Chapter 9, The First Heartbeat

The boy with the "golden spoon" frowned slightly, and a hint of an unsettling coldness appeared on his beautiful, youthful face, "Do you want to compete with me?"

Boom

The remaining six distinguished elders of the academy all exuded an imposing presence, "Yes! Next."

"But how can this entrance examination be compared to the usual bets?" Zhang Ping was greatly agitated; he had intended to say just that, but at that moment, the stern-looking middle-aged lecturer in a black robe called out his name, "Zhang Ping!"

The interval for a candidate entering seems not to be long, and it does not follow the exact same order as the external test. It was not long before a stern-looking middle-aged lecturer in a black robe called out Lin Xi's name: "Lin Xi!"

Lin Xi extended two fingers

"Second level?" Zhang Ping was taken aback for a moment and gently reassured, "It doesn't matter; the college entrance examination is not primarily based on qualifications."

Is it possible that someone's qualifications have reached 5

The boy with shiny, oily hair lowered his voice and said in a sharp and sarcastic tone: "A country bumpkin with only a talent level of 2 dares to say, 'What if I don't make it?' Her talent has already reached level 5, and entering the academy is probably a sure thing. How could someone like you, who might not even be able to enter the academy, dare to harbor such delusions?"

What level?" As soon as Lin Xi sat down, Zhang Ping immediately asked in a low voice

Lin Xi smiled and said, "Yes"

The presence of companions around suddenly made the atmosphere tense, to the point where even Meng Bai spoke very little.

Lin Xi was taken aback and immediately understood that when Li Kaiyun had a conflict with this young man with the golden spoon, the words he said to Li Kaiyun, "Do not hold it against him; in due time, he will suffer on his own and will not know what will happen," were overheard by this young man with the golden spoon

Lin Xi's breath paused, yet his heart raced uncontrollably. In that moment, he experienced the feeling of love at first sight that Li Kaiyun had described.

Lin Xi smiled slightly, "What if I easily got into the academy and my entrance exam scores were better than yours?"

I truly have a connection with this number two

Wang and Zhang Ping exchanged glances at once

What is going on? Lin Xi and Zhang Ping asked Meng Bai, who was sitting beside them

Lin Xi walked into the tent, which was covered with blankets, with a wry smile. He looked around. Back in Deer Forest Town, he was referred to as Young Master Lin Er, but now, during the entrance examination for the academy, his qualifications were merely average.

Feeling deeply affected, Lin Xi could not help but ask: "What color is a qualification of level 5?"

The young girl in the green dress has her hair tied in a ponytail. Individually, her features are not particularly stunning, but together they create an indescribably beautiful impression. Moreover, her attire is exceptionally simple and elegant, exuding youthful vitality

All eyes in the tent were suddenly drawn to the entrance, and soon, the thick tent flap was lifted, revealing a tall young girl dressed in green who walked in

This naturally youthful girl resembled the most splendid scenery, instantly stunning his soul, and like an arrow, she pierced his heart

Just as he was about to ask Meng Bai and Zhang Ping if they knew the origins of the young girl in green, Meng Bai suddenly muttered a remark.

Inside the tent pointed out by the thin, elderly host of the test, there were blankets laid out one after another

When Lin Xi began the test, there was a brief pause in the examination within the large tent and the books. After a young boy was sent to the next tent, the next boy was not immediately called to enter this tent.

Not long after, the tent flap was lifted, and Lin Xi and Zhang Ping were taken aback to see Meng Bai walk in

It’s alright, I have no regrets. On the contrary, you have a good chance of entering the Department of Heavenly Engineering that you aspire to. I see that not many can achieve Level 4 qualifications. Lin Xi nodded and spoke softly with Zhang Ping. He noticed that the ice-cold beauty, Leng Qiuyu, who had captured Li Kaiyun's heart at first sight, was also sitting nearby. At that moment, a sudden roar of exclamations erupted from the testing area outside, the noisy sounds were even faintly audible inside this tent.

Is the qualification only at Level 2

Lin Xi smiled faintly, offering no defense. Everyone's aesthetic preferences, of course, vary; just as in his world, some find Fan Bingbing beautiful, while others believe Li Bingbing is more attractive. He personally thought that this young actress in the green attire was more beautiful than Leng Qiuyu. Although he no longer looked at her, her visage remained as vivid in his mind as it had always been.

The sound insulation of this large tent is excellent; even from the nearest tents where the youths are gathered, no sound can be heard from within this tent. However, when the thin old man announced Lin Xi's qualifications, all seven elders seemed to hear it clearly. At that moment, an elder with brown pupils and gray-white beard furrowed his brow and said in a low voice

What?

"Even a score of 2 may not guarantee passing the entrance exam." Lin Xi tugged at the blushing face of Meng Bai, glancing at the 'Golden Spoon' youth who shrugged his shoulders, "What if I easily get into the academy?"

"Let’s continue with the diagram book," said the one-armed old man, who was observing quietly. "We do not need to concern ourselves with who recommended the person, even if they are worthy of our respect; fairness is all that matters."

