The first rays of dawn painted the academy in hues of gold and crimson. Li Feng sat cross-legged on his bed, his Celestial Screen (CS) glowing faintly in the dim light. His gaze lingered on the Abyssal Nexus, the black bead at its core pulsating with a faint, almost hypnotic rhythm.
The events of the past few days weighed heavily on him. The fight with Chen Yuan had made him a marked man, and while Zhu Yan and Xu Mei's camaraderie provided some solace, Li Feng couldn't shake the sense of isolation that came with his unique powers.
"Why me?" he muttered under his breath.
The Nexus didn't answer, but it didn't need to. Li Feng knew the answer: the Tower had chosen him—or perhaps something beyond the Tower had. The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
With a deep breath, he closed his CS and stood. The day ahead promised trials, both seen and unseen, and he needed to be ready.
The academy was a labyrinthine complex sprawling over several square miles. It wasn't just a place of learning; it was a microcosm of the Tower's challenges. The main building housed classrooms and training halls, while the outer grounds were dotted with arenas, obstacle courses, and meditation gardens.
The academy's hierarchy was rigid. Students were ranked based on their performance in trials, their contributions to the academy, and their Celestial Rating (CR)(the academy have a set requirement that you have to pass to advance in ranking but what was relief for students was that all the academics have technology that allows to test whether the criteria is met or not for example if a student have 121 CR and the requirement is 100 CR then instead of showing his updated CR he can take the test through the machine which is definitely made from a high level tech of tower the machine will check if the student passes the criteria of set CR and will not reveal Students current CR .... Well everyone have different opinions some want to show there high CR and boast and some want to keep it a Secret). In the academies At the top were the elites, often childs of powerful families or prodigies with rare abilities. The rest were divided into tiers, with the lowest being the Unranked—those who had yet to prove themselves.
Li Feng, Zhu Yan, and Xu Mei were all Unranked, though their recent actions had started to attract attention.
The academy bell tolled, its deep chime echoing across the grounds. Students began streaming toward the central plaza, where a large stage had been erected. Li Feng joined the crowd, Zhu Yan and Xu Mei flanking him.
"What's this about?" Zhu Yan asked, scratching his head.
Xu Mei frowned. "It's probably the Head Instructor. They usually make an announcement before a major trial."
As they approached the stage, Li Feng felt a ripple of unease. Standing on the platform was a tall man with silver hair and piercing blue eyes. His presence was magnetic, his aura suffused with an overwhelming sense of authority.
"That's Instructor Jian," Xu Mei whispered. "He's one of the strongest in the academy."
Instructor Jian raised a hand, and the murmurs in the crowd ceased instantly.
"Students," he began, his voice calm yet commanding. "The time has come for the Mid-Year Trial. This is your opportunity to prove your worth and climb the ranks. Only the strongest will succeed. The weak will fall, as is the natural order."
Li Feng's fists clenched at the mention of strength. The academy's obsession with power often felt suffocating, but he knew he had no choice but to play by its rules—for now.
Instructor Jian continued, "The trial will take place in the Azure Shadow Forest, a region teeming with Tower beasts. Each of you will be tasked with collecting Azure Crystals hidden within the forest. The more crystals you collect, the higher your rank will rise. However, be warned: the forest is unforgiving, and teamwork will be essential for survival."
A holographic map of the forest appeared above the stage, highlighting key areas.
"The trial begins tomorrow at dawn. Prepare yourselves."
With that, the instructor dismissed the crowd, and the students dispersed, their faces a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Back in their dormitory, Li Feng, Zhu Yan, and Xu Mei huddled together, their expressions serious.
"We need a plan," Xu Mei said. "The forest isn't just dangerous because of the beasts. Other students will be out there too, and some won't hesitate to eliminate the competition."
Zhu Yan nodded. "Agreed. We stick together and cover each other's weaknesses. Li Feng's Piercing Sight will be invaluable for spotting danger, and my Pyro Surge can handle close combat."
Li Feng frowned. "And what about you, Xu Mei? Your Mirage Blade is powerful, but it's not suited for prolonged fights."
Xu Mei smirked. "Don't worry about me. I'll do what I do best: strike fast and disappear before anyone can react."
Despite her confidence, Li Feng couldn't shake his unease. The trial felt like more than just a test—it was a crucible that could make or break them.
That night, Li Feng couldn't sleep. The Abyssal Nexus pulsed faintly, filling his mind with strange whispers.
"Why now?" he murmured.
As if in response, a new screen appeared before him:
Abyssal Nexus Notification:
New Evolution Path Detected.
Requirement: Azure Crystals (5).
Li Feng's heart raced. The Nexus wasn't just a tool; it was guiding him, shaping his destiny in ways he didn't fully understand.
But the implications were clear: the trial was more than just a test of strength. It was an opportunity to unlock something greater.
At dawn, the students gathered at the academy gates. Instructor Jian stood at the forefront, his piercing gaze scanning the crowd.
"The Azure Shadow Forest lies ahead," he announced. "Beyond its borders, you are on your own. Remember: only the strongest will prevail."
As the gates creaked open, Li Feng felt a surge of determination. This was his chance to prove himself, not just to the academy but to the world—and to himself.
"Let's go," he said, his voice steady.
Zhu Yan and Xu Mei nodded, their faces set with resolve. Together, they stepped into the forest, unaware of the challenges—and betrayals—that awaited them.