Chapter 119: A Close-Up View, The Final Ranking Determined

"Brother Chong, what exactly is happening on the exam field? Why is everything so unclear to me?"

At the very back edge of the spectator stands, the group of ten from Star-Craft School craned their necks, trying to get a better view. One student scratched his head and complained, earning a sharp, irritable glare from He Chong.

*You don't understand? Do you think I have a clear grasp of it either?*

Although He Chong’s father, an executive vice president at Star-Craft Paper, had hired private tutors and spent a small fortune to get inside information on the trials of the Small Imperial Examination, hearing about it a thousand times was nothing compared to seeing it once. Even if one’s ears developed calluses from listening to descriptions, it couldn't compare to witnessing the reality.

What exactly were the Radiant Humanoids used in the exam? How many permutations were there for the combinations of the Six Mental Arts? What were the strengths and weaknesses of each mode during practical application? In the Mind-Heart Secret Realms—which functioned entirely differently from everyday duels—what subtle changes occurred between offense and defense?

Without careful observation, hearsay was of little use.

He Chong took this opportunity to observe very seriously, but unfortunately, while he had managed to secure seats, the position allotted to Star-Craft School was abysmal. Looking at the wall of people blocking his view, He Chong felt more clearly than ever that the so-called Star-Craft School really didn't amount to much.

"Brother Chong, I heard that passing the first round puts you on the Copper Ranking, the second on the Silver, and the third on the Gold. We're already at the third exam now—how many people can actually make it onto the Gold Ranking?"

He Chong was already agitated. "Stop blathering and watch!"

*How the hell would I know how many make the Gold Ranking? Do you think I have eyes of fire and gold? Do you really think I'm that capable?*

Still, it shouldn't take long.

As expected, the intense combat reached its peak within moments, then came to a brilliant, sudden conclusion in the blink of an eye. The sound of shattering secret realms rang out in succession as the medical teams moved with lightning speed. The intensity of this round was significantly higher than the previous one; many candidates fought until they were on the verge of death before being ejected from the realms.

After all, the difference between making the Gold Ranking and merely the Silver was substantial. A spot on the Gold Ranking guaranteed admission to a top-tier academy, whereas the Silver Ranking left things hanging. It wasn't impossible, but the difficulty was far greater—if you lacked connections, it wasn't even worth considering.

But regardless of how desperately the candidates struggled, the difficulty of the third exam was immense. Shi Tiexin looked around and was surprised to see that nearly five hundred people had been ejected from the realms all at once.

The medical teams possessed impressive martial arts, particularly their footwork. The leaders of the three medical squads likely possessed the cultivation of the second realm of Force Arts—the Sharp Spirit Stage. They might have been fresh into the second realm, but they were still capable of tossing the wounded through the air like ragdolls, clearing the circular stage rapidly and leaving Shi Tiexin feeling a sense of regret.

*If only I could run into someone with a stronger urge to confide in me!*

*Forget it, don't dwell on it. Let me see—what’s the situation on the field now?*

Focusing his gaze, Shi Tiexin was astonished to see that the short girl closest to him was still in the game!

This unassuming person had actually fought her way through, passing all three rounds!

Shi Tiexin couldn't help but feel a shred of admiration.

*Impressive. All the sisters in that family are quite formidable.* If his assessment was correct, Shi Yuhui’s Force Arts level was likely at the peak of the Sharp Spirit Stage. Using Liu Qigang as a benchmark, Shi Tiexin couldn't accurately judge who was superior, but they were both undoubtedly experts. Although Shi Yuwei was only at the Vitality Stage, even a fleeting glance revealed her solid fundamentals and vast reserves of energy.

As for the short one before him—if he recalled correctly, her name was Shi Yulei—her Vitality level was deeper than her younger, directionally-challenged sister. Just looking at her, Shi Tiexin could sense her enduring, profound strength and her fierce, decisive fighting style. The six-colored radiance around her was also quite potent; she was truly one of the standouts among these twenty-four hundred candidates.

At least one of the best.

Shi Tiexin scanned the area and noticed about sixty secret realms remaining, showing no signs of dissipating. It seemed these sixty or so individuals would be moving on to the next round.

*Will there be new Radiant Humanoids?*

"Merge!"

With a loud shout from the Longtu Scholar, the sixty secret realms suddenly shifted. Like two bubbles touching and fusing into one larger sphere, the realms merged in pairs, instantly reducing to thirty. Counting carefully, there were exactly thirty-two.

The space within the realms remained unchanged—it was still the same circular stage.

But the candidates inside suddenly found themselves with a new opponent.

Each other.

Of the thirty-two realms, not everyone could be paired up; three were lucky enough to have a bye, allowing those candidates to take time to recover and meditate. The short girl in front of Shi Tiexin, however, was not so fortunate. Opposite her stood a woman nearly 1.9 meters tall. In terms of height, the short girl was at an immediate, absolute disadvantage.

But when she braced herself, clenched her fists, and inhaled to set her stance, Shi Tiexin felt the short girl's presence surge, becoming exceptionally fierce.

"Candidates, the Gold Ranking determination is about to begin. Before we start, I will provide a brief explanation." The Longtu Scholar’s voice drifted down from above, entering every Mind-Heart Secret Realm. "The Gold Ranking determination will be conducted in pairs until the end. As an official examination of the Scholastic Union and one of the world's orthodox trials sanctioned by the Sages, the Gold Ranking selection will bestow Golden Light upon the top three. Consider your tactics and strategies accordingly."

*Golden Light bestowed upon the top three?*

Shi Tiexin felt a stir in his heart. It seemed these orthodox world trials were more recognized by the fundamental laws than ordinary competitions. Regular contests only rewarded the first place, but the Scholastic Union’s official exams recognized the top three. From this perspective, it was indeed formidable. Statistically, the probability of obtaining the Heavenly Golden Light was higher, though he assumed the amount of Golden Light for the top three would differ.

Looking at the candidates, everyone was brimming with murderous intent, clearly wishing they could defeat their opponents in a single strike. With the Heavenly Golden Light at stake, no one would yield; the atmosphere had become incredibly volatile.

"Prepare—begin!"

*Crack, snap!* At the Longtu Scholar’s command, intense battles erupted simultaneously in twenty-nine Mind-Heart Secret Realms. Every match was fierce, every participant gave their all, and every one showcased their unique specialty. Shi Tiexin was dazzled, his gaze darting from one realm to another. Seeing such large-scale duels for the first time, he didn't even know where to look.

Just then, a sharp cracking sound rang out—a realm had shattered, and it was nearby!

Shi Tiexin snapped his gaze toward it, only to be shocked: the short girl had already forced the 1.9-meter woman out of the realm! From the moment the command was given until the realm shattered, Shi Tiexin had only glanced around a few times—yet she had already finished off her opponent in seconds!

*Is she really that strong? They were both candidates who had passed three rounds—how could she not last even a few moves against her?*