This is the academy's uniform!"
A profound sense of honor swept away the fatigue of the new students, many of whom had longed to don the attire symbolizing their affiliation with Qingluan Academy.
Although the black cloaks they received bore no insignia, the deep black hue and the incredibly soft, comfortable material ignited excitement in most of them.
"This cloak is crafted from the fur of the North Sea otter; it reflects no light in the darkness, possesses remarkable insulation and waterproof qualities, and most importantly, it makes no sound when raindrops fall or during swift movements." One of the new students, hailing from the border tribes, recognized the material, his expression shifting slightly.
In the military, only elites of at least the town supervisor rank would be equipped with such cold-resistant, waterproof cloaks.
"Sharp eyes," the middle-aged lecturer in black robes responded positively. "This cloak, made from North Sea otter fur, is valued at fifty taels of gold, and it is not widely available on the market."
As many new students gasped at the worth of the cloaks in their hands, the black-robed lecturer continued, "Fifty years ago, the predecessors of the academy proved its value, prompting the empire to invest substantial resources into the three major academies for the cultivation of selected elites, which includes all of you. However, the empire's resources are not infinite; this is precisely why there is a strict limit on the number of new students admitted each year. From this moment on, each of you must remember your identity: you are the hope of the empire, its sword and shield."
"I am Wang Yike, your instructor for this first lesson," the middle-aged lecturer in black robes turned and resumed his stride.
"You must honor what has been bestowed upon you." This was the essence Lin Xi gleaned from the lecturer's opening remarks.
Soon, all the new students understood why each was given such a cloak.
As twilight deepened, they trudged onward, leaving Lingxia Lake behind, when a chilling seasonal wind blew from the direction of the Ascending Heaven Mountain Range, causing the atmosphere to shift abruptly from summer to the depths of winter.
All the new students, including Lin Xi, donned their black cloaks, the ample fabric shielding them from the biting cold, lending a touch of vitality to their youthful faces.
Before a sprawling expanse of withered yellow grass, the middle-aged lecturer in black halted.
"We shall set up camp here. Watch closely as I demonstrate the steps to erect this military tent; I will do it only once. Afterward, each of you must replicate the process. Failure to do so will result in the deduction of half a credit."
His initial statement elicited a collective sigh of relief from the weary students, but his subsequent words instantly raised their spirits once more.
The small military tent was also black, appearing large enough to accommodate two or three individuals—evidently, the professors and lecturers had brought only one, intended solely for demonstration, suggesting they would likely be sleeping outdoors.
Meng Bai sniffled, instinctively tugging at his cloak; the frigid air made his nose uncomfortable, and he realized that the black cloak would likely serve as a blanket at night.
At that moment, a black-haired man of indeterminate age from the Zhi Ge Department suddenly barked, "New students of the Zhi Ge Department, gather here!"
Lin Xi exchanged puzzled glances with Li Kaiyun, and they, along with the other new students from the Zhi Ge Department, moved toward the black-haired man's side.
"What a lunatic, that Qin!" muttered one of the other professors in a hushed tone.
"Haha," the cold and proud black-haired man laughed boisterously, as if this was his true nature. He turned in the biting wind, his hair dancing wildly behind him. "Come, sons of the Zhi Ge Department, we shall continue our journey."
Vice Dean Xia observed the black-haired man's demeanor with a faint smile, remaining silent.
"Must we press on?" The new students of the Zhi Ge Department felt a chill, their legs aching even more. Meanwhile, the other departments' students mostly felt fortunate. Only a frail, golden-haired boy from the Yuhua family murmured, "Courage and loyalty, scars and trials, forge the most radiant glory."
His words drew quiet curses from a group of young men from the Spirit Ritual Department nearby. "What a fool; if you don't want to rest, go join the Zhi Ge crowd."
"Is this the beginning of our training?" Lin Xi, whose legs were already sore, felt an unexpected sense of curiosity and anticipation.
"Lin Xi, here," Meng Bai suddenly dashed over, quickly shoving a package into Lin Xi's hands.
"What is this?" Lin Xi was taken aback, and before Meng Bai could respond, the black-haired man and the middle-aged lecturer named Wang Yike noticed them.
The black-haired man glanced at Meng Bai and Wang Yike, laughing heartily, "Little fatty, is that food? It seems you won't go hungry... Some are about to have good fortune."
