Entering the borders of Xiuda, there were many differences here compared to Aixia as expected, but the simple and honest nature of the people here were the same. Everywhere in Xiuda, you could see warriors wearing knights' attire. Even a few remote villages were like this as well. It is clear that Xiuda held military tradition in esteem.
On the road, I practiced a few rank 8 Shadow Affinity spells that I couldn't use previously with the book Teacher Xiu gave me. Although they were only one rank higher, they were truly awesome, their results were certainly as different as heaven and earth. My increase in strength made me feel full of confidence in completing this journey of learning.
Because I wore the earth knight attire (A Knight dress Uncle Long Chen gave me), I arrived at Xiuda Kingdom's Capital City without a hitch. Ah, what grand buildings, the tall city gate tower intimidated people at first glance. From my observations, the city guards were all made up of advanced warriors, truly powerful.
When city guards' officers and men saw my earth knight's attire, they displayed a gaze of reverence, satisfying my vanity once more. Just as I was about to enter the city, I suddenly heard a person shout from inside the city, "People in the front, move out of the way!" I unconsciously stood to the side and looked toward the city's interior. Wa, that's an earth dragon?
I saw ten massive creatures rush out. On top of each creature sat an armored knight holding a massive 3.6 meters long dragon spear. Truly awe-inspiring. Those huge creatures should be earth dragons. I attentively observed, discovering that their lengths were similar to Xiao Hei's, they were only a bit shorter. Their bodies were about five meters long and two meters tall, with two thick, strong hind legs to support their massive bodies and two large claws on their forelimbs. There was no doubt it had the power to rip a tiger apart.
I inquired to the person to my side, "Hello, are those the Earth Dragon Corps?"
The soldier looked at me and replied, "You aren't a native? The Earth Dragon Corps routinely patrol the city every day. They are truly our idols."
I laughed and said, "That's right. I came here to attend the Royal Knight Academy. I've never seen earth dragons before. They are truly impressive."
The soldier wore an expression of reverence and respectfully said, "In the future, you will surely become a member of the Earth Dragon Corps."
Walking into Xiuda city, everywhere in the city was bustling with noise and excitement. I only asked once and heard the directions to the Royal Knight Academy. Arriving at the academy's gate, just as I was just about to enter, a guard barred the way.
He politely said, "Hello sir, may I ask who you are looking for?"
I promptly said, "Hello, I am a graduate from the Aixia Kingdom's Royal Intermediate Magic Academy, on behalf of Principal Lao Lun Xiu to come and look for your academy's Principal Zhan Hu."
"So you actually came from the Aixia Kingdom, I'll bring you to go see the Principal." He said straightforwardly.
"Then I will thank you." He explained to another guard, then brought me inside the knight academy. The first thing I saw entering the gate was a pair of statues of swift, noble horses. It seems that these are the knights' emblems. The guard and I turned seven corners and moved through eight school buildings and several large training grounds, arriving at the corner of the academy. This environment is truly good. It was like a small forest; you rarely see so many plants growing. At the center of the forest, there was a small courtyard, at the center of the courtyard there was a small room. Without even being nearby, I heard people talking.
A bold and angry voice said, " Hey!! Don't use inflexible strikes, use what you've learned creatively. If you continue to practice so inflexibly you will forever be unable to become a radiant knight.???"
A different bright and respectful voice replied, "Yes, Teacher."
"It's like I'm with an idiot. Come, again."
I asked the guard, "What is this all about?"
The guard smiled saying, "The Great Principal is teaching his disciple. Let's go over."
In my heart, I was somewhat terrified, "Will it be alright if we disturb them?"
Just as I let out my voice, the bold voice from the small, inner courtyard pieced it, "Who is it? Did I not command to disallow anyone casually disturb me?"
The guard respectfully said, "Great Principal, Aixia Kingdom's Great Lao Lun Xie has sent a person to come find you."
"Oh? Quickly come over."
I entered the courtyard with the guard. There were two people inside. One was an elderly man with a height exceeding two meters. He was wearing tight-fitting warrior's clothing and held a wooden sword. At his side was an adolescent that appeared not much different than me. He was a bit taller than me. His upper body was bright red and displayed strong, rugged muscle. It seems that a moment ago they were exchanging blows with wooden swords.
I quickly walked in front of the old man and deeply paid my respects. I lowered my head and respectfully said, "Teacher Zhan Hu, Hello. I am Zhang Ling, a graduate of the Aixia Kingdom's Royal Intermediate Magic Academy. I was entrusted by Teacher Xiu to come and meet you."
Teacher Wen looked from head to toe and said with a smile, "Are you...." he then dragged me apart from his disciple standing with him, "Are you Zhang Gong's Son?? you look exactly like him??" he whispered into my ears.
I was freaked out. Zhang Gong? is he naming the great, Radiant God Zhang Gong Wei???
"Teacher, I don't know that. But, I'm on a journey to find my real parents!!" I replied in his ears.
he stared at me for a minute and said, "I used to be a friend of Zhang Gong. At your age, he and I were sworn, brothers. You look exactly like him. your appearance makes me remember him. Very well, are you ready for your training??" he asked.
"ahh...yes, I am!!"
I began to doubt that, maybe I am really a son of the Radiant god, Zhang Gong Wei. but I can't prove that....I will solve this mystery after I become strong. (The incident with Hai Fen and just now with Zhan Hu, really can't be a coincidence, These keep running inside my mind)
Teacher Hu took the letter and said, "Don't speak so formally. It is awkward for me to hear. I'll look at what that Old Xiu wrote." He quickly finished reading the letter and once again looked at me from head to toe. Looking at my straight hair, he finally said, "Old xiu wrote that he had much confidence in you, said you were a magic genius. I don't know how much of a genius though."
I didn't dare reply, fearing a reply would badly excite the fiery temperament of the old man. It was actually his apprentice that helped me out of the predicament. "Master, a guest arrived, won't you invite him into the room to rest? You're frightening him."
"Hehe, right. You, youngsters, will be very intimate in the future, huh? Walk. Let's enter the room. Guard, you can return."
We entered the wooden room. Teacher Hu inquired from me how Teacher Xiu was doing. From his questions, I felt that he and Teacher Xiu had a deep friendship. he even told me that, Teacher Xiu's father Elder Lao Lun Di, was the magic teacher for the Radiant god, Zhang Gong Wei. he even said, Zhang Gong Wei, Studied here to practice martial arts from the former Knights academy principal Li Ke Wen.
Teacher Hu said, "Oh that's right. I still haven't given you an introduction. This is my disciple, Chen An Hao."
I nodded at him, saying, "Hello. Please take care of me in the future." He gave a warm smile in return.