The conversation between these two... Gu Shen, who was leaning on the railing observing the dojo environment, naturally listened to every word.

After all, he couldn’t be blamed.

Their voices, though perhaps as quiet as possible in their eyes,

were extraordinarily clear and evident in Chi Huo’s perception.

"Today is the Judgement Institute headquarters’ ’recruitment’?"

Gu Shen spoke with heart voice.

Chu Ling said, "Every few months, there will be a ’recruitment’, which is not considered a particularly rare opportunity... Each major district will send some youngsters with good Transcendent aptitude here, those who receive a Deep Sea C-level evaluation among the Transcendents, if they perform well in the ’recruitment’, may have a chance to enter Changye."

From Old Yu and Xu Fang’s perspective,

"Recruitment" is a rare opportunity that must be grasped.

But from the perspective of Changye’s higher-ups, "recruitment" is a common affair, even deliberately admitting more eligible young Transcendents each time.

Changye is very large, sufficiently large.

The East Continent now has Bai Shu Divine Throne’s backing, already has a voice in the Five Continents Council, yet compared to Central Continent, it is still quite weak.

Jiangbei and Jiangnan, both revolve around planning and growing with the Changye Great Capital and its super district.

These two super districts have produced quite a number of strong individuals.

If they now wish to reciprocate, they need other districts to also enter a "positive cycle."

"These youngsters have good talents... but only good."

Gu Shen surveyed the surroundings, offering a fair and objective evaluation.

Earlier, he glanced casually, noticing a few promising ones in Old Yu and Xu Fang’s team, who probably have the chance to pass the "recruitment" and stay at Changye headquarters.

If he estimated correctly, these promising individuals might achieve a B-level evaluation?

Locally, they’re considered geniuses.

But when placed in Changye, they become unremarkable.

Even though the three institutes and five major families always claim that hard work and diligence on the Transcendent path are most important, and talent does not represent everything... this world is quite cruel.

The awakened aptitude is unfair.

Many Transcendents are born without the qualification to "reach the top", not to mention reaching the top, they cannot even convert basic source matter.

This world is just that brutal.

To become a supreme being, one first needs strong fortune to support them.

Theoretically, only by "forging a fireseed" can one potentially change an entire family’s destiny with their own power.

However, practically speaking, behind every Divine Throne forging a fireseed, there is more than one large force supporting them.

"The Qihe Judge has arrived!"

Just as Gu Shen was leaning on the railing in a daze, a low shout came not far away.

The crowd hastily retreated.

Gu Shen was drawn to the sound.

He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who is Qihe?"

In Changye Village, where there are many "prominent figures" with names, within the vast system, there are nearly a hundred "aristocrats" with power, influence, and strength.

Gu Shen hasn’t returned to East Continent for six years, so he can only remember those few who were close back then.

Remembering these is essentially enough...

Because those few who were close to Gu Shen back then are now standing at the very top of Changye’s pinnacle.

Chu Ling said, "When you left East Continent, Changye Court had nine Judges. Six years have passed, and Changye Court has doubled in size; the number of Judges expanded to eighteen, with Qihe ranked at sixteenth."

Gu Shen listened attentively, moving aside with the crowd.

Qihe, nearly thirty years old, was a few years older than Gu Shen, and looked somewhat familiar to him, but he couldn’t recall instantly.

"Do I know him?"

Gu Shen rubbed his chin, speaking softly.

"To be precise, you don’t know him, but you have seen him."

Chu Ling said seriously, "Eight years ago, Qihe once challenged you at Spring Rain Temple... However, he did not meet you, and was stopped by Shen Li at the temple entrance, and got beaten up."

"..."

Gu Shen fell silent.

No wonder he had a slight impression but not much.

"If a ’prominent figure’ worth your attention appears in Changye, I’ll definitely inform you." Chu Ling said calmly, "But regarding someone like Qihe, there’s no need."

Gu Shen chuckled, "Come to think of it, this Qihe is quite capable."

Back then he challenged himself, got beaten by Shen Li,

and eight years later, has become a Judge in the Judgement Institute.

"Hmm... Compared to ordinary Transcendents, considered top tier."

Chu Ling gave an objective evaluation, "Within the Judgement Institute, there is a clear ranking; Qihe’s rank has not advanced in two years."

Gu Shen was intrigued, "There’s a seating arrangement ranking among the Judges now?"

"Yes." Chu Ling said, "Before the headquarters expansion, the seats of the top nine Judges could be inherited, selected by the current Judge to be passed on to a disciple, then recognized by the council upon approval. After the headquarters expansion, Judges can freely challenge each other, swapping ranks based on success or failure... However, each Judge has limited challenge opportunities, only once a year, and is generally not misused." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Lower-ranked ones wanting to ascend can challenge higher-ranked ones.

But once failed, they’ve wasted the year’s challenge opportunity...

Thus, the annual challenge becomes extremely precious.

