Chapter 569: Why Do They Still Need Us Judges then?

Chapter 569: What, then, is the point of us judges?

True Monarch Xuanyin understood that this design competition was not limited to students from Wanfa University alone; it had drawn participants from over a hundred institutions, including the Top Ten, as well as various senior and junior colleges.

Among these students were disciples of Spirit Transformation masters, rising stars cultivated by their respective schools, scions of corporate giants, and even newly signed apprentices of Nascent Soul True Monarchs from the Top Ten—all vying for those ten coveted military credentials.

Even students from the Wanfa University Armament Department as formidable as Ye Xingli, Bei Wufeng, and Yan Qianji had failed to secure first place in past competitions.

"No matter how brilliant Ciji is, she cannot possibly dominate the field against so many schools."

"In fact, by pushing this so aggressively, she is likely to provoke immense resentment from the judges of other schools."

"Sigh, she could have at least put up a pretense and lowered the design level; this is simply too high-profile."

True Monarch Xuanyin shook his head. As a professor in the Wanfa University Armament Department, he would certainly give Zhang Yu a top-ten rating.

"But I cannot control how the other judges will vote."

After grading Zhang Yu’s design, True Monarch Xuanyin turned his attention to the other entries.

First were the works of the Spirit Transformation disciples. He nodded repeatedly, thinking to himself that great teachers indeed produce great students; each one had the potential for the top ten.

"Especially this Gui Shen-gong from Tianmo University—his whimsical ideas are endless; he has the makings of a first-place winner."

Next, he reviewed the designs from the corporate scions, sighing at their pedigree; each piece carried the trends of the elite, offering a refreshing perspective.

"Oh? This Zang Xing-ye from Youming University has a solid foundation. It seems he has not only mastered the entire armament curriculum of Youming University but has also studied textbooks from many other schools. This work should easily make the top three."

Then came the newly signed disciples of the Nascent Soul True Monarchs from the Top Ten universities.

"The numbers are lower than in previous years."

"The quality is mediocre, too. Did they not bother to find proper references?"

After finishing this batch, True Monarch Xuanyin looked at the final two designs, both from students outside the Top Ten.

"Only two decent entries from outside the Top Ten this year?"

True Monarch Xuanyin sighed: "The quality of students from these senior and junior colleges is declining year by year. In another two years, I fear there won't even be one worth looking at."

Shortly after grading all the blueprints, True Monarch Xuanyin was invited to the judges' internal meeting.

...

As soon as True Monarch Xuanyin projected himself into the meeting room in the Spirit Realm, he heard a chorus of sighs.

"Has everyone seen this Zhang Yu’s work? It shows ingenuity and depth. Not only is the foundation solid, but the creativity is unconstrained and unconventional. I think we should just give him first place."

"Wanfa University has truly cultivated an incredible student."

As he spoke, the person projected Zhang Yu’s design for everyone present to see.

True Monarch Xuanyin looked over. The speaker’s projection was a swirling, flickering blood mist—it was True Monarch Xuepu of Youming University.

Although the words were complimentary, True Monarch Xuanyin could detect the biting sarcasm beneath them.

Sure enough, another Nascent Soul True Monarch on the other side laughed: "If Ciji personally intervened and he still can't take first place, people will think we judges are blind and know nothing of armament."

True Monarch Xuanyin looked at the speaker; the projection was a white bone lotus throne—it was True Monarch Shisui of White Bone University.

Hearing the two of them singing in harmony, True Monarch Xuanyin said coldly: "It is perfectly normal for students to use references during the design process. Which of the participants in this competition hasn't received guidance from someone?"

True Monarch Xuepu of Youming University chuckled: "Fair point. I say we just pick Ciji’s student for first place. A Nascent Soul True Monarch’s apprentice is competing—would it be reasonable for him not to take first?"

True Monarch Shisui on the side shook his head: "Not so, not so. True Monarch Ciji is on the verge of Spirit Transformation. This is a quasi-Spirit Transformation master having her student enter a college competition; how could he possibly lose?"

True Monarch Xuanyin felt a surge of annoyance at their taunts.

He said calmly: "Gentlemen, please do not spout nonsense without evidence. This blueprint is the result of student Zhang Yu’s hard work. You cannot claim it was ghostwritten simply because his level is high."

"If that were the case, then whoever is talented would be accused of ghostwriting, and we might as well cancel the competition."

Just then, True Monarch Tianzhi of Jingang University spoke up: "True Monarch Xuanyin is right. Everyone, let us return to the topic and stop drifting off-course."

Hearing True Monarch Tianzhi come to his defense, True Monarch Xuanyin sent him a private message: Thank you.

It was this very True Monarch Tianzhi who had sent him a message earlier, reminding him to check Zhang Yu’s design.

True Monarch Tianzhi replied: No problem. Faced with such crooked paths, we righteous universities must stand together.

True Monarch Tianzhi: It’s just that True Monarch Ciji was a bit impulsive this time [smirk].

True Monarch Tianzhi: You aren't planning to force Zhang Yu into first place, are you?

