Xia Feng Academy, a national institution of higher learning, occupied a vast area. Built against a mountain, it even extended beyond the royal capital, covering a staggering expanse of nearly a hundred square miles.
Within the academy stood numerous tall, solemn buildings amidst lush green woods, shimmering lakes, and verdant mountains and waters. Everything appeared so beautiful, refreshing the mind and spirit.
Along the way, one could see massive training grounds where dozens or even hundreds of students practiced fist techniques and cultivated various powerful martial skills under the guidance of experienced instructors.
In the mountain forests, waterfalls cascaded down with a roar, shrouded in mist and clouds. Occasionally, students with exceptional cultivation levels could be seen meditating and training beneath the waterfalls, using the torrents to temper their bodies.
On the various martial arts arenas, many students engaged in sparring and practice, their blades and swords flashing as they exchanged martial techniques, learning from one another.
All of this showcased the vibrant vitality of Xia Feng Academy, where numerous students diligently cultivated, striving to grow stronger and become future pillars of the kingdom.
Ye Chen strolled leisurely along the broad avenue, nodding slightly as he observed these training grounds. After all, Xia Feng Academy was a prestigious institution supported by a great dynasty. Through a thousand years of continuous refinement and improvement, it had gradually perfected a systematic cultivation methodology, far more comprehensive than local clans like the Ye family and more conducive to nurturing true powerhouses.
Two years had passed, yet this royal academy remained unchanged.
"Young brother, I see you seem quite contemplative. You must rarely return to the academy," said the Thirteenth Prince, who was walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Ye Chen.
Due to the Thirteenth Prince's presence, countless astonished gazes from students fell upon the pair along the way.
Although the Thirteenth Prince was still a member of Xia Feng Academy, his astonishing cultivation talent displayed since childhood—his potential to achieve Xiantian by age twenty-six—had earned him great expectations and attention from the royal family. He enjoyed considerable cultivation resources within the royal palace.
It could be said that compared to the academy, the royal palace could provide a far more favorable cultivation environment. Entering Xia Feng Academy was merely a royal rule: every member of the royal bloodline must study there. This was a regulation left by their ancestors, one that all descendants must abide by.
Thus, under normal circumstances, the Thirteenth Prince rarely appeared at the academy. Whenever he did, he became the center of attention.
This time, however, compared to the Thirteenth Prince's appearance, the crowd was more intrigued by the mysterious youth beside him.
When everyone saw the Thirteenth Prince actively walking alongside an unfamiliar youth—and doing so as equals, shoulder-to-shoulder—they were utterly astonished. They couldn't help but take a few more glances, wondering who this youth was to earn such regard and equal treatment from the Thirteenth Prince, a truly rare sight.
After all, given the Thirteenth Prince's status and position, few among his peers could make him act this way.
Unfortunately, although the youth's face was not concealed, no one recognized Ye Chen along the way. A few found him somewhat familiar, as if they had seen him somewhere before, but from start to finish, no one recalled who he actually was.
Facing the crowd's curious and doubtful gazes, Ye Chen remained composed and unperturbed, answering the Thirteenth Prince's question: "Actually, you're right. I rarely return to Xia Feng Academy. Or to be more precise, this is my first time back in two years."
The Thirteenth Prince couldn't help but give Ye Chen another look, quite surprised. To return to the academy only after a two-year absence—where had he been all this time?
This piqued his curiosity, leading him to subconsciously wonder if these two missing years were the experiences that had allowed Ye Chen to grow to this level.
Naturally, he was tactful enough not to ask. Having been born into the royal family, he was far more mature and thoughtful than ordinary people, understanding that these were the other's secrets. Asking rashly would only breed resentment.
As they strolled through the academy, the Thirteenth Prince chatted with Ye Chen. True to his reputation for talent and eloquence, he often found suitable topics for conversation that were engaging without being annoying, adding a touch of brightness to the otherwise dull atmosphere and earning him considerable goodwill from Ye Chen.
Finally, the two came to a stop. Not far ahead stood a pitch-black stone pagoda. Though it had only nine levels, it towered imposingly, reaching a height of a hundred meters, situated within the inner grounds of Xia Feng Academy.