Lin Xi had little interest in the shiny, lustrous hair resembling that of a youthful movie star. However, he couldn't help but glance again at the young girl in the blue attire who had stirred an unprecedented feeling of excitement within him

Meng Bai curled his lips and said, "I think Leng Qiuyu is more attractive. If I had to choose, I would still pick Leng Qiuyu."

Before Lin Xi arrived, there were only a few individuals whose aptitude could reach level 4, and level 5 aptitude is naturally considered extremely high. However, looking at this round, chubby boy with a face full of freckles, Lin Xi found it impossible to associate him with the kind of genius whose aptitude far exceeds that of ordinary people

Six individuals were seated behind a long table, which was made of rosewood and stood at a height of over half a person. Various items were placed on the table. These six elders of the academy were all dressed in black robes, but silver stars were embroidered on their chests and cuffs.

"Does a toad also aspire to eat swan meat?" A low voice filled with disdain reached Lin Xi's ears

In the large tent ahead, there are a total of seven elders from various academies seated.

The brow of a kindly-looking woman was also furrowed, but after glancing at the brown-eyed elder who had spoken, she said softly: "Since she was recommended by her, even if her qualifications are lacking, she must have other special qualities."

No one told him what to do next, but the posture of the other candidates sitting cross-legged on the blanket and the stern expression of the middle-aged lecturer in the black robe instantly made him understand what he should do. Moreover, he glanced over and happened to see Zhang Ping also sitting cross-legged on the blanket, waiting, and nodding at him. Therefore, he immediately walked silently to Zhang Ping's side and sat down on a blanket next to him.

Lin Xi smiled so broadly that his eyes nearly squinted shut, saying, "Let’s keep it simple. When someone loses, just shout out loud in front of everyone: 'Actually, there’s something I’ve wanted to say to everyone: I am a pig!' As long as everyone hears it, that’s enough"

The freckled round face of Mengbai turned red with excitement, "My aptitude has just been measured as 5."

"You are sick." The Golden Spoon Boy was taken aback for a moment, then immediately sneered and nodded, "Alright, let's do it your way."

The boy with the "golden spoon" sneered mockingly, "That can only mean you were incredibly lucky. Although the odds are small, they do exist. Even at Qingluan Academy, there will inevitably be a few useless students."

An elderly man sat in a corner on a chair covered with a cotton mat, seemingly listening in. However, on his chest and sleeve, in addition to the embroidered golden star insignia, there was also a mark resembling a qilin and mandarin ducks. His hair was dry and yellow, his face was lined with deep, knife-like wrinkles, and his left arm was empty, making him a one-armed elder

... ...

Meng Bai glared angrily and said, "What did you say?" The voice came from the one known as "Golden Spoon," who had just sat down not far from them.

Meng Bai hummed, "Is your aptitude really that good?"

Meng Bai smacked his lips and said, "It is purple"

That annoying golden spoon has come in

"Lin Xi, you wouldn't have fallen in love at first sight like Li Kaiyun, would you?" Meng Bai couldn't help but poke Lin Xi in the side, and Lin Xi now looked a bit foolish.

Most of the qualified candidates sit cross-legged on the blanket, waiting. This tent is connected to another large tent through a passage. A stern-looking middle-aged lecturer in a black robe stands there, and when a name is called, that person immediately enters the next large tent

"Lin Xi, do you really have such confidence in entering the academy, and your entrance exam scores are even better than his?" Meng Bai and Zhang Ping looked at Lin Xi with suspicion and asked in a low voice

Originally, Lin Xi thought that sitting on a fluffy blanket in such a somewhat stuffy weather would be quite uncomfortable. However, upon sitting down, he was slightly taken aback; this pale blue blanket was surprisingly cool, very soft and refreshing

The boy with the "golden spoon" looked at Lin Xi with mockery and said, "Alright, what are the stakes?"

The tent's curtain was lifted once more, and the youth known as "Golden Spoon," with slicked-back hair tied at the back and dressed in a white robe embroidered with silver flowers, walked in.

At that moment, the testing area outside suddenly erupted into a cacophony.

The young girl in the green attire was looking around, her expression calm and her demeanor relaxed.

Zhang Ping suddenly jumped up from the ground, glanced at Lin Xi and Meng Bai, and then quickly ran to the back of the middle-aged lecturer in the black robe. He lifted the heavy curtain and entered the next large tent. His flustered appearance provoked a mocking cold laugh from the golden-spooned youth.

Lin Xi smiled faintly and said casually: "In Lulin Town, no one has ever won a bet against me, unless I intentionally choose to lose"

The boy with the "Golden Spoon" glanced at him, a cold smile playing on his lips, "Although I only have 4, which is slightly worse than yours, it is still much better than his 2."

This is a genuine attraction of intuition, stirring the heart; in the world before him, he had never experienced anything like this.

Lin Xi did not deny it, smiled, and said, "One could say that."