Meanwhile, True Monarch Tianzhi thought to himself: "Ciji, that woman... hasn't she passed her Spirit Transformation assessment yet? To be so blatant, forcing her apprentice into the design competition to take a spot? Someone who didn't know better might think you were already at the late stage of Spirit Transformation." True Monarch Xuanyin quickly explained: No, no.

True Monarch Xuanyin: As long as he makes the top ten, that is enough.

At this moment, True Monarch Xuepu of Youming University spoke again: "What 'drifting off-course'? We are discussing the very heart of the matter."

As he spoke, he zoomed in on the projected design of Zhang Yu, pointing out several exquisite details: "Is this not Ciji’s style? Is this a design a senior student could produce? Does he have this knowledge base? This technical experience?"

True Monarch Shisui of White Bone University laughed: "I didn't expect Ciji to have time to ghostwrite for students. Did she take a lot of money from him?"

True Monarch Xuepu followed with a laugh: "I didn't expect her to involve herself in the junior college market. It seems Wanfa is also going for the low-end route, competing with Jihu for market share?"

True Monarch Xuanyin explained coldly: "Although True Monarch Ciji provided some guidance, the vast majority of the work was completed by student Zhang Yu himself."

Even as he said it, True Monarch Xuanyin lacked conviction.

Just as both sides were deadlocked, a voice came from the head of the meeting room.

"Enough. The True Gods are watching; don't make a mockery of yourselves."

Everyone fell silent at once, ceasing their bickering.

True Monarch Xuanyin glanced over. The speaker’s projection was a bottomless darkness—deep as a prison, like an abyss without end.

True Monarch Xuanyin knew that while this darkness looked simple, the Spirit Realm effects involved were incredibly complex; not only was it expensive, but it required a certain level of faith to purchase.

The owner of this projection was True Monarch Nielian of Tianmo University, a veteran disciple of Spirit Transformation. As the vice-principal of Tianmo University, he managed various research affairs and was the university’s top expert in armament.

True Monarch Xuanyin knew that whether comparing background, assets, technology, or industry reputation, True Monarch Nielian was clearly the leader among the judges.

True Monarch Nielian continued: "If student competitions are all won by teachers ghostwriting, then we might as well compete ourselves in the future."

"If the design competition becomes a joke, how will the Heavenly Court view it? How will the sects view it? If the higher-ups just arrange for people to score it directly, then what is the point of us judges?"

"The design competition rotates judges among schools specifically to maintain balance, so no single family can dominate."

"Xuanyin, convey what I said today to Ciji. If she insists on pushing this, then I have nothing more to say."

True Monarch Xuepu added: "Exactly. I think Ciji has gone senile. Who helps a student win like this? It ruins the integrity of the competition. If the higher-ups reduce the number of military credentials because of this, none of us will have any face."

Regardless of what they said, True Monarch Xuanyin could not admit to ghostwriting.

He gritted his teeth and said: "Zhang Yu’s work was definitely done by himself."

True Monarch Xuepu shouted: "Xuanyin, do you dare say that to the camera? I am starting to record the video now."

True Monarch Xuanyin felt a surge of panic, but he dared not. If Zhang Yu’s ghostwriting were exposed later, this video would become a dark stain on his reputation in the industry.

True Monarch Xuanyin could only say: "Isn't there a testing phase before the awards? When you all test Zhang Yu’s depth, you will know whether he designed the blueprints himself."

True Monarch Xuanyin thought to himself: "Ciji, I have helped you as much as I can. Tell your student to prepare well."

To the other True Monarchs present, however, True Monarch Xuanyin’s words sounded like a stubborn refusal to admit defeat.

True Monarch Nielian said calmly: "Fine. I will give Wanfa this face; Ciji’s apprentice may enter the top ten list."

"However, for this top-ten list, we shall select fifteen candidates; before the awards ceremony, we will conduct an impromptu test, and those whose standards are too abysmal shall be dismissed immediately, lest we become a laughingstock to those above."

"Zhang Yu counts as one now; who shall be the second?"

Beside him, True Monarch Bloodfall switched away from the projection of Zhang Yu’s design, replacing it with another, and said, "I nominate Ghost-God Artisan from Heavenly Demon University..."

As the meeting concluded, the judges finalized the list of fifteen candidates for the top ten, and the True Gods reported the results to the Celestial Court.

Yet this time, the reaction from the Celestial Court caught the judges entirely off guard.

True Monarch Stringtone gazed at the notification manifesting before him, thinking to himself, "Fifteen candidates must undergo a test, requiring them to complete a design on a set theme on the spot? The final ranking will be determined by the aggregate score of this assessment."

True Monarch Stringtone sighed helplessly, "Magnetic Pole, you can hardly blame me for this."

With that, he transmitted the news to True Monarch Magnetic Pole.

True Monarch Bloodfall of Nether University stared at the notice and let out a cold snort, "It seems they no longer trust us."

True Monarch Bone-Erode said indifferently, "I fear that student of Magnetic Pole’s has run into ill fortune. Alas, the tampering was far too blatant; I told you long ago that a design competition cannot be conducted in such a manner."

(End of this chapter)