After causing the whole crowd to fall into chaos like chickens flying and dogs jumping, Luo Tian Qiu and Luo Wu Chang leisurely stepped into the courtyard.
Just past the gate, a stretch of pink flooded into their sight. Peach blossoms were in full bloom, pink petals scattered all over the yard, faintly carrying a soft spring fragrance.
That scene was completely opposite to the old maple forest blazing red outside.
Under the peach trees, Luo family disciples gathered into groups, people coming and going. The common point was that everyone was chatting animatedly, reuniting after a short holiday.
As soon as he saw the peach blossoms, Luo Tian Qiu's memories were gradually stirred.
It had been a very long time since he had celebrated the new year with a peach tree in the courtyard, it had been a very long time since he had spoken with anyone.
For a short period of time he had celebrated the new year with family affection, for a short period of time there had been no peach tree in the courtyard.
He was slightly absent-minded amid the drifting blossoms: "Where is this? Who am I? Why am I here? I seem to have forgotten many things."
"Everything is truly strange. Everything is so vague… what exactly have I forgotten? What once existed in my subconscious?"
Tian Qiu's mood sank deeply, raising his hand to catch each falling petal. As if wanting to grasp the answer. "What made me sorrowful… something very frightening… something painfully hard to put into words."
"I wonder what I am? What do I live for… can a vague purpose help me exist… or will it fade together with memory over time?"
Tian Qiu blinked lightly, withdrawing his emotions. He quickly walked to the base of the tree, his gaze swept around once then pointed at a petal that had just fallen, saying to Luo Wu Chang: "Chang Chang, come here."
Pausing for a moment, seeing the youth looking at him blankly, Tian Qiu calmly said: "These petals can all be used as materials for making talismans, help me pick some."
"Alright, wait a moment, I'll come right away!" Wu Chang replied.
The two had not yet bent down to pick them up when a bell rang. The sound was urgent, echoing throughout the courtyard.
All the disciples paused slightly. Then came the voice of the academy elder, aged yet vigorous, like a bell striking into people's hearts.
"All Luo family disciples pay attention."
As soon as the voice ended, the courtyard immediately became more than half quiet.
"You have just gone through memorable new year days, some have also gained not bad insights. And you have stepped into the age of fourteen, the appropriate age for cultivation."
"If we keep the classes as they are, it will be unfair to those who have been diligent during this time. And the lazy ones will receive no consequences."
"How about this, we will organize a melee battle. Each person will have three chances, whoever is defeated three times will be eliminated, and whoever defeats others will receive accumulated points equal to the number of defeats."
The elder paused for a beat, then continued. His voice grew louder and louder, carrying a trace of unnamed passion.
"You have also heard from the previous batch, the age of fourteen is the greatest turning point in each of your lives."
"And accumulated points can be regarded as starting capital, to determine whether the next journey will be smooth or not. Therefore… all of you must give your utmost effort."
"You also need not worry about the matter of accumulated points. All teachers will rely on magic artifacts to monitor, and evaluate each person."
Whispers immediately appeared in the courtyard.
"If performance is outstanding. You, sixty nine disciples may receive additional accumulated points from the teachers."
This time the elder paused for a long time before slowly speaking. But clearly the sound was directed more toward Tian Qiu.
"Of course… each person's accumulated points are fixed. They can increase through good performance in classes. And cannot be taken from others."
"If someone is severely injured, life in danger. Even if not yet defeated three times, it will still be counted as that person being eliminated."
These two sentences were only to speak specifically to Luo Tian Qiu. This youth frequently bullied classmates, blocked roads to rob spirit stones.
Time and again in assessments he acted without knowing restraint. He even caused one student to nearly be at death's door, only now able to return to school.
As soon as the words ended, all disciples in the clan began to stir. Everyone was like a disturbed beehive, running from place to place.
Naturally to form teams. The strength of one person has limits, adding one more person adds one more portion of strength.
During this time, the disciples had become acquainted, studied and interacted with each other. More or less they had some familiarity, even forming small groups in class.
Based on the speed of forming groups, one could see each person's relationships.
Some had deep interactions, with just a little effort they formed their own group, becoming the team leader.
Some were lonely and solitary, not even having a single friend, so it would be harder to form a team.
As time passed, the disciples gathered into many small groups, some who were still looking for members were invited in.
In the end, only four people had not formed a group. Luo Tian Qiu, Luo Wu Chang, Ye Fan and Ye Ling Long.
Standing under the peach tree, Tian Qiu only crossed his arms and smiled lightly, his back leaning against the trunk. His voice carried a few parts casual: "You are not planning to form a group?"
"No. I think relying on myself I can also enter the intermediate class." Wu Chang scratched his face, smiling awkwardly.
