The observation platform hovered high above the Secret Realm, an architectural marvel of jade and silver suspended by intricate arrays of levitation sigils.
From this vantage point, the realm unfolded like a living tapestry—forests swaying with unseen breezes, rivers glinting under the sun, and students moving like chess pieces across the vast landscape.
Dozens of Spirit Projection Mirrors floated above the observation platform like slow-turning constellations, each framed in a soft glow of pale-blue light.
These Spirit Mirrors were operated by Bureau personnel stationed along the perimeter—each managing multiple feeds through synchronized command sigils. With calm focus, they adjusted focus, angles, and tagged points of interest in real time.
The mirrors displayed live feeds from across the Secret Realm—tracking hundreds of students, their movements, battles, and decisions, projected seamlessly for the evaluators to see.
Principals, instructors, and recruitment scouts from universities across Qingzhou Province—including its top three: Qingzhou University, Azure Cloud Academy, and Southern Star Institute—stood across the platform, eyes fixed on the key scenes.
"Baihua City seems to have produced an exceptional batch this year," one principal remarked, nodding toward a mirror that showcased a team dismantling a small monster group with efficient formation.
"Indeed," said an Azure Cloud Academy scout, adjusting his glasses. "There's talent and preparation. That combination is worth tracking."
Several other mirrors pulsed in response, showing flashes of students battling goblins or maneuvering through forest terrain. Some barely held formation. Others showed surprising bursts of skill. The evaluators' eyes moved constantly—marking, noting, eliminating.
Most won't stand out, the Azure Cloud scout thought. But the ones who do… we'll remember their names for years.
Another mirror pulsed into focus.
It showed Gu Jinyuan rampaging through a goblin pack with sheer brute force. His battle axe—heavy and brutal—cleaved through enemies in savage arcs, each swing painting the air with aggression. He laughed as he moved, raw power in every step.
"Gu Jinyuan," murmured a Baihua instructor. "He used to train sword before the awakening. Switched to axe when he drew Crimson Berserker."
The Azure scout gave a short nod. "Fitting. He's not here to dance—he's here to crush. There's a bloody rhythm to his chaos."
Another mirror brightened, showing Zhao Wenting in a stable defensive stance, shield raised. Though his posture appeared lazy, his movements were precise. His Holy Paladin class shone through with each block and shift.
He led two teammates, forming a tight front. He absorbed blows, redirected pressure, and manipulated the pace of the fight with calculated positioning and aura control.
"He lacks raw damage," noted the Azure Cloud observer. "But he manipulates flow like a chessmaster."
"Zhao always looks half-asleep," said one instructor with a small grin. "But I'd trust him to anchor any formation."
Both scouts nodded, noting names and comments onto light-bound sigil pads.
"Crimson Berserker and Holy Paladin—different ends of the spectrum, but both strong candidates."
Another mirror shimmered to life.
Lin Yanyue stood at the center of her team, robes flowing with residual magic. Her silver-white hair danced with wind currents as three elemental auras spiraled faintly around her.
As five goblins emerged from the forest line, Lin raised her hand. Wind struck first, disorienting them. Ice followed—trapping their feet. Then fire—exploding in precise bursts that eliminated the threat before they could close the gap.
Her teammates followed up smoothly, managing flanks and ensuring a clean end.
"Southern Star material, no doubt," murmured a scout from the magic-focused university. "Her layering speed and mana weave control is top-notch."
"She's a battlefield nucleus. Rare to see multi-element talent of this level at her age," another noted.
Their names were added to lists. Interest, confirmed.
Then—
"Next group locking in," a Bureau staff member said, adjusting two sigils.
The mirror shimmered.
Su Xue Qing came into view.
She stood in a clearing at the forest's edge, silver hair glinting faintly under sunlight. Chen Shuyun stood beside her, staff ready. Huo Lian flanked the other side, shield and sword steady.
A rustle. A surge of green.
Six goblins burst from the underbrush.
"Six targets—Level 1," the operator confirmed.
The team moved instantly.
"Agility Enchant! Defense Enchant!" Chen Shuyun's voice echoed. The enchantments flared—speed to Su Xue Qing, protection to Huo Lian.
"No delay," said a Southern Star scout, eyes narrowing. "Perfect spell choice for a flanking defense."
Su Xue Qing stepped in like silk over frost. Her blade cut down the first goblin in a flash, parried another, then spun low to bring it down.
The third leapt—
And was met by a silent, lethal spike of ice from below.
Three rotating ice spears hovered around her. One struck center chest. The other two disarmed and disabled.
"She's balancing control and lethality," said the Azure scout. "That's rare."
Huo Lian bashed one goblin with her shield. Su Xue Qing followed up with a clean spear to the throat. The final was dispatched with dual timing—blade and frost together.
"Efficient. Surgical."
"And the Enchanter reads the flow like she's inside their heads," said another observer.
"Watch how she times that magic boost… just before the second wave."
The scene flickered.
Three goblins appeared ahead—Level 2s.
"Positions," Su Xue Qing commanded.
"Magic Boost! Defense Enchant!"
"Flawless synergy," whispered a Southern Star instructor.
Huo Lian blocked, pivoted, engaged. Su Xue Qing locked one with ice, dispatched another with a swift spear. Together, they dismantled the trio without chaos—only flow.
When the mist cleared, and the stones dropped, the room was quiet.
"She didn't just fight," said an Azure Cloud scout. "She led."
"And they followed perfectly," added a Southern Star teacher. "Those two weren't just supports—they were assets."
"She gives them room to grow."
All eyes lingered on the fading image.
Near the edge of the viewing hall, a woman in a long indigo robe stood silently, arms crossed. She hadn't spoken once during the entire session.
But now, as Su Xue Qing's image faded from the mirror, she smiled.
The battlefield is quietest when someone truly dangerous takes command.
She doesn't just fight—she directs without speaking. Even her team moves as if guided by instinct.
A clear mind, fluid tactics, and perfect restraint.
She's not rushing to impress. That means she knows her value.
This one… we must not let go.
She was a scout for Qingzhou University.
And she had seen enough.
[End of Chapter 8]