Fantasy: Unparalleled Prince, Conquering the Heavens!-Chapter 775 - 769: Candidates_1

「An hour later.」

The Heavenly Sword Immortal left the Imperial Study. Inside the majestic imperial palace, Qin Wudao's eyes were slightly closed. He reminisced about the words of the Heavenly Sword Immortal, his heart turbulent and uncalm for a long time.

Torch Academy!

The supreme academy of the human race!

Only those with the aptitude of a prodigy could possibly enter the academy!

The most astounding part was that students graduating from Torch Academy could, at a minimum, break through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal Realm. Some even reached the level of the King of Myriad Immortals, the supreme sovereign among immortals.

Suddenly, Qin Wudao opened his eyes and mused with great curiosity, "Billions of prodigies compete! I wonder, compared to the human prodigies from the myriad heavens and worlds, who among the heroes of Huaxia is superior?"

His eyes shone brightly, like dazzling stars, revealing an Eternal Light. It was a surging battle intent, the courage to compete with the heroes of the world.

"Issue an order! Any citizen of the Qin Dynasty who can break through to the Profound Immortal Realm within one hundred years of age is to set off immediately for the Imperial Capital. In ten days, they will accompany this Emperor to participate in the Torch Academy assessment!"

A moment later, Qin Wudao's authoritative voice spread from the palace, echoing throughout the Qin Dynasty's Heavenly Court and falling into the ears of billions of Qin people.

This voice was endowed with the power of Fortune.

Even in the Fourth Heaven, within the Starfield occupied by the Qin Dynasty, it could be heard clearly.

"That's His Majesty's voice!"

"Hiss… As expected of the supreme academy of the human race. Breaking through to the Profound Immortal Realm within a hundred years… that's too difficult, like ascending to the heavens!"

Countless Qin citizens paid their respects in the direction of the Imperial Capital, then lowered their heads and continued with their own tasks, showing no significant emotional changes.

The Qin Dynasty had ascended to the Second Heaven only ten years ago.

Although a boon from the heavens had drastically improved the cultivation of the people when the Qin Dynasty advanced to a Heavenly Court, they still had a long way to go to break through to the Profound Immortal Realm.

Looking at the populace, there were almost no prodigies who could break through to the Profound Immortal Realm within a hundred years.

"Damn it! Give me one more year, and I'll definitely break through to the Profound Immortal Realm!"

In Jizhou, amidst majestic mountains, a young man in a white robe gazed up at the azure sky, growling in frustration.

His current cultivation had already reached the peak of the True Immortal Realm, and he was on the verge of a breakthrough. However, to break through in less than ten days was simply impossible.

Missing the Torch Academy enrollment would be a lifelong regret.

Because he was already eighty-six years old this year!

Torch Academy only admitted new students every fifty years!

It was said that entering Torch Academy was the greatest opportunity in one's life.

And he, alas, was about to miss this opportunity.

One could see his unwillingness, his remorse, his despair…

However, the world is cruel; it's impossible for everyone's wishes to come true.

「Sky Sword Pavilion!」

On the peak of an enormous mountain piercing the clouds, countless sharp Sword Qi sliced through the sky, shredding the soft clouds.

Within the Sword Qi, a young man in a sword robe danced with his sword in the wind. His eyes were sharp, his robes fluttered, and his long hair flew, exuding the refined air of a Sword Immortal.

All his attention was focused on his sword techniques.

It was as if even if the heavens collapsed and the world was destroyed, he would neither pay heed nor be distracted.

An hour!

Four hours!

Ten hours…

It wasn't until sunset that he stopped his sword dance. He let out a breath of turbid air, sweat poured off him like rain.

"It's time to head to the Imperial Capital!" Hongyi murmured, then stepped forward, transforming into a ray of Sword Light and vanished.

「Imperial Capital.」

Outside the gates of the Ministry of Rites!

Surrounded by a group of officials, Liu Zhiyan, who had changed out of his official uniform, descended the stairs.

"Sir, are you really leaving?" an official suddenly couldn't help but ask loudly.

"Yes! I must go!" Liu Zhiyan nodded and said.

"But Sir, if you leave, what will become of us?" another official asked.

