Chapter 81: Gaze

“Didn’t she drop out? Why is she here?” Before Chen Mobai could speak, Song Zheng couldn’t help but ask.

“I don’t know either. Aren’t you on good terms with her, Chen Mobai? Just ask her directly when the time comes.” Mo Simin shook her head. As the class monitor, she had actually known about this training class for a while, but since the score requirements hadn’t been released, she wasn’t sure if she could apply to the Ten Great Academies, so she hadn’t publicized it. However, she had a very good relationship with Yan Bingxuan; they were deskmates in their final year of high school, and even after Yan Bingxuan dropped out, they stayed in touch.

Classroom 203! Chen Mobai checked the number and, confirming it was the location Chai Deyun had mentioned, walked in first. The room was empty.

“Just pick a seat.” Chen Mobai naturally chose a prime spot in the back row by the window—the best view and inconspicuous. Song Zheng nodded and sat in the row in front of him. Mo Simin hesitated for a moment before sitting beside Chen Mobai.

Soon after, two boys arrived. “Oh, it’s you, buddy.” One of them seemed to know Song Zheng, raising a hand to him at the doorway and greeting him casually. Song Zheng responded in kind.

“Mhm.” “They are Xu Yuan and Shi Yuanqing from Class 1. Xu Yuan is at Qi Condensation Level 7, like you, and Shi Yuanqing is at Qi Condensation Level 8, quietly holding the title of the Fifth High School’s top student.” Mo Simin immediately leaned close to Chen Mobai, relaying their identities. Hearing this, Chen Mobai carefully observed them. Xu Yuan was the casual-looking boy, while Shi Yuanqing was a slightly childish, quiet smaller boy who followed behind Xu Yuan. The two sat together in the farthest corner from them.

A moment later, two beautiful girls entered, one slender and the other charmingly innocent. Mo Simin introduced them again: Cao Yaling and Shi Jingjing from Class 2. Both were at Qi Condensation Level 8 and were known as the school’s twin beauties. Along with Shi Yuanqing, they were the only three students at Qi Condensation Level 8 in this graduating class of Immortal Gate Fifth High School.

“How were your scores? I didn’t perform well this time; I won’t get into Taiyuan Academy.” Shi Jingjing seemed very familiar with the two boys from Class 1, naturally walking over and sitting in front of their seats to ask.

“They’re alright, I guess. I got 342 points, and he got 343. Getting into the Four Great Daoist Academies is out of the question, but we can still pick any of the Ten Great Academies.” Xu Yuan replied without looking up, one hand propping his chin, the other playing with his phone.

“Was this year’s exam a bit harder? I originally thought I might have a chance at the entrance exam for the Four Great Daoist Academies.” Shi Jingjing pouted, seemingly displeased with her performance, while Cao Yaling sat down quietly.

“How much did she score? I heard the highest score in our school was 345, from a name I’ve never heard before.” Xu Yuan gestured towards Cao Yaling while speaking to Shi Jingjing.

“344.5 points. She was half a point away from being first in the whole school. I wonder who this Chen Mobai is?” Song Zheng’s expression became strange upon hearing this, while Mo Simin sat silently in her seat.

“Oh, I thought I was early enough.” At that moment, a familiar person walked in: Yan Bingxuan.

“Didn’t you drop out?” Shi Jingjing also knew the beautiful Yan and her eyes widened in surprise upon seeing her.

“Although I got into the Nature Academy through an exemption, my academic records and other files still need to be transferred from here.” “The principal asked me to come and handle the transfer procedures and also to make up the numbers for publicity. After all, I can be considered a student who entered the Nature Academy from this high school. If all of you fail the entrance exam, they might have to use my name on the banners.” Yan Bingxuan’s words made Shi Jingjing scoff, but then three more people approached, so they didn’t continue the argument.

“Over here.” Chen Mobai immediately waved to the beautiful Yan, signaling her to sit with them. Seeing Mo Simin, Yan Bingxuan didn’t hesitate and sat next to her. Song Zheng remained silent, acting as if he hadn’t seen her.

“I’m really sorry about what happened that day.” Chen Mobai apologized sincerely to Yan Bingxuan, who waved her hand, indicating she didn’t mind at all.

“What was your score, and which academy do you plan to attend?” Yan Bingxuan didn’t know Chen Mobai’s results yet. As he was about to answer, a short old man walked in.

“Oh, you’re quite early.” Seeing the old man, everyone stood up and bowed to him. “Good morning, Principal.”

“Yes, good, good. Please all sit down for now. I’ll speak once everyone has arrived.” He was He Jingshan, the principal of Immortal Gate Fifth High School and also a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

About ten minutes later, all 36 people had arrived. With Mo Simin’s introductions, Chen Mobai became familiar with everyone: three at Qi Condensation Level 8, fifteen at Qi Condensation Level 7, and eighteen at Qi Condensation Level 6.

“Alright, I’ll say a few words to start.” Seeing everyone present, He Jingshan stood at the podium. After the usual opening remarks, he suddenly asked a question.

“Who is Chen Mobai?” “Good morning, Principal. I am Chen Mobai.” The clean-cut young man stood up. Instantly, all eyes in the classroom turned to him. In the corner, Xu Yuan and Shi Jingjing’s mouths dropped open; they seemed to have no idea that this person was the top student in the entire school.

“What’s going on?” Only Yan Bingxuan, having already dropped out, was completely unaware of the situation. Feeling the unusual atmosphere in the classroom, she couldn’t help but frown and ask Mo Simin beside her.

“Excellent, excellent. Talent emerges from generation to generation. I hope that in this entrance exam, you can lead your classmates and showcase the spirit of our Fifth High School. Please, sit down.” Seeing Chen Mobai, the principal was very pleased and offered a few words of encouragement.

At this moment, Yan Bingxuan also learned that Chen Mobai had scored first in the entire school. Slightly shocked, she turned her head and carefully observed this male classmate, whom she usually hadn’t paid much attention to. While she had been surprised by his Qi Condensation Level 7 cultivation during their farewell meal, it was merely surprise. After all, there were many students at Qi Condensation Level 7 in the school, and if she hadn’t spent so much time on converting her Ice Spirit Root, she might have already reached Qi Condensation Level 8 herself. However, being the top scorer on the college entrance exam truly shocked her. After all, she had also taken the exam herself and, when calculating her own score, had coincidentally gotten exactly 345 points. Had this guy been keeping a low profile all this time? Yan Bingxuan recalled the scene where Chen Mobai had asked her about "Ice Cultivation Technique," and she thought that perhaps he was just someone who disliked fanfare, unaffected by honor or disgrace, simply cultivating in silence. Such a person possessed the demeanor of a true cultivator.

“Let’s have dinner together after school. I’ve successfully cultivated the Ice Cultivation Technique, so I want to properly thank you, and also apologize.” At that moment, Chen Mobai sent a message to Yan Bingxuan. After sending the message, he suddenly remembered that he had also arranged to eat grilled fish with Qing Nü after school that morning. Never mind, he thought, inviting them both would save time.