Chapter 9: Summoned by the HeadmasterThe Spirit Measuring Tablet lay in ruins. sea??h thё n?vel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Fragments of glowing jade littered the ground, the once-mighty artifact reduced to nothing but dust.

    The entire Academy Square was silent.

    Hundreds of disciples stared at the shattered remains, their minds unable to comprehend what had just happened.

    The Spirit Measuring Tablet had been used for centuries—a divine tool capable of measuring anyone’s talent up to Celestial Grade.

    Yet today, one person had broken it.

    And that person was—

    Xiao Li.

    The Academy Elders, usually calm and indifferent, were visibly shaken.

    One of them, a white-haired elder, muttered under his breath.

    "Heavenly Grade Talent… I have never seen it in my lifetime."

    Another elder nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on Xiao Li.

    "Not even the most powerful geniuses in the Kingdom have reached such a level."

    The gray-robed elder, the one who had conducted the entrance test, stepped forward, his expression unreadable.

    "Xiao Li, come with me."

    Xiao Li raised an eyebrow.

    "Where?"

    "The Academy Headmaster wishes to see you."

    A murmur spread through the crowd.

    "The Headmaster?! He never gets involved in the entrance tests!"

    "He must see Xiao Li as an extraordinary case!"

    "Who exactly is this guy?!"

    Xiao Li remained calm

    as he nodded.

    "Lead the way."

    As he turned to follow the elder, he noticed a few hostile gazes in the crowd.

    One of them was Zhao Wu, his face pale with shock and rage.

    Another was a black-robed youth, standing among a group of Inner Court disciples. His cold eyes locked onto Xiao Li with a calculating gaze.

    "Interesting."

    It seemed his rise had already started attracting enemies.

    Good.

    He welcomed the challenge.

    Xiao Li followed the elder through winding corridors and past towering pagodas until they reached a grand temple-like hall.

    At the entrance stood two golden-armored guards, their expressions emotionless.

    Without hesitation, they stepped aside, allowing Xiao Li inside.

    The hall was vast, with floating golden lanterns illuminating the chamber. At its center sat an old man in deep blue robes, his aura like a boundless ocean, unfathomable and immeasurable.

    This was the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy Headmaster, one of the strongest cultivators in the entire kingdom.

    "Xiao Li."

    His voice was calm, yet carried absolute authority.

    Xiao Li stepped forward, his expression unfazed.

    "Headmaster."

    The old man’s eyes studied him for a long moment.

    "Your talent has caused quite a commotion."

    "I suppose breaking the Spirit Measuring Tablet would do that."

    The elders standing to the side twitched slightly

    at Xiao Li’s bold words.

    Even the Headmaster raised an eyebrow.

    Then, after a moment, he chuckled.

    "You are quite different from the usual arrogant noble brats."

    His gaze sharpened.

    "Tell me, Xiao Li… What do you seek?"

    Xiao Li’s smirk faded, replaced by a cold determination.

    "Strength."

    The Headmaster nodded slightly.

    "And what will you do with that strength?"

    Xiao Li’s eyes gleamed.

    "Crush those who stand in my way."

    The elders exchanged glances, but the Headmaster only smiled.

    "Interesting."

    He slowly rose from his seat, his aura causing the air itself to tremble.

    "Then, let me make one thing clear, Xiao Li."

    "You have attracted attention. Some will want to recruit you. Others will want to destroy you before you can rise any further."

    "Do you fear that?"

    Xiao Li chuckled, his gaze unwavering.

    "Why should I fear stepping stones?"

    The room fell silent.

    Then, the Headmaster laughed.

    "Good! Very good!"

    He turned to the assembled elders.

    "From this moment forward, Xiao Li is not an Outer Court disciple."

    The elders gasped in surprise.

    "He will enter the Inner Court directly!"

    The news sent shockwaves through the academy.

    News of Xiao Li’s instant rise to the Inner Court spread like wildfire.

    In a secluded chamber, a group of black-robed figures gathered.

    At their center stood a young man with icy silver eyes, his expression dark.

    "Xiao Li… has become too dangerous."

    A hooded figure stepped forward.

    "Do we eliminate him?"

    The silver-eyed man’s gaze turned sharp.

    "No. Not yet."

    A slow smile spread across his lips.

    "He has no idea what he''s walking into."

    Later that evening, as Xiao Li walked through the academy gardens, he felt a strange presence.

    A figure in white robes stood under the moonlight, her long silver hair flowing like a waterfall of light.

    Her back was turned to him, yet he could sense something familiar.

    "Xiao Li."

    His eyes narrowed.

    "Who are you?"

    She slowly turned around, her crystal-blue eyes locking onto his.

    "Someone who knows the truth about you."

    Xiao Li''s expression darkened.

    "What truth?"

    She smiled slightly, but there was sadness in her eyes.

    "The truth about your past."

    And with that, the real mystery began.