The early morning sun shone brightly over the training field where eighteen students stood in orderly fashion, awaiting their test.
In the center of the field stood a dark stone pillar, flanked by an examiner on each side.
Not far away, on a raised platform, sat the students' parents, and in the center of the platform sat the head of the Martial Arts Alliance and several elders. However, Lin Chen also spotted an old acquaintance, Zhou Batian, the head of the Zhou family.
On the field, each student's face bore traces of tension, as today's test would determine their future fate.
Lu Xiaofeng glanced over everyone and said seriously, "The results of this test will be divided into seven tiers, from one star at the lowest to seven stars at the highest. The amount of energy contained within your Qi Sea will determine the final outcome. I wish everyone good luck in achieving high scores."
After finishing, Lu Xiaofeng's gaze lingered on Lin Chen, whom she quite admired for his good attributes and stamina, though his only flaw was somewhat lacking talent.
"Hahaha, finally someone's getting kicked out of the Martial Arts Alliance. Just thinking about it feels great!" Sun Peng laughed spitefully from within the group.
"Yeah, what do you think Lin Chen will score, a few stars? Will he break the record by getting none?" Zhou Ming also scoffed.
Hearing the taunts back and forth from the two, Hao Lin could hardly bear it and was just about to lose his temper.
Yet Lin Chen just smiled, "Hao Lin, let dogs that want to bark, bark. You forgot the saying, 'Don't stoop to argue with a dog.'"
"Who are you calling a dog?" Sun Peng shouted angrily.
Lin Chen glanced at Sun Peng, "Whoever asks is who it is."
Zhou Ming's eyes gleamed coldly as he sneered, "Hmm, Lin Chen, I wonder how long you can keep smiling. After today's test, I want to see what right you have to challenge me to a duel."
"Fine, let's just wait and see," Lin Chen replied disdainfully.
The head of the Martial Arts Alliance made a brief speech, and the assessment ceremony officially began.
The assessment was simple: place your hand on the palm imprint of the stone pillar, and the device would automatically measure the energy level of your Qi Sea, then display the star value.
The first to step up was the girl who had been hoping the day before that Lin Chen would finish last.
Indeed, her Qi Sea energy was pitifully low, and she ended up with only two stars.
The girl's expression darkened; two stars meant standing on the edge of a cliff, possibly facing elimination.
The eighteen students took turns coming up, with most achieving three or four stars.
Finally, it was Hao Lin's turn; he nodded to Lin Chen at his side, "Brother Chen, I'm going up."
"Good luck, believe in yourself," Lin Chen replied with a smile.
"You better worry about yourself first. If you get one star, let's see where you hide your face," Sun Peng snorted coldly nearby.
"Zhou Ming, can't you control your dog a bit better? Stop him from barking everywhere," Lin Chen said, exasperated by this guy who, despite being worthless himself, still loved to mock others.
Hao Lin stepped up to the black pillar and placed his hand on the stone's palm imprint.
Yellow energies gathered on the pillar, and everyone's gaze was fixed on the large screen.
"Five stars, it's actually five stars."
Seeing the score appear on the screen, the testing arena erupted into a commotion.
"Man, what kind of luck did this guy stumble upon to get five stars?"
"This guy's made it big, he's definitely got a bright future ahead."
Murmurs of envy and jealousy echoed through the testing arena.
"Next, Tian Mingjun."
As the test results came out, indeed, there were those who rejoiced and those who were dismayed.
It was finally Qin Mengfan's turn to take the stage.
All eyes in the auditorium focused on the somewhat aloof and strikingly lovely girl.
"Come on, honey!" Lin Chen smiled and said to Qin Mengfan by his side.
"You, a good-for-nothing, dare to call Qin the great beauty your wife? She's our top goddess, only our Young Master Zhou is worthy of her," Sun Peng mocked coldly from the side.
Unexpectedly to him, Qin Mengfan stepped in front of Lin Chen, leaned down playfully, and said, "Lin Chen, let's see whose talent is stronger. If your talent surpasses mine, I'll agree to be your wife."
Watching their affectionate behavior, Zhou Ming gritted his teeth in anger. As the most dazzling beauty among the students, Zhou Ming had always tried to court her, but she completely ignored him.
However, when he heard Qin Mengfan and Lin Chen's betting agreement, a smile spread across his face.
Lin Chen's mediocre talent couldn't possibly surpass Qin Mengfan's.
"See? The beautiful Qin is scoffing at you," Zhou Ming said, nearly unable to close his mouth with glee.
"That's not necessarily true, just wait and she'll sweetly call me hubby," Lin Chen said, his smile brimming with confidence.
"Are you out of your mind? Your talent surpassing Qin Mengfan's?" Zhou Ming looked at Lin Chen as if he were a freak.
"Haha Lin Chen, are you dreaming? With your uselessness, you want Qin the great beauty to be your wife? That's like a toad lusting after a swan's flesh," Sun Peng also mocked with a jeering face.
At this moment, all eyes fell on Qin Mengfan as she stepped onto the testing platform. Her grades in class were second only to Zhou Ming, and with her powerful fire attribute, everyone was filled with anticipation for this young girl.
Under everyone's watch, Qin Mengfan placed her jade hand on the palm imprint of the stone column, gently closed her eyes, and her body's energy surged into the column.
The screen displayed six bright golden stars.
Six stars, it was actually six stars.
Seeing the six sparkling golden stars on the screen, the entire testing arena fell silent, everyone's expression filled with shock and disbelief.
"Qin Mengfan, six stars," the examiner announced loudly, his eyes equally filled with astonishment.
On the main stage, several elders nodded their heads.
"Not bad, this time we've found a great talent. If cultivated well, her future is boundless."
At the training ground, all the students looked at Qin Mengfan with envy.
Six stars, this result could be called the standard for a genius.
"Worthy of Mengfan, truly a talented woman."
"Haha, just now some idiot still wanted her to be his wife!"
"Be his wife? Now he's not even fit to carry her shoes."
Hearing the mocking laughter, Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.
Qin Mengfan walked up to Lin Chen with a bright smile, "It seems you don't stand much chance of being my husband."
"If my talent were higher than yours, would you really become my wife?" Lin Chen suddenly asked.
Qin Mengfan was stunned by Lin Chen's question. A talent higher than mine, that would require seven stars, how could that be possible.
With a slight blink of her beautiful eyes, Qin Mengfan nodded, "If you reach seven stars, I'll become your wife."
The bet between the two quickly reached the ears of all the students.
"Lin Chen must be crazy, dreaming of seven stars."
"If he's at seven stars, then I might as well be at nine, how ridiculous."
Unfazed by the surrounding laughter, Lin Chen looked at Qin Mengfan earnestly and said, "I'll settle for you as my wife."