The warm rays of morning filtered through the high windows of Azure Sky Outer Academy, painting long slashes of golden light across the stone tiles. Outside, the wind rustled the leaves of crimson-leafed trees that lined the central training yard. The academy, perched on a mountain ledge of Qing Yuan Continent, shimmered beneath an early haze, its spires scraping the edge of a pale blue sky.
Inside a quiet chamber, Master Jian Dao looked at Mike with a gaze heavy with secrets.
"Forget about your father's past for now," he said gravely. "Don't let anyone know that you are the son of Eldon Yeager. His past is a secret, even among the most powerful. If you want the truth… then earn it. Rise to a level where you can uncover his existence yourself. Only then will I speak."
Far away, within a fortress soaked in a constant red aura, shadows stretched along silent halls. A dark silhouette stood at the heart of a circular chamber. For a fleeting second, the flickering light from a spirit lantern revealed a face—Eldon Yeager's face—weathered, silent, powerful. Then darkness swallowed him whole.
Back at the academy, Mike stood at the foot of a marble staircase, gazing up at the towering gates of Azure Sky Outer Academy. Intricate symbols were etched along the bronze pillars, and a pair of guardian lion statues flanked the entrance, their eyes glowing faintly with protective wards.
He had finally registered for the Candidate Qualification Examination.
That evening, as the moon bathed the tiled rooftops in silver, Mike leaned on a wooden balcony rail, his eyes distant. The courtyard below was silent except for the occasional chirp of a cricket. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze. He recalled the warm timbre of his father's voice, the feel of rough calloused hands adjusting his grip on a training staff, the scent of herbs his father used in cooking… memories now distant echoes.
A gentle knock broke the stillness.
Wu stood in the doorway, her robe fluttering in the wind. "I… I wanted to say I'll be returning to the Inner Academy tomorrow."
She hesitated. Her eyes lingered on him longer than necessary, her lips parted slightly, but the words never came. I'll miss you, she thought, but swallowed it.
Mike offered only a faint nod. His mind was still lost in shadows of the past, but when she walked away, an unfamiliar hollow formed in his chest.
The Next Day
The academy's central arena bustled with energy. Over two hundred candidates filled the space—some stretching, some meditating, others sparring lightly. Stone tiles paved the massive field, and white banners bearing the academy's emblem fluttered overhead.
A mentor in deep blue robes stepped onto the raised dais. His voice rang out clear.
"The purpose of this competition is to assess your strength and spiritual power. The examination is divided into four phases:
1. Checking of Rank
2. Formation of Squads and Collection of Bun Tokens
3. Squad vs. Squad Battles
4. Choosing a Mentor for Training"
A tall, rune-inscribed pillar stood at the center. A Spirit Stone shimmered softly at its core, pulsing with ancient energy.
One by one, candidates approached and pressed their palms to the stone. Colors flared—blue, green, violet—accompanied by gasps and murmurs. Each light revealed a different cultivation rank.
When Competitor #153 stepped forward, the crowd grew silent.
Mike stood with a clenched jaw. What if I fail? What if I'm not meant for this world?
He reached out.
The moment his hand touched the Spirit Stone, the pillar shuddered violently. The air around him rippled. Leaves from nearby trees rustled without wind, and a distant gong echoed without being struck.
All eyes widened in anticipation.
Then—the rank appeared:
Fan Zhe – 1 Star.
A stunned silence followed. The stone had never trembled that way for a mere Fan Zhe. Whispers filled the arena, but the mentors, frowning in confusion, dismissed it as an anomaly.
Mike turned away slowly, his heart sinking.
Squad Formation
On a dirt path behind the arena, teams began forming. The sky had dimmed into a soft lavender, and a few birds called from trees atop distant stone outcrops.
Mike sat on a low wall, arms wrapped around his knees. Who would want a weakling like me?
Suddenly, footsteps approached.
"Hey!" said a cheerful voice. "Want to join us?"
Mike looked up and saw three candidates—smiling, open, unafraid.
"I'm Ling Xue," said the girl, her hair tied in a sleek braid, a jade pendant resting on her collarbone.
"Feng Jian," said the taller boy, arms folded and eyes steady.
"And I'm Lei Hu!" the other boy added with a grin.
Mike stood awkwardly. "Uh… yeah. I'm Mike."
"What's your surname?" Ling Xue asked, tilting her head.
Mike hesitated. Jian Dao's warning echoed in his mind. "I… don't know," he lied.
"Oh," Ling Xue said softly. "That's okay."
They shared ranks.
Ling Xue – Feng Zhe - 1 Star
Feng Jian – Feng Zhe - 2 Star
Lei Hu – Feng Zhe - 1 Star
Mike – Fan Zhe - 1 Star
They chose their team name: Wall of Academy.
Phase Two: The Forest Hunt
The Bun Forest was thick with twisted roots and whispering leaves. A pale mist clung to the ground as teams rushed through narrow trails and moss-covered clearings. Mike's team gathered four tokens quickly, moving with quiet coordination.
Then… a threat emerged.
From behind a boulder stepped a group dressed in black. One sneered. "Hand over your tokens… or we'll take them."
Mike and his team refused. The clash was fast and brutal. Dust rose from their scuffle, fists clashed with blades, and energy blasts scorched the forest floor.
In the end, their tokens were stolen.
And yet, Wall of Academy scraped through. They had just enough.
Phase Three: Squad Battles
Twenty teams stood in formation on a large circular arena made of polished black stone. The mountain wind blew strong, banners whipping like whips.
Team 15—Wall of Academy—was matched against Team 16.
Familiar enemies.
Team 16 stepped forward, grinning. "We'll end you properly this time."
Ranks were announced.
Team 16:
Zhan Shi – 1 Star
Zhan Shi – 2 Star
Zhan Shi – 1 Star
Fan Zhe – 4 Star
Team 15 (Wall of Academy):
Fan Zhe – 1 Star (Mike)
Fan Zhe – 2 Star (Feng Jian)
Fan Zhe – 1 Star (Ling Xue)
Fan Zhe – 1 Star (Lei Hu)
The battle erupted like a storm. Feng Jian struggled to hold the line, Lei Hu staggered under pressure, and Ling Xue was thrown backward.
Mike was slammed to the ground, blood trailing from his lip.
A spear was raised to finish him.
Father… he thought faintly.
Then something awakened.
A warmth on his finger—his father's Storage Ring flared.
A hammer materialized in a burst of golden light. It hit the ground with a heavy thud, cracking the tiles.
Mike rose, eyes glowing with power. The wind surged around him, lifting dust into the air. His grip tightened.
Ultimate Hammer Strike!
The first enemy flew across the arena, crashing into a wall.
The others charged. Mike blocked a Spear Strike, then used Brutal Reflect—a burst of raw force turned against the attacker. He followed with Defensive Hammer, creating a barrier that shimmered with radiant energy, shielding his team.
He was exhausted.
He collapsed.
But when the dust cleared…
"Team 15 is victorious!" the mentor shouted.
Cheers erupted.
Mike lay there, a faint smile on his face. The sky above him looked clearer than ever. The wind had never felt more welcoming.
His journey… had truly begun.