Blood Butcher Tian Zhang, this was a legendary figure born and raised in Jinshan County. Before Star Pointing, he single-handedly killed a Flying Tiger Gang thug who came to collect a debt. He was imprisoned, and due to his youth, sentenced to twenty years of penal servitude. Coinciding with the Great Chen's new emperor's ascension and a general amnesty, he was released from prison.
After his release, his father was dead, reportedly from falling while working, though some co-workers said his death was suspicious. His mother also mysteriously disappeared, but it was highly probable that it was also related to the Flying Tiger Gang.
Tian Zhang did not cry or make a fuss. He quickly sold his family's land and property, borrowed from all his relatives, gathered fifty taels of silver, and halfway entered a Dao Academy to participate in the Star Gathering Season.
From then on, things spiraled out of control.
After Star Pointing, he entered the Dao Academy's Middle Courtyard. Half a year later, he reached Star Forging, and two years later, Star Refining Ninth Level Peak. Following that, numerous family annihilation cases frequently occurred within Jinshan County.
Those whose families were annihilated were all high-ranking members of the Flying Tiger Gang. Their entire families, young and old, were all beheaded with a single strike, incredibly cruel. While the Flying Tiger Gang was in a state of panic, a masked person broke into the Flying Tiger Gang's headquarters on a rainy night, massacred forty-three Flying Tiger Gang members, and successfully retreated before the County Guard arrived.
The bloody case directly triggered panic in Jinshan County. At the request of the County Governor, the Dao Academy directly dispatched the Patrolling Star Guard, tracked down the whereabouts, and surrounded the fleeing Tian Zhang.
Facing his familiar Senior Brothers and fellow Disciples, Tian Zhang did not resist and surrendered.
According to the law, he was to be immediately executed.
But later, the Dao Academy intervened, investigated the many wicked deeds of the Flying Tiger Gang, and found the remains of Tian Zhang's missing mother.
It was said she was sold to the neighboring Wuchang County.
Dong Zhao, who was then the Supervisor, stepped forward, overruled all dissenting opinions, and defined this case of annihilating the Flying Tiger Gang as blood revenge!
Blood revenge, it does not stop for ten generations.
Tian Zhang was released from prison without guilt, re-entered the Dao Academy's Patrolling Star Guard, and rose all the way to his current position as Supervisor of the Patrolling Star Guard.
This should have happened more than ten years ago.
Dong Zhao has now been promoted to Headmaster, and Tian Zhang is the Supervisor of the Patrolling Star Guard. From this story, Xu Jin basically concluded that the Headmaster of Jinshan Dao Academy should be the true person in power, possibly even holding absolute authority.
After all, he has staunch supporters like Tian Zhang, the Supervisor of the Patrolling Star Guard.
With the arrival of the four major figures of the Dao Academy, the assessment for this Star Gathering Season officially began.
It was called an assessment, but it was more like a report.
First, Head Instructor Ning Yuchan of the Star Gathering Season gave her report.
"Reporting to the Headmaster, in this Star Gathering Season, a total of seventy-six Disciples successfully completed Star Pointing. According to the Dao Academy's talent evaluation standards, there is one person with Grade A Superior talent, named Yue Daqi; one person with Grade A Middle talent, named Ren Xiaoxiang; two people with Grade A Inferior talent; three people with Grade B Superior talent; three people with Grade B Middle talent; six people with Grade B Inferior talent; twelve people with Grade C Superior talent; nineteen people with Grade C Middle talent; and twenty-nine people with Grade C Inferior talent. This is the list; please review it, Headmaster."
Ning Yuchan presented a booklet of Star Pointing records. Headmaster Dong Zhao simply beckoned, and the booklet instantly flew up and appeared in Headmaster Dong Zhao's hand.
"Mmm, Yu Chan, you've worked hard."
Headmaster Dong Zhao, after finishing reading the booklet, suddenly looked down at the stage, "Who is Xu Jin?"
Xu Jin was startled, and quickly stepped forward from the ranks, cupping his hands and saying, "Disciple Xu Jin greets the Headmaster."
"Activate your Star Power."
"Yes!"
