Chapter 172: Second Round Grouping, Ye Lingshao's Battle Intent
Deng Bingding looked at the remaining twenty students before him and encouraged them:
“You’ve just learned the Technique—I’ve already granted full usage rights to all of you.
This is a reward prepared by the Heavenly Court to inspire first-layer examinees, as part of the exam advancement incentive.
I hope you remain humble and steadfast, continue striving with courage and diligence on your immortal path, and one day rise even higher—serving the Heavenly Court and the sect with honor…”
After offering these words of encouragement, Deng Bingding turned to the next phase of the exam.
“The next round will take place on October 15th, right here at this location.
But unlike this comprehensive exam, the second round is a specialized test. Each of you must choose one of four tracks to compete in: Dao Heart, Martial Energy, Athletics, or Martial Arts.”
“Which is why I’ve gathered you here—to arrange your registrations.”
Under Zheng Shen’s guidance, the students quickly pulled out their phones and logged into the registration website.
As Deng Bingding explained, this year’s Foundation Establishment Exam reform had brought minor adjustments to the registration process.
Each student could now register for two tracks—intended to balance participation across the four tracks, especially when certain tracks were under-subscribed or overcrowded.
The goal was to better uncover top talent from the first layer, ensure even distribution, and prevent too many strong contenders from being packed into a single track and getting eliminated early.
Hearing this, Zhang Yu’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Two registrations?”
“But A Zhen and I only discussed one track…”
“Could they end up adjusting us until we’re both forced into the same track?”
Zhang Yu wanted to consult Bai Zhenzhen, but Zheng Shen had just forbidden any communication between examinees.
Clearly, they were expected to make their choices independently after learning the new rules.
“Then it’ll just have to come down to our understanding—our unspoken agreement.”
Originally, he and Bai Zhenzhen had agreed: Zhang Yu would enter the Athletics track, and Bai Zhenzhen the Martial Arts track.
Now, with a second choice available, Zhang Yu had to decide between Dao Heart and Martial Energy.
“Dao Heart or Martial Energy?”
Recalling his performance in the first Mana Exam, Zhang Yu silently sighed:
“Unconsciously, because I’ve neglected further training in Martial Energy, A Zhen has already surpassed me in that area, hasn’t she?”
With that thought, he selected Dao Heart as his second choice.
Moments later, as each student completed registration, all the data instantly appeared before Zheng Shen’s eyes.
Deng Bingding nodded. “Indeed, Yun Jing and Ye Lingshao are on separate tracks—so they’ve clearly reached an understanding.”
Huang Zichou added, “If those two were ever matched in the same track, it’d be a tragedy either way—losing either one would be a great loss.”
Deng Bingding’s gaze swept over the registration choices of the third, fourth, and fifth highest scorers.
“Begin the adjustments.”
In Deng Bingding’s mind, the first priority was determining the tracks for the top two—Ye Lingshao and Yun Jing.
After all, their strength stood leagues above the other eighteen examinees.
“Ye Lingshao and Yun Jing—wherever they’re placed, that track will be the one to win.”
After a brief consultation, Zheng Shen assigned Ye Lingshao to the Athletics track he had registered for, and Yun Jing to the Martial Arts track he had chosen.
Then, the rest were grouped in descending order of score, with special care taken to separate the top ten from Ye Lingshao and Yun Jing.
With Zheng Shen’s lightning-fast mental processing, the second-round track assignments were finalized in moments.
Huang Zichou glanced at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s positions and mentally sighed:
“Those two are in for a rough time.”
Zhang Yu had been placed in the Athletics track, while Bai Zhenzhen was assigned to Martial Arts.
To Zheng Shen’s eyes, with Ye Lingshao and Yun Jing in the mix, these two tracks had become death groups—every other contestant was destined for elimination.
Huang Zichou mused:
“Still, even if Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen get knocked out this year, they can always try again next time.”
“Those two may have incredible potential, and some mysterious force might be backing them—but they’re still a year behind in cultivation. They should go back, refine themselves, and come back stronger.”
He understood the core purpose of this year’s Foundation Establishment Exam reform: to unearth more talent and funnel them upward.
So, placing lower-scoring candidates into the tracks dominated by Ye Lingshao and Yun Jing, while grouping the high scorers into the other two tracks, was the most logical approach.
And for examinees like Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen—those who could retake the exam next year—being eliminated in this round wasn’t a real loss in the eyes of the examiners.
With the arrangements finalized, a Light Screen appeared before each of the twenty students, displaying the second-round groupings.
Some exhaled in relief, others looked tense, while a few wore expressions of resignation—each reaction different.
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, naturally, were the first to check if they’d been placed in the same track.