Upon seeing this black stone pagoda, a ripple finally appeared in Ye Chen's usually calm and profound eyes.
Gravity Pagoda!
That was the name of the pitch-black stone pagoda. As the name implied, the Gravity Pagoda was an ancient cultivation tower imbued with gravitational force.
It must be said that the origins of this Gravity Pagoda were not simple. It was not built by Xia Feng Academy, as creating a cultivation space with gravitational force was extremely difficult, beyond the capabilities of ordinary people. Unless one's cultivation reached an exceedingly high level, possessed profound insights into the Dao of Heaven and Earth, or had considerable attainments in the art of formations, it would be impossible to construct.
Rumor had it that Xia Feng Academy's Gravity Pagoda was an ancient divine artifact obtained by a supreme ancestor of Xia Feng Kingdom during his travels across the continent, found in a mysterious divine site. He brought it back, thus giving Xia Feng Academy its Gravity Pagoda.
One of Ye Chen's main purposes in coming to Xia Feng Academy this time was precisely this Gravity Pagoda.
As a body cultivator, he understood better than anyone that training under multiplied gravity could greatly accelerate the progress of body cultivation, speeding up the practice of his two major body cultivation techniques. This was an advantage unmatched by any other place.
Under multiplied gravity, every part of the body—limbs, bones, and organs—would bear the gravitational force, subjected to immense pressure.
Although cultivation under such conditions was arduous, causing blood circulation to stagnate and even the flow of internal energy and True Yuan to become as slow as a turtle's crawl, persisting through it would undoubtedly make cultivation achieve twice the result with half the effort, tempering flesh and blood and making them increasingly powerful.
This was the true advantage of gravity. However, the prerequisite was being able to withstand the powerful gravitational force. Otherwise, the advantage could turn into a fatal threat. In history, there had been students who, unable to endure the gravity while cultivating in the Gravity Pagoda, died with blood flowing from all seven orifices.
The Thirteenth Prince said, "Young brother, do you intend to enter this Gravity Pagoda for cultivation immediately?"
Ye Chen replied, "Indeed."
As long as he entered the Gravity Pagoda to cultivate, he could accelerate his progress. Ye Chen naturally would not pass up such an opportunity.
Moreover, for him, there was nowhere in Xia Feng Academy worth idling about. Rather than wasting time, it was better to spend it on cultivation, striving to grow stronger sooner and restore himself to his former peak state.
Right there, the Thirteenth Prince chose to part ways with Ye Chen. He, too, had other important matters to attend to upon returning to the academy, not solely for cultivation.
Ye Chen arrived at the first level of the Gravity Pagoda, where there was a reception desk. Anyone wishing to cultivate in the Gravity Pagoda needed to register here to obtain permission to enter the tower.
The registration process was simple: just hand over the student token to the specialized personnel at the reception desk for recording.
"Ye Chen, twenty-six years old, Yellow Rank Academy..."
The registration personnel glanced at Ye Chen a few extra times upon hearing the name. After all, two years ago, this name had once shaken several great kingdoms and become renowned throughout the land.
"Students of the Yellow Rank Academy can choose cultivation rooms on the first three levels. However, don't overdo it to avoid bodily harm. Half a day at a time is best," the registration personnel kindly reminded Ye Chen of some precautions, advising him not to rush.
Ye Chen smiled and nodded. Since it was well-intentioned advice, he naturally wouldn't respond with a cold face.
Not long after Ye Chen entered the Gravity Pagoda, the Thirteenth Prince arrived. Seeing only the registration personnel in the empty reception area, he shook his head somewhat disappointedly. "Still a step too late."
Upon seeing the Thirteenth Prince, the registration personnel was startled but quickly bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness."
The Thirteenth Prince's eyes suddenly lit up. "I ask you, did a youth enter the Gravity Pagoda just now? About sixteen or seventeen years old."
Though puzzled, the registration personnel honestly nodded. "Replying to Your Highness, indeed, a youth entered the Gravity Pagoda for cultivation."
"Do you know his name?" The Thirteenth Prince had come specifically for this purpose. After all, without knowing the name, finding the other would be very difficult.
The registration personnel said, "Yes, his name is Ye Chen."
"Ye Chen!?" The Thirteenth Prince's eyes widened in utter astonishment.