Liu Yichen's action rippled through the examination hall like a stone cast into still waters.
The sound of his chair wasn't loud, but in the silence, it reached every corner of the room. It was as if someone had plucked a taut string, shattering the concentrated atmosphere.
One by one, the surrounding candidates lifted their heads, their puzzled gazes falling on him like spotlights. They saw a faint smile playing across Liu Yichen's face, carrying an air of unshakeable confidence. His hands were empty – he had already completed his answers.
How could this be possible?
The test had barely begun fifteen minutes ago!
Chen Zijia's lips curled into a subtle smile. She could hardly contain her delight. This Liu Yichen was truly a fool. Submitting so quickly could only mean he had given up entirely. In her mind's eye, she could already see him being ridiculed by everyone, his face burning with shame. The scene played out like perfect theater in her imagination.
She could even picture tomorrow's announcement, when the Bronze Faction would become the laughingstock of the entire sect.
"What a waste!" she sneered inwardly, casting a disdainful glance at Liu Yichen.
At the teacher's podium, Liu Zixuan's brow furrowed deeply as he watched Liu Yichen submit his paper so quickly. His eyebrows drew together in consternation.
He had held a sliver of hope for Liu Yichen – after all, they shared the Liu family name. But now, it seemed Liu Yichen was truly beyond redemption, squandering the family's resources.
"What an embarrassment!" he cursed silently, his eyes filled with disappointment as he glared at Liu Yichen.
Mo Haohai, meanwhile, released a long sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the Bronze Faction's despair.
He shook his head resignedly and whispered to Ding Haitao beside him, "It seems this kid really is useless. I thought he might have some potential, but it appears we were mistaken."
"Precisely, Teacher Mo. As I said, the Bronze Faction attracts only mediocre talents. We were expecting too much," Ding Haitao responded, his words sharp as a blade and just as cold.
Contempt and scorn filled the examination hall. No one held any faith in Liu Yichen, believing he had simply surrendered and hastily submitted his paper.
After turning in his work, Liu Yichen felt an unusual serenity amid the disdainful stares. He recalled the countless nights he had spent studying Star Soul theory, knowledge accumulated like an impenetrable shield against their piercing gazes.
He felt absolute certainty in his answers, as confident as a master craftsman in their finest work.
The next day, in the assessment hall, the leaders and teachers of all three factions gathered to await the results.
Liu Zixuan of the Silver Faction could barely contain his excitement. He kept rubbing his hands together, the soft friction betraying his eagerness. His eyes darted repeatedly to the assessment hall's entrance, filled with anticipation. He couldn't wait to witness his faction's prodigies bringing glory to his name.
"Teacher Diao, it seems your faction's disciples will steal the spotlight again, won't they? The younger generation is truly remarkable!" Liu Zixuan said with a smile to Diao Wenyuan beside him, his tone carefully crafted to flatter.
Diao Wenyuan stroked his beard, affecting modesty. "Teacher Liu, you're too kind. The children are still young and need more experience. They hardly deserve such praise." Though his words were humble, pride shone in his eyes like a peacock's displayed plumage.
Mo Haohai sat in a corner, the picture of dejection. His sighs came frequently, like the low growls of a wounded beast.
He shook his head, his face etched with disappointment. "Ah, it seems our Bronze Faction will remain at the bottom again. Each generation falls short of the last..."
Just as everyone was lost in thought, waiting for the results, the assessment hall's door swung open, and a familiar voice broke the silence.
"The results this time have truly surprised me..." The air in the assessment hall grew so heavy it seemed to solidify, pressing down on everyone's chest like an invisible weight.
Elder Zang Haitao entered with measured steps, each footfall like a drumbeat that resonated in the hearts of those present.
He clutched a stack of test papers, his expression dark as storm clouds. The papers hit the table with a resounding thud that made the teachers' hearts skip a beat, the sound ringing in their ears.
"The caliber of this year's new disciples has greatly disappointed me!" Elder Zang's voice emerged low and rough, like an old bellows, barely containing his anger.
