One full week passed.
During these seven days, Yu Chen lived a disciplined life.
When he wasn't cultivating, he was in Black Fang Mountain.When he wasn't hunting demon beasts, he was stabilizing his cultivation.
To outsiders, he had simply reached Body Tempering Seven Stars.
Nothing more.
No one knew that his demon spirit had already advanced beyond its awakening state.
And Yu Chen had no intention of revealing it.
The Four Schools Assemble
The Central Martial Arena of Guangchuan City was packed.
This was the joint exchange between the city's four high schools, a long-standing tradition before the examination.
Students stood in formation, banners fluttering.
Yu Chen stood with Guangchuan City Second High School.
At the front—
Zhao Ming
Cultivation: Qi Gathering 1 Star
Demon Spirit: Crimson Flame Lion
Demon Spirit Cultivation: Spirit Refinement 3 Star
Behind him stood the strongest Body Tempering students of Second High School:
Lin Hao
Body Tempering 9 Star
Demon Spirit: Steel Fang Tiger
Demon Spirit Cultivation: Spirit Awakening 8 Star
Sun Kai
Body Tempering 9 Star
Demon Spirit: Rockhide Rhino
Demon Spirit Cultivation: Spirit Awakening 7 Star
Yu Chen stood further back.
Yu Chen
Body Tempering 7 Star
Demon Spirit: Nether Shadow Wolf
Demon Spirit Cultivation (public): Spirit Awakening 5 Star
Unremarkable.
At least, that was how it looked.
Guangchuan City First High School
Their strongest presence was unmistakable.
Han Li
Body Tempering 9 Star
Demon Spirit: Ironback Mountain Ape
Demon Spirit Cultivation: Spirit Awakening 9 Star
Beside him:
Mo Xuan
Body Tempering 7 Star
Demon Spirit: Gale Wing Falcon
Demon Spirit Cultivation: Spirit Awakening 6 Star
Guangchuan City Third High School
Qin Yue
Body Tempering 9 Star
Demon Spirit: Azure Stone Tortoise
Demon Spirit Cultivation: Spirit Awakening 8 Star
Guangchuan City Fourth High School
Luo Chen
Body Tempering 8 Star
Demon Spirit: Flame Vein Serpent
Demon Spirit Cultivation: Spirit Awakening 6 Star
Each school had true elites.
Balanced.
No one was exaggerated.
Sparring Begins
The early matches were brutal.
Six-star against six-star.Seven-star against seven-star.
Demon spirits were channeled, not fully manifested—enhancing strength, speed, or defense depending on their nature.
Finally—
"Next match," the referee announced."Second High School versus First High School."
Yu Chen stepped forward.
So did Mo Xuan.
Body Tempering 7 Star vs 7 Star
Both entered the arena.
They stopped ten steps apart and clasped fists.
Mo Xuan smiled lightly.
"Mo Xuan. First High School.Body Tempering Seven Stars.Demon Spirit—Gale Wing Falcon, Spirit Awakening Six Stars."
Yu Chen replied calmly.
"Yu Chen. Second High School.Body Tempering Seven Stars.Demon Spirit—Nether Shadow Wolf, Spirit Awakening Five Stars."
A few students frowned.
Five-star awakening?
Too weak.
The referee chopped his hand down.
"Begin!"
Mo Xuan moved first.
Wind wrapped around his legs as the Gale Wing Falcon boosted his speed. His figure blurred, attacks coming in sharp, rapid bursts.
Yu Chen retreated, blocking and dodging.
Ten exchanges.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Mo Xuan pressed harder, forcing Yu Chen to the edge of the arena.
"Too slow," Mo Xuan sneered.
Yu Chen's eyes sharpened.
Shadow flickered briefly around his feet—subtle, controlled.
His speed increased just enough.
The rhythm changed.
Yu Chen stopped retreating.
He countered.
Steel rang continuously as the two clashed again and again, neither willing to yield.
On the sixty-third exchange, Mo Xuan's breathing faltered.
Yu Chen seized the moment.
He slipped past Mo Xuan's guard and placed his blade against Mo Xuan's throat.
The referee stepped in instantly.
"Winner—Yu Chen!"
A ripple spread through the arena.
Beating a six-star awakened demon spirit with a five-star?
Strange.
Before Yu Chen could step down, Luo Chen from Fourth High School stepped forward.
"Let me try," he said lazily.
They entered the arena.
Introductions followed.
"Luo Chen. Fourth High School.Body Tempering Eight Stars.Demon Spirit—Flame Vein Serpent, Spirit Awakening Six Stars."
Yu Chen nodded.
"Yu Chen. Second High School."
"Begin!"
Heat surged.
Luo Chen's strikes were explosive, each blow carrying scorching force. Yu Chen dodged and countered, relying on speed to avoid direct clashes.
The fight dragged on.
One hundred exchanges.
Yu Chen landed hits.
Luo Chen landed hits.
Neither could suppress the other.
Finally, both staggered back, breathing heavily.
The referee raised his hand.
"Draw."
A seven-star holding an eight-star.
Impressive.
When Zhao Ming stepped onto the arena, Qi Gathering pressure swept outward.
His opponent surrendered instantly.
No contest.
By the end of the day, the hierarchy was clear:
Zhao Ming — absolute
Body Tempering 9⭐ — untouchable
Yu Chen — strongest among the 7⭐, capable of tying 8⭐
Wang Fei slapped Yu Chen's shoulder hard.
"You're terrifying," he whispered.
Yu Chen exhaled slowly.
Still not enough.
Three months remained.