The day passed swiftly.
"Today's the academy exam."
Qin Chen rose early, dressed neatly, and stepped out of his room, his spirit vibrant. In the kitchen, Qin Yuechi was busy preparing breakfast.
"Chen'er!" She paused when she saw him, soon setting a steaming bowl of noodles and some cooked dishes before him.
"Mother, today's the exam. You don't need to fuss. Come with me to watch," Qin Chen said, eating heartily.
To spare Qin Chen stress, Qin Yuechi had avoided mentioning the exam. Today, she'd hesitated to offer encouragement, fearing it might burden him. His casual mention caught her off guard.
"Alright, you go ahead. I'll join you shortly," she said, nodding with a tender smile.
Tianxing Academy buzzed with excitement, a hive of activity. The annual exam was the institution's grandest event, held once a year. Nobles, dignitaries, and even royal representatives attended, and the elusive dean made a rare appearance. For every student, the exam was a critical moment, a make-or-break opportunity.
Groups of students clustered together, their animated chatter filling the air. Though the exam hadn't yet begun, many had already gathered at the academy's training grounds, awaiting the start.
High platforms ringed the grounds, reserved for visiting dignitaries, nobles, and parents.
Qin Chen thought he'd arrived early, but the grounds were already teeming with students.
"Look, isn't that Qin Chen?"
"I heard he still hasn't awakened his bloodline. One more failure, and he's out of the academy."
"He's a Qin family disciple, Duke Dingwu's grandson. How could he fail to awaken his bloodline? It's unbelievable."
"Tch, they say he's illegitimate. Bloodlines come from parents. His mother's the Qin family's eldest daughter, so her bloodline's strong, but his father…"
"Shh, quiet! He's still a Qin, even if illegitimate. If someone overhears, you're done."
Wherever Qin Chen went, whispers followed, curious glances tracking him.
He heard every word but remained unfazed, his expression steady. Such talk couldn't ripple his composure.
"Young Master Chen, you're here!" A delighted voice rang out as Lin Tian and Zhang Ying hurried over, beaming.
"You two alright?" Qin Chen eyed them. After half a month, their injuries had healed, and they radiated energy.
"We're fine. But what about you? Has Wei Zhen caused you any trouble since?" Their voices held lingering concern from the past incident.
"Him?" Qin Chen's lips curved faintly. "If he dares, he won't walk away."
His casual confidence stunned Lin Tian and Zhang Ying. They exchanged a glance, realizing their friend had truly changed.
"By the way, Young Master Chen, that chant you gave us is incredible! Our true qi gathers several times faster now. We… we don't know how to thank you!" Recovering, they spoke with fervor, faces alight with excitement.
In half a month, they'd not only reached mid Human Level but were nearing late Human Level—a feat they'd never dared dream of before.
"A small matter, no need to dwell on it," Qin Chen said with an easy smile. He'd already sensed their breakthroughs. Their auras confirmed they'd hit mid Human Level and were close to late Human Level.
Lin Tian and Zhang Ying's talents were evidently solid. Without such aptitude, a mere chant wouldn't have yielded such rapid progress.
"Didn't expect you'd actually show up for the year-end exam, Qin Chen."
A mocking voice cut through the air. Qin Fen approached with several students, sneering at Qin Chen as they blocked his path.
These students, exuding strong auras, were clearly from the senior class. Arms crossed, they eyed Qin Chen, Lin Tian, and Zhang Ying with smug amusement, their lips twitching in half-smiles, like cats toying with mice.
Lin Tian and Zhang Ying froze, tension etching their faces. They glanced at Qin Chen, recognizing Qin Fen as his second cousin. Yet, their relationship seemed strained—Qin Fen had never stepped in to help Qin Chen with academy troubles.
"Move," Qin Chen said, lifting his gaze to Qin Fen, his face expressionless.
His blunt tone startled Qin Fen's companions. "Heh, interesting," one muttered.
"Qin Fen, this is your family's bastard?" another said.
"Doesn't seem to respect you much, does he, as his older brother?"
They exchanged glances, chuckling, eyes narrowing as they waited for Qin Fen's reaction.
The surrounding students' attention shifted to the scene.
Qin Chen raised his head, his voice cold. "Get out of the way. Good dogs don't block the path."
The group's expressions froze, their half-formed smiles twisting into grimaces. Being called dogs in front of a crowd was a public humiliation that would haunt them in the capital's social circles.
A chill of killing intent radiated from them, their eyes darkening with fury.
"What did you say, kid?"
"Qin Fen, this is your family's pride?"
"Forget giving your Qin family face—this punk needs a lesson."
They stepped forward, their auras icy, faces so dark they seemed to drip with malice. Their fists clenched, knuckles cracking as they glared at Qin Chen.
Lin Tian and Zhang Ying paled, panic flaring. They summoned their true qi, stepping protectively in front of Qin Chen, their faces taut with dread.
But Qin Chen gently pushed them aside. "Lin Tian, Zhang Ying, step back. I'd like to see what they think they can do to me in broad daylight, during the exam, with everyone watching."
His lips curled in a faint, mocking smile, his nonchalant demeanor catching Qin Fen and his group off guard. They glanced around, their expressions faltering, sweat beading on their foreheads.
Though they stood in a corner of the plaza, the altercation had drawn eyes. On the elevated platforms, dignitaries, nobles, and powerhouses from the capital's major factions had arrived. Their sharp senses easily picked up the scene, and several piercing gazes now fixed on the group.
A chill ran through Qin Fen's companions. Today was the academy's year-end exam. Disrupting it could incur the wrath of the academy's leadership, a consequence even noble scions like them couldn't afford.
"Hmph, don't get cocky, kid. Pray you don't cross us during the exam, or you'll learn what regret feels like."
Their faces flickered with suppressed rage. After a tense moment, they snorted coldly, swallowing their anger, and stepped back.
"Heh." Qin Chen scoffed, not sparing them a glance. He brushed past with Lin Tian and Zhang Ying in tow.
His blatant disdain ignited Qin Fen and his group, their fury boiling over. The dismissal stung worse than any public insult, searing their pride.
Yet they could do nothing but grit their teeth, bottling their rage.
"Little wretch, still so arrogant at a time like this? Once the bloodline awakening ceremony ends, let's see how smug you are," Qin Fen muttered, his eyes glinting with venom.