Chapter 78: Exceptional Admission

Three days later.

Song Yueyao returned to Tancheng Palace from Cangyu City, her face etched with exhaustion. Her duties as Supervising Inspector had been completed, and she was now temporarily relieved of official responsibilities, returning to report to the palace.

She had already learned that Li Hao and the others had returned earlier than expected—no doubt already back in Qingzhou by now.

Thinking of Li Hao’s display of power, a sharp, inward grit formed in her heart. She had spent years training in the Black and White Hall, having seen countless prodigies in her time. But someone like him—a mere youth who had casually shattered the limits of what was possible—was something entirely new.

It was a blow to her pride.

“Yueyao?”

As she prepared to enter the Black and White Hall to report Li Hao’s situation to her grandfather, she nearly collided with Su Yehua, who was passing by from outside.

Seeing her friend, Song Yueyao slowed her pace. “Sister Su.”

The two were only three years apart in age, close companions for over a decade.

“You’re back so soon? The mission went smoothly? No Great Demons encountered?” Su Yehua asked gently, noting the fatigue in Song Yueyao’s eyes.

The mention of Great Demons instantly summoned an image in Song Yueyao’s mind—the hilltop piled high with neatly stacked demon corpses, a grim testament to the carnage. Her expression flickered.

“What is it?” Su Yehua paused, startled. Had she really run into a Great Demon?

“Nothing,” Song Yueyao said, shaking her head. Then, a thought struck her. “Sister Su… Li Hao and the others have already returned, haven’t they?”

“Huh?” Su Yehua blinked in surprise. She knew Song Yueyao’s usual demeanor—aloof, indifferent to outsiders, never concerned with the affairs of the Li Clan’s young masters. Why would she suddenly ask about them?

Then it hit her. The mission location—Cangyu City—was the same place where the two Li brothers had been assigned.

“Did they cause trouble for you?” Su Yehua frowned slightly, recalling one of them—lazy, often sleeping through class. “They’re from a great family, after all. It’s natural they’d act spoiled. Don’t take it personally…”

Song Yueyao stared at her, then shook her head. “No. This time, Cangyu City faced a catastrophe. If it hadn’t been for Li Hao, I might not have made it back alive.”

“What?!” Su Yehua froze, her eyes wide with disbelief. She stared at Song Yueyao as if she’d misheard.

She wasn’t surprised by the reaction. Of course, Su Yehua didn’t yet know Li Hao’s true strength. So Song Yueyao quickly recounted the events in Cangyu City—briefly, but with chilling clarity.

When she finished, Su Yehua stood motionless, her eyes wide, speechless.

"Fifteen Li Stage? Him?"

She pictured the boy who used to nap through lectures, the one who’d registered at just fourteen years old. The same boy who’d once been dismissed as lazy?

Seeing Su Yehua’s stunned expression, Song Yueyao couldn’t help but smile faintly. A quiet thrill surged through her.

So I’m not the only one shaken by this.

Her weariness melted away. She waved at Su Yehua. “I’ll report first. See you later.”

And with that, she glided away.

Su Yehua snapped back to reality, a sudden realization dawning.

No wonder Li Hao never attended class or participated in Martial Dao Rankings. With that cultivation level, he could’ve taught them.

But then—why even join Tan Palace Academy at all?

That question lingered in her mind. She resolved to find Li Hao and ask him herself.

…

…

A few days passed. The Class A Academy students sent on the academy missions began returning one by one.

Su Yehua gathered them all to evaluate their performance.

The top performers were clearly the two princes leading their teams—both had taken the most difficult 15-Academic Credit mission, and both teams had earned perfect scores.

Beyond that, they had also earned Merit: one received Third-Class Merit, the other Second-Class Merit, for assisting the Demon-Subduing Bureau in cracking a major case.

First-Class Merit was nearly impossible to obtain—reserved only for the most dangerous frontier zones like the Chaos Lands of the Frontier War.

Even Second-Class Merit was astonishing.

“Did they face a City Demon Invasion?” Du Qiuyue whispered to Yu Wei.

