The early dawn rises, in the still morning light bathing through the city, everyone was already awake.
The exam will be held in the Martial Academy.
Everyone was excited and at the same time numerous geniuses who were hiding finally made their move ...
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Qianli, who barely recuperated from her injuries last night, coupled with her uncomfortable sleep, went at first to a shop to buy some clothes since her own clothes were already in mess.
Sadly, the only shopkeeper she found in the market was an old man who sold her some male villagers clothes.
" It seems I have to do with this for now ...."
Changing her appearance slightly to avoid trouble. Qianli concealed her identity into that of a young vagabond cultivator until the Martial Academy's gate was finally opened. Then, Qianli followed the crowd and entered the Academy.
At the center of the hall, four old men were sitting in chairs behind a table, one of them stood up and began addressing the crowd.
He began to blabber non-stop
" Everyone, thank you for coming to this selection. Today for many of you, it will be a chance, an opportunity to have ... "
One of the elders who was sitting at the table, seemingly annoyed said in a low voice.
" Tsss... just keep it short you damn old fogey, no one wants to hear this crap you're saying either way ...."
The old man who was talking to the crowd turned to the one sitting on the table and fixed him with deathly stares, then he turned around and continued with his long speech.
After a while, the speech finally ended.
" Now, let's begin the tests! "
The selection will be composed of four tests, the physical test, the aptitude test, and the realm test, and the spiritual test.
In the path ahead of you, each elder from different sect will supervise the tests. You can choose to begin with any of them, the time limit is 4 days to pass all the exams . But bear my words, if anyone of you wishes to cheat in front of the elders, the consequences will be terrible! "
At his last sentence, he sent an enormous wave of ki to the crowd, which made them silent.
" Ah... one last thing... The spots of this selection are limited to 100 disciples which will be divided by the sects into 4. The test points will give us the final ranking of the 100 disciples, so give it your best shot! "
" You can begin the test after you register your name and age in the booth right there at the corner! "
He pointed his finger to a certain place, where a middle aged man was sitting.... no, soundlessly sleeping.
After he said this last words, he began chuckling and stepped down of the podium.
The crowd was numerous, it had at least several thousands of participants coming all the way from each part of the kingdom.
Qianli was like always standing in a remote area, watching the examiners with full attention.
When she heard the last sentence of the elder, she began to rush to the booth to register before the ocean of crowd.
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" My luck isn't bad, at least I got in the 35th place! "
" Hahaha look at those idiots, they were not in a hurry, so now they will stand behind !"
" Damn it, this little boy got the first place, well not like it matters since I'm second in the line "
Qianli was standing at the peak of the line, waiting for the elder to wake up.
" What are you waiting for, wake him up quick! We don't have time for..."
Some people began cursing at this middle aged guy who was still sleeping in his chair, others began insulting Qianli because she didn't wake him up, of course, Qianli didn't mind their shouting and cursing.
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She just stood there silently, waiting for the elder.
The elder was of course not really sleeping, he was gauging the crowd's attitude.
Interesting fellow ...
The elder suddenly opened his eyes
" you, what is your name? "
" Respects to the elder, my name is Qianli "
" Give me your hand, and tell me how old are you ..."
Qianli gave her hand out, the elder took her palm and closed his eyes
" I am 18 years old "
" Hmm..."
The elder flipped his hands and took a token, then gave it to her.
" Here is your registry token... "
Then with a mischievous smile, he said
" Young fellow, are you interested in joining the "Everlasting Star Academy"?
The crowd was silent, Qianli was silent.
Then she said with a low but respectful answer
" I'm sorry Elder, I have yet to pass the exams... "
" Hahaha, too bad for me! Go and pass those exams first, if by then you still do not want to join my academy, I'll have no choice but to let you go... "
" Thank you, elder."
She cupped her hands and bowed her head, then she went to the first exam.
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At this moment, many people were frowning
" The Fu*k! why would he invite this skinny fellow to his Academy?! He didn't even begin the tests! What luck!"
" What do you know, it's only the everlasting star Academy, it's no way near the prestige of those 3 other sects...."
" Well anyway, it's always better to be selected than not being selected.... "
" But isn't it weird? why would this guy who is sitting here registering people extend an invitation for the everlasting star Academy? Isn't the elder who was sitting with those 3 sects elders the only representative? "
" Who knows? maybe he just wanted to joke with him, or maybe because his talent was lacking so he decided to send him to the worst place? "
The crowd was discussing what happened between the elder and Qianli, some of them were jealous, others were merely watching this show for enjoyment.
