"What!"
All the Martial Warriors were greatly surprised upon seeing this. All the Martial Warriors naturally understood what the disappearance of a name on the light screen represented. It represented the death of that Martial Warrior.
But it was fine if other Martial Warriors died. This Nangong Jin was a rising Genius, the undisputed choice to win the championship in this assessment, but no one expected him to die.
"No, more than one person died. There was also Tao Xiangdong, Wan Potian, Bai Ke, and others. These were geniuses from various great families, but they died just like that." The Martial Warriors were extremely shocked at this moment. They didn't know what had happened.
The third stage of the assessment finally ended.
Zhang Hao and some Martial Warriors who passed the assessment were teleported out from the teleportation array. Yun Qiuyu, Ying Da, Dou Bi, and others were still in a dreamlike state. In their opinion, it was almost impossible for them to pass the assessment and join the Three Great Academies; the probability was simply too small. When they passed the Soul Severing River, they still felt like they were in a dream. Especially Yun Qiuyu, she was originally unsure if she could even pass the assessment for Zilan Academy.
This was not because Yun Qiuyu lacked confidence.
In Watt Country, Yun Qiuyu could still be considered a Genius, but when she arrived in the wider world outside, Yun Qiuyu realized that she was actually nothing special.
"Kid, well done."
As soon as Zhang Hao came out, Elder Wei stood in front of him, looking at him with a smile.
"Old man, were you waiting for me here?" Zhang Hao looked at Elder Wei standing there with his hands behind his back, as if waiting for him, and felt a little flattered.
"Hehe, you kid shouldn't be too narcissistic. This Esteemed One is one of the examiners for this assessment. Of course, I have to wait here for the assessed students." Elder Wei glared at Zhang Hao.
Zhang Hao gave a sheepish smile.
At this moment, the gazes of many Martial Warriors fell upon Zhang Hao and the others. It was clear that they recognized him as the first place of this assessment, and their gazes were like they were looking at a monster.
After all the candidates came out from the teleportation array, Gu Taiyi stood on the main platform, his gaze sweeping majestically across the area below the stage.
The originally bustling crowd below the stage instantly quieted down. Gu Taiyi nodded with satisfaction and said, "For this assessment, the first-place ranking is Zhang Hao..." Saying this, Gu Taiyi's expression twitched slightly.
The Martial Warriors had no objection to this. It had already been displayed on the light screen.
Only Elder Wei's brow furrowed slightly, as if he felt that Gu Taiyi's words were a bit strange, as if there were still some unsaid words.
Indeed, Gu Taiyi continued, "However, this Esteemed One wants to cancel the results of this first place."
At this, all the Martial Warriors below the stage, including the various examiners, were somewhat surprised.
The Deputy Deans of the Three Great Academies were also sitting on the main platform at this moment.
"Hehe, such an arrogant and overbearing student naturally shouldn't be given first place." Gu Long seemed to have already known his brother's decision.
"That's right, I also support Brother Taiyi's decision. Not to mention that his results were canceled, even if they were still valid, our Changfeng Academy would not want such a black sheep." Deputy Dean Yuan Shang of Changfeng Academy said indifferently.
Deputy Dean Lan Haiping of Tianwu Academy, who was beside him, said indifferently, "Results are results. As long as he didn't violate the rules, even the examining Elder has no right to cancel a candidate's results."
Gu Long was somewhat displeased with Lan Haiping, who repeatedly contradicted him, and asked indifferently, "Brother Lan, do you seem to have a different opinion?"
Lan Haiping smiled faintly and said, "I don't have a different opinion, I just think that things need to be fair. This Dean reserves his opinion."
"Hmph!" Gu Long let out a cold snort, expressing his displeasure.
Lan Haiping actually greatly admired Zhang Hao. In recent years, most of the students entering the Academies through assessments were from large families. These Family scions were the truly arrogant and overbearing ones. It was rare to see someone like Zhang Hao from a small Family win first place in the assessment based on his own strength. However, while Lan Haiping admired him, he was powerless alone.
However, Lan Haiping not stepping forward did not mean no one would step forward. Elder Wei could no longer suppress his anger and asked Gu Taiyi, "Gu Taiyi, although you are in charge of this assessment, it doesn't mean you can cover the sky with one hand. On what grounds are you canceling Zhang Hao's results?"
"On what grounds?"
Gu Taiyi sneered, "Just because Zhang Hao broke the rules. In the Soul Severing Bridge stage, he indiscriminately killed innocent people, violating the rule against killing. Is that enough?"
"Elder Gu? According to you, I, Zhang Hao, should just let myself be slaughtered? Others can kill me, but I can't fight back?" Zhang Hao looked at Gu Taiyi with a half-smile and asked with a sneer.
"You are confusing concepts. This Elder did not say that." Gu Taiyi's expression was gloomy.
Zhang Hao smiled freely and said, "Isn't that exactly what the Elder means? If the other party intends to kill me, should I not fight back even if attacked, and not speak back even if insulted?"
The surrounding Martial Warriors also began to whisper and discuss. Clearly, what Zhang Hao said made sense. Some candidates who did not participate in the assessment but witnessed the process on the Soul Severing Bridge also recounted what they saw. Other Martial Warriors and candidates nearby, after learning the course of events, also felt sympathy for Zhang Hao.
As the person in charge of Qianlong Pagoda in the Hualong Empire, Elder Wei was not one to be intimidated by anyone, and he said firmly, "I am very compatible with Brother Zhang. Whoever bullies him is bullying me. Anyway, I vote against your decision."
Gu Taiyi's face was gloomy. He looked at Elder Wei and asked, "Wei Gao, do you insist on opposing me?"
Gu Taiyi was somewhat annoyed, but also helpless. As one of the supervising Elders for this Academy assessment, if he voted against something, the Academy Elder Council would send people to review it. At that time, if something went wrong, he couldn't bear the responsibility. After all, he also had enemies in the Academy Alliance. If his enemies seized upon any handle he gave them, he would also have a great headache.
"I just stick to this principle. What do you plan to do about it?" Elder Wei sneered.
Just at this moment, Gu Long strolled over and smiled, "Elder Wei, you and my brother shouldn't fall out over a small matter. Therefore, I advise you both to take a step back. For example, cancel Zhang Hao's assessment results this time, but considering his special circumstances, the reward for first place can be given to him."
Elder Wei gave Gu Long a cold look. This fellow was too sinister. If Zhang Hao's assessment results were canceled, he wouldn't be able to enter the Three Great Academies. What was the use of the first-place reward? The first-place reward was 10,000 contribution points to the Academy. But Zhang Hao couldn't even enter the Academy, so what would he do with these 10,000 contribution points? Of course, they had no idea that Zhang Hao had already obtained admission qualifications to the Three Great Academies.
"Alright, Brother Feiyun's suggestion is also very pertinent. Let's do as you say!" Elder Wei smiled faintly.