Chapter Forty: The Curtain Rises

Atop the conical mountain stood the North Sea Academy, its vast grounds shrouded in legend, its true age lost to time. A mere glance was enough to sense the weight of centuries etched into its stones, stirring awe within the soul. No matter how the winds raged, the sun beat down, or thunder roared its wrath, the mountain endured, unconquered by the tempests of the world.

Crowds thronged the mountain’s heights, converging upon a grand plaza—an octagonal arena, the Tai Chi Square, its surface patterned with alternating light and shadow. The people scattered across it were not densely packed.

At the very center stood Ziyan, alone and resolute. She cast her gaze downward, glancing coldly at the man beside her, and shouted furiously, “Li Chunyi, you are truly despicable! What purpose does this serve? Are you so afraid to let Xu Xing come here? Is that why you’ve trapped me in this place with your vile schemes?”

Li Chunyi was clad in a white robe; his skin appeared decayed, and his legs seemed to have transformed into the tentacles of a squid. He replied with a twisted smile, “You call me inhuman? I am indeed not human. The academy’s decree is clear—our sect must send ten responders here. You were chosen by your own sect, what does that have to do with us?”

“You’re shameless! Then why did you stop me from sending someone to receive Xu Xing, you venomous wretch?”

Li Chunyi laughed wildly, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he retorted, “You misunderstand. I am a demon, not a man! And it wasn’t me who stopped your messenger; they acted of their own will. How is that my concern?”

“Despicable coward!”

At that moment, eight elders appeared upon the plaza, and a hush fell instantly. They wore violet diviner’s robes, arriving from all directions to stand at the eight corners of the octagonal square.

A white cloud drifted on the wind, descending to shroud the conical mountain, vast and imposing. From within the cloud emerged an ancient elder, his face furrowed, his skin withered and drawn, frailty seeming to hang from his frame. Yet the aura he exuded pressed upon all present, compelling every head to bow.

Though aged, his spirit was undiminished, and the thousands assembled were silent as stone. The atmosphere, lively and clamorous but moments before, was transformed utterly. A majestic pressure swept across the crowd like a sea of clouds.

When the elder spoke, his voice was like scripture, like a hymn, echoing in the ears of all. “Ladies and gentlemen, the annual Freshmen Assembly is about to begin. Let us give thanks to the eight elders, who are responsible for the safety of all disciples.”

“The Freshmen Assembly now commences!”

Beyond the square, horns sounded and golden bells rang out in a clarion chorus. The enchanting melody enthralled the crowd, compelling them to sway and lose themselves in rapture.

As the eight elders took their places at the corners of the square, the old man swept his gaze across the gathered masses, seemingly disappointed after surveying them.

“First, the academy trial consists of three main tests. I trust you are all aware of this from your guides. Today, I will speak of the rewards!”

He drew a universe pouch from his belt and took out more than twenty lotus flowers. The lotuses floated before him, radiating endless multicolored light, pure and unsullied by dust.

“Is that—the Sacred Lotus of Mount Shu, which purifies spiritual roots?” murmured the crowd, astonished, some nearly delirious with excitement.

“Yes, this is indeed the Sacred Lotus of Mount Shu,” one exclaimed. “I’ve heard the clan master say such a treasure would drive countless families to war were it found outside!”

Some, overcome with fervor, fainted outright.

“Remember, this is only the first test’s reward, for the spiritual roots. The true prizes lie ahead.”

The elder’s tone was calm as he continued, producing a crystalline item, shining with blue patterns.

“What is that!?” voices cried.

“That’s a Divine Rune for the consummate Gold Core stage! Its power is enough to support one’s cultivation up to the peak of Gold Core.”

Few present recognized it, for such runes were incomparably rare.

“A Divine Rune of the Gold Core’s perfection? The North Sea Academy is truly generous!” The crowd buzzed, their faces a mask of shock.

