Holy Orchid Institute, End of the Year Exam & Fighting for prizes

The city was alive and popping with activity. More than a few bets were made over the months for the different results of the classes. Bets always helped people forget their troubles. Well, if you won that is.

Shen Xiu, dressed in a casual battle attire had everyone settle down. On her hip, the Scarlet Flaming Fox tailed wrapped around protectively. A few collectors in the stands looked feverishly in excitement.

"The school year examination for the classes is starting soon. Everyone, give it your all and remember what is at stake." Shen Xiu said as she looked around. The other teachers saying a little to their individual classes as well. But most eyes were on her. "As most of you are aware, I made a bet and those conditions were already fulfilled. So after this, I will no longer be a teacher at the Institute."

"Both!" A few of the kids did not want her to leave. The last few weeks were better than anything they had before. Nie Li received quite a few stink eyes from some of them because of the bet. "Please stay!"

"That won't do." Shen Xiu was touched but other plans worked better if she was not at the institute. "Bet is a bet. But when everything is over, I will let you all know something special. Well, those who signed the form anyway."

The excited young teens couldn't wait. A little more discussion was had before they moved on.

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Tests-

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The students listened to the Instructor about the new strength test machine. Happy they would not have to deal with the boulders like those previously did.

It looks no different than a strength test machine from modern earth. One's that were at a state fair or a food bar. Just had to deliver a bunch and the results would display the measure of the blow.

A much larger one was to the side and had a higher tolerance for checking by the looks of it. Who made that, was beyond Shen Yue's scope of knowledge. It looked to advance to be done by the other instructor.

"This was set up by the Principal for the more gifted students." Vice Principal Ye Sheng said. "You and a few others are after all higher up than the test will show." He was not fooling anyone, it was the Snow Wind Family trying to check on his strength.

As the students started to take the test, on one side, Shen Yue and a few others were taking the test using the Advance machine.

"First up, begin." A man with a clipboard said. He looked at Shen Yue disapprovingly. He did not believe the rumors that the young man was a Gold Rank Demon Spiritualist. This was correct since Shen Yue was a Black Gold Rank Demon Spiritualist. "Don't be scared, it won't hurt you."

"Right." Shen Yue grinned at the man. Not letting it bother him much. Reigning his strength in, he gave a quick jab to the machine. "Let's give a single strong jab." He used 1/3 of his "body's" strength, despite making it sound like he would use more strength.

*Pat!* The machine shook from the force. The needle moving quickly to reflect. It teetered around 13,000 or so. The clipboard fell as well as the man's jaw. People in the stands hooted and hollered before being quieted down by the vice-principal.

"Defintely the strength of someone in the Gold Rank. The upper levels at that. He must be training a very strong physical body technique to compensate for the rapid growth." Vice Principal Ye Sheng said. His eyes twinkled as a plan formed. 'Ye Hong has shown a small relationship with him that is growing, we must push for him to get closer with the Dark Moon Family young Patriarch!'

Even though Shen Yue had grown into having a body of an adult, the majority of the elders just saw him as a youngster. Which was a bad way to see things.

"Eh, that is good enough." Shen Yue moved away to the next test. "So I just need to channel my Soul Force a little right?" He asked for clarification. Another instructor nodded excitedly. "Ok."

A few watched with bated breath to see the result. Nie Li and Ye Ziyun one of them.

*Shine!* A light flared from his finger touching. He channeled only energy from his Flame Martial Arts into it. It was kept even but still created an issue.

"87,000 Soul Force... you are well on your way to being a Black Gold Demon Spiritualist!" The second instructor was happier than the others. "You have defintely beaten the records for it!"

"Thanks!" He smiled at him and moved out of the way. Shen Yue watched as Ye Ziyun went up to test her Soul Force. Not having paid attention to those who took the strength test after him. "Oh, not bad."

*Shine!* A light flared from around her palm. Ye Ziyun then stepped back to see the results. 3,635 Soul Force. The upper levels of the Silver Ranks. She moved away grinning at Nie Li.

"Yeah yeah, watch me go!" Nie Li started taking the test but kept an eye on Shen Yue. 'You hid your strength, but no matter! I have not been slacking off either!' As he delivered a blow, he missed a little as Ye Ziyun started talking to Shen Yue. "What the..."

"I am sorry, what did you say?" Shen Yue looked confused at her. He had to hear it repeated what she said. "You can not be joking on a matter like this." The young teen shook her head letting the purple hair move about blocking her eyes.

"The City Lord's Mansion wants to offer you the status of a Duke and the West Gate area to be under your purview. We are aware that the notions you filled for the area outside the gate and the land you claimed does not fall under the jurisdiction of the city, but...."

"But the City Lord's Mansion wants to use this as a way to include it." Shen Yue shook his head in the negative. "Before you say the City Lord guards helped, don't. They were paid and acted in the capacity of private citizens. If I take the Dukedom, that means more power and access for the Snow Wind Family."