Seeing that Zhang Yu was in Athletics and Bai Zhenzhen in Martial Arts, both let out a quiet breath of relief.
But then, upon seeing their respective opponents, their expressions instantly hardened.
“No. 23?” Zhang Yu stared at Ye Lingshao, his mind racing:
“Am I really going to have to compete against this guy?”
Recalling Ye Lingshao’s performance across today’s three exams, Zhang Yu gritted his teeth:
“Damn it… that guy definitely opened up. His cheat code’s even stronger than mine.”
“With all that money, all that power—No. 23, you really deserve to die.”
At that moment, Zhang Yu wished nothing more than for Ye Lingshao to be run over by a truck.
But he knew it was impossible.
Even if a car could hit him, the protection around him would be formidable.
“Feather Scroll… Feather Scroll… You’re just not doing your job.”
“If only you were a bit more effective, would I have to worry about this?”
“In the end, it still comes down to me—upgrading you myself.”
At first, Zhang Yu had seen the Feather Scroll as his ultimate cheat code.
Then, after constantly pushing himself through effort, he began to see it as merely a reflection of his own latent potential.
Now, faced with the need to hunt down the Evil God to upgrade the Scroll, he felt something shift—like he was the real cheat code, and the Scroll was just a tool he wielded.
On the other side, Bai Zhenzhen stared at Yun Jing’s direction.
“That’s No. 11, right? How come I’m stuck with him? This is rigged!”
She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.
“Can his family suddenly go bankrupt?”
“Martial Arts Exam will come down to real combat eventually… I have to beat him…”
She began mentally replaying Yun Jing’s performance across today’s three exams, memorizing every detail, refusing to miss a single thing.
Yu Xinghan glanced at his own assigned track—Athletics—and frowned slightly, but didn’t feel overly discouraged.
After all, he’d never truly believed he’d secure a Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate.
Just reaching this far was already a victory in his eyes.
“Alright,” Deng Bingding said. “Everyone’s seen the list. That’s it for today.”
“Go home and prepare thoroughly for the next round.”
With that, Deng Bingding pointed toward the passage they had entered through, signaling it was time to leave.
As Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen began walking toward the exit, they noticed Ye Lingshao had quietly fallen into step beside them.
Upon seeing them, Ye Lingshao met their eyes and gave a slight nod—just a brief, polite acknowledgment.
From a distance, Dai Xingzhi watched this exchange and muttered inwardly:
“Ye Lingshao actually initiated a greeting? So they’re considered on the same level as him.”
Recalling how he’d once looked down on Zhang Yu—mocking his outsider status—he felt a bitter laugh rise in his throat.
“Ah… money really does make you powerful. Even outside Xian Du, you can still dominate.”
After their brief eye contact, Ye Lingshao spoke:
“The exam today… wasn’t worth your full effort, was it?”
Zhang Yu’s entire body tensed.
What’s this? Is he mocking me for my poor performance? Using Xian Du-style bullying language?
Ye Lingshao continued:
“But next round? You won’t be able to hold back.”
“I’ll be looking forward to our clash.”
“Then… until we meet at the peak.”
By “the peak,” he meant Kunxu Second Layer.
From his perspective, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had already shown enough potential—even if they didn’t secure the qualification certificate this time, advancing to the second layer was inevitable.
Watching Ye Lingshao vanish into the black abyss beneath his feet, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but feel the raw, unyielding battle intent in his eyes.
A moment later, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen plunged into the hole as well, instantly transported back to the restroom of the station.
“That guy…” Zhang Yu muttered in his mind.
“Was he really being sarcastic?”
He clenched his fist tightly.
“You can rest assured—next time, I’ll give you something you’ll never forget.”
…
Back at the station, under the dull, gray night sky, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen didn’t dare linger in Xian Du.
They quickly bought tickets and left the high-cost city behind.
As the train began to move, Zhang Yu finally allowed himself a moment of relaxation.
But just then, the Ritual sounded again.
“Ah…” Zhang Yu sighed, stepping into the corridor and beginning his practice of Chunqiu Wujin Chan.
Bai Zhenzhen watched him, silently cursing:
“Still so obsessed with grinding?”
After three grueling exams, she felt utterly drained—no energy left for cultivation.
Yet, when she thought of the opponents they’d face in the next round, she understood Zhang Yu’s urgency.
“Yu Zi must be feeling so desperate right now.”
“…But rushing won’t help.”
“At least let’s rest a bit on the train, okay?”
Just as she was thinking this, her phone buzzed.
“Hello?”
A gentle yet polite female voice came through the line:
“Is this Bai Zhenzhen?”
(End of Chapter)
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