Chapter 66: Tian Ling Academy

Time flew by, and it was almost a month. Ye Feng's field of vision had broadened, crossing several large cities, each far more powerful than Qiancheng. It was not uncommon to see people at the innate realm walking on the streets, and some even flew through the air.

"Only one more day to reach the Inner Academy. Everyone, rest for a day, and we'll set off early tomorrow morning!" Seeing everyone's excited expressions, Tutor Li led them into an inn.

The place they stayed was called Haocheng, so large that even Ye Feng didn't know how many people it could accommodate. The group stayed at the inn, recovering from a month of fatigue, preparing to enter Tian Ling Academy the next day.

The next morning, over twenty people were ready to go. There was no trace of fatigue on their faces, only tension and excitement. Only Kou Chenlong seemed a bit calmer, as he had participated last year and been eliminated.

"What dense spiritual energy."

After crossing the large city and walking for half a day, a huge mountain range appeared ahead, with buildings sprawling across it. A young man shouted.

Ye Feng also noticed the entire mountain range, shrouded in a layer of mist, giving off a mystical aura, making it feel like they had entered a fairyland.

"Everyone, quiet down. This is the gate of our Inner Academy, the Heiyan Mountain Range. We'll be there in about an hour."

The group marched toward the Heiyan Mountain Range. At first, there were few people, but after a short while, more and more people appeared, all young men around twenty years old, full of vigor and spirit. Some were accompanied by many guards, while others walked in small groups.

"Are these people all here for the Inner Academy examination?" Ye Feng asked.

"These should be. Every year, thousands of disciples come for the examination, but only a certain number of spots are available, so the competition is intense," Tutor Li explained.

"Besides, the academy also recruits disciples from other places each year, which limits the number of spots for the Outer Academy." The Outer Academy wasn't the only source of recruits; many families also sent their children, and some promising young men wanted to try their luck.

"Up ahead is the square for this year's examination." After about an hour, a huge square appeared at the entrance of the mountain range, not yet deep within the Heiyan Mountain Range.

Tutor Li pointed ahead, and Ye Feng and the others looked in the same direction. Ye Feng was surprised by the sheer number of people and the size of the square, which was several times larger than a football field in his previous life, explaining why it could accommodate so many people.

"In a moment, I'll take you to register. After registration, I'll lead you to rest. The examination is in two days."

Tutor Li led over twenty people toward the huge square, where a large crowd had already gathered, numbering in the thousands, with more people continuously arriving.

They reached a registration area, where long lines had already formed. Ye Feng and the others had to wait in line, even as Outer Academy disciples, they had no special treatment.

"You wait in line. We'll go see some old friends and come back to pick you up later!" Tutor Li and the others returned to the Inner Academy, their faces showing excitement. Since there was still time, they planned to meet friends and let Ye Feng and the others register first.

"Respectfully send off the tutor!" The twenty-odd people were glad the tutor had left. With the tutor around, they had to be cautious in their speech, but now they relaxed and chatted happily.

After nearly half an hour, it was Ye Feng's group's turn.

"Name."

"Ye Feng!"

"Age!"

"Sixteen!"

After Ye Feng said sixteen, the registrar looked up at him.

"Sixteen years old, no lying about your age? I'll warn you, if the examiners find out you lied about your age, you'll be disqualified and never allowed to participate again," the registrar said coldly.

"I'm not lying," Ye Feng replied honestly.

After all, there were few sixteen- or seventeen-year-olds present; most were around twenty, and those who were sixteen or seventeen didn't seem as powerful as Ye Feng.

"Where are you from?"

The registrar didn't argue further and continued.

"Kaiyuan Kingdom, Tian Ling Academy."

The registrar's expression improved, as Outer Academy disciples received better treatment than independent cultivators.

"True Qi level?" the registrar asked again.

"Postnatal Ninth Level."

Ye Feng didn't hide his cultivation level. The tutors had already warned him and the others not to hide their cultivation levels during the examination, as it would result in immediate expulsion if discovered.

Upon hearing this, the registrar stood up and carefully examined Ye Feng. Even the young men and women standing behind him turned to look.

"Wang Xu, what's going on? Why aren't you registering properly? What happened?" A young man in his twenties walked over.

"We were ordered to supervise this selection. Do your job properly and don't make mistakes. If there are any, you'll be held responsible," the young man said in a condescending tone.

"Yes, Senior Brother Chengfeng," the registrar Wang Xu replied cautiously.

"What's going on with these people? Do you know their background?"

Jian Chengfeng asked.

