At dawn, the eastern sky whitened, mist swirling enchantingly. Vast peaks and valleys rose and fell, dotted with an array of buildingsāgolden and resplendent. Shrouded in dense spiritual energy, the place resembled an immortal realm.
Before this expanse stood a striking mountain gate, flanked by two towering jade pillars. Above them, a massive stone slab bore the flamboyant inscription āShengyuan Academyā in bold, soaring characters.
Visible for dozens of li around, all who passed knew this was no ordinary placeāit was the colossal sect of Shengyuan Academy, a gathering ground for geniuses.
As the sun rose, two black-clad youths stood guard at the gate.
āSenior Brother Mo Fei, do you think the Ninth Prince will arrive today?ā a lean youth asked.
āI got word that, given his travel pace, he should reach us today. Otherwise, we wouldnāt have swapped to guard the gate,ā Mo Fei nodded.
āThe Ninth Princeās talent is peerlessāalready a Heavenly Martial at such a young age. Once he joins Shengyuan Academy, our Mo Allianceās strength will soar in no time!ā the lean youth said.
āExactly. In two or three years, heāll rise to match the Third Prince. With their protection, even the inner sect factions wonāt dare cross our Mo Alliance lightly,ā Mo Feiās face lit with eager hope, his gaze darting forward expectantly.
Then, two blurry figures appeared in his sight, sparking joy. āHeās here!ā
The lean youthās eyes brightened, sharing his excitement as they watched the approaching pair.
But as the figures sharpened, their expressions stiffened.
A boy and a girl. The girl, about fifteen, was stunningādelicate and radiant, her princess-style hair adorned with a jade phoenix pin, draped in a green silk gown. Her still-developing figure hinted at future beauty.
The boy, sixteen or seventeen, had an utterly plain faceāfar from the thirteen-year-old prodigy they awaited.
As they neared, Mo Fei sized them up, then fixed Lin Xiao with an unfriendly stare. āWho are you?ā
Lin Xiao scanned them in return. Both around eighteen, at Heavenly Martial Third Layer, they wore black robes with badges: a āYuanā character beside a single starālikely Shengyuan disciple markers. Another badge bore āMo,ā suggesting a faction or origin.
āWeāre here to join Shengyuan Academy. Please assist us, Senior Brothers,ā Lin Xiao said calmly, his tone neither servile nor arrogant.
āHmph, you think Shengyuan Academy is some roadside inn you can just stroll into?ā the lean youth snorted disdainfully.
āRecruitmentās not open now. Wherever youāre from, go back. This isnāt a place you can waltz into!ā Mo Fei glared, his voice edged with menace.
He didnāt link them to the Ninth Princeājust two nobodies drawn by fame. Disappointed from mistaking them for Mo Jiuxiao, he had no warmth for them.
To Shengyuan disciples, outsiders warranted haughty disdaināno one dared cross them lightly.
Given their ages and looks, he doubted they held real power.
Hu Yue bristled, but Lin Xiao patted her hand, calming her.
Fishing in his storage ring, he produced two Shengyuan Tokens, asking evenly, āThese should suffice, right?ā
The pair startedāShengyuan disciples knew what the tokens meant.
A Shengyuan Token granted entry privilege. Bearers, like the Ninth Prince, commanded respect even within the academy, backed by compatriots. Offending them could spell trouble.
Suspiciously eyeing them again, Mo Fei and the lean youth each took a token.
Flipping them, the lean youth saw āLanā engraved on one. His expression shifted from surprise to hostilityāLanlan was Moyuās sworn enemy.
Beside him, Mo Fei paled, trembling as he stared at the āMoā-etched token. āThe Ninth Princeās token!ā he blurted.
Moyu had one token leftāheld by the Ninth Prince en route to Shengyuan.
He wouldnāt have handed it over willingly.
The only explanation: this youth had taken it from himāthough Mo Fei couldnāt believe heād bested Mo Jiuxiao.
He snapped his head up, icy eyes boring into them. āHow did you get these tokens?ā he demanded, voice dripping with menace.
The lean youth froze, then checked Mo Feiās token. His face darkened, his gaze turning frigid, killing intent seeping out. āYou stole the Ninth Princeās token?ā he asked, voice low and sinister.
Hu Yue tensed, on guard.
Noting their shift, Lin Xiaoās expression cooled. He hadnāt expected instant recognitionāclearly Moyu disciples, likely awaiting Mo Jiuxiao, and theyād stumbled into them.
But two Heavenly Martial Third Layers from Moyu? Hardly a threat to him. Scanning them, he countered, āWhoever we are, however we got themāwith these tokens, we can enter Shengyuan Academy. Thatās not your business, is it?ā
āNot our business? Who do you think you are?ā Mo Feiās anger flared at the fearless retort.
āHmph, Iāll be bluntāweāre from Moyu. Speak the truth, or Iāll kill you both right now!ā the lean youth barked, eyes blazing with intent.
āAs expected,ā Lin Xiao thought, unfazed by their threats. His calm reply stunned them: āTake me to the elder in charge.ā