Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 517: Chapter 517: Registration

Zi Xing noticed the look of confusion on Ye Qingchen’s face. She realized that since he came from the Northern Region, he hadn’t been in the Central Region for very long. Therefore, he wasn’t very familiar with some common knowledge about the Central Region.

Zi Xing smiled and continued to explain, ”Junior Brother Ye, that was my oversight. It’s like this: the Central Region has four academies—Central Celestial Academy, Pingtian Academy, Dengtian Academy, and Qitian Academy. They are collectively called the four major academies. Among them, our Central Celestial Academy has the most disciples. This is because our academy values a disciple’s potential above all else. As long as someone shows potential and is worth cultivating, Central Celestial Academy will accept them. That’s why it’s known as the largest academy in the Central Region.”

This was the first time Ye Qingchen had heard such a secret. The legends in the Northern Region had always claimed Central Celestial Academy was the largest in the Central Region, but he never imagined its strength wasn’t the greatest. Moreover, Ye Qingchen had personally participated in the entrance test for Central Celestial Academy. But now, from what Zi Xing was implying, its assessment standards were actually the lowest among the four major academies.

Ye Qingchen knew full well how ridiculously difficult the entrance test for Central Celestial Academy was, so he could hardly imagine how much more stringent the selection for the other three academies must be.

Zi Xing seemed to sense Ye Qingchen’s confusion and continued her explanation, ”Junior Brother Ye, you needn’t worry. The sole selection criterion for those other three academies is strength; they pay no attention to any other conditions. So, while the disciples from those three academies are very strong, it’s the graduates from our Central Celestial Academy who truly flourish and make a name for themselves after venturing out into the wider continent!”

Ye Qingchen chuckled and shook his head. He was just amazed by the reputation of the four major academies and naturally wouldn’t feel sorry for himself over Central Celestial Academy’s ranking. However, he felt it would be impolite not to respond to Zi Xing’s explanation, so he changed the subject. ”Elder Sister Zi Xing, now that I understand about the four major academies, how do I participate in their selection process?”

Zi Xing answered with a smile, ”As long as you become an Inner Court Disciple of our Central Celestial Academy, you will have the opportunity to participate in the joint selection. Junior Brother Ye, you have long been a senior disciple of the Divine Wood Academy, so you’re eligible to take part in the selection for Inner Court Disciples.”

Ye Qingchen was completely clueless about these procedures. His status as a senior disciple had only come about because he had appropriated Elder Yang’s Divine Wood Order. As for what an Inner Court Disciple was, he had never even heard the term.

Zi Xing was somewhat surprised. How has Ye Qingchen, a member of Central Celestial Academy, managed to get by without even knowing the disciple classifications?

This was an injustice to Ye Qingchen. The Divine Wood Academy currently consisted of only him and Elder Yang, and Elder Yang took a completely hands-off approach, essentially letting Ye Qingchen fend for himself. Thus, no one had informed him about these matters.

Zi Xing shook her head helplessly and explained, ”The academy holds a selection for Inner Court Disciples every five years. Once you become an Inner Court Disciple, not only do you get more cultivation resources, but you can also exchange for more treasures and accept more missions in the Contribution Hall. Of course, you also receive guidance from more renowned instructors—the benefits are countless. For now, though, the most important thing is that only Inner Court Disciples can participate in the joint selection of the four major academies.”

Ye Qingchen nodded and asked, ”After becoming an Inner Court Disciple, do you leave your original academy?”

Right now, Ye Qingchen was eager to change his environment, mainly to find a reliable teacher, which was why he was so anxious.

Zi Xing shook her head and replied, ”No, that’s not the case. ’Inner Court Disciple’ is just an additional status on top of your original one; it’s like receiving an extra set of benefits. You can’t leave your original academy unless you manage to enter Zhongtian Academy, and the minimum requirement to enter Zhongtian Academy is also to be an Inner Court Disciple.”

Zi Xing knew Ye Qingchen still had many questions, but she had been out for a long time. Given her status as a renowned beauty of the Central Region, she attracted attention wherever she went. If people with ulterior motives found out she had been alone with Ye Qingchen for so long, there would inevitably be some gossip.

So, Zi Xing gave him the rest of the information in a rush. ”The promotion selection is normally held only once every five years. However, due to the recent invasion by the Demon Clan, the academy’s senior leadership has decided to hold a special, one-time test. All senior disciples from any of the academies are eligible to participate, regardless of how long they have been enrolled.”

”The test is scheduled for this Sunday. If you want to participate, Junior Brother Ye, just take your Identity Token to the altar in front of the academy’s main gate to verify your identity and register. There will be another announcement on the day of the test.”

After saying this, Zi Xing hurried off to avoid causing any misunderstandings for Ye Qingchen.

After waving goodbye to Zi Xing, Ye Qingchen took out his Divine Wood Order and headed toward the altar near the academy’s main gate.

It was clear that obtaining a spot to go to the Ten Ancient Clans this way was incredibly difficult. First, one had to pass the examination to become an Inner Sect Disciple, then participate in the joint selection of the four major academies, and finally enter the Demon Clan battlefield to accumulate points to exchange for a spot. But no matter how difficult it was, as long as there was even a glimmer of hope to enter the Ten Ancient Clans, Ye Qingchen would not give up.

Of course, Ye Qingchen wouldn’t put all his eggs in one basket. As he left the low hill, he left a letter at Elder Yang’s door, informing him that he had returned and had registered for the Inner Sect Disciple competition. In the letter, Ye Qingchen also subtly hinted at his desire to go to the Ten Ancient Clans. Although Elder Yang might not be able to help him, Ye Qingchen didn’t want to discard the possibility.

Ye Qingchen still had some memory of the altar where his aptitude was tested upon entering Central Celestial Academy, so by fumbling his way along, he finally arrived at its location. A long line of Central Celestial Academy disciples was already queued up before the altar, presumably all registering for the Inner Court Disciple test. Ye Qingchen got in line at the very end.

Looking at the huge testing jade disc, Ye Qingchen couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion. It was right here that the vice head of Duangin Academy had targeted him, almost costing him the chance to enter Central Celestial Academy. If Elder Yang hadn’t shown up then... Thinking about it now, Elder Yang did have his endearing qualities.

Ye Qingchen couldn’t help but smile wryly.

”Ye Qingchen? What are you doing here? Did you also manage to become a senior disciple? How is that even possible!”

An abrupt voice interrupted Ye Qingchen’s reflections. Feng Yuan appeared before him, a cold, mocking smile on his face.