After You Broke Off the Engagement, I Broke Through Twelve Realms in a Single Day! - Chapter 15:

Chapter 15: Where Should I Stand?

Soon enough, Liu Ruyan realized how vast the gap was between her and Li Feng.

With Lin Mumu leading the way, Li Feng directly summoned the earth-grade treasured saber gifted by Luo Yuheng. Carrying them through the air, they reached Jishang Academy within a single day.

Jishang Academy truly deserved to be called the number one sect in the Great Qing Empire. It covered over one million mu, filled with scholars and martial artists of renown. Martial Masters were as common as cattle here, and even the most ordinary instructors were Martial Masters. Its foundation was incomparably deep.

The academy was like a city unto itself, protected by one of the only two 6th-grade defense formations in the Great Qing Empire—the other being at the Imperial Palace. Its high status was self-evident.

Most of the empire’s scholars and martial artists came from Jishang Academy. Throughout the ages, all prime ministers were alumni, not to mention countless marquises and generals. It was the empire’s foremost institution for cultivating talent.

Today was the day new disciples were assigned to their classes.

All new students gathered in the plaza to observe the academy’s spiritual-grade cultivation method, [Heaven and Man Record]. Their comprehension of this method, combined with their Martial Vein talent, would determine their placement into one of four classes: A, B, C, or D.

“According to past records, the stronger one’s Martial Vein talent, the deeper the comprehension of the [Heaven and Man Record]. Young Master Li, there’s no need to worry—you will certainly be ranked first. You are the only one in the Great Qing Empire whose talent surpasses the superior-grade Martial Vein,” Lin Mumu said with a fiery gaze as they stood atop the saber.

Her eyes sparkled as she sent flirty glances at Li Feng, completely ignoring the disciple beside her.

Lin Mumu disdained most men, believing few were worthy of her. But for a peerless genius like Li Feng, she couldn’t help but feel admiration.

Even becoming a concubine to such a man was better than marrying an ordinary man as a wife.

Moreover, Lin Mumu had heard rumors that Li Feng had helped Liu Ruyue improve her talent and strength. If she could catch Li Feng’s interest, perhaps she could change her own fate and glimpse the Martial Emperor Realm one day.

Indeed, Lin Mumu’s Martial Vein was a top-grade Earth-grade Martial Vein. Without extraordinary fortune, she would never surpass the Martial King Realm. She was unwilling to accept such a fate.

“Maybe comprehension has nothing to do with Martial Vein talent,” Li Feng chuckled.

If he hadn’t seen the cause and effect memories, he would have confidently thought he would be first.

But the memories revealed otherwise: comprehension had little to do with Martial Vein talent. The spiritual-grade cultivation method [Heaven and Man Record] was particularly suited to someone named Chen Chuan. At the entrance ceremony, Li Feng would lose to him and become a laughingstock among the freshmen.

“You will definitely be first. Even Elder Zhang has already decided to take you as his final disciple. Who could possibly surpass you?” Lin Mumu smiled charmingly. “Why don’t we make a bet? If you come in first, you can move next to my courtyard. It’s a bit lonely there, and having someone nearby would put me at ease.”

“If you don’t come in first, I’ll let you do whatever you want with me.”

This was no longer a hint but an outright proposition, leaving Liu Ruyan, standing to the side like a transparent person, shocked and bitter.

She was once Li Feng’s fiancée, yet her master Lin Mumu openly flirted with Li Feng right in front of her, ignoring her feelings. It was shameless.

If she had Lin Mumu’s thick skin, perhaps Li Feng would have long since fallen for her.

“No need. I’ve already agreed with Elder Zhang to stay at Bitter Boat Pavilion to meditate on the [Heaven and Man Record] day and night. If Instructor Lin feels lonely, you could let Liu Ruyan keep you company,” Li Feng declined politely, finding an excuse.

He was a married man and would not betray Liu Ruyue.

