Because of My health problems and work, I won't be able to upload, I will still try to upload whenever I can, for now I am uploading all three chapters together from my patreon account.
Thank you for your support until now.
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Before entering the school grounds, Mu Ningxue and I split up. She had to join her father, Mu Zhuoyun, to maintain the public image of the Mu family's prestige. As I made my way toward the training grounds where the assessment was set to take place, I spotted two figures in the crowd that I definitely didn't expect to see.
"Su Yun? Gra—Sister Meiling? What are you two doing here?"
I almost blurted out "Grandma Zhang" in front of everyone, but I caught myself just in time. I really hadn't expected her to make a public appearance today.
"Xiao Yuzi, today is your big exam," Grandma Zhang replied with a warm, knowing smile. "I thought I should come and see it for myself, so I brought Su Yun along."
Su Yun nodded silently beside her. Ever since the day Grandma Zhang successfully awakened her magic, she had been staying at Li Mountain under Su Yun's care and protection. Seeing them here was a reminder of how much the Li family's internal strength had grown.
"That's great. Let's head in then—it's almost time, and I need to gather with the other students," I said.
We entered the facility together. I headed toward the main hall where the students were lining up, while Grandma Zhang and Su Yun made their way toward the Principal's office.
As I stepped onto the training grounds, I quickly spotted Mo Fan and Monkey and made my way over to them. "So, how's everyone holding up?" I asked, checking the vibe of the group.
"The assessment starts in fifteen minutes," Monkey replied, shifting his weight from foot to foot with a mix of nerves and excitement. "Brother Yuzi, I heard a rumor that Sister Ningxue is visiting the school today. Is it true?"
In this timeline, thanks to my intervention and the frequent contact we maintained, the cold distance from the original story never formed. To Monkey and the others, she wasn't some untouchable goddess from a rival clan—she was just 'Sister Ningxue.'
"It's true," I said, skipping the suspense. "I actually just ran into her. She's in the principal's office with her father right now; they'll be heading out to the VIP stands any moment."
Mo Fan whistled, a competitive spark lighting up his eyes. "With the Mu family head and the 'Ice Phoenix' watching, I guess I really can't afford to slack off. This just got a lot more interesting."
"Just keep your head in the game," I reminded them, looking toward the high platform where the school officials were starting to gather. "The audience doesn't change the stars. Just focus on your connection and the rest will follow."
...
After the opening speech from that bastard Mu He—which I barely tuned out—and Ningxue's breathtaking demonstration, the guests moved toward the VIP section. With Grandma Zhang, the Mu family, and the school officials finally seated, the Annual Assessment officially began.
The atmosphere in the training grounds shifted instantly. All thirty classes across the school began the testing process simultaneously, the air humming with the collective nervous energy of hundreds of students.
The process itself was straightforward but brutal in its transparency. Under the watchful eyes of the examiners and the crowds in the stands, each student had to step forward and place their hand on the Star Appraisal Stone. By concentrating and entering a state of meditation, the stone would react to the strength and purity of their stardust. The intensity of the light emitted would serve as the definitive measure of their cultivation level.
Every student was granted three chances, with their final grade determined by the moment the stone shone the brightest.
I stood in line with Mo Fan and Monkey, watching as the first few students stepped up. Some stones flickered with a faint, trembling glow, while others barely reacted at all, met by the cold silence of the examiners. It was a stark reminder: in this world, the light of that stone determined whether you were a mage or just another civilian.
I glanced up at the VIP section. I could see Grandma Zhang watching intently, and beside her, Ningxue's gaze seemed to be searching the crowd. I felt the crimson stardust in my own mental sea swirling with restless power.
"Don't hold back too much," I whispered to myself, a small smirk playing on my lips. "It would be a shame to bore the guests."
Just like in the original series, He Yu provided the classic opening drama. She was a mess of tears, sobbing that she was definitely going to fail, only to step up and secure three A grades. The sight of her "accidental" success left half the class grinding their teeth in annoyance.
Next up was Monkey. Unlike his struggling self in the original timeline, this version of Zhang Hou was a powerhouse. He stepped up to the stone with a quiet confidence that caught a few people off guard. When the results flashed, two S grades and one A+, the crowd went silent. Even his magic release was impressive, netting him an A and two B+ marks. Seeing such a high-tier performance from his own student, Xue Musheng was beaming, his foot tapping a joyful rhythm on the floor.
Then came Mu Bai. The constant pressure from being flanked by me, Mo Fan, and a newly strengthened Monkey had forced him to work significantly harder than he ever did in the original story. He wasn't just a pampered young master anymore; he was a legitimate threat.
The Star Appraisal Stone glowed intensely under his touch, yielding a straight triple-S for his stardust, while his magic release earned him a solid triple-B+. While he was still arrogant, his personality had become a bit more tolerable—though some things never change. He still couldn't stand Mo Fan, and the two of them continued their "cold war," exchanging sharp glares as Mu Bai stepped down from the podium.
Mu Bai glanced toward the VIP stands, clearly seeking approval from the Mu family, but his eyes also drifted toward me. He knew the real challenge was coming up.
"Not bad, Green Tea Boy," Mo Fan muttered as Mu Bai passed us.
Mu Bai stiffened, his face darkening. "Just try not to embarrass yourself, Mo Fan. The gap between us isn't something you can bridge with luck."
I just watched the exchange, amused. The bar had been set high, and the examiners were already looking revitalized by the sudden influx of talent in Class 8.
Next, it was Mo Fan's turn. Unlike in the original series, where Mu He attempted to sabotage the Star Appraisal Stone to embarrass Mo Fan, the "bastard" stayed surprisingly still this time. My presence, along with the watchful eyes of Grandma Zhang and the other VIPs, clearly made him think twice about playing petty tricks. He sat there with a stiff, forced smile, likely realizing that any foul play would be traced back to him instantly.
To Be Continue...