The First Summoner - Chapter 94

Headmaster Xuanyun understood the elders’ implication: even if Jiang Xianyue failed the later rounds, the academy must keep her.

No genius had filled an entire testing pillar in the Pingze Western Region for a very long time.

Xuanyun composed himself. “I know what to do. Sit down.”

The elders suppressed their excitement and obeyed, though their gazes remained fixed on Jiang Xianyue.

She herself looked somewhat surprised. She had not expected her aptitude to be so high.

Once the instructor recorded her result, she returned to the waiting area beneath a multitude of complicated gazes.

Applicants whispered with envy, jealousy, and wonder.

Still waiting in line, Shen Yan had naturally witnessed the pillar fill with light. Her expression remained calm, but a faint smile touched her lips.

Zhuge Youlin tugged Zhuge Weiran’s sleeve. “Xuanwu Kingdom? Isn’t that right beside Chifeng Kingdom? Seventh Brother, do you know Jiang Xianyue?”

“I’ve met her once.” Zhuge Weiran glanced at Shen Yan.

Both he and Shen Yan had participated in the same competition as Jiang Xianyue in Lingyan Forest.

At the time, Jiang Xianyue had concealed her cultivation.

In the waiting area, Qi Lingxuan’s expression shifted as she watched Jiang Xianyue enter.

People immediately crowded around the girl, hoping to befriend her.

Qi Lingxuan lowered her eyes. She disliked being surpassed.

Jiang Xianyue answered their overtures with polite smiles but did not engage deeply. The rebuffed youths soon grew displeased.

If her aptitude were not so high, they would never have wanted her friendship. Why put on airs? Did she believe herself invincible?

…

Some time later, another applicant reached Heaven-rank aptitude.

The light barely reached the three-quarter mark, but that still qualified. The applicant was Zhu Hezhou, son of Wenxin Palace’s master. Over nineteen years old, he cultivated at Mystic-rank level eight.

As the third candidate with Heaven-rank aptitude, he attracted considerable attention.

He smiled confidently. The red robe he wore was the very one Shen Yan had first selected at the shop, only for Zhu Miaoqing to purchase it at an exorbitant price.

Zhu Miaoqing tested immediately after him. Unfortunately, she fell slightly short and attained only Earth-rank aptitude.

Though disappointed, she was happy for her brother. She hurried over and linked her arm through his.

“Congratulations, Brother.”

Zhu Hezhou smiled and nodded.

Their strong results drew the attention of many academy elders and instructors.

“Look! That’s Yu Changying, daughter of Western Region City’s lord. She’s about to test!”

A young woman in white approached. Light makeup adorned her delicate oval face, with delicate red lips, an elegant nose, and gentle, captivating features. Her entire presence seemed warm and approachable.

Smiling softly, she placed a hand on the pillar.

Hum!

Light instantly filled it from bottom to top.

Many spectators shot to their feet.

“How is that possible?!”

Headmaster Xuanyun and the academy elders and instructors could barely contain their delight.

“Another genius with Heaven-rank aptitude—and a completely full result!”

The recording instructor’s voice shook. “Yu Changying, eighteen years old, Earth-rank level one, from Western Region City. Heaven-rank aptitude!”

Everyone stared.

Yu Changying possessed status, talent, and strength alike.

In the stands, the lord of Western Region City smiled in satisfaction.

As expected of his daughter!

“Yu Changying is amazing!”

“I heard she has a bad temper…”

“Who dares say my goddess has a bad temper? Can’t you see how gentle she is?”

Yu Changying withdrew her hand and smiled at the instructor without surprise. She had known the result long ago.

As city lord, her father naturally owned an aptitude-testing pillar.

A young man in line stared at her fervently. “Yu Changying is so beautiful. If only I could marry her.”

She seemed to hear him and offered a faint smile.

His heart immediately pounded, his infatuation deepening.

Once she turned away, her expression became indifferent as she returned to the waiting area.

The geniuses with Heaven-rank aptitude now included Qi Lingxuan, Jiang Xianyue, Zhu Hezhou, and Yu Changying.

Nearly thirty applicants had reached at least Earth-rank aptitude.

Shen Yan’s trio would soon test.

Before them, another pillar filled completely.

The applicant was Wen Yuchu, Crown Prince of Ziyan Kingdom.

He wore a half mask. A childhood fire had burned one side of his face, leaving ugly, uneven scars, so he kept it concealed.

The exposed half was handsome. His lips were full and well-shaped, while his narrow eyes carried oppressive, melancholy depth.

At Earth-rank level two, Wen Yuchu possessed the highest cultivation among those tested so far.

No one was surprised by his Heaven-rank result.

What astonished them was the sheer number of applicants whose Heaven-rank aptitude filled the pillar this year.

Zhuge Youlin grew more excited with every result.

“Shen Yan, do you think I’ll have Heaven-rank aptitude?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’m certain I will. If I don’t, pretend I never said that.”

Nearby applicants gave him peculiar looks, silently mocking him. Did he think Heaven-rank aptitude grew like cabbages in the street?

Only a dozen or so people remained before Shen Yan’s turn.

Zhuge Youlin stood behind her, followed by Zhuge Weiran.

He suddenly said, “Wait, Shen Yan. Trade places with me. That way, you and Seventh Brother can both watch me prove I have Heaven-rank aptitude.”

Shen Yan stared at him in silence.