"Here we are. Don't worry, the exam hasn't started yet."
Xia Xing Yue led me toward the main gate of Ten Thousand Swords University. I glanced up at the grand entrance, which by itself was already the size of a small building. As expected of an imposing university, it had essentially claimed an entire mountain as its territory, constructing its campus buildings, halls and temples within the edifices of the mountain itself.
There were hundreds of students gathered, milling about. Xia Xing Yue drew most of the stares, particularly from the male students. It was only natural, given how beautiful she was. As we passed by the onlookers, I could hear them whispering.
"Isn't that Xia Xing Yue?"
"Yeah, it's said that she's the most beautiful girl in Xing Hao Island!"
"Amazing…I didn't think I would actually see her in the flesh."
"I heard that she's among the elite students in Ten Thousand Swords University and a core disciple of Frozen Cloud Sword Palace! We'll probably get to see her more often in future, as long as we perform well enough."
"Ten Thousand Swords University is the top university among the six on Xing Hao Island," Xia Xing Yue explained to me as we climbed the steps toward the gate. "We have preserved our rank at the top for several years now, having emerged the indisputable champions in the last few inter-university tournaments. With the current batch of students, it seems likely that we'll be able to defend our title again this year."
"Big brother will definitely be able to enter Ten Thousand Swords University!" Xia Xing Ling said excitedly, pumping her hands up and down. "We've witnessed your strength! You're so powerful! You can defeat three low-level Earth Realm cultivators on your own!"
"That was luck," I told her. Xia Xing Yue giggled.
"You're too humble. Anyway, it seems like we made it…just barely, though."
At her words, the massive gates of the Ten Thousand Swords Academy swung open automatically, revealing its interior. A single figure stood there, his silhouette tall and majestic.
"It's finally starting," I muttered nervously. Wow, Xia Ling Yue was correct. We were perfectly right on time.
"I am Ten Thousand Swords Academy's outer director, Cang Zhong." An old man who was mostly balding, but had long white hair that flowed down to his wait, stood at the top of the steps, dressed in traditional robes as opposed to a modern suit. I guess it was to fit the atmosphere. "Today we will only allow 20 students to enroll in the university."
What the hell?! There were hundreds of students here…maybe a thousand. And only twenty of us would be able to enroll in the university today?
"There are three levels to the entrance examinations. We'll slowly weed out the students until twenty remain. Don't worry. The final level of the entrance exam is an elimination-styled tournament where only the top twenty will be accepted."
"Any other requirements?" One candidate shouted.
"No," Cang Zhong replied with a shake of his head. "You just need to pass these three exams. That's all. Of course, there's always the other option."
He glanced at a temple inside the campus ground.
"Anyone who survives the Nine Heavenly Swords Formation Pavilion will be directly admitted and receive personal tutelage from the inner academy director himself."
Several people murmured amongst themselves, but Xia Xing Yue shook her head in disapproval.
"That's suicide," she warned me. "Over the last hundred years, not a single candidate who has entered the Nine Heavenly Swords Formation Pavilion has survived and left it alive. Director Cang knows this. Most people should know this as well."
Indeed, I could see everyone glancing at each other nervously, but not a single person dared to take a step toward the Nine Heavenly Swords Formation Pavilion.
"Only 20 students will be accepted?" Someone muttered. "Doesn't that mean 98% of the people here will be eliminated?"
"That's right," Cang Zhong replied with a smirk. "That's just how competitive Ten Thousand Swords Academy, the top university in Xing Hal Island, is. Are you scared?"
There was no answer, save a determined stare from the students gathered at the bottom.
"If there are no questions, we can begin." Director Cang nodded, his hands hidden beneath his robes as he looked down on us. "First level, climb up the mountain. Anyone who can't climb up the nine flight of stairs leading up into the mountain, will be instantly eliminated."
"Whoa? Just climb nine flight of stairs?" Xia Xing Ling asked incredulously. "This exam sounds too easy! How are they going to eliminate so many candidates with such ridiculously low requirements?"
"My dear little sister." Xia Ling Yue shook her head. "Don't be naïve. Of course it's not so easy. Mount Wan Jian is surrounded by a formation. For every step that you take forward, the pressure will increase exponentially. Even ordinary Heaven Realm practitioners might not be able to withstand the tremendous pressure to make it all the way to the top."
"Then…will brother be okay?" Xia Xing Ling looked at me worriedly.
"Even if not okay, I must still go," I replied. "I've already gotten this far, I can't turn back now."
"Your resolve is admirable." Xia Xing Yue smiled in approval. "Ling Er, let us go too. Since the gate is open, we can watch from the visitor's area. You want to cheer for Brother Cong, don't you?"
"That's right!"
When we stepped through the gates, I paused and looked around. Even though it wasn't visible to the naked eye, my Heavenly Flow and Earthly Paths could sense that something was amiss. My instincts were on full alert, my eyes cautiously sweeping over the courtyard. Then I caught sight of a field of swords.
Ten thousand swords. Fitting, given the name of this academy.
"Those swords," I murmured, detecting vast amounts of sharp qi emanating from the seemingly rusty and abandoned blades. Appearances could be deceiving. Despite their shabby look, those swords still felt extremely dangerous.