Xu Jin immediately envisioned the Star Mark. In an instant, the Star Power surged within his body. At this moment, Xu Jin felt a prickling sensation on his back, especially from the gaze of Supervisor Tian Zhang, which felt like being targeted by a fierce tiger.
"He has indeed broken through to Canxia First Level."
Headmaster Dong Zhao spoke again, "Take off your upper garments and let everyone see."
Xu Jin obeyed and took off his upper garments. Under the activation of Star Power, his upper body shone with Starlight, especially around his right shoulder, where the Starlight actually extended to his upper arm, indicating astonishing Body Tempering progress.
Exposing his body in front of a large crowd and being stared at by everyone, Xu Jin still felt a bit shy.
Fortunately, after several days of hard training and supplementation, his congenital heart condition was gone. He no longer had a bony chest; the outlines of muscles could be seen.
After successfully completing Star Pointing, Xu Jin's body was visibly becoming stronger at a speed discernible to the naked eye.
"He only completed Star Pointing on the eighty-third day, but after Star Pointing, he trained diligently without pause, persisted every day, and was eager to learn. Instructor Ning applied to raise your talent evaluation from Grade C Inferior to Grade C Middle. I do not think this is appropriate." Headmaster Dong Zhao's words, the first half filled people with anticipation, while the second half was like having a basin of cold water poured over their heads.
Ning Yuchan had a look of astonishment. She had reported this matter to the Headmaster before, and he had agreed. It was a normal procedure, so why now?
Xu Jin himself didn't think much of it.
There didn't seem to be much difference between Grade C Middle and Grade C Inferior.
Headmaster Dong Zhao smiled and glanced at everyone's reactions, then suddenly said, "Although he only completed Star Pointing on the eighty-third day, through diligent training, he broke through to Canxia First Level in seven days. Although there was Medicinal Pill assistance, it is still extremely rare. I believe Xu Jin's talent evaluation should be raised from Grade C Inferior to Grade C Superior. What do you think?"
Headmaster Dong Zhao inquired of everyone.
Surprise reappeared in Ning Yuchan's apricot-shaped eyes, and the iron crutch she gripped tightly suddenly loosened.
This reversal truly surprised Xu Jin a little.
"Many with Grade C Superior talent evaluations have not broken through to Canxia First Level. I believe it is acceptable!" Supervisor Tian Zhang's voice was like metal and stone, resonant and impactful. He was the first to step forward and state his position.
"Since the Headmaster and Military Supervisor Tian have spoken, it is naturally acceptable," Vice President Feng Shu said slowly.
Supervisor Cao Chun, however, was a man of few words, only saying four characters, "Complies with academy rules."
"Alright, record it."
As soon as this sentence was spoken, under the martial arts stage, the expressions of Fang Zixing, Hong Gang, Luo Geng, and others changed.
Generally speaking, the order for entering the Middle Courtyard is based first on talent evaluation, and then on cultivation level.
Originally, there were only three spots to compete for, four competing for three, the difficulty wasn't too great.
Now that Xu Jin's evaluation had been raised to Grade C Superior, the difficulty for them to enter the Middle Courtyard had become five competing for three. The probability of failure was close to half, and the difficulty had directly doubled.
After finishing this matter, Headmaster Dong Zhao put down the booklet of Star Pointing records and returned to his main seat, then turned to Feng Shu and smiled, "Deputy Mountain Master Feng, you will preside over the rest."
Feng Shu stood up, bowed to Headmaster Dong Zhao, and then picked up the page of Star Pointing records.
"Next, I will preside over the allocation according to the rules of the Jinshan Dao Academy. However, I must emphasize one point: the Dao Academy is divided into three courtyards—Inner, Middle, and Outer—which is also for teaching according to aptitude. But no matter which courtyard you enter, from now on, you are all Disciples of the Jinshan Dao Academy in Great Chen's Yan Prefecture. You must be loyal and diligent in your duties. Those who are disloyal or unjust will be dealt with according to the national academy rules." Vice President Feng Shu spoke quite slowly, but his words carried an invisible pressure, making everyone listen clearly.
"According to our Jinshan Dao Academy's rules, in each Star Pointing session, three people are selected for the Inner Courtyard, fifteen for the Middle Courtyard, and the rest enter the Outer Courtyard."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone, including Xu Jin, Hong Gang, and Luo Geng, was startled.
