Chapter 2: Yin City Academy: The First Test
The Yin City Academy gates swarmed with aspiring applicants waiting to take the enrolment test. The atmosphere was abuzz with excitement as cultivators naturally congregated into groups to discuss the possible test formats and strategies this year.
"Greetings, new blood." A levitating old man with lavish white hair used an auditory Qi skill which amplified his voice.
"I am Principal Zhuang Mo Yan. As you well know, the Yin City Academy is the cradle of elementary and intermediate cultivators. Successfully enrolling in the academy means that you will have access to numerous invaluable resources aiding you in your path of cultivation. I wish everyone the best of luck in the upcoming enrolment test."
In the blink of an eye, the old man vanished with a trace of grey smoke. The grand academy gates engraved with twin dragons slowly opened. The crowd flocked into a huge hall.
A deep voice commanded everyone's attention.
"This year, the enrolment test will be split into three parts. Each test functions as a filter, which means people will be disqualified after every test. I, Kun Hun, will be your invigilator for the first test."
Kun Hun had a diagonal scar stretching across his stern-looking face.
"The first test is simply a test of your luck. It is a well-known fact that your growth as a cultivator is not largely based on hard work, but on innate talent and your luck along the way. Our City Lord was able to break through to the profound layer because he had immense cultivating aptitude from young and was lucky enough to obtain the Supreme Artefact: Soul-Moulding Bread in his lifetime. If you do not pass the first test, it simply means that you are not fated to be a cultivator this year."
The hall was set alight with murmurs at the absurd rationale behind the first test.
"Based on luck? How is that even fair?"
"He kind of has a point, though. But how do you even measure a person's luck? I'm lucky this time doesn't mean I will be lucky next time."
"Well, he did say that if we do not pass, we will only be disqualified for this year. We can always try again next year."
Kun Hun snapped his finger, and a six-sided die appeared in everyone's hands.
"Each of you now has a six-sided die in your hands. This die is a special item made from pure Qi. Just cast the die onto the ground. If the die lands on any even number '2', '4', '6', it will turn green and you will advance to the next test. If it lands on any odd number '1', '3', '5', it will turn red and you will be disqualified. If any of you try to imbue Qi to load the die (though I doubt it since all of you should be at the Body Strengthening stage), the die will disappear and you will automatically be disqualified. Feel free to start whenever you are ready."
Time seemed to stand still as everyone waited for someone to make the first move. Then, the sound of a die hitting the ground reverberated through the hall. Everyone watched with bated breath as it rolled and spun on the ground, before finally landing on a '2'. The green light of the die engulfed the girl who cast it and she was teleported to somewhere else.
More and more people started to cast their dice, hoping to continue the luck. Sadly, some dice landed on the dreaded odd numbers and people were left to sulk at the red light signifying disqualification. Reluctance in casting the die soon returned.
"You seem hesitant to cast your die." The person approaching me had a sly smile on his face.
"Do I know you?"
"I am Huo Zhuo from the Huo Clan. But you aren't fit to even know my name. This test is really well-suited for a talentless person like you who can only rely on your luck. Hahaha."
"Uh, have we met before? If you have no other business, can you please maintain some social distancing? I don't want you spitting saliva all over me." I waved my hand in scorn.
He clenched his fist in anger. "Why you piece of trash, you dare talk back to me!?"
I raised my hand and said loudly, "Invigilator Kun Hun, this person is being unnecessarily disruptive. He has been disturbing me since the start of the test. Can you please do something about it?"
A column of pure Qi forcibly separated Huo Zhuo from me.
"This test is to be performed individually. If I see anyone disturbing others again, I will personally disqualify you on the spot." The authoritative voice of invigilator Kun Hun rang through the hall.
I smirked at the fuming Huo Zhuo struggling to rein in his anger. Now, it was time to focus on the task.
~What do you think, DeusOS? Should I test my luck?
~Master, your track record with luck hasn't been that spectacular. If you cast the die as it is, your chance of success will only be 50%. The die is made from the pure Qi of an intermediate cultivator, so for you to be able to load the die without it disappearing, you need to imbue pure Qi of a higher level. You don't even have any pure Qi right now as you are only at the Body Strengthening stage. Therefore, I suggest we cheat a little.
~Very well, DeusOS. Activate Plot Armour: Author's Bias
~Yes, Master.
「Activating Plot Armour: Author's Bias」
「Consuming 1 percentage point of Suspension of Disbelief as payment」
「Current level of Suspension of Disbelief: 99%」
With Plot Armour in effect, I rolled a '6'. I shielded my eyes from the bright green light of the die. When I next opened them, I was already teleported to a wide open grassy field.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
DecimoGinger
DecimoGinger Zhuang Mo Yan (装莫言) - Principal of the Yin City Academy - "装" means "pretend", "莫" means "no", and "言" means "talk"
Kun Hun (坤魂) - Test Invilgator - "坤” is one of the symbols in the Taoist Eight Trigrams (八卦) and means "earth" / "woman" while "魂” means "soul"
Huo Zhuo (火灼) - Cultivator from the Huo Clan - "火" means "fire" while "灼" means "scorching"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone