Chapter 009: Introductory Assessment (Part One)

Haha, you are right in your criticism, it is indeed my improper choice of words

This, this... everyone was left speechless; this result is truly difficult to accept

Oh! This tailless rabbit lord is quite proud! Chen Zhining shouted at him, which almost made Zhang Yuanhe jump up. The people around him quickly held him back, repeatedly advising, "Don't stoop to his level"

Everyone knows that Chen Zhining's imperial Ying bloodline is not evident, and he is undoubtedly a waste. If he were a genius like Zheng Ye and Zhang Yuanhe, we would have accepted it if he entered early, but both Brother Zhang and Brother Zheng are here, so what qualifications does he have to enter early

Mr. Mu shouted angrily: "You speak without basis! The county school has always been fair and just, how could it possibly engage in such fraudulent activities?"

A voice among the youth shouted: "It is a well-known fact throughout the county that Chen Zhining is a good-for-nothing. However, the entrance examination is conducted separately; if he passes, how can he gain the people's trust?"

Good! Amidst the cheers all around, the young man shyly stepped back, while Mr. Mu smiled and nodded, showing him considerable care.

Cai Haoqiang walked down calmly, but his slightly trembling hands betrayed him. Chen Zhining was taken aback: I didn't expect this kid to have such good aptitude

The innermost stone ring spins faster and faster, quickly transmitting this motion to the second and third layers, and it continues to rotate rapidly even at the fourth layer. However, just as it seems poised to drive the fifth layer, it struggles to maintain its momentum and regrettably comes to a halt at the fourth layer

"Is there a problem with the sundial?" Zheng Ye shouted in disbelief

The speaker is Zheng Ye

In fact, the process of the entry assessment is quite simple. One places both hands on the center of the sundial, and there are a total of nine stone rings from the inside to the outside. The more stone rings that can be rotated under full exertion, the better the qualifications are proven to be

Chen Yunpeng looked at Mr. Mu with surprise; if this was arranged by the county school, it was somewhat out of line

Chen Zhining ranked last, and Chen Yunpeng said in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Rest assured, you will definitely pass"

After a hundred individuals, gradually some talented youths began to stand out. One young man managed to activate four layers of stone rings in one breath, which roughly corresponds to the qualifications of the divine stone's green radiance!

Chen Yunpeng looked at the youths with a cold smile: "Do you know why our ancestors, having received the divine stone bestowed by heaven, still insisted on creating a celestial sundial for the entrance examination?"

He calmed his mind, dispelled distractions, and placed his hands steadily and unhurriedly on the center.

How many layers? You actually used the word 'few'; it would be remarkable if he could even activate one layer

Chen Zhining chuckled softly but remained silent, which naturally led Zhang Yuanhe and Zheng Ye to believe that he was feeling guilty

Chen Zhining, with his keen eyes, surprisingly spotted Cai Hao among the crowd. This impoverished youth, upon stepping forward, astonishingly activated five layers of stone rings in one breath, making a remarkable impression that caused several teaching assistants from the county school to nod in agreement, privately discussing the need for close observation.

After a short while, the team arrived at the entrance of the county school. The main gate was naturally closed, with only a side door open. A long line had formed at the entrance, consisting of those here to participate in the entrance examination.

The faster the same stone ring rotates, the better the qualification it demonstrates

Someone on the side cheered: "Zhang Yuanhe is right, we are all queuing honestly, so why should Chen Zhining be allowed to enter early? Is it just because his father is Chen Yunpeng?"

Even Chen Yunpeng could not bear to listen any longer, and with a slap, he scolded with a laugh: "Where did you hear all this nonsense?"

Guess how many layers of stone rings this scoundrel can activate

Ten young individuals stepped forward at once, and soon over a hundred people had been tested. However, the qualifications of these disciples could only be considered average, as the stone rings they activated were mostly below the third level

Clack, clack, clack...! The celestial clock under Chen Yunpeng's control gradually began to turn, and it was accelerating, first the first layer, then the second layer, and finally the third layer! Soon, the rotation was transmitted to the third layer, and it seemed to show no signs of stopping

The young boys indeed had no words left, and they whispered among themselves.

Zhang Yuan and Wei Gan felt disappointed, but being able to activate the fourth layer of the stone ring was already a remarkable achievement. Before he went down, he intentionally or unintentionally cast a glance at Chen Zhining, the corners of his mouth curling up in pride

Zheng Ye stood before the sundial, shouted loudly, and pressed his palms heavily on the center, forcefully activating it. The stone rings began to spin rapidly with a loud crack, driving the four layers of stone rings in unison, and continuously transmitting outward, eventually setting the fifth layer of stone rings in motion as well, although the speed of the fifth layer was not as fast as that of Cai Hao just moments ago

In fact, it is not only their county's academy; the other three major sects have also made prior arrangements with Chen Yunpeng, ensuring that Chen Zhining will pass no matter what.

Chen Zhining was speechless: So that's how it is!

In a moment of profound silence, someone suddenly spoke with ulterior motives: "This celestial sundial seems to be malfunctioning, doesn't it? Why not have it measured again using the divine stone bestowed by heaven?"

This is impossible!" With a startled exclamation from Zhang Yuan, the rotation of the sundial had successfully transmitted to the fourth layer, where the stone ring accelerated from slow to fast, quickly transmitting to the fifth layer, and the speed remained rapid

Chen Zhining was taken aback: "Can this be considered cheating?"