But among the crowd, some people were able to tell that Qianli isn't a simple vagabond cultivator, they were marking her as a potential competitor.
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Since she was the first to finish the registering, she decided to head to the physical test.
The born elder that was waiting there was astonished when he saw this week young fellow who came, he barely had any muscles.
" Ehh, kid, I don't think you're fit to do this exam, head my words and go home and train some more, you will probably collapse when you enter the array.... "
" Greetings, Elder you do not have to worry, I am completely confident. "
" Suit yourself!"
He opened the door and let Qianli inside, he then said.
" The test is simple, you just have to stand in the center of this array and not collapse, this array is a gravitational array. As long as you do not faint or surrender, I will not stop this array and will not help you. I hope you understand soon the difference between boasting and real martial endurance! "
" I will take your token then, I wish you good luck !"
With this last sentence, he went outside and closed the door.
As soon as Qianli went in the middle of the room, the array activated.
" It seems it will be a test of my will... "
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Time passed outside, the elder was frowning.
He was constantly looking at the orb on the table, he saw that the young kid who seemed to be weak and fragile like a girl was actually still standing there.
Heh, it seems I've misjudged this kid, he has an iron will
But it's time...
Inside the room, the array had 10 times the gravity of the earth. But after a while, it seems like the array began to pull Qianli more and more, it reached 20 times.
Qianli began sweating, but she still stood there unmovable.
Hmm, 20 times isn't enough? what about 30 times then!
This time Qianli felt that her arms and legs could barely stand up, the fact that she didn't recuperate enough didn't make this test easier.
Damn it, this kid really is astonishing!
Even while cursing, the elder had a strange smile on his face
Some people were heading toward the elder, to take the exam. He noticed this crowd, then he chose to increase again the power.
It seems I have to finish this quickly
The array once again changed. This time it was 40 times more powerful!
Her injuries began to open again, blood flowed from her forehead and her chest, but she still stood there.
After about 2 minutes, she could barely stand up anymore. She said with a loud voice:
" I... give up..."
But the array didn't stop
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Outside the room, the elder was currently talking with those people who wanted to take the exam,
" Elder, we are here for about 10 minutes, can't you at least make us take the exam now? "
" Elder! why are you so unfair!"
" Elder!"
The bearded elder could barely hear anything with all this crowd unstoppable questions, so he didn't notice Qianli's body collapsing in the room.
" Damn it shut up! ALL OF YOU! There is still a potential disciple taking this exam I would not let you, you inferior trash, meddle with him "
fu*k, this fu*king trash can't stop talking, I nearly forgot about him!
He turned around and shot a glance to the orb, he saw Qianli's body lying there without moving, and blood covering the floor.
" Heu?!"
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When Qianli woke up, she was in a bed., her clothes were changed, and her head and chest were bandaged.
A woman in her 40 wearing a white robe walked in, when she saw her awake she run outside.
Then a few moments later, the elder in charge of the first exam and the woman walked in.
" Thank god you are still alive! Damn it kid can't you be at least careful! WHY DIDN'T YOU GIVE UP?! ARE YOU TIRED OF LIVING! "
Qianli who was barely able to respond shook her head.
wasn't it you who didn't hear me? how is that my fault....
" ... and to think that you were a girl... you idiot! didn't you know that girls have different tests than boys, for a martial cultivator, the difference is only superfitial when it comes to spirituatl powers, as for the body and physique itself, unless you have learned some upper foundation technique, your body will always be inferior to men! "
" ... i know... "
Qianli of course knew this principales, but she wanted to test this for sure, she wanted to know and experience this things.
" Well anyway, now that you are safe, I'll tell you your results... "
" You have a full 5 points, you can rest for the rest of the day and take the other exams tomorrow, don't worry, I've already spoken to the other elders. "
Not knowing what to say, she answered
" Thank you Elder , i also hope that elder you do not say about... my gender...."
It was inconveniant for Qianli to reveal her gender now, since she is wanted by the law in the city. It will only give her more troubles.
" Don't worry kid, i don't know your background but to us sects it's not a problem. Well, I do hope that you come to my sec..."
Before he finished his words, the woman gave him a deathly stare
" Euh... nothing... So for now rest! "
With that, the elder and the woman walked out of the room letting Qianli some rest
It was the first time in 3 days that she finally slept quietly....