The recruitment trials are proceeding in an orderly manner.

With Gu Shen’s current prowess, looking back at this level of initial combat, there would certainly be no suspense.

Looking around.

The level of these hundreds of youths is completely clear.

If he wishes, by expending some spiritual power and simulating within the Heart Lake... the approximate rankings of the recruitment trials could be swiftly arranged within the Spirit Sea.

Several youths are quite talented, with a good chance of passing the Judgement Institute’s "recruitment."

Even if the Judgement Institute overlooks them, it doesn’t matter, as each recruitment attracts the attention of many clans.

Gold will shine wherever it is.

Gu Shen doesn’t intend to remind those two judges. Today, he came as a spectator, and he will remain a spectator until the end.

Currently, he is indeed in a "detached" state.

The happenings in Changye City, and indeed in most of East Continent, he would not deliberately intervene.

Because standing high lets one see far.

Although the three institutes and five great families are powerful, they cannot completely monopolize all "geniuses." Mistakes in judgment are common, which is the operational law of the world.

The further one proceeds in Extraordinary Cultivation, the more one perceives the existence of "fate" as a reality.

Of course, Transcendents live in this world, and each breath theoretically interferes with "cause and effect."

Gu Shen’s "non-interference" refers to not forcibly going against cause and effect.

If he reveals his identity and asks Guan Ji and Lian Du to skip trials and directly enter a certain judge’s dojo, naturally, there would be no objection...

However, such "reverse deeds" might not yield good results.

So he just quietly watches.

But if he does nothing, and "cause and effect" still entangle him, then Gu Shen stepping in at that moment wouldn’t count for much.

This is also why he solved Xu Fang’s personnel placement problem on the "list."

"Guan Ji only reached the fourth round..."

Old Yu’s eyes were filled with regret.

In this trial, among the children he brought, Guan Ji was the strongest.

But unfortunately, he encountered a seed player early on and was eliminated in the fourth round. Guan Ji’s opponent was a Strong Attack Type Transcendent cultivated by a medium-sized family from Jiuning District deep water area. In initial matches, Strong Attack Types have the most advantage, as this phase of Extraordinary combat really is about whose "fists" are harder.

The Spiritual Transcendent hasn’t mastered the skills for offensive use yet.

And elements are even less effective; the vast majority of fire-type Transcendents at this stage could only summon a shapeless small flame... even Gu Shen cannot avoid this.

"It doesn’t matter; reaching the fourth round is already remarkable."

Xu Fang chuckled, leaning over to comfort, "Guan Ji is only sixteen. Even if he isn’t favored by the Judgement Institute... other families would recruit him."

His disciple "Lian Du" has successfully passed the fourth round.

Judging by this result.

He won the wager earlier.

"To be honest, I didn’t rely on ’Little Junk’s’ hint this time."

Xu Fang flicked his small pendant and proudly said, "The disciple I taught is slightly better than yours, not too much, right? Remember to treat me to meals for a week later!"

"Alright, alright, don’t be so smug."

Old Yu shook his head helplessly.

The two have known each other for many years and share a deep relationship, naturally without conflicts over this matter, although he is indeed somewhat disappointed. According to his expectations, Guan Ji could at least reach the fifth round, and if lucky, even the sixth round, possibly placing in the top eight.

Ultimately, he was just stopped at the fourth round.

"Though I don’t understand the Judgement Institute’s ’recruitment standards,’ rankings shouldn’t be the sole indicator."

Gu Shen smiled and said, "Guan Ji’s prowess is commendable. Elemental types are weak initially and hold no advantage; losing to Strong Attack types is normal... encountering a seed player early might not be a bad thing, he showcased his style in the recent match. If the Judgement Institute’s assessors have sharp eyes, they shouldn’t miss this little guy."

These words significantly improved Old Yu’s mood.

Sitting alongside this unknown Mr. Xiao Gu had greatly changed his impression of Changye. When he first met him in the elevator, he was somewhat reserved.

Now, after a few interactions, they have become quite familiar.

"Did you see? Mr. Xiao Gu truly knows how to recognize talent."

Old Yu said with good humor, "Rankings aren’t the sole criterion for recruitment review!"

"I only care about those meals."

Xu Fang laughed indifferently: "If Guan Ji gets recruited by the Judgement Institute, wouldn’t you treat me even more?"

"..."

After two seconds of silence, Old Yu angrily retorted, "You’re hopeless, you’d stuff yourself silly!"

Their relationship is indeed profound.

Gu Shen watched everything casually, finding it quite interesting.

It feels very... alive.

Locked in the Ice Sea for six years, he detached from the world, untouched by its dust, then immediately headed to West Continent after returning to land...

Now he suddenly experiences what "living" feels like.

Even if just as a "spectator," one has to be a "spectator" amidst the countless mundane smoke and fire, rather than being a reluctantly imprisoned "spectator" beneath the deep sea. Living in the mortal world, you can see numerous faces of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. Approaching closely allows you to hear these people’s voices; each face is genuine.

Big people, small people, are all human.

No matter whether you watch or not, their lives are here.

"After the recruitment trials end, let me treat everyone."

