Since entering Kion Academy, Chu Yi's pace of life had suddenly accelerated. Although Kion Academy was small, with only around thirty students, the environment was tranquil and peaceful, which gave him a sense of comfort. However, he didn't have much time to enjoy the scenery of the campus; his busy study schedule nearly made him lose track of the difference between day and night.
On the first day after enrollment, Chu Yi and the other new students were led into a spacious auditorium. Contrary to what he had imagined, the auditorium wasn't crowded at all. Only a few students were scattered here and there. Chu Yi glanced around and saw that, including himself, there were only four new students.
Instructor Bi Hei stood on the stage, his voice loud and clear: "Students, although Kion Academy is small, we value elite education. Every student here will undergo the strictest training. You will start from scratch, gradually refining yourselves to become true Spirit Masters or Martial Artists."
In the auditorium, there were actually only four people in Chu Yi's class. Besides himself, the other three students were:
Qing Xiuer, a girl with a delicate appearance but a lively personality. She was cheerful, always wearing a smile, and held a longsword in her right hand.
Zhang Liya, a small and petite girl with a childlike appearance. Although she didn't seem physically strong, her eyes revealed a firm determination. A flute was faintly visible tied to her waist.
Lin Xuanwu, a tall, muscular young man who was a standard Martial Artist. His personality was bold, and he had a somewhat rebellious air about him. He wore four iron rings on both arms.
These four seemed to have different personalities, but all came to Kion Academy to pursue strength and self-improvement.
After a few words of greeting from Instructor Bi Hei, he led the four of them to the training ground at the back of the mountain. The training ground was located in an open area at the back of the academy, surrounded by lush mountains, with the fresh scent of nature in the air. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting spots of golden light on the bluish-gray rocks and grass, making everything look especially vibrant.
The ground of the training area was made up of solid soil and grass, giving a soft feeling when stepped on. Tall pine trees and dense shrubs grew around the area, like a natural barrier, isolating the noise of the outside world. Upon closer inspection, one could see obvious sword and knife marks on the ground, and it was easy to imagine the intense training battles of the senior students. Occasionally, a breeze would pass by, carrying the refreshing scent of pine needles, making one feel relaxed. In the distance, several small birds sang cheerfully in the trees, as if praising the battle songs of their training.
Although there were no training equipment, this open area was perfect for them to fully express themselves. The vast space meant there was no concern about accidentally damaging anything. They could freely use their spiritual power and fully unleash their martial skills, as if in this vast land, they could release all their passion and energy. The surrounding hills could vaguely be seen, giving the feeling of being embraced by nature, which was incredibly relaxing.
On one side of the training ground, a small stream flowed gently, the sound of the water crisp and pleasant. Occasionally, small fish jumped out of the water, creating ripples. The stones by the stream were covered in moss, looking damp and full of life, as if they were the natural decoration of this land.
On the other side, there were several towering trees with large canopies and thick branches, providing some shade and creating a cool area. Some thick tree trunks, clearly broken and bent, lay scattered on the ground. When tired during training, one could rest in the shade of the trees and enjoy a moment of coolness.
The environment here was both peaceful and spacious, providing an ideal place for training. In such a place, every training session was full of energy and challenge, and they would write their own youthful chapters on this land.
"Today is your first combat class," Bi Hei said casually, his hands resting behind him. A faint wave of spiritual energy still lingered in the air around him. "Here, there are no grand speeches. All you need to do is one thing—defeat me."
The four of them exchanged looks, hesitation creeping into their minds. Though they all knew that Bi Hei's strength far exceeded their own, they were hesitant to attack their instructor out of respect. Seeing that they still hadn't moved, Bi Hei gave a faint smile and said with a touch of amusement, "If you're not coming, then I'll come."
