Third Life Reincarnation: Finally Born Into a Magical World

Gong Liansheng nodded lightly upon hearing this, but the spark of interest in his eyes faded just as quickly, replaced by a trace of regret.

For several consecutive years, the North District had ranked last in the entrance examinations. Very few candidates from the North District managed to enter Western Mansion, and those who did rarely stood out.

The candidate before him was strong, yes. But being from the North District meant his prospects were still uncertain.

There was no need to place too much expectation on him.

The more one expected, the greater the disappointment tended to be.

Gong Liansheng had seen too many promising seedlings fail to grow under the harsh reality of Western Mansion.

Even if this Ryan possessed Spirit Realm strength or higher, that alone was not enough.

After all, the entrance examination was never a one-man show.

"I recognize this candidate as well," Murong Liu added with a smile. "We encountered him a few days ago. He seems quite close to the Wang Clan's young miss. Zongyao should know him, too."

"Oh?"

Gong Liansheng turned his gaze toward the examiners' area.

By now, the examiners had also returned to the high platform after guiding the candidates into the light gate. Among them, Wang Zongyao felt the questioning look and stepped forward calmly.

"It's true," Wang Zongyao said. "I do know Li Wei. He has formed a very deep friendship with our Wang Clan."

His words sounded casual, but the intent behind them was clear.

Wang Zongyao knew Ryan was beginning to reveal his sharp edge. Rather than waiting for others to pull Ryan to their side, it was better to declare his connection first.

By tying Ryan to the Wang Clan early, others would naturally think twice before making a move.

It was a subtle but clever maneuver.

To the others, however, it sounded simple enough.

The Wang Clan held an extraordinary status. If Ryan had the Wang Clan's backing, then his future path in Western Mansion would undoubtedly be smoother.

Relying on a powerful clan had always been the safest shortcut.

"I see," Gong Liansheng said lightly.

Once he learned of Ryan's connection to the Wang Clan, his remaining interest vanished entirely. He nodded, then turned away from the light curtain and addressed everyone on the platform.

"Alright. The entrance examination has begun. Isn't watching this rather entertaining?" He chuckled. "Old rules, then. Shall we place our bets?"

"Good!"

Laughter rose from the platform.

Everyone understood what the "old rules" meant: predicting the outcome of the entrance examination.

Palace masters, elders, regional overseers, and even examiners were free to participate.

"Let's start with the regional prediction," Gong Liansheng said, raising his hand.

A sheet of white paper, nearly three meters long, appeared in midair. It was divided into four sections labeled East, South, West, and North.

Each region represented its respective group of candidates.

"The criteria," Gong Liansheng continued, "will be based on how many candidates enter Western Mansion and the overall ranking of their scores. Each region has an equal chance."

With that, the true contest—both on and off the battlefield—quietly began.

When Gong Liansheng summoned the strange blank paper into the air, the crowd had yet to react. Before anyone else could speak, Elder Lu, the person in charge of the North District, stepped forward.

"Since no one is willing to be the first to place a bet," Elder Lu said calmly, "then I will go first. I wager that our North District candidates will achieve the best overall results."

The moment his words fell, countless gazes turned toward him, most of them filled with undisguised contempt.

In everyone's mind, this had nothing to do with others being hesitant. Before anyone even had the chance to respond, Elder Lu had already rushed out. Was there really a need to be so impatient?

Elder Lu, however, paid no attention to those looks. With a flick of his wrist, a pile of items appeared in his palm.

There were weapons, pills, manuals, and scrolls. Earth-grade weapons gleamed with restrained light, medicinal bottles exuded faint fragrances, and several cultivation techniques radiated an unmistakable aura of depth.

Without even blinking, Elder Lu threw everything toward the floating blank paper.

In an instant, the items streaked through the air and sank into the section marked "North," as if swallowed by water. The white paper rippled faintly, then settled.

Moments later, a crimson circle appeared in the northern section. Inside the circle, the name "Lu Qiming" slowly emerged. Surrounding it were tiny symbols, each representing the items he had just wagered, reduced into neat, glowing patterns.

The appearance of the red circle signified that the bet had been sealed.

There was no turning back.

The moment everyone realized how many items Elder Lu had wagered, the entire platform fell into stunned silence.

Did he just throw out his entire fortune?

Was he really that confident?

"Elder Lu Qiming seems extraordinarily confident in the North District this year," said Yan Bohou, the person in charge of the Eastern District, squinting at the white paper. "If I'm not mistaken, you've placed a third-grade Earth sword, three low-grade Earth weapons, two Earth-grade martial arts, one Earth-grade cultivation method, three bottles of Extraction Pills, one bottle of Shengling Pills, and one bottle of Qingxin Pills. Truly… a generous stake."

"Oh?" Elder Lu sneered. "Elder Yan has sharp eyes. You could tell everything at a glance, even the grades. It seems I should be more careful around you in the future. Otherwise, if I obtain some treasure one day, you might already be plotting how to snatch it from me."

The atmosphere instantly turned sharp.

The Eastern and Northern Districts had long been at odds, and the two elders had never seen eye to eye. Sarcasm and verbal sparring were common whenever they met.

In the past, Elder Lu had always been at a disadvantage. Year after year, the North District ranked at the bottom, leaving him with little ground to stand on.

But this year was different.

This year, there was Ryan.

For years, Elder Lu had swallowed humiliation in silence. Now that he finally had a chance to straighten his back, how could he let it slip?

"Confidence?" Yan Bohou laughed coldly. "Or delusion? Betting that the North District will take first place? Elder Lu, have the years dulled your judgment? If memory serves, your North District has been last for several consecutive years. First place? Being last again would already be impressive."

"The past is the past," Elder Lu replied calmly. "This year is this year. Who says the North District must always be last? At least this time, I believe in our candidates."

"Believing in something hopeless and expecting it to win," Yan Bohou mocked, "is no different from giving gifts away. Are these items meant as donations to the rest of us? In that case, I'll thank you on everyone's behalf for your generosity."

Laughter erupted across the platform.

"Hahaha!"

Even the elder in charge of the Southern District joined in, smiling faintly. "Elder Lu, we understand your feelings. You're responsible for the North District, after all. Betting on your own region is natural. But was it really necessary to stake so much? These must be your life savings. If you lose everything and later encounter a strong enemy, what then? Western Mansion can't afford to lose an elder so recklessly."

His words sounded considerate, but the ridicule beneath them was unmistakable.

Another wave of laughter followed.

Elder Lu merely snorted, completely ignoring the Southern District elder. In his eyes, these people were nothing more than clowns. He would let the final results speak for themselves.

At that time, their laughter would turn into bitter silence.

"Elder Lu Qiming," Gong Liansheng finally spoke, his tone thoughtful. "If I recall correctly, you haven't been this bold in previous years. Why such confidence this time?"

Gong Liansheng genuinely did not wish to see someone gamble away their entire fortune on impulse.

"Envoy Gong," Elder Lu replied solemnly, "since I dare to bet, I naturally won't regret it. This time, I truly believe the North District will achieve the best results."

Gong Liansheng studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Very well. Since you insist, I won't stop you. These items… I'll count them as thirteen Saint Drops. Is that acceptable?"

"Acceptable," Elder Lu answered without hesitation.

In fact, having them valued at thirteen Saint Drops was slightly higher than expected. He had gained, not lost.

Seeing his agreement, Gong Liansheng waved his hand. A streak of light shot toward the white paper.

In the crimson circle bearing Lu Qiming's name, the tiny icons vanished, replaced by a bold, blood-red number: 13

The bet was officially recorded.