Qin Meng found himself sitting on a platform. A large number of participants surrounded him — all of them staring in a similar direction: a gigantic ball floated in the sky, and a list of hundred names was visible on its surface. He was completely fascinated by the artifact. Producing such a realistic illusion was indeed awe-inspiring, he'd never experienced such a thing before in his life.
Nevertheless, after a brief glance at the artifact, he started to examine the list. The first person was called Yu Cheng and in front of his name was an eye-popping number of gems that he had hunted inside the illusion. The second was a girl, named Tan Qi. And the third was He Chen.
After that he quickly browsed through the top ten on the list. He was more interested in finding his own name, instead of admiring other people's achievements.
Soon he crossed the top twenty but still failed to find himself on the list. He swiftly went past the top thirty and then the top forty simultaneously. Finally he found his name etched on the screen— fifty-fifth rank belonged to him, with one thousand and two hundred gems.
"Everyone," said a voice. Qin Meng eyed the speaker and found a middle-aged man with black hair and bushy brows. There was a scar under his right eye that made him look fierce. And a group of people perched on plush chairs around him. They were other mentors of the academy.
The speaker examined the participants and smiled. "First of all I'd like to congratulate those who have successfully passed the test — you are now a part of the Sage Monarch Academy. As for those who have failed this time," he eyed towards the dejected looks and went on, "don't feel sad. You can always try the next time.
"Alright, you can go and find your accommodations. After six months, the academy will conduct a competition, and based on the results you will be able to choose your mentor. Work hard."
The students talked excitedly with each other and started to disperse, but at this moment the mentor said, "Wait a minute."
They halted and eyed the man confusedly. The teacher scanned the bewildered youngsters and then his gaze stopped on Qin Meng. "You won't be able to enter the academy this time. You can leave."
Immediately, the murmurs filled the surroundings. Qin Meng's expression turned awful. He knew why the teacher was making such a decision, but he was still unwilling. "Why can't I become a student of the Sage Monarch Academy, Mentor Zhu?" he said. "I have cleared the test given by the academy, and I am ranked fifty-fifth on the ranking list."
The Mentors and students were surprised by his courage. No one thought he would dare to talk back to a mentor of the academy. Mentor Zhu almost froze for a moment as it was the first time that a new student had dared to speak to him in such a manner. He was accustomed to their fawning.
As he spotted weird expressions on the spectators' faces, his face turned cold. "This academy is for cultivators, not for a cripple like you, who was born without a Martial Spirit. I don't know how you passed the test, but you need to get lost right now!"
A powerful pressure extricated from his body. Qin Meng's face turned pale and he tumbled back, a few traces of blood trickled from the corner of his lip. However, at this moment, someone supported him from behind and all the pressure vanished.
Qin Meng turned around and eyed the figure behind him. She was like a shining moon between the twinkling stars—silky black hair, cherry blossom lips, and her large black eyes were wonderfully intoxicating. Her slim and supple waist was enough to make anyone's throat dry.
She eyed Qin Meng and a gentle smile appeared on her face, but it soon vanished as soon as she spotted blood trickling from the corner of his lip. She held his face in her hand and wiped the blood with her thumb. Qin Meng felt as if he had found cold refreshing water in the desert of Burning Wilds.
"What is the meaning of this, Leng Yueyan?" Mentor Zhu demanded, his eyes narrowing. Leng Yueyan wheeled around, but she remained silent, her expression still cold and frosty and reproachable.
And then her body faded.
Mentor Zhu's expression changed. Though he reacted fast, Leng Yueyan was even faster, arriving before him in no time. In one of her hands surged the power of water and in another hand was the destructive might of fire.
Mentor Zhu tried to block the attack, only to fail miserably. The clear sound resounded when the bones of his hands were crushed, together with his agonized shriek. However, Leng Yueyan showed no sign of halting her attacks and her fist smashed into his chest.
Mentor Zhu coughed a mouthful of blood as he collapsed on the ground, unconscious. The surrounding fell into a deep silence, whether it were teachers or students, no one dared to utter a word. Leng Yueyan twirled about and eyed the spectators. "Is there anyone else who has a problem with Qin Meng?"
No one replied.
She looked at Qin Meng and a smile blossomed on her charming face. "What are you standing there for? Let's go."
"Uh, yes." Qin Meng glanced at the unconscious Mentor Zhu and then shook his head. Though the bastard deserved all the thrashing in the world, Meng still felt sorry when he glanced at his twitching frame in the dirt.