Meng Bai trembled in fear, and at that moment, Wang Yike's stern voice rang out: "A soldier must always be prepared with provisions and support for comrades; add half a credit."
"..." Meng Bai was left speechless.
Though he still did not understand what "credits" entailed, it was clear to everyone that earning credits was advantageous... He had indeed stumbled upon good fortune, but he had merely hoarded snacks out of greed, not out of any military preparedness.
...
The black-haired man led the way, clad in a pure black robe adorned with golden trim at the hem and cuffs, while Xia Yanbing followed closely beside him, revealing that he too was an instructor of the Zhi Ge Department.
"It is fundamental to eat well to have strength."
"Extended hunger not only affects one's physical stamina but also impairs thinking, reaction, and can lead to inexplicable errors in judgment. From today onward, you must never forget this."
As he walked steadily against the biting seasonal wind, the black-haired man imparted this wisdom to the new students of the Zhi Ge Department.
Suddenly, he made a remark that left Lin Xi and the others in stitches: "Xia Yanbing, I'm feeling a bit tired; you take over and speak to them."
If he was tired yet still insisted on pushing them forward and speaking, this Qin professor was indeed a bit... mad.
"Engaging in conversation with companions while fatigued can help divert attention and allow one to travel further. Likewise, in the face of serious injuries, maintaining calm and conversing can increase one's chances of survival." Xia Yanbing, handsome and composed, with neatly tied hair, exuded a more approachable demeanor than the black-haired man, easing the pressure on Lin Xi and the others.
"I know many of you are unfamiliar with Qingluan Academy and our Zhi Ge Department, so from now on, feel free to ask me any questions."
His next words ignited excitement among all the new students of the Zhi Ge Department, including Lin Xi and Li Kaiyun.
Without hesitation, Lin Xi took a deep breath and voiced the question that had lingered in his mind without opportunity: "Is Director Zhang still around? ...Can we see him once we enter the academy?"
Xia Yanbing's brow twitched sharply, and the black-haired man's expression mirrored the reaction.
"No one knows the whereabouts of Director Zhang at present." Then, Xia Yanbing looked at Lin Xi with a serious expression. "Sixteen years ago, on a certain morning, he left Qingluan Academy to wander the world."
This was the first time, aside from Lin Xi, that all the new students of the Zhi Ge Department heard about the legendary middle-aged figure's specific whereabouts, causing a slight tremor in their bodies. "He is not at Qingluan Academy..." Lin Xi felt a deep sense of loss, momentarily rendered speechless by disappointment.
...
"Old friend, where are you? The apricot blossoms in Apricot Blossom Village have bloomed again; won't you return to take a look?" Unbeknownst to Lin Xi, at that moment, the revered one-armed elder, held in high esteem throughout the Yunqin Empire, was seated quietly on a mat, watching the black-robed lecturer Wang Yike demonstrate how to dismantle and swiftly assemble the black military tent. His gaze drifted into the distance, filled with a profound sense of melancholy.
"He's been wandering for sixteen years, and even the academy doesn't know his current whereabouts? Why doesn't he return to see us?" In Lin Xi's marching line, a round-faced boy, clearly in awe of "Director Zhang," asked, somewhat dazed.
"What a foolish question," retorted a sturdy, short-haired youth from the border tribes, visibly irritated. "Who can say what someone like him intends to do? Perhaps he has been engaged in monumental endeavors for the Yunqin Empire all these years, possibly deep within enemy territory, and we simply cannot know."
This robust youth's words carried a hint of blind admiration and condescension toward others at the academy, yet Xia Yanbing did not react with anger. Instead, he nodded slightly. "Indeed, that is a foolish question. A person of Director Zhang's caliber must have his reasons for every action; we cannot begin to fathom... Next question."
"What are credits?" A timid, slender boy mustered the courage to inquire.
Xia Yanbing nodded. "Each department has numerous subjects and trials. Completing certain assignments or achieving noteworthy deeds earns you credits. The number of credits is determined by the difficulty and contribution of the task. Accumulating a certain amount of credits allows you to advance to the next level of courses and can also be exchanged for tangible rewards from the academy, such as medicinal herbs needed for cultivation or armor and weapons for battle."