Under such a strict and clear hierarchical system, any Transcendent who can occupy the position of Changye Judge is undoubtedly a powerful expert!

"Qihe has challenged the fifteenth-ranking judge for two consecutive years, but failed both times."

Chu Ling said, "But he succeeded in defeating the seventeenth-ranking lower judge for two years."

With Chu Ling’s words, Gu Shen understood.

For High-level Transcendents, the fourth tier is a significant dividing line.

A strong fourth-tier can reach the Super Realm, and can duel with a Titled without falling behind.

But those who are weaker... can be easily controlled by third-tier Super Realm experts.

It seems the strength of these judges in Changye is clearly tiered; challenging a judge too many ranks above is completely wasting an opportunity... even advancing a single rank is very difficult.

Everyone is a genius.

As you progress, I am also progressing.

"Qihe... Deep Sea Tenth Layer, a fire element Transcendent, ability [Inferno], possesses a Great Achievement Domain."

Without needing the archives, Gu Shen glanced briefly and saw through the general abilities of Qihe.

He discreetly withdrew his spiritual power, then retreated with the crowd, making way for this judge.

"With this strength, only ranked sixteenth in the Judgement Institute?"

After seeing it, he couldn’t help but sigh.

In the past.

Qihe’s strength would likely rank in the second tier among judges, around the sixth or seventh level.

"After your death, the Judgement Institute saw a mid-generation explosion."

Chu Ling said, "In my data evaluation, he’s actually not as good as the eighteenth-ranking judge; his real ranking should be second to last."

"Truly the successors of Qing River push forward the pioneers..."

Gu Shen clicked his tongue in amazement.

Qihe entered the dojo and then sat in the chief position. The appearance of this judge made the youngsters preparing for their trial nervous.

It’s rare for a judge to appear on recruitment day!

"I currently have a vacancy in my dojo..."

Qihe spoke softly, his voice resonating in the dojo: "I will select the most outstanding talent from today’s recruitment trial to remain under my tutelage. If they can pass my Judgement Dojo’s trial later on, they will have the opportunity to become my formal disciple."

The Judge openly recruiting disciples!

Excited flushes appeared on the faces of those youngsters.

This is a fourth-tier expert, just a step away from being Titled... If one can become a disciple under Judge Qihe, the resources available would be incomparable to those offered to ordinary Transcendents recruited!

The Changye Judge can bestow the top-level Spring Breathing to disciples.

And not just one High-level Sealed Items!

Just as Qihe finished speaking, a slightly lazy voice sounded from outside the dojo.

"I am the same way..."

A long-haired young man, draped in a large judge’s coat, slowly walked into the dojo. Without any politeness to Qihe, he just sat down beside the chief position.

"This is the eighteenth-ranking judge, Xie Zheng."

Chu Ling said, "Born in the Tundra Region, introduced by Mu Qingyang to Changye, passed the judge’s qualification review and task tests... and has remained in the ’eighteen’ position without any movement."

Gu Shen raised his eyebrows: "A once-a-year challenge opportunity?"

"He doesn’t challenge anyone, nor does anyone challenge him."

Chu Ling said, "This guy is a real oddball. After entering the Judgement Institute and becoming a judge, he started slacking off, basically only performing necessary tasks. With so little information, I can’t conduct a detailed inference... But I can only say, judging from the part of Xie Zheng participating in the judge review, his strength is definitely stronger than Qihe."

Who would challenge the last-ranking judge?

Gu Shen laughed silently.

He looked at Xie Zheng and then squinted his eyes...

This young man appeared disheveled and careless, yet he carried a special "Spirit Seal" that perfectly masked his spiritual aura.

If he forced a probe, it would likely be detected.

This was very interesting.

To shield from Chi Huo’s detection, it would at least be an A-grade Sealed Item, and with Xie Zheng not taking on tasks, it would be difficult to exchange for particularly high-level important Sealed Items.

More interestingly... after casting a probing glance, Xie Zheng, who sat beside Qihe, actually returned the gaze.

"Why are you here?"

Qihe frowned at the disheveled man beside him, his eyes subtly showing disdain.

"The dojo is short on people... hmm?"

Xie Zheng responded nonchalantly, but suddenly felt something odd in his heart.

A slight tremor occurred in his chest.

Following the direction of the Spiritual Guidance, he looked outwards, seeing many Transcendents sitting in the viewing area outside the dojo... the spiritual sense vaguely pointed to a direction.

"Someone is spying on me, whose strength is far superior to mine?"

Xie Zheng frowned.

In Changye, there are plenty stronger than him, but the faces in the viewing area looked ordinary.

Either he sensed it wrong.

Or that expert concealed their appearance.

The stronger a Spiritual Transcendent, the more they trust their intuition.

Xie Zheng blinked.

"I really didn’t expect... this seemingly inconspicuous recruitment would attract some big shot’s deliberate observation?"