After Cain and Kali's spectacular performance, the final exam went on as regularly.
None of the remaining thirty examinees dared to take up the mantle like the sibling duo. These youths plainly understood the massive disparity.
If they were to try and be daringly heroic like the sibling duo, they know they will get their asses utterly humiliated in the end. Nobody wants to experience such cruel embarrassment.
So the remaining examinees mustered up the remnants of their shattered pride and took on the pavilion challenge.
This last part of the exam lasted for around two hours.
And the results didn't surprise either Cain or Kali. Half of the examinees were eliminated, meaning only 15 youths ended up clearing the final challenge.
In terms of any particularly outstanding results, there wasn't much to see here.
Despite Zhao Tan, Zhao Li, and Zhun Yi being at the forefront for this set of youths, their results were only slightly above average.
These three only managed to just barely clear the fourth pavilion level before time was over.
Cain found their results a bit more intriguing than others. If under normal circumstances, he fathoms that at least Zhao Tan and Zhun Yi has some possibility of reaching the sixth floor.
He doubted they would be able to clear it. But nevertheless, they would've scored far past their peers.
However, those prestigious results were destined to not occur with him and Kali around.
As he waited for the exam to finish, Cain learned an interesting aspect about one's Martial Heart from Kali.
It is indeed true if one's Martial Heart gets so heavily struck down, the combat prowess one can display is also majorly affected.
In lighter cases, this means a cultivator can only show 90% of their true abilities. Other extreme cases have cultivators not even being able to display 50% of their full prowess!
Initially, Cain thought Martial Heart was just a term to describe one's mental state. He didn't think it would go past beyond affecting a cultivator's confidence.
However, he soon learned he was quite wrong.
A Martial Heart is far more than just being a term. It is a fundamental ability every cultivator possesses within their Soul's Core and heart.
When one begins their path of cultivation, a cultivator's Soul Core and heart form a direct energy link automatically without any input from said cultivator.
This was the representation of a cultivator's spirit and body linking as one.
To even be able to cultivate, one has to use their own soul energy as the basis for everything.
Whether it's absorbing and directing Qi energy or breaking past Qi comprehension mental blocks. It all stems from controlling a Soul's core, soul energy.
This is why when massively traumatic experiences deeply affect one's Martial Heart, it virtually cuts their overall prowess down.
In essence, what Cain and Kali did to those High-Class level Family talent went far beyond mere intimidation. They managed to strike deep within their Soul's Core, forever affecting their Martial Hearts.
This was as much information Cain managed to gain from Kali.
Unfortunately, because of their previous circumstances, she, of course, couldn't gain heavily in-depth information about Martial Hearts.
Kali even admits what she knows is only scratching the surface.
But this was all fine for Cain. His sense of adventure once again arose over learning more about the mysterious Martial Heart.
Even without the whole story, Cain could just tell this will be an ability that will stick with him for his entire life.
It's already foreshadowed to him by the fact it directly correlates to the Soul Core. And Soul's Core energy supposedly makes up any living being in the universe.
As Cain stewed on this new information, the Crimson Sea Academy's entrance exams finally came to a close.
Cain was suddenly broken up from his thoughts. He detected another powerful presence, similar to Elder Mo, abruptly showing up.
Returning back to reality, he saw a far older man in front of the remaining fifteen examinees.
This man had the appearance of an experienced fifty-year-old man and wore a harsh dark blue uniform.
Judging by the man's uniform, he appeared to have a higher status than Elder Mo!
And this Crimson Sea Elder swept his gaze over the remaining fifteen examinees who passed.
No emotions even faintly shined within his eyes. This current batch of youths couldn't sway this Elder's thoughts in the slightest. But when the Elder's gaze landed on Cain and Kali, he momentarily paused.
It was only then that a faint mysterious glint twinkled within his eyes.
However, before anyone could notice it, the Elder suddenly addressed everyone still within the courtyard.
"Congratulations to everyone here. From now on, you are officially a part of the Crimson Sea Academy. Now then, you Outer and Inner students will receive your rewards once you fully complete your asks. As for the remaining fifteen, follow me."
After ordering out, the Elder promptly led the 15 newly admitted students out of the massive courtyard. Following right behind them were excited Crimson Sea Academy students.
In the countless entrance exams they've shown up to, they have never been more excited to spread news than today!
Two Heaven Defying talents….in the future, their Crimson Sea Academy status will definitely rise!
Already, these students were having several delusions of the prestige Cain and Kali could garner for them. Nobody at that moment considers the possibilities of either Cain or Kali leaving the Academy anytime soon.
And as the courtyard quickly filled out, Elder Mo suddenly strolled up to Cain and Kali.
Elder Mo did his best to keep his expression neutral while explaining to the sibling duo, "Typically, when the exams are over, you will be assorted according to your results for all three exams. And since you two score results that can only be described as legendary, you can directly skip numerous steps. Come with me."
Cain and Kali only gave a calm smile while wordlessly nodding. Afterward, the sibling duo swiftly follows behind Elder Mo.
