts in the empire."
Gurbach sneered. "Not many people know me."
"But everyone has heard of you," Lu Yin said with a smile.
With a thump, Gules appeared out of nowhere, glaring at Lu Yin fiercely. "You still dare to show up?"
Lu Yin rolled his eyes. "What's wrong? I helped you in the trial."
Gules was furious. "You..." Suddenly, she stopped talking, because Gurbach was watching. She had hidden the matter of being robbed by Lu Yin and didn't want to lose face.
The corner of Lu Yin's mouth lifted. He casually picked up a piece of meat and stuffed it into Gules's mouth. "Eat up. You might not get to eat this when you get to the Astral Combat Academy."
Gules glared at Lu Yin fiercely, threw the piece of meat away, and turned to leave.
"That girl is so impolite," Gurbach said, dissatisfied.
Lu Yin said, "She's a girl, it's normal to have a bit of a temper. Compared to others, Gules is considered good."
"Is that so?" Gurbach was skeptical.
Lu Yin told him to watch him, then slowly walked behind Jenny Ona. "Hey, Miss Jenny."
Jenny Ona turned her head. Seeing it was Lu Yin, her expression instantly darkened. She snorted and walked away.
Lu Yin smiled at Gurbach. "See? Gules's temper isn't bad."
Gurbach nodded. "It seems so. My sister has been taught well by me."
Not far away, someone who saw this scene's face twitched, and they silently walked away.
In the distance, Huo Xiaoling was talking to Huo Zhong. When Huo Zhong saw Lu Yin, he smiled and nodded slightly. Lu Yin also nodded back. The two had no connection, so a nod was considered a greeting.
"Xiaoling, this King of Zishan is very powerful. Even if you use your Melting Realm strength, you might not be able to win," Huo Zhong said seriously.
Huo Xiaoling hummed in agreement, her gaze sweeping over Lu Yin. Like Jenny Ona, she always remembered the matter of being threatened by Lu Yin. But she had to admit, this person improved too quickly. She had seen the fight between Lu Yin and Gui Huo; that extreme speed was something she couldn't handle, and his combat experience was also stronger than hers.
On the other side, Las, who was originally like a peacock spreading its tail, had a furious, red face. Opposite him, a young man said with disdain, "You failed the trial and still have the face to come. If not for your father, Las, you wouldn't even have the qualification to be here."
"Ike, don't forget, you were defeated by me," Las snapped.
Ike was dismissive. "That was before. Besides, you ultimately failed the trial. It's impossible for you to join the Astral Combat Academy. Get lost early and give the spot to someone talented in the empire, haha."
Las was furious but couldn't refute.
The banquet was a social gathering. Especially with the Astral Combat Academy's assessment approaching, they should be joining forces to deal with the young experts from other powers, even other territories, and even—the Innerverse.
The Huo family and the Ona family were surrounded by people. Tian Ming, Lok Ang, and others were also being courted by various people. Only Lu Yin, Gurbach, and a few others were not approached. Especially Lu Yin; everyone knew he had offended too many people, and he himself was only in the Reaching Realm. Among those from the Great Yu Empire participating in the Astral Combat Academy assessment this time, there were hardly any Reaching Realm cultivators, so no one paid any attention to him.