High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 224: Chapter 156: The Ninth Layer is Complete, a Vision is Born

”Sun Rui, the champion of this year’s class. I heard that during the combat test, he led a team to withstand the assault from the Stargate.”

”So, how does he stack up against last year’s Li Wen?”

”That’s hard to say. Li Wen’s Spiritual Sense is unparalleled, and his Nine Heavens Divine Body has already reached Eighth-Layer Perfection. Achieving that in just one year is unprecedented in the last fifty years!”

”But Sun Rui’s comprehension is truly monstrous. He grasped Blade Intent in his second year of high school. With a foundation like that, it’ll be incredibly easy for him to reach higher realms of technique in the future...”

”They each have their own strengths, I suppose. Junior Brother Li Wen is strong in Spiritual Sense and combat; Junior Brother Sun, on the other hand, leans more toward the extremes of comprehension. But in the end, who goes further will depend on their choices and perseverance.”

”No one can say for sure. Let’s just guess which peak Junior Brother Sun will choose.”

”Right, right! Which peak he chooses today is the key. Will it be our Sky-splitting Peak?” a disciple from Sky-splitting Peak asked, full of anticipation.

”I think it’s more likely he’ll choose Nine Heavens Peak. After all, he’s already grasped Blade Intent.”

...

Li Wen listened to the surrounding discussion with a calm expression, his gaze falling upon the young Sun Rui.

’This kid’s comprehension is truly astonishing,’ Li Wen thought. ’It’s even greater than mine was during the comprehension assessment, back when I unlocked lv. 9 [Absolute Focus].’

’But now, my Absolute Focus is at lv. 12. Boosted by my Scholar rank, my comprehension is better than ever. That should have evened the score.’

’Still, it’s hard to be certain. This kind of internal aptitude isn’t easy to compare objectively and is ultimately impossible to measure precisely.’

He simply waited with keen interest for Sun Rui’s decision.

”The Peak Masters are here!” someone whispered.

All eyes instantly turned to the entrance of the high platform.

Twelve figures with immense auras arrived together.

Leading them was still the white-haired, black-robed Peak Master of Nine Heavens Peak, Fang Qinghan, their expression indifferent and their gaze as deep as an abyss.

Following in order were the Peak Master of Sky-splitting Peak, the Peak Master of Xingyan Peak... all the way to the final Peak Master of Bibo Peak.

The moment the twelve King-level beings took their seats, an invisible pressure emanated from them, and the plaza’s clamor rapidly subsided.

Afterward, the white-haired headmaster quietly appeared at the main seat. His brief speech and blessing for the new students were both serene and powerful.

The procedure was simple and clear. The Peak Selection Ceremony officially began.

Just like last year, the presiding Marquis-level Godfiend loudly announced the rules, and the selection began in reverse order, starting from the 200th student on the final Gold Ranking.

Time moved on as the ceremony proceeded in an orderly fashion.

One by one, as their names were called, the new students stepped forward and walked toward the line for their chosen Peak Master.

The distribution of choices was no different from previous years.

Sky-splitting Peak was still the hot favorite, its line growing steadily. Xingyan Peak and the others followed close behind. But as for Nine Heavens Peak... the space in front of its delegation remained conspicuously empty.

The gazes of the senior Nine Heavens Peak disciples in the audience gradually turned solemn, their initial anticipation fading.

The disciples of Nine Heavens Peak, in particular, fixed their sights on the remaining ten candidates.

”To think that no one has chosen our Peak yet this year. I hope we don’t end up with zero recruits again,” a disciple from Nine Heavens Peak said.

”Shut your jinxing mouth! What’s the hurry? Isn’t it always the last ones who pick our Peak? Even if the earlier ones chose us, they wouldn’t be able to cultivate our techniques anyway, so it’s no different from them not choosing us at all.”

”Exactly! The most important one is Sun Rui!” another disciple chimed in, their eyes glued to the very top of the Gold Ranking.

Li Wen was also following the proceedings closely.

As they moved up the rankings, name after name was called, and a clear pattern emerged.

Sky-splitting Peak became the choice for the majority of the top contenders.

Finally, the presiding Marquis-level Godfiend reached the top ten names.

The tenth, ninth, eighth... all the way to the fifth-ranked student, each made their choice.

Still, no one stood before Nine Heavens Peak.

At this point, the chatter in the viewing area died down, and countless pairs of eyes were focused on the last five people.

”Ranked fifth, Liu Hao, chooses Sky-splitting Peak!”

”Ranked fourth, Chen Lu, chooses Xingyan Peak!”

”Ranked third, Zhang Qian, chooses Sky-splitting Peak!”

A nearly inaudible sigh rippled through the Nine Heavens Peak disciples.

Only two were left: this year’s second-place student on the Gold Ranking, Zhao Qiming, and the champion, Sun Rui.

”Ranked second, Zhao Qiming!” The host’s voice fell.

The young man took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the assembled Peak Masters. Finally, with firm resolve, he strode toward the spot faintly shrouded in violent lightning.

”I, student Zhao Qiming, wish to join Nine Heavens Peak!” His voice rang with conviction.

In an instant, a cheer that had been suppressed for a long time erupted from the Nine Heavens Peak viewing area. Though they did their best to restrain themselves, their joy at finally getting what they wished for was palpable.

’At least it’s not zero this year.’

After Zhao Qiming made his choice, all eyes, like spotlights, turned to fixate on the last remaining student, Sun Rui.

The entire White Jade Plaza seemed to hold its breath.

”This year’s Gold Ranking champion, Sun Rui!” The hosting Godfiend expert’s voice took on a formal, solemn tone.

The plaza fell completely silent.

Sun Rui moved.

His steps were firm, without the slightest hesitation.

He didn’t pause before the queues for the lower-ranked Peaks as other high-ranking disciples had. Instead, meeting the curious, expectant, and speculative gazes of the crowd, he walked straight toward the very front—to the position of the top-ranked Peak Master.

One step, two steps... He walked past the third-ranked Xingyan Peak.

Everyone was on the edge of their seats.

The Peak Master of Sky-splitting Peak’s eyes narrowed slightly, and the disciples behind them were practically on their feet.

However, Sun Rui’s pace never faltered. He calmly strode past the queue for the second-ranked Sky-splitting Peak.

A few soft sighs came from the direction of Sky-splitting Peak.

Finally, Sun Rui came to a firm stop in front of the Peak Master of Nine Heavens Peak, Fang Qinghan.

He looked up, his gaze clear and determined, cupped his fist, and bowed. ”I, student Sun Rui, wish to join Nine Heavens Peak.”