Chapter 46: Entering Class A

“Let’s go try it too.”

Li Yun suddenly stood up beside the Cleaving Wind Fist Stele, turning to his younger sister.

Li Zhi Ning’s eyes flickered slightly. She tucked her small hands, which had been idly fidgeting, back into her sleeves, then gave a quiet nod.

She’d already grasped the essence—her cultivation had begun. But she hadn’t rushed to test it. She’d waited.

Waiting for her brother to master it too.

Ever since she’d grown old enough to understand, she’d sensed the increasing restlessness in Li Yun’s cultivation. The more time they spent together, the clearer it became in her heart—the quiet frustration beneath his smile.

Among the three siblings, both she and her older sister possessed greater talent. Her sister, of course, had been taken in early by a renowned master. But she and Li Yun had stayed behind in the courtyard, inevitably compared, praised, and measured—again and again.

And Li Yun? He was the weakest among them in cultivation potential.

Every time her progress surpassed his in the training grounds, he’d push himself harder—training through the night, sweat dripping into the earth.

“Let’s go.”

Li Yun clapped his rear, then swept his gaze across the courtyard.

A familiar figure stood on the other side of the stele—Li Yuanzhao.

But the boy was utterly absorbed in his meditation, unaware of Li Yun’s presence. Just as Li Yun hadn’t noticed when Li Yuanzhao had arrived.

Li Yun glanced sideways at Li Yuanzhao’s side—no sign of Li Hao.

Frowning slightly, he dismissed it. A cold smirk curled his lips.

Let him come. I’ll show him what real effort looks like.

He led his sister toward the center of the courtyard.

“If you don’t pass the drill, back to training.”

Li Zhi Ning nodded silently.

Before the middle-aged man stood five trainees, practicing the form. Outside, a crowd of onlookers watched intently, hoping to glean inspiration from others’ movements.

Then, the siblings spotted someone familiar among them—Li Hao.

Him?

Li Zhi Ning blinked.

“Probably just sneaked in to eavesdrop,” Li Yun muttered, raising an eyebrow. A flicker of contempt flashed in his eyes.

He didn’t know when Li Hao had arrived—only that he’d come after them. If Li Yun hadn’t even dared to claim mastery yet, how could the other possibly have done so?

Outside the arena, Li Hao stood still, waiting.

His perception, far beyond the ordinary, had sensed someone approaching from behind—but he didn’t turn. Didn’t respond.

So many times he’d reached out, only to be met with silence, avoidance.

That was when he realized: the cheerful brother and sister who used to race to the courtyard every day, listening to stories with wide-eyed wonder, were gone.

The drill ended soon.

Only three of the five passed. The other two lacked the final spark—couldn’t even begin. Their stances were flawed.

“Alright,” Li Yun said, stepping forward with his sister. He stood tall, meeting the middle-aged man’s gaze, his expression unyielding. “We’ve been studying the Cleaving Wind Fist.”

The man’s eyes swept over them—recognizing their attire, their lineage. He nodded, a faint smile touching his lips.

“Proceed.”

The siblings assumed their stance and began.

Their form flowed smoothly—until Li Yun turned. His waist remained still. Power didn’t fully gather in his fists. The impact lacked force.

The middle-aged man’s eyes narrowed. Odd.

“How long have you been studying?” he asked.

“Half a day,” Li Yun replied, calm—but his eyes held a spark of pride. He sensed a small flaw. A chance of failure.

But still—only half a day.

The original requirement for Class A entry was three days of meditation. His progress… should be nothing short of astonishing.

“Stunning!”

The man’s voice carried a note of genuine surprise.

A faint, triumphant smile tugged at Li Yun’s lips.

“Miss,” the man said, turning to Li Zhi Ning, “you’ve already begun. Congratulations.”

He drew a badge from his waist and handed it to her.

Li Yun froze.

“You still need refinement,” the man added, turning to Li Yun. “Keep practicing. You’ll master it soon enough.”

Li Yun’s face tightened. He turned to his sister. “When did you…?”

Li Zhi Ning tucked the badge into her sleeve. “Just now.”

She wasn’t lying. She’d only just grasped it—maybe half an hour ago.

“Half a day to master an upper-grade cultivation technique… You two are rare talents, even in Class A Academy.”

Li Yun’s expression shifted. “So… others have done it too?”

“Several yesterday,” the man said with a smile. “This year’s intake is stronger than usual.”

Heat flared in Li Yun’s cheeks. His fists clenched.

Then the man’s gaze shifted toward the approaching figure. He looked up—another from Divine General’s Residence.

A warm smile spread across his face. “You’re here to test too?”

“Mm.”

Li Hao nodded.

The siblings exchanged a glance. Li Yun felt a strange relief. At least I’m not the only one failing.

“Please.”

Li Hao stepped forward without hesitation.

Two quick punches—each one cut through the air like a blade. A faint, metallic shriek echoed in the wind.

The middle-aged man’s expression changed instantly.