"Oh, you could even sense the Ten Thousand Sword Formation?" Xia Xing Yue looked very impressed. "That's right. This sword formation is our primary defensive spirit array. Any intruders who try and force their way into our academy will be instantly obliterated by this array. The ten thousand swords will attack all at once."
Her tone made it clear that she believed that only a fool would forcibly barge into Ten Thousand Swords Academy.
"They look…creepy." Xia Xing Ling clung to her sister nervously. She could also detect a strange feeling from the sword array, it seemed. "Almost like…there are ten thousand ghosts sleeping within their swords."
"…that might not be far from the truth." Xia Xing Yue shuddered. "I have heard rumors…very nasty rumors regarding this formation array. One particular story claims that the previous owners of these swords have their souls sealed into the blades, as a method to humiliate them through enslavement. Probably to scare off anyone stupid enough to intrude onto our academy grounds."
"Even ghosts would be afraid of such a formation, huh?" I joked. Xia Xing Yue nodded somberly.
"That's the kind of ruthless world we live in."
I sighed and proceeded past the sword formation, not wanting to spend too much time among it. My Heavenly Flow and Earthly Paths was making me uncomfortable in the swords' presence. I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.
"Ling Er, are you all right?"
I glanced back worriedly when I heard Xia Xing Yue's question. She was helping her sister up. For some reason, Xia Xing Ling's breathing had gotten labored. Even though normal people couldn't see what was wrong, I could see that the cold, frosty yin qi inside her body had gotten violent.
"What happened? Why is the frosty yin qi inside her body going out of control?"
"How do you know about that?" Xia Xing Yue glanced at me sharply. I raised a hand.
"My techniques allow me to detect qi."
"Oh, right. Your qi sense is pretty sharp. You detected the Ten Thousand Swords Array earlier, after all." Xia Xing Yue sighed. "I don't know, but Ling Er occasionally suffers from episodes of extreme chill. There will be times when the cold yin qi inside her body rampages and freezes everything around her."
"Huh? Why?"
"A side effect of practicing the Frozen Cloud Sword Palace Arts." Xia Xing Yue winced. "My foolish sister tried to learn a forbidden ice technique in our sect, and she is now paying the price for it."
"Sorry…" Xia Xing Ling forced a smile. "I'll be okay. It's just as the elders say. In order to obtain a great power, I must pay a tremendous price. Not only did I end up paying the price, I failed to obtain the great power as well. Now I am paying not just for my failure, but also for my complete lack of ability. But I will be fine…"
Xia Xing Yue shook her head. I could tell that Xia Xing Ling was not going to be fine.
"We've brought Ling Er to many doctors," she whispered. "None of them could cure her condition. Apparently we need special kinds of…spirit flames or essence flames. Or rare, special kinds of fiery yang herbs that cannot be obtained normally."
"I…don't need…"
"Her condition is gradually getting worse." Xia Xing Yue sounded frustrated. I nodded sympathetically. I remembered when Xia Xing Ling attempted to fight the trio of thugs earlier. She had tried to use an ice technique, only for the qi to rampage inside her body and cause her internal injuries instead. No doubt that was related to her current condition.
Was there anything I could do?
"Don't worry." Xia Xing Ling straightened up. From my qi sense, I could see that she had forcibly brought the cold qi inside her body under control. She smiled weakly. "This won't stop me from cheering for you, brother! Go ahead! The exam is starting!"
As if on cue, Cang Zhong spoke up.
"All the participants can begin climbing the nine flight of stairs. Anyone who manages to reach the top and stand in front of me is considered to have passed the exam!"
The old man was standing high up on the mountain, at the top of nine flights of stairs. The participants glanced at each other nervously, and then they began moving forward. A few of them yelled determinedly as they began sprinting up the first flight of stairs. I didn't get what their impatience was, but I guess they were trying to create momentum for themselves. Or maybe they mistook it as the first twenty to reach the top would pass. Whatever the case, they rushed forward eagerly and confidently.
As for me, I didn't join them because I believed that haste made waste. Watching them, I shook my head wryly. As I did so, Xia Xing Ling pushed me gently.
"Just go ahead, brother. I'll survive. I want to at least see you pass before I go to the infirmary."
"Understood." I swallowed and nodded. I turned to Xia Xing Yue. "Take care of your sister."
"Of course. I don't need you to tell me that." Xia Xing Yue folded her arms and glared at me. "You should worry more about yourself. Make sure you pass, or I'll never forgive you. I need to pay you back for saving Ling Er earlier, so once you get admitted into Ten Thousand Swords Academy, we'll find an opportunity to get together for a meal or something."
"Got it."
Taking a deep breath, I turned and moved toward the stairs. Right at the bottom, I could already see the varying densities of qi that had settled down on each step. The qi was thickest at the very top, predictably enough, almost like an ocean that would weigh down on whoever traveled that high.
Unlike everyone else, who was rushing up as if there was a need for speed, I decided to take my time and do things methodically. Stepping onto the first step, I glided up the stairs by following the most stable currents of qi. It was like swimming in a river. As long as I could track which was the best and most comfortable current, I should be able to mitigate most of the pressure.
That was the theory anyway. But in reality…I wasn't sure what was going to happen.