As Gu Qingtian, Xiahou Fengyun, and other Imperial Clan Prodigies arrived, the atmosphere at Jixia Academy became even more lively.
In fact, many people were anticipating whether that figure would arrive.
Especially many female cultivators, their eyes revealing curiosity and longing.
After all, Jun Xiaoyao had topped the Fengshen Stele of Appearance.
He could be said to possess unparalleled beauty.
Who wouldn't want to glimpse his immortal face?
However, as time passed, that figure did not arrive.
And the trials at Jixia Academy were about to begin.
Buzz!
In the Void Realm, a vibrating sound suddenly rang out.
Immediately, countless Dao patterns materialized and flowed within the Void Realm.
Finally, they condensed into a series of steps.
Like stairs to heaven, they extended all the way into the depths of Jixia Academy.
This was the first trial, ascending the Heavenly Stairway.
All Prodigies had to endure immense pressure and step onto the Heavenly Stairway.
If one couldn't even pass the first trial, it proved their limited strength and inability to pass the assessment.
As the Heavenly Stairway materialized, all Prodigies began to ascend it.
Chu Xiao also leaped forward, eager to prove his capabilities.
In contrast, Gu Qingtian and Xiahou Fengyun were calm and composed.
Perhaps this was the unique composure of Imperial Clan Prodigies.
For these Imperial Clan Prodigies, the so-called assessment was merely a formality.
One by one, the Prodigies stepped onto the Heavenly Stairway.
A terrifying pressure poured down.
Chu Xiao, however, was quite accustomed to it, his steps not slowing in the slightest.
After all, his current strength was no longer inferior to some Imperial Clan Prodigies.
Coupled with the Time Divine Ability he had comprehended from the golden foil, his speed was unmatched, incredibly fast.
Meanwhile, inside Jixia Academy.
Some figures were standing there.
Before them, a magical projection appeared, displaying the Prodigies on the Heavenly Stairway.
"Oh, this Young man is quite fast."
"I know him; he seems to be the one who challenged the Yun Clan Young Master at the Tantai Ancient Ancestor's birthday banquet previously, right?"
"Although he's a bit like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, he looks like a good prospect."
These figures were some members of Jixia Academy.
And among them, there was a familiar figure.
Holding a folding fan, exuding a gentle and scholarly aura.
It was none other than Song Daosheng, who had a brief encounter with Jun Xiaoyao on the Fengshen Stele before.
Song Daosheng was also one of the Seventy-two Sages of Jixia Academy, known as Sage Song, holding a high position.
And coincidentally, he was also one of the examiners for the second trial, the Sage Dao Stele.
Song Daosheng had come here early to see if there were any good prospects.
After all, the competition between factions within Jixia Academy was also fierce.
It was naturally best to recruit some good prospects into one's own faction.
"This person is Chu Xiao; he is indeed extraordinary, but unfortunately, he overestimated himself and offended Young Master Jun," Song Daosheng thought to himself.
Normally, a good prospect like Chu Xiao would definitely be the focus of contention among the various factions of Jixia Academy.
However, he had offended Jun Xiaoyao.
For Song Daosheng, Jun Xiaoyao was someone he had always wanted to rely on.
And since Chu Xiao had offended Jun Xiaoyao, it could only be said that his luck was too bad.
"Previously, I told Mr. Yuan about Young Master Jun, and Mr. Yuan later said that Young Master Jun had already agreed to come."
"In that case, I cannot let Chu Xiao, this fly, disturb Young Master Jun."
Song Daosheng thought to himself.
Song Daosheng, one of the dignified Seventy-two Sages of Jixia Academy.
At this moment, he seemed to have become Jun Xiaoyao's servant.
However, it was also because Jun Xiaoyao was so outstanding that Song Daosheng was willing to submit.
And it was he who told Mr. Yuan to try his best to win over Jun Xiaoyao to Master Yan's faction.
Thinking of this, a hint of obscure light flashed in Song Daosheng's eyes.
As time passed, the first trial, ascending the Heavenly Stairway, also ended.
This single trial eliminated seventy percent of the Prodigies, which could be said to be extremely brutal.
Of course, Chu Xiao and others, without a doubt, advanced to the second trial.
As for Xiahou Fengyun and other Imperial Clan Prodigies, there was even less to say.
And the second trial was the Sage Dao Stele.
It was an ancient stone stele over ten thousand feet tall.
Inscribed on it were scriptures, Divine Abilities, Profound Truths, and more, left behind by the ancient sages and worthies of Jixia Academy.
However, they were extremely chaotic and profound.
The test of the second trial was to have these Prodigies comprehend some Divine Ability Moves or scriptural sentences from the complex and profound Sage Dao Stele.
Based on the results of their comprehension, it would be judged whether they had talent and could join Jixia Academy.
This was a test of talent and potential.
And for this, Chu Xiao was extremely confident.
Although he was young, he had actually Cultivated for hundreds or thousands of years in the Universe World.
Moreover, he had previously discussed Dao with Han Ping'an.
So this trial was just a piece of cake for Chu Xiao.
Thinking of this, a confident smile appeared at the corner of Chu Xiao's mouth.
He also sat cross-legged before the Sage Dao Stele and began to comprehend.
And Song Daosheng, with his hands behind his back, looked at Chu Xiao indifferently.
Soon, Chu Xiao, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, opened them.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
He had already gained some insight.
Then, Chu Xiao recorded the results of his comprehension in a Jade Slip.
With a wave of his hand, Song Daosheng collected the Jade Slip.
A smile played on the corner of Chu Xiao's mouth.
And just as he thought he could join Jixia Academy.
Suddenly, an indifferent voice came.
"What you've comprehended is not mature; there are many rough flaws. You may leave."
The speaker was, of course, Song Daosheng.
Having invisibly become Jun Xiaoyao's loyal lackey, he naturally could not let Chu Xiao in.
"What? How is that possible?"
Chu Xiao's smile froze, and his expression turned cold.
He was confident that his comprehension would definitely not be inferior to that of Imperial Clan Prodigies.
Even Imperial Clan Prodigies could enter Jixia Academy at will.
Why couldn't he?
"Oh, are you questioning my decision?" Song Daosheng's expression was indifferent.
Seeing this, the other members of Jixia Academy did not say much.
Although they felt that Chu Xiao should not be that bad.
But Song Daosheng was, after all, one of the Seventy-two Sages, and no one wanted to offend him.
"Please tell me where my comprehension was wrong?"
Chu Xiao stared intently at Song Daosheng.
He had a faint intuition that Song Daosheng was deliberately making things difficult for him.
But what he couldn't understand was that he hadn't offended anyone from Jixia Academy.
The only person he knew before was Han Ping'an.
Han Ping'an couldn't possibly have someone treat him like this.
Upon hearing this, Song Daosheng snorted coldly, saying, "If I say there's a problem, then there's a problem."
"Moreover, even if you pass this trial, there's still a third trial, which you might not be able to pass."
Song Daosheng's words surprised everyone else.
"What? How can there be a third trial? Haven't there always only been two?"
"I don't know. It seems there's a lot of uncertainty this time."
In the past, joining Jixia Academy required passing two trials.
Now, with an additional third trial, everyone was surprised.
Chu Xiao gritted his teeth tightly.
He was now certain that Song Daosheng was deliberately making things difficult for him.
And just as Chu Xiao was about to mention Han Ping'an's name.
A Young man dressed in a linen scholarly robe stepped forward.
"Sage Song, is your decision truly correct?"
Upon hearing this voice, Song Daosheng's expression changed slightly, looking a little displeased.