Within the great gates lay the Heavenly Dao Academy.
One of the most powerful forces in the Northern Wastes Domain!
Looking inside, one could see majestic and imposing mountain ranges. The peaks rose and fell, draped in lingering spiritual mist, with auspicious birds dancing and palaces appearing indistinct and ethereal.
Moments later, the blue-shirted youth surprisingly also arrived before the academy's gates.
In addition, two other young men had successfully reached the entrance as well.
Counting Ye Yunfei and Da Di Daozhang, a total of five individuals had passed the second test and become official students!
Seeing Ye Yunfei, the blue-shirted youth and the two other young men stood at a distance, expressions wary, not daring to come near.
"Congratulations to all of you for becoming students of the Heavenly Dao Academy," Steward Xie said in a clear voice, walking out from within the gates.
"Listen carefully.
Our Heavenly Dao Academy is divided into four halls.
Each hall has an appointed Hall Master.
When every student enters the academy, they must choose one of these halls to join as a member.
Therefore, selecting a hall is the first thing you must do upon entering the Heavenly Dao Academy.
I will now distribute information on the four halls to you." After speaking, Steward Xie waved his hand, and five jade slips flew out, landing before Ye Yunfei and the other four.
Ye Yunfei took the jade slip, extended his Soul Power perception into it, and began reading the information.
The four halls within the Heavenly Dao Academy were the First Hall, the Second Hall, the Third Hall, and the Fourth Hall.
Each hall had its own distinct characteristics.
Within the Heavenly Dao Academy, most cultivation techniques and secret manuals were available to all students.
However, each hall also possessed its own unique heritage arts, which only members of that specific hall were eligible to cultivate.
"Alright, now you need to make a choice and decide which hall you wish to join."
Moments later, Steward Xie announced.
Just at that moment.
*Whoosh! Whoosh!...*
Four elders descended from the sky, landing beside the new students.
"Honorable Elders," Steward Xie promptly bowed in greeting.
"Let me introduce them. This is Elder Zhu of the First Hall, Elder Lü of the Second Hall, Elder Tang of the Third Hall, and Elder Han of the Fourth Hall.
If you wish to join a particular hall, simply follow the respective elder."
Steward Xie announced clearly.
"Su Ye, as expected, you successfully passed the second test," Elder Tang of the Third Hall said with a beaming smile as he walked towards Ye Yunfei.
"Elder Tang," Ye Yunfei replied with a smile.
This Elder Tang was precisely Tang Bo!
"Which student climbed to the fifth stone step during the assessment?"
The other three elders simultaneously asked Steward Xie.
"It's him, Su Ye," Steward Xie, who already knew why these elders had come, pointed at Ye Yunfei.
"Old Tang, I knew you would definitely do this—trying to curry favor beforehand!"
Immediately, the elders from the other three halls all rushed over, surrounding Ye Yunfei completely.
"Su Ye, I am Elder Zhu of the First Hall.
I hereby invite you to join our First Hall.
One thing you should know is that within the Heavenly Dao Academy, our First Hall possesses the strongest overall strength. In recent years, the champion of the Academy Grand Competition has consistently come from our First Hall.
Therefore, the resources allocated to our First Hall are also the most ample.
To put it this way, nearly half of the geniuses over the past decade have chosen to join our First Hall," Elder Zhu said to Ye Yunfei.
"Su Ye, I am Elder Lü of the Second Hall. Although our Second Hall's overall strength is slightly inferior to the First Hall, if you join us, I guarantee we will spare no effort in training you.
The First Hall has too many geniuses. Your future prospects there might not necessarily surpass those you'd have if you joined our Second Hall," Elder Lü said to Ye Yunfei.
"I am Elder Han of the Fourth Hall. Our Fourth Hall's strength is roughly on par with the Second Hall.
Su Ye, if you join our Fourth Hall, I will take you as my personal disciple directly!" Elder Han declared.
All three elders stared at Ye Yunfei with fervent eyes, as if looking at a coveted treasure.
The other four new students finally understood—these elders had come specifically to fight over a recruit!
