Chapter 6

Wind Qingxue's response was as expected by many. Ye Futian, who had foolishly hoped to cultivate with her, was this a covert form of pursuit? Truly, he had no self-awareness at all.

Although many knew that the two had a good relationship, probably due to years of friendship, this did not mean they could cross boundaries. Wind Qingxue’s words, "We are already adults," seemed to indicate her stance.

"Got slapped in the face, didn't you?" Many people wore smug expressions, as if they were watching a good show.

Moreover, she left him no room for maneuver.

Seeing the expressions of the crowd, how could Ye Futian not understand what they were thinking? It was a truly melodramatic scene. He shook his head and turned to leave.

"You asked her in public like that, giving her no choice at all," Ye Futian said softly.

"From the moment she tacitly allowed Murong Qing to stand in front of you, she had already shown her attitude. After so many years of friendship, when she says she wants to keep her distance, what does that mean? A complete break?" Yu Sheng had a stern face, like an enraged lion.

"Young people are easily swayed. She is only fifteen, what does she know?" Ye Futian seemed to have no sense of being rejected. On the contrary, he wanted to explain for Wind Qingxue.

"Don't forget her words. Her attitude was so decisive, did she leave you any face? Since she has made her decision, this friendship is over." Yu Sheng said firmly. He knew Ye Futian better than anyone. Beneath the carefree facade was a passionate heart, especially for those close to him. He wanted to overlook what Wind Qingxue had done and give her another chance.

But he wouldn't allow it. He had to protect something for Ye Futian, like his pride and self-respect. He understood what Wind Qingxue had missed.

He wouldn't forget what Ye Futian's father had said: When one is down, it's easier to see things clearly. These things don't matter. When the day comes that you shine brightly, the whole world will make way for you.

...

At this moment, a commotion came from the training ground, drawing the attention of the crowd. Ye Futian and Yu Sheng turned their gaze to see several figures flying towards the training ground, their backs sprouting wings, flapping in the air, and stopping above the training ground.

"They are senior disciples from the Spell Palace, wind mages, using wind attribute spells to form wings and fly in the air." Many people looked enviously. The Awakened Realm was the limit of human physical capabilities, where spirit energy and the body perfectly merged. Only when one reached the Glory Realm and became a Glory Mage could they freely release various spells.

In the Divine Continent, the status of mages was higher than that of martial cultivators.

Flying in the air at the Glory Realm could only be done by wind mages.

"A section of the Heavenly Demon Mountain has been cleared. In this area, no beasts beyond the Awakened Realm will appear. The next seven days are the autumn hunting period before the Autumn Examination. You can go to hunt to test your cultivation results over the past year and to hone your practical combat skills and ability to handle danger."

A wind mage floating in the air said, "You will eventually leave the academy. Without experiencing trials of iron and blood, you will never truly grow."

"Of course, safety during the autumn hunt must be the top priority. Therefore, we hope you will travel in groups and support each other."

Everyone nodded. Every year before the Autumn Examination, the Qingzhou Academy would clear the area, making it safer than usual. Even so, some bold individuals would enter the Heavenly Demon Mountain to train themselves.

"Besides, when the Autumn Examination comes, the Qingzhou Academy will open. Many people from Qingzhou City will come to observe. Your elders may also come. At that time, perform well and don't let them down." The senior disciple from the Spell Palace continued. Everyone naturally knew this. The Spring and Autumn Examinations were the most important events for the Qingzhou Academy, and similarly, for Qingzhou City.

Compared to the Spring Examination, the Autumn Examination was grander. The Spring Examination mainly aimed to select formal disciples, with only a few being the focus.

"Alright, go prepare." The person waved his hand, and then the group flapped their wings and left, heading towards the back mountain.

The training ground instantly became lively, with many people gathering to discuss the autumn hunt.

This opportunity for the autumn hunt cannot be missed.

"Ye Futian, what do you think?" Qin Yi asked Ye Futian from a distance.

"Senior Sister Qin, what do you mean?" Ye Futian looked at Qin Yi.

"The autumn hunt is an opportunity. You and Yu Sheng together should be very safe. You can use this chance to train and see if you can break through your current realm." Qin Yi said.

"No." Ye Futian shook his head. "I don't plan to participate in this autumn hunt."

After all, he had just come down from the back mountain, so there was no need to go again.

Qin Yi's beautiful eyes glared at him. "You are still young. Don't let some setbacks affect your mindset and make you depressed."

Thinking of Ye Futian's dejected back when he was rejected by Wind Qingxue, Qin Yi was worried he would be too affected.

Ye Futian blinked, knowing Qin Yi had misunderstood. His eyes swept over her impressive figure, and he said softly, "Senior Sister, actually, I'm not that young."

