Chapter 18

The dormitories of Jingyun Martial Academy are divided into four sections, with all the buildings connected by corridors. The room that Wei Changfeng rented, number 59 in the Yi section, is located in the middle towards the back. Not far behind is the Bing section.

Today, new disciples are entering the academy, and many of the new students are staying in the Bing section. Hearing the commotion from this area, many new and old students rushed over to see what was happening, just in time to witness Wei Changfeng defeating three senior disciples from the lower academy.

The older students immediately understood what was going on. Some of them knew Hao Ren and were discussing Wei Changfeng's strength and courage in hushed tones, mostly out of schadenfreude.

When the new students understood what the older students were saying, they all felt a great sense of satisfaction. If they had been the ones bullied by Hao Ren and his group, the situation would have been very dire. Feeling a sense of shared adversity, they naturally regarded Wei Changfeng as a hero among their peers.

Even Wei Changfeng himself did not expect that by disciplining three older students, he would initially establish his reputation and prestige among the new disciples, a case of unintentional success!

In the ancient continent, the strong are respected, and in the martial academy, status and identity are determined by strength. The weak and incompetent will never earn the respect of others.

Even Wei Changfeng himself felt a sense of vindication. In his previous life as a pill master, he would at most spar with the experts under his command, but their strength was not on the same level. Winning was just a matter of the other side letting him win, and there was no sense of victory.

After reincarnating, Wei Changfeng first beat up Manager Wang and later fought the Luo Shui Gang. However, Manager Wang was just an ordinary person, and winning against him was not something to boast about. The fight with the Luo Shui Gang was aided by pills, and he ultimately scared them off with his pill master identity and bluffs.

But today's battle was different. At the beginning, he might have had the advantage of a surprise attack, but defeating Hao Ren and the triangle-eyed disciple later on was entirely due to his own strength and ability, a thoroughly satisfying victory!

At this moment, Wei Changfeng truly felt the power and pride of being a martial artist, which greatly strengthened his resolve and determination to continue on the path of martial arts!

"This senior brother, I am Dongfang Haoyang. May I ask for your esteemed name?"

While others were still discussing, a young man in a white robe quickly walked over and politely greeted Wei Changfeng with a fist salute.

Wei Changfeng composed himself and replied, "I dare not. I am Wei Changfeng."

This young man in a white robe was around fourteen or fifteen years old, with a handsome face and sharp eyebrows. Although he still had a hint of childishness, his demeanor was very refined, and he was likely from a noble family.

Most importantly, his surname was Dongfang.

The Dongfang clan is the leading family among the five major families of Jingyun. The brothers Dongfang Ming and Dongfang Zheng control the city guard and the Jingyun Martial Academy, respectively, with the latter being a powerful expert at the innate realm!

Hearing Wei Changfeng's name, Dongfang Haoyang's eyes lit up. "Could it be that senior brother is from the Wei family?"

Wei Changfeng smiled and shook his head, then asked, "Junior brother, are you from the Dongfang family?"

Wei Changfeng never considered himself part of the Jingyun Wei family, even in his previous life. Especially after being expelled from the family with Murong Wan and his two sisters, he harbored a grudge against the Wei family.

Hearing that Wei Changfeng was not from the Wei family, Dongfang Haoyang was not disappointed and smiled. "I am just a minor figure from a branch of the family, not really significant. I just entered the academy today."

Wei Changfeng knew he was being modest, but the reality might be different.

Families like the five major families of Jingyun place great emphasis on the cultivation of their young. On one hand, they have quotas to recommend outstanding young people directly to the upper academies of the three major academies. On the other hand, they encourage other young people to join the lower academies to compete with their peers.

These young people are taught by renowned masters from a young age, and although they enter the three major academies at a later age, their strength far surpasses that of their peers, giving them a significant advantage in competitions.

Dongfang Haoyang was undoubtedly one of them!

Knowing his identity, Wei Changfeng did not resent his friendly approach. In his previous life, he had offended too many people, leading to his death and the destruction of his pills.

Having many allies is beneficial, and in cultivating martial arts, the four essential supports are "wealth, companions, methods, and land." Companions are indispensable good teachers and friends!

Dongfang Haoyang continued, "I have just met a few peers, Senior Brother Wei. If you are not busy, would you like to join us for a gathering at the Inviting Moon Tower after sunset?"

Wei Changfeng thought for a moment and nodded. "Sure!"

Dongfang Haoyang was delighted and said, "I will wait for you at the Inviting Moon Tower. I'll take my leave now!"

After bidding farewell to this new junior brother, Wei Changfeng used his room card to open room 59 in the Yi section.

