Chapter 213: One Grade

When Chen Yuan's voice echoed across the square, the previously boisterous crowd instantly fell silent, their gazes, filled with tension and apprehension, fixed on the stone platform.

Although the young people present were all prodigies from various continents, they understood clearly that, with the exception of a few truly extraordinary individuals, the rest of them would become ordinary. Their status and position would plummet compared to their past. Within the Cangxuan Sect, they would face unprecedented fierce competition. To elevate their status and position, they would have to strive diligently to improve their strength. And clearly, in this initial disciple evaluation, the first group to become first-rank disciples would undoubtedly possess certain advantages.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, Chen Yuan raised the jade scroll in his hand and announced, "For this assessment, there are a total of one hundred forty-eight first-rank disciples, one thousand and fifty-six second-rank disciples, and nine thousand five hundred third-rank disciples."

As soon as he spoke, a stir went through the square.

Zhou Yuan was also somewhat astonished. Out of tens of thousands of prodigies from various continents, only a little over a hundred could become first-rank disciples. This clearly demonstrated the immense value of a first-rank disciple.

"To think there are only about a thousand second-rank disciples! Brother Luo truly is the foremost prodigy of the Sky-Azure Continent." Beside Luo Song, those around him continuously heaped praises upon him.

Luo Song smiled modestly, waved his hand, and said, "It's just a second-rank disciple. I still need to work harder to become a first-rank disciple. Then I'll be able to try that legendary Fifth-Grade Source Food and see what makes it so extraordinary."

However, as he spoke, his gaze repeatedly swept toward Yaoyao, the self-satisfaction in his eyes barely concealed. Those gathered around him also showed envy in their eyes, and some attractive young women continuously cast admiring glances at Luo Song. Consequently, Luo Song's smugness grew, but when he looked at Yaoyao and realized she hadn't paid him any attention, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"This girl is quite arrogant, but it matches her looks and temperament," Luo Song thought to himself. "I wonder what her relationship is with that boy, but it shouldn't matter. He's just a quasi-Beginning Realm cultivator, with no real competitiveness. Once he's been in the Cangxuan Sect for a while, he'll naturally realize he's not worthy of such a beauty." Evidently, he didn't pay much attention to Zhou Yuan, who was merely in the quasi-Beginning Realm.

"Next, I will announce the list of first-rank disciples first."

On the high platform, Chen Yuan stated calmly, "All those whose names are called, please step forward to receive your disciple token."

"Shengzhou Continent, Lu Feng."

As soon as the name was called, a commotion spread through the square. Then, Zhou Yuan and the others saw a young man in white lightly ascend the high platform. The youth's features were as if carved by a knife, sharp and defined. A powerful, subtle surge of Genesis Qi emanated from his body, giving him an aura of silent authority. This Lu Feng seemed to be from a prominent background. When he appeared, some young women in the square even shrieked.

Zhou Yuan's gaze also rested on the white-robed youth named Lu Feng. His eyes narrowed slightly; he indeed sensed a faint aura of danger from the latter, indicating that this person was quite extraordinary.

Beside Zhou Yuan and his companions, Luo Song sighed and said, "This Lu Feng is said to be from the Lu family of the Shengzhou Continent. He has an immense background and extremely high talent. He's sure to become a core figure in the Cangxuan Sect in the future." Looking at Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao, he stated demurely, "I even spoke with him a couple of days ago; we've made an acquaintance."

Those nearby quickly flattered him, saying, "We heard Lu Feng is very arrogant, and ordinary people can't even get his attention. It's truly impressive that Brother Luo managed to speak with him."

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but exchange a glance with Yaoyao. "Are these people fools?" he thought. "Can merely speaking to someone be considered a way to elevate oneself?" Although Luo Song's self-admiration was somewhat annoying, the information he provided was something Zhou Yuan kept in mind.

"Shengzhou Continent, Gu Hongyi."