Watching the four elders completely surround Ye Yunfei, vying over him like a precious treasure, Da Di Daozhang, the blue-shirted youth, and the other three young men were filled with envy.
"This guy, it seems wherever he goes, he's always this popular!" Da Di Daozhang mumbled softly.
"Elder Tang, aren't you going to introduce your Third Hall?" Ye Yunfei looked at Elder Tang and said with a smile.
"What's there to introduce about the Third Hall? Among the four halls, the Third Hall is the weakest in strength. In every Academy Grand Competition, the Third Hall always finishes last, and it receives the least amount of allocated resources.
Su Ye, with your talent, you must not join the Third Hall! That would be wasting your potential!
Believe me, the First Hall is your best choice!" Elder Zhu immediately interjected.
"Zhu! What do you mean by that!" Tang Bo flared up in anger.
"Haha, old Tang, Elder Zhu is right. Over the years, not a single genius has chosen to join your Third Hall. Isn't that enough proof?
Su Ye, join our Second Hall instead. That is the best choice!" Elder Lü laughed loudly.
"Joining our Fourth Hall is the best choice!" Elder Han clamored to speak.
"Are you all determined to fight me for this?!" Elder Zhu became enraged.
"Fight you for what? Who says talented students automatically belong to your First Hall?
Over the years, your First Hall has poached who knows how many geniuses, and you still dare accuse us of fighting?!" Elder Lü was also incensed.
"Exactly! Today, this one absolutely cannot be yielded to your First Hall!" Elder Han's voice also grew louder.
The three elders began blowing at their beards and glaring, posturing as if about to start a brawl.
Meanwhile, Tang Bo of the Third Hall shook his head and withdrew from the competition.
After all, the Third Hall's strength truly was the weakest, offering no competitive edge whatsoever.
"Ahem. Honorable Elders, may I say something?" Ye Yunfei, finding the situation both funny and exasperating, finally spoke.
Immediately, all four elders turned their gazes toward Ye Yunfei.
"Actually, I've already decided which hall I want to join," Ye Yunfei stated.
"Which one?" The four elders asked simultaneously.
"The Third Hall," Ye Yunfei declared.
"What?!
You actually want to join the Third Hall?" Elder Zhu, Elder Lü, and Elder Han wondered if they had misheard.
"Su Ye, you truly wish to join our Third Hall?" Tang Bo was overjoyed.
Originally, he had held little hope, but unexpectedly, Ye Yunfei had actually taken the initiative to want to join the Third Hall.
"Young man, think carefully!
If you join the Third Hall, I dare guarantee you will absolutely regret it later!" Elder Zhu glared and said.
"Honorable Elders, I have considered it very clearly.
I have decided to join the Third Hall," Ye Yunfei replied with a smile.
"You...!" Elder Zhu, Elder Lü, and Elder Han were so angry they couldn't speak.
"Haha! Excellent!
Su Ye, rest assured, although the Third Hall's strength may be relatively weak, we will definitely dedicate our full effort to training you!
You old fellows, there's no need to argue anymore.
According to the rules, once a student has made a choice, any further contention would be a violation," Tang Bo, feeling immensely pleased, laughed heartily.
"Hmph!" Ultimately, the three elders left, faces filled with indignation, flicking their sleeves in anger.
As for Da Di Daozhang and the other four new students, those three elders paid them no heed at all.
"Damnit! He gets to steal all the glory!" The blue-shirted youth secretly clenched his fists, profoundly unwilling. How he wished such an honor belonged to him!
"Elder Tang, I'll join your Third Hall too," Da Di Daozhang said to Tang Bo.
"Good! Welcome!" Tang Bo nodded.
Over the years, the number of new students who actively chose to join the Third Hall had become fewer and fewer. Because the Third Hall was the weakest, its allocated resources within the academy were also the least.
"I choose the First Hall!" The blue-shirted youth announced to Steward Xie.
Of the other two young men, one chose the Second Hall and the other the Fourth Hall. After learning about the Third Hall's situation, they all actively avoided it.
"Alright, I will now take you two to receive your identity tokens!" Tang Bo swept his sleeve, enveloped Ye Yunfei and Da Di Daozhang, and flew with them into the depths of the academy.