Chapter 17: Imperial City College

  Hu Hai turned his head and didn't pay attention to the fight between these guys. "If it were other crossers, they would probably go up and stir up trouble." Hu Hai shook his head and didn't consider this at all.

  Those who have gained a little ability, think they are superior and look down on others, making enemies everywhere, in Huo Hai's eyes, it's just a fool's comfort. Hiding in the dark to secretly get rich, this is what Huo Hai wants most.

  Huo Hai's usual behavior, so it didn't seem like anything was wrong, and the people around him didn't pay attention to it, and many of them didn't even notice when Huo Hai left. Huo Hai encountered no obstacles on his way back home. As soon as he arrived at the gate, he saw the butler anxiously waiting for him at the entrance. Seeing Huo Hai from afar, his eyes lit up, and he hurried over to greet him.

  As he walked, he quickly said: "Young master, you've finally come back. The old master and the elders are waiting for you at home. If you hadn't returned, we would have had to go out and look for people." Huo Hai's heart probably already knew what was going on.

  But Hao Hai still pretended to be unaware and asked: "What happened after all, why such a hurry."

  "You'll know soon enough, hurry up." The butler didn't say anything else and pulled Ho Hai towards the main hall. As Ho Hai entered the main hall, he found that many people he knew and didn't know had arrived. At the forefront were his father and grandfather, as well as some other high-ranking members of the family. From a distance, Ho Hai could already feel a sense of threat and pressure emanating from these people.

  In the middle of the hall, there were still many people, all of whom were roughly his age. Not even one was approaching thirty years old. Huo Hai nodded secretly to himself, understanding that this time it must have something to do with Yunzhou.

  "Alright, everyone is here now. Some of you may already know what's going on. The once-in-a-decade Imperial City Academy selection is about to begin in half a month, and people from the Imperial City have arrived at the Western Frontier capital. Every family has sent someone over."

  He paused for a moment, and the host let everyone digest it for a while, looked around, and spoke again: "I believe many of you already know. You all meet the requirements and can join the Imperial City Academy. Entering the Imperial City Academy, as long as you work hard, your future achievements will be boundless. Many family elders are also from the Imperial City Academy."

  The discussion below became even more intense: "Is it true that the elders are all from Huang Cheng Academy? Is Huang Cheng Academy so powerful, if I enter the academy, won't I become a great figure like the elder in the future?"

  "Are you okay? You know how strict the selection is at Huang Cheng Academy, and how many people are expelled every year. But those who come out of the academy are indeed all top-notch experts. In our Western Border, they are considered top-tier figures." A young man in his twenties seemed to understand better.

  Everyone was discussing it, and the master of this house was very satisfied. The Imperial City College recruits young masters from large families to cultivate them, which is to cultivate the loyalty of the imperial high-ranking officials to the royal family. However, for these families, this is also an important means of enhancing the strength of their family members and allowing their families to continue. These small families all attach great importance to this.

  "Cough, cough." Huo cleared his throat twice, signaling everyone to be quiet: "Alright, stop discussing. The Imperial City Academy only accepts people under the age of thirty, you can all go try out. Various rules, take a good look at them yourselves."

  The host waved his hand, and the attendants handed out the prepared papers to the people below. Huo Hai took a look and found it was the same as what he had heard outside. The only difference was that this test seemed to have different changes every time. Sometimes the test was very simple, sometimes it was very troublesome. No one knew what kind of test they would encounter.

  The college recruits people under the age of thirty, but generally speaking, for those over twenty years old who want to join, it's not that easy. Those with abilities have already joined, and the rest are those who failed in a test.

  Every year, many people also participate again. The registration fee is not much, and it also eliminates those ordinary people who want to try. The rules are simple, actually just a test, nothing big deal.

  "Huh, I didn't expect this. It seems that the Blood Refining Pill has a use after all." Chu Yun Tian's eyes lit up as he looked at the records on the paper. This year's assessment had a trial content. As long as one could accumulate points during the trial, they would be able to exchange for anything in the Imperial City Academy later on. The Blood Refining Pill was nothing special to the Imperial City Academy.

  "Heavens, why is there still a trial this year? I'm so unlucky. I'm already over 20, will I never have another chance?" The others also saw the trial, but everyone's faces didn't look good.

  "What's going on? Is this trial really that difficult?" Some people who didn't understand asked the people around them.

  An elderly junior said in a low voice, "Yes, when it comes to trials, it's usually through the least tested. You're still young, and there will be another chance for the next test, but us, well, we don't have that chance anymore."

