In the days following the beating, Chu Yi's body remained weak, but the burning desire for a better future quickly drove him to regain his strength. He knew that relying on others' charity would never change his situation. He had to fight for more resources through his own efforts. During these few days of recovery, he didn't idle away; instead, he spent most of his time carving symbols. With a deepening understanding of inscriptions, his technique became more and more proficient. Engraving the Thunderstorm and Red Fire runes had now become a mechanical process for him.
A few days later, as his body gradually recovered, Chu Yi embarked on a relentless path to make money. His daily routine became predictable: he left the city at dawn, tirelessly searching for Bronze-grade beasts. By sunset, he returned to the city to sell the corpses and beast spirits, often stealing a few glances at the innkeeper, a warm-hearted older woman, before heading back to his room to rest. In just a week, his business had earned him enough spirit coins to cover his living expenses and buy some spirit pills to improve his cultivation.
After a month of hard work, Chu Yi finally broke through to the 1st-level Spirit Master, officially qualifying to enter a cultivation academy. Every four months, the city held a spiritual test ceremony. Schools sent teachers and elders to observe and recruit, hoping to find more talent. Chu Yi felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation as the test approached. In the days leading up to it, he tirelessly reviewed his knowledge of inscriptions, aiming to improve his control over his spiritual power.
The square around the testing site was surrounded by many spectators. In the front row, there were teachers representing various schools. It was clear that three schools were particularly prominent.
Starling Academy:
One of the most prestigious schools in Galaxy City, founded 18 years ago by the current city lord. Starling Academy had long been known for training top-tier Spirit Masters and had produced many powerful individuals. Its teaching quality and rigorous academic atmosphere had earned it a reputation as the holy ground for spiritual cultivation in Galaxy City. The city lord's strongest direct guard, Qin Lian, a 7th-level peak Spirit Master and a graduate of Starling Academy, was a symbol of the school's excellence. Her combat prowess and leadership made her a well-known figure both within and outside the city. Many young students, inspired by her, applied to the school in hopes of becoming the next great Spirit Master.
Sky Hall:
Founded 50 years ago, Sky Hall was another highly regarded institution in Galaxy City. Its architecture was grand and elegant, almost merging with the sky. Since its establishment, Sky Hall had focused on producing outstanding Spirit Masters, winning the Major General Tournament for three consecutive years. Its reputation attracted many aspiring students. Sky Hall not only emphasized spiritual cultivation but also focused on combat techniques. Its curriculum included various aspects of spiritual control, beast spirit integration, and combat awareness, preparing students to deal with all kinds of situations in actual battle.
Lanling Academy:
In recent years, Lanling Academy had risen rapidly to become one of the city's most prominent martial arts schools. It was founded 30 years ago by a group of like-minded martial artists. The academy adhered to the philosophy of "Martial Arts First, Character at the Core," encouraging its students to pursue strength while also cultivating their inner character. The academy's instructors were highly respected, with two of the strongest elders being 7th-level martial artists capable of rivaling 6th-level Spirit Masters. Lanling Academy had produced the most martial artists in the last five years, and many of its students had participated in border campaigns against beasts, earning the King's rewards and recognition.
When the testing began, examiners assessed each student's spiritual power and abilities one by one. Chu Yi quickly realized that, despite already being a 1st-level Spirit Master, his spiritual power was still insignificant compared to those born into prominent families. Even some students of humble origins had cultivated formidable power. Finally, it was Chu Yi's turn. He walked forward slowly, taking a deep breath to calm himself. Just like when he was in his village, he placed his hands on the spiritual stones.
"101 points of spiritual power, 1st-level Spirit Master," the instructor called out. Chu Yi felt a brief moment of joy, but the people in the crowd and the distant academy representatives barely paid attention to him. Most of those attending the ceremony had already broken through to the 1st level.
After the test, as Chu Yi descended from the stage, he noticed many noble children coldly watching him, sneering in whispers. He vaguely sensed that his previous clash with Xing Dian had spread among the noble families. But Chu Yi mentally resolved: "I won't be defeated by these insignificant jeers!" During the second round of the test, Chu Yi also demonstrated his expertise in inscriptions and rune applications. Unfortunately, his actions failed to attract the attention of the top three schools, and he was left without any offers. In the end, Chu Yi had no choice but to enroll in a smaller school—Kion Academy.
"Hello, my name is Bi Hei. I'm here on behalf of Kion Academy to recruit new students. On behalf of the academy, I welcome you to join us." The speaker was a handsome man, wearing robes that resembled those of a male lead from a cultivation movie. He looked to be no older than 30.
"Hello, I'm Chu Yi. I hope to specialize in inscription courses," Chu Yi politely replied.
"Inscription? That's indeed a good choice." Bi Hei's eyes flashed with a hint of approval. "Other schools do have specialized tracks, such as Spirit Master classes, Martial Arts classes, and Auxiliary classes. However, our principal believes that every great Spirit Master should possess a variety of skills." After saying this, he led Chu Yi back to the school.
Outside the gate, there was a weathered wooden sign with the words "Kion Academy" hastily written in ink. Once inside the gate, they walked along a shaded path lined with trees. The campus was beautiful, birds chirping, and the grass around them was lush and vibrant. The atmosphere felt like a breath of fresh air compared to the harshness of the outside world. Chu Yi couldn't help but feel a sense of relaxation. Although Kion Academy was not as renowned as the other three schools, its peaceful atmosphere made him feel comfortable.
In the center of the campus stood an ancient, elegant teaching building. Bi Hei led Chu Yi into the building, where a student list was displayed on the wall. "At Kion Academy, we focus on the holistic development of Spirit Masters," Bi Hei said as they entered a spacious and bright classroom. He pointed to a blackboard on the wall. "This is where we mainly teach inscriptions. You can communicate and explore ideas with teachers and fellow students here."
Chu Yi was filled with anticipation for his studies in inscriptions. He knew that inscriptions were not just symbols written on weapons or talismans; they were an art form that combined spiritual power with natural elements. He eagerly hoped to delve deeper into this subject at Kion Academy, hoping to find his own breakthrough.
"In addition, the academy regularly holds exchange meetings and practical exercises," Bi Hei continued. "These are designed to help you apply your theoretical knowledge in real-world situations." He paused for a moment, his gaze suddenly turning a bit mischievous. "So, if your spiritual power doesn't improve and your combat skills don't progress, you might get a good beating from other students."
"Uh... Okay, Bi Hei instructor," Chu Yi stammered in response.
Bi Hei immediately returned to his gentle smile. "I really look forward to it!"