High Martial: I Grind Professions

"Just as expected..."

"Peerless! It’s really a Peerless evaluation!"

Gasps of shock and sighs instantly replaced all the whispers.

"My name? Where’s my name?!"

One young man’s face turned from anticipation to pallor, then to despair as the rankings on the light screen scrolled rapidly downward. His eyes were glued to the screen, his fingers unconsciously digging into his palms, trying to find his own name among the dwindling number of spots.

"197! I made the top two hundred! Thank goodness. As long as I perform normally in combat and enlightenment tomorrow, I’ll definitely get into Kindling University!"

A youth who had barely clung to a spot within the top two hundred let out a sharp gasp of air, his sweat-soaked forehead showing a mix of relief and a fierce will to survive.

’...I couldn’t even make the top thousand?’

In a corner, the lonely figure of Luo Zhen, the genius from Changning First Middle School, watched the light screen from the first line all the way to the bottom. When his name failed to appear, the last trace of color drained from his face.

He stared at the dazzling name at the very top of the screen—Li Wen.

Both were from Changning City; one from the prestigious municipal First Middle School in the bustling city center, the other from an ordinary county high school.

Yet now, one was ranked at the very top, the center of everyone’s attention, while the other hadn’t even met the minimum threshold to be ranked. He didn’t even qualify to be last.

The immense disparity made him nearly stumble.

"The world is truly full of masters. We were nothing but frogs in a well before this."

Several geniuses who ranked outside the top one hundred, yet had been top performers in Jiangnan Province’s second mock exam, looked at each other and sighed with genuine feeling.

The halos they once wore as the top talents of an entire province seemed to dim until they were nearly invisible in this hall filled with prodigies from around the globe.

Chu Feng’s gaze swept past the numerous names, finally landing on his own next to the number "117." He then lifted his head, his eyes complicated as he looked at Li Wen, who was not far away, still with his eyes closed as if none of this concerned him.

’In Jiangnan Province, you were first and I was second... I thought the gap between us was minuscule... I never imagined it was a chasm.’

Chu Feng thought to himself, a complex and indescribable mix of emotions churning in his chest. There was admiration for a stronger peer, but also a sense of desolation from being left so far behind.

The gap of over one hundred places in the rankings was a clear and stark testament to just how vast that distance was.

...

「That night.」

Inside a side hall, the lamps burned brightly all night.

Some were too excited to sleep, endlessly mulling over their rankings and tomorrow’s strategy. Others tossed and turned, anxious about the fateful assessment to come.

Some closed their eyes and breathed deeply, clearing their minds of all distractions, seeking only to face the test in their peak condition. And still others sat as still as stone, their thoughts having long since drifted to places unknown.

The night passed uneventfully. The river of time flowed quietly until the first sliver of dawn broke across the eastern sky.

「The next morning.」

The top one thousand geniuses from the preliminary selection gathered once again, led by attendants.

Unlike yesterday’s trip to the Heart Mirror Hall, this time their destination was the true core of Kindling University—the depths of the Kindling Ancestral Vein.

As they passed through the mist-shrouded mountain gate’s restrictions, a vast and majestic wave of worldly energy washed over them.

The sight that greeted them made even the geniuses, who had already been awestruck yesterday, hold their breath once more.

Completely different from any modern university in the outside world, Kindling University was like a vast, ancient sect built upon a boundless ancestral vein.

Steep peaks that pierced the clouds were scattered about like stars in the sky, creating a magnificent and varied landscape.

Upon the peaks, one could see simple yet majestic halls and pavilions built into the mountainsides. Some had upturned eaves and intricate bracket systems, others were solemn and imposing, all of them hidden amidst the ethereal sea of clouds, exuding an ancient charm woven from time and power.

Occasionally, streaks of rainbow light shot between the mountains—the trails of powerful Martial Artists flying through the air or piloting flying artifacts.

They were led onto a winding mountain path, beginning their ascent up one of the peaks that was shrouded in mist and seemed particularly elegant and spiritual.

Ancient trees towered on both sides of the path, and Spirit Plants grew everywhere.

Finally, they reached their destination—Enlightenment Peak.

Halfway up the mountain, an enormous White Jade Plaza had been carved out of the slope, vast enough to resemble a small plain.

The plaza’s floor was paved with a special jade, smoothed by the passage of time, upon which one could faintly see all sorts of profound patterns and indelible marks of battle.

By now, a large crowd had already gathered in the plaza.

