The moment Huang Ming entered Training Sector Three alongside the other first-year students, he immediately understood why Ling High School was considered one of the most elite cultivation academies in Meiying City. The training sector alone was massive, resembling a futuristic battle arena more than a school facility. Towering metallic walls stretched high into the air while glowing streams of spiritual energy flowed across transparent barriers surrounding dozens of combat platforms spread throughout the enormous arena. Floating holographic screens hovered above the sector displaying rankings, combat records, and student information while academy instructors silently observed everyone from elevated platforms overlooking the grounds.
Thousands of students filled the training sector. Some looked calm and confident, while others visibly struggled beneath the pressure surrounding the arena. Several students radiated spiritual energy powerful enough to make nearby people instinctively keep their distance.
Huang quietly swallowed while walking beside Xiu Meiying through the crowded entrance.
"… Why does this place feel more like a military base than a school?"
"Because Ling High trains future warriors," Xiu answered casually. "Most students here will eventually fight dimensional beasts, rogue cultivators, or battlefield threats."
"That somehow makes me feel worse."
Xiu giggled softly before continuing forward beside him. The two eventually reached the designated first-year section where students naturally grouped themselves according to division and rank. At the very front stood students from the Elite Division, including Kael Riven, whose mere presence attracted nervous whispers from nearby students.
Not far away stood Luna Ling.
Her silver-white insignia reflected softly beneath the arena lights while her calm expression remained completely unchanged despite the overwhelming attention surrounding her. Even among talented students, Luna stood out naturally.
Huang instinctively lowered his gaze toward his insignia.
Trainee Warrior
The lowest rank possible.
Compared to students like Luna and Kael, the difference between them felt painfully obvious.
"… I really don't belong here," Huang muttered quietly.
"You say that every day," Xiu replied while crossing her arms.
"And every day I continue being correct."
Before Xiu could continue teasing him, the lights throughout Training Sector Three suddenly dimmed slightly. Immediately, the noisy atmosphere inside the arena disappeared as heavy footsteps echoed across the central platform.
A tall man dressed in a black combat uniform slowly walked forward.
The pressure radiating from him alone caused countless students to tense instinctively. A scar stretched across the left side of his face while dense spiritual energy surrounded his body naturally. Unlike the students below, this was clearly someone who had experienced real combat.
Real death.
The holographic displays instantly revealed his identity.
Instructor Zhao Ren—Advanced Spirit-Rank Cultivator
Whispers immediately spread throughout the arena.
"That's Zhao Ren…"
"He fought during the dimensional breach incident…"
"I heard he killed spirit beasts personally…"
Huang quietly stiffened.
"… Why does every strong person in this school feel terrifying?"
"Because they are terrifying," Xiu answered honestly.
Instructor Zhao Ren slowly scanned the crowd before finally speaking.
"Today's evaluation will determine your future rankings, cultivation resources, division eligibility, and instructor recommendations."
His voice echoed powerfully throughout the massive arena.
"At Ling High School, talent without results means nothing."
The instructor's sharp gaze swept across the students.
"If your performance is poor, your rank will fall."
"If your performance is exceptional, your rank may rise."
A brief silence followed before Zhao Ren continued.
"Combat evaluations will begin immediately."
The holographic screens instantly shifted as student names rapidly appeared across the displays. The atmosphere throughout the training sector immediately became tense as students searched for their names.
Huang silently prayed his wouldn't appear early.
Unfortunately—
The universe clearly hated him.
FIRST MATCH — PLATFORM SEVEN
Huang Ming
For several seconds, Huang stared blankly at the screen.
"… I'm going to die."
Xiu immediately burst into laughter beside him.
"You're overreacting."
"No, I'm reacting appropriately!"
Nearby students quickly turned toward Huang after seeing his name appear.
"A Trainee Warrior got selected first?"
"That's unlucky…"
"Who's his opponent?"
The display shifted once more before another name appeared.
Rex Hao—Combat Division
A tall student standing numerous rows away immediately smirked confidently. Unlike Huang, Rex possessed a muscular build and visible confidence while faint spiritual energy naturally flowed around his body.
Many nearby students reacted instantly.
"Rex Hao?"
"That person specializes in body strengthening…"
"This fight won't last long…"
Huang felt his soul nearly leave his body.
"… Can I surrender before it starts?"
"No," Xiu answered immediately.
Instructor Zhao Ren's cold voice echoed across the arena once more.
"All selected students report immediately to your designated platforms."
Huang stared silently toward Platform Seven in the distance.
It genuinely looked like an execution site.
As the surrounding students watched curiously, Huang slowly began walking toward the platform while mentally preparing for disaster. At the same time, far above the arena inside one of the floating observation rooms, several instructors quietly noticed him through transparent screens.
More specifically—
They were watching the strange fluctuations occasionally appearing around Huang's body.
One older instructor narrowed his eyes slightly.
"The irregular energy pattern appeared again."
Another calmly crossed his arms.
"His academy records show unstable cultivation synchronization since enrollment."
"Do you think it's dangerous?"
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"No."
The older instructor continued staring toward Huang below.
"… But it is abnormal."
Meanwhile, Huang finally stepped onto Platform Seven while Rex Hao cracked his knuckles confidently across from him. The surrounding students watched with amusement. Most of them already expected the outcome.
A trainee warrior facing a combat division student.
The difference between them should have been overwhelming.
Rex smirked while looking toward Huang.
"You should surrender now before embarrassing yourself."
Huang awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
"… Honestly, I'm considering it."
Laughter immediately spread among nearby students.
Even Instructor Zhao Ren seemed slightly unimpressed.
Only Luna Ling continued silently observing the platform from a distance.
And nearby—
Kael Riven narrowed his eyes slightly while watching Huang carefully.
Because unlike everyone else—
He noticed something strange.
The spiritual flow surrounding Huang Ming's body wasn't weak.
It was unstable.
As though multiple incompatible energies were trying to exist together simultaneously.