For students from prestigious families and sects, many foundational courses are already mastered, so they don’t need to relearn them at all. On the other hand, students from ordinary backgrounds have to start from the most basic courses.

They can even choose not to select any courses and study on their own, as long as they can pass the assessments held by the academy. The academy provides various resources, such as cultivation manuals, spell techniques, alchemy, formations, and talismans, but all of these require credits to exchange for. The higher the level of the texts, the more credits are needed, and precious medicines that can help improve cultivation efficiency can also be exchanged for credits.

There are many ways to earn credits. Attending classes diligently allows teachers to award credits based on performance. Offering rare manuals that the academy doesn’t have can also be exchanged for credits. Planting spiritual herbs can earn credits, and cleaning up the various spirits and monsters within the academy to maintain social stability and safety can also increase credits.

The top fifty students in the academy’s rankings receive fixed credits, with the top student receiving the most, and it decreases in order. As long as they maintain their ranking, credits will be distributed regularly. If someone is defeated by another, the ranking automatically transfers to the victor, and all benefits are canceled, reducing them to an ordinary student.

There are also other ways to earn extra credits for outstanding performances, but I won’t list them all. With so many ways to earn credits, there’s bound to be one that suits everyone.

The learning atmosphere is free, but if you want to stand out and maintain your advantage, the pressure can be quite high.

Jiang Baiyu, as the top student of the grade, gained a large number of credits right after enrolling, allowing him to directly exchange for advanced manuals or precious medicines.

Lou Yuzhu said, “I’ve heard that the top students from other grades rarely appear in class. As soon as school starts, they use their privileges to enter the Immortal Pool for cultivation. Many from sects and noble families come to the academy just for the Immortal Pool, but with so many wolves and so little meat, it’s not easy to get in, which makes the competition for the top position very fierce. Whenever the academy holds assessments, many people challenge the top student, trying to bring them down.”

“The academy allows a certain level of competition, but crossing the line is not permitted. Once discovered, the punishment is severe. My suggestion is that as soon as school starts, you should use your privileges to enter the Immortal Pool for cultivation, just like the top students from other grades. This way, you can avoid disturbances from other students. Even if you temporarily lose to the top ten, those who want to challenge you will still be eager to do so. Plus, you can quickly improve your cultivation and temper your mindset through the Immortal Pool.”

“My junior and I barely made it into the top fifty of the grade, and since we’re in the same class, we’re not lacking in resources, except we can’t enter the Immortal Pool for cultivation.”

Bai Xianzhuz nodded, “The time spent cultivating in the Immortal Pool is precious and shouldn’t be wasted. The top student has privileges, but the requirements are also the strictest. Others can be held back a grade, but the top student cannot; if they are held back, they are automatically disqualified. There are a total of ten grades in the academy, which means that even if you maintain the top position, you can only cultivate in the Immortal Pool for a maximum of ten years.”

Besides the privileges of the top student, there are two other rules that allow students to enter the Immortal Pool for cultivation. One is that those who perform excellently in assessments can earn a reward of one month in the Immortal Pool.

Jiang Baiyu felt that this rule was like a carrot dangling in front of the students from sects and noble families, giving them a goal to strive for. It alleviates the pressure on the top student, preventing them from becoming the target of the entire grade, while also stimulating the top student to not slack off.

If only the top student can enter the Immortal Pool, the gap will only widen in the future.

The other rule is based on accumulating credits; as long as a certain amount is reached, students can exchange for the qualification to enter the Immortal Pool for cultivation.

This encourages students with excellent qualifications while also giving those with more ordinary qualifications a chance to strive.

Jiang Baiyu said seriously, “I understand what you mean, and I will cherish this opportunity.”

Lou Yuzhu suddenly sighed, “Classes start tomorrow.”

Bai Xianzhuz also became suddenly melancholic, lost in thought.

Jiang Baiyu was puzzled, “What’s wrong with you two?”

Lou Yuzhu’s eyes were filled with worry, heavy with thoughts, and explained, “My junior and I went to find the dean again. It’s been over a month, and we don’t know how things are with our master, or if there’s any news coming back. The dean only said that our master is busy with something and told us to focus on cultivating in the academy. This is also our master’s intention, saying that with the current situation in Tianji Sect, we should cultivate well and not let down the academy’s nurturing and our master’s expectations.”

His voice revealed sadness, and he looked quite dejected, “During the entrance assessment, I realized that I had returned to Tianji Sect before it was destroyed. Seeing all those familiar faces filled me with joy, but more so with heartache and pain. I instantly forgot about the assessment and frantically told everyone about the future, wanting to save Tianji Sect. It was my master who slapped me awake and said many things to me, and only then did I calm down and realize that this was the content of the assessment—self-reflection.”

“My master has always been protecting us…”

Lou Yuzhu clenched his fists tightly, “I know my master must be doing something dangerous, unwilling to involve us, which is why he hasn’t returned or informed us of his whereabouts. We have no choice but to follow our master’s orders and work hard in the academy.”

“It’s all because our strength is insufficient that my master cannot trust us.”

Bai Xianzhuz lowered his head, clearly having experienced the same ordeal during the self-reflection assessment, and now felt very conflicted.

Jiang Baiyu suddenly understood; no wonder they looked so unhappy after passing the exam, as if they were lost souls. After finally seeing familiar faces again, it was just an illusion. Even so, the two still received their master’s teachings.

Just as Jiang Baiyu was pondering how to comfort the two and lift their spirits, Lou Yuzhu and Bai Xianzhuz rallied themselves.