Actually Wu Chang did not want to form a team. He wanted to challenge himself, create obstacles for himself to become stronger and more mature.
Some would say he was arrogant. But looking carefully, they would see how much effort this person put in.
Not lazy, only focused on what he was doing. If possible then devote all his heart to it.
The more people thought he was arrogant, the more clearly they saw him. At times they even felt this person was not bad at all, on the contrary very adorable.
If he wanted to form a group, the whole school would have long fought over him. His reputation among peers was truly great.
He had no strength, yet brought to those beside him an inexplicable warmth and peace of mind.
Tian Qiu raised his brows: "Is that so? I suppose you do not need talismans drawn by me."
He took out a stack of talismans of various colors, spreading them out like a small fan.
Green was Explosive Sword talisman, purple was Thunder Arrow talisman, red was Fire Explosion talisman, yellow was Divine Movement talisman.
Luo Wu Chang hurriedly accepted all the talismans, grinning: "If it is elder brother's intention. Then I will accept."
"I thought you would refuse."
"I am kind indeed, but not the type to refuse benefits. You can call me a petty person."
"Alright then. Petty person Luo Wu Chang. You are a great petty person."
Suddenly, Luo Tian Qiu grasped Wu Chang's wrist, revealing a white bracelet identical to his own.
He pressed the white gem on the bracelet, with a "click" sound, the bracelet separated.
Luo Wu Chang panicked: "Brother Qiu, what are you doing? If you take my spirit measuring artifact, what will I use to fight? I cannot even use talismans!"
The spirit measuring artifact had the shape of a small bracelet, its surface smooth like jade. Depending on the grade it had different colors.
On the bracelet were inlaid three gems of three different colors, respectively black green white.
Spirit measuring artifact, a magic artifact that consumed the three treasures of a mortal, helping them control spiritual energy. The amount of spiritual energy that could be stored in it could compare with the spiritual energy in the body of an Entering Dao realm cultivator.
Luo Tian Qiu slightly frowned. From the moment he stepped into the courtyard, his temperament had completely changed, no longer the usual careless appearance.
Instead he became a difficult young master, frowning at the slightest thing, his voice low and cold, his face like ice, his eyes calm and deep like an autumn lake.
"What are you panicking for? Moreover, your spirit measuring artifact is only mid grade. The limit of spiritual energy is only comparable to a mid stage Entering Dao cultivator, using it too much will harm the body. Each time you activate a talisman you pause for several beats."
"The spirit measuring artifact is indeed convenient. It can help mortals refine pills, make talismans, forge artifacts, making human life better. In the end, if the spirit measuring artifact is not supreme grade, then what you are wearing is only scrap."
After speaking, he removed his own spirit measuring artifact and handed it to Luo Wu Chang: "Whether you live or not is up to you. I have done my best."
"Yours is at least high grade. Are you really willing to lend it to me?"
Luo Wu Chang was moved. Tian Qiu only coldly said: "If you want it then take it."
At this moment Luo Yun Ge was sitting on a stone chair, legs crossed, holding a scroll in his hand, that was his magic artifact, his gaze sweeping over those around.
This magic artifact was named Three Pure Ancient Words, belonging to the support type. Inside were hidden three kinds of poems, corresponding to three different support effects.
All of them took out a pill from their storage pouch, it was Qi Gathering pill.
Spiritual power from the air unconsciously had direction, moving into their bodies, then moving toward each person's wrist. Light from the black gem on the spirit measuring artifact began to flicker.
The spirit measuring artifact flickered for a segment. This was the limit that a mid grade spirit measuring artifact could endure.
Those who had just taken pills were those who had forgotten to replenish spiritual energy into the spirit measuring artifact.
Those without pills were also consuming their three treasures to begin restoring spiritual energy for their magic artifact. But their essence energy spirit in their bodies was consumed more than those who used pills.
All of them were lining up. The people here were all outstanding types, especially familiar with Luo Yun Ge.
Each person stepped forward for him to check the spirit measuring artifact, and assign the role each person would undertake.
A female disciple stepped forward, his hand touched the other party's wrist: "Spirit measuring artifact has sufficient spiritual energy, the body has no hidden injuries, essence energy spirit stable. Then you will hold the rear role, responsible for arranging the spirit gathering formation."
Checking each person, though this action seemed slow yet was unbelievably fast.
Each person was very rhythmic, when one left another stepped up very systematically. It seemed as if practiced countless times.
Yun Ge slightly frowned, his voice emotionless. As if pronouncing fate for an object.
"Spirit measuring artifact has sufficient spiritual energy, but the body is full of hidden injuries due to frequently using the three treasures to restore the magic artifact."
"Eliminated."
Yun Ge sneered, his gaze sharp like a blade.
"You should find another group."