CHAPTER 23 — "THE ACADEMY RANKINGS & POINTS SYSTEM"
The roaring chaos of the arenas slowly died down as the ground trembled once more. A massive golden platform descended from the sky, surrounded by rotating dragon runes.
Silence swept the entire plaza.
Even the geniuses stopped breathing for a moment.
Because—
A tall man stepped onto the stage.
White hair.Sharp phoenix eyes.A robe embroidered with nine dragons swirling around his frame.
His aura alone made the air dense.
Someone whispered shakily:
"T-That's…That's the Vice-Dean of Azure Dragon Academy!!"
The vice-dean, Grandmaster Rui Jin, looked over the 4000 participants with an expression that could flatten mountains.
When he spoke, his voice carried across the entire region.
"Students."
Silence.
"You have completed the Three Great Trials."
His gaze sharpened.
"Some of you showed talent.Some of you showed bravery.A few of you showed monstrous potential."
His eyes drifted toward:
Ouyang Xue'er
Ling Yifan
Long Hao
Chen Wulian
Bai Qianlan
Each one felt like they were being weighed by an ancient dragon.
Then Rui Jin raised a shimmering scroll.
"By the decree of the Dean and the Elders, the final rankings for this entrance exam are:"
The glowing scroll unfurled.
The entire crowd held their breath.
"First place…with overwhelming dominance across all stages…"
The vice-dean's voice deepened.
"Ouyang Xue'er — Divine Frostheart Princess."
The plaza burst into deafening applause.Xue'er bowed gracefully, though her eyes secretly flicked toward Long Hao.
He smiled faintly.
The vice-dean's voice became strangely calm.
"And for Rank 2…"
The plaza became silent as if the world paused.
"Two participants have tied with identical performance evaluations, despite contrasting styles."
He raised his hand.
"Ling Yifan — Prince of the Ling Royal Family."
Ling Yifan stepped forward silently, spear gleaming with diamond essence.
"And…"
Everyone leaned forward.
Even Xue'er.
Even Bai Qianlan.
Even instructors.
"Long Hao — Void Master Gold Talent."
BOOOOOOOOOOM—!!!
The plaza exploded into pure insanity.
"WHAT?!""A GOLD TALENT TIED WITH A MYSTIC ROYAL?!""IMPOSSIBLE—!!""How can Long Hao equal Ling Yifan?!""This breaks every rule of cultivation we know!!"
Ling Yifan turned, eyes narrowing slightly at Long Hao.
Not hostile.
Not happy.
But truly acknowledging him as a rival.
Long Hao simply stared back.
Calm.Unbothered.Deadly.
Xue'er's heart skipped a beat.
"He's climbing too fast…"
Rui Jin continued.
"Rank 3: Chen Wulian, heir of the Chen Battle Clan."
The muscular warrior stepped forward, fist placed respectfully over his heart.
He smiled proudly.
And glanced at Long Hao—
Acknowledging the man who defeated him.
Long Hao nodded slightly back.
"Rank 4 goes to…Bai Qianlan, Moonlit Mirage Physique."
Her ethereal presence floated forward.
Cold.Silent.Beautiful like moonlight.
Her gaze lingered on Long Hao for one extra second.
Xue'er noticed.
Her eye twitched.
The vice-dean folded the scroll, clearing the air with a sweep of his sleeve.
"Now… listen carefully."
His aura pressed into their bones.
"Azure Dragon Academy does not use coins.It does not use gold, silver, nor spirit stones."
He extended his hand.
A crystal tablet appeared.
"Everything in this academy is earned with POINTS."
The entire plaza gasped.
Rui Jin continued:
"Resources, cultivation chambers, secret manuals, weapon forges, mentors, even medicinal pills…"
His voice grew deeper.
"…all require points."
He raised one finger.
"Rank 1 to Rank 10 each receive 1000 points."
Long Hao blinked.
Xue'er smiled.
Ling Yifan remained stoic.
Chen Wulian grinned."That's enough to buy a spiritual body-tempering bath!"
Bai Qianlan stayed quiet, but her eyes flickered.
The vice-dean continued:
"Rank 11 to Rank 50 will receive 500 points."
"Rank 51 to Rank 200 will receive 100 points."
"And everyone else receives…nothing."
A ripple of shock swept through the crowd.
"No points?!""But how will we eat?!""How do we cultivate?!""We'll starve at this rate!"
Rui Jin smiled coldly.
"Then fight."
His gaze hardened.
"There are no free rewards in the Azure Dragon Academy.Only battle, effort, and victory will allow you to rise."
Someone shouted:
"C-Can we use points to… become instructors someday?"
The vice-dean nodded.
"If you gather enough points—millions of points—you may challenge the position of instructor."
A stunned silence.
He added:
"And if you gather even more…you may challenge a vice-dean."
Half the plaza collapsed in shock.
"This academy…is insane…""You can become an instructor through strength alone?!""Then… everything is possible…"
The vice-dean smiled faintly.
"Remember this.
Points are power.
Power determines destiny.
Destiny is earned here."
He raised his hand—
Azure light filled the sky.
"Welcome… to the Azure Dragon Academy."
The world roared around them.
But Long Hao simply closed his eyes…
Feeling the weight of destiny pressing into him.
A path had opened.
A path dripping with danger.
A path filled with monsters, rivals, and opportunities.
A path he would dominate.
[CHAPTER ENDS]