At this moment, at the end of the path, except for the three of them, everyone else was either seriously injured or dead. Lu Yin and his companions said little before heading towards the light beam. They stepped into it and disappeared from the Exploration Path.
As Lu Yin vanished, he heard several words: "Bone age qualified, cultivation qualified, trial passed, approved to enter the Tenth Academy of the Starry Sky."
In the starry sky, Doran Yushan and others looked at the ten paths, their expressions tense. They wondered if anyone from the Great Yu Empire could pass. If no one did, it would be a disgrace. The arrival of the Tenth Academy in the Canglan Region was essentially like descending on the Great Yu Empire. If no one from the Great Yu Empire made it in, it would become a laughingstock across the universe.
But no one could help them with this. The internal universe's three major forces ambushed the assessment, which no one knew beforehand. Facing the elite experts from these three major forces, Doran Yushan didn't have high hopes for a successful assessment.
"Look, light screens have been erected on each path. Those who pass should be able to leave their names on them," Rock Ona said.
Doran Yushan and the others stared nervously at the light screens, clenching their fists.
Three exploration paths, three light screens—one of the screens already had a name: Yin, with the note indicating he was from the Great Yu Empire.
Another light screen of an exploration path also had a name: Zhao Yilong, noted as being from Wanjian Mountain.
Doran Yushan and the others focused on the name Yin, looking puzzled. "Yin? Do we have anyone by that name among those we brought?"
One person took out a list of students. "Your Highness, no, this person must have come on their own."
Doran Yushan's eyes flashed. "Investigate this person. It's not easy for anyone to come here to take the assessment."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Huo Qingshan looked at Zhao Yilong's name, surprised. "Even someone from Wanjian Mountain in the Inner Universe is here. No wonder they could pass through the blockade of the three major forces. This Zhao Yilong must be very strong among explorers."
Doran Yushan nodded. "My fifth sister is the senior sister of Wanjian Mountain. She should know this person. I'll ask her."
Out of ten paths, the battles on the exploration paths were relatively simple, while the screens on the seven integration paths didn't show a single name yet. Not only were the battles more intense, but the integration paths were also longer than the exploration paths.
A name appeared on the light screen of the last exploration path. Doran Yushan and the others stared at it. All the explorers from the Great Yu Empire took this path.
The first name appeared: Lulu Mebius, noted as from the Mebius Bank.
No one was surprised. The Mebius family was an absolute behemoth, even surpassing the three major forces. Breaking through the blockade wasn't difficult for them.
The second name appeared: Coco, noted as from the Hanging Wind Hall.
"Even someone from the Hanging Wind Hall is here. The Inner Universe doesn't seem to be completely indifferent to the Tenth Academy," Rock Ona said in surprise.
At this moment, the third name appeared: Lu Yin, noted as from the Great Yu Empire.
Seeing Lu Yin's name, Doran Yushan and the others were overjoyed. Lu Yin was purely from the Great Yu Empire, even the Purple Mountain King. His passing ensured the Great Yu Empire wouldn't lose face. Although Yin was also noted as from the Great Yu Empire, this person was somewhat mysterious, far less of a delight than Lu Yin.
Rock Ona nodded in praise. Entering the Tenth Academy, this Purple Mountain King was worthy of the Ona family. Even as a leisurely prince, his status as a student of the Starry Sky War College was enough to cover the shame of being rejected by Princess Wendy.
Huo Qingshan looked at Lu Yin's name, his eyes flickering, lost in thought.
Wolfman remained silent, only glancing at Lu Yin's name.
Doran Yushan, excited, immediately contacted the empire to relay the good news.
"Your Highness, wait for the results of the integration paths," Huo Qingshan stopped him.
Doran Yushan slapped his forehead, "You're right, we should wait. I was too impatient, sorry."
To the major forces across the universe, exploration was just the beginning, while integration was the real start of the cultivation path. One's strength in the integration realm could determine their entire life. The Starry Sky War College had clear requirements for admissions: the minimum was exploration, the maximum was integration. Beyond integration, they believed there was no plasticity. This showed the importance of the integration realm. For the empire, having integration realm cultivators enter the Starry Sky War College would be the biggest delight.
The light beam at the end of the exploration path was like a spatial teleportation device, transporting Lu Yin and his two companions to a platform of green stone slabs.
The platform was not large, covered in moss. As Lu Yin and the others landed, they heard the sound of raindrops. Looking up, they saw towering, unique plants and rainwater flooding the sky.
This was the depths of a forest shrouded in rain. Underfoot was a green stone platform, and rain poured from the sky, forming rivers on the ground, flowing somewhere unknown. The world appeared dark green, with a misty feel.
Lu Yin turned to look around and suddenly saw a familiar smiling face. "Yin?" Lu Yin was surprised.
Not far away, Yin raised his hand in greeting, "Long time no see, classmate."
Lu Yin didn't expect to see him here. He had passed the assessment even before Lu Yin.
On the other side, another figure stood quietly, staring at the rain, carrying an ancient long sword. The person exuded a sharp aura, even slicing through the rain.
Seeing this person, Lu Yin felt a sudden pressure. This person's strength was undoubtedly formidable.
"A person from Wanjian Mountain?" Coco exclaimed, staring at the standing man.
Lu Yin was surprised. Wanjian Mountain, wasn't that the powerful force where Wendy Yushan was from? Someone from there too?
Lulu was excited, staring at the man, then at Yin, her fists cracking as if she wanted to fight. Coco hurriedly pulled her back.
With terrifying forces from the Inner Universe guarding, being able to pass the assessment earlier than himself made Lu Yin very curious about Yin's strength. This person had progressed as rapidly as himself. When they first met, they were evenly matched. Now, it felt the same. Being related to the New Human Alliance, this person was not easy to deal with.
The man from Wanjian Mountain kept staring at the rain, not paying attention to Lu Yin and the others.
Lu Yin glanced at Yin but didn't plan to reminisce. He scanned the surroundings, but all he saw was the dark green sky and the verdant forest, along with the seemingly endless rain.
The integration path was much longer than the exploration path, but no matter how long, strong people would reach the end. A group of five integration realm cultivators excitedly looked at the light beam in the distance. "We've finally arrived. Brother Meng, next comes the hardest part, facing the elite blockade from the Inner Universe."
The news of the Inner Universe's three major forces sending people to ambush the assessment had spread. Many on the assessment paths had heard. Some gave up directly, but most who had reached the end were unwilling to give up. They had paid too much and would not surrender.
Meng Tao, from the Honghuang Sect, was one of the top three young powerhouses of the Honghuang Sect. Facing the elite from the Inner Universe, he was determined to witness their strength.
When Meng Tao and the others arrived at the light beam, someone was already waiting. More people arrived from different directions, totaling more than twenty.
In front of them was a massive Dragonwing Wyrm, exuding a fierce aura. Its star energy was as vast as the sea, and every surge cracked the ground. Its breath was like a blade.
The Dragonwing Wyrm scanned everyone with its huge eyes, roaring, "My name is Long Jiu. Remember this name, for it is the name of the strong who blocks you from entering the Starry Sky War College."
All the integration realm cultivators were furious.
Meng Tao stepped forward, facing Long Jiu, "Meng Tao from the Honghuang Sect, here to challenge."
Long Jiu looked down at Meng Tao, grinning and spewing powerful breath, "I'll oblige you."
In less than half a minute, Meng Tao screamed as his body was bitten and severed by Long Jiu. Blood dripped from Long Jiu's massive body. A Honghuang Sect powerhouse was killed just like that.
Everyone's scalp tingled. Meng Tao's strength was among the top, and he ended up like this. Who dared to challenge Long Jiu?
"Everyone, attack together! This creature is a Dragonwing Wyrm. Its weak point is the large meatball on its tail," a woman's voice echoed.
Hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up. Long Jiu was enraged, "Who? Who dares slander my Dragonwing Wyrm clan?"
The next moment, more than twenty integration realm cultivators attacked simultaneously. This was their only chance. No one dared to say they could defeat Long Jiu one-on-one.
Long Jiu let out a low roar and displayed incredible speed. His massive body split into two, then three, and finally five. The five afterimages moved through the sky, blocking the light beam so completely that not a single drop could pass through. All the integration realm cultivators were terrified. This incredible speed was the mark of a truly powerful creature from the Inner Universe.