Chapter 52: Sunset

It was understandable why he didn't believe it. This person had been defeated by Xu Xiaoshou in the top 32, having long given up hope of entering the inner academy, so it was unexpected that he still managed to get in.

The audience erupted in applause, a mix of admiration, envy, and most of all, curiosity. If participants beyond the top 32 of the "Wind-Cloud Rankings" could enter the inner academy, perhaps the threshold had been lowered this year?

Xiao Qixiu continued, "The second inner academy spot goes to Chao Qingteng!" Even the normally reserved Chao Qingteng couldn't help but let his lips curl into a slight smile, his fingers tracing the patterns on the hilt of his Glacier Sword. "That's two already..." The audience clenched their fists; it was a new record!

"The third inner academy spot goes to Muzi Xi!" "And the fourth inner academy spot goes to Mo Mo!" Xiao Qixiu announced two more names in quick succession, sparking a fresh wave of excitement. Muzi Xi clutched her twin ponytails, her small face alight with uncontrollable joy, and she gave a little hop. Mo Mo, still holding her small bronze censer, maintained her usual poker face but took a deep breath of the sandalwood incense. "Amazing!" The audience watched with immense excitement, as if their own names had been called.

Suddenly, someone voiced a puzzled observation: "It seems everyone whose name has been called is at the Xiantian cultivation level..." Everyone paused, realizing it was true. Even Zhou Tianshen, who was beyond the top 32, had broken through to Xiantian during his battle with Xu Xiaoshou and subsequently earned an inner academy spot.

"It seems only those at the Xiantian level could enter the inner academy in previous years too!" "In that case, Xu Xiaoshou is definitely guaranteed a spot; he possesses a Xiantian physical body..." "Not necessarily!" someone interrupted. "A Xiantian physical body has reached its limit and is very difficult to improve further. Moreover, his cultivation is only at the Eighth Stage..."

Everyone grew tense, as it was practically unheard of for someone with a Xiantian physical body to break through to the Grandmaster level. There was no other reason than the immense difficulty of such cultivation, making it seemingly impossible to succeed. This was an unwritten rule, applicable not only to the Tiansang Spirit Palace but throughout the entire Saint Divine Continent.

All eyes immediately fixed on Xu Xiaoshou. Surprisingly, the champion was now the one everyone was most concerned about. Would he be granted an exception and specially admitted into the inner academy with his current cultivation? Or would this year be unprecedented, with the number of inner academy spots rising directly to five? Everyone held their breath.

Xu Xiaoshou was startled by their intense gazes, but the next second, he chuckled. *Passive Value: +2130, due to being anticipated.* He let out a seemingly nonchalant breath. Although he had already secured the championship, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Xiao Qixiu's gaze shifted from the paper, which he folded and tucked into his robe. His expression was indifferent as he stated, "That's all. Only four." *Passive Value: +1869, due to being doubted.* *Passive Value: +1511, due to being doubted.* *Passive Value: +1042, due to being doubted.* The message log instantly scrolled wildly. Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily stunned. None for him?

Despite his feigned indifference, he had, after all, won the championship. Even if he didn't say it, deep down he felt certain of a spot. But the result... none? The others on the awards platform were also stunned; the smiles of the three who had just secured their spots instantly froze. While they wouldn't admit it outwardly, they genuinely respected Xu Xiaoshou's abilities, yet... What was going on?

The audience, however, was far less polite. They exploded in outrage. "That's it? Only four spots? Are you kidding me?" "Xu Xiaoshou won the championship! He might be a joker, but please, don't joke around at a critical moment like this!" "This is an absolute mockery! The champion gets no inner academy spot, but someone from the top 32... Ugh, let me go, let me speak!" "Are you crazy? Zhou Tianshen is right behind you!"

Zhou Tianshen, burning with indignation, suddenly rose to his feet. "If this is the verdict, then I, Zhou Tianshen, don't need this inner academy spot!" He glared defiantly at Xiao Qixiu, showing no fear. "Well said! I agree!" "You don't even have a spot!" "Shut up!"

Xiao Qixiu's single statement had ignited the audience, sending the stands into a furious uproar. He offered no response to their protests. Instead, he turned and walked over to Xu Xiaoshou, watching him silently. This young man was still trying to appear as carefree as ever, but with his experience, how could Xiao Qixiu not see the hidden bitterness on his face? He was, after all, only an eighteen-year-old boy.

