When I received my Gao Kao results, I wasn't surprised to see that I had scored decently enough to enter most universities, even the top ones (though I probably rank near the bottom if I forced my way in there).
However, I had made my decision, and after receiving my Kao Gao results, I found myself in a car sent by the Na Lan family. Of course, there was a huge process, which involved me packing up my luggage, informing my parents (and getting their approval), and all the other necessary matters that came with leaving for university, but we could skip all that boring stuff and get straight to the once-in-a-lifetime journey.
"You can't get to Xing Hao Island by normal means," the driver explained to me. "We can only get there through special methods."
"What sort of methods?"
"You'll see."
The next thing I knew, rocket thrusters had opened at the back of the car and it spewed out fiery qi. Then the car took off and soared into the heavens. I couldn't help but gawk at the windows as I saw the ground grew smaller and smaller.
What in the bloody f? A flying car?! I sure as hell didn't expect that. I guess cultivators really had to get along with the times now.
The car zoomed along the bright skies, going higher and higher until I caught sight of a floating island in the heavens.
"Holy heavens…!"
I gasped as I stared at the asterisk-shaped island that defied gravity and all laws of physics to hang there in the middle of the sky. It as a massive island, probably the same size as the island country I was born in before going to the mainland for plot purposes. It was shaped like an asterisk or star, with six ends protruding from a center.
The center was where the main city was located, whereas each of the six academies were established in each of the ends stretching out from the core of the island, a perfect way to stake out their respective territories. Nice.
The island itself, despite the city in the middle and all the urban facilities and buildings that dotted its landscape, looked like something that came right out of an eastern fantasy story. Mountains and gigantic trees loomed over the manmade structures, several high peaks piercing the heavens and disappearing into the clouds above. Waterfalls poured into lakes and rivers that circulated the island, and many of the waterfalls even ran off the edges to plummet into the earth below.
How nobody ever saw a waterfall drop from this floating island, I would never know. Then again, from what I could see, the island floated way above the ocean, out of sight of any land bound human territory. That might explain a bit, I guess.
The view was spectacular. The island was massive, almost on par with the size of a continent, with the cities and academy towns isolated from each other. Forests expanded across the surface, a carpet of green interspersed with the transparent blue or crystal of rivers, lakes and other huge bodies of water.
Somehow I doubted there were regular wild animals dwelling within those forests. Most likely spirit beasts similar to but stronger and more ferocious than my magic carp inhabited the wilderness yet untamed by human hands.
"Xing Hao Island exists in sort of an isolated pocket of space, a separate dimension from the normal world," The driver explained. "That's why nobody sees it, and planes and ships won't run into it."
That explained the waterfalls running off into nowhere…
"It looks amazing," I whispered. The driver nodded vigorously.
"I know, right? It never gets old, admiring this view. Every time I return here, I can't help but gush over how beautiful the island is. It's like a fantasy continent come to life!"
"Yeah…" I was at a loss for words at how to describe it. Honestly, I doubted words were enough to encapsulate the magnificence of what I was seeing. "So this is Xing Hao Island. And the six universities there…"
"Yup, each one has their own history. Aside from the universities, I believe there are many ruins concealed all over the island, each with their own treasures."
"Ruins?"
"That's right. Sacred ruins. Tombs left behind by ancient cultivators, which would contain all sorts of skills, techniques and other resources. Even spirit weapons and spirit treasures too!"
I was half expecting him to say pills and elixirs, but he didn't mention them. I guess in this world, there was no such thing as an easy way to level up. Anything that gave you a boost in strength was steroids with side effects. Sure, supplements might help, the same way that bodybuilders might rely on protein shakes and the like to help build their muscles, but simply consuming them wouldn't work. Nor would they increase chances of a breakthrough.
Everything was hard work and training. Speaking of which, I still needed to practice the footwork that Master taught me…
Pushing my glasses up my nose, I nodded as I returned to the present and listened to the driver elaborate in the mystical treasures that could be found in this isolated pocket of space. "Sounds amazing."
"Also, they claim that they found some ruins that might possibly lead to another world!"
"What? Is that true?"
If that was true, then it was huge news. Kai Li Si had told me about the Celestial Realm and how I eventually ended up there. I had promised him that I would get there and lead the resistance against the demonic sects that rose up to oppress the inhabitants within that world.
Perhaps this might provide a clue to how I might find a gateway to the Celestial Realm…
The car zoomed forward and finally reached the main city in the center. The driver parked the car next to a hotel and patiently waited for me to disembark and unload my luggage.
"Thank you, sir!" I saluted the driver and he snickered.
"Not at all, not at all. It's been a pleasure transporting you here! I heard how you rescued the second young miss twice. It's an honor!"
"Uh, no. I was only doing what other people would have done in my place."
"Honestly, not many people would have done what you did. They certainly did nothing but watch or just film the incident with their smartphones." There was scorn in the driver's voice. He then sighed. "Actually, the master wanted Senior Jia to pick you up and send you together with the first young miss, but the first young miss declined."
"Oh, Uncle Jia." I remembered the driver who sent me home the other night. "I hope he is doing all right."
