Chapter 46: The Talent Test

"What is the plan?" everyone asked.

"Well... um... the plan is that we haven't thought of one yet, but we definitely will when the time comes. For now, let's just focus on what's right in front of us!" Tang Yi hemmed and hawed for a long time before finally uttering this.

"Pfft!" The group dispersed instantly, showing no respect for Tang Yi at all. Hua Ruoxue, however, smiled slightly and said, "I believe in you!" before drifting away while cradling the little white monkey.

"I give up..." Tang Yi murmured, speechless as he watched her leave.

The next day, as the group prepared to teleport to the Great Zhou Kingdom, Tang Yi made a decision that caught everyone off guard: he intended to enroll in the Sancai Comprehensive Academy in the Great Zhou Kingdom.

In retrospect, it made sense. Although Tang Yi possessed immense supernatural abilities, his cultivation level was the lowest among them—he had only just reached the early stage of the Spirit Severing realm. Even more baffling was that he lacked any combat techniques, relying solely on a self-created method to raise his cultivation base. Upon hearing of his plan, Hua Ruoxue insisted on joining him. Tang Yi refused; by now, Hua Ruoxue not only possessed two supernatural abilities but had also reached the late stage of the Spirit Severing realm. Combined with the Water-Moon Divine Art, her combat prowess rivaled that of the late Nascent Soul stage, meaning even a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator would find it difficult to gain an advantage over her. He couldn't risk her coming along. Although the cultivation systems on Menglan Star were quite different, there were undoubtedly many experts in the major academies who could discern her true cultivation level. After much pestering, Tang Yi finally agreed that Hua Ruoxue could visit Menglan Star, but she could not attend the academy with him. After all, with Tang Yi’s supernatural powers, deceiving others was child's play, but the others could not do the same.

Thus, Hua Shaojie and the other eight began their mission under the guise of merchants from the Mysterious Island. Hua Ruoxue and Liu Yuefeng also posed as people from the Mysterious Island and rented a house near the Sancai Comprehensive Academy to settle down. Tang Yi likewise entered the academy as a representative of the Mysterious Island, though he did so in the capacity of the current Island Master.

The timing was fortunate, as it was exactly the enrollment period. As one of the four major academies, Sancai had rigorous entry requirements. Generally, people on Menglan Star would undergo talent testing at nearby academies in their early teens. Those with talent would choose to enroll, while those without would transfer to ordinary cultural schools. Not everyone pursued martial arts, nor was anyone forced to, though there were exceptions—for instance, if one’s test results revealed a terrifying level of talent in a certain field.

On the day Tang Yi went to register, the official in charge was a middle-aged man. On Menglan Star, one was only considered middle-aged after reaching the age of 150. However, this was not absolute; the official, named Li Xue, was actually over three hundred years old due to his cultivation.

Li Xue glanced at Tang Yi and asked, "Occupation and educational credentials?"

Tang Yi blinked and replied, "Uncle, I’ve never been to school, so I don't have an occupation, nor do I have any credentials."

"Hmm?" Li Xue looked him over again. "You must be in your twenties, right? How have you never attended an academy? Oh, don't tell me you're from some nameless little island!"

"Wow! Uncle, your eyes are truly like torches! You could tell I’m from a nameless island just like that? Amazing, truly amazing!" Tang Yi flattered him. Li Xue felt quite pleased and, with a warm, enthusiastic smile, said, "It doesn't matter that you haven't attended an academy. Take this form to the entrance testing area across the hall for a pre-enrollment assessment, then come back, and I will arrange a suitable class for you."

Tang Yi took the form and trotted off to the testing area. The area was divided into three sections: Martial Talent, Magic Talent, and Daoist Art Talent. Tang Yi had to complete all three.

He arrived at the martial arts testing area first. Due to the timing, there were few people around; those nearby had already been tested, and those from further away wouldn't arrive for a few days. The hall was empty, save for the instructor in charge.

The instructor took Tang Yi's form, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes before he composed himself. He had seen such cases before; in fact, he had once tested a child seven or eight years younger than Tang Yi who possessed a four-star martial talent.

The testing tool resembled an old-fashioned cylindrical phone booth, transparent on three sides. One side was a data panel, which Tang Yi noted had a vertical row of seven stars. He stepped inside and closed the door. A beam of light shone down from above, illuminating him. Simultaneously, the row of stars began to light up from the bottom: one, one and a half, two, two and a half... The instructor’s mouth hung open wider and wider until it seemed large enough to fit three eggs, yet the stars continued to glow one by one. By the time all seven stars were lit, the instructor was completely stunned, frozen in place.

Just then, a dull "thud" echoed, the device went dark, and black smoke began to pour out.

"Cough, cough..." Tang Yi emerged, his hair standing straight up and his face blackened. If not for his blinking eyes, no one would have recognized him. His clothes were reduced to rags. The instructor finally snapped out of his daze and asked, "I am so sorry, are you alright?" In truth, he had never seen such a thing in all his life.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Teacher, is there a room where I can wash up and change?" Tang Yi had brought a backpack with him precisely to avoid such a spectacle.

"Yes, yes, right over there!" the instructor pointed the way. Soon, Tang Yi returned, cleaned up and in fresh clothes, and asked the instructor to fill in the test results.

The instructor held the form, unable to write for a long time. He looked up at Tang Yi and said, "Student Tang Yi, I have a suggestion. With your extraordinarily high martial talent, you should choose the martial arts path exclusively. How about I take you directly to the Head Dean?"

"Uh, regarding that, I personally prefer the magic path. Besides, doesn't the entrance test cover all three? I haven't finished testing yet. Let me finish everything, and then it won't be too late to decide, right?" Tang Yi replied after some thought. The instructor had no choice but to sign his name and write "Above Seven Stars" in the martial talent column.

Tang Yi took his form and headed to the adjacent room for the magic talent test.