Qin Yi was taken aback, looked at Ye Futian, and then angrily turned around, saying, "You're hopeless."

Seeing Qin Yi's angry face, Ye Futian's smile grew wider, and he called out, "Senior Sister Qin, thank you."

Qin Yi paused for a moment and then continued walking.

"Not bad, worth considering," Yu Sheng said softly. Ye Futian looked at him in confusion, "Considering what?"

"Isn't she a candidate for you?" Yu Sheng looked at Ye Futian seriously.

"Ah..." Ye Futian rubbed his head. Near the virtuous, one becomes virtuous; near the wicked, one becomes wicked.

...

The Qingzhou Academy became lively as a large group set off for the back mountain. Many people were full of spirit, and this scene occurred every year. A few days later, many of these spirited figures would become dejected, and many would have their hearts overshadowed with shadows, of course, not without injuries.

During the hunt, the Qingzhou Academy would clear the area, but there were still powerful beasts of the 7th, 8th, and even 9th levels. These beasts would become nightmares for some.

The hunt was a trial and a baptism.

At the foot of the Heavenly Demon Mountain, people came in groups, stepping into the mountain. At this moment, a group of figures arrived at the foot of the mountain.

"Wind Qingxue." Many people noticed the girl in the group, dressed in a fiery red robe, looking spirited and charming, her beauty enhanced by the clothing.

"Who is the person next to her?" Someone noticed that besides her friend Murong Qing, there was another man with extraordinary aura.

"That's Murong Qiu, Murong Qing's cousin, a direct descendant of the Murong Chamber of Commerce, with the 9th level of the Awakened Realm. He is actually participating in the autumn hunt with Wind Qingxue. No wonder..."

Many people thought of a certain pitiful guy who was cruelly rejected and shook their heads. Truly, he had no self-awareness.

Adults, keeping distance? What about Murong Qiu?

If that guy knew, he would be devastated.

"That guy, after being hit, will probably give up on the Autumn Examination again." The crowd saw Murong Qiu and Wind Qingxue heading up the mountain and whispered.

Ye Futian heard this from others soon after. He felt a bit depressed to be the tragic male lead in this melodramatic story, even though he had never intended to pursue Wind Qingxue. He still felt a bit annoyed, not out of love, but purely out of annoyance.

Of course, he wouldn't care too much. In the coming days, he would focus mainly on cultivation, hoping to advance his strength before the Autumn Examination.

A few days later, in the courtyard, Ye Futian was quietly cultivating, with scorching sunfire surrounding his body, refining his meridians and bones. He now possessed a Sun Soul, so he naturally focused on fire attribute cultivation.

During the trial in the back mountain, he could sense the dense wood attribute spirit energy from the plants and the water attribute spirit energy from the waterfall, but none could compare to the sun, which formed his Sun Soul.

Was he too greedy? After all, such an opportunity was rare.

Footsteps approached, and Ye Futian stopped his cultivation, looking up at Yu Sheng and asking, "What's up?"

If there was nothing, Yu Sheng wouldn't disturb his cultivation.

"Many people have come down from the back mountain recently, and there's a rumor in the academy that's causing a stir," Yu Sheng said.

"What rumor?" Ye Futian was curious.

"Someone claims to have seen a dragon in the Qingzhou Academy's sealed area," Yu Sheng's eyes gleamed.

"Dragon." Ye Futian's eyes flashed with a brilliant light. The sealed area was prepared for the hunt, and someone saw a dragon?

Not to mention the sealed area, even if a dragon appeared in the entire Heavenly Demon Mountain, it would be a sensational event. If it were true, it would shake Qingzhou City.

A dragon, a symbol of fortune, the holy beast among beasts, comparable to an emperor or sage among humans.

"Do you think it's true?" Ye Futian asked Yu Sheng.

"A few people claim to have seen it with their own eyes. Now, the Qingzhou Academy is even considering reversing the clearance, allowing the disciples to return. If the academy does this, it's likely true," Yu Sheng said.

"Let's go for a walk." Ye Futian stood up and walked out of the courtyard. In the past few days, many students had returned, and some, like Ye Futian, had not gone, probably knowing that their low realm made them too dangerous, unable to handle even a single beast.

When they reached the back mountain, they found many people coming down in groups, which was clearly abnormal.

Ye Futian and Yu Sheng exchanged a glance, and someone asked the people coming down, "What happened?"

"A powerful beast has entered the sealed area. The teachers told us to come down and not to go back," someone replied.

"What powerful beast? Can't the teachers kill it directly?" someone asked in surprise.

"It's said to be a thunder python, having cultivated for many years, with terrifying beast energy, and they haven't taken it down yet."

People discussed this, and Ye Futian and Yu Sheng exchanged a glance, feeling something was off. Was it a snake or a dragon?

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