Gu Shen spoke up, "I have ’a bit of savings,’ mainly because I know where the special spots are in Changye, making it convenient for hosting."

"Mr. Xiao Gu, isn’t that a bit inappropriate?"

Despite saying this, Xu Fang’s face showed no sign of disapproval. He affectionately unscrewed a bottle of wine, took a sip, and laughed, "Since we’re all good brothers from Qinghe District, I won’t be courteous with you!"

As Transcendents, money isn’t important.

The fifth round of trials quickly ended, and Lian Du stopped this round... this result is quite good, placing him in the top thirty-two this year, with a high probability of being selected by the Judgement Institute.

"What a pity, if Lian Du had a bit more luck, he might have made it to the top sixteen, and by then, he would have certainly been recruited by the Judgement Institute."

Xu Fang took a sip of poor quality Lion Awakening Wine, caressed his pendant, and remarked with a tone full of regret, "Had I known earlier, I would have lent this ’little trinket’ to Lian Du before the competition, not sure if it would have helped."

The recruiting evaluation of the Judgement Institute, although not entirely based on rankings.

But those ranked higher are certainly eligible for recruitment... Usually entering the top sixteen, as long as the background check is fine, there’s a chance to stay at the Judgement Institute, and after a period of cultivation, a Judge will make selections.

If one’s talent and dedication are sufficient, they can join the Dojo and become an official member of the Changye Court.

Lian Du was eliminated.

This essentially means all the young Transcendents brought by the White Dam Judgement Institute from the Qinghe District have completed their trials.

Just when Xu Fang was about to stand up.

"Wait."

Old Yu suddenly pressed him back down and frowned, "Look... did Liu Quan also advance?"

"???"

At these words, Xu Fang nearly spat out the drink he had just swallowed.

He sat back in his seat, staring blankly at the electronic screen above the Dojo that displayed the scrolling top sixteen list...

Due to focusing too much on his disciple Lian Du, he hadn’t even noticed the battles on other stages.

Seeing Liu Quan advance, Xu Fang looked at Gu Shen as if he had seen a ghost.

Old Yu’s expression was also full of amazement, "Mr. Xiao Gu... how did you see this coming?"

"That child named Liu Quan, although his spiritual power is weak, his state of mind is very stable."

Gu Shen smiled, "I guess he’s a solitary character, who usually likes to cultivate alone... Most of the time, his performance is average."

Old Yu and Xu Fang exchanged a glance.

Indeed, they had hardly ever paid attention to this kid.

Thinking of coming to Changye for the recruitment, he had to pass the White Dam Judgement Institute’s basic evaluation... this Liu Quan indeed entered the recruitment team with ’average-level’ performance.

Seeing their reaction, Gu Shen knew he guessed right.

"Being able to consistently control his performance at an average level... suggests that he’s stronger than everyone."

Gu Shen calmly said, "This young man has some ’secrets’ of his own that he doesn’t want to expose prematurely, so he’s saved all his trump cards for today’s Changye."

He could tell that this young man’s breathing rhythm was different from others.

Clearly, Liu Quan had already understood the essence of the breathing technique.

When Spiritual Transcendents start practicing their ’breathing technique’ repeatedly, it indicates that their Extraordinary Cultivation is on the right track... At this stage, in a fight, if the ’Spiritual Spike’ is released accurately, it can easily deal with those who only know how to use their fists.

In the top sixteen trials, Liu Quan won again and entered the top eight.

Then the top four!

Old Yu and Xu Fang stared dumbfounded at the stage, unable to believe their eyes. The most overlooked young man had such an outstanding performance?

"It seems he’s determined to stay in Changye..."

Gu Shen smiled indifferently, "It’s a pity this round he met that ’seed player’ who eliminated Guan Ji, a Strong Attack Type Transcendent trained by a prominent family, who knows how to avoid spiritual attacks."

Naturally, in regular recruitment trials, after the top sixteen list appeared, it would basically end.

But today is different.

Today, there are two Judges present in person... they both want to recruit disciples into their own Dojos.

So every young person is giving their all, wanting to apprentice under the Judges!

"Can Liu Quan still advance?"

Old Yu asked nervously, looking subconsciously towards Gu Shen.

For some reason, he suddenly felt as if the outcome of the competition... had already been seen through by this Mr. Xiao Gu, and if he wanted to know the answer, he might as well just ask the person next to him directly.

After some idle chat.

He began to suspect this Mr. Xiao Gu’s true identity...

Even though Mr. Xiao Gu said he’s not under the Judgement Institute Dojo, someone with such keen insight wouldn’t possibly have no friends inside the Judgement Institute, right?

"Very unlikely."

Gu Shen said calmly, "Liu Quan’s own strength has reached its limit, and it’s highly probable that he won’t be able to beat that seed player trained by a prominent family. However... he seems to have a sealed item on him."

He had noticed from the start.

Liu Quan consistently habitually touched the pocket at his side.

A precocious young man who already understands the importance of hiding one’s abilities at such a young age, naturally wouldn’t make useless combat moves in the most crucial battle of his life... so this pocket-touching action can only mean one thing.

A weapon is hidden here.

Or rather, a trump card.