The village square was silent as Elder Mo's words echoed in the air.
"Jiang Chen, how would you like to join the Silver Moon Cultivation Academy?"
Jiang Chen's breath was still heavy, his arms aching from the force of the elder's attacks. The ground beneath his feet was cracked, proof of the sheer power he had withstood.
He had passed the test.
The villagers, who once looked at him as a cripple, now stared in awe.
His father, Jiang Han, was pale with shock, while his mother, Liu Mei, had tears brimming in her eyes.
Jiang Chen took a deep breath. The Silver Moon Cultivation Academy was one of the most renowned sects in the region. It was a place where only the most talented cultivators could train and rise to power. It was a place that could change his fate forever.
But something about Elder Mo made him cautious.
Why was a powerful elder from such a prestigious academy personally recruiting him? Could this be a trap?
Elder Mo seemed to sense his hesitation and smiled. "I know you have doubts, but let me make one thing clear, Jiang Chen. Talent like yours is rare. If you stay in this village, your potential will be wasted. The path to power is filled with dangers, but at Silver Moon, you will have resources, techniques, and protection."
Jiang Chen's eyes flickered with thought. He knew Elder Mo wasn't lying. The village was too small for him now. If he wanted to rise above his past, to protect his family, and to one day stand at the peak of cultivation, he had to leave.
He turned to his parents. His mother held his hand, reluctant to let go. "Chen'er… Do you have to go?"
Jiang Chen clenched his fist. "Mother, I promise, I'll become strong enough to protect you and Father. No one will ever look down on us again."
Jiang Han sighed, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "Then go. Forge your own path."
Jiang Chen turned back to Elder Mo. He took a step forward, his eyes filled with determination. "I'll join the Silver Moon Cultivation Academy."
Elder Mo smiled. "Good choice."
Leaving the Village
Jiang Chen had little time to prepare. Elder Mo wanted to leave immediately.
Before he left, the village head, Old Wu, approached him. "Jiang Chen, you've brought honor to our village today. Do not forget where you came from."
Jiang Chen nodded. "I won't."
His mother gave him a small pouch. "Inside is some dried food and silver coins. It's not much, but…"
Jiang Chen hugged her. "It's enough."
With a final glance at his home, he turned to Elder Mo. "Let's go."
Elder Mo raised his hand, and a sword of pure qi manifested beneath them. With a single step, they rose into the sky.
Jiang Chen's heart raced as the village shrank beneath him. He had never seen the world from such a height.
This was it.
His journey had begun.
The Journey to the Academy
The flight was faster than Jiang Chen expected. The wind roared past his ears as they soared over mountains, rivers, and dense forests. From up here, he could see cities filled with people, massive sects, and powerful beasts roaming freely.
"This world is far greater than I imagined…" he murmured.
Elder Mo glanced at him. "This is only a fraction of it. If you wish to stand at the peak, you will need to cultivate relentlessly."
Jiang Chen nodded. He already knew that.
After two hours, they approached a massive mountain range. At its peak stood an enormous floating palace surrounded by waterfalls of qi. Golden pagodas stretched toward the sky, and hundreds of disciples trained in vast courtyards.
Jiang Chen's eyes widened. "This is… the academy?"
Elder Mo smirked. "Welcome to Silver Moon Cultivation Academy."
The Academy Gates
They landed before an enormous golden gate, guarded by two armored disciples radiating powerful qi.
"Elder Mo." They bowed immediately.
Elder Mo nodded. "I have brought a new disciple."
The guards glanced at Jiang Chen. One of them sneered. "Another countryside brat?"
Jiang Chen felt a familiar irritation. He had seen that look before—the same mocking gaze from his former bullies.
But this time, he wasn't weak.
Elder Mo gave the guard a cold glance. "Watch your tongue. This boy withstood three of my attacks."
The guards stiffened, their expressions shifting from disdain to shock. Three attacks from Elder Mo?!
Jiang Chen stepped forward. "Are we going in, or do you need me to defeat a few senior brothers first?"
The guards' faces darkened, but they said nothing. The gates slowly creaked open.
Elder Mo chuckled. "I like your confidence."
Inside the Academy
Jiang Chen followed Elder Mo into a massive hall where new disciples were being registered. The hall was bustling with hundreds of young cultivators, all dressed in academy robes.
A stern-looking elder sat at a desk, recording names. "New disciple?" He glanced at Jiang Chen. "Name?"
"Jiang Chen."
"Background?"
"Southern Bamboo Village."
The elder frowned. "Another village boy?" He shook his head and wrote it down.
Elder Mo placed a token on the desk. "He is my personal recommendation."
The elder's hand froze. He looked up sharply. "Personal recommendation? Elder Mo, are you certain?"
Elder Mo smiled. "You'll see soon enough."
Jiang Chen received a wooden token with the number '99' engraved on it.
"This is your disciple number," the elder said. "Your living quarters are in the Outer Disciple Hall. Training begins tomorrow. Welcome to Silver Moon Cultivation Academy."
Jiang Chen took the token. He could feel countless eyes watching him.
Some curious.
Some hostile.
He had entered a world of geniuses.
But Jiang Chen smirked.
He would prove that a boy from a small village could stand above them all.
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