Su Ba sneered inwardly.
So the academy leadership wants me to take a leave of absence, drop out of the assessment, and go home to "cultivate"?
And what—this so-called "suggestion" has nothing to do with you, Chief Instructor?
Having weaker students temporarily withdraw serves two convenient purposes:
first, they won't embarrass the academy in front of the powerful martial institutes.
Second, they can still come back next year and pay tuition again, boosting enrollment numbers.
What a well-calculated move.
"Chief Instructor, what if I insist on participating in the enrollment assessment?"
Su Ba asked calmly, his expression unreadable.
Oh?
Yan Hua raised a brow. Something about Su Ba felt… different. Like he wasn't the same person. But he dismissed the thought and let the smile fade from his face.
"Su Ba, I'm doing this for your own good. You've skipped classes for seven days straight—that already qualifies as misconduct. The academy has every right to expel you and reject you if you try to return next year."
"And more importantly, the Phantom Night Academy has a close relationship with other academies. One word from us, and no school will take in a low-quality student like you again."
"Sometimes, you need to understand the bigger picture. Got it?"
Upon hearing that, Su Ba's eyes narrowed sharply.
Heh. So when persuasion doesn't work, you move straight to threats?
Su Ba laughed coldly in his heart.
Too bad…
If this had been the old Su Ba, he might've given in out of fear and cowardice.
But now?
The soul inside this body was none other than Su Ba, the proud and fearless martial arts grandmaster from China!
He was destined to walk the path to the peak of martial arts!
With unshakable will and boundless pride—how could he back down now?!
Without hesitation, Su Ba lightly flicked his sleeve, looked calmly at Yan Hua, and said:
"If you want to expel me, go ahead. But today's assessment—I'm taking it. No matter what."
Without waiting for a reply, he brushed past Yan Hua and walked into the Phantom Night Academy, head held high.
"Tch! You damn brat… didn't know how to take a favor when offered. Fine—enjoy the consequences!"
Watching Su Ba walk away so defiantly, Yan Hua clenched his fist tightly, his face dark with anger.
Then he strode quickly after him.
Combat Hall.
This was the venue for Phantom Night Academy's enrollment assessment.
Up front—
The academy headmaster, vice headmaster, and several other staff members were present. They stood respectfully beside more than thirty stern-faced martial officials, all radiating powerful auras.
These were the representatives sent from the 32 martial institutes of the Wind Martial Kingdom. All had arrived for recruitment.
At that moment—
Hundreds of third-year students from the academy were lined up in the large open space of the main hall, waiting to be assessed one by one.
Aside from the voice of the assessor announcing results, the huge hall was quiet and solemn.
"Ma Wei: Strength – 630 jin, Speed – 11.1 m/s, Reflex – Average, Overall Score: 73."
"Xuan Handu: Strength – 710 jin, Speed – 12.2 m/s, Reflex – Average, Overall Score: 79."
"Huang Xiaoli: Strength – 660 jin, Speed – 11.8 m/s, Reflex – Above Average, Overall Score: 77."
The assessments were being handled by one of the academy's instructors. As he read out each student's performance—
On the raised platform—
The martial institute representatives didn't react at all. Their expressions remained cold and indifferent.
Meanwhile, the headmaster and vice headmaster of the academy stood to the side, offering forced smiles, not daring to speak unless spoken to.
Although these institute officials weren't particularly high-ranking within their own organizations, their status was still well above that of ordinary academy heads.
Not to mention—
Even the weakest among these recruiters was above the four-star level in strength!
Whereas the strongest instructors in the academies barely reached peak Three-Star.
The difference in power was staggering!
"Wang Quan: Strength – 1020 jin, Speed – 14.7 m/s, Reflex – High, Overall Score: 91!"
Suddenly—
The assessor's voice rang out once more.
Ssss—!
The moment that score was announced, a wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.