"These people are from the Kaiyuan Kingdom branch, sixteen years old, Postnatal Ninth Level."

The young man in front of him wasn't someone he could provoke, so he lowered his head and answered honestly.

The others also approached, and upon hearing Wang Xu's words, all eyes turned to Ye Feng.

Jian Chengfeng's sharp gaze focused on Ye Feng.

"Nice, sixteen years old and Postnatal Ninth Level. Your talent is good enough for the examination. As Outer Academy disciples, you'll be given priority. After the examination, choose our Tianxing Hall," the young man said with a condescending tone.

At this, a commotion broke out in the crowd.

"Tianxing Hall, that's the second-ranked hall in Tian Ling Academy. This kid is lucky; he's already caught the eye of the second-ranked Tianxing Hall before the examination," someone in the crowd said.

"You don't know, but the young man who spoke is an Inner Academy disciple of Tianxing Hall, Jian Chengfeng. I heard that Tianxing Hall has ten top disciples, and Jian Chengfeng is among the top ten. His strength is such that even core disciples would struggle against him," a fat young man said.

"Who knows what kind of luck this kid had to catch Jian Chengfeng's eye. He'll be able to walk around the halls with confidence. I heard Jian Chengfeng is extremely domineering; anyone who offends him ends up either crippled or secretly killed," a young man whispered.

"You're asking for it. If he hears you, he'll kill you," the young man who spoke stuck out his tongue and quickly shut up.

"What do you think? Have you made up your mind?" Hearing the murmurs around him, Jian Chengfeng didn't seem to care and asked Ye Feng.

Ye Feng knew he couldn't avoid answering. Everyone was looking at him, and if he refused, he would likely become a Tianxing Hall disciple. A young man standing not far behind Ye Feng muttered, "This kid will have to curry favor with him in the future."

Ye Feng lifted his head and replied calmly, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your kindness. Whether I pass the examination is still uncertain. Even if I do, I've already promised my tutor to join Xuan Yuan Hall. I still appreciate your offer, though." Ye Feng spoke tactfully, not wanting to offend Jian Chengfeng directly.

As a newcomer, Ye Feng didn't want to offend these people, but he wasn't afraid of anyone. He just didn't want to cause too much trouble.

Jian Chengfeng's brows furrowed. Ye Feng had rejected him in front of everyone, making him feel embarrassed.

"As long as you join Tianxing Hall, you don't need to worry about anything else. Our hall's treatment is far better than Xuan Yuan Hall. Think about it again," Jian Chengfeng said, trying to persuade Ye Feng. Each year, the halls competed to recruit talented disciples, and Tianxing Hall was no exception.

"A gentleman's word is as good as his bond. Since I've already promised my tutor, I won't change my mind. I hope you understand my position," Ye Feng said calmly.

"Don't be ungrateful. No one in Tian Ling Academy dares to defy Senior Brother Chengfeng. I think you're asking for trouble," a young man behind Jian Chengfeng shouted at Ye Feng. The young men nearby immediately distanced themselves from Ye Feng, except for the twenty-odd people who had come with him.

Ye Feng felt a surge of anger and a flash of killing intent in his eyes.

"I'm not afraid of you. My pride isn't given by you. As for which hall I choose, it's none of your business!" Ye Feng said angrily.

"Kid, you've got guts. I hope you can keep this attitude. When you enter the academy, I'll make your life a living hell," the young man continued, openly threatening Ye Feng.

"Let's go. Remember what you said!" Jian Chengfeng waved his hand and led the group away, but Ye Feng noticed he looked at him with a gaze that seemed to see him as a dead man.

Ye Feng laughed bitterly. He hadn't even joined the academy and had already made a powerful enemy. But he didn't care; pressure was motivation, and it would help him improve faster.

"Ye Feng, why didn't you agree to him?" Kou Chenlong and a few others approached, not understanding why Ye Feng refused, as joining Tianxing Hall was a dream for many young men.

"Senior Brother, it's not that I didn't want to agree, but I've already promised my tutor to join Xuan Yuan Hall. Besides, you saw how condescending Jian Chengfeng was, acting as if everyone should bow to him. He's not a good person. A man should stand tall and keep his word, not be swayed by a little pressure," Ye Feng explained, feeling helpless but not regretful. Nothing would stop him from pursuing the peak of martial arts.

"I can't argue with you. When Jian Chengfeng left, I noticed his gaze. You need to be careful. I think as soon as you enter the academy, he'll find a way to deal with you," Kou Chenlong warned Ye Feng with a cautious tone.