"He is. He was disappointed. So the master asked me to escort you instead." The driver patted his chest. "I'm Zhu Shou, I usually serve as the master's personal assistant. If you need any help, you and contact me."
"Yeah."
"But what did you do to the young miss?" Zhu Shou lowered his voice. "She doesn't seem to like you. Claimed that you stalked her, but the bodyguards who protect her say that they haven't seen you around her."
"She's just paranoid, maybe?" I shrugged before shaking my head. "I don���t know. She seems to think I'm chasing her."
"It would be great if you could marry the first young miss."
"Hell, no. I would much rather avoid her as much as possible."
Zhu Shou laughed. "I can see where you're coming from. The old master and master have spoiled her too much and she has grown to be a very prideful young lady. Her confidence isn't misplaced, though. She's pretty talented and powerful for her age. I heard that she had finally mastered her summoning technique just last week and eventually evolved her spirit beast."
"Oh? That's news." I had heard that the Na Lan clan was famous for their phoenix techniques but I didn't think that it would literally mean they could summon actual phoenixes. Then again, Na Lan Su and Na Lan Jie mentioned that Na Lan Yan Ran would be attending Imperial Valley University, which was famous for training students in summoning techniques. It made sense that she could summon a spirit beast then, otherwise there was little point in her attending it.
"Yeah. You'll probably get to see her in action soon! Since you'll be enrolling in the same university."
"I look forward to it." there was no enthusiasm in my voice. Zhu Shou chuckled.
"Anyway, I'll get going now. Good luck with the entrance exam tomorrow! if you need anything, you can contact me!"
"Thanks."
I nodded and waved. Stepping back, I watched as Zhu Shou got back into the car and drove away. Then I went into the hotel.
By the time I got into the room, it was evening. I watched the sunset from inside my room, through the transparent windows. The sky had turned yellow, and even though I was technically on a floating island, I could still see the sun dipping over the horizon. Whether it was a coincidence or not, I didn't know, but there was a lake right next to the hotel, and I watched the golden rays stretch across the glittering surface.
A breeze blew, causing the trees to sway a bit. A mountain towered over the small forest that surrounded the lake, a menacing sentinel that appeared to stand guard over the place.
"Oh?"
My eyes widened when I caught sight of something huge splashing across the lake. A massive serpent that was over twenty meters long…no, a wyvern? Its sapphire scales gleamed in contrast to the golden rays of sunset.
Above, there was a squawk and I spotted several condors fly by. My jaw dropped when I saw people riding on the back of the gigantic condors. Shaking my head, I pulled my curtains shut before the riders could see that I was spying on them.
Wow, I was really in another world. Not exactly the world I thought I would be in – the Celestial Realm that Kai Li Si had told me so much about – but it was still a shock to see such a different world. An isolated pocket of space that was separate from the normal world, or so I was told. Only now did I realize how accurate that description was.
And they wanted to keep this place a secret from the non-cultivators? Oh, right. Something about limited resources and fierce competition. If the whole world wanted to cultivate, they wouldn't be able to all fit into this place.
Even so, I couldn't help but feel sorry for them…to miss out on a place like this. This was an experience that regular people would never get. In fact, if I hadn't been taught cultivation by Kai Li Si, and later by Cheng Long, I would never have the chance to step into such an amazing world myself. Now I truly understood why they called such things fortuitous encounters. It really made all the difference in deciding whether one became a cultivator or not.
"Ugh…" I groaned when my stomach suddenly rumbled. Seemed like I was hungry. Best to grab some dinner. I wondered if they used the same currency as the normal world. I should have asked Zhu Shou earlier.
Well, I would find out. Making my way to the restaurant at the first level of the hotel, I made a few queries. Turned out that the restaurant accepted normal Yuan or Renminbi. That was a relief. They also served normal food, which was a slight disappointment. I was half-expecting spirit beast meat, like those from dragons or giant serpents or something. You know, something more fantasy-like.
That was probably enough adventuring for the day. Finding an empty table, I ordered a regular plate of fried rice and a bowl of soup. The prices were on the slightly expensive side, but at least they were affordable.
"Are you new here?" the waitress asked as she served me a glass of water. I nodded and she giggled. "Yeah, it's pretty obvious."
"Sorry, I just came here."
"No problem. Just a word of advice." She glanced around, her eyes narrowing when she caught sight of burly guests who had their weapons with them. "This isn't the same as the normal world down below, the one you're used to. So be careful. Some people might resort to violence to take your belongings if they believe you have something useful. We have laws in this place, but you know how some cultivators are. They think they can do whatever they want just because they are strong."
"I…I see."
"So I advise you to stay in an open, public space with many people so that they won't dare to try anything. That way, you'll be able to stay safe until the authorities arrive, at least."
"Thank you." I bowed my head. "I'll definitely keep that in mind."
"No problem, little brother." The waitress winked at me. "I just don't like seeing nice newbies get bullied."
She then turned away with my order, waving the tablet that she used to take orders with.
"I'll give you extra fried rice. You had better eat more. You're too skinny!"
I could only laugh awkwardly, but inwardly I was relieved that the first person I met here was nice.