A day later.
Several figures suddenly appeared in the sky above Lanshi City.
One elder and three middle-aged men.
The elder was enveloped in a layer of immortal light, his appearance dignified and majestic. The aura emanating from him caused the entire Lanshi City to tremble slightly.
He was a Yuan Foundation Realm expert!
The three middle-aged men beside him all had sharp, piercing auras—they were True Manifestation Realm experts.
Two of the men were precisely the guardian Elders Ye Yunfei had seen before.
"All you young people who have come to Lanshi City," the elder hovering high in the sky began to speak.
His voice was like thunder descending from heaven, rumbling with extraordinary loudness.
Immediately, everyone in Lanshi City heard it.
Young martial artists appeared one after another, looking up at the four figures in the high sky.
"All you young geniuses, coming here signifies your intention to join our Hudao Academy.
However, to join our Hudao Academy, you must pass an assessment.
Only those who pass the assessment may become students of our Hudao Academy," the elder proclaimed.
Every word he uttered echoed like a drumbeat, booming through the heavens and the earth, deafening to the ears.
"Additionally, the location for this assessment is within an ancient battlefield in the Eastern Region," the elder announced clearly.
"What? The assessment location is actually in an ancient battlefield!"
"I thought it would be right here in Lanshi City!"
...
Upon hearing the elder's words, many young martial artists exclaimed in surprise and began discussing.
"However, there's one point I must remind you all of beforehand: the assessment process is extremely cruel and fraught with peril, where injuries and deaths are commonplace.
The death rate could exceed fifty percent.
Therefore, it's best if you all think it over carefully before deciding whether or not to participate," the elder stated.
Hiss!
Hearing that the death rate could exceed fifty percent, most young martial artists inhaled sharply, their courage trembling and hearts shaking.
Originally, every young martial artist had arrived at Lanshi City filled with lofty ambitions.
But now, the elder's words poured cold water over everyone's heads.
"Forget it, I won't be participating.
While joining Hudao Academy might be akin to a carp leaping through the Dragon's Gate and bringing honor to one's ancestors, if you lose your life, there will be nothing left at all."
On the spot, many young martial artists started having second thoughts and wanted to withdraw.
"We martial artists tread the path of cultivation to vie for our fate with the heavens, to defy heaven and change our destinies. What we prize most is a resolve that charges forward without looking back and a heart that knows no fear.
A little danger like this is nothing!
It only serves to temper our will!"
Another portion of young martial artists possessed unshakable willpower, entirely unaffected by the elder's words. Instead, their fighting spirit grew even more vigorous.
"Alright, I shall say no more.
Now, young geniuses wishing to participate in the assessment, please come forward.
We are about to depart."
After saying this, the elder waved his hand, and a massive battleship appeared in the sky above Lanshi City.
"Young geniuses intending to take part in the assessment, please board the battleship!" a middle-aged man beside the elder called out.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As soon as the middle-aged man's words fell, numerous young martial artists soared into the air one after another, entering the battleship.
Ye Yunfei mingled among the crowd, stepping upward to board the battleship.
The interior of the battleship seemed to form a space of its own, extremely spacious. Accommodating tens of thousands of people wouldn't be a problem.
Ye Yunfei casually found a spot, sat down cross-legged, and closed his eyes to rest his spirit.
"Brother Ye Yunfei, you actually came for the assessment too!"
A joyful voice rang out.
Ye Yunfei opened his eyes to see a plump youth wearing a cheerful smile sidling up. It was Wu Heishan.
"Aren't you afraid the major sects and clans of the Eastern Region will give you trouble, for getting this close to me?"
Ye Yunfei glanced at Wu Heishan and said nonchalantly.
"Pfft, what's there to fear?
When I, Wu Heishan, make friends, I only care if we connect; I never fear trouble.
Besides, I've never liked those major sects and clans of the Eastern Region anyway.
They guard themselves against me like I'm some menace, even warning their young female disciples not to associate with me. It's downright infuriating," Wu Heishan grumbled discontentedly.
"Right, brother, I'm really curious: what exactly is your relationship with Su Qingluo?
Su Qingluo hails from the Su Family in Central Continent. Her background is frighteningly immense.
She's icy towards everyone else, yet gentle and amiable only with you.
Brother, I admire you to the utmost!
Any experience or tips you could pass on to me?" Wu Heishan asked, his face full of anticipation.
"No."
"Alright, I get it. You plan to keep it to yourself.
Not very generous at all," Wu Heishan said with a pout.
At that moment,
suddenly, Ye Yunfei felt a stirring in his heart. He took out a Message Jade Slip.
There was a voice message inside, sent by Su Qingluo.
Its content was as follows:
"Ye Yunfei, Elders from my family have come to take me back to Central Continent.
Since I belong to the Central Continent, I must return there to take the assessment.
You must study hard and strive to join Hudao Academy.
We'll meet at Hudao Academy!"
After listening, Ye Yunfei put away the jade slip, feeling a sense of loss.
It seemed the enrollment assessment for Hudao Academy was being held in both the Eastern Region and the Central Continent this time.
A moment later,
A total of over three thousand young martial artists had entered the battleship.
Many practitioners had been scared off by what the elder had just said.
"Good, everyone, we are now preparing to depart for the ancient battlefield."
Finally, the elder and the three middle-aged men boarded the battleship.
Hum...
The battleship trembled lightly, transforming into a stream of light that sped towards the distance, vanishing beyond the horizon in moments.
On the battleship, Ye Yunfei sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, resting his spirit.
Wu Heishan tried several times to strike up a conversation, but Ye Yunfei completely ignored him. Wu Heishan had no choice but to sit in silent meditation, just like Ye Yunfei.
"So, you are Ye Yunfei!"
Suddenly, a stern shout echoed, and a terrifying surge of energy pressure, like a raging tide, pressed down toward Ye Yunfei.
"Hmm?"
Ye Yunfei opened his eyes.
He saw a man wearing a pale-yellow robe standing not far in front of him. His forehead was broad and full, his brow bones prominent, and his gaze directed at Ye Yunfei was icy and cold.
"Lü Tianyou!
Brother, be careful! He is a leading figure among the younger generation of the Heavenly Emperor Sacred Land.
He's a personal disciple of the Heavenly Emperor Sacred Sovereign.
Moreover, he's killed many True Manifestation Realm experts.
I hear he's been in closed-door cultivation all these years. I didn't expect he would also come to participate in Hudao Academy's enrollment assessment this time."
As soon as Wu Heishan saw the yellow-robed man, his expression changed. He whispered cautiously to Ye Yunfei.
"Ye Yunfei, were you the one who severed my Junior Brother Shangguan Feng's arms?"
Lü Tianyou fixed a scrutinizing gaze on Ye Yunfei, asking the question word by word.
"Indeed."
"How dare you!
To dare injure a disciple of my Heavenly Emperor Sacred Land is a capital offense!
Do you know your crime!" Lü Tianyou berated.
"A mere ant. I only severed his arms, sparing his life. That is an act of exceptional leniency."
Ye Yunfei flicked his fingers lightly and replied coolly.