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The final exam at Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy was divided into two parts:
One tested soul master abilities, and the other tested soul engineer abilities.
As the number-one academy in the Sun-Moon Empire, students could only advance if they passed both categories with sufficient overall ability.
Bai Chen's strength as a soul master didn't need much explanation.
As the only genius in the entire class who had already reached level 20, the teachers didn't even bother testing him and simply gave him full marks.
However, the soul engineer assessment was something Bai Chen had to take seriously.
He needed to carefully consider how much skill he should reveal.
Even without relying on the rare Thousand-Forged metal, he could now reliably produce Level 4 soul tools.
A seven-year-old Level 4 soul engineer would be far too shocking. Bai Chen didn't want to attract that much attention.
After thinking carefully, he decided to pretend to be a Level 1 soul engineer.
A seven-year-old Level 1 soul engineer was considered talented, but not unbelievably so.
The Mirror Hall might pay attention to him because of his grades, but they wouldn't view him as a future major threat and try to eliminate him.
This balance was exactly what Bai Chen wanted.
But what he didn't expect was that shortly after submitting the soul tool he made for his final assignment, he received a notice.
"An invitation to skip grades?"
When Bai Chen said those words, Xuan Zixuan didn't even lift his eyes from the book in his hands. He calmly replied:
"That's normal. I received that invitation when I was a student too."
"Our academy gives this opportunity directly to students whose abilities far exceed their grade level."
"I already guessed you'd receive it sooner or later."
"Then why didn't you tell me earlier…"
"You didn't ask. I thought you already knew."
Xuan Zixuan said matter-of-factly.
He put down his book and asked curiously:
"But judging from your worried expression, this invitation doesn't seem that simple. Is there something unusual about it?"
"Did Ning Tian not receive one?"
"That's not the problem."
Ning Tian herself wasn't stupid. With guidance from Bai Chen and Xuan Zixuan, she had recently become a Level 1 soul engineer as well.
A seven-year-old Level 1 soul engineer was already considered a genius even in the Sun-Moon Empire.
Naturally the academy wouldn't overlook Ning Tian either.
The real reason for Bai Chen's expression was something else.
Looking at the notice, Bai Chen said helplessly:
"The academy wants Ning Tian and me to skip two grades directly and enter Class One of Year Three."
"Oh, that's normal. With your abilities, skipping two grades isn't strange at all… wait."
At this point, Xuan Zixuan suddenly realized something.
Bai Chen stood up slowly and asked in a serious tone:
"This wouldn't happen to be the class of Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, would it?"
"…Yes."
In fact, according to Bai Chen's knowledge, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had only recently been specially promoted into Class One of Year Three.
With their strength, studying alongside students two or three years older posed no difficulty.
Why the academy arranged this was obvious.
"Hahahahaha!"
Seeing Bai Chen's somewhat gloomy expression, Xuan Zixuan burst into loud laughter.
"So that's it! No wonder you look like a wolf that's been tricked!"
"So even you get into trouble sometimes!"
Xuan Zixuan had already heard some rumors about Meng Hongchen having feelings for Bai Chen.
To him, it was nothing unusual.
Another year had passed, and Bai Chen had grown taller, becoming a handsome young boy.
With that face alone, he could easily gain the affection of many girls—let alone the fact that he was also a genius.
Facing his teacher's teasing laughter, Bai Chen rubbed his forehead and said helplessly:
"Alright, Teacher Xuan. Please stop laughing. I really have a headache."
"I know."
Xuan Zixuan finally restrained his smile.
"You're really a kind kid."
Meng Hongchen was the granddaughter of Mirror Hall Master Jing Hongchen. Anyone who gained her affection could obtain enormous benefits.
Both Bai Chen and Xuan Zixuan clearly understood this.
But Bai Chen didn't intend to take advantage of it.
"No matter what, I can't play with a little girl's feelings."
Bai Chen said calmly.
He didn't consider himself a saint, but he had his own moral boundaries.
He was willing to accept benefits from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect because he intended to marry Ning Tian in the future and help the sect develop.
But Meng Hongchen was different.
He didn't even know whether they would be friends or enemies in the future.
If he used her affection for personal gain and later discarded her, that would make him a complete scoundrel.
That crossed Bai Chen's bottom line.
Xuan Zixuan spoke calmly:
"I won't comment on emotional matters. That's for you to decide."
"But regarding skipping grades, I suggest you accept."
"With your ability, staying in Year One would just waste time. It's better to move upward."
"I understand."
After thinking silently for a moment, Bai Chen nodded.
The next day, he and Ning Tian responded to the academy, agreeing to transfer into Year Three.
When the news spread, many students in Class One of Year One secretly sighed in relief.
Studying with that monster had put enormous pressure on them.
Three days later, after completing the procedures, Bai Chen and Ning Tian officially joined Year Three, Class One.
Waiting to receive them were the class leaders:
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
After a year, they had grown significantly stronger.
According to Bai Chen, Xiao Hongchen was now approaching Level 25, while Meng Hongchen had already reached Level 24.
Their cultivation speed was astonishing.
Xiao Hongchen brought Bai Chen and Ning Tian onto the platform and spoke coldly:
"These two students transferred here by skipping grades. Their names are Bai Chen and Ning Tian."
"They are friends of Meng and me. None of you are allowed to underestimate them. Understood?"
Over the past year, Bai Chen and Xiao Hongchen's relationship had improved quite a bit.
Although Xiao Hongchen still spoke harshly, he had already regarded Bai Chen as one of the few friends he had.