Yu Wei glanced at her, then shook his head. “Not likely. More probable the Bureau was flattering them—transferring credit they didn’t earn. Or maybe their mission site was secretly tied to their own faction…”

“Shh!” Du Qiuyue gasped, quickly silencing him.

Yu Wei realized his mistake. The inner workings of the royal family were not something junior disciples could speculate on. Even if these two princes weren’t favored, they were still blood heirs. Who knew what the future held?

Aside from the princes, Wang Han and Li Yun’s sibling duo stood out as the next best—also completing the hardest mission with full team scores, though without extra merit.

The other世家 disciples wore varied expressions—some murmured in envy, others quietly sneered, resentful of how easily the “connected” ones had earned their praise.

Though still in their teens, they were already learning the harsh truth of social hierarchy. The gap between bloodline and merit was clear—and it would teach them to read people, to be cautious, to grow worldly.

“These two…”

Li Yuanzhao watched Li Yun and Li Zhi Ning receive praise from Su Yehua. Though they both maintained calm faces, the joy shining in their eyes was unmistakable.

Li Zhi Ning was fine. But Li Yuanzhao noticed the bandage wrapped around Li Yun’s arm—clearly injured. Yet the boy still wore a faint, smug smile, as if he’d done nothing more than win a game.

It was obvious—Li Yun had pushed too hard, eager to prove himself.

Compared to Li Yun’s boastful nature, Li Yuanzhao couldn’t help but think of Li Hao.

He’d always liked spending time with him—not just because their backgrounds were similar, but because of the quiet, unshakable presence Li Hao carried.

It was hard to describe. But Li Hao himself once used strange words to describe it: “It’s like the wind—always there, never loud, never forced.”

When faced with a mountain too steep to climb? Just walk around it.

It wasn’t laziness—it was wisdom.

And now, in Cangyu City, Li Hao had stood alone, defending the city from a Great Demon, slaying it in a single strike, earning a name that would echo through history. Yet he’d said nothing. To him, it was just a small task.

That alone was worth more than Li Yun’s entire performance.

Even the two princes, who’d tried so hard to appear calm, couldn’t match Li Hao’s effortless composure in Li Yuanzhao’s eyes.

And yet, despite being at the Fifteen Li Stage—why had Li Hao never boasted? If he’d acted like Li Yun, his name would’ve been known across the realm by now.

Everyone chased fame. But Li Hao called fame and fortune a burden.

When he first said that, Li Yuanzhao had felt a jolt—like thunder in the silence. He didn’t fully understand it, but the feeling…

It was so damn cool.

That was why he followed Li Hao—not for any reason, not for power or status. Just because he liked learning from him.

“Teacher,” Li Yun suddenly spoke, noticing Li Hao’s absence beside Li Yuanzhao. His brow furrowed. “Where’s Li Hao?”

Li Yuanzhao’s expression darkened. A cold knot formed in his stomach. Did something happen to him?

“Li Hao…” Su Yehua glanced at the empty seat beside Li Yuanzhao. Her eyes flickered with a complex emotion.

“He’s been granted Exceptional Admission… into the Black and White Hall.”

“What?!”

The entire Class A Academy erupted.

Chaos exploded like a marketplace. Everyone shouted questions—Why him? How? Who gave him permission?

Among the crowd, Jiang Ye’s smile vanished instantly.

He, the prince, had not been granted exception. But this mere Li Clan heir—he had?

His face hardened. But then he remembered the teachings of his instructors. He forced his expression back into calm—though his eyes betrayed a deep, simmering anger.

“Teacher,” Jiang Ye stepped forward, his voice cutting through the noise. The crowd quieted. “Why was he allowed Exceptional Admission?”

He fixed Su Yehua with a piercing gaze.

Su Yehua saw the storm beneath his calm. She thought, If you could reach the Fifteen Li Stage—no, even just the Divine Travel Realm—you’d be granted the same privilege.

But she kept her smile steady. “Li Hao’s cultivation level surpasses all of you. More importantly, he earned Special-Class Merit during the Cangyu City mission. For the sake of proper cultivation guidance, he has been admitted early into the Black and White Hall. If he remained here, none of us could teach him. And he’d be occupying a Martial Dao Ranking spot that should go to someone who can still learn.”

Silence fell.

