The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine as the sun crested over the distant mountains. Zhen Kai stood at the edge of the village, a small bag slung over his shoulder, his twin daggers strapped securely at his waist. Today was the day.
He turned back for a moment, his gaze lingering on the place he had called home for the past sixteen years. The simple wooden houses, the quiet training grounds, the old tree where he used to nap—it all felt smaller now, as if the village belonged to a world he was about to leave behind.
Zhou Xian, his father, stood beside him, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held the weight of unspoken words.
"You remember everything I taught you?" Zhou Xian asked.
Zhen Kai nodded. "Yes."
"Good." Zhou Xian exhaled. "Then go. Don't waste time looking back."
No grand farewell, no unnecessary sentimentality. That was just the kind of man his father was. Zhen Kai smiled slightly. "I'll make you proud."
His father snorted. "I already am. Now get moving before I change my mind and make you spar for another five hours."
Zhen Kai chuckled before turning toward the dirt road ahead. Without another word, he stepped forward, leaving the village behind.
The Road to Azure Sky Academy
The journey was long, but uneventful. Zhen Kai walked for three days, passing through forests, crossing rivers, and following the winding path toward the city of Tianlong, where the academy was located.
Along the way, he encountered small villages and wandering merchants. He watched as warriors sparred in open fields, their weapons dancing with precision. He saw cultivators meditating beneath waterfalls, refining their techniques.
The world was vast.
And he was only at the beginning.
On the evening of the third day, the towering walls of Tianlong City came into view. Unlike his small village, this place was bustling with life. Merchants shouted their wares, warriors strode confidently in their armor, and carriages rumbled down the cobblestone streets.
As he walked through the massive city gates, he felt an overwhelming sense of insignificance. Here, he was just another face in the crowd.
But he wouldn't stay that way for long.
Azure Sky Academy
Azure Sky Academy was located on the northern side of Tianlong City, nestled against a mountain range. It was a grand institution where the children of nobles, sect disciples, and talented commoners came to learn the ways of cultivation.
Zhen Kai approached the massive gates, where several other young cultivators had gathered. Some were dressed in extravagant robes, their weapons gleaming with intricate engravings. Others, like him, carried nothing but their determination.
A bored-looking instructor stood at the entrance, glancing over a scroll. "New applicants, huh? Name."
"Zhen Kai," he answered.
The instructor gave him a once-over. "Background?"
"I'm from Greenleaf Village."
The man arched a brow but said nothing, simply scribbling something on his scroll. "Follow the others."
Zhen Kai stepped inside, joining a group of recruits. Some whispered among themselves, sizing up their competition. He ignored them and focused on his surroundings.
The academy was massive, with towering pagodas, vast training fields, and meditation halls. Statues of legendary warriors lined the walkways, their gazes cold and eternal.
This is where I will grow.
The First Trial
The recruits were led into a large stone hall. An elderly man in flowing azure robes stood before them, his presence alone radiating authority. His voice, though soft, carried across the hall effortlessly.
"I am Elder Jian, and I welcome you to Azure Sky Academy. However, entry is not given freely. Strength must be proven. Talent must be tested."
A murmur spread through the recruits.
Elder Jian continued, "You will face a trial. Those who pass will earn their place. Those who fail…" His gaze swept over them. "Will leave."
The tension in the room thickened.
Zhen Kai's heart pounded.
This was it—the first true step toward his future.
End of Chapter 3