Li Feng adjusted the strap of his worn leather satchel, his heart a mix of apprehension and determination as he approached the sprawling gates of the Celestial Academy. The structure stood as a testament to human ambition, its towering spires glinting under the Azure Crescent Zone's twin moons. This was no ordinary school. It was where the Awakened honed their skills to ascend the Celestial Tower and carve their place in history.
For Li Feng, however, the academy represented a battleground—a place where ridicule and opportunity intertwined.
The academy courtyard buzzed with activity. Hundreds of recruits from villages, towns, and cities across the Azure Crescent Zone had gathered, their faces alight with excitement or shadowed by anxiety. The air hummed with faint traces of abilities being displayed—a flicker of fire here, a burst of wind there. It was a showcase of potential, a silent declaration of who would rise and who would falter.
Li Feng stayed at the edges of the crowd, his dark eyes scanning the scene. Despite his slim frame and unassuming presence, he carried himself with quiet confidence. His piercing sight flickered, allowing him to glimpse faint energy signatures around individuals. Most had average auras, but a few burned brighter—a sign of potent abilities.
"They're strong," he muttered to himself, narrowing his gaze at a tall boy surrounded by admirers. His aura shimmered with a golden hue, a rarity even among the Awakened.
"That's Chen Yuan," someone whispered nearby. "His ability is Radiant Shield. They say it's nearly impenetrable."
"Figures," Li Feng thought. "The strong always command attention."
As the bell tolled, the recruits were ushered into the Great Hall. The room was massive, its walls inscribed with glowing runes that pulsed faintly, a reminder of the academy's connection to the Tower. At the center stood a dais where a stern-faced instructor addressed the crowd.
"Welcome, recruits, to the Celestial Academy of the Azure Crescent Zone," the man began, his voice cutting through the chatter like a blade. "You are here because you possess the potential to climb the Celestial Tower. But make no mistake—potential means nothing without discipline and strength."
The man's sharp gaze swept the room, lingering on each face for a moment longer than comfortable. When his eyes met Li Feng's, they narrowed slightly, as if sensing something out of place.
"My name is Instructor Wei, and I will oversee your training. Fail to meet our standards, and you will be expelled. Success here is not guaranteed."
He gestured toward the massive screen that descended behind him, displaying a list of names, abilities, and initial CR rankings.
These were the rating and information recorded on the day of awakening by the incharge appointed at the awakening hall at every territory by UCF.
Initially at the day of awakening everyone were given a CR which represented there power but correspondingly they were also gained 100 CP per CR at the day of awakening so power is directly related to the CR while the old money which have now become useless in this new world is replaced by CP everything is traded in CP so the free CP at the day of awakening was of also great value)
Li Feng's heart sank when he saw his name:
Name: Li Feng
Ability: Piercing Sight
Initial CR: 5
Initial CP: 500
Snickers rippled through the hall.
"Five CR? Even my little brother has more than that!"
Some were also making fun ' only received 500 CP on the day of awakening hahaha....'
"Piercing Sight? What is he going to do, stare the Tower to death?"
Li Feng clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.
Instructor Wei silenced the crowd with a glare. "Mockery has no place here. Strength can be forged, and the weak today may rise tomorrow. Remember that."
Li Feng exhaled, silently grateful for the reprieve.
Over the following weeks, life at the academy was grueling. Morning drills tested physical endurance, while afternoons were reserved for combat training and strategy sessions. Evenings were spent studying Tower lore and resource management.
For Li Feng, the challenge wasn't just physical. His low CP and seemingly useless ability made him a target for ridicule. Yet, he endured, his resolve growing sharper with every insult.
Unbeknownst to his peers, he had already begun to explore the potential of his Abyssal System.
In the privacy of his dormitory, he activated Abyssal Forge, experimenting with mundane objects and energy fragments he'd discreetly gathered. Though progress was slow, he managed to create a rudimentary technique—a shadowy tendril that could extend from his hand for a few meters.
He named it Abyssal Lash.
The tendril was weak, but it was a start. More importantly, it didn't resemble Piercing Sight, keeping his evolving abilities hidden from prying eyes.
Li Feng's days weren't entirely solitary.
One evening, during a sparring session, he crossed paths with Mei Lan, a sharp-tongued girl with an affinity for wind manipulation. Her ability, Gale Step, allowed her to move with uncanny speed, and she easily bested him in their match.
"You're slower than a snail," she said, helping him up.
Li Feng smirked, brushing off the dust. "And you're talkative for someone who nearly tripped over their own feet."
Despite her sharp words, Mei Lan seemed intrigued by Li Feng's resilience. Over time, she became a reluctant ally, offering tips on combat and sharing gossip about the academy's politics.
Meanwhile, Chen Yuan, the boy with the Radiant Shield, took every opportunity to remind Li Feng of his place. In training exercises, he would block Li Feng's path, smirking as the instructors turned a blind eye.
"One day, you'll thank me for toughening you up," Chen Yuan sneered after a particularly harsh drill.
Li Feng said nothing, his piercing gaze boring into Chen Yuan's smug face. Inside, the Abyssal System churned, urging him to devour the arrogance radiating from his rival.
The first major test came a month into their training. The recruits were tasked with a team mission in the academy's simulation grounds—a sprawling forest filled with illusions and simulated beasts.
Li Feng's team included Mei Lan and two other recruits with middling abilities. Their objective was to retrieve a flag guarded by a formidable creature, while rival teams sought to claim it for themselves.
The mission was a disaster from the start. Chen Yuan's team ambushed them, forcing Li Feng's group to retreat deeper into the forest.
As night fell, Li Feng took charge.
"We're not going to win by brute force," he said, his voice steady despite the tension. "But we can outsmart them."
Using his Abyssal Gaze, he identified energy trails left by the creature guarding the flag. With careful planning, he guided his team around the rival groups and set a trap for the creature.
When dawn broke, Li Feng's team emerged victorious, the flag in hand.
Though the mission earned him grudging respect from some of his peers, it also painted a target on his back. Chen Yuan, humiliated by the loss, vowed revenge.
Li Feng, however, welcomed the challenge.
In the quiet of his dorm, the Abyssal Nexus pulsed with anticipation. The shadows around him seemed to whisper promises of power, urging him to ascend, to conquer, to devour.
As the academy's trials grew more dangerous, Li Feng knew one thing for certain:
The path to the Celestial Tower's summit would be paved with both allies and enemies, but he would rise, one step at a time.