Academy

Li Wei barely had time to move. He twisted, catching the blade between his fingers.

A dark figure materialized before him, shrouded in flowing black robes. Their aura was suffocating—deadly.

Jinhai jolted awake, eyes flashing. "Assassin?"

The figure tilted their head. "You are faster than expected." Their voice was smooth, almost mocking.

Li Wei gritted his teeth. This wasn't just some bandit. This was a trained killer.

The assassin moved like a ghost, disappearing into the shadows.

A second dagger flashed, aimed straight for Li Wei's heart.

But this time, Li Wei was ready.

Golden energy erupted around him as he twisted his body, dodging at the last moment. His reflexes had sharpened.

Jinhai cursed. "Damn it, this guy's fast."

The assassin landed softly, their robes barely rustling. "Interesting. You bear the Celestial Seal, don't you?"

Li Wei's heart pounded. They knew.

The assassin chuckled. "Then your life is already marked."

Jinhai stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, I've had enough of this. Who sent you?"

The assassin's eyes gleamed. "The Blood Lotus Sect."

The moment those words left their lips, the air exploded.

The assassin lunged, moving faster than before. Their cultivation—Nascent Soul realm!

Jinhai barely managed to block a strike. "Damn it, this guy's no joke!"

Li Wei gritted his teeth. Nascent Soul… he wasn't strong enough to face them directly.

But he had to fight.

He took a deep breath.

And then—his Celestial Energy surged.

For the first time, he let go.

The ground cracked beneath his feet. Golden flames roared around him.

His body moved instinctively, his palm striking forward.

BOOM!

The assassin was blasted back, skidding across the ground.

Li Wei exhaled, his eyes glowing with golden light. His power was still growing.

The assassin, however, only smiled. "I see. So that's your potential…"

Then, in a swirl of darkness—they vanished.

Jinhai swore. "They're gone."

Li Wei clenched his fists. The Blood Lotus Sect was coming for him.

And he wasn't ready.

Not yet.

The night air was thick with tension as Li Wei and Jinhai stood in the aftermath of the assassin's escape. The words echoed in Li Wei's mind.

"I see. So that's your potential…"

He clenched his fists. The Blood Lotus Sect was coming for him. And he wasn't ready.

Jinhai exhaled sharply. "This isn't good. If the Blood Lotus Sect sees you as a threat, they'll send more than just one assassin next time."

Li Wei remained silent, his mind already made up. He needed power. Real power.

Jinhai studied him for a moment before nodding. "I know that look. You've already decided your next move."

Li Wei turned to him. "Azure Sky Academy."

Jinhai has Already told him about the Azure Sky Academy it's a great school with great Background.

Jinhai raised an eyebrow. "That high-and-mighty school? Not gonna lie, kid, you don't exactly have the background they expect."

Li Wei's expression was firm. "I don't care. If I want to survive—if I want to grow stronger—there's no better place."

Jinhai smirked. "Then let's get you there before those bastards catch up."

And so, with the weight of the Blood Lotus Sect's threat looming over him, Li Wei set out for Azure Sky Academy.

The road ahead would not be easy.

But neither was the path to greatness.

....

The towering gates of Azure Sky Academy loomed in the distance, their golden inscriptions radiating an ancient, unshakable power.

Built upon one of the Nine Great Spiritual Leylines, the academy was not just a school.

It was a sacred ground where legends were forged.

Li Wei stood before the entrance, his eyes reflecting both determination and anticipation.

The journey had been long, but this was where it truly began.

Jinhai patted his shoulder. "This is as far as I go, kid. From here on, it's all you."

Li Wei nodded, stepping forward alone.

The moment he crossed the academy threshold, an invisible force weighed down on him—a suppression of spiritual energy so dense that it felt like the very air was testing his worth.

Around him, students in embroidered robes glanced in his direction, whispering.

"Who's that?"

"Never seen him before. He doesn't have a clan emblem."

"A nobody, then."

Li Wei ignored them. He had faced death. Words meant nothing.

Ahead, a massive courtyard was filled with new disciples gathered around a floating Spirit Appraisal Stone—a massive crystal orb pulsing with ethereal light.

An elder in azure robes addressed the crowd.

"Before entering, you must undergo an evaluation. This will determine your cultivation rank and class placement."

One by one, disciples placed their hands on the stone.

A noble youth went first.

Golden energy surged.

"Peak Foundation Establishment!" the elder announced.

Excited murmurs filled the air.

Another disciple took their turn.

"Core Formation!"

Cheers erupted.

Then—

It was Li Wei's turn.

Silence fell as he stepped forward.

Smirks appeared. "He looks like he's at Qi Condensation at best."

Li Wei placed his palm on the orb.

For a moment—nothing happened.

Then—

BOOM!

A golden explosion erupted, shaking the ground. The stone trembled violently, cracks spreading across its surface.

The elder's eyes widened.

Before anyone could react—

The Spirit Appraisal Stone shattered into countless fragments.

Silence.

Then chaos.

Gasps filled the courtyard as shards of the Spirit Appraisal Stone scattered across the ground.

"It broke?! How is that possible?"

"That stone has withstood thousands of evaluations!"

Li Wei withdrew his hand, his expression calm despite the uproar. But inside, even he was surprised. He had expected a reaction—but not this.

The elder overseeing the test took a sharp breath before snapping his fingers. A second stone—a smaller, more refined version—materialized from thin air.

"Again," the elder commanded, his voice steady but his eyes sharp.

Li Wei placed his palm on the new orb.

This time, instead of a violent explosion, a deep, resonating hum filled the air. Golden light swirled around him, rising like a storm, bending the surrounding energy to his will.

The elder's face paled. He turned to the instructors beside him, whispering urgently.