Today's aptitude test was the most critical hurdle of all. No matter how outstanding their previous evaluations, anyone who failed this round would be eliminated all the same.
And the elimination rate was staggering—only two or three out of every ten could pass, and even those who did rarely earned impressive ratings.
After a little over half a day, a voice rang out from the testing area: "Number Seven-Six-Three, Miao Feiping!"
From the crowd, Miao Feiping darted forward. Despite his young age, he moved with agile grace. He stepped onto the circular testing platform, politely performed a sweeping bow to the Seven Stars Workshop martial artist overseeing the test, then closed his eyes, centered his focus, and stilled his breath.
On the platform, brilliant light blazed forth!
The crowd erupted in astonishment, every face twisted with amazement. The martial artists stationed around the platform to monitor the test results all shot to their feet simultaneously, eyes gleaming as they stared at Miao Feiping at the center, their expressions electric with excitement.
"Grade A! At this level of brightness, it's definitely Grade A aptitude!"
"Our Seven Stars Workshop finally has a disciple with Grade A aptitude?"
The already stirred crowd grew even more shocked upon hearing this. While they had noticed that Miao Feiping's aptitude was extraordinary—after all, none of the previous testers had ever caused the platform to shine with such dazzling brilliance—they were merely watching for entertainment, and with their limited discernment, they couldn't determine exactly what grade his aptitude deserved. Only now, upon hearing the Seven Stars Workshop people say it aloud, did they realize he had actually received a Grade A evaluation!
One had to understand that among all the people tested before, the best result had only been upper Grade B. Though Grade A and Grade B differed by only a single tier, the gap in future achievements was as vast as heaven and earth. Anyone with Grade A aptitude, barring an untimely death, was virtually guaranteed to advance to the Emperor Realm in the future.
In the viewing stands, Seven Stars Workshop Master Shangguan Ji couldn't help but stroke his beard and smile. An elderly man of middling age seated beside him suddenly spoke up: "Workshop Master Shangguan, this child and I share a destined connection. I wish to take him as my Personal Disciple. I wonder if Workshop Master Shangguan would be willing to part with him?"
The smile on Shangguan Ji's face froze in an instant.
Today in the viewing stands, there were not only the numerous higher-ups of the Seven Stars Workshop, but also strong cultivators from allied Sects who had come to observe. The Seven Stars Workshop was a second-tier Sect, and their allies were generally of the same rank. Everyone's strength was roughly equal—they would absolutely never make such an impolite demand upon seeing a talented disciple. This was nothing short of brazen poaching.
But this elderly man beside him was different. He was an Emperor Realm cultivator from a first-tier Sect, originally visiting another Sect when he had heard about the recruitment gathering and simply tagged along with others. He had merely come to watch the spectacle—who would have expected that he would spot such a promising seedling? Even in their first-tier Sects, disciples with Grade A aptitude were exceedingly rare. If he took this one back and cultivated him carefully, the Sect's strength would undoubtedly grow considerably.
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the Seven Stars Workshop Elders darkened in an instant. However, constrained by the man's Emperor Realm cultivation, they could only swallow their anger in silence, fearful of offending him.
The representatives from the various Sects who had come to observe, on the other hand, all wore expressions of gleeful anticipation—as though watching a show. Although the Sects they represented were on good terms with the Seven Stars Workshop, they were hardly eager to see the Workshop produce a disciple with Grade A aptitude. If that happened, the Seven Stars Workshop would have hopes of ascending to first-tier status in the coming decades, and then they would have to depend on the Workshop's goodwill. If this Grade A disciple could indeed be taken away, that was something they would be more than happy to see.
Shangguan Ji composed his expression and spoke up: "To tell you the truth, Senior Shen, this child established a master-disciple bond with Elder Guan Qianxing of our Sect two months ago. His participation in today's test is merely a formality."
Beside them, Guan Qianxing rose from his seat and bowed respectfully to Shen Xing: "That is indeed the case."
Shen Xing furrowed his brow slightly, appearing somewhat displeased. But being an Emperor Realm cultivator after all, he couldn't push things too far. If they hadn't already established a master-disciple bond, snatching the boy at this point wouldn't have been a big deal—at most, he could offer the Seven Stars Workshop some compensation afterward, and they wouldn't dare gossip about it. But since they had already established the bond two months ago, stealing the boy now would be a blatant abuse of power. If word got out, it would tarnish both his and his Sect's reputation.
After weighing his options for a moment, Shen Xing nodded and said: "Since this child has long since established a master-disciple bond with Elder Guan, I shall not take what belongs to another. Congratulations to your Sect on producing such a fine seedling!"
"Thank you for your understanding, Senior Shen." Shangguan Ji wore a smile on his face, a great weight finally lifted from his heart.
If Shen Xing had truly been determined to have his way, the Seven Stars Workshop would have had no power to resist unless they brought out their newly arrived Supreme Elder. Yet over these past months, the Supreme Elder had remained thoroughly reclusive—never even receiving the Workshop Master himself. Their low profile was almost excessive. He simply had no confidence that the Supreme Elder would back the Sect in a confrontation. Now that Shen Xing had voluntarily backed down, a crisis had been neatly averted.
The Seven Stars Workshop Elders all congratulated Guan Qianxing profusely, and Guan Qianxing accepted their good wishes with a smile. Though he had long sensed that Miao Feiping was no ordinary talent, the boy had never been properly tested, and he hadn't known the specifics. Today, Miao Feiping had given him a pleasant surprise of considerable magnitude—a Grade A evaluation.
Soon, a more detailed evaluation was submitted. "Seven Stars Workshop, Miao Feiping, Number Seven-Six-Three. Aptitude evaluation: Lower Grade A! Comprehensive evaluation: Lower Grade A!"
Such aptitude, across the entire Void Continent, could be counted on one's fingers. Among all the disciples the Seven Stars Workshop had accepted over the years, Miao Feiping was unquestionably the finest.
Shangguan Ji and the Elders were practically bursting with joy.
On the circular platform, Miao Feiping descended the steps, then deliberately ran over to Zhao Yebai to strut around and show off. This provoked Zhao Ya to bare her teeth at him in irritation.
Zhao Yebai, on the other hand, took it in stride and offered his sincere congratulations—thoroughly deflating Miao Feiping. He hadn't seen even a hint of jealousy on this "Little Zhao Bai's" face, giving him the helpless sensation of throwing a full-force punch into cotton.
The remaining disciples were tested one after another, and several more promising talents with Grade B aptitude appeared. But Miao Feiping's brilliance was so overwhelming that it overshadowed them all. In previous years, these Grade B disciples would have been the ones to receive the highest expectations from the leadership.
"Number Eight-Nine-Six, Zhao Yebai!"
Hearing this call, Zhao Yebai, who had been waiting patiently all along, took a deep breath.