The breeze swept over the hilltop, carrying the whispers of students who gathered to witness the start of their first flying exercise. Below them, the lush expanse of Shòutián Lín stretched for miles, its thick canopy broken only by the glint of the river winding through the valley. The afternoon sunlight danced on the wings of bird beasts soaring above, their screeches mingling with the murmurs of anticipation.
"Finally, something that isn't a lecture," one student muttered as they adjusted the straps of their riding gear.
Beside him, another grinned nervously. "Yeah, but don't fall. The only thing worse than failing is ending up as a snack for a beast."
This was no ordinary training session; it was the first opportunity for students from Bǎi Wàn Shòuyì, Jiàn Yú Gǎng Shòuyì, and Dà Tián Shòuyì schools to demonstrate their skills in aerial maneuvering. The instructors from Dà Huáng Shā Shòuyì, known for their mastery of bird beasts, had prepared a fleet of trained aerial companions. For many, this marked the first real test of their control and coordination in the air.
The students stood in neat rows, their uniforms fluttering in the wind. Some whispered nervously, while others exuded quiet confidence. Among them, Yán Shèngxīn stood with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. His Peregrine Falcon Beast, though slightly injured, perched silently beside him. Its sharp eyes scanned the horizon, its feathers shimmering like polished steel.
"Master don't hold back," a familiar voice resonated in Yán's mind—his ghost beast, Ān'nà who actually possessed the falcon beast. "This is the perfect chance to show them who's best."
"Quiet, Ān'nà," Yán replied telepathically, glancing at the falcon. "We're not here to draw attention. Just stay alert."
To Yán's left, his friend Tí Lóng struggled to calm his jittery bird beast, a Streaked Owl with striking white-and-brown plumage. Lóng grumbled under his breath, glaring at Shèngxīn.
"You're lucky, you know. That falcon listens to you like you're its parent. Meanwhile, this stubborn owl acts like I owe it money!"
Shèngxīn smirked but said nothing, his focus already shifting to the students from Jiàn Yú Gǎng Shòuyì. Their reputation for agility in the water preceded them, and their natural camaraderie made them formidable opponents.
"Look at them," Lóng whispered, nudging Shèngxīn. "It's like they were born with wings."
Shèngxīn shrugged. "Skill is one thing. Strategy is another."
Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of Zhào Róngtiān, a senior student from Dà Huáng Shā Shòuyì, who exuded an air of arrogance. His presence immediately drew attention as he strode to the front of the group, his voice cutting through the chatter.
"Everyone, listen up!" Róngtiān barked. "This isn't just a training session. We're going to make things interesting. How about a little competition?"
The suggestion sparked a ripple of excitement. Students exchanged glances; their curiosity piqued.
"Here's how it works," Róngtiān continued, a sly grin spreading across his face. "We'll split into teams by school. Each school selects five participants. The rest of you can watch and cheer—or sulk—on the sidelines."
He gestured toward the valley below, where four brightly colored flags marked specific locations. "See those baskets down there? Each one is marked with your school's color: red for Bǎi Wàn Shòuyì, yellow for Dà Huáng Shā Shòuyì, green for Dà Tián Shòuyì, and blue for Jiàn Yú Gǎng Shòuyì."
Róngtiān paused, letting the anticipation build. "Your goal is simple: collect as many fruits from your school's basket as possible and bring them back here. But there's a twist—stealing from other schools' baskets is allowed. Stolen fruits are worth double points."
The crowd erupted into murmurs, some students excited by the challenge, others wary of the chaos it promised.
"Are there any restrictions?" a voice called out from the back. It was Zhì Jiéyuán, a composed and confident student from Jiàn Yú Gǎng Shòuyì.
"Only one," Róngtiān replied, his grin widening. "Your bird beasts are the only ones allowed to handle the fruits. If you touch them yourself, they won't count. Oh, and teamwork is mandatory—each participant must take a turn."
The students buzzed with excitement; their competitive spirits ignited. On the sidelines, the instructor and his team exchanged wary glances. While the activity wasn't part of the official curriculum, it was clear that the students' enthusiasm was irrepressible.
Zhào Wéiguāng, the instructor, raised his hand for silence. "You have one incense stick's time to strategize with your team. Use it wisely. Remember, this exercise is about control, strategy, and teamwork—not recklessness. Injuries will result in immediate disqualification."
----------------------------- End of Chapter 17-----------------------------------