"Mr. Chen, our vice dean has been expecting you." A young man, slightly plump yet exuding an indescribable sense of weight, greeted Chen Fei at the entrance.
Despite his youth, he carried an aura of profound steadiness, as if bearing an immense burden upon his shoulders.
"As expected of someone from Silvermoon Academy. His cultivation must be above mine." Chen Fei mused inwardly.
Upon entering the courtyard, Chen Fei met the man known as Elder Sun.
Sun Qianyi, the vice dean of Silvermoon Academy.
"Mr. Chen, I am very pleased you could come." Sun Qianyi, though his hair was white with age, radiated a vigorous energy. His kind smile was reminiscent of a benevolent elder.
"With an invitation from Senior Sun, I would not dare to delay," Chen Fei replied humbly.
"Mr. Chen, you are young and promising. Single-handedly suppressing the Qin family has made you quite famous. I imagine I am not the only one who sought you out last night."
Sun Qianyi got straight to the point.
"Since you are willing to meet me here, I consider it an honor. Now, I must ask—are you interested in joining Silvermoon Academy?"
This was precisely the matter mentioned in his letter.
"Senior Sun, I have long admired Silvermoon Academy. However, what I truly wish to understand is—what great change is about to occur in Yellow Mist City?" Chen Fei questioned.
He had no issue joining Silvermoon Academy, but he needed to know if they merely wanted him as a student or if they expected him to play a role in this looming upheaval.
Sun Qianyi chuckled. "Mr. Chen, you are quite meticulous. In truth, this matter is no longer much of a secret. Even if I do not tell you, you will learn of it soon enough."
"A month ago, a powerful Spirit Arts Master passed through this place and sensed that a secret realm is on the verge of emerging."
"I have come on behalf of Silvermoon Academy to vie for the opportunities and treasures within this realm."
"A secret realm?"
Chen Fei's expression changed slightly. Now, he finally understood why so many powerful figures had gathered in Yellow Mist City.
Secret realms held great fortune but were also perilous lands where opportunity and danger coexisted.
Clearly, Sun Qianyi knew more details, but since Chen Fei had not yet joined Silvermoon Academy, the vice dean had not revealed everything.
"Mr. Chen, if you are willing to become a specially recruited student of Silvermoon Academy, I can bring you into this secret realm."
"Furthermore, you may not know this, but Silvermoon Academy holds a prestigious status in the Great Qing Nation. If you accept the special enrollment, as long as you graduate successfully, you can become an official City Patrol Envoy—granted considerable authority."
"As for the secret realm, whether you gain any fortune will depend on your own abilities."
Sun Qianyi continued.
"Senior Sun, which other major forces are aware of this matter? And when will the secret realm open?" Chen Fei inquired.
"Those involved include the Qinghai Academy from Zhou Nation, Tianjiao Academy from Lu Nation, the Hunyuan Sect from Qin Ridge, and the Universal Trade Alliance. Additionally, many prominent families have sent their elders to escort their talented disciples here."
"As for the exact timing of the realm's emergence, that remains unknown."
"This competition will be intense!"
Chen Fei frowned. He hadn't expected so many major powers to take an interest.
"One cannot become a true powerhouse without being tempered by life-and-death struggles."
"What we can do is provide you with a fair environment for competition."
"Mr. Chen, are you willing to join Silvermoon Academy and compete with the top geniuses from other forces?"
Sun Qianyi smiled as he looked at Chen Fei.
"Thank you for your recognition, Senior Sun. Then, I shall accept this offer."
Chen Fei gladly agreed.
Clearly, gaining entry into the secret realm required approval from these major forces—without their consent, he would have no chance of entering.
"Chen Yang, on behalf of Silvermoon Academy, I welcome you." Sun Qianyi beamed with joy. As he spoke, he took out a bottle of pills, a spirit-grade martial art manual, a three-foot-nine-long sword, and two sets of Silvermoon Academy's signature robes.
The sight left Chen Fei stunned.
So many valuable items—clearly, they were not hidden in Sun Qianyi's clothing but stored within a storage pouch.
Storage pouches themselves were rare treasures, and those capable of using them were even more extraordinary. Only cultivators who had surpassed the Spirit Master Realm could wield them.
"These are some cultivation resources provided by the academy. If you perform well in the secret realm, you will receive even greater rewards."
"Silvermoon Academy never mistreats its students."
Sun Qianyi spoke solemnly.
"Thank you, Senior Sun."
Naturally, Chen Fei did not hold back and accepted everything without hesitation.
"Junior, you should address him as Dean Sun or Teacher Sun now." The plump young man beside them chuckled.
"Senior is right!" Chen Fei nodded and corrected himself.
"Student Chen Yang greets Dean Sun."
Now that he was officially a student of Silvermoon Academy, he had become part of the institution.
To further strengthen their bond, Sun Qianyi took Chen Fei and Lu Yijun to dine at Yellow Moon Tower.
Only then did Chen Fei learn that the plump young man, Lu Yijun—who carried an aura as if bearing a great mountain—was the grandson of Silvermoon Academy's headmaster.
Despite only recently turning eighteen, Lu Yijun was already a ninth-tier Grand Spirit Master, ranking among the top ten students of Silvermoon Academy.
He had accompanied Sun Qianyi to Yellow Mist City in hopes of using the secret realm's opportunities to break into the Spirit Lord Realm.
And the true reason Sun Qianyi had been so eager to recruit Chen Fei as a special student was to have him assist Lu Yijun in his breakthrough within the secret realm.
Chen Fei appreciated their honesty. He knew full well that nothing in this world came without a price.
"Dean Sun, Senior Lu, rest assured. When we enter the secret realm, I will do my best to help Senior Lu achieve his breakthrough." Chen Fei pledged.
"Junior, what level of Grand Spirit Master are you currently at?" Lu Yijun suddenly asked.
"Don't misunderstand—I ask only because we are now fellow disciples of the academy. I simply wish to better understand your strength so we can coordinate our actions in the realm."
Hearing this, Chen Fei felt a bit awkward.
At present, he was merely a third-tier Grand Spirit Master. However, possessing the Void Heaven Cauldron meant that as long as he had sufficient resources, his cultivation could advance effortlessly.
But this was not something he could reveal. Otherwise, he might attract greedy individuals—just like Qin Shuang—who would covet his cauldron and put his life in danger.
"Senior, let me keep it a mystery for now." Chen Fei replied with a smile. "Once we enter the secret realm, you will see that I am absolutely worth this investment."
Lu Yijun's expression shifted slightly, clearly displeased. He then glanced at Sun Qianyi.
"Since Brother Chen Yang prefers not to say, we won't force him." Sun Qianyi spoke, effectively ending the discussion.
What Chen Fei didn't know was that after they left Yellow Moon Tower, Lu Yijun brought up the matter once again.
"Grandfather, that Chen Yang—his background is unclear, yet we have given him such expensive pills and techniques. He didn't even reveal his cultivation level."
"Can we truly trust him?"