Chapter 8: The Entrance Test BeginsThe Azure Kingdom Royal Academy was a place where geniuses from across the kingdom gathered, a place that determined the future powerhouses of the Mortal World.

    Xiao Li stepped through the grand gates, his gaze sweeping across the vast courtyard.

    Towering jade pagodas, intricate training arenas, and powerful formation barriers surrounded the academy grounds.

    The air buzzed with spiritual energy, and hundreds of disciples moved in groups—some filled with arrogance, others burning with ambition.

    He could already sense their cultivation levels.

    "Qi Refining Stage 5… Stage 6… Some even at Stage 7?"

    Xiao Li chuckled inwardly.

    These so-called "geniuses" had spent years reaching their current levels.

    He had done the same in mere days.

    "This academy… will be nothing but a playground for me."

    The Academy Square was packed with new disciples, all standing in neat rows before a towering golden platform.

    Atop the platform stood several Academy Elders, their powerful auras radiating dominance.

    A gray-robed elder stepped forward, his piercing gaze sweeping over the crowd.

    "Welcome to the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy."

    His voice boomed across the square, silencing the whispers of the disciples.

    "This academy does not tolerate the weak. Your rank here will be determined by your performance in the Entrance Test."

    He raised a hand, and in an instant—

    BOOM!

    A massive stone tablet rose from the ground, glowing with ancient runes.

    "This is the Spirit Measuring Tablet. It will determine your cultivation talent."

    The crowd murmured in excitement.

    "That’s the legendary talent-measuring artifact!"

    "It can assess one’s potential up to the Celestial Grade!"

    "Only those who reach Earth Grade Talent or higher can enter the Inner Court!"

    The elder nodded. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    **"Each of you will place your hand on the tablet. It will judge your spiritual roots and assign you a rank—Mortal, Earth, or Celestial.

    "If you fail to meet the requirements, you will be expelled immediately."

    Xiao Li smirked.

    "A mere test? Let’s see how they react to my talent."

    One by one, disciples stepped forward, placing their hands on the Spirit Measuring Tablet.

    "Mortal Grade Talent."

    A dull gray light flashed.

    The disciple lowered his head in disappointment—only those with Earth Grade Talent or higher could hope to enter the Inner Court.

    "Earth Grade Talent."

    A blue light flickered, and murmurs of approval spread through the crowd.

    "He made it into the Inner Court!"

    The true geniuses stepped forward next.

    A young girl placed her hand on the tablet—

    "Celestial Grade Talent!"

    A golden light burst forth, and the crowd gasped.

    "She has celestial-level potential!"

    "She’ll become a Core Disciple for sure!"

    The girl stepped away, her expression filled with pride.

    Then—

    "Next!"

    Xiao Li stepped forward.

    The crowd turned to look at him, some still remembering his earlier humiliation of Zhao Wu.

    "Who is that guy?"

    "He looks confident. Maybe he’s another genius?"

    Zhao Wu, still nursing his wounds from their earlier encounter, gritted his teeth.

    "Just wait… he’ll be nothing special!"

    Xiao Li placed his hand on the tablet.

    For a moment, nothing happened.

    Then—

    BOOM!

    A blinding golden light exploded from the tablet, illuminating the entire square.

    The ground trembled. The elders gasped. The surrounding disciples were nearly knocked off their feet.

    "W-What is happening?!"

    A voice rang out from the tablet—

    "ERROR! ERROR! Talent exceeds measurement!"

    The tablet cracked.

    Then, with a final BOOM—IT SHATTERED INTO PIECES.

    The entire square fell into stunned silence.

    "He… he broke the Spirit Measuring Tablet?!"

    "WHAT KIND OF MONSTER IS HE?!"

    The elders stared at Xiao Li in disbelief.

    "Such overwhelming potential…"

    The gray-robed elder, who had remained composed throughout the test, finally spoke.

    His voice trembled slightly.

    "Xiao Li… has surpassed Celestial Grade Talent."

    "His talent… is at the Heavenly Grade."

    The crowd erupted into chaos.

    "HEAVENLY GRADE TALENT?!"

    "Isn’t that just a legend?!"

    "How is this possible?!"

    Even the elders were shaken.

    Zhao Wu’s face turned pale.

    "T-This can’t be real…"

    Even in the entire history of the Azure Kingdom, there had never been a single disciple with Heavenly Grade Talent.

    Xiao Li stepped back, his expression calm.

    "That should be enough to make my mark."

    The gray-robed elder turned to the other elders, his face serious.

    "This boy must be taken in as a Core Disciple immediately!"

    Another elder hesitated.

    "We cannot make that decision alone. We must inform the Academy Headmaster!"

    Xiao Li smirked.

    "Heavenly Grade Talent, huh?"

    "Let’s see how this shakes up the Academy."

    One thing was clear.

    The Azure Kingdom Royal Academy would never be the same again.

    And his legend was only beginning.