The Quota Scramble Battle, attended by ten thousand spectators, finally concluded with Mu Chen claiming the precious seed quota. However, the lingering sensation of the match still swirled, prompting many to discuss it animatedly.
Liu Mubai possessed peak late-stage Spirit Wheel Realm strength, and with his spiritual meridian power, he was almost unrivaled below the Divine Soul Realm. No one expected that with such formidable strength, he would ultimately be defeated by Mu Chen, who was only in the early-stage Spirit Wheel Realm.
This unexpected outcome thrilled the audience, and many secretly sighed, realizing why Mu Chen was qualified as the only person from the Northern Spirit Realm to participate in the Spirit Road.
Although Liu Qingtian was extremely dissatisfied with Mr. Hao's judgment, the old fox was not foolish enough to provoke the power behind that person. They never truly regarded his status as the Lord of the Liu Territory. Now that the seed quota was lost, he could only find other means.
After a period of rest, Mu Chen and Liu Mubai recovered somewhat, though the latter's expression was extremely grim, making anyone who saw it shiver.
Mr. Hao suddenly leaped onto the arena, waving his hand. The twelve disciples who participated in the battle quickly ascended the stage under the admiring gazes of the audience.
"Today's Quota Scramble Battle has reached its final conclusion."
Mr. Hao swept his gaze over the disciples of the Northern Spirit Academy and continued nonchalantly, "Originally, including the seed quota, there were only six, but now there's a slight change."
His gaze shifted to the tall man, who was nervously sweating profusely, none other than Mo Ling, and he said, "You lost the competition, and according to the rules, you lose your qualification."
Mo Ling's eyes widened, then filled with sadness and a bitter expression.
"However, your perseverance and courage are commendable, and your talent is just adequate. Therefore, as an exception today, I grant you a quota." Mr. Hao continued in his calm, even tone.
Mo Ling was thrilled to hear this, his face flushed, and he quickly bowed in salute, saying, "Thank you, sir!"
Mr. Hao nodded, then looked at Tang Tian'er and Hong Ling, saying, "The two of you drew. Such a situation has never occurred before, but I can make an exception and grant each of you a quota."
Tang Tian'er and Hong Ling were instantly delighted upon hearing this.
"However, there is also a condition." Mr. Hao interrupted.
"What condition?" Tang Tian'er and Hong Ling hastily asked.
"You can only join the Myriad Phoenix Academy." Mr. Hao said with a faint smile.
"Myriad Phoenix Academy?" Tang Tian'er and Hong Ling were stunned.
The Five Great Academies were, in fact, an alliance of five different academies: the Northern Heavens Academy, the Azure Sky Academy, the Myriad Phoenix Academy, the Martial Academy, and the Saint Academy. Among them, the Myriad Phoenix Academy specifically only recruited female students.
Despite this, no one dared to underestimate the Myriad Phoenix Academy. This academy, which only accepted female students, possessed enough strength to be listed among the Five Great Academies; the four words "absolutely terrifying" were not enough to describe their power.
The names of the Five Great Academies also had clear origins. It was said that each of these five academies had an ancient divine beast guarding it, shaking heaven and earth. The names of those five academies were all based on these five ancient divine beasts.
"Well, do you accept or not?"
Mr. Hao looked at the two girls. When selecting disciples for the Five Great Academies, the number of female disciples was far fewer than male disciples. As a selector himself, if he couldn't recruit enough disciples for the Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy, it would be difficult to explain. The Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy was entirely composed of women, which made the already difficult task even more excruciating.
Hong Ling didn't hesitate at all; being able to join the Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy was truly a dream come true. Although the other four spiritual academies were no less than the Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy, this one seemed most suitable.
Tang Tian'er, however, hesitated, her pretty eyes subtly glancing at Mu Chen. Did this situation mean she couldn't be in the same spiritual academy as Mu Chen? But if she didn't agree, what other choice did she have?
Seemingly understanding Tang Tian'er's thoughts, Mu Chen looked at her and nodded slightly. The Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy was very suitable for her; if he made her miss out, he would truly be cruel.
Seeing Mu Chen nod, Tang Tian'er gritted her teeth, her eyes showing a hint of resentment, then turned to answer Mr. Hao:
"Then I'll also choose the Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy."
Mr. Hao then smiled and asked the remaining people:
"What about you all?"
"We choose the Azure Sky Spiritual Academy."
Chen Fan and Huo Yun, with perfect understanding, chose one spiritual academy.
"I'm going to the Saint Spiritual Academy."
Liu Mubai said without hesitation. He had actually calculated carefully; although it was said that all five spiritual academies possessed terrifying strength, for many years, in the Five Great Academy competitions, the Saint Spiritual Academy had always been the strongest, consistently leading the rankings.
Mr. Hao glanced at Liu Mubai, said nothing, only nodded, then turned to ask Mu Chen:
"What about you?"
