Chapter 41 - The Results

An incense stick of time passed before someone came out of the pagoda. This time the person to exit was Qin Qingtian! Everyone was in an uproar. Why did Qin Qingtian come out first, and where is Tian Longmeng?

A lot of nobles felt as if their entire world was coming apart. How could a commoner beat the best noble the group had to offer? This had to be a lie.

However, as everyone was in disarray, the Desolate Fang Pagoda rumbled, and the instructors suddenly appeared in front of them. Instructor Cheng's voice boomed in the area. "This marks the end of the opening examinations and we shall proceed with the grouping of students."

"Wait, so that was it?"

"Qin Qingtian was the last one?"

"There were not two remaining, so where is Tian Longmeng?"

These and a myriad of questions waved through the audience. Did Tian Longmeng fail? That could not be it. However, just, where is he?

As if to declare something, Guo Cheng suddenly shouted, "Ha! You see, trash will forever be trash! So what if he swallowed some stupid plant or something? Trash can never hope to be anywhere close to us nobles!"

This spurred the envious hearts of the other fickle-minded nobles and they too began shouting and mocking Tian Longmeng. This made some of the commoners feel bad, while some, decide to jump ship and leech onto the nobles' words.

This was natural. Anywhere there is turmoil, the vulnerable will forego all loyalty and latch on to even their enemies. The other commoners, and even some nobles that did not deride Tian Longmeng, were disgusted at the dogs wagging their tails.

However, this was bound to happen in a world that revolves around power and results.

Unlike the noisemakers, more quick-witted people such as Dong Lin and Lu Yan, were, for the most part, puzzled. Surely, Tian Longmeng's talent was horrible at best; however, his strength did not look like a mere lucky encounter.

Lu Yan can attest to this, since he has gone under tremendous body training, and thus, can pinpoint people who have trained their bodies. For someone his age, and with such defined arms, Lu Yan could only imagine the kind of harsh training Tian Longmeng went through.

Therefore, he was now puzzled as to why Tian Longmeng was not present. "Could he have really failed the examination?" Lu Yan could only find out eventually.

Instructor Cheng handed the ceremony over to Instructor Qin, who wasted no time in sharing the results. "All who are here currently are those who have passed the Pagoda Test. Thus, I shall be placing you in classes according to your efforts. I shall also be awarding jades to those who deserve."

Everyone was elated at the thought of receiving jades. They are not only used as currency but they store essence and can hasten cultivation. It would be more accurate to say they became currency because of that feature.

Instructor Qin resumed; "However, those who decided to forego the bonus round have forfeited the chance to receive any rewards and will be placed in the trash class. This is an example that with no risk comes no treasures."

Instructor Qin's voice devastated half of the disciples present. This was made worse by the people who were mocked before by them for entering and being instantly defeated.

Instructor Qin paid no heed to the wailing and derision and proceeded as before. "Those who had one win or less; 15 disciples; lower class; 10 refined jade stones. Those who have more than one win and have fought up to the Dim Blue Soul Talent; 10 disciples; advanced class; 25 refined jade stones. Those who have more than two wins and have fought beyond the Dim Blue Soul Talent; 8 disciples; special class; 50 refined jade stones."

The disciples were heated; to believe how much refined jade stones, getting into the special class grants you. It is 5 times the amount of the lower class. One could only envy from afar; however, nothing could be done about the talent gap.

Instructor Qin finished his announcements and some instructors distributed the refined jades to the various individuals. However, a purple-haired instructor noticed that a pile of refined jades remained on the table, and tried to report to Instructor Qin; but sadly, he was about to get to the interesting part and did not want to be interrupted.

"Unfortunately, breaking records does not come with a corresponding reward, but those who accomplish such things will, of course, receive recognition." Instructor Qin's expression lightened. "One such person is Qin Qingtian who has broken the record for the highest talent coming into the opening examinations. She is also one of the only people to enter the sudden death arena after defeating a Bright Black Talent."

Instructor Qin made a waving gesture to Qin Qingtian to call her to the platform. He also signaled to Lu Yan as well. As both of them climbed the platform, Instructor Qin continued. "Unlike the regular bonus test, the sudden death arena is a part of the ranking test done by Tang Fei Academy; meaning that their names will be placed on the rankings."

"Lu Yan has reached 1280 points and has thus achieved rank 307. Lu Yan will also receive 100 refined jades." Instructor Qin personally gave Lu Yan his reward.

He then turned to Qin Qingtian. "Qin Qingtian has achieved 1st in the Talent Test and thus receives a Spirit Boosting Pill. She also reached 5379 points and has thus achieved rank 239. She will receive 2 moon jades."

As she collected her rewards, the crowd went in an uproar. Qin Qingtian and Lu Yan only just came into the school yet they already placed their names in the school rankings. Well, this probably would be expected from the prodigies that come from the 4 great noble families.

Everyone thought that was it; however, Instructor Qin began speaking once more. "There, however, was someone that interested me. He came 1st in the strength test and even broke the record. However, it is disappointing that he did not show a corresponding level of talent."

Upon hearing that, the nobles following Guo Cheng's words began grinning even more sinisterly, and the heads of many commoners hanged. Instructor Qin saw this and chuckled. "I did not say that he will not be attending the academy."

"What!" Everyone was in turmoil once more. They all thought to themselves, "if he did not fail, then why is he not present?"

Instructor Qin continued with his eyes closed and smiling. "In fact, not only did he break the record for the strength test, but he also broke the record for the youngest student to pass the opening examinations, and also the highest score in the sudden death round for the opening examinations at 10012!"

"As such he will receive an Iron Body Pill, Inducing Strength Pill, and 5 moon jades for attaining rank 186!" Instructor Qin's voice rose until he was accidentally using essence to reinforce his voice. He quickly realized that he was out of character and calmed himself.

The audience was disheveled, maybe in part to do with the pressure that came with Instructor Qin's words; but it was obviously in part because of the content of his words. How could Tian Longmeng be better than Qin Qingtian, and by that large of a margin?

It made no sense, no matter how they flipped it. Sure, he had incredible strength, so passing and reaching to sudden death would still be within the bounds of feasibility. However, there should be no way power granted by some lucky chance could get Tian Longmeng as far as doubling the points that Qin Qingtian had.

For the more quick-witted people in the crowd, they were startled by the announcement, but they quickly regained composure and thought things through. In the end, they could not arrive and any logical conclusion either; but instead of splitting their heads over it, they were rather excited about the opportunity of having someone that strong in their group.

Instructor Qin coughed slightly to indicate that the noise should cease before he continued. "Anyways, Tian Longmeng could you please approach the platform."

At that point, Instructor Qin became wide-eyed at the number of quizzical faces the audience made. He turned his head to see even the instructors making a wry smile. Finally, the purple-haired instructor found the time to tell Instructor Qin the problem, even though she was extremely late.

Instructor Qin felt as if a wok slapped him across the face. He was wondering why everyone was so agitated, but he was too absorbed in the fascinating results that he did not allow the instructors to warn him.

However, there was one thing on Instructor Qin's mind amiss the embarrassment. "Where is Tian Longmeng?"