They had been calculating the spots for the Middle Courtyard, but had forgotten about the spots for the Inner Courtyard.
In this Star Gathering Season, there were a total of four people with Grade A evaluations, but only three were selected for the Inner Courtyard.
"After the Dao Academy's selection according to the rules, Yue Daqi, Ren Xiaoxiang, and Zhou Du were selected for the Inner Courtyard."
Upon hearing this, Yue Daqi, Ren Xiaoxiang, and Zhou Du simultaneously stepped forward to express their gratitude, leaving only Lu Xianbing, who had completed Star Pointing on the twenty-ninth day, with a pale face.
There was nothing he could do. Although he had broken through to Canxia Fifth Level, the academy rules were as such.
"Although you three have been selected for the Inner Courtyard, you must not slack off after entering. The Inner Courtyard has a small test every month and a major test every three months. Those who fail will be demoted to the Middle Courtyard," Vice President Feng Shu instructed.
"According to our Dao Academy's rules, there are now thirteen people including Lu Xianbing and Yu Guan who meet the requirements for selection into the Dao Academy's Middle Courtyard. They are directly selected for the Middle Courtyard." Vice President Feng Shu announced the list on the spot, and the selected individuals expressed their gratitude.
The expressions of Xu Jin, Qiao Ruonan, Fang Zixing, Luo Geng, Song Ye, and others all became less than pleasant.
There were still two spots left, five competing for two. The competition had become even more intense.
"There are still two spots left in the Middle Courtyard. According to the rules, they will be allocated based on..."
"Wait!"
Supervisor Cao Chun suddenly spoke.
Vice President Feng Shu was interrupted and looked over with some displeasure.
"Headmaster, Deputy Mountain Master Feng, four months ago, Qiao Lie died in battle while suppressing demonic creatures. Now, his daughter Qiao Ruonan has successfully completed Star Pointing in this Star Gathering Season. According to precedent, she should be given preferential treatment," Supervisor Cao Chun said.
Vice President Feng Shu frowned, looked at the Star Pointing records in his hand, and then nodded, "Qiao Ruonan is indeed on the list!"
Headmaster Dong Zhao stood up again, searched through the crowd, and found Qiao Ruonan, dressed in white and looking sorrowful. After some words of comfort and encouragement, Headmaster Dong Zhao said, "Since she is the orphan of a brave martyr, she must be given preferential treatment.
Supervisor Cao, according to the academy rules, what is the maximum extent of preferential treatment that can be given?" Headmaster Dong Zhao asked.
"Reporting to the Headmaster, she can be promoted directly into the Middle Courtyard, and her monthly cultivation resources will be doubled!" Supervisor Cao Chun said.
"Acceptable!"
Just like that, the fourteenth spot for entering the Middle Courtyard was also decided.
Although they had no objection to Qiao Ruonan directly entering the Middle Courtyard, as it was the legacy of a brave martyr, Xu Jin, Luo Geng, Hong Gang, and Fang Zixing still looked tense.
Only one spot remained, four competing for one!
With this interruption, Vice President Feng Shu also felt a bit listless and directly announced, "For the remaining spot, there are three people who meet the rules for entering the Dao Academy's Middle Courtyard—that is, those whose cultivation has reached Canxia First Level. They are Hong Gang, Luo Geng, and Fang Zixing.
However, among these three, only Luo Geng can cast the Star Art Basic Star Shield, indicating better talent.
Therefore, this last spot to enter the Middle Courtyard should be given to Luo Geng. Do any of you have objections?" Feng Shu asked.
As soon as these words were spoken, Luo Geng was overjoyed. After much effort, even privately seeking guidance from elders repeatedly, he finally obtained a spot to enter the Middle Courtyard. Hong Gang and Fang Zixing, however, were dejected and could not express any opinions. They indeed had not yet practiced the Basic Star Shield and truly could not compare to Luo Geng.
But Xu Jin's expression suddenly changed, his demeanor was wrong.
Not him?
How was he directly excluded?
He must have an objection!
"Deputy Mountain Master Feng, I have an objection!" Xu Jin directly shouted.