The Mystical universe

Sounds of exclamations and doubt resounded on the stage as the roughly 1500 doubtful onlookers looked at Teacher Long for an explanation, including Kaeln, the one who caused the phenomenon.

Not too far from Kaeln, Su Yao looks over at the symbol still shining brightly above the orb, a surprised expression painted on her face, as her delicate eyebrows pointed upward. "There was someone else in this empire that had a Crouching Dragon foundation? Thankfully, he came to our sect. Father will be very pleased." As she thinks about her father's reaction when he hears of the news, her lips widen into a bright smile, mesmerizing the surrounding crowd.

"I thought there were only grade Fs to As, why is there a dragon-like symbol instead?"Someone said.

"Maybe the tool is broken?"

"No, you idiot. Did that vision look like something a broken tool would cause?" "Then what is it then, do you know?" Angry at being called an idiot, the speaker asks back.

The receiver of the question opens his mouth to speak. "Well, obviously it's…"

Not wanting to appear dumb, he quickly searches his brain to find an answer. Suddenly, his eyes lights up.

"Obviously it's a hidden level. Isn't it, Teacher Long?"

Hoping to have solved the case, he looks expectantly at the supervisor.

The other participants also look over at him, expecting an answer and some clarification.

Seeing the doubtful kids, Teacher Long's eyebrows raise slightly. "He is right. Though I only mentioned F to A grade foundation, the highest A grade only counts people who have reached the 10th extreme hidden level of Houtian Foundation..."

"For the even more outstanding seedlings that reach the 11th and 12th stages, different ratings are given which are symbols, one being a tiger, the other one being a dragon. These grades correspond to the Crouching Tiger foundation and the Rising Dragon foundation, respectively."

"I did not expect there to be one today as children that manage to reach the 11th and 12th houtian extremes are rare talents that don't appear often in our southern desolate continent. This is great news for the sect."

Teacher Long looks at Kaeln, who was still standing in front of the testing tool. "For apprentices that reach that level of talent, the three following tests can be exempted. Do you wish to continue the tests?"

Still taken aback by the situation, Kaeln takes a moment to think about it. He looks at Rai and Torin. Pointing at the two, he answers. "Can they also be exempted from the tests? I don't wish to be separated from my friends."

Teacher Long looks at the two. "As long as their talent is up to par, they can also skip the following tests. Of course, they do not have to reach the Rising Dragon level; Crouching Tiger is fine."

Hearing this, the trio's eyes light up.

"I'll go next then," Torin says, as he swaggers confidently towards the testing tool. Looking at him, Teacher Long gives a light smile as he waits expectantly for the result.

As Torin lays his palm on the platform, three seconds pass before a similar reaction takes place. This time though, a blood-red color covers the stage. Before long, another lifelike dragon symbol appears in front of the crowd, shocking the other participants, only instead of being crimson, it was a blood-red color.

A surprise glint flashes through Kaeln's eyes as he looks over at this mysterious new friend. "I didn't expect him to have also passed the Houtian tribulation; I wonder who taught him. He must be quite talented then. I also like his character. I should befriend such a person."

Teacher Long glances at the result, taken aback. A happy expression quickly replaces his surprise. "That's two in a row. This is a situation that rarely happens even here, where a good amount of talents gather. The other teacher probably won't have this situation. Amongst the other kids, only that Jin clan youth could trigger a vision since he reached the 11th houtian extreme. However, there's a big difference between the 11th and 12th levels, the latter being at least twice as strong." Thinking about this, he lets out a gratified smile before he loudly announces the results.

"Rising Dragon foundation, pass. You will also be exempted from taking the next trials. Next!"

Hearing the call, Rai walks calmly to the platform and steadily places his palm on the handprint.

Another shocking vision takes place as the third dragon symbol appears, this time purple. This will be the third in a row.

The previously composed Teacher Long finally looks over in shock. "Three Rising Dragons in a row has not appeared in the last hundred years; it is cause for celebration. The sect master and the elders will be very happy."

In contrast, the other participants who witnessed the third similar result in a row start doubting its impressiveness.

"That's three in a row; is it really that difficult? Let me try." A reinvigorated youth quickly heads towards the testing tool.

As expected, no vision appears, and only after ten seconds did a reaction occur. A character once again appears above the orb.

"D grade, fail!" A ruthless voice shatters his dream; he stands dumbfounded at the result.

Sighting at this sight, Teacher Long softly calls out. "If you fail the test, you need to go down the stage. Next!"

A hundred more participants take the test, none receiving the passing grade of C. The previously expectant crowd once again goes into silence.

"God, I thought it was not that impressive seeing three Rising Dragons in a row, yet now there hasn't even been a single grade C. Are they even human?" "Right? According to what the teacher said, reaching 11th houtian extreme leads to a Crouching Tiger foundation, which means though that arrogant Jin Clan young master can also skip the remaining tests, even he didn't reach the Rising Dragon." One person says loudly.

Hearing this, the remaining testers all exclaim in shock.

"That's right, that Jin Clan guy failed the 12th level, so he only has the second best grade. Even he can't compare to these three monsters."

"Gasp."

The thousand and some hundred remaining participants all look at the trio behind Teacher Long. A mix of slight jealousy, fear, respect, and a lot of admiration in their faces.

Seeing everyone looking at them, Kaeln scratches his head thinking.'Is it really something that impressive? Old Dai said it was only natural for us to reach this level. Although that Houtian tribulation was quite unpleasant.'

He turns to Teacher Long. " Teacher, since we all passed with the required grade, can we all immediately go into the sect?"

"Yes. Wait a second." He whistles loudly. A moment later, a giant bird appeared in the sky, flying toward the stage. It was a completely white crane. Its erect wings stretched for 30 meters as it stood hovering above the stage, almost completely blocking the sun rays shinning down, covering it in its shadow.

A figure jumped off the back of the crane.

It was a 20-some-year-old young man, wearing a purple Daoist robe. He seemed noble and could be considered goodlooking, though the most impressive part about him was the powerful aura he emitted. Like a sheated sword ready to be drawn, cleaving a mountain. A holstered long sword could be seen on his waist. From the giant bird's back, he landed in front of Teacher Long. He hastily kneeled on one knee; his fist cupped into a ball. "Student Yu Hao greets Teacher Long."

"Yu Hao, help these new students settle into a courtyard for first-year students."

"Yes, teacher." He turned towards the trio. Seeing the outstanding-looking boys, he's slightly taken aback. He shortly notices the young maiden in the back. "Yu Hao sees the sect master's daughter." He quickly acknowledges the girl. "Are you with these new students?"

The young maiden gently nods her head.

"Alright. Follow me, everyone." With a light stomp, he soars high in the sky and lands on the back of the beautiful white crane.

"Go. I expect to see you all very soon in class." Looking at the teenagers, he lightly says before turning back towards the other participants.

"Quickly, next!"

Kaeln bows at Teacher Long before he also leaps into the sky, landing on the back of the crane.

The others do the same as they salute the teacher before they all jump next to Kaeln.

The other kids look at the group with envy, some with determination, as the bird soars in the sky flying towards a floating mountain in the depths of the sect.