"There are countless capable individuals in the Qin Dynasty to govern the world. The Imperial Court will appoint a competent civil official to take over the post of Chief of Staff!" Liu Zhiyan stated calmly.

"But we don't want you to go, Sir!" a young official said, his eyes filled with reluctance.

"Gentlemen, I, Liu Zhiyan, am also reluctant to leave you all!"

"However, in the current state of the world, the Qin Dynasty faces a difficult situation, and the world is not yet at peace. Under the guidance of my former master, I pledged allegiance to the Qin Dynasty. Fortunately, His Majesty places great trust in me and has entrusted me with significant responsibilities. I am eternally grateful for his recognition and favor!"

"I, Liu Zhiyan, understand deeply that the Qin Dynasty does not lack a Minister of Rites, but it does lack a guardian expert for the nation!" Liu Zhiyan declared resolutely.

Upon learning that Torch Academy was accepting students, he had resolved to resign from his position as Minister of Rites and prepare to follow His Majesty to Torch Academy to study and train.

The numerous officials of the Ministry of Rites fell silent.

They also understood that Liu Zhiyan's decision was the right one, beneficial to the country.

In the myriad heavens and worlds where the strong preyed on the weak, the impact of a powerful expert surpassed that of a Minister of Rites by a hundred, a thousand, even ten thousand times.

"Even a journey of a thousand miles must come to an end!"

"Fellow colleagues, farewell for now!"

Liu Zhiyan looked at the officials seeing him off, his expression solemn. He bowed deeply, then turned and departed.

Only a soft voice remained, echoing above the Ministry of Rites, tinged with a hint of sorrow.

After today, he would no longer be the Minister of Rites. After today, he did not even know when, or if ever, he would meet his colleagues again. Yet, he remained resolute.

"Sir, we wish you a smooth journey!"

The many officials from the Ministry of Rites saluted, watching Liu Zhiyan's departing figure. Under the sunlight, his figure seemed to glow, appearing exceptionally sacred.

"Let it be recorded: On the first day of the sixth month of the thirteenth year of the Nine Provinces Era, Minister of Rites Liu Zhiyan resigned his post. He forsook riches and status to enter Torch Academy, to study the martial path and safeguard the Qin Dynasty…"

「Ministry of War!」

Many generals had gathered.

Wang Jian sat at the head seat, his gaze sweeping over the assembled generals. He smiled and said, "This old man is over a hundred years old and thus unsuited to go to Torch Academy. It is my duty to remain and guard the Qin Dynasty!"

His words were clearly modest!

Unsuited to enter Torch Academy?

In the Myriad Minor Worlds, the definition of a prodigy was to reach the Profound Immortal Realm by the age of one hundred; reaching the Taiyi Earth Immortal Realm by the age of one thousand also qualified one as a prodigy!

Although Wang Jian appeared old, he was, in fact, less than three hundred years of age and fully met the admission criteria for Torch Academy.

He was only saying this to give the opportunity to the other generals.

The Qin Dynasty cannot be left without generals to defend it, after all!

Zhao Yun, Yue Fei, Huo Qubing, and the other generals understood this. Wang Jian was like a patriarch, always keeping the dangers for himself and giving the opportunities to them.

"I possess the inheritance of a godhead, so I have no need to go to Torch Academy!" Zhao Yun declared.

"Me too!"

"Same here!"

Lv Bu and Li Yuanba nodded in agreement.

"Good!" Wang Jian nodded and declared with finality, "With the four of us remaining to guard, you can all go to Torch Academy with peace of mind!"

Yue Fei grew anxious. Can just the four of them truly defend the vast territories of the Qin Dynasty? He quickly said, "General Wang, let me stay behind as well!"

"No need!" Wang Jian, knowing that studying at Torch Academy was a rare opportunity, directly refused. "The majority of the Qin Dynasty's populace is concentrated within the Nine Provinces. With the four of us here, we are sufficient to ensure the nation's safety!"

Then, he slapped the table and commanded, "As Chief of Staff, I order you to accompany His Majesty to Torch Academy!"

"When you return accomplished from your studies, you shall display our nation's might throughout the Nine Heavens!"