The Name of Eternals

Chapter 43: Grade A, B, C, and D

Is it snowing?

No, but to everyone watching, it seemed as though snowflakes were suddenly falling.

These snowflakes appeared only within the area around Li Hao, within three feet of his sword.

Every snowflake carried a chill, a gleam of sword light that reflected the essence of the sword technique known as Falling Snow.

At the level of true form...

In front of Li Hao, the burly youth's pupils contracted rapidly, and he stood there, frozen.

In his vision, countless snowflakes swirled like a storm, raging violently, but this storm was held within the boy's hand, like the force of heaven and earth!

The fierce cold did not reach him; there was only a single snowflake floating gently towards him from the storm, brushing lightly across his cheek.

A cool sensation.

Instinctively, the burly youth touched his face and felt a slight pain, though there was no blood.

His eyes froze, his body tensed, clutching his sword like a valiant swordsman, but his arm trembled, and he was unable to move.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the illusory snowflakes vanished.

Li Hao casually tossed the sword back onto the weapons rack, where it slid perfectly into the sheath, and with the clanging sound of the sword hilt closing, like ice breaking, the burly youth awoke from his stupor, and so did everyone else.

It was as if they had all been caught in a dream.

But was it really a dream?

The place grew eerily quiet.

Until Li Hao's cheerful voice broke the silence, asking, "So, can I pass the test now?"

The burly youth snapped back to reality, his tongue stumbling as he spoke, "Y-you win."

There was no actual exchange because he wasn't even worthy of facing Li Hao in a single move; he didn't even have the courage to draw his sword. He was thoroughly defeated.

The other Tan Palace Academy students were all shocked as they looked at Li Hao. They had thought that Li Yuanzhao was already fiercely impressive, but it turned out there was someone even more extraordinary.

What kind of sword technique is this?

It must be of the highest quality, perhaps even executed to a perfect level!

They couldn't help but think so. Although the Falling Snow sword technique was of the top grade, under the power of true form, it was even a notch above a perfectly executed supreme grade sword technique.

"What an exquisite sword technique!"

"My God, it felt like an illusion. I actually saw snowflakes!"

"Me too, it's just too unbelievable!"

"The swordsmanship from the God General's Mansion must be top-notch. Could he have practiced it to perfection? How long would that take?"

The crowd came back to their senses, looking at Li Hao with shock.

They had heard of the famous God General's Mansion, but today they were truly awed.

Si Xiaolan stared at Li Hao in a daze. With this masterful sword technique, there was no doubt that Li Hao had the ability to pass the first two tests on his own merit.

Is this the level of peers from a divine general's family? Are they all such prodigies?

"Brother Hao!"

Beside him, Li Yuanzhao was even more excited. He hadn't expected Li Hao's swordsmanship to be so profound. His perspective was naturally a bit higher than those of these aristocratic descendants, recognizing the Falling Snow sword technique that Sister Xue had demonstrated before.

But the level Li Hao displayed was clearly beyond what Sister Xue had reached back then. He even thought it surpassed the perfect realm.

Li Hao smiled at the excited Yuanzhao but didn't say anything.

He only felt a twinge of nostalgia, wondering what level the little girl in the Sword Hut had reached with this sword technique by now.

Recalling the time he had spent guiding her sword practice in the courtyard, he smiled fondly before quickly composing himself to address the burly youth in front of him:

"So… what's next?"

"Oh? Oh... just head straight this way, there are instructors waiting for everyone up ahead."

The burly youth quickly replied, unable to hide the respect in his eyes.

The starting point of a noble family was indeed beyond what ordinary people could match.

Li Hao nodded, leading Li Yuanzhao around the burly youth, and they leisurely walked along the small path of steps ahead.

Behind them, the crowd watched the two figures disappear before snapping out of their daze.

At that moment, someone suddenly voiced a question: "Why did they have an invitation? Could it be because their strength didn't need to be tested?"

Once this was said, the rest understood and fell silent.

Previously, they had assumed it was due to the God General's Mansion's prestigious status and felt some resentment, but now they were at peace.

Si Xiaolan's pretty face changed slightly, and she bit her lip, realizing she had misunderstood Li Hao.

The Tan Palace Academy had stood for centuries and would not stoop to currying favor with the nobility.

...

Within the mountains of Tan Palace Academy, at a large stone monument square.

Many young figures gathered here, all gazing at the stone monuments, contemplating the martial arts inscribed upon them.

At the edge of the square, two elderly men sat in a corner, playing a game of chess.

"Ah!"