Mr. Mu also seemed to be angered, and with a wave of his hand, he commanded: "Prepare inside, bring out all the sundials, and let everyone see how their qualifications measure up."

Mr. Mu in the distance secretly signaled to Chen Yunpeng: Do not worry

Upon seeing Chen Zhining, he exclaimed, "Oh, what a familiar face! It's 'Brother Zhang,' who had someone beat me up last time at Huaiyang Tower," and standing beside him was that 'Brother Zheng'.

However, Mr. Mu also looked shocked, clearly indicating that this was not arranged by them. The people from the county school are not foolish; such an arrangement would only be counterproductive and reveal their intentions.

Chen Yunpeng hurriedly dismounted with everyone: "It is a great offense to have Mr. Mu come to welcome us, my apologies."

Mr. Mu let out a cold laugh and said, "Let’s begin!"

Different academies and sects make slight adjustments to the celestial sundial based on the characteristics and attributes of their own cultivation methods. Therefore, the qualifications measured by the sundial differ slightly from those indicated by the divine stone bestowed by heaven, making them the most suitable qualifications for their respective sects. Of course, there is also a most secretive intention that Chen Yunpeng just mentioned; however, although everyone is aware of it, no one dares to speak of it.

Tsk tsk tsk, having a good father is truly useful, as he can even extend his influence into the county school.

In an instant, the crowd was in an uproar, and even Mr. Mu found himself in a bit of a predicament

Zheng Ye walked down and stood side by side with Zhang Yuanhe, and said lightly: "What skill is it to show off one's verbal prowess? Make sure not to embarrass yourself in front of the sundial later."

Chen Zhining looked at Zheng Ye and Zhang Yuanhe, a cold smile flickering in his heart, yet he chose to remain silent for the time being

In the subsequent assessment, there were no particularly outstanding individuals. After a little more than half an hour, it was finally Chen Zhining's turn. He stepped onto the stage with the remaining five youths, while Zheng Ye and Zhang Yuanhe stood by with cold smiles, waiting for him to make a fool of himself. In addition, Chen Zhining sensed another gaze; when he turned around, he realized it was Cai Hao.

By your command! The county disciples responsible for organizing the entrance examination immediately brought out the ten sundials from the examination rooms inside and lined them up in a row within the county academy: "Sir, we are ready"

Chen Zhining sarcastically remarked: "Oh, this Rabbit Lord is truly fond of Zheng Ye, even happier than he is himself. What exactly is the relationship between these two?"

Mr. Mu smiled and gestured inward, saying, "Zhi Ning, let's go in this way first."

The Chen family arrived at the entrance, and the small door on the other side opened. Mr. Mu, the teaching assistant, came out to greet them and smiled at Chen Yunpeng, saying: "Brother Chen has arrived"

Zhang Yuan shouted with a flushed face: "I am not the Rabbit Lord!"

Zhang Yuan pressed both palms against the center of the sundial, and with all his strength, the stone ring of the sundial emitted a rough sound of stone grinding against stone, gradually beginning to rotate.

It was Zheng Ye's turn to step forward. He cast a faint glance at Chen Zhinong and said, "There will always come a day when a supporting force collapses; only one's own strength is the true capital, humph"

The speed of the fifth stone ring continued to accelerate, and with a buzzing sound, the rotation was transmitted to the sixth stone ring! Chen Zhining was among the last group of candidates for the entrance examination, which means he is the one with the best aptitude in this batch of county-level candidates for the entrance examination

Mr. Mu took a deep breath and said, "Since that is the case, the entrance examination this time will bring out the celestial sundial and conduct it in front of the public. You all should have nothing to say about it, right!"

Unexpectedly, among those waiting in line, someone suddenly shouted in anger: "This is unfair! Chen Zhining is nothing but a good-for-nothing scion; why should we wait in line while he can enter alone?"

Chen Zhining stood next to his father, along with eighteen cultivators. At this moment, wouldn't approaching them be asking for trouble

Chen Zhining glared fiercely at Zhang Yuan and Zheng Ye, thinking that these two fools must have forgotten the pain now that their injuries have healed! Just as he was about to stand at the end of the line, Zheng Ye, who had been silent all along, suddenly shouted: "Why was Chen Zhining arranged to go in early? I suspect there is something fishy about this."

Once again, it was the turn of Zhang Yuanhe after the disciples. As soon as he stepped up, several vassals shouted loudly: "Brother Zhang, let them broaden their horizons!"

Mr. Mu's expression changed, and the boys in line suddenly realized: "It must be so! Chen Zhining's qualifications are extremely poor, and he is absolutely unlikely to pass the entrance examination. This is a secret arrangement to let him in."

Chen Zhining was quite frustrated, because if it weren't for that peach tree, he would have truly been guessed correctly by those bastards. Thinking back to the pitiful red glow of the Heavenly Gift Stone, it is likely that even if he activated the celestial clock, the rotation of the first layer of the stone ring would be very slow, right? ... But now ...

Chen Yunpeng said softly: "Forget it, Mr. Mu's care for Ning'er is remembered in his heart. Let us proceed according to the rules."

Well done! Zhang Yuan and others led the applause loudly, and the teaching assistants of the county school quickly began to communicate privately, noting that there are many promising talents this year, striving to retain all of them in the county school

Mr. Mu nodded: "That is fine."