Outside the Breeders' Association, the employees moved with remarkable speed, aided by psychic-type Pokémon. Using their powers, the Pokémon effortlessly lifted the lists and secured them in place. Before long, all seven lists were neatly hung.
The first five lists to be opened were the junior ones, densely packed with names. A closer look revealed roughly two hundred names. These represented a new batch of newcomers about to embark on their journey as breeders. They brimmed with vitality and hope, their futures holding endless possibilities.
Though the starting point for junior breeders was relatively low, many among them carried dreams, eager to carve out their own space in this field. As the junior lists were unveiled, the crowd erupted into a cacophony of voices, like a bustling market.
"Wow! I passed! Great!" A young examinee jumped up in excitement, his face beaming with joy, eyes glistening with tears of emotion. He clenched his fists tightly, as if declaring his success to the world. His elation was like winning a jackpot, radiating happiness.
"Ugh, failed again. This is the second time." Another examinee slumped in dejection, his face etched with disappointment and frustration. He stared blankly at the names on the list, filled with helplessness and resentment. His eyes dimmed, as if all hope had drained away.
"Haha, knew he wouldn't make it. Doesn't work hard, now he's regretting it." Someone nearby gloated, a mocking smirk on their face. That smug look was grating to witness.
"This exam is way too hard. How do those who passed even do it?" A failed examinee complained, his eyes full of confusion and envy. He gazed at the successful ones, longing in his heart.
Meanwhile, the shop owners' eyes lit up like they'd spotted treasure. They zeroed in on the jubilant examinees, scheming how to recruit them.
"Hey, kid, come work at my shop. Great benefits!" A shop owner warmly greeted a successful examinee, his face plastered with a smile. His eyes sparkled with anticipation, as if seeing future promise.
"Our shop has professional breeding equipment and abundant resources. You'll grow fast for sure." Another owner jumped in, eagerly pitching his own store, his tone urgent, afraid to miss the chance.
"Hmph, with your tiny shop, what future could you offer?" A nearby owner scoffed dismissively, then turned to approach another examinee. His eyes held arrogance, as if looking down on all competitors.
Voices in the crowd wove together—joy, sorrow, envy, hope—revealing the full spectrum of human emotions. In this world of breeders, full of opportunities and challenges, everyone strove hard for their own future.
When the junior lists opened, Zhu Ximing's family was also among the crowd, anxiously scanning. Though Zhu Ximing knew deep down he'd likely fail the advanced exam, he still clung to a sliver of hope. Now, his focus was entirely on the upcoming advanced list, his tension so high he didn't notice his two children's reactions.
Zhu Xiu stared intently at the list, her eyes darting rapidly. Suddenly, she cried out joyfully: "I passed!" Her face lit up with a brilliant smile, eyes brimming with excitement and delight. She jumped up in exhilaration, as if the world itself cheered for her. Looking at her name on the list, she felt a surge of accomplishment. That radiant smile was as beautiful as a blooming flower.
In stark contrast, Zhu Qiang was overwhelmed with sadness and disappointment. His eyes searched the list again and again for his name, but found nothing. His face paled, his eyes filled with dejection. He bit his lip tightly, consumed by resentment. He never imagined he'd fail, especially after putting in so much effort. His eyes held deep disappointment, as if the world had lost all color.
Old Master Zhu noticed this too. While he was delighted that his granddaughter Zhu Xiu had passed, seeing his grandson Zhu Qiang fail saddened him. To outsiders, he seemed equally fond of both grandchildren, sometimes even doting more on the granddaughter. But in truth, this affection was only shown as long as it didn't hinder the family's development, maintaining a facade of fairness. From the family's perspective, it would have been better if the grandson had passed. However, this outcome was beyond his control. Though he felt a bit uneasy, the exam wasn't a total loss—having the granddaughter pass was better than neither succeeding.
Amid his sorrow, Zhu Qiang's hatred for one person grew: Wen Qi. He thought bitterly, "If he hadn't messed with my mindset, I wouldn't have failed." If Wen Qi knew he was being blamed for this, he'd probably find it exasperating. But Wen Qi truly wouldn't care about Zhu Qiang. In his view, people like Zhu Qiang always blamed others for their failures instead of reflecting on themselves.
Seeing her brother's distress, Zhu Xiu felt a pang of sympathy. She walked over and gently patted his shoulder, saying, "Brother, don't be sad. There's always next time." Zhu Qiang shoved her hand away, snapping, "It's all Wen Qi's fault! If he hadn't thrown me off, I'd have passed for sure." Zhu Xiu shook her head helplessly, knowing her brother was too angry to listen.
Old Master Zhu watched this scene and sighed, "Alright, stop arguing. You didn't pass this time, so just work harder next time." His eyes betrayed a hint of worry—he knew if Zhu Qiang didn't adjust his mindset, more problems lay ahead. The name Wen Qi seemed vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place it. Since this person had affected his grandson's state of mind, he'd definitely look into it later. If Wen Qi was just an ordinary person, then so be it.
Meanwhile, Zhu Xiu silently resolved to work even harder, to bring honor to the family.
Soon, the intermediate lists were opened. Everyone's attention was instantly captivated, the crowd falling into a dead silence, as if the air itself had frozen. Then, bursts of amazement erupted. Though only thirty to forty people had passed, the value of an intermediate breeder was far higher than a junior one.
Among those who passed, some trembled with excitement, tears of joy glistening in their eyes. A young man in a light blue robe walked slowly to the list, his gaze fixed on his name, a faint, gratified smile curling at the corners of his mouth. He gently touched his name on the list, as if savoring this hard-earned honor. He straightened his back, radiating confidence, as if proclaiming his success to the world. That self-assured demeanor was truly admirable.
A middle-aged woman stood quietly, her eyes calm and composed. She lifted her chin slightly, a serene smile on her face. Her hair swayed gently in the breeze, adding to her elegance. She knew this achievement was the fruit of years of effort, and at that moment, she felt immense pride. Her poised bearing was like a goddess, a pleasure to behold.
Those who failed, however, wore expressions of dejection, their hearts full of regret. "So close, yet I still failed," they sighed helplessly, looking at the successful ones with a mix of envy and sorrow. Some clenched their fists, biting their lips, silently vowing to succeed next time; others lowered their heads and turned away, their silhouettes looking especially lonely.
In this competitive world of breeders, every exam result tugged at countless hearts. But whether successful or not, they would all press on, striving for their dreams.