Yang Feng's eyes remained fixed on the direction from where the arrow had flown. The tension in the air was palpable as the two of them stood in silence, their gazes piercing through the distance, searching for any sign of the attacker. The evening sun cast long shadows across the academy grounds, the golden light flickering through the trees, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.
Sing Yun, standing beside Yang Feng, finally broke the silence. "Should we go on?" he asked, his voice calm but with a hint of unease as he turned to Yang Feng. His expression had relaxed slightly, though he still kept his eyes peeled for any further threats.
Yang Feng, snapping back to the present, nodded. "Yes," he replied firmly. "Let's keep moving."
Together, they proceeded, but Yang Feng's mind remained alert, his senses heightened. Though he had caught the arrow mid-air, he could feel that something wasn't right. The precision of the shot, aimed directly at him, was not random. It felt like a warning or perhaps a test. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him.
Far off in the distance, where the arrow had originated, a man stood atop an enormous tree. His entire figure was clad in green robes, blending effortlessly with the canopy of leaves. He stood on a thick branch, his balance impeccable, as if the height or precarious position didn't faze him. In his hands, he held a bow made of wood, intricately carved with runes that glowed faintly in the dimming light. The man's sharp eyes followed Yang Feng and Sing Yun as they walked away.
A smirk curled on his lips as he muttered to himself, "Interesting..." His voice was barely a whisper, carried away by the wind as he watched them disappear into the distance. He lowered his bow and leaped gracefully down from the tree, vanishing into the dense forest, his presence undetected.
The scene shifted to Yang Feng and Sing Yun as they finally arrived at the enrollment area of the spiritual academy. The massive courtyard was bustling with activity, students and teachers moving about with purpose. The air was filled with the hum of conversations, the clash of weapons from sparring sessions, and the distant echoes of various magical practices.
The entrance to the enrollment area was flanked by towering statues of ancient warriors, their forms carved from stone, radiating an aura of power and wisdom. Yang Feng glanced at them briefly as they passed, his mind once again refocusing on the task ahead.
At the enrollment desk, a middle-aged man sat behind a polished wooden counter, his hair neatly tied back. His sharp eyes scanned over Yang Feng as he approached, and without saying a word, he handed over a scroll of parchment. The paper was dense with text, listing various categories such as name, age, origin, and potential power levels. This document was the first step in Yang Feng's formal entry into the academy.
"Fill this out," the man said, his voice gruff but professional. "Make sure all information is accurate."
Yang Feng took the paper and quill, his eyes briefly scanning the categories before he began to write. He filled in his name—Yang Feng—and paused for a moment when he reached the section labeled "Origin." He hesitated for a heartbeat, then wrote "Wu Lin Village" before continuing. His hand moved swiftly over the parchment as he completed the rest of the information, his mind focused on keeping his background as low-profile as possible. The fact that he was a Sun Ranker was not something to be openly flaunted yet.
After a few moments, Yang Feng handed the parchment back to the receptionist, who took it without much fanfare, his eyes quickly scanning the entries.
"Alright," the man said, giving Yang Feng a brief nod of approval. "Go wait in the corner over there. Your name will be called when it's time."
Yang Feng glanced in the direction the man had indicated and saw a small waiting area off to the side, where several other potential students were already gathered. Without a word, he walked over and found a spot to sit, his eyes wandering over the group. Most of them were older than him, some looking to be in their late teens or even early twenties. They were all dressed in varying shades of blue and orange uniforms, each adorned with the academy's insignia—a badge pinned to their chests, signifying their status as students.
Yang Feng couldn't help but notice the whispers and sideways glances directed at him. It was clear that he was the youngest in the room, and this seemed to garner more than a few curious looks. He maintained his composure, keeping his expression neutral as he observed his surroundings.
Across the room, he saw students practicing in open areas, sparring with one another or honing their skills under the watchful eyes of instructors. In one corner, a group of older students were gathered, laughing and enjoying their meals together. The camaraderie was evident, and for a moment, Yang Feng wondered what his time here would be like.
His thoughts were interrupted when the receptionist called his name, "Yang Feng, it's your turn. Enter the chamber."
Yang Feng rose from his seat, all eyes in the waiting room turning to watch him as he approached the large wooden door that led to the chamber. The door creaked open as he stepped inside, the air cool and still. The chamber itself was dimly lit. Yang feng entered the gatee withouth hesitation and as he entered, the gate closed behind him.
After several hours, yang Feng exited the chamber, and as soon as he stepped back into the waiting area, a wave of murmurs spread through the crowd. All eyes were on him, their expressions a mix of shock and awe. The test that had taken others hours or even days to complete had taken Yang Feng mere moments. And not only that, but he was also the youngest person in the room by far.
Sing Yun was standing near the entrance, waiting for him. As soon as Yang Feng approached, Sing Yun smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "Congratulations," he said warmly. "You've officially enrolled in the spiritual academy."
Yang Feng returned the smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He nodded his thanks but remained quiet, his mind still processing the events of the day. He knew this was just the beginning, but there was no denying that his journey in the spiritual academy had begun with a bang.