As they walked, they both got a bit startled.
Instead of going the directions, the others left towards, they went entirely in the opposite direction.
….
Within the Crimson Sea Academy, the day initially started like any other for all students, Elders, and teachers inhabiting it. Everyone went about their daily tasks, entirely unaware of the situation within the entrance exam.
Even though it is an annual event, most students and the older generation didn't have much care about it.
Very rarely would the entrance exam bring home an outstanding enough talent worthy of extensive acknowledgment.
Not even the High-Class level family talents can make a big enough waved to receive fame upon just entering the Academy.
However, this lack of care was about to change today.
Promptly when the entrance exams were over, and the students returned to the Academy, a piece of outrageous news stunned nearly everyone!
It didn't matter whether they were from the younger or older generation. They all nearly didn't believe what their ears were listening to.
Apparently, within their very Academy, two extreme Heaven-Defying Talents have joined!
This news would've been seen as an annoying joke if anyone else had delivered it.
After all, the rarity of actually being a Heaven-Defying Talent is one in a million!
The number one sect in the entire Azure Lightning City, the majestic Azure Lightning Sect, not even they could foster Heaven-Defying Talent.
So just how could their Academy luck be so good to not stumble upon only one but two Heaven-Defying Talent?
The highest Martial Talent they ever received in the past hundreds of years was only at Mid-level Sky Ruler. And Heaven-Defying Talent was at a level far, far above any Mid-level Sky Ruler Talent.
Not many were willing to believe such bombshell of news at first. However, they had no other choice but to accept this reality.
With testimony coming from hundreds of Crimson Sea Academy students plus the high-level Elder with them, the evidence was near undeniable.
As this piece of news made frantic waves throughout the Academy, the younger generation and older generation were left with only one question.
Just exactly who the hell were these Heaven-Defying Talents?
The name Cain and Kali were constantly thrown around, but nobody knew of their origins. No last names were given, so counting them from a distinguished family or clan was out of the question.
This revelation was equally as shocking as their Heaven-Defying Talent.
Can any just random cultivation with zero background turn out to be a monumental genius?
Absolutely not!
At least before today, many cultivators would believe this to be an absolute impossibility.
But as with many things in life, nothing is set in stone.
Without even making an official appearance, Cain and Kali's name spread like wildfire through the Crimson Sea Academy.
….
At this time, neither Cain nor Kali was aware of the massive storm the mere mention of their names was causing. Nor was that even close on their minds.
Currently, the sibling duo was following behind Elder Mo.
And as Cain and Kali followed Elder Mo into the Crimson Sea Academy, Cain was greatly impressed by the intricate interior and exterior structure.
Essentially, this Academy was overly massive!
Comparing this Academy to his previous homeworld Academy was like comparing dirt to a mansion palace. The disparity couldn't even be described in a few short words.
Every hall they turned around was luxuriously designed in an oceanic blue scenery, exuding a calming vibe as one walks through it. The air here was incredibly vibrant, even more so than the entrance exam courtyard.
Cain felt entirely refreshed from just taking a slight whiff of the exuberant air. He also felt his Qi Sea slightly purified as Qi energy naturally flowed into him.
It was at this moment Cain fully understood why there was so much prejudice against no-background youths.
The whole Crimson Sea Academy was essentially a rich Qi energy gold mine! The rate one can feel out Qi for absorption marginally increased by several times under this place.
Cain was so absorbed into taking in the scenery that he nearly lost all track of time. He only came back to reality when he felt Kali slightly nudge him in the stomach.
"Mn?" Cain abruptly stopped, tossing a curious gaze over at Kali.
Kali spouted a slightly wry smile. This one thing she couldn't fully wrap her around from her brother's numerous changes. He never was this engrossed into merely overly observing the scenery.
Especially since this was just a Lower Realm power, Kali honestly couldn't see what Cain saw in these places.
'Oh well. That just his cute little quirk.' Kali shook her head a bit and pointed forward. She told him, "If you think this all impressive, then just look ahead. This will be our sleeping quarters."
At her call, Cain focused his eyes forward and promptly became stunned.
Up ahead of them was a beautiful wide-open field. Numerous spring blooming flowers were planted all over. Trees extended far into the skies, all of them having exotic-looking color fruits hanging off the long branches.
Upon this seemingly endless field were also numerous luxurious houses. Each house was decently spaced out from each other and held distinct designs corresponding to the residents living them.
This wide-open field genuinely had a subtle majestic feel about it. It felt like they were entering into a garden cultivated by a fairy.
Cain indeed found this as a significant upgrade over the Kong Clan's living quarters.
"As you said, young Kali, this will be your living quarters for as long you remained at upper ranks of the Inner students ranking. Your neighbors here are a mixed bag of Outer, Inner, and even Core students. The only difference between them is their cultivation progress. In terms of talent, this here are the cream of our Academy coup. Come, let me show you your two residencies."
Elder Mo explained as he slowly led Cain and Kali through the garden-like field.
