All the examinees were extremely nervous. Even those "Frontier Folk" who had likely faced numerous life-threatening dangers before, and had been recommended by the border troops, found their hands trembling slightly despite themselves.
The Azure Luan Academy was a sacred place in the Yunqin Empire. Many came here with a mindset akin to making a pilgrimage. Except for Lin Xi, nearly everyone was well aware that the academy's entrance exam was always strange and strict—favoring quality over quantity. At most, only about 20-30% of examinees would be accepted.
Lin Xi, Zhang Ping, Li Kaiyun, Xiang Lin, and the pale-faced Meng Bai—these five "Country Bumps"—also stretched their necks, eyes fixed on the black-robed middle-aged instructor reading out the names of those who passed.
Every name called brought an uncontrollable cheer and envious glances from the crowd.
"Xiang Lin, total score: 16. Accepted into the Department of Civil Studies…"
Suddenly, Xiang Lin couldn't help but let out a joyous cry, nearly in tears. His name had just been called!
"Congratulations!" Lin Xi, Zhang Ping, Li Kaiyun, and Meng Bai all cheered, hugging Xiang Lin.
Though the Department of Civil Studies wasn't the dream choice for most passionate young hopefuls, simply entering the academy was already a supreme honor.
"Liu Huajun, total score: 17. Accepted into the Department of Medicine… Qiu Xiaoling, total score: 17. Accepted into the Department of Civil Studies…"
Then, Li Kaiyun leapt up in excitement, tears glistening in his eyes.
"Li Kaiyun, total score: 18. Accepted into the Department of Warfare!"
Not only had he passed, but he was admitted into his most desired department!
The black-robed instructor continued reading, having already called over fifty names. After the cheers, Zhang Ping and Meng Bai grew more anxious. Meng Bai, especially, had sweat beading at the tips of his hair, lips murmuring silently.
"Meng Bai, total score: 20. Accepted into the Department of Internal Affairs."
At that moment, the instructor called out Meng Bai's name.
Meng Bai was so nervous he couldn't even process what was happening. Thinking he still needed to take the exam, he rushed clumsily toward the instructor and even tripped on the way.
"Ah!" That fall snapped him out of it. He screamed, "I passed! I got in! I actually got in!"
Normally, seeing him like this might draw laughter, but now most examinees were sweating nervously.
"Even that gluttonous bumpkin made it in? Is there still any justice?"
"Qiu Lu, total score: 20. Accepted into the Department of Warfare."
Just as Lin Xi was chuckling at Meng Bai, he suddenly felt a hateful glare.
"He passed too?" Lin Xi turned and saw it came from the young golden-robed boy who had clashed with him earlier.
Judging by his smug and arrogant expression, the "Qiu Lu" just called must have been him.
Lin Xi smirked and turned away indifferently.
"Zhang Ping, total score: 20. Accepted into the Department of Artificing."
Zhang Ping cried out in joy and hugged Lin Xi. Lin Xi laughed, patting Zhang Ping's sweat-soaked back.
The atmosphere grew more tense. Many candidates who knew they had performed poorly looked pale, knowing their chances were fading.
"…Mu Shanzi, total score: 23. Accepted into the Department of Warfare."
"Lin Xi, that's him." Li Kaiyun and Xiang Lin both whispered.
Mu Shanzi was the golden-spoon youth who had earlier bet with Lin Xi—dressed in a silver-flowered white robe, hair slick and shining.
"He's from the Mu family?" Zhang Ping's expression shifted.
"Is that a big deal?" Lin Xi asked softly.
"Mu Liangzheng of the Mu family is the provincial governor of Qixia."
"Haven't heard your name yet, have we?" Mu Shanzi walked over, sneering.
Zhang Ping involuntarily took a step back.
Lin Xi simply smiled, "Probably at the end."
"Really?" Mu Shanzi was stunned. His face flushed red with rage.
What enraged him further was Lin Xi's serious nod and calm reply:
"Yes."
"Very well. Don't regret it," Mu Shanzi growled.
"What an idiot…" Lin Xi thought, unable to suppress a smile.
So far, the instructor had called over 160 names, and 90% had scored below 20. Mu Shanzi's score of 23 was indeed impressive—but unfortunately for him, his opponent was Lin Xi.
And Lin Xi was confident—the later his name was called, the higher his score must be.
…
"Leng Qiuyu, total score: 27. Department of Medicine… Yu Huatianji, total score: 27. Department of Spirit Rites…"
At this point, many candidates began sobbing. Everyone had seen the outstanding aptitude of these two, and no one believed they could surpass them.
"She didn't make it?" Lin Xi's gaze landed on a tall girl in a blue robe.
Other than his "Country Bump" companions, she was the only one who'd made his heart race. Despite the final names being called, hers hadn't been mentioned. And yet, she looked as serene as ever, simply enjoying the scenery.
Her features, her natural poise—all of it made Lin Xi momentarily dazed.
"Still think you'll be called?" Mu Shanzi barked, breaking Lin Xi's trance.
"They're almost done. And you're still so confident?" he sneered.
Lin Xi frowned, visibly confused. Zhang Ping and the others stared at him, speechless.
The black-robed instructor had indeed paused—seemingly done calling names.
Seeing Lin Xi's confusion, Mu Shanzi's smirk widened.
"If I weren't watching, you'd probably try to sneak off, huh?"
"What nonsense—" Meng Bai flushed, trying to speak up for Lin Xi.
But then, the instructor spoke again.
"Gao Yanan, total score: 30. Heaven's Chosen…"
Heaven's Chosen? The crowd froze. Lin Xi was stunned. Before he could grasp the meaning, the instructor continued:
"Lin Xi, total score: 31. Heaven's Chosen. Wen Xuanyu, total score: 31. Heaven's Chosen."
"What?! Lin Xi, you—!"
Gasps erupted, Meng Bai nearly shrieked.
Mu Shanzi's mocking smile froze, his face turning ashen.
"A score of 31… Heaven's Chosen… Impossible!"
"How did you do it?" Zhang Ping, Xiang Lin, and Li Kaiyun were all stunned. They had hoped he'd pass—but this?
"Heaven's Chosen… this is insane!"
Mu Shanzi was devastated. As a golden spoon, he knew far more than people like Meng Bai and Zhang Ping.
The total score came from combining innate talent and exam performance. Lin Xi's initial aptitude was only 2—which meant his exam performance had to be higher than both Gao Yanan and Wen Xuanyu!
Usually, a single impressed professor was enough for acceptance. But a "Heaven's Chosen" meant so many professors wanted the candidate that they couldn't decide—so the candidate was elevated to this elite status!
What was so special about this bumpkin that had professors fighting over him?
"Hey… what's Heaven's Chosen mean?" Lin Xi asked, a bit clueless.
Mu Shanzi nearly coughed blood.