Lou Yuzhu said, “I will definitely cultivate hard and strive to perform excellently in the assessments!”

Bai Xianzhuz added, “Senior brother, let’s work hard together. Our master is watching over us!”

So they planned to go cultivate, bidding farewell to Jiang Baiyu.

Watching the two leave, Jiang Baiyu leaned against a tree, looking up at the tree’s top filled with vibrant flowers. As the wind blew, they danced in the air like snowflakes.

One flower fell, landing on his hair. Jiang Baiyu raised his hand to gently pinch it off and brought it to his nose to sniff, the fragrance wafting pleasantly.

Suddenly, a chill ran through him.

Jiang Baiyu tossed the flower away, rubbing the goosebumps that had appeared on his arms, puzzled about what was happening.

Just then, Lou Yuzhu, who had left with Bai Xianzhuz, returned alone, walking up to him with a serious expression, hesitating to speak.

Jiang Baiyu felt even more goosebumps rising on his arms.

He pretended to pat his sleeves, lowering his hand, while secretly preparing to strike with the roasted wing ring, showing no signs of revealing his intentions, and asked with concern, “Is there something else?”

Lou Yuzhu’s face was filled with struggle, hatred and worry intertwining, eventually turning into guilt as he quietly said, “I really can’t help but worry about my master. Now, there are only a few of us left in the sect. If something happens to my master, I really don’t know what to do.”

He forced a smile, “In front of my junior, how can I show my weakness as a senior brother? That would only make him waver and panic. I can only keep these thoughts to myself and dare to share them with you.”

Lou Yuzhu opened his mouth, his gaze not daring to meet Jiang Baiyu’s, “I need the privilege of the top student to enter the Immortal Pool for cultivation, just consider it helping me…”

Jiang Baiyu replied earnestly, “That won’t do.”

Lou Yuzhu’s words were interrupted before he could finish, left speechless for a moment before sadly saying, “I really need this opportunity! My master is still waiting for me, and you’re so capable; there are other opportunities you can strive for!”

Jiang Baiyu said, “Nonsense, your master clearly told you to stay put and not think too much.”

Lou Yuzhu’s expression suddenly darkened, his eyes flashing with fierce light, “If that’s the case, don’t blame me for being rude!”

The roasted wing ring swung up without hesitation, slapping him hard, causing a burst of starlight.

Lou Yuzhu’s face instantly twisted in rage, letting out a piercing scream, his features melting into shadows, quickly turning into a pitch-black mass. He hadn’t expected that his disguise had been seen through, nor did he anticipate that the starlight’s interruption would cause his disguise spell to fail, revealing his true form.

Seeing that his cover was blown, he decided to take drastic measures, bending down and instantly transforming into a mass of black shadow, charging towards Jiang Baiyu’s shadow.

Jiang Baiyu could clearly feel something squeezing into his body, the shadow merging with his own shadow, which surprisingly had an effect on him.

The invading entity was like ink spilled on the ground, a pitch-black mass quickly eroding his shadow.

Jiang Baiyu’s body lit up with stars, slowly revolving around him, activating his defensive damage reduction skill, like stars surrounding the moon.

The black shadow immediately hit an invisible barrier, unable to advance another step.

Then, Jiang Baiyu swung the roasted wing ring fiercely at the black shadow. With each hit, the shadow diminished a bit, as if losing health. Relying on basic attacks, he managed to whittle down half of its health. The black shadow, unable to endure any longer, detached from Jiang Baiyu’s shadow and attempted to flee.

As long as the green mountains remain, one need not fear a lack of firewood.

The roasted wing ring chased after it, capturing it, and the hollow ring returned to Jiang Baiyu’s side.

“You thought you could impersonate Lou Yuzhu and sneak attack me?”

The black shadow remained silent.

Jiang Baiyu didn’t mind and speculated, “Looking at you, you shouldn’t be a student of the academy.”

He pondered, “Could it be that you came from outside the academy?”

If it involves matters beyond students, that would be serious. Just as Jiang Baiyu was about to take this thing to show the dean, the black shadow trapped by the roasted wing ring twisted violently, like rolling ink, and then exploded.

This reaction made Jiang Baiyu frown.

Such intensity proved that it had hit a critical point, unwilling to take any risks, decisively abandoning its pawn to protect itself.

Jiang Baiyu calculated a bit, and it was auspicious.

The Immortal Ascension Academy had stood for many years, and treasures like the Immortal Pool must have many coveters. Not every student is upright; if they can’t win in a fair fight, they might resort to underhanded tactics.

Since the result was auspicious, it seems that even if there are setbacks, the final outcome will still be good.

Jiang Baiyu put away his thoughts and patted his little pouch, “My dear, tomorrow we’re going to enter the Immortal Pool for cultivation. If someone wants to play tricks to intercept us, why aren’t you angry?”

Little Pouch: Don’t call me dear!

Jiang Baiyu’s lips curled up, “How would my dear know I was calling you? It shows you have me in your heart.”

Little Pouch: …

Little Pouch: Just a mere shadow puppet, a trivial skill. If it possesses you, suffering a bit is what you deserve.

Jiang Baiyu: “My dear is truly cold-hearted.”

Little Pouch: Shut up!!!

Jiang Baiyu: “Alright, my queen.”

Little Pouch fell silent for a moment before decisively sparking with energy.

This fiery temper really can’t take a joke; it flares up at the slightest provocation.