His expression didn’t even flicker. He simply started walking, climbing upward at an unhurried pace.
The first level, the second, the third...
With each level ascended, the mental pressure would multiply.
Across the square, a starkly different scene quickly unfolded.
Some, like Qin Feng, walked with light steps and a composed demeanor, as if strolling through their own backyard garden.
Others, however, began to struggle after a dozen or so levels. Their faces turned pale, and beads of sweat the size of soybeans dripped from their foreheads.
Their bodies trembled uncontrollably, as if they were shouldering an invisible mountain.
"Aaaargh—!"
Finally, somewhere around the twentieth level, the first student unable to bear it let out a wretched, unwilling cry.
The light faded from his eyes. His body went limp, and he tumbled right off the steps.
A soft glow caught him, gently delivering him to the elimination area in the square.
His failure was like the toppling of the first domino.
Immediately after, wretched cries and muffled groans rose and fell one after another.
One student after another, at the thirtieth, fortieth, and fiftieth levels... at varying heights, reached the limit of their Mental Power. Their Will was mercilessly crushed by the formless pressure, and they were eliminated.
Like their peers who had failed in the combat assessments earlier, their faces were etched with regret and bitterness.
Only at this moment did they truly understand what a shortsighted and foolish decision it had been to abandon the practice of Emperor Meditation in pursuit of temporary cultivation speed.
However, the world offers no cure for regret.
As Qin Feng stepped onto the one-hundredth White Jade Step with ease, looking down upon the struggling masses below, the fourth assessment gradually drew to a close.
The final results once again stunned everyone.
Of the more than 400,000 geniuses who remained, nearly a quarter were eliminated in this stage!
A full 100,000 or so candidates were turned away because their Mental Power was not up to standard!
As they dejectedly walked out of the square like the failures before them, only the final 300,000 victors remained.
The brutal selection process continued.
"The fifth assessment: Killing Technique evaluation."
The volunteer Martial Artist’s voice gave the remaining people little time for sentiment.
"Assessment requirement: Mastery of at least one Killing Technique at the Perfection Realm."
"Please come forward and demonstrate your strongest Killing Technique for the volunteer in charge of evaluation."
For the 300,000 prodigies who had fought their way here, this assessment posed almost no difficulty.
Killing Techniques are the foundation upon which a Martial Artist stands.
If one couldn’t even produce a single Killing Technique at the Perfection Realm, it would have been impossible to pass the two brutal combat assessments earlier.
The students stepped forward one by one, demonstrating their Killing Techniques before the evaluating volunteers.
The glint of sabers and swords filled the air, and the wind howled from powerful punches.
For a time, the entire square was filled with a sharp, murderous aura.
It was worth noting that when it was the turn of Qin Feng and the nearly one hundred top geniuses who had previously displayed power at the Control Realm, they all tacitly chose to keep a low profile.
Qin Feng simply performed the Fierce Owl Technique, a move from the *Fierce Bird Fist Art*, to the Perfection Realm and passed with ease.
He was unwilling to reveal too many of his trump cards in such a public setting.
The other truly clever ones also understood the principle that "the tree that stands out from the forest is the one the wind will destroy," and they all chose to hide their true strength.
With that, all five assessments were complete.
When the last student completed their evaluation, a rare smile finally appeared on the volunteer Martial Artist’s face.
He faced the 300,000 surviving prodigies in the square, his voice resonant and full of power.
"Congratulations, you chosen ones from all corners of the Cosmos!"
"From this moment on, you are all officially members of Cannan Star Martial Arts University!"
"May your martial fortunes flourish!"
These words struck the ears of every survivor like a clap of thunder.
The excitement, elation, and joy that had been suppressed for so long erupted in that instant like a volcano!
"We did it!"
"Hahaha! I’m a goddamn student of Cannan Star Martial Arts University now!"
"Sob... That was so incredibly hard..."
Cheers, shouts, and even tears of joy echoed throughout the entire square.
They embraced each other tightly, sharing in this hard-won, life-changing joy.
A genuine smile also appeared on Qin Feng’s face.
From Qiming First High School to Cannan Star Martial Arts University.
He had finally stepped onto a grander stage.
[DING!]
A crisp notification sound rang in his mind.
[Your personal terminal permissions have been updated.]
[Subspace Network affiliation has been changed to: Cannan Star Martial Arts University - Private Domain.]
[You have received a new message. Please check your inbox.]
With a thought, Qin Feng opened his personal terminal.
A golden virtual letter, bearing the crest of Cannan Star Martial Arts University, hovered silently before him.
He reached out and tapped it open.
[Dear Student Qin Feng:]
[It is with great pleasure that we have learned of your success in passing our university’s rigorous assessments with outstanding results, thereby officially becoming a student of Cannan Star Martial Arts University. On behalf of all faculty and students, we hereby extend our warmest congratulations!]
[The Cosmos is vast, and the path of the Human Race is arduous. The road ahead is long and fraught with peril. It is our hope that here, in this Martial Arts Sacred Land, you will never forget your original aspirations, will forge onward against all odds, and will devote yourself to your cultivation. May you swiftly become a pillar of strength and contribute to the rise and continuation of our Human Race!]