Finally, the elder drew a short sword and suspended it in midair. The moment the sword appeared, all sword-bearers knelt instinctively. Their swords leapt from their scabbards, soaring skyward to encircle the short sword before returning to their owners, hovering beside them.

The pressure emanating from the sword was terrifying, subduing all who beheld it. Most knelt without resistance, overwhelmed by awe.

Speculation rippled through the crowd—what could this sword’s origin be, that it held such might and mystique? Some, however, remained unperturbed; Li Chunyi was among them.

Behind him stood a youth of refined bearing, dressed simply, his demeanor gentle—like a young tree, harmless and serene.

As the short sword appeared, the youth’s eyes opened slowly. The temperature around him soared, the air growing stifling as if at noon. Observers were astounded.

“That young man has mastered the fire spirit to perfection! Terrifying! With such strength, he’s certain to claim a place among the top five!”

The youth gazed at the sword and spoke softly, “Interesting. So the broken sword is truly here.”

Li Chunyi turned and addressed him with servile respect, “Young Master Mo, the laurels are surely yours this time. It is my greatest fortune to serve you. As for the matter you promised...”

The youth snorted and placed a hand on Li Chunyi’s shoulder. Instantly, heat seared through Li Chunyi’s body as if under the blazing sun. He trembled, unable to utter a word.

“You’re just a dog I keep. As long as you obey, that’s enough. Did you take care of what I asked?”

Li Chunyi nodded hastily, sweat streaming down his face. The youth withdrew his hand and closed his eyes again, unmoving as a statue amid the silence.

A searing brand appeared on Li Chunyi’s shoulder, his flesh blistered red.

Ziyan, too, noticed Li Chunyi, turning her head. She recalled how Xu Xing had been kept from coming, manipulated in secret by Li Chunyi, and felt a measure of relief.

“Is this recruiting disciples or recruiting ancestors? Some men are truly pathetic—this is what you get for your schemes. Reap what you sow!”

Li Chunyi snorted coldly, “Some people don’t even deserve to set foot here, let alone challenge me.”

Thinking of how Xu Xing had been kept away by his machinations, Li Chunyi could not help but laugh, his voice arrogant and wild.

“Enough!” the youth snapped, striking Li Chunyi on the back. Li Chunyi collapsed, coughing blood. The youth placed his foot upon Li Chunyi’s back and said coolly, “Can you be quiet?”

At once, silence fell over the area.

Onlookers were filled with dread. “He must have broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage! Did you see that ball of liquid fire in his hand? That’s true vaporized fire—what hidden talents lurk here!”

A responder in a robe bearing the sea character muttered in awe, while someone behind him questioned, “What? Isn’t this assembly only for Qi Refinement disciples?”

“He couldn’t have tempered his meridians and drawn in vital energy to reach Foundation Establishment in just a few days, could he?”

“Impossible!”

“But witnessing his strength, perhaps it’s not impossible after all... He’s truly fearsome.”

The youth heard these comments and smirked, then drew a long breath, opening his eyes to look with interest at Ziyan, as beautiful as a blossom. With polite courtesy, he said, “Miss, am I to understand that because of this dog, your chosen disciple could not enter?”

She nodded.

The youth smiled faintly and sighed. “My apologies, then. Perhaps it really is my fault for not teaching my dog better. I’m truly sorry.”

Ziyan felt somewhat appeased and was about to say it was fine when the youth continued, “But perhaps it’s fortunate he didn’t come. Otherwise, I would have killed him with my own hands. Even provoking my dog, one should always be wary of the master...”

Startled by his domineering manner, Ziyan decided not to argue further.

She lifted her gaze toward the rising sun. Some places remained untouched by its light—but Xu Xing could reach them.

This scene reminded her of Xu Xing’s unyielding spirit. Though she felt deep guilt, her hopes for him had never waned.

For Xu Xing was of the Sin Clan.

Looking toward the red dawn, Ziyan whispered to herself with longing, “You will come, won’t you?”

A mighty voice boomed across the plaza.

“The Freshmen Assembly begins!”