The high platform from yesterday was still there, and Chuhe King, along with a group of Marquis Level experts, had already taken their seats.

On either side of the platform and in the open areas at the plaza’s edge, many new figures with extraordinary temperaments and slightly older appearances had appeared.

They were dressed in the various uniforms of Kindling University, their expressions a mix of pride, scrutiny, or pure curiosity. Their gazes were all fixed on the group of young geniuses who had just arrived at the plaza.

These were the upperclassmen of Kindling University.

Like spectators, they watched as new blood was about to be infused into their ranks.

"They’re here. Those are this year’s newcomers, the top thousand from the preliminary selection."

"Which one is Li Wen, the one with the ’Peerless’ evaluation?"

"There, see him? The one walking near the front of the middle group, wearing a plain black Martial Artist’s uniform. His build is well-proportioned but not exaggerated. That’s him."

"His demeanor is quite composed, and he’s rather handsome," a senior female student remarked, her focus different from the others’.

"Tsk, a ’Peerless’ grade for the Spiritual Sense attribute... How many years has it been since we’ve seen one of those?"

"Another prodigy is born! I’d bet that as long as he doesn’t die an untimely death, he’s a guaranteed seed for the Marquis Level! He might even have a shot at breaking through to a higher realm."

"Jiangnan Province, Bluestone County... To think a true dragon could emerge from such a small place. His disposition and Spiritual Sense talent are just something else..."

"I wonder if he’ll still do well in the combat and enlightenment tests today..."

The upperclassmen of Kindling University didn’t bother to lower their voices, and their discussions clearly reached the ears of the new geniuses, creating an immense, unseen pressure.

Li Wen stood firm on the White Jade Plaza, ignoring the probing gazes directed at him.

His breathing was long and steady as his calm gaze swept across the magnificent plaza of Enlightenment Peak, passed over the senior students with their profound auras, and finally came to rest on the main platform.

The mountain wind, carrying a crisp Spiritual Qi, brushed against his cheeks, bringing with it the scent of a new challenge.

Today was the day he would truly take the stage.

The combat assessment and the enlightenment test.

...

Marquis Qingyuan’s voice, imbued with the majesty of a Marquis, echoed across the White Jade Plaza. "Silence!"

All discussion ceased at his command. You could have heard a pin drop.

He gave a slight nod, and Chuhe King rose calmly, clasping his hands behind his back.

Chuhe King’s gaze swept over the thousand people present as if it had physical substance. His voice, containing a power that stirred the very soul, was clearly imprinted on the mind of every genius:

"This morning is the enlightenment assessment. You will enter the Enlightenment Room in batches. The rules are simple: Focus your spirit and observe the mural inside the room. Immerse your mind in it."

He paused briefly, giving everyone a moment to digest the information.

"The mural contains all things, including a complete set of techniques and moves for every type of weapon in the world. What you must do is choose one type of weapon and do your utmost to comprehend the moves it contains."

Chuhe King’s voice was steady and clear. "The more moves you comprehend, the better your enlightenment evaluation will be."

"Now, the first batch of two hundred, enter."

RUMBLE! The towering doors of the Enlightenment Room next to the main platform suddenly swung open, revealing a spacious hall within.

The two hundred geniuses whose order had already been determined by drawing lots all rose to their feet.

"The enlightenment test is finally here! I’m definitely going to charge into the top ranks in this round!" a young man declared, clenching his fists, his eyes shining with confidence.

"I just hope I don’t fall too far behind..." others murmured, their faces filled with worry as they stared at the deep, dark entrance.

The two hundred people filed in one after another.

As the last person’s figure disappeared behind the door, a heavy RUMBLE sounded again. The doors to the Enlightenment Room closed completely, sealing the inside from the out.

But this did not obstruct the view from the outside.

A massive three-dimensional light screen suddenly lit up above the plaza, displaying a real-time view of the scene inside the Enlightenment Room.

「Inside the Enlightenment Room.」

Upon stepping into the hall, everyone’s gaze was instantly captured by the enormous mural before them.

The mural was four meters high and nearly a hundred meters long.

The images carved upon it were incredibly complex, with sabers, spears, swords, halberds, fists, palms, fingers, and claws, and even the forms of many strange and unusual weapons crisscrossing in a chaotic tapestry.

Even more profound were the figures demonstrating martial stances, hidden within the patterns, making it seem like a vast repository of Martial Dao runes.