The First Summoner - Chapter 93

Most of the youths possessed a rough understanding of their own aptitude.

Headmaster Xuanyun stood with his hands behind his back.

“I declare the aptitude test begun!”

Every gaze turned toward the testing area.

A long line stood before each of the thirty pillars. Western Region Academy had assigned one instructor to every line, each holding a crystal orb that recorded the applicants’ results.

The testing began.

One youth after another placed a hand on a pillar. If its light filled half the pillar, the applicant possessed Earth-rank aptitude. Anything below the halfway mark meant failure.

More than a hundred youths completed the test in a short time.

Not one reached Earth-rank aptitude.

The crowd murmured.

“Usually someone would have tested at Earth-rank aptitude by now…”

“Look! That’s Qi Lingxuan, daughter of the Imperial Dragon Sect’s master and a fourth-grade alchemist. She’s about to test!”

“She’ll definitely reach Earth-rank aptitude. She might even possess Heaven-rank aptitude!”

“Very few people in the entire Pingze Western Region possess Heaven-rank aptitude. She may not reach it!”

As they spoke, Qi Lingxuan, dressed in plain robes, placed her hand on a pillar.

Light surged upward, quickly crossing the halfway point before slowing.

Under countless shocked gazes, it reached exactly three-quarters of the pillar.

Heaven-rank aptitude!

The crowd stared.

Nearly every eye focused on Qi Lingxuan. Even Headmaster Xuanyun looked at her several times.

Elder Hong Xian, seated beside him, stroked his beard in satisfaction. “I know this girl. She is the Imperial Dragon Sect master’s precious daughter and the most gifted alchemist of her generation. A fourth-grade alchemist at only twenty—very impressive.”

Xuanyun nodded, a rare display of approval.

He valued her not only for her Heaven-rank aptitude, but because she was an alchemist.

Alchemists were scarce in the Pingze Western Region. Once Qi Lingxuan matured, she would undoubtedly become a respected powerhouse.

Qi Lingxuan smiled at the instructor recording her result and left.

Knowing countless eyes followed her, she carried herself with greater poise.

Many young men stared admiringly. Winning her heart would be a blessing earned over several lifetimes.

The test continued.

Before long, another applicant reached Earth-rank aptitude.

It was a fat, arrogant-looking youth.

“Isn’t that Li Buman, the younger son of the Alchemist Li Clan? I heard he’s already a third-grade alchemist. What extraordinary talent.”

“Both successful candidates are alchemists. How interesting! Still, Qi Lingxuan is clearly superior to Li Buman.”

Li Buman had expected praise. Hearing himself compared unfavorably with Qi Lingxuan made his face darken.

He immediately began resenting her as well.

The third Earth-rank result belonged to a genius from a great kingdom.

As testing continued, more than twenty applicants with Earth-rank aptitude emerged.

Yet no one besides Qi Lingxuan reached Heaven-rank aptitude.

The previous year’s test had produced three geniuses with Heaven-rank aptitude.

“Could Qi Lingxuan be the only one this year?” spectators wondered.

“Don’t rush. Almost half remain.”

“I favor Chi Yue of the Spirit-Plant Chi Clan. He must possess Heaven-rank aptitude!”

“Wen Yuchu, Crown Prince of Ziyan Kingdom, hasn’t tested yet. Nor have Yu Changying, daughter of Western Region City’s lord; Zhu Hezhou of Wenxin Palace; Lu Jing of the Cangyu Sect; or Xiao Zechuan of Nanshang Kingdom…”

People even began wagering on which geniuses would reach Heaven-rank aptitude.

Just then—

A petite girl with two braids stepped before a pillar. She had an adorable face, and every smile drew the eye.

Her gaze flickered before she placed her hand against the pillar.

Whoosh!

Light instantly filled three-quarters of it.

It slowed but continued climbing.

The sudden sight made everyone’s eyes widen.

“Damn!”

“Heaven-rank aptitude! Who is that girl?!”

Even the instructor gaped. He had never guessed this charming little girl possessed Heaven-rank aptitude.

The academy elders at the front sprang to their feet, staring at her with excitement.

Headmaster Xuanyun watched the still-rising light without blinking.

Slow though it had become, it had not stopped.

Everyone held their breath.

Even the applicants turned toward the pillar.

Hum!

Light filled it completely.

A dazzling seven-colored radiance erupted!

Xuanyun rose, disbelief in his eyes. His lips curved involuntarily, and he nearly lost control of his excitement and rushed to the girl.

The entire crowd was dumbfounded.

This was true, supreme talent!

“Who is she?!”

“Good heavens! When did such a genius appear in the Pingze Western Region?”

The instructor hurriedly checked her information and announced excitedly, “Jiang Xianyue, seventeen years old, Mystic-rank level nine, from Xuanwu Kingdom. Heaven-rank aptitude!”

Every cultivator present heard him.

“Mystic-rank level nine?!”

“What tier is Xuanwu Kingdom? I’ve never even heard of it!”

“Heaven-rank aptitude!”

“I know Xuanwu Kingdom. It’s a seventh-tier nation near the border.”

“A small kingdom produced a peerless genius?!”

Shock swept the grounds.

The academy elders urged Xuanyun, “Headmaster, we must keep her! That child is a peerless genius!”