The Villain Plundered the Children of Destiny’s Luck - Chapter 38:

Chapter 38: Zhenwu Academy

Outside Xuanfeng City, Qin Xiao led his wives, concubines, maids, along with Ye Tian, Yang Hao, his grandson Qin Zhenyuan, and his granddaughter Qin Tianmei. A group of guards followed as they made their grand entrance into the city.

They went directly to a Qin Family manor that had been prepared in advance. In just a few days, instructors from Zhenwu Academy would arrive in Xuanfeng City to hold their enrollment examinations.

Every major force in Xuanfeng Commandery that wanted their family’s younger generation to enter Zhenwu Academy had already begun gathering in the city days ahead of time, preparing to register for the examination.

Zhenwu Academy was the largest academy in the Great Wei Empire, backed by the imperial court and royal family, possessing immense power beyond imagination.

It had one supreme main academy located in the imperial capital of Shenjing, as well as twenty-four advanced branches spread across the twenty-four prefectural capitals.

The academy had cultivated countless talents and experts for the empire. Its status was special—local officials and forces had no authority over it, and even the imperial court could not interfere in its education.

Furthermore, Zhenwu Academy housed a vast collection of cultivation methods, martial skills, pills, and resources. As long as one had the ability, talent, and enough contribution points, they could obtain anything they desired. Even Earth Rank techniques and martial skills could be exchanged.

This drew countless young people who scrambled desperately for a chance to enter the academy, hoping to grasp even the slightest opportunity to rise above others.

However, the admission requirements were strict. Candidates had to reach the Postnatal Realm before the age of eighteen—this was the lowest threshold. They also had to pass additional assessments.

Thus, only one in tens of thousands of the younger generation ever succeeded. Every student admitted was a peerless genius, standing out for their talent alone.

The academy’s recruitment disregarded background or status, focusing solely on talent. Even if someone came from poverty, they could still step through its gates if their aptitude was high enough.

The instructors themselves were all formidable, with the weakest being at late-stage Innate Realm, comparable to the patriarchs of powerful families in major prefectures.

…

In just a few days, the day of the examination arrived.

The recruitment assessment was held in the inner city square. When Qin Xiao’s group arrived, the square was already crowded with people, a sea of heads bustling with noise and excitement.

Thousands of youths surged toward the center. If not for the city lord’s guards maintaining order, the place would have descended into chaos.

Qin Xiao and his group did not join the throng. Instead, they went to a separate area cordoned off by a fully armed army. Only those with influence and background in Xuanfeng City were permitted inside.

The Qin Family qualified in both respects, so they had the privilege to enter. After presenting their identification tokens, they were soon allowed through.

“Husband, this place is so lively!” Ye Suxin said in amazement as she looked at the swelling crowd. She hadn’t expected the academy’s enrollment to attract such numbers.

“It truly is. Look, tens of thousands of people are here,” Qin Xiao nodded, equally impressed. Scenes this lively were rare even for him.

At the center of the square, an enormous circle had been cleared, surrounded by thousands of seats. Many were already occupied by the prominent figures of Xuanfeng City.

The Qin Family’s seats were in the front section—an area reserved for forces with Innate Realm experts. Only those families qualified by such strength could sit there.

Ahead of them stood ten luxuriously decorated seats, clearly prepared for the academy’s instructors.

“Is this Old Qin?” A deep voice rang out.

A middle-aged man with sword-like brows and broad ears, clad in black, approached with three youths behind him. His aura revealed he was an Innate Realm expert.

“Yes, that’s me. May I know your business?” Qin Xiao asked, puzzled. He clearly didn’t know this man.

The man smiled warmly. “Old Qin, greetings. I am Luo Yuan, patriarch of the Luo Family. I’ve long heard of your reputation and came here to pay my respects.”

“Haha, Patriarch Luo flatters me. I only broke through to the Innate Realm at such an old age. What reputation could I possibly have?” Qin Xiao laughed, dismissing the praise and instead complimented the other. “You, on the other hand, are in your prime and already at the Innate Realm. Perhaps one day you may even reach the Spiritual Power Realm. That is the mark of a true hero.”

“Old Qin jests. Breaking through to the Spiritual Power Realm is unimaginably difficult. I’d be satisfied just reaching the peak of the 9th stage Innate Realm,” Luo Yuan replied with a broad smile. Everyone liked hearing such words. His eyes toward Qin Xiao grew even warmer.

“Come, Old Qin. This is your first time in Xuanfeng City. You must not know many people. Allow me to introduce them.” Luo Yuan cheerfully stood by Qin Xiao’s side and began pointing out others.

“That is Patriarch Wang of the Wang Family, Wang Zhen, and beside him are his two sons, Wang Tianyu and Wang Tianchen. Both are young talents with considerable strength.”

Qin Xiao looked over. Patriarch Wang was a plump man in yellow robes with a round face, resembling a wealthy merchant. His two sons, one at 4th stage Postnatal Realm and the other at 3rd stage, were indeed decent talents.

“Over there is Patriarch Lu of the Lu Family, Lu Tianxiong. Behind him are his daughter Lu Miao’er and his nephew Lu Shaohu.” Luo Yuan then gestured toward a tall man with a square face, wearing long robes, exuding scholarly elegance yet carrying a commanding aura.

Qin Xiao’s gaze followed and landed on Lu Miao’er. His eyes flashed with interest.

She looked about sixteen or seventeen, wearing tight-fitting attire that highlighted her graceful figure. Her cheeks were rosy like blooming peach blossoms, her large eyes sparkled with youthful brightness, and dimples graced her smile. Her long black hair cascaded like a waterfall down her shoulders. Without a doubt, she was a budding beauty.

“High grade, not bad,” Qin Xiao thought to himself. He had his own system for judging women’s looks, using a scale out of one hundred.

Below 60: low grade.

60–80: mid grade.

80–90: high grade.

90–100: top grade.

Above 100: peerless grade.

For Lu Miao’er, Qin Xiao gave her a score of 88, a high-grade beauty, almost top grade.