The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden hues across the wide stone path. Fallen leaves danced across the cobblestones, swirled by the soft mountain breeze. Trees with jade-green canopies lined the way, their roots curling over ancient stones like sleeping serpents. To the left, a small koi pond shimmered, disturbed only by the occasional ripple from a leaping fish.
The Wall of Academy team walked under an arched gateway carved with dragon motifs, the characters Path of the Brave etched boldly into its surface. Their footsteps echoed as they followed Huang Lie, who lazily waved his sleeves, ignoring the world.
"Master," Lei Hu said, his boots crunching over a cracked acorn. "How can we increase our ranks?"
Beside him, Feng Jian adjusted the straps of his practice sword. "That's a good question, Master."
Huang Lie didn't slow his stride. The long sleeves of his tattered green robe trailed behind him. "Don't rush," he muttered, not even glancing back. "That's a lesson for another day. For now, just walk."
The old mentor's words drifted like smoke, swallowed by the rustling leaves and birdsong.
Inner Academy – Quiet Courtyard
Elsewhere, within a courtyard encircled by silent white pavilions, Jian Wu sat alone beneath a cherry blossom tree. The petals, soft as whispers, drifted down onto the polished tiles around him. A small wind chime above him sang a faint tune.
His gaze was fixed on the sky—a brilliant blue canvas streaked with slow-moving clouds.
"Mike…" he murmured. "The distance between us... it's yours to close now." His fingers curled slightly over the hilt of his blade. "I miss you."
The petals continued to fall, some landing on his lap. His eyes closed, lost in memory, hope, and the silent echo of brotherhood.
Outer Academy – Competition Hall
The hall loomed ahead—massive twin doors carved from crimson wood and bound with iron bolts. Patterns of phoenixes and tigers danced across their surface. When opened, a rush of air greeted the team, filled with the metallic scent of sharpened weapons and sweat. Echoes of clashing swords and spirited shouts rang through the air.
Inside, vast tiled floors reflected the glowing spirit crystals hanging above. Stone pillars stood like ancient giants, their sides carved with names of past champions.
"Let's practice like those two over there," Feng Jian said, nodding toward a pair of sparring students. Their movements were swift, blades gleaming like lightning.
"Just remember—no hurting each other," Ling Xue warned, adjusting the leather strap of her armor.
Mike smirked, resting a wooden sword on his shoulder. "No hammer this time, got it."
On a high balcony draped in crimson cloth, Huang Lie stood, hands clasped behind his back. He watched them quietly as the sounds of their training echoed up to him.
Then, his voice thundered down. "Listen up, brats!"
Everyone froze.
"Training, meditation, swallowing pills, theory study, dueling—all these build rank. At first, it's easy. But higher up…" He paused, his voice low and grim. "You'll hit walls—thick, hard ones. And some of you… will never break through."
Silence followed. Only the wind stirred the red banners hanging from the ceiling. And then, the group resumed—faster, stronger, fueled by his words.
Time Passed…
As the sun rose and fell, day after day, their silhouettes blurred in the training arena.
Swords cut through air. Dust swirled. Sweat soaked their robes. And slowly, strength bloomed.
They no longer flinched. No longer doubted.
One Year Later – Rank Ascension
Golden rays filtered through the leaves as morning dew glistened on the grass outside the dormitories. Birds chirped from tree branches shaped like claws, and the path was freshly swept. Mike stood tall in the courtyard, his robe fluttering as he read a scroll.
From Fan Zhe 1… they had reached:
Mike: Peak Fan Zhe – 10
Feng Jian: Peak Fan Zhe – 10
Lei Hu: Fan Zhe – 9
Ling Xue: Fan Zhe – 9
The Annual Competition was only ten days away.
Training Grounds – Demonstration
Under the pale light of spirit lanterns, each of them demonstrated their new techniques.
Ling Xue's blade shimmered purple as she unleashed:
Venom Fang Slash – her sword left a trail of spiritual venom in its wake.
Thousand Sword Storm – with one sweep, dozens of phantom blades roared forward.
Lei Hu roared, slamming his spear forward:
Spear Blow – direct and raw.
Spiritual Rhino Shield – an ethereal horned beast formed in front of him, absorbing the blow.
Feng Jian's form was graceful, precise:
Continuous Sword Strike – his attacks blurred into a dance of silver.
Sword Sacrifice – he shattered his blade into light, then gathered it into a deadly point.
Sword Rotating Shield – blades circled him like a halo.
And Mike—
His hammer glowed with deep blue energy. When he moved, the air itself trembled.
Ultimate Strike – his hammer landed with an explosion of spiritual shock.
Defense Hammer – it absorbed, then pushed back.
Brutal Reflect – using opponent's force against them.
Reverse Shot – a fast redirect, swift and brutal.
One Big Hammer – a towering construct, crashing down like the heavens' own will.
Desert Wastelands – Elsewhere
In the far south, under a stormy crimson sky, a sea of sand twisted violently. Red mist curled through the air like a living thing. A flame rose—a flickering figure hidden within, eyes burning with purpose.
From beneath the shifting dunes, a shattered amulet emerged. Its markings were identical to one once worn by Mike's father.
Outer Academy – 7 Days Before the Competition
Mike sat in a quiet meditation chamber. Stone walls surrounded him, etched with diagrams of meridians. Outside, the skies had turned gray. Distant thunder rumbled.
Murmurs broke the silence. He opened his eyes.
Outside stood Cao Gang, led by Cao Cao, rank Zhan Shi – 3. His dark green robe was cinched with a golden belt, his eyes brimming with hostility.
"You're Mike?" he spat. "You dared hurt my cousin!"
Without warning, he lunged.
Mike parried. The clash was brief—sharp and fiery.
A burst of pressure halted them. Two mentors appeared, cloaks fluttering in the wind.
"Enough!" one barked. "The Annual Competition is seven days away. You'll settle this then!"
Cao Cao snarled. "He insulted my family!"
Mike stepped forward, eyes steady. "Your cousin looked at Ling Xue with filthy intent. If I hadn't stepped in, Feng Jian would've done far worse. I saved you embarrassment."
"You…" Cao Cao's fists trembled.
The mentors stood firm. "No more. Settle it properly—on the arena floor."
From the Shadows…
On a rooftop beyond the lantern light, shadows crouched. Their eyes glowed faintly. The one in front whispered:
"We've found him… and the ones protecting him. Begin the report."
The wind picked up. The clouds shifted.
Something darker had begun to stir.