Lin Xuanwu was the first to charge. His spiritual energy gathered between his fists, and with a howl, the wind from his strikes shot forward. He clearly gave it his all. But Bi Hei didn't even draw his sword, standing there with his hands empty, a faint smile on his face, seemingly unbothered by Lin Xuanwu's attack. As Lin Xuanwu approached, Bi Hei subtly shifted his stance, using the force of the blow to deflect the energy like ripples across the surface of water, easily sending Lin Xuanwu flying back several meters.
Next, Qing Xiu'er and Zhang Liya also stepped forward. Qing Xiu'er gripped her longsword tightly, its blade flashing as her spiritual energy flowed through it. The sword's momentum was swift and fierce, aimed directly at Bi Hei. Zhang Liya, standing to the side, had her hand ready with a flute, her gaze firm as she looked for the perfect moment to make her move.
However, Bi Hei merely tilted his body slightly, finding a stick from the ground. He infused it with his spiritual energy, instantly transforming it into an impromptu "sword." With fluid motions, he defended against Qing Xiu'er's attack, skillfully dodging her strikes while using the makeshift sword to parry her blows. His movements were graceful and elegant, yet also powerful, making it clear that he was in complete control.
Seeing this, Qing Xiu'er's heart jolted. She realized that relying solely on brute force wouldn't be enough to defeat her instructor's agile movements. Adjusting her strategy, she began using the unique sword techniques of "Qing Yi Sword Style," aiming to exploit any openings in Bi Hei's defense with more subtle attacks.
While Bi Hei easily dealt with Qing Xiu'er's movements, his eyes caught sight of Zhang Liya, who was focused on channeling spiritual energy into her flute. Without hesitation, Bi Hei grabbed a few nearby leaves, infused them with energy, and turned them into flying darts, launching them toward Zhang Liya. The leaves traced an elegant arc through the air, striking the flute from her hand, sending it tumbling away.
The entire sequence of actions didn't even seem to distract him from his battle with Qing Xiu'er. In an instant, he found an opening and quickly repelled her with a sharp strike.
"My attacks need to be more flexible," Chu Yi thought to himself, observing how easily Bi Hei handled all the attacks. Deciding to change his strategy, Chu Yi focused his energy on his talismans. With a swift motion, he activated two of the vine-binding talismans he had been researching recently and sent them flying toward Bi Hei.
The talismans swirled through the air, quickly transforming into two thorny vines that rushed toward Bi Hei. The vines shimmered with spiritual light, and as they neared, the atmosphere grew tense. The vines wrapped around Bi Hei's body, their thorny tips digging into his clothes, making it hard for him to break free.
Bi Hei paused for a moment, but quickly showed his remarkable adaptability. He twisted his body, and with a flick of the branch in his hand, a gust of powerful energy burst forth, easily dispelling the vines. Yet, the vines still clung tightly to his limbs, seemingly tightening with every passing second, creating a suffocating pressure.
"You've got some skill, kid," Bi Hei silently praised in his heart, admiring Chu Yi's creativity. Though he remained calm, he was surprised by Chu Yi's ingenuity.
A loud explosion rang out as the ground around them shook, dirt flying into the air. The four of them furrowed their brows in response. "It seems," Bi Hei calmly said, his voice carrying a note of encouragement, "that you all still have a lot to improve in terms of energy control and combat techniques."
"Your spiritual energy usage and combat skills still need a lot of work," Bi Hei continued, his tone steady, yet tinged with a sense of expectation.
The four of them exchanged glances, realizing their shortcomings. After a moment of silent communication, they all nodded in agreement. At the same time, they charged toward their instructor from four different directions, determined to win the duel together. Bi Hei elegantly spun around, his branch sweeping through the air, unleashing a wave of energy.
In a matter of minutes, they were all on the ground, completely overwhelmed.
"Your spiritual energy control is too rigid," Bi Hei said coldly. "Combat isn't about brute strength. It's about technique. Your reactions are too slow, and your energy output is too unstable."
The four of them helped each other up, faces marked with reluctance but also a clear realization of their own limitations.