The Supreme Asura

Chapter 11: The Academy's Recruitment Day

After the news of Mu Feng's crippling spread, the day finally arrived: October 5, the annual recruitment day for the Royal Academy.

The selection process was notoriously stringent. Applicants had to be eighteen or younger, possess a Yuan Bone of at least Fifth Grade, and pay a hefty tuition fee.

The Fifth Grade Yuan Bone served as the baseline. Those with higher grades—such as Seventh or Eighth—were considered geniuses, while a Ninth Grade Yuan Bone marked someone as a rare, first-class prodigy.

The Royal Academy was one of the most prestigious martial academies in the Southern Ling Kingdom and neighboring nations. It produced elites every decade, and graduates were never below the Condensed Qi Realm in strength. Many alumni went on to secure bright futures, with some even recruited directly into high-ranking military positions.

At Southern Ling Square, the capital's largest plaza, a massive crowd filled the space. Tens of thousands of people—over twenty thousand by rough estimate—buzzed with excitement, while armored soldiers maintained order around the perimeter.

In the center of the granite-paved square stood a high platform, where a group of martial practitioners dressed in training robes were gathered. Three middle-aged men sat at the forefront, while a dozen younger individuals stood behind them, exuding pride and confidence.

On the platform, a three-meter-tall milky-white stone stele engraved with ten Yuan Patterns was prominently displayed. Below the platform, the younger generation of various families had gathered in droves. Thousands of aspiring students, their faces brimming with youthful anticipation, awaited their chance to prove themselves.

Among them were dozens of youths from the Mu family, all clad in white martial robes. Mu Feng stood quietly among them.

"Hey, look, it's Mu Feng! Did you hear? His Yuan meridians and Zifu were shattered—he's a cripple now," whispered a boy from another family, pointing at Mu Feng.

"Of course, I've heard," another boy chimed in. "They say it happened during the war. His father, Mu Tian, is dead, and now he's like this. What a pitiful fate."

"Hmph, serves him right. A kid trying to show off by going to war early? My father always compared me to him, but now? Let's see how he praises a cripple!" sneered a third.

Around them, whispers spread like wildfire. Many youths from notable families glanced at Mu Feng, some with pity but most with ridicule.

Mu Feng had been a celebrated figure—achieving the Zifu Realm at just fifteen and earning accolades on the battlefield with over a hundred enemy kills. His brilliance had sparked envy among his peers, and now, many reveled in his downfall, relishing the chance to mock the fallen prodigy.

"Silence!"

A powerful voice resonated through the square, the sheer force of it ringing in everyone's ears. The chattering crowd instantly fell silent.

One of the three middle-aged men, dressed in a yellow robe and sporting a rugged face with thick eyebrows and piercing eyes, rose from his seat. Walking to the edge of the platform, he swept his gaze across the crowd.

"I am Zhao Heng, the overseer of this year's recruitment and an Elder of the Royal Academy's Outer Court," he announced, his voice calm but commanding.

To achieve the rank of Elder at the academy, one needed to be at least at the Yuan Dan Realm.

"The rules for recruitment remain unchanged. Applicants must be eighteen years old or younger. Step forward to test your Yuan Bone on the stele. Those who meet the requirements will be admitted to the Royal Martial Academy," Zhao Heng continued. His words elicited no surprise—everyone was familiar with the rules.

"Let's begin with the family groups. Step forward when your family's name is called. Qualified candidates will be registered and admitted tomorrow," he concluded before stepping back to his seat.

A young academy member in a green robe sat at a desk beside the stele, holding a roster in hand, ready to record the results.

"First up: the Shangguan Family," the academy member announced.

A stir ran through the crowd as over forty youths from the Shangguan family, dressed in blue robes, ascended the platform and lined up.

The first boy approached the stele. Pulling out a dagger, he sliced his palm, letting his blood drip onto the stone. The stele absorbed the blood, and its Yuan Patterns began to glow.

One! Two! Three!

The patterns lit up one by one until they stopped at eight.

"Shangguan Qianzhi, Eighth Grade Yuan Bone—Qualified!" the recorder announced, his tone tinged with admiration.

"Wow!"

"As expected of Shangguan Qianzhi! An Eighth Grade Yuan Bone—his future is limitless."

"Looks like the Shangguan family will produce another Yuan Dan powerhouse in the future," murmured envious adults, while young onlookers stared in awe.

Shangguan Qianzhi descended the platform, his expression smug. Catching Mu Feng's gaze in the crowd, he mouthed the word: "Cripple."

Mu Feng's face darkened, his fists clenching, but he chose to stay silent.

"Hahaha!" Shangguan Qianzhi laughed triumphantly as he rejoined his family.

The testing continued.

"Shangguan De, Sixth Grade Yuan Bone—Qualified."

"Next!"

Within minutes, all the Shangguan family members had completed their tests, with half qualifying for admission to the Royal Academy.

Next came other prominent families, followed by the Yun Family.

The Yun Family sent over thirty youths to the platform. Leading them was a stunning young woman with willow-like eyebrows, phoenix-like eyes, and snow-white skin. She was none other than Yun Qingwan.

"Qingwan! Qingwan!"

"Such a beauty! I wonder what her talent is like. Once she enters the academy, I'll definitely pursue her," a boy in the crowd exclaimed, his admiration echoed by others.

Yun Qingwan, the eldest daughter of the Yun Family, was already renowned as one of the most beautiful women in the capital. Her former connection with Mu Feng had been a celebrated tale of young romance but now was fodder for idle gossip.

Her gaze swept over the Mu Family's group, her eyes lingering on Mu Feng. When their eyes met, he smiled warmly, his expression as bright as the autumn sun. Encouraged, she returned his smile, her radiance captivating even the academy recorder.

Yun Qingwan approached the stele, cut her finger, and let her blood drip onto it.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Nine Yuan Patterns lit up instantly, dazzling everyone present.

"A Ninth Grade Yuan Bone—a first-class prodigy!" the recorder exclaimed. The three elders rose from their seats, their faces alight with excitement.

"Exceptional! Another first-class prodigy," one elder remarked.

"Indeed. With proper training, she'll undoubtedly reach the Yuan Dan Realm within ten years—and perhaps even higher," Zhao Heng added with a smile.

The crowd buzzed with awe and envy.

"A Ninth Grade Yuan Bone! Yun Qingwan truly has incredible luck," murmured one of the spectators.