This room card is essentially a large key with a special lock mechanism on its surface. It can only open the door when inserted into the corresponding lock and the mechanism is activated.

The Yi section dormitories are single suites, divided into a small reception hall, a bedroom for rest and sleep, and a bathroom for washing and cleaning. The conditions are much better than those in the Bing and Yi sections.

All the rooms were already cleaned, and the furniture inside was simple. Since Wei Changfeng did not plan to stay here long-term, he did not bring much luggage and was quickly ready.

Today is the first day for the new disciples to enter the martial academy, and the academy has no specific arrangements, only allowing the new students to familiarize themselves with the environment and rules of the lower academy.

In fact, the management of the lower academy is quite relaxed, with few formalities. However, standing out among thousands of disciples is an extremely difficult task.

To learn stronger and better martial techniques, to advance to the upper academy, or to be noticed by major sects, the competition among thousands of disciples is extremely complex and intense, and many factions have formed.

When Wei Changfeng's predecessor studied at the martial academy, he had outstanding talent but found it hard to adapt to the environment of the lower academy due to his personality, which was one of the reasons he abandoned martial arts.

The current Wei Changfeng, of course, has no fear. In his previous life, he became a great pill master, not by hiding in the wilderness to cultivate, but by seeing countless schemes and intrigues!

With nothing else to do, he decided to continue cultivating the true qi breathing technique in his room, striving to quickly restore his true qi to the third level, where it penetrates the body.

Only by reaching the true qi penetration level can he channel the true qi from his dantian into his fists, feet, and weapons, significantly enhancing his combat strength and better establishing himself in the martial academy.

In the previous battle, Wei Changfeng was able to easily defeat Hao Ren, who was at the third level of body refinement, partly due to the element of surprise. If he encounters an opponent of the same level or higher, he might not be so lucky.

Therefore, continuously strengthening his own strength is the fundamental path!

As evening approached, Wei Changfeng left his room and headed to the Inviting Moon Tower outside the martial academy.

The Jingyun Martial Academy is a few miles from Jingyun City, but there are many residential areas and estates between them, forming a natural town.

Since the martial academy students come not only from Jingyun City but also from the surrounding areas, many are accompanied by their elders who stay to look after them.

The families of the students cannot live in the martial academy, so they rent or buy houses nearby, and over time, the town has grown in size.

With more people living there, more businesses have opened, and since the martial academy has thousands of students, there are many restaurants, shops, and workshops in the town.

The Inviting Moon Tower is one of the largest and best restaurants, standing five stories tall, making it stand out among the low buildings. It can even be seen from the martial academy.

When Wei Changfeng arrived at the Inviting Moon Tower, it was just getting dark.

The Inviting Moon Tower was brightly lit and bustling with people, with many martial academy students and martial artists dining there.

After reporting his name, the attendant led Wei Changfeng to a private room on the fourth floor, where Dongfang Haoyang was already waiting, along with two men and two women.

Seeing Wei Changfeng enter, Dongfang Haoyang immediately stood up to greet him. "Senior Brother Wei, we've been waiting for you!"

Wei Changfeng apologized, "Sorry, I was delayed by something."

"You're not late!"

Dongfang Haoyang smiled. "Come, let me introduce you to everyone."

The young man in a green robe and the two young women stood up, but the other young man, who looked the oldest, remained seated, looking at Wei Changfeng with a puzzled expression.

"This is Senior Brother Wang Wenrui, who has been in the martial academy for two years."

"This is Senior Sister Gu He, who has been in the martial academy for one year."

"This is my cousin, Dongfang Youlan, who just entered the martial academy with me."

Wang Wenrui was unremarkable in appearance, looking like a mature young man with a serious demeanor, and he showed little enthusiasm for Wei Changfeng.

Gu He was dignified and beautiful, and while polite, she kept a certain distance from Wei Changfeng.

Dongfang Youlan, Dongfang Haoyang's cousin, was a very shy young woman who blushed and spoke in a soft, almost inaudible voice when she greeted Wei Changfeng.

"This is..."

When introducing the last person, Dongfang Haoyang stumbled, as the person remained seated and stared at Wei Changfeng.

Dongfang Haoyang continued, "This is Senior Brother Wei Kai from the Wei family, who has been in the martial academy for three years."

"I'll introduce everyone to the new arrival, who is..."

"Wei Changfeng!"

Wei Kai finally stood up, his face showing realization and a hint of undisguised disdain. "You are Wei Deyou's... Wei Changfeng. When did you return to the Jingyun Martial Academy?"

Dongfang Haoyang was stunned.

(To be continued...)