A fiery red figure gracefully darted onto the platform. Many gazes turned to her, and the eyes of numerous men immediately grew hotter, for a red-robed maiden had appeared on the stage. The maiden's skin was like snow, her face picturesque. Her slender waist and long legs were quite striking, and her fiery figure was captivating, making it hard to look away. As the red-robed maiden glanced around, an air of heroism emanated from her. A long red whip coiled around her slender waist further accentuated its delicate curve.

"This girl is named Gu Hongyi. It's said that one of her elders is a high-ranking official in the Cangxuan Sect, and she herself possesses formidable strength. Coupled with her beauty, countless people have tried to win her favor. However, while she is beautiful, she is also extremely combative. Offending her would likely be quite a headache," Luo Song bragged again.

Over the next ten minutes or so, names continuously rang out. One after another, youths and maidens of extraordinary demeanor ascended the stage, claiming their superior identity tokens under the gaze of numerous envious eyes. In the blink of an eye, over a hundred people had gone up.

Observing from below, Zhou Yuan fell into contemplation. He noticed that about half of these hundred-plus first-rank prodigies were from the Shengzhou Continent. "The Shengzhou Continent is truly blessed," Zhou Yuan sighed inwardly. Prodigies from other continents were already a step behind at birth compared to those from Shengzhou, making it even harder to catch up.

Names continued to be called out, and soon, the announcements drew to a close.

"Cangmang Continent, Yaoyao."

When this name rang out, Yaoyao, holding Tun Tun, walked forward.

"Huh, what are you doing?" Luo Song exclaimed quickly upon seeing this.

Yaoyao naturally ignored him and walked straight towards the high platform, then, under Luo Song's dumbfounded gaze, directly ascended it.

The moment Yaoyao stepped onto the stage, the entire square undeniably fell silent. All eyes were filled with undisguised amazement. The earlier Gu Hongyi was also a rare beauty, but compared to Yaoyao, she still lacked a certain charm.

Soon, a commotion spread.

"Wow, who is that? So beautiful!"

"She seems to be from the Cangmang Continent? Never heard of it..."

"But how can she be a first-rank disciple? Why can't I feel any Genesis Qi fluctuations from her?"

"It must be her incredibly high soul cultivation. I can feel her soul is extremely powerful..."

Countless whispers rose and fell. At the front of the square, Lu Feng, who had previously had his eyes closed, now opened them and looked at Yaoyao with interest, murmuring, "What a powerful soul."

"She, she's actually a first-rank disciple?" Luo Song's face turned alternately pale and green. Those beside him also respectfully shut their mouths, their faces flushing as they recalled their previous actions.

Yaoyao, standing on the stage, was somewhat displeased by the numerous fervent gazes. She took her identity token and walked straight down, returning to Zhou Yuan's side. Some eyes consequently turned to Zhou Yuan, but upon realizing he was merely in the quasi-Beginning Realm, they indifferently looked away.

Luo Song no longer dared to say anything to Yaoyao. He glanced at Zhou Yuan and muttered to himself, "Kid, this girl is too outstanding. I'm not worthy, but you're also far from it..."

On the stage, Chen Yuan glanced at the jade scroll, a hint of playfulness appearing at the corner of his mouth. He said indifferently, "Next is the last first-rank disciple... also from the Cangmang Continent, Zhou Yuan..."

Zhou Yuan felt Chen Yuan's gaze and understood his intention. However, his expression remained unchanged, and he stepped forward directly. Luo Song's eye twitched frantically. The juniors beside him also exchanged bewildered glances.

"He, what is he going to do?"

"That Zhou Yuan, it couldn't be him, could it?"

As they watched in disbelief, Zhou Yuan had already moved through the crowd. Finally, under everyone's gaze, he calmly ascended the stage and received the identity token from the attendant.

The moment he stood on the stage, the entire square fell silent for an instant. The next moment, a wave of overwhelming shouts of disbelief erupted.

"Quasi-Beginning Realm?"

"Someone with that level of strength is qualified to be a first-rank disciple?!"

"How is that possible? A first-rank disciple from the quasi-Beginning Realm? What kind of joke is this?!"

A tide of skeptical voices surged through the air.