The leader gave a tug on the reins, his gaze fixed sharply on Brian Baker seated atop the stands.

“Brother Charles Carter has arrived, please take a seat.” Brian Baker remained seated, speaking indifferently, a cold smile playing at the corner of his lips.

Charles Carter and his companions dismounted, then stepped onto the martial arena, heading directly to a spot on the stands to sit down. The crowd’s eyes turned toward them; on that section of the stands sat the prominent families of Tianyong City, each having brought their outstanding young heirs.

“Yvonne Carter is here too. She’s exceptionally gifted—she entered the Royal Academy over a year ago. Now, three of the four great beauties of Tianyong City are present.”

“Brian Baker intends to form a marriage alliance with the Ye family. Rumor has it that two days ago, an iron cavalry personally arrived at the Qin residence, insisting they attend today. I fear today, the Bai family will use Ashley Baker’s entry into Emperor Star Academy as an excuse to break off the engagement. If so, only the Qin family will be humiliated.”

Many people began whispering among themselves, while Charles Carter’s gaze swept over the crowd below, as if searching for someone. Soon, his eyes landed on a particular figure.

“Wentian.” Charles Carter’s pupils contracted slightly—Ethan Carter had really come.

Ethan Carter had arrived long ago, blending into the crowd. His gaze was calm, yet within that calmness was a hint of determination.

“All right, those who wish to participate in this assessment, come up now.” Thomas Green spoke up. He was one of the examiners from the Royal Academy. To show the Academy’s regard for Ashley Baker, not only had Thomas Green come, but several others as well, including his senior brother.

Below the martial arena, young people began to ascend the stage one after another, all of them extraordinary in bearing. At the same time, on the stands above, some of the major powers’ youths from Tianyong City also entered the arena in succession.

“Ning family’s Frank Newton—he’s only fifteen, but reportedly already at the seventh level of the Body Refining Realm, and awakened his Astral Soul last year. He’s quite remarkable.”

“Eric Brooks, nearly sixteen. Though he hasn’t awakened his Astral Soul to become a Martial Fate cultivator, he’s already at the eighth level of the Body Refining Realm, and has a chance to enter the Academy’s Martial House.”

“Lily Wood, not yet sixteen, seventh level of the Body Refining Realm. She condensed her first Astral Soul at thirteen, and is one of the four great beauties of Tianyong City.”

Most of the crowd’s attention fell on Lily Wood. Both Ashley Baker and Lily Wood were among the four great beauties of Tianyong City, and were close in age, often compared to each other. But now, Lily Wood seemed to have been left behind.

These people’s cultivation was naturally different from Ethan Carter’s. Even those able to condense Astral Souls had begun training before that point. Ashley Baker was no exception, though later Ethan Carter advised Ashley Baker to stop cultivating and avoid absorbing the world’s vital energy into her body.

But Ethan Carter knew that Ashley Baker still hadn’t stopped absorbing vital energy. Otherwise, with Ashley Baker’s talent and his help, she might have connected with the third-level Martial Fate star even earlier.

At this moment, on the stands, Ashley Baker stood up. Instantly, all the gazes that had been on Lily Wood were drawn to her.

The Bai family’s prodigy, Tianyong City’s number one genius, one of the four great beauties—powers from all over the Chu Kingdom had come for her. Unconsciously, this beautiful young woman had accumulated so many halos that people could only look up to her.

Chapter 11: The Assessment

Ashley Baker descended step by step, her black hair dancing in the breeze, her stunning face captivating. With every step, it seemed she could stir the hearts of all who watched.

“A peerless beauty.” Many people sighed inwardly. Such a woman was not only outstanding in looks, but also unmatched in talent.

“I heard that before Ashley Baker condensed her Astral Soul, she was already a genius at the seventh level of the Body Refining Realm. Now she shines even brighter in Tianyong City. If I could marry her, I’d die with no regrets.”

Someone sighed, inevitably thinking of the rumored Edward Lee, who was to be betrothed to Ashley Baker. Perhaps only someone as dazzling in both status and talent as Edward Lee could be worthy of Ashley Baker. As for the Qin family’s Ethan Carter, he was overestimating himself and deserved humiliation. Still, the Qin family sending troops to the Bai family—who knows what they intend.

Before long, Ashley Baker strolled to the center of the martial stage, standing casually, as if all the brilliance in the world had gathered upon her. By now, there were already more than thirty people on the stage.

On the stands, the representatives of the four great martial academies fixed their sharp gazes on Ashley Baker. As for the others, they paid little attention, since they had come for Ashley Baker alone.

Only Mark Shaw’s gaze flickered uncertainly as he spoke: “Is there anyone else? Don’t miss this rare opportunity.”

“That’s about everyone.” Thomas Green said coolly. Ashley Baker—he was determined to have her.

But just then, a figure from the crowd strolled toward the martial stage, ascending step by step. When people saw the slightly youthful face, many were stunned.

“Ethan Carter?” Quite a few people whispered among themselves. Ethan Carter had actually come, and even walked onto the martial stage. Did he not know the rules?