"Hmph..." Xiao Qixiu exhaled deeply. Xu Xiaoshou instinctively took two steps back and covered his nose. Xiao Qixiu was speechless. *Damn it!* This kid was truly something else; he had just felt a pang of sympathy for him! Xiao Qixiu dared not exhale again. He took a deep breath, then patted Xu Xiaoshou's shoulder. "You can stay in the outer academy for another year and strive to break through to Xiantian as soon as possible."

Xu Xiaoshou froze. He had almost forgotten that if one couldn't enter the inner academy within three years, or if they consistently ranked last in the "Wind-Cloud Tournament," they would be directly expelled from the Spirit Palace. This implied someone had already advocated for him. Perhaps it was this middle-aged man, or perhaps... Elder Qiao? He looked towards the audience. Elder Qiao was one of the few who still sat quietly in his seat. He said nothing, simply nodding. *Passive Value: +1, due to being encouraged.*

A warmth spread through Xu Xiaoshou's heart. Disappointment and dismay were definitely present. However, he didn't like being comforted, which was why he couldn't help but react earlier when Xiao Qixiu adopted such a solemn expression. But at this moment, he was truly touched. "Thank you!" Xu Xiaoshou said sincerely.

Xiao Qixiu shook his head and chuckled. "If you could just stop irritating me, that would be thanks enough! I can't take credit for this!" He didn't know why, but despite Xu Xiaoshou being a junior, he consistently found himself annoyed by the boy's antics. And when speaking with him, he unconsciously let down his guard. *Hmm, perhaps Old Qiao feels the same way!* Xu Xiaoshou secretly pouted, but said nothing.

Xiao Qixiu turned and announced loudly, "This year's 'Wind-Cloud Tournament' concludes now!" "You are dismissed!" Everyone felt a knot of frustration in their chests, yet they were powerless to object. They had witnessed the rise of a dark horse and expected a magnificent conclusion, but the story's ending was always surprising. A champion, denied entry even to the inner academy! If he were just an ordinary champion, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. But Xu Xiaoshou had defeated so many Xiantian cultivators! Did such strength and talent truly not warrant an exception from the Spirit Palace?

"Go, Xu Xiaoshou!" Many people still hadn't left, spontaneously cheering him on, and the chants quickly swept across the entire arena. "Xu Xiaoshou, you're the fattest, I'll always love you!" "Xu Xiaoshou, hang in there!" *Passive Value: +663, due to being encouraged.* *Passive Value: +414, due to being encouraged.* *Passive Value: +520, due to being encouraged.*

Gazing at the crowd cheering for him, Xu Xiaoshou was touched once more. Especially that phrase, "Xu Xiaoshou, hang in there!" He vaguely remembered that cheer originating during the group stage, when he had pretended to be cornered and beaten by forty or fifty people. "Thank you!" he silently uttered to himself.

The sun set in the west, and eventually, the crowd began to disperse. Xu Xiaoshou smiled and responded to the many people who came to encourage him, both acquaintances and strangers alike. "Disappointed?" Elder Qiao walked over. "Yes," Xu Xiaoshou replied. "Very disappointed."

*This kid...* Elder Qiao thought. *He was smiling and telling everyone else it was fine, but with me, he's completely unfiltered!* "Life is like this, full of ups and downs," Elder Qiao said. "Indeed," Xu Xiaoshou replied, tilting his head as if he'd just thought of something. "There are also major downs followed by major ups, if you're lucky..."

"You're quite the optimist!" Elder Qiao shook his head, pulled out two bottles of elixirs, handed them to Xu Xiaoshou, and then walked towards the setting sun. "Keep pushing forward." "Let those old fogeys who stick to their rigid rules know that they were wrong."

Xu Xiaoshou paused slightly, realizing the implications of that last remark. He looked down at the two bottles of elixirs in his hand: one bottle of Spirit Refining Elixirs and one bottle of Vermilion Gold Elixirs. The setting sun, Elder Qiao, elixirs... Xu Xiaoshou smiled faintly. This scene felt familiar, but something was missing... He took out a Spirit Refining Elixir and inhaled it sharply. A hiss! The setting sun seemed to waver, and even his shadow trembled.