Han Xiao gazed at the entrance of the Academic Hall, where bold letters declared, 'Tianfu Sword Palace's Outer Court Academy! Here, the sword speaks the loudest!'
Han Xiao looked around at the sprawling expanse of the Tianfu Sword Palace's Outer Court Academy. The ancient Chinese architecture of the interconnected halls and structures was both grand and intricate, with sweeping eaves and ornate carvings adorning the wooden beams. The entire area teemed with disciples, their robes fluttering as they moved through the courtyards. The clashing of swords echoed everywhere, a constant reminder of the academy's purpose.
In between the impressive halls, artificial mountains rose majestically, creating serene spots where teachers gathered their disciples for lessons on swordsmanship. The lush greenery and meticulously maintained gardens added to the academy's grandeur, making it a place of both beauty and discipline.
With a student body exceeding one hundred thousand, the Outer Court was a bustling hub of activity. To manage this vast number, disciples were classified according to their martial aptitude and social status, and each group was assigned to a specific teacher. Unfortunately for Han Xiao, he belonged to the weakest group, known as Class X. This group consisted of students with poor martial aptitudes, those from impoverished backgrounds, and notoriously troublesome individuals. Consequently, Class X had the largest volume of disciples, numbering over ten thousand.
The classes for Class X were conducted in a massive hall, overseen by more than ten instructors who had been assigned there as a form of punishment. The atmosphere was chaotic, with the constant hum of conversation and the sporadic clashing of practice swords filling the air. Attendance in Class X was mandatory for everyone. Missing even a single class, unless they were on a mission, resulted in severe punishment and could even lead to termination from the Outer Court.
Han Xiao observed his fellow classmates, a diverse group of individuals, each with their own struggles and stories. The hall was filled with a palpable tension, a mix of frustration and resentment. This was a place where all sorts of oddities gathered, and only the worst aspects of the academy were on display. Misbehavior and conflict were rampant, and the instructors struggled to maintain order amidst the chaos.
The large hall, though imposing, was a microcosm of the Outer Court's strict hierarchy, where even the slightest infraction could lead to harsh consequences. It was a breeding ground for trouble, with students constantly pushing the boundaries and testing the limits of the already overburdened instructors. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and frustration, a testament to the relentless struggle that defined life in Class X.
A shifty-eyed instructor spotted Han Xiao standing at the entrance of the hall and shouted, "Yo, are you lost? This is Class X. Just leave before the foul smell here touches you."
The instructor had assumed Han Xiao was an elite disciple who had wandered in by mistake, given his grandeur and the fine silk robe he was wearing.
"Nope! I'm in the right place. Disciple Han Xiao greets the instructors!" Han Xiao cupped his palms and stood with his back straight.
The nine instructors, who were trying to control the unruly students, turned toward the door and glanced him up and down.
Amidst the watchful gazes of everyone present, Han Xiao made his way into the crowded hall, settling at the back where a vacant spot offered some respite from the bustle.
The chaotic scene resumed, resembling a bustling marketplace with vendors vying for attention.
Despite the uproar, instructors continued their lectures, demonstrating basic sword techniques with occasional moves. Two hours flew by in this manner. They had long given up on expecting much from these students, yet they persisted in teaching earnestly, regardless of the lack of engagement from their audience. This was the age-old tradition of Class X, despised by both instructors and students alike. Contribution points flowed indirectly from the disciples, but the students here contributed little, if anything, back. They simply endured their punishment and awaited the end of their tenure.
The loud bang on the door shattered the noisy atmosphere, announcing the arrival of a group of three elders accompanied by instructors bearing scrolls.
The shifty-eyed instructor barked, "Stand up and greet the three elders!"
While only a fraction of the class, primarily those seated in the upper benches and hailing from humble origins, rose to offer warm greetings, the majority remained engrossed in their activities, unfazed by the interruption. Han Xiao, along with several other reserved disciples at the back benches, maintained their composed silence throughout the commotion.
The instructors didn't mind, and neither did the three elders. They knew that the disciples who didn't bother to greet them were delinquents from royal families of other nations, and sons and daughters of notable families and clans. For them, greeting and bowing their heads was beneath their dignity. After all, this was Class X.
Elder Bo, the most esteemed among them, stepped forward and waved his hand, signaling the standing disciples to sit and remain silent. However, the commotion persisted, as the delinquents mistook this for permission to continue their rowdy behavior.
The shifty-eyed instructor abruptly appeared and struck a fake mountain in front of the crowd with a loud bang. "Zip it, or I'll kick your behinds!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the hall.
Actions spoke louder than words, and everyone immediately fell silent, focusing their attention on the dais.
"Disciples of Class X, I have an important announcement," Elder Bo began in his usual calm voice. "The preliminary test for the upcoming Martial Arts Meet starts today. We will be distributing a list of names of those selected by default to skip the test. However, to ensure fairness, a new rule has been implemented after a discussion among the council of elders: anyone can challenge those selected by default to take their place. Now, please distribute the tokens to those who are exempt."
As instructed, over ten instructors began distributing green wooden tokens. More than two thousand tokens were handed out, mostly to disciples with the highest backgrounds. Among them, Han Xiao received a red token, unlike the others.
Although the disciples were unaware of the significance of the red wooden token, the instructors knew its secret—holders of these tokens couldn't be challenged by others; the preliminary test didn't apply to them.
One instructor, who was about to pass the token to Han Xiao, hesitated and then turned to Elder Bo, saying, "Elder Bo, there might be some mistake."
"What is it?" Elder Bo asked.
"I think a red token was mistakenly brought into Class X."
"Then where do you think it belongs?"
"The Ivy League, maybe only for the Five Tigers."
"Just give it to him. There is no mistake here."
With lingering doubts, the instructor handed the red token to Han Xiao. Throughout this entire scenario, Han Xiao remained composed and calm, as if their doubts and concerns had nothing to do with him.