Everyone focused their attention on him, the one who had obtained the seed quota. No matter which spiritual academy he joined, he would have a status and resources far superior to ordinary disciples.
Liu Mubai glared at him, his eyes clearly showing unwillingness. That position should have belonged to me...
Mu Chen opened his mouth, and memories of silver-stream-like hair and eyes sparkling like glazed glass involuntarily surfaced. He clenched his hand.
"Mr. Hao, may I ask you for some information?"
Mu Chen respectfully asked.
Mr. Hao smiled and nodded. He was already very satisfied with Mu Chen.
"I want to ask about two people."
Mu Chen said softly:
"Mr. Hao must have heard of the name Ji Xuan?"
At that very moment, Mr. Hao's eyes clearly widened, and he looked deeply at Mu Chen with a serious face:
"Ji Xuan, during the Spiritual Road training, was rated as King-level, one of the shining stars of the Spiritual Road, and received the core quota."
As soon as the words fell, everyone's faces around them changed color. Although the name was completely unfamiliar, they still felt a clear, invisible, intense pressure. A core quota—that was something only truly monstrous figures were qualified to receive.
"King-level?"
Mu Chen narrowed his eyes. That was the best evaluation of the Spiritual Road. However, with that guy's ability, he had already anticipated it.
"Which spiritual academy did he join?"
Mu Chen remained as calm as before; no one could guess what emotions he was feeling.
Mr. Hao looked at Mu Chen with a slight surprise, then after a moment, said:
"Ji Xuan entered the Saint Spiritual Academy, but it was at the specific request of the Saint Spiritual Academy's leader."
"Saint Spiritual Academy?"
Mu Chen glanced at Liu Mubai, nodded gently, hesitated slightly, and his cold eyes softened.
"I want to ask about the second person, named Luo Li."
Mu Chen scratched his head and said.
"Luo Li?"
Mr. Hao frowned again, but still said calmly:
"Luo Li also received a King-tier evaluation during her training in the Spiritual Road, and she also obtained a core quota."
The people beside them swallowed, wondering why the Spiritual Road was full of such freaks.
"Another King-tier, huh..."
Mu Chen smiled. It seemed she had become much more formidable after he left the Spiritual Road.
"So, which spiritual academy did she join?"
Mu Chen asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice. He had made a promise to her, and if he broke his word, he feared their next meeting would not go well, even though she always appeared indifferent on the surface.
"Luo Li entered the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy," Mr. Hao said with a smile, staring at Mu Chen. "I heard that the Dean of the Martial Spiritual Academy personally invited her to join, but in the end, she refused and chose the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy instead."
The people beside them listened with dropped jaws. Was that girl really that incredible? To dare refuse an invitation from the Dean of one of the Five Great Academies...
Mu Chen was also slightly stunned when he heard this, his eyes hazy and complex.
………………
Spiritual Road.
The cold night enveloped the heavens and earth. Deep within a forest, a warm bonfire blazed. Beside the fire, a young man used a branch to poke at the flames, making them burn brighter and warmer.
Next to him, a young woman in black sat, her delicate face resting on her knees. Her beautiful,琉璃-like eyes gazed at the handsome young man in front of her, whose face was darkened by smoke. The corners of her eyes curved like a crescent moon, though the curve was very subtle and hard to notice.
"You..."
Suddenly, she pointed a slender finger, unconsciously pulling out a dry piece of firewood, and casually asked, "When the Spiritual Road ends, which spiritual academy do you want to go to?"
"Me?"
The young man thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I should probably go to the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. I was born in the Northern Spirit Realm, and I have a good feeling about the word 'Northern'."
The girl glanced at him lightly, her voice calm as water, clear and pleasant to the ear: "Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy? I don't want to go there. It seems we'll have to part ways when the Spiritual Road ends."
The young man was stunned, then said helplessly, "Then which spiritual academy do you want to go to? Tell me, and I'll go with you then."
The girl turned her head away and said, "Why should I tell you?"
"Didn't you help me block that sneak attack from behind? Why are you being so unreasonable? You didn't have this attitude when we first formed a team."
The young man frowned.
"No, going with you slows down my cultivation. You can go to the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy; I'm not going there."
The girl snorted softly, not allowing him to get angry again. She waved her hand, extinguishing the bonfire, then turned and leaped onto a tree. "I'm going to sleep. You're on watch tonight."
"Luo Li, you're not keeping your word! Do you think being beautiful gives you the right to do whatever you want?! Tell me clearly..."
Under the tree, the young man shouted indignantly. The young woman leaned against the tree trunk. Under the faint moonlight, the corners of her mouth curved into a slight smile, a charming and captivating expression that made the moon itself seem dim and lusterless.
"Idiot..."
With a soft laugh, she closed her eyes and peacefully fell asleep.
…………….
Mu Chen exhaled, then turned to look at Mr. Hao, smiling. "Mr. Hao, I choose the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy."