CHAPTER 24 — "THE FIVE PRODIGIES & THE SPIRIT POOL DECREE"
The plaza was still vibrating with excitement as Vice-Dean Rui Jin stepped forward again, his robe swirling with azure dragon patterns.
He raised both hands, and the arena instantly quieted.
"Students," he said firmly, "before you enter the academy, there are final matters to announce."
Everyone straightened.
Long Hao casually folded his arms.Xue'er tucked her hair behind her ear.Ling Yifan stood tall with stoic grace.Chen Wulian cracked his knuckles.Bai Qianlan watched with cold intensity.
The vice-dean unrolled a glowing scroll.
"The top three ranks," Rui Jin announced, "were originally to receive special privileges."
The crowd buzzed.
"We planned for only three prodigies to enter the Spirit Pool of Celestial Awakening."
Everyone nodded.
Of course — Rank 1, Rank 2, Rank 3.
"Ouyang Xue'er.""Ling Yifan.""Long Hao."
It was obvious.
The vice-dean continued:
"The Spirit Pool is a sacred treasure.It enhances talent, awakens roots, strengthens the body, or even evolves one's spirit.Thus — it was meant for only the three greatest students."
Shock rippled through the plaza, but they accepted it.
Then Rui Jin raised another scroll.
"And Rank 1 — Ouyang Xue'er — was to receive an Epic-tier spirit weapon crafted by the academy."
The entire plaza ERUPTED—
"AN EPIC TIER?!""That's worth kingdoms!""A legendary artifact for a student?!"
Xue'er froze in disbelief, cheeks warming.
Long Hao looked at her and nodded.
"You earned it."
She quickly looked away to hide her blush.
The vice-dean continued:
"That was the extent of the original reward list."
He rolled up the scroll.
But then…He looked toward the sky.
His expression shifted.
As if sensing something approaching—
"…But now," he whispered, "the Dean has ordered a change."
The wind suddenly died.
Clouds churned violently.
A pressure far beyond mortal understanding slammed into the plaza.
BOOOOOOOOOM—!!!
A crack of thunder split the heavens.
A golden rift opened in the sky.
From it stepped a man radiating enough power to crush entire kingdoms by merely breathing.
A massive dragon of qi curled behind him, roaring silently.
His presence alone forced every instructor to kneel.
"THE DEAN—!"Students gasped and nearly collapsed."He's here!""He NEVER appears for new students!""This batch must be god-level!!"
The Dean walked forward casually, as though strolling through the sky.
Vice-Dean Rui Jin bowed deeply.
"Dean, we have announced the original plan as you instructed."
The Dean nodded.
"Good."
He turned to face the 4000 students.
His gaze pierced through souls.
But when it passed over the five prodigies, it lingered.
Long Hao.Ouyang Xue'er.Ling Yifan.Chen Wulian.Bai Qianlan.
"You five," the Dean said softly, "are extraordinary."
Lightning crackled above.
"You five will change the era."
He raised his arm —
And the world held its breath.
"Originally," the Dean said, "the Spirit Pool was reserved for only three prodigies."
Xue'er nodded.Ling Yifan nodded.Long Hao blinked half a millimeter.
Chen Wulian and Bai Qianlan lowered their eyes—accepting they weren't included.
Until—
The Dean's voice thundered:
"But as of this moment…I am changing that plan."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
You could hear a pin drop in the Empire capital miles away.
The Dean's aura expanded, shaking the plaza.
"This generation is too monstrous.Too rare.Too full of potential."
He pointed dramatically toward the five prodigies.
"I hereby declare that—the Spirit Pool of Celestial Awakening shall be opened for FIVE prodigies!"
The crowd exploded.
"FIVE!?""He expanded it??""That means Bai Qianlan and Chen Wulian enter too!!""This has NEVER happened before!""Is this even real?!"
Even the instructors stared in disbelief.
Eyes widened.
"Five…? So Long Hao and I… and…"
She looked at him softly.
"Good. You deserve every opportunity."
She quickly hid her smile and pretended to be calm.
Ling Yifan jaw tensed ever so slightly — a rare reaction.
"…Five?The academy is preparing for something bigger."
He looked at Long Hao.
"And you will grow even stronger."
He seemed half pleased, half challenged.
Long Hao blinked slowly.
"Five? Hm."
Xue'er elbowed him.
"You're too calm! This is life-changing!"
Long Hao shrugged.
"It's just a pool."
"IT'S NOT 'JUST A POOL,' IT CAN ALTER DESTINIES!"
He nodded."Okay."
Xue'er nearly screamed.
The muscular mystic genius froze—
Then—
BOOOOOOM!!!
"HAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!I'M GOING TO EVOLVE!!!DEAN, I LOVE YOU!!!"
He ran to Long Hao to hug him.
Long Hao sidestepped.
Chen hugged air again.
"BROTHER!!" he cried dramatically.
"No," Long Hao replied.
The moonlit girl did not move.Did not breathe.Did not blink.
But her pupils shimmering like ripples on calm water were enough—
She was shocked.
"…I was chosen.The Spirit Pool will elevate my physique."
Her eyes drifted to Long Hao.
"He will rise even higher."
She did not like that thought.
The Dean spoke again:
"Rank 1 — receives the Epic-Tier Weapon."Ouyang Xue'er nearly glowed.
"Rank 1 through Rank 5 — enter the Spirit Pool."All five stood proudly.
"And Rank 1 through Rank 10 — will meet me in my chamber after baptism."
Thousands fainted.
"T-The Dean's chamber?!""That's forbidden territory!""This is myth-level privilege!"
Long Hao nodded lightly.
"Alright."
The Dean chuckled.
"You truly do not fear anything."
Long Hao didn't respond.
Vice-Dean Rui Jin stepped forward.
"Once again,
Rank 1–10 → 1000 pointsRank 11–50 → 500 pointsRank 51–200 → 100 pointsOthers → 0 points
Points are your currency.Your power.Your life."
He glared at the students.
"Even an instructor position can be bought with enough points."
Dead silence.
The Dean lifted his hand.
"Prepare yourselves.The Spirit Pool of Celestial Awakening opens in three hours."
His aura faded, leaving behind a trembling world.
Xue'er inhaled deeply.
Ling Yifan tightened his grip on his spear.
Chen Wulian punched his chest with excitement.
Bai Qianlan stared into the sky, calculating her future.
Long Hao simply whispered:
"…Finally."
A new evolution awaited.
[CHAPTER ENDS]