"Feng Lin, you're out!" The moment the principal spotted Feng Lin's figure, he immediately rushed over. Seeing that aside from his tattered clothes, he seemed unharmed, he let out a sigh of relief.
Though he didn't know if Feng Lin had ultimately passed the first round of the Cosmic University enrollment assessment, as long as he wasn't injured, that was fine. At worst, he could just apply to Star Nation University instead.
This Feng Lin was the prized jewel of Earth Middle School—he couldn't afford to get hurt. He still needed to win glory for the school in the college entrance exams!
Seeing the principal's genuine concern, though he knew it was for the school's benefit, Feng Lin wasn't so tactless as to ignore it. He nodded and said calmly, "Yes, I passed the assessment!"
"Good, passing is good!" The principal nodded with a smile, but the next moment his eyes widened, and he lost his composure, stammering, "What did you say? You said you passed the assessment?"
Feng Lin felt helpless. Why did showing a bit of strength always invite so much doubt?
In the end, it was because he had been too weak before, and the ingrained impression people had of him was hard to break. He could only change it step by step.
He nodded again. "Yes."
Seeing Feng Lin confirm it again, with no sign of deception, the principal's hands trembled with excitement. This was an unexpected delight.
Most of the geniuses from other Earth middle schools were still deep in the enrollment assessment. Feng Lin had come out so quickly that the principal had assumed he'd been instantly defeated by a Star Warrior and eliminated. He never expected such a pleasant surprise.
From entering to exiting, it had only taken over ten minutes to pass the assessment—that was terrifying!
Those Star Warriors were forged in the fires of battle, with skills far surpassing those of the same rank.
Most high school students trained in isolation, possessing life force but often only able to use seventy to eighty percent of their combat ability at best. Going up against these Star Warriors was a huge disadvantage. Only true prodigies who had experienced life-and-death combat could face a Star Warrior and emerge victorious.
Sure enough, of the over 10,000 candidates from all Earth middle schools applying to Cosmic University, only four had managed to break through and pass the assessment so far.
Feng Lin was the fifth!
Just how strong was this Feng Lin?
He was stunned to realize that as a principal and a proper elite cultivator, he couldn't see through Feng Lin's strength at all.
Though he was a full major realm ahead of Feng Lin, his life force barely exceeded a hundred, and he was a desk worker, not skilled in combat. Maybe...
He might not even be a match for his own student now!
The more the principal thought about it, the more uneasy he felt, silently lamenting how the waves of the Yangtze River push ahead, leaving the old ones washed up on the shore...
Feng Lin shook his head, ignoring the principal's shock, and quietly observed the other four.
He had personally experienced the ferocity of the Star Warriors. Anyone who could defeat their opponent so quickly couldn't be weak.
He noticed that these four came from different regions. One was a white-skinned youth with flaxen hair, carrying a stone sword on his back. Even in the interstellar age, using cold weapons made Feng Lin take a second look.
The other three were an Indian youth, gaunt as a skeleton; a young man with a face full of colorful patterns, from some unknown place; and a Japanese person shrouded in black robes, their eyes venomous and sinister like a snake, staring at Feng Lin with ill intent.
While he observed them, they observed him too.
The four sensed each other's threat, their expressions growing serious.
Feng Lin nodded inwardly. These four all had formidable life force and impressive skills, none weaker than him.
Though Earth had long declined, with a population of twenty billion, some prodigies were bound to emerge. He couldn't underestimate anyone just because he had some lucky breaks.
Feng Lin kept his perspective in check.
Time passed, and more people emerged. Most were battered and dejected, clearly failures.
Only a few, though panting, held their heads high with pride.
No need to guess—these were candidates who had defeated Star Warriors and passed the assessment, still carrying a fierce aura.
Across all of Earth, ten thousand candidates had taken the first round of the Cosmic University enrollment assessment, but fewer than a hundred remained.
Less than one in a hundred!
The failures left one by one, leaving the outer hall of the Cultivation Association sparse. Those who had passed began chatting eagerly.
Passing Earth's first round meant the next was the entire solar system's assessment.
Geniuses from an entire star system would gather, making the competition fiercer. Only by banding together and supporting each other could they maximize their chances in the next round.
Only Feng Lin and a few others stood alone, exuding an aura of isolation, like lone wolves.
"Feng Lin, you're on your own. Why not get along with the others? Supporting each other would make the next assessment easier, wouldn't it?" The principal grew anxious seeing his lack of initiative.
"Easier?" Feng Lin gave a faint, dismissive smile.
If he'd signed up for Cosmic University expecting an easy ride, he was deluding himself.
Ten Cosmic Universities only enrolled ten thousand students from trillions across the galaxy—a one-in-a-trillion chance. Hoping for ease was asking for death.
He saw it clearly. Though nearly a hundred from Earth had passed the first round, in the end, it was possible none would make it into Cosmic University.
The solar system was a backward region with low cultivation standards. In the advanced interstellar regions, true cultivation geniuses were all elite cultivators. Candidates from the solar system had no competitive edge. What was the point of banding together?
In the end, didn't everyone have to rely on themselves?
Maybe he could band together to get through the solar system's second round, but what then? When he was the only one left, who could he lean on?
The principal meant well, and Feng Lin appreciated it, but he had his own ideas.
Only the truly weak needed to band together. Cultivation was a lonely journey. Getting used to solitude was an essential quality for the strong. Self-reliance led to lasting strength; everything else was insignificant.
Seeing Feng Lin's resolve, the principal shook his head and stopped persuading him.
He knew Feng Lin's rise had been entirely self-reliant, shaping a unique cultivation philosophy that no one could sway.
As all candidates emerged, successful or not, the first round of the Cosmic University enrollment assessment ended.
The general stepped forward again, bellowing with authority, "Congratulations! You've defeated my formidable subordinates, proving you're true geniuses with real substance, not useless trash. Congratulations on earning the chance to participate in the next round. But don't get too excited. The solar system is vast, Earth is small. You geniuses are nothing special in the whole solar system. I can tell you that the next round is an unrestricted free-for-all killing assessment. Humanity has countless potential enemies in the universe. If you geniuses aren't skilled in killing, what use are you? In the end, you're just waste! The second round starts in a month. Prepare well—for your future and your own lives. Know this: the second round is different from the first. People will die..."
His cold, heavy voice struck like a stone slamming into everyone's hearts.