At this moment, only a third of the people on the Martial Training Ground remained in place; two-thirds had moved to the left, meaning they would soon face a ruthless elimination.
Many who stayed in place now bitterly regretted not checking the martial techniques recorded on the screens.
Seeing that no one else was moving to the left, that voice finally spoke up:
"Now I announce: everyone standing on the left will be eliminated, while those who stayed in place can proceed to the Three-Gate selection. Choosing disciples is cruel."
Everyone who went to the left was secretly glad about their choice; some hadn't even looked at the techniques on the screens and just followed the crowd. Unfortunately, what awaited them was endless regret.
"Now I announce..." The voice deliberately paused. On the Martial Training Ground, aside from Evan Chu, Lily Tang, Roxanne Lin, and a few others who knew the inside story, everyone else was extremely nervous—especially those who had stayed in place.
Even though there are ten screens, each displaying martial arts techniques, it's impossible for so many people to memorize them all. Plenty are just pretending to fit in.
At Heavenly Dragon Academy, we only select elites. So, those on the left, please leave now. As for the reason: if a single low-tier martial art can make you lose your head and forget your true purpose here, then you are not suited to stay.
The result was instantly unbearable for countless people. "I didn't even look! Why did I follow the crowd? Am I stupid? Damn it, I'm just a pig."
Even though there are ten screens, each with martial techniques, it's impossible for so many people to memorize them all. There are plenty just trying to blend in with the crowd.
"Sigh, I really... sigh..." muttered a well-dressed youth, looking lost.
The result was instantly unbearable for countless people. "I didn't even look! Why did I follow the crowd? Am I stupid? Damn it, I'm just a pig."
"I only went left because most people did. Now I regret it so much... My parents were counting on me to make it big, and now I've lost my chance. Boo hoo..." wailed a flashy young man, overcome with anger and tears.
"Sigh, I really... sigh..." muttered a well-dressed youth, looking lost.
"Haha, I'm just smart. I didn't go look at the stuff on the screens—my choice was absolutely clear!" laughed a youth who had stayed in place.
"Haha, me too! Though honestly, it was just because there were too many people in front and I couldn't squeeze in. Lucky for me—maybe the heavens were watching out for me..." The Martial Training Ground buzzed with all kinds of chatter.
There was joy and there was sorrow, but the cruelty of disciple selection was an unchangeable fact. Those on the left left, unwilling, while those who remained stood in place, full of excitement.
The ten disciples with silver sword badges lined up in front of the screens, standing motionless as if bewitched.
But Heavenly Dragon Academy believes only disciples whose strength has reached a certain level can train faster and better. Those below the Mystic Warrior Realm are simply too weak—the time investment isn't worth it.
When the screens were struck, they released different colors of light. A red glow meant instant elimination—those who hadn't even reached the Mystic Warrior Realm failed to meet the academy's minimum standard.
Time passed quickly—an entire hour slipped by amid tension, joy, and disappointment. Now, only five people remained ahead of Evan Chu and Roxanne Lin; soon it would be their turn.
But the academy believed only disciples whose strength had reached a certain level could train faster and better. Those below the Mystic Warrior Realm were simply too weak—the time investment wasn't worth it.
The screens ahead kept flashing red and orange lights; the latter appeared far less often. Each candidate who triggered red was led aside by a disciple with a silver sword badge, while those who triggered orange were taken to a different area.
Now, only five people remained ahead of Evan Chu and Roxanne Lin; soon it would be their turn.
Just then, Jenny Sima's voice sounded in Evan's ear: "Evan Chu, make sure to go all out—your performance now will determine how you're treated in the future.
You should understand this—geniuses are everywhere here. If you want to stand out, you have to unleash your full potential."
This time, Evan Chu finally spotted Jenny Sima's position—she was actually the silver sword badge disciple standing right in front of his screen, with two glowing red stones.
Evan nodded and gave her a confident smile. Unlike Jenny Sima, he couldn't transmit his voice directly into someone else's ear.
Truthfully, Evan wasn't sure of himself. You weren't allowed to use weapons to strike the screens, and his strongest moves all required a sword. Besides the Phantom Shadow Finger, he didn't know any unarmed martial techniques.
If only he'd learned the Cloud-Parting Palm earlier—at least its power was greater than the Phantom Shadow Finger.
Lily Tang saw Evan Chu lost in thought. "What are you thinking about? Don't tell me you're doubting yourself!"
"No, it's nothing. I'll just do my best. What color do you hope I get?"
"If you get green or blue, everyone at Heavenly Dragon Academy will be stunned. But that's basically impossible—yellow would already be impressive," Lily Tang laughed.
Just then, the youth ahead of Evan Chu stepped up. He struck Evan as honest and straightforward.
The youth didn't attack the screen right away with his Stellar Force. Instead, he turned to Evan Chu and smiled before preparing to strike.
That smile left Evan Chu puzzled. Had the youth overheard Evan and Roxanne talking earlier, and thought they were just dreaming?
Was he trying to show off his real strength? With a head full of questions, Evan Chu quietly watched his every move.
On his first attempt, the youth triggered an orange light—he'd passed. Everyone got three tries, so maybe he'd show another color.
His second try was also orange. The youth took a deep breath, then slowly traced shapes with his palm in front of his chest.
It looked like he was adjusting his Stellar Force or preparing some martial technique—his expression was deadly serious.
Suddenly, his palm struck out so fast it left afterimages, and a dazzling yellow light burst forth from the screen.
He was the first in Evan Chu's group to trigger a yellow light—everyone was shocked, even Jenny Sima frowned slightly.
At the same time, she looked at Evan Chu, as if to say: if you can't beat this kid, you'll be in trouble later. Evan felt a chill run down his spine.
The youth calmly stopped, completely ignoring the gasps and chatter around him.