Chapter 11 Shanhai City

　　"Is this Shanhai City? Such an ancient architectural style..." exclaimed Emily Jones.

　　The mottled deep blue city walls towered into the clouds, stretching for thousands of miles on both sides, like a sleeping dragon lying on the horizon.

　　The pressure was immense and magnificent. Even the oversized three-tailed ice flame fox was tiny compared to the city, like an ant.

　　As they approached Shanhai City, the road became increasingly flat and wide, and the flow of people continued to increase.

　　Many young faces in sturdy clothes appeared, riding all kinds of pets, running or flying, making it lively.

　　John Smith noticed that among the dozens of extraordinary creatures around him, the three-tailed ice flame fox was not the largest in size, but many people who saw the fox or the black-clothed female assassin meditating on its back would show nervous and wary expressions, quickly moving away and not wanting to get close.

　　"It seems that Madison is also someone with a story. I can ask around later..." John Smith silently pondered.

　　Soon, as they approached the city gate, they saw two forty-meter-tall black iron giants standing on either side, holding oversized steel forks, fully armed and guarding the gate.

　　When they were within ten meters, the attribute panel appeared on time:

　　[Name]: Black Iron Giant (Contracted)

　　[Race]: Savage World · Giant Type · Metal Giant Race

　　[Life Level]: Ultimate Late Stage

　　[Bloodline Quality]: Commanding Level 6 Stars

　　??? (Soul power too low to fully detect)

　　...

　　"Ultimate late stage... too strong..." John Smith couldn't help but mutter to himself.

　　"Stop!"

　　A middle-aged man with a tiger's back and bear's waist and protruding muscles blocked the road in the center.

　　Even several meters away, John Smith could feel the iron-blooded momentum emanating from him.

　　He was definitely a ruthless person who had been stained with countless killings.

　　"Uncle Ethan."

　　Madison Brown jumped off the fox's back and greeted him, gesturing for Luna to also put down John Smith and Emily Jones.

　　"Oh, it's Madison!"

　　The middle-aged man named Ethan's momentum disappeared in an instant, his expression slightly embarrassed as he smiled:

　　"Oh, I'm getting old, my eyesight isn't so good anymore. It's been two months, and I almost didn't recognize this little fox..."

　　Before he finished speaking, he took a look at Madison Brown up and down and said suspiciously.

　　"Your aura seems to have become even stronger. Did you break through to the Mystic General level? That's quite something in the Academy..."

　　"Uncle Ethan was just kidding, it was just luck," Madison Brown replied calmly and confidently.

　　"Luck is also part of strength, at your age, I can only envy you with my eyes wide open!" Ethan Adams laughed heartily and looked back at the two behind him. "Who are they?"

　　"They are the new students of this year. There were some unexpected events on their journey, so I brought them back with me," Madison explained.

　　"Well, that's a bit unfortunate. The freshman awakening ceremony ended this morning, so you can only take them to complete the admission procedures and apply again..."

　　Ethan Adams exchanged a few more pleasantries before allowing them to pass.

　　As they crossed the city gate, they were greeted by bustling streets filled with shops, food stalls, and training halls.

　　Perhaps the injection of fresh blood had brought a festive atmosphere to the academy, as everything was decorated in a celebratory style.

　　John Smith and Emily Jones followed Madison Brown curiously, observing their surroundings.

　　The three-tailed ice flame fox had shrunk to a mini size and was walking at the back with a graceful stride.

　　Meanwhile, Moon Rabbit was sleeping soundly inside John Smith's clothes, undisturbed by the loud noise outside.

　　Madison Brown led the way, light on her feet, as she led the two students through the twists and turns of the streets.

　　At a certain intersection, she suddenly turned back and asked casually, "What do you think of the Mountain and Sea Academy?"

　　Emily Jones looked thoughtful and answered, "I have a cousin who is a student here, but we are both here for the first time, so our understanding of the academy is still limited."

　　"I have heard rumors that the competition at the Mountain and Sea Academy is extremely fierce. Anyone who can successfully graduate after four years will become a leader of the Nordia Dynasty and enjoy a high reputation," she continued.

　　Madison Brown nodded gently.

　　"Yes, as one of the four top academies in the Nordia Dynasty, the Mountain and Sea Academy has the best teaching staff and training resources."

　　" It can be said that once you enter the academy, you are equipped with a growth accelerator. If you use it well, you can soar to great heights, transforming from a mere mortal to a dragon."

　　" However, as a person who has been through it, I want to remind you that everything the academy has to offer is built upon a cruel elimination system."

　　She paused for a moment before asking, "Do you know how many people from my freshman year successfully advanced to the second year?"

　　"About 1,000 people?" Emily Jones guessed tentatively.

　　"I remember there were originally 2230 people, but only 275 successfully advanced to the second year, nearly a 90% elimination rate."

　　Madison Brown's voice remained indifferent, as if she was describing an insignificant matter.

　　Emily Jones, on the other hand, pursed her lips and wore a shocked expression.

　　John Smith was equally stunned by this information.

　　"According to our dean, the purpose of his ancestors in establishing this academy was to hone the 1% of gold with 99% sand," Madison continued.

　　"So, from the moment you set foot in this academy, you must be prepared to give it your all. Otherwise, all you'll face is expulsion!"

　　"No wonder my family didn't want me to apply to Shanhai Academy, saying that the risk was too high. I didn't understand it before," Emily Jones murmured to herself, finally realizing something.

　　John Smith's thoughts, however, were focused on the extreme application of the law of natural selection and survival of the fittest.

　　With his life already limited and a desire to break free from fate, he was briefly surprised, but instead became somewhat excited.

　　If they couldn't even endure the hardships and obstacles that were artificially set up, how could they stand up to fate?

　　...

　　Thirty minutes later, in the office hall.

　　After briefly recounting the incident of the airship accident, John Smith and Emily Jones successfully completed their enrollment procedures and officially became freshmen of Shanhai Academy.

　　Madison Brown, having received her deserved reward, took Emily Jones with her to apply for an additional auxiliary awakening ceremony.

　　John Smith, on the other hand, watched in disbelief as the expression on the face of the staff member in front of him gradually turned to shock, and then heard him shout out loud:

　　"What? You're a self-awakening person?!"

　　The hall was spacious enough and the acoustics were clear, so the echo was loud and clear.

　　There were still quite a few unfamiliar faces around who were also conducting business, but they were all now drawn to the curious gaze of the staff member.

　　John Smith sighed lightly, not liking the way he was being looked at like a guinea pig. He tried to endure it as much as possible and maintain his politeness: "Is there a problem?"

　　"Well..." The staff member seemed to realize that he had overreacted and said somewhat awkwardly:

　　"The main thing is that, with you included, there are now three self-awakening people in this class."