Everyone exchanged stunned glances.

Higher than us?

Was he already at Soul Inheritance?

And Special-Class Merit—what in the world was that?

Li Yun and Li Zhi Ning stared blankly, turning to Li Yuanzhao. They’d both been to Cangyu City. Why hadn’t he earned merit?

Li Yuanzhao simply smiled, a private smirk dancing on his lips.

Want to know? Too bad. I’m not telling.

He’d asked Li Hao why he kept it quiet. The answer? “I just want a little more peace and quiet.”

But with what happened in Cangyu City—this secret wouldn’t stay buried forever.

He couldn’t wait.

He wanted the world to know.

When Li Yun and Li Zhi Ning finally learned the truth about Li Hao’s level…

What expression would they wear?

The Li Clan—after the fall of the Ninth Uncle—was about to rise again.

He could already feel it.

The future was coming.

…

…

Meanwhile, deep within the Black and White Hall, in Tancheng Palace.

Palace Master Song Yufeng sat atop the dais, tea long gone cold, the white steam long dissipated. Yet he stared ahead, utterly lost in thought.

Beside him, Shen Yunqing, Zhao Zongyuan, Huang Lichai, and several other senior elders were present—only a few had been absent due to urgent matters.

Song Yueyao sat at the back, like the others, quietly observing the young boy before them.

Li Hao felt the weight of their gazes—like they were staring at a rare beast. After more than ten minutes of silence, he finally sighed.

“You brought me straight here. I’m honored.”

He cleared his throat, smiling politely, his expression innocent.

“But this long delay… really isn’t my favorite way to spend time. In ten minutes, I could’ve drawn two paintings.”

The eyes that had been fixed on him like a zoo exhibit finally blinked, their intensity slightly dimmed.

The Ninth Young Master of the Li Clan—once a legend, a nineteen-year-old Three Immortalities, whose fall had shaken the world—had vanished. They’d never seen his face.

Now, here was a fourteen-year-old at the Fifteen Li Stage.

Could it be real?

Or was this some trick? Some hidden form?

They stared, trying to find the flaw. The secret.

How was this possible?

Song Yufeng studied him for a long time. Then, subtly, he sent a faint ripple of aura to test Li Hao’s cultivation.

But it was like hitting a wall.

Even at his level, he couldn’t pierce the veil.

This boy had mastered some kind of hidden aura technique—something that concealed his true strength. And at just fourteen?

Not only had he achieved the Fifteen Li Stage, but he’d also devoted time to a combat scripture that barely improved raw power.

It was absurd.

Talent like this—was it even human?

The Emperor’s judgment… truly unmatched.

Song Yufeng thought, his heart stirred with renewed awe toward the distant figure on the Dragon Throne.

“You’re already at the Fifteen Li Stage—such natural talent. You could’ve joined Qian Dao Palace with ease,” Song Yufeng said, curiosity in his voice. “Tell me, why did you choose our Tan Palace Academy?”

Everyone leaned in. Was it for the Taiji Qiankun Sword Art? Or something else?

Song Yueyao watched intently.

“Reason?” Li Hao smiled faintly, recalling that morning.

“Probably because I happened to want a bite of Silken Jade Crispy.”

Silence.

…What?

They’d imagined all sorts of answers—great ambition, destiny, a desire for power, a quest for vengeance.

But not this.

Silken Jade Crispy?

A fried snack?

Everyone in the hall stared, dumbfounded.

The reasons people joined Tan Palace Academy were endless—revenge, fame, inheritance, prestige.

But a snack?

The room fell into stunned silence. After a long pause, Song Yufeng finally chuckled, shaking his head.

“That… must’ve been really good.”

Li Hao nodded seriously, his face brightening. “If you get the chance, you must try it. Find the right shop—Old Liu’s in Qinglian Alley.”

He said it so sincerely, so earnestly, that even the elders were left speechless.

Qinglian Alley’s fried crisp?

Song Yueyao whispered to herself, committing it to memory.

“Not for our palace’s secret art—Taiji Qiankun Sword Art?” Huang Lichai finally asked, unable to contain his disbelief. “That’s not even a real reason.”

He thought Li Hao was just making fun of them.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end