Suddenly, one of the short, fat elderly men, deep in thought, seemed to realize something and slapped his thigh: "I almost forgot; there are two more invitations I haven't picked up."

"You mean the ones for the God General's Mansion?"

The gray-robed elder across from him looked up, puzzled: "It shouldn't be a big deal. The kids from the God General's Mansion can easily pass the tests, even if you don't pick them up."

"Others maybe, but don't you remember? That child of the Marquis of Xingwu is said to be a cultivation waste, only able to train his body. It was all over the place ten years ago, but has been quiet since."

The short, fat elder hurriedly stood up, saying, "If he falls off at the second test and dies, we'll be in big trouble!"

"This…" The gray-robed elder was also startled. That child was the only son of the Marquis of Xingwu. He quickly said, "Then hurry and go."

The short, fat elder nodded and whistled. A huge bird with a wingspan of seven to eight feet swooped down from the distance, drawing the attention of many young figures near the stone monument. The bird landed gently in front of the elder.

"I'll wait for you…" The gray-robed elder said.

Watching his friend ride off, his interest in chess disrupted, he couldn't help but mutter, "If I'd known, I would have sent five invitations instead. There was no need for extra trouble."

As he spoke, he glanced down at the chessboard.

Suddenly, the more he looked, the more he felt something was amiss. He angrily cursed, "You rascal, leaving right when you're about to lose!"

...

The short, fat elder was Shen Yunqing, though not light at all. He rode the bird swiftly toward the second test.

Besides running from the chess game, he was indeed concerned about the second test. He hoped Old Tang there understood the situation and had sent the child over the cliff safely.

Suddenly, he shifted his gaze, noticing two figures walking along the mountain path below, dressed in luxurious robes, with an extraordinary demeanor.

And those clothes with the pattern, he was all too familiar with, belonged to the Li family of the God General's Mansion!

"Hmm?"

Surprised, Shen Yunqing immediately directed his mount to descend.

The sound of bird cries and wind greeted Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao as they stopped, looking up to see a massive bird with three eyes landing a few feet away.

An old, short man sat on the bird's neck, peering at them. Seemingly confirming their identity, he smiled and leaped down from the bird's back.

With a wave of his hand, he sent the bird off, then addressed them warmly, "You two must be the young masters from the God General's Mansion. May I know which branch you belong to, and how should I address you?"

Seeing his politeness, Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao were not too surprised. Given their prominent family background, most people, even celebrities and aristocrats, were very courteous to them.

"This is my brother, Li Hao, and I am Li Yuanzhao."

Li Yuanzhao said, looking a bit naive but with a sharp gleam in his small eyes.

Shen Yunqing glanced at Li Hao, and memories flooded back. He remembered that the boy named Li Hao was the one given a name by the Yu Emperor more than ten years ago.

It was indeed him.

Shen Yunqing's expression didn't reveal much, but he nodded slightly to them and smiled, "I hope no one gave you trouble. Let's go; I'll take you to meet the others."

He assumed they had smoothly sailed through with the invitation.

Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao were unfamiliar with this old man, so there wasn't much to say.

The three walked leisurely, Li Hao taking in the scenic surroundings. He thought to himself that the Tan Palace Academy's environment was nice, and if he stayed here often, it would be quite pleasant and refreshing.

Before long, they reached the end of the square.

Here, a hundred people were gathered around three stone monuments.

"What's this…" Li Yuanzhao looked to Shen Yunqing in confusion, spotting Li Yun and his sister among those at the monument with the fewest people.

"Those who reach this point qualify to enter Tan Palace Academy as official students."

Shen Yunqing explained with a smile as he stroked his beard, "But among students, there are differences in aptitude. We sort them into four grades: A, B, C, and D classes, based on aptitude. This prevents high aptitude students from being held back by lower ones, and prevents high aptitude students from bullying the lesser ones."

"So, there are these three stone monuments, each containing a martial art technique of different grades: low, medium, and high!"

"The difficulty varies."

"Anyone who comprehends the high-grade martial art within three days can join Class A. Comprehending the medium-grade within three days qualifies for Class B."

"Comprehending the low-grade martial art within three days earns a spot in Class C. If you don't grasp any of them in three days, you'll be placed in Class D."

Shen Yunqing smiled, "In Class D, if you rank among the bottom three in each term's assessment, you'll undergo a supplementary exam. Failing the supplementary exam means you'll be advised to leave the academy."

Li Yuanzhao understood.

Li Hao asked, "And if someone doesn't take the advice?"

Shen Yunqing, who had been smiling, was momentarily stunned. Advised to leave but they don't?