Flickers of green light emerged, instantly filling the entire field of vision.
An indescribable aura of terror drained down from the sky.
Zhang Jing involuntarily lowered his head, a potent urge to grovel and kneel surging through him. An intense sense of asphyxiation forced him to instinctively open his mouth wide, his heart thumping frenetically, the way a drum would.
Goosebumps pricked up across his entire body.
This sensation was akin to a lower life form confronting a higher one. It was soul-shattering!
"Is that the Spirit Crane?"
He took a quick glance.
Zhang Jing could barely make out a massive, crane-like silhouette behind the green light.
He made an effort to turn his head.
About him, others also had their heads buried low, trembling as if being sifted.
Except for Ji Bochang!
Despite lowering his head, an indifferent expression was plastered over his face.
Noticing Zhang Jing watching him, Ji Bochang's small eyes even blinked. He opened his fan and fanned himself flamboyantly.
Zhang Jing's gaze on him turned somewhat odd.
Fanning oneself in cold weather was excusable as boyish brashness. But why would he wink at a man? Didn't he know such behavior was quite...
Zhang Jing imperceptibly took a small step back.
At that moment.
"Is Junior Brother Liu of Yong'an Academy below?" A bright, amiable voice suddenly echoed from the sky.
"It is I, Liu Sanyi. I extend a warm welcome to my senior brother." Teacher Liu replied courteously.
"Haha, these kids are what Junior Brother has selected this year? Hmm, not bad, Yong'an Academy has produced a talented newbie."
"Senior Brother is overly gracious."
As they spoke, a shadow as vast as a dark cloud slowly enveloped them from above.
Zhang Jing couldn't help but raise his head.
What came into view was the smooth, cylindrical leg of the crane, akin to a white jade pillar.
His gaze shifted upwards.
The huge white feathers, shimmering like small trees, each radiated an intense green glow. They looked extraordinarily holy.
Perhaps due to standing too close, even when Zhang Jing craned his neck to its limit, he could not behold the full view of the Spirit Crane. All he could feel was what seemed like a Feather Mountain thousands of feet tall appearing suddenly in front of him, exuding an overwhelming aura of oppression.
"This Spirit Crane... it's a bit too tall." Zhang Jing exclaimed.
The gentle voice echoed once more.
"Junior Brother Liu, since everyone is here now, I'll take them directly back to the Dao Institute."
"Thank you, Senior Brother, for your escort."
"It's my duty, no need for thanks."
The moment those words fell, Zhang Jing felt a soft force lifting him gently.
Along with him, Ji Bochang, and over a dozen academy students from one side, also ascended into the air.
The ground became miniature.
Zhang Jing could even see the pedestrians on the street outside. But they seemed oblivious to the enormous Spirit Crane right beside them, just minding their own business, rushing forward.
In no time.
Zhang Jing and his group of over a dozen people were standing on the broad back of the Spirit Crane.
The howling gust of wind whirled past their ears.
Not far behind them.
An old-fashioned wooden house attracted a lot of attention.
Before them sat a young man who looked to be in his early twenties.
The young man was dressed in a green robe, wearing a Lamb Fat White Jade Crown, with a warm complexion, his eyes half-closed and exuding an air of high-mindedness.
"We greet the Immortal."
Zhang Jing and the others collectively bowed and yelled to the young man.
"Hmm." The young man opened his eyes, expressionless: "Since you've been chosen by Junior Brother Liu, you must do your best in the Dragon Lake Dao Institute's examination, so as not to disappoint him."
"Thank you for the guidance, Immortal!"
Zhang Jing and the others said in unison.
"If you have nothing else to do, you may go to the wooden house, or you can move freely on the back of the Spirit Crane, but do not make a loud noise."
"We solemnly obey the Immortal's teachings."
Upon hearing this, the man nodded slightly and closed his eyes once more.
Zhang Jing and the others quietly stepped back, fearful of disturbing the Immortal before them.
Unexpectedly, the next moment, the 'ground' began to shake violently, causing them to stagger. Zhang Jing quickly threw himself onto the ground, steadying his body.
He looked down.
He saw that the Spirit Crane beneath them suddenly spread its wings, lightly flapped them, and then abruptly soared into the sky, heading straight for the clouds.
In an instant,
They were surrounded by thick clouds.
"Qingxiao Spirit Crane, what a splendid name," Zhang Jing praised.
He noticed that when the Spirit Crane was flying, it was enveloped in a faintly visible azure light.
Due to this layer of azure light, they could stand as if they were on the ground, unaffected by the chilling gale.
After about ten breaths, the ground became stable again.
"Brother Zhang, why are you daydreaming? There are quite a few people in the cabin, let's join them," Ji Bochang nudged Zhang Jing's arm and whispered.
"There are quite a few people?" Zhang Jing looked surprised.
"It must be people from the other six counties of Huizhou. Due to our location, the Immortal always comes to our Linshan County last."
"I see," Zhang Jing finally understood, and quickly followed the crowd.
Creak——
The door was pushed open.
"Ji Bochang from the Yong'an Ji Family?" Someone inside called out in a deep voice.
In an instant,
Zhang Jing saw dozens of pairs of eyes light up in the room, scanning him and his party, their gazes filled with reverence and flattery.
He instinctively stepped back.
In an instant, the gazes quickly moved away from Zhang Jing.
Taking this opportunity, Zhang Jing began to look around the room.
The cabin was small, but it was crammed with sixty or seventy people sitting or standing around the corners.
Meanwhile, in the middle, sat two men and a woman, looking noble and distinguished.
A large space was left around the three.
Yet, no one dared to approach.
"Are these people from prestigious families?" Zhang Jing had a vague answer in his mind.
In front of Zhang Jing,
Ji Bochang put away his fan, and said with a hearty laugh, "It must be Brother Deng, Brother Wu, and Fairy Chu. Our elders often mention the three of you. It makes me feel quite ashamed."
"Brother Ji, you're too modest. Before we left, my father repeatedly instructed Yun'er to learn from Brother Ji."
Among the three, the young woman gracefully rose to her feet and smiled gently.
Despite her young age, she already displayed a beauty capable of overturning nations. Her exquisite face, without any make-up, had the delicacy of a goddess, especially her pair of eyes, which were enchanting like a pool of spring water, radiating an infinite charm.
Her light green Immortal dress could hardly conceal her perfect figure, but rather emphasized her irresistible charm.
This caused many people to steal glances at her.
Zhang Jing's eyes swept over the woman without a pause.
Having led two lives, he knew very well that often such attractive women spelled trouble, especially at this age.
On the other side,
"Yes, Brother Ji, you are too modest. Please come and sit," the remaining two youngsters also warmly invited him.
"Haha, well then, I won't decline," Ji Bochang nodded and then turned to Zhang Jing and whispered, "Brother Zhang, these three are the prodigies of the Heishan Deng Clan, Yangshui Wu Clan, and Zhouyang Chu Clan, shall we go together?"
"Brother Ji can go ahead without me," Zhang Jing replied with a smile.
"Alright then, I'll go and check them out first."
After saying this, Ji Bochang headed towards the center of the cabin.
Looking around,
Under the curious gazes of the people around, Zhang Jing found a quiet corner with fewer people, leaned against the wall, and slowly sat down, closing his eyes to rest.
Waiting for the moment they arrive at the Dragon Lake Dao Institute.