The Heavenly Dao Academy truly lived up to its reputation as one of the strongest powers in the Beihuang Domain, occupying an immeasurably vast expanse of mountain ranges.
Once inside, undulating peaks towered all around, with ancient trees everywhere, the fragrance of medicinal herbs wafting through the air, and various spiritual birds and auspicious beasts roaming about.
Tang Bo was a master of the Primordial Soul Realm and moved with astonishing speed. Guiding Ye Yunfei and Da Di Daozhang, they flitted through the Heavenly Dao Academy like fleeting shadows.
"This area is the territory of our Third Hall," Tang Bo announced after a short while, pointing ahead.
Spread across a stretch of rolling hills were numerous pavilions, towers, and buildings, dotted along the mountainsides.
"You'll stay here for the time being," said Tang Bo, leading Ye Yunfei and Da Di Daozhang as they landed on a low hill.
On the hill stood three or five thatched huts, along with a bamboo grove, medicinal herb plots, and several ancient trees. It was simple, but its virtue lay in its peace and quiet.
"These are your tokens.
Students in each hall are divided into three ranks: Junior Student, Intermediate Student, and Senior Student.
The privileges enjoyed by students of each rank differ. You'll come to understand these details gradually." With a wave of his hand, two silver tokens flew from Tang Bo's sleeve, landing before Ye Yunfei and Da Di Daozhang.
"Which rank do Elite Students belong to?" Ye Yunfei suddenly asked.
"Elite Students are the finest talents selected from among the Senior Students of all four halls.
Elite Students no longer belong to a specific hall. They are the Academy's core students, receiving key cultivation resources," Tang Bo replied.
"How can one become an Elite Student the fastest?" Ye Yunfei pressed.
Only Elite Students of the Heavenly Dao Academy were qualified to enter the Divine Fall Land, so Ye Yunfei was particularly concerned about this.
"Become an Elite Student? Su Ye, your ambition is grand. I didn't misjudge you.
Indeed, with your exceptional talent, you would never be content to remain subordinate to others, merely serving as a Junior Student.
There are two methods for a student to ascend in rank.
The first method: Every three years, each hall holds an examination for rank advancement. Passing it allows for promotion.
The second method: Utilize Contribution Points.
Within the Academy, by completing various tasks, one receives corresponding Contribution Points.
A Junior Student who accumulates five thousand Contribution Points can directly apply for the Intermediate Student assessment.
A Intermediate Student who accumulates fifty thousand Contribution Points can directly apply for the Senior Student assessment.
After becoming a Senior Student, one becomes eligible to participate in the Academy Grand Competition held every year. Each of the four halls sends out its outstanding students to compete.
Those who perform exceptionally in the Academy Grand Competition can become Elite Students!" Tang Bo explained.
"Su Ye, with your talent, I believe you can become a Senior Student within five or six years at most.
And within ten years, you will undoubtedly become an Elite Student.
The Elite Students of our Heavenly Dao Academy are absolutely among the top talents of the younger generation in the entire Beihuang Domain.
Work hard!" Tang Bo said in an encouraging tone.
"Within ten years?" Ye Yunfei gave a faint smile.
Ye Yunfei had absolutely no intention of staying in the Heavenly Dao Academy for ten years.
"When is the Academy Grand Competition held this year?" Ye Yunfei suddenly asked.
"This year's Grand Competition? It will be held in three months.
However, Su Ye, you shouldn't concern yourself with this year's competition.
Only Senior Students are qualified to participate.
Your first goal should be to become a Intermediate Student within three years.
Alright, all the various regulations and points of attention for our Academy are recorded within your identity tokens. If you're unclear about anything, take your time reading them.
This is a communication jade slip I crafted myself. If you wish to find me, you can send me a message at any time.
Now, I must take my leave." After speaking, Tang Bo's figure soared into the air and vanished in an instant.
"We must become Senior Students within three months, then participate in the Academy Grand Competition to become Elite Students," Ye Yunfei said to Da Di Daozhang.
"I knew you'd have such a plan.
But it's far too difficult," Da Di Daozhang said with a bitter laugh.
"Difficult or not, we have to try.
Starting tomorrow, we'll accept a large number of tasks to quickly accumulate five thousand Contribution Points, then take the assessment to become Intermediate Students. After that, we'll quickly amass fifty thousand Contribution Points and take the assessment to become Senior Students.
I will impart you a cultivation technique and several martial skills. Over these three months, you must train night and day to improve your combat power," Ye Yunfei said after a moment's thought.
"Alright!
I'll do whatever you say.
You, my friend, can create miracles out of anything. I believe in you!" Da Di Daozhang nodded.
"Then let's rest properly first. We'll start accepting tasks tomorrow." Ye Yunfei nodded as well, then entered one of the thatched huts, sitting cross-legged to meditate and recuperate.
Da Di Daozhang also selected a hut to rest.
At the same time.
Tianzhou, Liu Family headquarters.
"You damned little thief Su Ye! You dare to kill even Liu Zhihao's daughter!"
A tall, imposing middle-aged man slapped the tea table beside him, pulverizing it into dust.
That tea table was crafted from five-hundred-year-old Cold Ironwood, exceptionally hard, yet it was reduced to a cloud of fine powder by a single palm!
This man was Liu Zhihao, the Patriarch of the Tianzhou Liu Family, a celebrated figure throughout the Beihuang Domain.
"Elder Ruan, I want that little thief Su Ye dead! No matter the cost!" Liu Zhihao said through clenched teeth.
As he spoke, he flicked his fingers, and a spatial ring flew out, landing before a gray-robed elder.
This gray-robed elder was precisely Ruan Shiguang.
It had been before his very eyes that Ye Yunfei killed Liu Fei.
Ruan Shiguang accepted the spatial ring, a pleased expression flitting across his face.
Contained within the spatial ring was a payment that greatly satisfied him.
"Patriarch Liu, rest assured, I will definitely find a way to eliminate Su Ye.
In fact, I have already made arrangements. Once Su Ye enters the Heavenly Dao Academy, he shouldn't expect to have an easy time," Ruan Shiguang affirmed with a nod.
Simultaneously.
Heavenly Dao City.
In a certain mansion, within a main hall.
"Elder Cen, I have completed my preparations.
Over these years, we have covertly planted a large number of agents within the Heavenly Dao Academy. They will prove useful very soon.
I am confident I can capture or kill Ye Yunfei," a middle-aged man reported to an old man.
"Hmm, good.
Remember, the Veiling Heaven Cover is definitely on Ye Yunfei.
The Veiling Heaven Cover is a treasured artifact of the Tianji Sect. The Aoyue Demon King personally stepped forward to borrow it from the sect's higher-ups.
Because of this treasure, the Aoyue Demon King's relations with the Tianji Sect higher-ups have already grown somewhat strained.
Therefore, we must retrieve the Veiling Heaven Cover!
When the time comes, the Aoyue Demon King is sure to reward us handsomely!" the old man said.
"I understand," the middle-aged man nodded.
At that moment.
Ye Yunfei was inside the thatched hut, sitting cross-legged in meditation.
Suddenly.
"What do you think you're doing!"
An angry shout rang out—it was Da Di Daozhang's voice.
Ye Yunfei's Soul Power swept out to perceive the area and discovered over a dozen students surrounding Da Di Daozhang's hut, their expressions arrogant.