"That is true yes." Ye Ziyun knew it was a longshot but put it on the table to see his reaction. "Some people think the Dark Moon Family has amassed strength way to quickly. Do you think that wise?"

"Of course." Shen Yue's smile threw her off. "Food, Water, Medicine, Protection, and Cultivation, we have it all. Much more than other Families can offer. But at least we are helping the people to boot."

"If we could, we would." Ye Ziyun sighed at the way the Snow Wind Family did things for a while. "So much goes on that we have to be cautious."

"True, but I am going to decline the Dukedom. Shouldn't be a problem for you to deliver that back to your family correct?" She nodded. "That is good. Since you are here and seem to have the authority to act on the behalf of your family now. Let's go over a little bit of business."

Shen Yue passed a letter that stated he and some guards would be leaving the city for some time. It was just a courtesy notification. Since he could leave without them even knowing it if need be.

"I will make sure this is delivered to the right people. Will Ye Hong be going?" Ye Ziyun read the letter eyes fixated on the reasons listed for the training exercise. 'He needs High-Level Demon Spirits with good growth rates. Hmm, a chance for Nie Li to earn some favor with my family. I will handle this matter myself.'

"Yes. He needs to get stronger and grow a little." Shen Yue looked at the rest of the test takers and couldn't help but frown. Zhu Xiangjun had scored pretty low on the tests. As well as Wei Nan and Zhang Ming. "Are they not friends of your fiancee?" All three performed poorer than they should have. 'Wait.. their results are most likely in line with their test results in the original timeline and not the one created by Nie Li changing things. Man, that kind of bites really. But at least they scored high enough.'

"Yes. But he has been busy at my place." Shen Yue arched a brow at her making the young teen blush. "Not doing that! Just helping train and help around the archives!" Letting things calm down a bit, she continued once people stopped staring at them. "I think Lu Piao and Du Ze are the only ones who come around really. The others just thinking it is not ok."

She rubbed her arm a little sad by it. But nothing to be done if people still followed the class system. One of the reasons she actually wanted to get involved with Shen Yue herself. The policies of changing the class system intrigued her. It was already implemented in the Dark Moon Family territory but that wouldn't really matter when the people there went to the other locations.

As the business continued, Nie Li started to get a funny feeling about Shen Yue even more. But not much to be done right now. He needed to go home soon and check on his family. The time away would help with developing a plan and since he hadn't seen his parents in a while.. like a few centuries, it would help in matters.

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Poaching people from others-

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Walking over to the distraught Zhu Xiangjun, Wei Nan, and Zhang Ming the time to strike was now. But he had to be careful since the trio were still close friends with Du Ze.

The grumblings about families allowed for better opportunities was true but the youngsters were just upset they couldn't keep up with the others completely. The extra time they had was spent working at the Dark Moon Family like several other commoners to earn extra funds but it was not enough for them to grow as fast as Du Ze and Lu Piao.

"Sacred Family is just a family." Shen Yue shrugged. "Just focus on getting stronger and living your life is the only concern that is important. I have seen to it that your families are compensated for how well you have done on the tests today. As part of the reward, students are given the chance to appoint another student to share in the benefits." Zhu Xiangjun looked unwilling to just let the matter stand. Not wanting to take a free ride really. Zhang Ming and Wei Nan had family members to consider more than him. "If you ever change your mind, the door is open for you to join me. I am leaving the city for an expedition soon. One that will have a bigger payout than what the one at the Ruins before."

"Haaa, wish we went with the last group to the Orchid City Ruins." Zhang Ming sighed walking away. Wei Nan following after thinking things over a little.

"We have a way to help you, just remember what I said." Shen Xiu's voice travelled to the departed two as well as all those who remained. Showing a much softer side to the students helped gain their respect. "You signed the form with the others, so you do get rewards all the same."

All the students that signed the form from before were given a bottle. Those in the stands had seen the little designs on the bottle from when they were younger and explored the ruins. So they did not think much of it.

"Drink it all in one go, and sit down to cultivate." Shen Xiu instructed. As the students did so, she merged with her Demon Spirit, the Scarlet Flaming Fox. Intense flames covered the area but didn't hurt a single student. "Relax and follow my instructions precisely."

*Fwish!* White Flame surrounded several fox hairs that entered the students. Slowly her voice entered each student's mind and helped guide them along with their cultivation.

Feeling a pair of eyes on her, she spared a glance at Shen Yue. His glowing eyes made her turn away embarrassed. Feeling happy that he was so proud of her, the woman guided the energy along with a closer eye.

Zhu Xiangjun felt his Soul Realm trembling standing next to Shen Yue as they talked lowly. A sound barrier up preventing any eavesdropping.