Chapter Fifty-Two: A Clichéd Plot and a Botched Ending

"Is there a problem? The academy rules do not state that one cannot take exams immediately upon starting, do they?" Tang Yi said with a smile.

"Uh, very well. Please proceed to the examination grounds, Tang. I will join you shortly," Yi Wu replied, helpless.

Tang Yi arrived at the testing grounds, located in a massive building on the west side of the plaza. Sixteen sets of double doors stood there, each bearing a sign that read "Examination Hall." Since it was not currently exam season, the place was deserted. Tang Yi wandered through the vast hall, which contained three square platforms raised about ten centimeters off the ground. Behind each platform stood a vertical stone stele, designated for the three disciplines: Warrior, Mage, and Daoist.

Before long, Jin Rui and the other six officials arrived. Yi Wu explained the examination requirements to Tang Yi. Nodding, Tang Yi first approached the Mage's platform. He opened his left palm, and with a soft *whoosh*, a red and blue fireball appeared. With a gentle flick, the fireball flew out and struck the stone stele. There was a dull thud as the fireball shattered, leaving an irregular, fist-sized hole in the stone. Jin Rui and his companions stared in disbelief, stunned. Before they could recover, Tang Yi moved to the Warrior's platform. He walked directly in front of the stele, raised his right hand, and without any stance or preparation, struck out with his palm. With a loud *bang*, a clear crack appeared across the stone. Now, the jaws of Jin Rui and the others dropped even further.

Seeing this, Tang Yi smiled slightly and moved to the Daoist platform. He pulled a stack of talismans from his pocket—the most common fire talismans found on Menglan Star. By now, the leaders of the Sancai Academy were utterly shocked, but Tang Yi's next move completely shattered their traditions. He held the stack of fire talismans in his left hand, fanned out. His right hand moved with lightning speed, flicking them like a ninja throwing shuriken in a film. Within seconds, all thirty talismans were launched, and the stone stele they struck in rapid succession snapped in two.

"Gentlemen, have I passed the exam?" Tang Yi asked the stunned group.

"Uh, student Tang Yi, may I ask if this is what you were taught by the people of Xuan Island?" Jin Rui asked, regaining his composure.

"No. As you should know, the cultivation methods on Xuan Island are quite different from those in the Central Continent. Didn't the academy issue three basic textbooks a few days ago? I simply studied those. I believe you three wrote them yourselves—did you forget?" Tang Yi said, pulling the three books from his backpack.

"It is incredible. You must understand, no one has ever reached this level of self-study before, let alone mastered all three disciplines to such a degree in just a few days. You are truly a genius," Jin Rui exclaimed.

"Tang Yi, to be honest, the Sancai Academy has never encountered such a special case. How about this: go back and rest for today. The first-to-third-level courses are of no use to you anyway. When you return tomorrow, go directly to Dean Yi Wu. By then, we should have a plan to arrange your studies. How does that sound?" Lan Xinyue suggested after some thought.

Tang Yi nodded with a smile, shouldered his bag, and turned to leave. Meanwhile, on a street near the Sancai Academy, a melodramatic scene was unfolding.

Hua Ruoxue, Gu Zhenzhen, and Liu Yuefeng were each carrying a spirit beast. Hua Ruoxue held a small white monkey; Gu Zhenzhen, naturally, had her Black Wind Crimson Tiger; and Liu Yuefeng carried one of the many spirit beasts Tang Yi had rescued from the green enclosure—a bird-like creature resembling a legendary phoenix, with a golden head, emerald feathers, and a fiery red tail. It was stunningly beautiful.

The three beauties, accompanied by their adorable spirit beasts, were turning every head on the street—twice over. This inevitably caught the attention of a group of aristocratic, wealthy dilettantes. There were twenty or thirty of them in total, though most were merely bodyguards and servants.

"Hey, three beauties! You must be new; I haven't seen you before. Since fate has brought us together, how about we treat you to a meal at the Sanfu Restaurant?" asked the leader, Huang Binghe, a member of one of the top ten noble families in Dongkou City.

"You must be Sancai students. Isn't class starting today? Skipping school? I hear the academy rules are quite strict!" Hua Ruoxue said, glancing at Huang Binghe’s attire.

"Heh, those rules are for common students. That little white monkey on your shoulder looks nice. How about I buy it for a hundred thousand gold coins? What do you say?" Huang Binghe realized his charm wasn't working on the beauties, so he set his sights on their spirit beasts, signaling his lackeys.

"I think that little black cat is quite cute. Would the beautiful lady care to sell it to me? I can also offer a hundred thousand gold coins," added another noble, Tai Ruxiang, whose family matched the Huangs in power.

Before Gu Zhenzhen could speak, a third young noble chimed in: "Oh, praise the Lord, beautiful lady! That little bird of yours is simply too gorgeous, too adorable. It was love at first sight! I am utterly captivated by its appearance. Please, sell it to me. I will provide the best food and the most beautiful cage. Oh, grant me this favor, beautiful lady. God bless."

Liu Yuefeng had been angry, but she was amused by this young man, Simpson Zhao, who appeared to be of Western descent.

Gu Zhenzhen wanted to laugh, but she stiffened her expression and said, "Little boys, you had better return to the academy and study instead of acting like spoiled brats. Otherwise, I will not be so polite."

As Gu Zhenzhen finished her sentence, the bodyguards protecting the young nobles felt a chill; the aura she was emitting far exceeded their own levels.

These young lords, who had never been looked down upon in their lives—let alone scolded by a woman—were livid. Waving their hands, they ordered their guards to attack and seize the beasts. The dilettantes hid behind their men.

The bodyguards, however, were internally panicking. It was clear these three women were far beyond their own capabilities; they were likely at least seventeenth or eighteenth level, while the guards were at most fifteenth. The ignorant young masters couldn't tell, but the experienced guards certainly could. They dared not move, despite the frantic shouting of their masters behind them.

At that moment, the Black Wind Crimson Tiger in Gu Zhenzhen’s arms silently leapt to the ground, growing to its full size in the blink of an eye. A deafening roar erupted from its throat: "ROAR..."