Chapter 467: The East Court's Comeback!

"Everyone, follow me inside! Whether the East Court is worthless or not, it's not for others to decide. Show your true strength!"

Leng Jianfeng said lazily before striding confidently into the assessment hall.

The indignant yellow-tier students of the East Court, now full of determination, vowed to shock those who looked down on them.

Ling Feng touched his nose, admitting that Leng Jianfeng’s tactic was quite brilliant—it had instantly boosted everyone's fighting spirit.

Moreover, the overall level of the East Court had significantly improved this year. Besides himself and Li Bufan, there was Jiang Xiaofan, Ouyang Jing, Wang Yishan, Liu Yunfei, and Qin Wanwan...

The East Court's comeback was just beginning!

Inside the assessment hall, it was spacious. Upon entering, they saw eighteen massive stone pillars on each side, intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes. In the center of the hall, a wooden frame held a bronze bell, which must be the Huanyin Bronze Bell mentioned by the assessment hall staff.

The bronze bell stood three meters tall, its entire body a dark blue-green, and it looked extremely heavy. Beside it was a transparent crystal pillar, seemingly for measuring something.

The martial arts instructors of each court began explaining the assessment details to their students.

"The first test measures your strength level. Use your true qi to strike the bronze bell. The crystal pillar beside it will display a musical note based on the purity of your true qi."

Leng Jianfeng touched the East Court's assessment bronze bell with his large hand. "If you get less than a three-colored note, consider your past six months of training wasted. Go back and continue being a yellow-tier student. If you get higher than that, however, you proceed to the second assessment.

"The rules are simple. Understand?"

Seeing that there were no questions, Leng Jianfeng glared at the East Court students and nodded. "Good. Now, line up!"

After explaining the rules, Leng Jianfeng found a seat in the hall and relaxed, leaving the task of recording the results to the staff.

Soon, students from all five courts lined up in two long queues. Ling Feng and his roommates from Tianshu East Court joined the left queue near the back.

While waiting, Ling Feng's eyes fell on Qin Wanwan, who had confessed to him yesterday. His expression turned a bit awkward, but Qin Wanwan acted as usual, even giving him a sweet smile.

Ling Feng smiled wryly, realizing that this girl was serious about her feelings.

The first student in line began the assessment. Ling Feng focused his attention, eager to understand what Leng Jianfeng meant by musical notes.

Two staff members stood on both sides of the Huanyin Bronze Bell. The one on the right said, "You must stand ten steps away and use your true qi to strike the bell. If you can't make it ring, you'll have to wait for the next assessment. Note that you can use any weapon."

After this explanation, the staff took out a register. "Now, state your name and court and then strike the bell. Begin."

The first student on the left was a plain-looking boy in a green robe. Nervously, he said, "I-I am Sun Tiande from the North Court!"

Sun Tiande took a deep breath, drew his sword, and used his strongest technique to strike the bell. His cultivation had just reached the threshold of ten meridians, so he had to give his all to pass.

Dong!

The bell emitted a faint sound, like a mosquito's buzz, and the crystal pillar glowed weakly with a mix of blue and yellow before fading away quickly.

"Two-colored note, strength level determined as yellow-tier. You’ll have to try next time."

The staff recording the results announced Sun Tiande's assessment without expression before calling out, "Next."

"

Sigh!

" Sun Tiande clenched his fists, looking dejected as he walked away.

Advancement assessment didn't guarantee success at the ten meridians level. Sometimes, an inflated realm didn’t equate to actual strength. Conversely, some with seemingly lower realms could pass due to their solid power level.

Next, the second student stepped forward and announced loudly, “Jiang Yulang, student of the Central Court.”

“Mhmm.” The assessment hall staff nodded slightly at Jiang Yulang. Just the words Central Court were enough to command respect.

"

Ha!

" Jiang Yulang let out a low roar and punched with immense force, creating a swift and powerful gust of wind.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

The bronze bell shook violently, and the crystal pillar beside it immediately lit up with three colors. After five seconds, the first section of the pillar was fully illuminated, and the second section began to display a three-colored musical note.

"Three-colored note, strength level: mystical-tier grade five. Congratulations, you’ve passed!"

The assessment staff smiled slightly at Jiang Yulang, noting his result beside his name.

Jiang Yulang smiled lightly. Generally, reaching the mystical-tier meant one could advance to being a mystical-tier student. Mystical-tier fifth grade was roughly equivalent to opening fifteen meridian gates.

Standing at the back of the line, Ling Feng had a moment of clarity.

The so-called Huanyin Bronze Bell was essentially a different way to measure cultivation level. Having the realm was not enough; one also needed strength that matched their realm.

After Jiang Yulang, three more students passed consecutively, all achieving grades above mystical-tier third grade.

However, many students following them were determined to be yellow-tier but had to leave disheartened.

Next up was once again a student from the North Court. He seemed to be the chief student of the North Court, named Cheng Qi.

Cheng Qi arrogantly cracked his knuckles and then turned to give a thumbs-up to a group of students behind him. He then rotated 180 degrees and thrust his thumb downwards a few times, shouting, “East Court scum, I’ll show you what a genius is! These are heights you can never reach!”

His words immediately drew a chorus of boos, cheers from the North Court, and laughter from students of other courts.

Ling Feng touched his nose.

Idiot.

Not to mention himself, even Jiang Xiaofan and Li Bufan could easily crush Cheng Qi.

“Begin.”

The assessment hall staff looked at Cheng Qi with some anticipation. After all, Cheng Qi’s family had considerable influence in the imperial capital. This young master of the Cheng family was expected to perform well.

All eyes were on Cheng Qi, who had made such a bold claim.

He channeled his true qi and threw a casual punch, sending a golden streak of qi like lightning towards the bronze bell.

Dong!

The bell trembled violently, its hum resonating for miles beyond the assessment hall.

The crystal pillar displayed a seven-colored note, filling the first section and also the second, before dimming to a one-colored note as the third section glowed faintly blue.

“Seven-colored note, strength level: earth-tier third grade. Pass!”

Earth-tier third grade meant his strength was comparable to a martial artist with twenty-three meridian gates. Being able to reach this level in just six months at Tianwei Academy, it was no wonder he was so arrogant.

However, achieving such a score and challenging the entire East Court was sheer overconfidence.

Next, several boys and girls struck the bronze bell one by one.

Li Bufan casually punched the bell, reaching sky-tier ninth grade without even using his full strength.

Jiang Xiaofan also casually struck the bell, achieving sky-tier ninth grade as well.

For them, this assessment posed no challenge. They were sky-tier students, yet they were participating in the same assessment as yellow-tier students.

Honestly, it was insulting!

But they were still considered yellow-tier students.

Cheng Qi, who had boasted about showing the East Court students an unattainable height, must have been hiding somewhere in embarrassment.

Moreover, the overall level of the East Court students was indeed surprising. Except for a few who were eliminated, most reached the mystical-tier standard and passed the assessment.

Such results left the instructors and students of the other four courts astounded.

Isn't the East Court supposed to be the weakest of the five courts? When did its students suddenly become so formidable?