  Due to the trial, the hall became chaotic, with people shouting and scolding each other. Huo Kai's eyebrows gradually furrowed, then he let out a loud roar: "What kind of behavior is this? Can't you all just shut up? Are you going to retreat at the slightest difficulty? How can you be considered my Huo family disciples if you're like this? How will you become a top expert in the future?"

  Huo Hai's words made everyone lower their heads, their faces filled with shame. Just then, a tall man suddenly walked out and said loudly: "Head of the household, I remember that every time our family has an exam, there is always one spot for a recommended candidate who does not need to take the test."

  Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up. Direct recommendation without a test? Isn't that like ascending to heaven in one step? Most likely, everyone looked around and saw only the young master's son and another person named Huo Yun'er.

  "Master, Ho Haixin's daughter has just lost her memory and is likely to be expelled from the Imperial City Academy. Besides, she's still young, no need to rush, there will be another chance next time. As for Ho Yun'er, her personality isn't suitable for entering the Imperial City Academy either. I wonder who Master plans to give this quota to." This kid directly blocked Master's path.

  This time, not only the host's face was unpleasant to look at, but also the faces of others were not good-looking. On the stage, a middle-aged man with an anxious face kept making eye contact with the tall and robust man who walked out, but he didn't budge.

  "Hmph, apart from those two direct descendants, who here has more qualifications than me? In terms of cultivation, none of them can compare."

  Just as the tall, proud young man was about to speak, the head of the household spoke up. "Do you know how this quota came about? Every ten years, our family has to make an offering to the imperial court, and only after reaching a certain level will we have this quota, and there's only one. All along, this quota has been given to the descendants of those who have made the greatest contributions to the family. The direct line is prioritized."

  Upon hearing this, the tall man's face finally changed. If it were a matter of cultivation among his generation, he wouldn't be afraid of anyone; after all, he had entered the Spiritual Blood Realm several years ago. But if it were a matter of contributions, there were countless people whose contributions surpassed those of his own father.

  "Head of the household, a family's reputation can't be so careless. For the sake of the family's future, we must let the most capable person take over."

  Huo Kai's eyes flashed with a cold smile: "In our Huo family, we never sacrifice personal interests for the sake of family benefits. This quota is a reward for those who have made contributions to the family. If you really have the ability, then enter the academy on your own merit." A junior from another family dared to speak to him in such a manner; if it were any other time, he would have been caught and punished long ago.

  Before he could speak, Huo Kai turned to Huo Hai and said: "Little Hai, what are you thinking? As for the contributions my grandfather and I have made to the family, there's no need to mention them. This spot will only go to others after you give it up."

  The tall, majestic man's eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Hao Hai. This was his last test, and if he failed to enter the Imperial City Academy, there would be no further development for him within the family. Perhaps the Spiritual Blood Realm would be the end of his journey in this lifetime.

  Hu Hai seemed to have not seen it, and said loudly: "House Master, elders, I want to enter the Imperial City Academy with my own strength. This quota, let's give it to someone who needs it more." Hu Hai's words caused a stir among the crowd. Hu Yan had been fighting for this quota all along. Hu Hai, who was not as good as Hu Yan in all aspects, actually gave up this quota.

  The elder sighed, with a hint of regret, but the relief in his eyes couldn't be concealed. Upon hearing Ho Hai's words, Ho Yan's eyes lit up and he spoke eagerly: "Master, since Ho Hai has given up, can this spot be given to someone else?"

  Huò Yán almost directly told himself, this kind of performance, Huò Hǎi sneered in his heart: "Anger and desire are revealed on one's face, unable to control oneself, not a person who can do great things, nor can become an expert, no threat. I don't want it, this quota should be given to Huò Yún'ér." Huò Hǎi appeared to have understood nothing on the surface, but had already begun to make plans in secret.

  What he needs is the Blood Refining Pill, not a spot in the Imperial City Academy. Since coming to this world, even the Imperial City Academy is just a stepping stone for himself. One day, he will soar into the clouds.

  As expected, Huo Yan's appearance made everyone's impression even worse. Several elders consulted with each other and finally said to Huo Yun'er: "Huo Yun'er, according to the rules, since Huo Hai gave up this quota, this quota belongs to you now. What do you think?"

  Huo Yun'er furrowed her brow, about to say something, but suddenly saw Huo Hai winking at her. The tacit understanding between the siblings still existed, and upon seeing Huo Hai's expression, Huo Yun'er knew what was going on. After some thought, Huo Yun'er finally nodded with difficulty: "Alright, I'll join Imperial City Academy." With these words, this year's quota was settled.

  Huò Yán's eyes had already turned red: "Why, why, where am I worse than them, just because they are legitimate. Damn it, I will not lose to you, I must make you regret." Huò Yán roared in his heart.