The third phase had ended.
The sun peeked through scattered clouds, casting golden rays on the cobbled courtyard of the outer academy. Students bustled about, the clinking of weapons and soft murmurs filling the crisp morning air. The stone pathway leading to the mentor selection area was lined with cherry blossom trees, their petals fluttering gently in the wind.
Mike walked alongside Lei Hu, Feng Jian, and Ling Xue. The four friends glanced around, awe etched into their expressions. Tall, ancient structures of jade-green tiles and curved roofs stood proudly, each inscribed with the names of revered mentors from centuries past.
As they entered the open square, a marble pedestal stood at the center, glowing faintly under the sun. Several mentors were seated beneath an intricately carved pavilion supported by dragon-shaped pillars, their gazes stern yet inviting.
"I think we should go for the one who trained Lu Han!" Feng Jian said, his eyes darting between the mentors.
"No, are you blind?" Ling Xue snapped. "That old man in black robes is the real deal. I heard he defeated a beast king alone!"
Lei Hu scoffed, folding his arms. "Stop babbling! We need to move quickly or we'll lose our chance."
Feng Jian and Ling Xue exchanged heated words, their argument drawing glances from nearby students. Mike stood calmly, watching their antics as a cool breeze ruffled his hair.
"Why are you guys in a hurry? Please be calm," he said softly, the wind carrying his voice with unexpected firmness.
But Lei Hu, always impulsive, gritted his teeth. "If we don't act quickly, it'll be a disaster and unprofitable," he muttered before sprinting off across the mossy courtyard toward the mentors.
Mike was about to follow when a raspy voice called from behind him, "What's your age, boy?"
Startled, Mike turned on his heel. An old man stood beneath a gnarled pine tree, leaning on a crooked staff. His beard flowed down to his chest like silvery mist, and his robes were faded but held an air of ancient power.
"Who are you?" Mike asked, frowning. "Where did you come from?"
The old man's eyes glinted. "Tell me your age."
Mike hesitated, clearly annoyed by the stranger's insistence. "Thirteen."
The old man's eyes widened slightly. The air around Mike shimmered faintly, an invisible pressure radiating from his core. The old man's thoughts churned. His spirit… it's far beyond what a child should possess. Such potential… no, such power must be nurtured by someone like me.
Just then, Lei Hu came bounding back across the garden path, dragging a tall lady in crimson robes behind him. Her presence was fierce, and she walked with confident strides, her sleeves rippling like flames.
"I think she's the perfect mentor!" Lei Hu declared, a grin on his face.
Feng Jian and Ling Xue paused their argument and looked over curiously. Mike opened his mouth to speak, but the old man interrupted.
"I am his mentor," he said firmly. Then, turning toward the lady, his gaze sharpened. "And I don't like her."
The lady raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I will be his mentor, not you."
Tension crackled in the air like the moment before a storm. Birds perched in the nearby tree suddenly flew off, sensing the clash of auras.
Feng Jian leaned toward Ling Xue. "Let's just watch. It's up to Mike who he chooses."
The old man and the lady glared at each other, their auras colliding silently. The nearby grass flattened under the pressure. But then, the old man turned back to Mike with a satisfied grin.
"I've won. I am your mentor. My name is Huang Lie."
Mike and the others introduced themselves politely, listing their ranks. Huang Lie nodded and motioned for them to follow him.
"Come with me. I'll teach you about the ranking system," he said.
They walked along a winding stone path shaded by bamboo stalks swaying gently in the wind. Little streams of water trickled beside the walkway, and wooden bridges arched over miniature koi ponds. Birds chirped above while the sky turned a softer blue.
As they walked, Huang Lie spoke.
"Listen up. For a cultivator, the ranking system defines your path. There are three main continents: Qing Yuan, Zhen Wu, and Tian Ling. And above them all is the Pure Soul Hall, where the Holy Tree grows, offering blessings, spiritual treasures, and power."
He gestured at the mural on a stone wall they passed, depicting the Holy Tree with radiant light pouring from its branches.
"Qing Yuan is for beginners. Zhen Wu is where power truly begins to form. Tian Ling… that's where legends are born. And here's how it goes."
He paused, tapping his staff on the stone path. Golden runes floated briefly in the air, forming the ranks.
Qing Yuan:
Fan Zhe (1–10)
Zhan Shi (1–10)
Dou Zhe (1–10)
Dou Kuang (1–10)
Dou Ba (1–10)
Jing Ying (1–10)
Zhen Wu:
Dou Shi (1–10)
Zong Shi (1–10)
Wang Zhe (1–10)
Dou Wang (1–10)
Sheng Zhe (1–10)
Dou Huang (1–10)
Dou Zong (1–10)
Dou Zun (1–10)
Tian Ling:
Wu Sheng (1–10)
Wu Huang (1–10)
Wu Di (1–10)
Tian Di (1–10)
"Memorize them. They matter more than you think." He yawned, suddenly disinterested. "But for today… I'm going to sleep."
Mike blinked. "Wait… what?"
Huang Lie wandered off into a small side pavilion and lay down with a content sigh.
Still stunned, the group laughed, shaking their heads.
Later, they entered the competition room—a vast hall with a high arched roof, glowing lanterns hanging from the ceiling, and polished stone floors reflecting the light. Several students were already training in designated zones marked with glowing symbols.
Whispers spread the moment Mike and his friends walked in.
"Is that the Wall of Academy?"
"I heard they barely made it past the third phase."
Ling Xue narrowed her eyes. "They're mocking us."
"Just ignore them," Mike said softly.
They passed a row of training pillars and paused near a corner where two students were sparring, energy flaring with each clash.
"Who are they?" Lei Hu asked a nearby boy.
The boy glanced at them and replied, "My teammates. You guys are new, right?"
"Yeah! We're Wall of Academy. I'm Lei Hu. This is Mike, Feng Jian, and Ling Xue," Lei Hu said cheerfully.
"Wall of Academy, huh?" the boy grinned. "Name's Ren Xiang. I'm your senior."
They shook hands just as a loud voice echoed across the room.
"You brats are here! Ahhh! If you're here, let's get to the competition room!"
It was Huang Lie, stumbling in with a dramatic flair, drawing eyes from every corner of the hall.
Mike sighed. "Here we go again."