At that moment, the stone staircase began to radiate a glow. It looked as if it were paved with jade, crystalline and soft.
'Everyone line up, take turns going up for the assessment. Now let's begin,' the elderly man said.
Immediately, over thirty young people began to queue.
'Get to the back, you! You are not allowed to block my way! A Grotto-Heaven Realm insect has no right to be in front of me. You will affect my mood! When it comes to being a person, it's best to have some self-awareness.'
Suddenly, a voice rang out behind Ye Yunfei.
A tall woman with slightly thin lips and a disdainful gaze stood behind Ye Yunfei. She seemed very displeased that Ye Yunfei was ahead of her in line.
This was because Ye Yunfei's realm was too low, only the Tenth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm, while she was at the mid-stage of Minor Mystic Pill Realm.
'Scram,' Ye Yunfei replied with a single word.
'You...!' The woman was instantly enraged. Spiritual power stirred on her body, as if she wanted to attack Ye Yunfei.
However, she restrained herself. This was the Heavenly Dao Academy's assessment ground; she dared not start a fight here.
'Hmph! You dare to ignore Miss Liu Fei's words. This brat is either ignorant or arrogant,' a youth in blue robes standing behind the woman sneered.
At that moment, ahead of them, a young man had already walked before the nine-layered stone staircase.
Boom...
As soon as the youth stepped onto the first layer of the staircase, a pressure immediately radiated from it.
The young man's body swayed slightly, clearly feeling the force.
After steadying himself, he stepped onto the second layer. His face changed drastically, looking very strained. Beads of cold sweat already densely covered his forehead.
'He's out of luck,' Ye Yunfei shook his head.
Sure enough, when the youth stepped onto the third layer, he could no longer hold on. The moment he stood still for a second, he was blasted away by a powerful pressure and landed in the distance.
'Failure. You are eliminated,' the old man said indifferently.
The youth, his face full of shame, lowered his head and quickly departed.
The assessment continued.
The elimination rate was very high. Among the dozen or so people ahead of Ye Yunfei in line, only three successfully passed!
Soon, it was Da Di Daozhang's turn, who was lined up just before Ye Yunfei.
When Da Di Daozhang stood on the third step, his body swayed unsteadily, struggling to hold on.
'Focus your mind!' Ye Yunfei utilized a secret Soul Power technique, transmitting a mental shout into Da Di Daozhang's Soul Sea.
This Soul Power technique had a clarifying and enlightening effect, like a sudden shock of awareness or guiding one to an epiphany.
When Ye Yunfei was the Heavenly Emperor in his past life, if he encountered a promising junior, he would often use this Soul Power technique to aid their cultivation.
Immediately, Da Di Daozhang's spirit surged, steadying himself on the third step.
'Pass,' the old man said.
Ye Yunfei lifted his foot, preparing to step towards the staircase.
'Get out of the way! How can you have no sense of awareness? A Grotto-Heaven Realm worm coming to participate in the assessment with us is simply an insult!' The woman behind Ye Yunfei spat with disgust.
All participants for this assessment were recommended from various major forces across the eighteen provinces of the Northern Wastelands Domain, all possessing Minor Mystic Pill Realm strength. Only Ye Yunfei was at the Grotto-Heaven Realm. Thus, this woman looked upon him with great displeasure.
As she spoke, the woman's figure flashed, bypassing Ye Yunfei to rush before the nine-layered stone staircase.
'Hey! What's your meaning? Go in order!' Da Di Daozhang fumed.
Ye Yunfei's face also darkened.
'Enough. Miss Liu Fei, you may assess first,' the old man in charge of the assessment suddenly spoke up.
'Hmph!' The woman named Liu Fei gave a smug smile and stepped forward towards the staircase.
Ye Yunfei swept a glance at the old man, but ultimately stopped moving.
'Ignorant brat asking for trouble, daring to offend Miss Liu Fei. You won't make it into the Heavenly Dao Academy for sure with your strength. Even if you had the incredible luck to get in, you wouldn't last,' the youth in blue robes behind Liu Fei said with a tone of schadenfreude.
'Liu Fei... she wouldn't be the eldest young lady of Tian Province's Liu Family!' Someone said in a voice trembling with shock.
Immediately, the gazes of others towards Liu Fei turned respectful and apprehensive.
The Liu Family was a first-rate force in Tian Province. Although it couldn't compare to the four apex powers—the Two Sacred Lands, the Li Clan, and the Heavenly Dao Academy—it was far stronger than major forces from other provinces.
At this moment, Liu Fei began to ascend the steps.
Her figure was light and nimble, moving extremely fast. In moments, she reached the third step and stood firm.
'Haha, Miss Liu Fei's talent is indeed extraordinary, a successful pass!' The old man's attitude towards Liu Fei seemed particularly enthusiastic, and he laughed as he spoke.
'Miss Liu Fei passed so easily, truly amazing!' Many praised her, with a note of flattery in their tone.
Amidst the praise, Liu Fei looked immensely pleased with herself. As the eldest young lady of the Liu Family, she had grown up accustomed to an environment where she was the center of attention, basking in the limelight.
Suddenly, she lifted her foot and stepped onto the fourth layer of the staircase.
Immediately, the staircase's light intensified, becoming even more dazzling.
Standing on the fourth layer, Liu Fei's body kept swaying, cold sweat beading on her forehead. Clearly, she was under great pressure, but she ultimately stabilized her stance.
She had successfully stepped onto the fourth layer!
'Excellent! Miss Liu Fei has outstanding talent! I will report this to the academy's Elders and recommend you directly become a mid-level disciple of the academy!' The old man loudly applauded.
'Miss Liu Fei is too incredible, she actually stepped onto the fourth layer!' 'Such talent is simply shocking!' ...
The other assessment participants all rushed to offer their praises.
Amidst a chorus of acclaim, Liu Fei descended from the staircase.
'See that? Now, do you realize the gap between you and me? With your strength and talent, don't you feel ashamed standing in line with us? I think you can scram now.' Liu Fei cast a disgust-filled gaze towards Ye Yunfei and said coldly.
'That guy, he's truly asking for death, actually provoking Miss Liu Fei!' 'If he were sensible, he should leave immediately. Otherwise, even if he luckily enters the Heavenly Dao Academy, he definitely won't last.' ...
Others turned their gloating gazes towards Ye Yunfei, quietly discussing.
'Brat, didn't you hear Miss Liu Fei's order? Scram!' The youth in blue robes shouted harshly at Ye Yunfei.
Then, this youth in blue robes walked towards the staircase.
Earlier in the line-up order, Liu Fei was behind Ye Yunfei, and the youth in blue was behind Liu Fei.
Whoosh!
Ye Yunfei took a step forward, moving like a ghost. He slipped past the youth in blue robes and instantly stood before the stone staircase.
'Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to command me? I am here to take the Heavenly Dao Academy assessment, so are you. On what basis do you have the qualification to tell me to scram? Utterly absurd.'
Ye Yunfei turned his head, his gaze sweeping indifferently over Liu Fei.
Then, Ye Yunfei raised his foot, stepping onto the staircase.
'Brat, you're seeking death!' Behind him, the youth in blue robes flew into a rage.