Chapter 1360: The Top Scorer

The ancient and weathered city walls stretched endlessly, like a dragon dancing beneath the sky, inspiring awe.

The grandeur of Wumeng Royal City could only be truly felt by experiencing it in person.

When Han Tian saw Xiao Feng again, he was greatly astonished.

“Elder Xiao, you… have you truly comprehended?”

This time when Xiao Feng returned, his aura was distinctly different, giving Han Tian an elusive feeling.

It seemed as if something was about to burst forth within him.

Without a doubt, Xiao Feng had gained new insights.

Even if he couldn’t truly take that step, he was certainly closer to it.

Xiao Feng smiled. “Heh, it seems my intuition was correct! This trip has truly been immensely rewarding!”

Although Xiao Feng’s answer wasn’t entirely certain, it was enough to shock Han Tian.

“Is that kid named Ye Yuan really that miraculous?” Han Tian asked in surprise.

Xiao Feng nodded. “More miraculous than you imagine! This child was born for the Dao of alchemy! In depth, he cannot match me; but in fundamentals, I am far behind!”

Han Tian’s gaze sharpened, and waves of shock surged within him.

Coming from Xiao Feng’s mouth, these words carried immense weight!

Although Xiao Feng was gentle in demeanor, his pride was ingrained in his bones—Han Tian knew this all too well.

In all their years of working together, Han Tian had never heard him praise anyone so highly.

Moreover, it was a junior at the Dongxuan realm!

However, the fact that he could inspire Xiao Feng’s insight was enough to show that Ye Yuan was extraordinary.

Han Tian knew that Xiao Feng had been stuck at this stage for over ten thousand years!

“Hearing you say this, I’ve really taken an interest in this kid! By the way, don’t let talent like this slip away!” Han Tian said.

Xiao Feng smiled bitterly. “I’m afraid I’ll disappoint the Pavilion Master. That kid… has already decided to join Wumeng Academy!”

Han Tian was taken aback. “Elder Xiao, how could you let talent like this go?”

Xiao Feng said helplessly, “I’ve done my best. On the way here, I talked until my lips were worn out. But that kid is a stubborn mule—once he sets his mind on something, no one can pull him back.”

Han Tian said disappointedly, “Alas, what a pity!”

Xiao Feng said, “The Pavilion Master need not be too disappointed. I’ve now become a friend across generations with him. For my sake, he has agreed to continue as a guest alchemist for our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. With this connection, he can’t be separated from the pavilion. Moreover, Yang Rui has done well over the years and has built a solid friendship with Ye Yuan. That kid values loyalty and won’t burn bridges.”

Hearing this, Han Tian felt a bit better, though disappointment still lingered in his eyes.

“Yang Rui is a good lad. Promote him to steward and let him handle the contact with Ye Yuan from now on,” Han Tian said.

Xiao Feng smiled. “Heh, that’s a promotion out of turn! He doesn’t have the strength or seniority for the position. But… if he can maintain the connection with Ye Yuan, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion will surely reap greater benefits in the future! By the way, Yang Rui and Ye Yuan have an agreement: if Ye Yuan fails the entrance exam for Wumeng Academy, he will join the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion!”

Han Tian’s eyes lit up. “In that case, why don’t we… rig the exam?”

Xiao Feng quickly said, “Absolutely not! That kid is sharp—he even guessed I was going to Guishan City! If you do this and he finds out, it will backfire! Alright, I can’t wait to go into seclusion. That kid has offended the Wang family of Mingyang City, and I’m worried they might cause trouble for him. Keep an eye on it.”

Han Tian laughed and scolded, “I know! You old man, you can’t wait a moment, can you? I envy you. I, Han Tian, don’t know when I’ll take that step!”

…

As the Wumeng Academy exam approached, the city saw an increase in young faces.

The Qingfeng Tower was already packed, mostly with young people.

Most of these young warriors were accompanied by attendants, clearly from wealthy families.

Grassroots warriors lacked resources and struggled to cultivate, making it very difficult to achieve anything before the age of two hundred.

Thus, most exam participants were from noble families of various prefectural cities.

True grassroots warriors were few, and those who could afford to dine at a place like Qingfeng Tower were almost nonexistent.

“I heard that this Wumeng Academy exam coincides with a big year, with up to a million young warriors participating!”

“No matter how many, it’s useless! Wumeng Academy doesn’t set a fixed number of admissions. As long as you pass the three rounds, you’re accepted. Passing depends entirely on your own strength.”

“That’s true, but with such a large pool, the number of geniuses increases too. I’m afraid many formidable people will appear this time! I wonder… who will take the top scorer spot.”

“That’s a good point! As for the top scorer, it’s probably among the Four Young Masters of Wumeng and those from Huangning City, Dongwu City, and a few others, right?”

“Most likely! Those few are too strong; only each other can be their opponents.”

…

In a corner by the window, four people sat around a table, listening to the discussions.

They were Ye Yuan, Yang Rui, Liang Wanru, and Luo Jian.

Newly arrived, Ye Yuan naturally wanted to learn about the local customs.

Hearing the words “top scorer,” Ye Yuan became interested.

“Brother Yang, what is this top scorer?” Ye Yuan asked.

Yang Rui said, “The one who passes all three rounds and ranks first!”

Ye Yuan asked curiously, “That’s easy to understand, but what benefits come with being the top scorer?”

Yang Rui said, “Naturally! The top scorer receives generous rewards. More importantly, he becomes the City Lord’s nominal disciple! When he advances to the inner academy, he becomes the City Lord’s personal disciple, enjoying supreme status and resources that others can’t match! So, every hundred years during the entrance exam, the competition for top scorer is the fiercest.”

Ye Yuan was slightly surprised. “I see! But… even if one becomes the top scorer, it doesn’t guarantee staying first forever, does it?”

The path of martial arts is full of variables; today’s first may not be tomorrow’s first.

Some people build up slowly and surpass later, even overtaking the former top scorer—it’s not impossible.

Yang Rui nodded. “That’s why the top scorer is only a nominal disciple, not a personal disciple. If he becomes mediocre later, he remains a nominal disciple forever. But even so, the title of top scorer puts him on the fast track to cultivation, with limitless future potential! After all, the resources he enjoys are unmatched by others.”

Ye Yuan understood. Becoming the top scorer meant privileges, naturally allowing faster cultivation than others.

Others would have to put in a hundred or a thousand times more effort to surpass him.

Very, very few people truly surpass the top scorer.