What the hell?!
If you were going to pick Yunmeng Martial Institute, just say it! Why act like you were tempted by the others?!
Tempted, my ass!
Down below, the students were speechless.
Up on the platform—
The recruitment officers from Huayi and Mujiang Martial Institutes wore stiff smiles that froze in place. One of them couldn't help but ask:
"...Why?"
Su Ba replied with a calm smirk, his hands clasped behind his back.
He didn't hesitate. His voice was firm and resolute.
"The martial path is a road where one fights against the heavens."
"Even if it's filled with thorns and hardships—I fear nothing."
"I pursue martial arts to reach the pinnacle of power. What I need is pressure. What I want is tempering. And so—"
"I choose Yunmeng Martial Institute!"
"Well said! Fearless—dedicated to reaching the pinnacle of the martial path!"
"That's the pride a true genius martial artist should have!"
The moment Su Ba's words echoed through the hall—
Xia Hang, the recruitment officer from Yunmeng Martial Institute, couldn't hold back his praise.
As a representative of the strongest martial institute in the kingdom, Xia Hang carried his own pride.
No matter how talented Su Ba was, he was never going to beg him or offer special treatment like the others.
First, because of his pride as a five-star martial artist.
Second, because Yunmeng didn't lack geniuses—they didn't need to lower themselves.
Truth be told, although Xia Hang had geniuses, he was secretly worried Su Ba might be swayed by the generous offers from the other institutes.
After all, young people—faced with easy rewards and high positions—could be easily tempted.
When Su Ba had started complimenting the others, Xia Hang's heart had sunk.
But now—hearing Su Ba's firm declaration, his heart finally settled!
He looked at Su Ba with undisguised satisfaction.
Then he turned to glance at the other recruiters, all standing there dumbfounded—and couldn't help but curl his lips in a triumphant smile.
Stunned, weren't you?
Speechless, aren't you?
All that talking, all those offers—wasted.
Because a true genius chases the summit of martial arts. He doesn't shy away from pressure or competition. And those perks you offered?
Laughable.
Stepping forward, Xia Hang raised a hand. A flash of white light flickered—then, a dark, ink-black token appeared in his palm.
He handed it to Su Ba.
"Su Ba, this is the new disciple token for Yunmeng Martial Institute. With this, you're eligible to participate in the Advancement Examination."
"Advancement Examination?"
Su Ba accepted the token and tucked it away, then looked up in mild surprise.
Xia Hang gave him a warm smile.
"Yes. Passing the recruitment assessment proves you have potential—but to enter Yunmeng, that's not enough."
"That's why we have the Advancement Exam."
"It tests not your strength… but your martial heart."
"You know as well as I do—without a firm martial heart, a cultivator's path is doomed to end early."
"Yunmeng Martial Institute only wants true elites."
"Talent alone won't get you in. If your martial heart isn't strong enough, you'll still be rejected. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
Su Ba nodded calmly.
A marital heart examination?
If there was one thing he wasn't afraid of—it was that.
"Haha, just from what you said earlier, I believe you'll pass without a problem."
Xia Hang laughed and patted Su Ba on the shoulder. His tone was friendly.
"Head to Yunmeng and report in. It's in Fengwu City, not far from Phantom Night Academy. I'm sure you know the way."
"I do."
Su Ba nodded.
Without another word, he turned around and walked off, hands behind his back.
Below the platform, hundreds of third-year students stared at him with a mix of awe and reverence as he passed through the hall and out the doors.
At the edge of the crowd, Jiang Lu Wan parted her lips, as if she wanted to say something.
But in the end—
She could only watch his back disappear into the distance.
Her expression dimmed.
And her lips slowly closed in silence.