The First Summoner - Chapter 96

“I will.” A faint light crossed Shen Yan’s eyes.

If not for the crowd, she would have questioned Xuanyun about Shen Huai. Under these circumstances, he might not answer even if she asked.

Xuanyun produced another pillar for the instructor and instantly returned to his seat.

The crowd finally reacted.

“Transcendent Heaven-rank aptitude!”

“Filling the pillar already makes someone a peerless genius. Her aptitude is even greater! Has this ever happened in the Pingze Western Region?”

“She, Zhuge Youlin, and Jiang Xianyue all come from border kingdoms. They’re the greatest dark horses in the test!”

“Is Shen Yan the sister of Summoner genius Shen Huai?”

“Yes! They’re twins!”

“Is she a Summoner too?”

“Most likely. Shen Huai comes from a Summoner clan!”

“What an incredible pair!”

“Her aptitude may be high, but she’s only Mystic-rank level three. Her strength can’t compare with that of many applicants who possess only Earth-rank aptitude. Could the result be wrong?”

“Exactly. Her cultivation is far too low among the foremost geniuses. She’ll surely fail the martial test!”

Shock, envy, jealousy, and mockery mingled.

Shen Yan joined Zhuge Youlin, and they waited for Zhuge Weiran.

Seeing two brilliant talents watching another red-haired man, the crowd grew interested.

Was he another genius with Heaven-rank aptitude?

Under expectant gazes, Zhuge Weiran placed his hand on the pillar. The light rose steadily past halfway, reaching Earth-rank aptitude, then slowed and stopped below Heaven-rank aptitude.

Some spectators were disappointed after expecting too much.

Yet Earth-rank aptitude still surpassed more than ninety percent of the applicants. It only seemed less dazzling beside the brilliance that had come before.

Zhuge Weiran showed no disappointment. He turned to his companions with a smile.

He was satisfied. He had initially feared he would not even reach Earth grade.

“Let’s go, Seventh Brother.” Zhuge Youlin beamed.

Zhuge Weiran nodded.

The trio returned to the waiting area and were immediately surrounded.

A petite figure slipped through the crowd and lunged toward Shen Yan.

The brothers instinctively tried to block her, fearing Shen Yan might be hurt, but the newcomer nimbly evaded them.

“Yanyan!”

Jiang Xianyue threw herself into Shen Yan’s arms.

Recognizing her, Shen Yan did not push her away.

“Yanyan, you were amazing!” Jiang Xianyue looked up with a genuine smile. “I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.”

Shen Yan’s eyes curved slightly. “You were amazing too.”

The applicants were stunned. Jiang Xianyue and Shen Yan knew each other?

Together with Zhuge Youlin, three border-kingdom geniuses had reached Heaven-rank aptitude or beyond. It was terrifying.

“I went to Nanxiao Kingdom to find you once,” Jiang Xianyue said, “but you’d already left, so I came to apply alone.”

Shen Yan understood. She had been training in Lingyan Forest with Uncle Zhuang.

“I went away to train.”

Jiang Xianyue smiled brightly. “I guessed. Aren’t we destined? We left at different times but still met in the same place.”

“Yes.”

Zhuge Youlin frowned down at the shorter girl.

“Why are you staring at me?” Jiang Xianyue challenged sharply.

“You’re Shen Yan’s friend?”

She checked Shen Yan’s expression, then smiled. “Yes. And you are? No—you two?”

She knew Zhuge Weiran but had never met Zhuge Youlin.

“We’re Shen Yan’s friends too,” Zhuge Youlin declared.

“A friend’s friends barely count as friends. I’m Jiang Xianyue of Xuanwu Kingdom.”

Zhuge Youlin swept hair from his brow and smiled confidently. “This young master is Zhuge Youlin.”

Jiang Xianyue looked disgusted.

*This young master?*

Zhuge Weiran laughed. “Zhuge Weiran.”

After greeting him, Jiang Xianyue linked arms with Shen Yan. “Yanyan, let’s sit over there. The aptitude test will take a long time to finish.”

“All right.”

The brothers followed.

No one else could find an opening to join them, so they reluctantly gave up.

Qi Lingxuan watched them with dark, unreadable eyes. She had begun to suspect they were the trio roasting meat in the mountains.

She had not shown herself then, so they should not remember her.

She frowned, fingers curling unconsciously.

Why had so many unknown people appeared this year?

They had stolen her spotlight.

At the same time, another applicant’s Heaven-rank aptitude filled the pillar and nearly cracked it.

He was a black-clad youth with an ordinary face, a tall build, and exceptionally resolute eyes.

The instructor announced, “Pei Wusu, eighteen, Earth-rank level four, from Wu Kingdom. Heaven-rank aptitude.”

Everyone’s pupils contracted.

Earth-rank level four?!