Li Feng could tell Lin Mumu’s intentions were anything but pure, and he had no interest in getting entangled with her. Once he entered Jishang Academy, he would keep his distance from her.

Hearing this, Lin Mumu looked disappointed, but Liu Ruyan smiled with joy. “Master, I’m willing to stay with you and learn from you!”

“Very well. You can stay next door,” Lin Mumu said perfunctorily, clearly disinterested.

Liu Ruyan felt secretly pleased. Li Feng still cared about her.

He had refused Lin Mumu’s offer for her sake. Maybe she still had a chance to repair their relationship.

With Liu Ruyue absent, she could take the opportunity to draw closer to Li Feng.

Liu Ruyan firmly believed that Li Feng couldn’t have completely forgotten his former fiancée of eighteen years.

Soon, they arrived at the gates of Jishang Academy.

After presenting their identity plaques, Lin Mumu led Li Feng and Liu Ruyan inside.

In the plaza, new students had already gathered.

The instructor presiding over the class assignments was someone Li Feng recognized: the refined Instructor Su.

“Today is the day of class assignment for the new students. First, we sort by Martial Vein. Superior-grade heaven Martial Veins stand in the first row and will be in Class A,” Instructor Su announced.

As he spoke, three youths—two boys and one girl—stepped proudly to the front.

They all came from aristocratic families, their eyes filled with arrogance, their demeanors noble, drawing envious gazes from the other students.

“Chen Chuan, Han Li, Lu Yao—all from imperial families. Born with status, and on top of that, incredibly talented. So unfair.”

“Well, what can you do? Talent is inherited. Their ancestors worked hard, formed strong alliances, and provided abundant resources. It’s natural that each generation surpasses the last.”

“Maybe not. I heard a peerless genius among us commoners is about to join Jishang Academy—someone even more monstrous than them.”

A chubby student whispered mysteriously, causing a stir and piquing the curiosity of even the older students.

It wasn’t much of a secret. Many knew the youth with a Martial Vein talent surpassing the superior grade was named Li Feng, a live-in son-in-law from a minor family in Luoxing City, not even from a proper gentry background.

Still, everyone loved gossip and wanted to know more about this unusual Li Feng.

“Quiet! Those with mid-grade and low-grade heaven Martial Veins, stand in the second and third rows. You’ll be assigned to Class B,” Instructor Su said sternly.

At his rebuke, the students quickly fell silent. About forty to fifty students stepped into the second row.

“Students with top-grade Earth-grade Martial Veins, stand in the third row for Class C. Students with low-grade Earth-grade Martial Veins, stand in the fourth row for Class D,” Instructor Su continued.

Liu Ruyan hurried to the Class D lineup. There were hundreds of students with low-grade Earth-grade Martial Veins. Standing on her toes, she still couldn’t see Instructor Su clearly. She instantly realized how strict the hierarchy at Jishang Academy was and how insignificant she had become.

The talent she once took pride in was nothing here, and no one even noticed her. Bitterness and disappointment welled up inside her.

Just as the students finished lining up and Instructor Su prepared to guide them in comprehending the [Heaven and Man Record], a voice suddenly called out from the crowd.

“Excuse me, Instructor Su, where should I stand?”

The voice immediately drew everyone’s attention, and many students sneered.

“Who is that? Can’t even figure out where to stand?”

“Doesn’t even know where to stand and wants to attend the Academy? Ridiculous.”

“Such a stupid question. Might as well stand on the instructor’s platform, clown.”

Scornful laughter spread. Even Instructor Su wondered if a troublemaker was causing a scene. But when he saw who spoke, his expression lit up with joy.

“Junior Brother Li, you’re finally here! Come, stand next to me!” Instructor Su beamed and beckoned to Li Feng.

His words caused an uproar.

Those who had mocked Li Feng seconds ago were dumbfounded.

This seemingly insignificant youth was actually invited to stand on the instructor’s platform!

Even those with superior-grade heaven Martial Veins had to stand below, but this young man… just how high was his talent?!