"These papers are an absolute disgrace! They fail to grasp even the basic theories of Star Souls. With such poor aptitude, how can they hope to establish themselves in the Gathering Stars Sect?" Elder Zang's words fell like hammer blows on the three faction leaders' hearts.
Diao Wenyuan's expression flickered. He unconsciously straightened his posture, like a startled rabbit trying to maintain dignity.
Liu Zixuan turned ashen, beads of sweat forming on his brow. His heart thundered so loudly he feared it might burst from his chest, its pounding echoing in his ears.
Mo Haohai's face drained of color. He sagged against his chair, its cold surface offering no comfort to his despair. His vacant eyes fixed on the ceiling above.
The atmosphere in the assessment hall grew oppressive and heavy, as if a mountain pressed down upon their hearts, making each breath a struggle.
"However..." Elder Zang's tone suddenly shifted, and a slight smile touched his lips. "One faction's performance has given me some satisfaction."
These words instantly charged the atmosphere with tension.
Diao Wenyuan and Liu Zixuan clenched their fists, palms growing damp, each silently praying: Let it be our Silver Faction!
Mo Haohai remained expressionless. He had already accepted that this news had nothing to do with him, as if he had relinquished all hope. He sat motionless, like a statue frozen in time.
"The disciples of this faction have not only demonstrated a solid foundation in basic knowledge but have also shown extraordinary talent in practical applications," Elder Zang continued, his gaze sweeping the room before settling on Mo Haohai. "This faction is... the Bronze Faction!"
Diao Wenyuan's hand froze mid-stroke through his beard. His confident smile, so certain of victory, stiffened like a theater mask suddenly stripped of its meaning, leaving him awkwardly exposed.
His eyes widened in disbelief, filled with shock, as if he had just heard the most absurd jest in all the realms.
How could this be?
The Bronze Faction?
That eternally bottom-ranked Bronze Faction?
The hope that had begun to bloom in Liu Zixuan's heart withered before it could fully flower.
His spirits, which had risen like a tree reviving in spring, were crushed by Elder Zang's words. He deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping into his chair with a long creak that seemed to mourn his shattered dreams.
As for Mo Haohai, who had maintained his silence all this time, he sat as if struck by lightning, rooted to his spot.
He had prepared himself for the worst, even beginning to contemplate how to gracefully withdraw from the Gathering Stars Sect.
But Elder Zang's words exploded in his ears like thunder.
The Bronze Faction?
He wondered if his hearing had failed him, instinctively reaching up to clean his ears, seeking confirmation.
It truly was the Bronze Faction!
The shock hit his system like a tidal wave. He leaped to his feet, nearly overturning the table before him, which wobbled precariously with a soft sound.
His aged, clouded eyes suddenly sparkled with disbelief, the wrinkles on his face smoothing as tears of joy welled up. His lips trembled, words failing him in his overwhelming emotion, leaving him only able to repeatedly wipe his eyes, unable to process this incredible turn of events.
The assessment hall fell into absolute silence, so complete you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone exchanged shocked glances, as if time itself had stopped.
Elder Zang, satisfied with the stunned expressions around him, nodded and continued, "This year's test questions were personally set by Vice Sect Leader Zhi Wuyu, and their difficulty far exceeds that of previous years." He emphasized the name "Zhi Wuyu," and understanding dawned on everyone's faces – they knew why the questions had been so unusually challenging, coming from the notoriously strict Vice Sect Leader.
"Moreover," Elder Zang paused, his gaze sweeping the room before lowering his voice conspiratorially, "in this test, someone actually scored a ninety-nine under such difficult conditions!"
The moment these words left his mouth, the hall erupted in murmurs once again.
Ninety-nine?
How was that possible?
Everyone began speculating about the identity of this prodigy, who could achieve such an astounding score on a test set by Vice Sect Leader Zhi Wuyu himself.
Diao Wenyuan broke the speculation first, asking tentatively, "Elder Zang, might we know who this outstanding disciple is...?"
But Elder Zang only smiled mysteriously, offering no direct answer. Instead, he turned his gaze to Mo Haohai and said meaningfully, "Teacher Mo, it appears your Bronze Faction is about to produce an extraordinary figure this year..."