He stared, stunned.

Li Hao lowered his fists. “Done?”

The man snapped back to reality. “You came yesterday?”

“Today.”

“…”

A chill ran through the man’s mind. A troubling possibility surfaced—one he dared not entertain.

He reached for a badge, white with black engravings—Class A.

“Here,” he said, handing it over.

Li Hao took it, glanced at it briefly, then slipped it into his sleeve.

“Thank you.”

He turned and walked away, leaving two pairs of eyes wide with disbelief.

“He… passed?”

Only after Li Hao had vanished into the distance did Li Yun finally speak.

The man turned, nodded. “His Cleaving Wind Fist is at least Skillful level. Possibly… Perfect.”

He couldn’t tell for sure—Li Hao’s demonstration had been brief. But one thing was certain: he had begun.

“Skillful? How’s that possible!” Li Yun blurted.

He knew Li Hao had only arrived today—later than them. How could he have reached Skillful level in so little time?

His own sister had only just begun!

He turned, staring at the retreating back.

Li Zhi Ning stood motionless, her eyes fixed on the fading figure.

Memories surfaced—whispers from elders in the courtyard:

“That child is truly clever.”

“Yes, so precocious. I’ve never seen such a bright mind.”

“Too bad he’s limited to Body Cultivation. With a brain like that, he’d be a top-tier genius.”

Yes…

They’d always said his cultivation ceiling was low.

Never once had they said he wasn’t smart.

The girl bit her lip gently. Her fingers curled tightly around the badge.

…

…

“I’m back.”

Li Hao dashed toward the Second Elder, breathless.

The two elders saw the badge in his hand—and nodded, understanding.

Shen Yunqing grinned. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Senior.” Li Hao smiled, then added, “Shall we… play another round?”

The elders exchanged a look.

This kid…

They couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Why was this boy so obsessed with Go?

“Fine,” Zhao Zongyuan said, having just replayed the last game. He knew his mistake. Now, he was ready to fight again.

Li Hao’s heart leapt. He sat down. “Senior, please.”

They resumed the battle.

To avoid provoking surrender, Li Hao didn’t press too hard—just a slow, steady pull, then a narrow victory.

So it was that, while other disciples strained before the stele, practicing forms and shouting techniques, a quiet corner of the courtyard hosted a different spectacle:

A boy, no older than sixteen, battling the Second Elder in a Go match—moves flowing like water, countered with precision.

Zhao Zongyuan’s frustrated shouts rang out.

Shen Yunqing’s laughter boomed.

Curious glances followed.

A few pupils exchanged uneasy looks.

“You’re born in the womb with a Go board, aren’t you?” Zhao Zongyuan snapped, nearly throwing the pieces.

Li Hao just smiled.

Shen Yunqing leaned in. “Your skill… must’ve taken years. How do you train?”

Well… that’s how I train, Li Hao thought.

But he just chuckled, a simple, innocent laugh.

As they played, the Second Elder casually shared tidbits about the academy.

“Boy, did you hear? A prince enrolled yesterday—Class A. He mastered the Combat Scripture in just one hour.”

“And the Nan Gong girl came too. Her talent is terrifying. Rumor has it, she’s not even the strongest in her generation.”

“Those are your future rivals in Class A. Keep your eyes open.”

Li Hao’s head throbbed.

“Can’t we just… focus on the game?”

The elders stared.

We’re trying to help you, they thought. And you don’t even want it?

They were fond of him—but this obsession with Go was beyond them.

Zhao Zongyuan returned to the board, determined. But after a long silence, his face fell. Another narrow loss.

As dusk painted the sky, Li Hao was deep in thought—until a voice beside him stirred.

“Brother Hao?”

He turned.

It was Li Yuanzhao—nervously eyeing him.

“Yeah?”

“I got the badge.”

They’d arrived late. He’d only studied half a day.

“Hmm.”

Li Hao nodded. Not surprised. The boy had potential equal to Li Zhi Ning—broad-shouldered, blunt-faced, but with sharp eyes that gleamed with cunning.

“Um… they’re waiting for us at the foot of the mountain. Want to go back together?”

“Let them go first,” Li Hao said. “We’ll follow later.”

On the other side, the Second Elder’s face darkened.

This kid’s addicted to winning, isn’t he?

“No more,” Zhao Zongyuan waved. “It’s getting late. You should go.”

“It’s fine. I can still see.”

“You’re impossible,” Shen Yunqing sighed. “Today’s enough. We’ll play again after school starts.”

Li Hao wanted to continue—but seeing the elders’ lack of spirit, he relented.

“Alright. Thank you, both, for the hospitality.”

He placed one final stone, sealing the victory.

With the experience earned, he smiled faintly, then stood, bowing deeply to the elders.

Only then did he turn, walking down the mountain with Li Yuanzhao at his side.

“…A boy from Divine General’s Residence who can do this?”

The elders watched the two figures fade into the distance.

They exchanged a look—then shook their heads, smiling.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end