In front of the Zhuo Sect Academy, a massive aircraft hovered silently above the ground. Its metallic body reflected the sky, engraved with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with cosmic energy.
"Woah…" Yan Zhuo stared up in awe. "This aircraft is huge. And amazing."
Yue Xiya rolled her eyes lazily, crossing her arms as she looked at it.
"That's normal. My clan has four aircraft—each bigger than this."
Yan Zhuo clicked his tongue. "Show-off."
The teacher cleared her throat sharply, her voice calm but firm.
"Everyone, get inside. No running. No shouting."
The students quickly boarded the aircraft and entered a vast hall filled with soft glowing lights, long sofas, and smooth crystal flooring.
Yan Zhuo dropped onto a sofa, his eyes widening.
"This is… insanely comfortable."
Yue Xiya sat across from him, smiling faintly.
"I heard Ren Senior Academy is famous for its unique cultivation methods and special training zones."
She clapped her hands once, excitement flickering in her eyes.
Yan Zhuo nodded thoughtfully, rubbing his chin.
"That sounds incredible…"
Astra Omnion's voice echoed from the ring, filled with irritation.
"Instead of gawking, you should meditate. You fought a major battle yesterday. This is the perfect time to raise your grade."
Yan Zhuo nodded seriously.
"You're right."
He sat on the floor, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes.
"Let's start."
Cosmic energy surged from his body, wrapping him in a violent purple flame. The temperature inside the hall shifted slightly as everyone turned to stare.
"Whoa…"
"That aura—"
Sen narrowed his eyes, studying Yan Zhuo carefully before smiling.
"This boy… dangerous in physical combat, and he possesses a cosmic flame. Interesting."
Zian Jao scoffed arrogantly.
"He's still just a weak kid."
Yue Xiya glanced at Zian Jao coldly before turning back to Yan Zhuo, smiling softly.
"You're doing great. Keep going, kiddo."
After some time, Yan Zhuo opened his eyes and looked up at her.
"Hey… how long until we reach the academy?"
"Not long," Yue Xiya replied calmly, gazing out at the sky.
Astra Omnion chuckled inside the ring.
"I'm curious to see those so-called teachers of the senior academy."
Suddenly—
The aircraft stopped mid-air.
"What the hell?" Zian Jao snapped. "Why aren't we moving?"
Yan Zhuo smirked.
"We are moving. The aircraft is just shifting dimensions, idiot."
Zian Jao's face darkened as he stormed toward Yan Zhuo.
"You want to fight that badly?"
Before Yan Zhuo could reply, Yue Xiya stepped between them, her gaze sharp and dangerous.
"I'm sure you don't want only your skeleton arriving at the academy."
She grabbed Yan Zhuo's hand and dragged him away.
At that moment, a massive spatial portal opened before the aircraft. With blinding speed, it passed through—
—and emerged before a gigantic sect, floating above layered mountains and shrouded in mist.
"That's incredible…" Yan Zhuo whispered, staring down at the breathtaking sight.
The aircraft descended slowly and landed.
"Everyone, line up," the teacher ordered as the doors opened.
Students stepped out, immediately feeling the pressure of powerful cultivators and teachers standing before them.
"They feel strong," Yue Xiya said, smiling.
Astra Omnion scoffed from the ring.
"Ants. All of them."
Yan Zhuo shot the ring a deadpan glare.
"Stop acting like a child, Master."
He then smiled.
"Let's go."
As they entered the academy, enormous dragon statues lined the path.
Astra Omnion stared proudly.
"These are my sons."
Yan Zhuo sighed.
"Why do I feel terrifying levels of cosmic essence here…"
Yue Xiya suddenly grabbed his ear and pulled him forward.
"Eyes ahead. Walk properly, kiddo."
Inside a massive hall, seven elders sat upon elevated thrones.
"Welcome, students," one elder said warmly.
"You are about to begin a legendary journey of cultivation."
Another elder stood.
"You will receive your class passes. Do not lose them. Without them, you cannot remain in Ren Senior Academy."
A woman entered and distributed the passes.
Yan Zhuo checked his and grinned.
"A-Class. Nice."
Yue Xiya showed hers proudly.
"Same here, idiot."
They were led to their assigned room.
Yan Zhuo opened the door and froze.
Two large beds, shelves full of books, cultivation tools, and flawless organization.
"This place is insane!"
He jumped onto the bed happily.
Yue Xiya entered and closed the door behind her, sitting properly on her bed.
"This is why Ren Senior Academy stands at the top of the Han-Huo Empire. Most powerful clan masters graduated from here."
A knock sounded.
"I am Lei Sen, caretaker of the academy."
Yue Xiya opened the door while Yan Zhuo was already asleep.
"Classes begin tomorrow," Lei Sen said kindly.
"If you need anything, channel cosmic energy into the bell."
She left.
Yue Xiya closed the door and sighed.
"I'm exhausted…"
She glanced at Yan Zhuo sleeping like a corpse.
"…Seriously."
She collapsed onto her bed.
"This is paradise."
Astra Omnion emerged from the ring and lay beside Yan Zhuo.
"Much better than that ring."
On the other side, Zian Jao looked around the room, his eyes lingering on the unfamiliar furniture and glowing formations carved into the walls.
"These things are fascinating," he said, turning back toward Sen with clear curiosity.
Sen rolled her eyes and sat down on the bed.
"Maybe. But according to Lei Sen, we're supposed to sleep early. Classes start tomorrow, remember?" she said calmly.
Zian Jao let out a heavy sigh and dropped onto the other bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Yan Zhuo… that boy is incredibly powerful physically," he said, a faint trace of jealousy slipping into his voice.
Sen glanced at him briefly before lying back and closing her eyes.
"Even so, you can't do anything as long as Yin Xiya is with him. Facing both of them at once would be extremely difficult for us."
Zian Jao looked at her for a moment, then smiled faintly, the tension in his expression easing.
"You're right. We should sleep," he said quietly.
The room slowly fell into silence.
Beside them, the Seven Elders sat upon their ancient thrones, facing one another in heavy silence. The air between them still trembled faintly, as if the pressure from earlier had not fully faded.
"We must find him… and we must act," one of the elders finally said, his voice low and grave.
The Second Elder rubbed his chin slowly, his eyes dark with thought.
"That wave was terrifying," he said. "It felt as if my entire body was about to be crushed into dust. Yet some weaker cultivators didn't feel it at all." He paused, his tone turning sharp.
"That alone proves it. That man's power isn't just overwhelming—it's precise. His control over cosmic energy is flawless."
The Fifth Elder leaned back heavily against his throne, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to steady his breathing.
"I burned through an enormous amount of cosmic energy just to keep my bones from collapsing," he said hoarsely. "Another second… and I would have shattered."
Silence followed his words.
Each elder understood the same truth.
This was not a power meant to intimidate.
It was a warning.