“Gao Yu, you’ve finally arrived,” a female voice called out from afar, growing closer with shocking speed. The figure covered hundreds of meters in an instant and arrived before the group.
She was a beautiful woman with a charming figure, roughly around 30, and dressed in purple robes. Judging from her speed, she was at least a first-rate Adept.
“Senior Sister Zhao, it’s been a while. You sure are enjoying a leisurely life as a Cloud Martial Hall instructor.” Gao Yu remarked with a smile, “Today, I’ve brought you a good disciple.”
“Are you Wu Yuan?” The woman in purple robes looked at Wu Yuan with a hint of curiosity.
“Greetings, Instructor Zhao,” Wu Yuan bowed.
“Wu Yuan, this is Instructor Zhao, one of the eighteen instructors of the Cloud Martial Hall. Her real name is Zhao Baifan, and she is also affiliated with our Finance Hall. She specializes in the art of the saber. I have personally invited her to be your guiding instructor,” Gao Yu introduced the lady.
Wu Yuan nodded, acknowledging the information.
The Cloud Martial Hall, the top martial academy of the Cloudstride Sect, had eighteen resident instructors, all of whom were first-rate Adepts, and each was responsible for a group of disciples.
As for Zhao Baifan? Wu Yuan was aware of her too. Ranked 119th on the Jiang Continent Human Rankings, she was in the top tier of first-rate Adepts, possessing a strength comparable to Chen Tangru, whom Wu Yuan had slain.
“Wu Yuan, strive hard.” Gao Yu looked at Wu Yuan, “Once you officially join the academy, Instructor Zhao will discuss the benefits promised by the Finance Hall.”
“Understood.” Wu Yuan nodded.
“Wu Yuan, try to keep up with me,” said Zhao Baifan calmly, paying no further attention to Gao Yu as she turned and flew into a deep forest.
Her voice echoed in the wind, “Gao Yu, remember to bring me a gift the next time you visit.”
Gao Yu froze.
“Protectorate, remember to bring gifts on your next visit,” Wu Yuan teased, quickly following behind.
Gao Yu remained in place, shaking his head and chuckling to himself, “This kid.”
Immediately after, Gao Yu felt a headache, “These women. Why is it that each and every one of them wants gifts?”
…
At dawn, the mists had yet to dissipate. Two figures sprinted down the main road of the sect, drawing curious glances from the disciples they passed by. However, once they realized it was Zhao Baifan, they no longer found it odd.
Whoosh! Zhao Baifan suddenly came to a halt.
“Instructor Zhao,” Wu Yuan finally caught up, his breath ‘ragged from the exertion’.
“With your physical constitution, your single-arm strength should have reached 15,000 catties, am I right?” Zhao Baifan asked.
“I’m still a bit short.” Wu Yuan replied.
“Hmm, you excel at speed then. Having such a strong physical constitution at your age is quite impressive.” Zhao Baifan said, casting an approving look at Wu Yuan. “I’ve met Gu Ji, and he speaks highly of you.”
“Gao Yu also mentioned that you have extraordinary talent and suspects that you’ve opened your upper dantian lobe,” Zhao Baifan continued. “I hope you won’t disappoint me. I will be your guiding instructor for the next five years at the martial academy. You understand the difference between an instructor and a master, don’t you?”
“I understand,” Wu Yuan replied.
An instructor was a temporary guide, with no deep bond between them and their students. But a master was like a father to his disciples. Experts wouldn’t easily take on disciples, just as martial artists wouldn’t simply worship any master. For the time being, Wu Yuan had no plans to find himself a master.
“Instructor Zhao, why only five years?” Wu Yuan asked, puzzled. “Aren’t Cloud Martial Hall disciples supposed to train in the martial academy for ten years?”
“The Cloud Martial Hall is divided into senior and junior academies. Disciples who have enrolled in the hall for less than five years are part of the junior academy,” Zhao Baifan explained as they walked deeper into the academy, passing numerous small peaks, compounds, and buildings.
“The senior academy consists of disciples who have successfully reached the third-rate Adept level within their first five years. Those who fail to do so face expulsion from the Cloud Martial Hall,” Zhao Baifan explained. “If they do reach the third-rate Adept level, they will continue their cultivation for another five years, primarily through field trials.”
Wu Yuan felt his confusion clear up. So, there was an evaluation at the midway mark of the ten-year training at the Cloud Martial Hall.
“Wu Yuan, your talent is exceptional. I expect you to take the top 30 in next year’s annual competition. And the following year, aim for the top ten,” declared Zhao Baifan.
“Annual competition?” Wu Yuan was puzzled.
“Every year, the senior academy hosts a major tournament to determine the top ten disciples of the sect, the Cloud Heirs. Meanwhile, the junior academy holds its own competition. The higher your rank, the more cultivation resources you receive,” Zhao Baifan clarified.
It seemed the senior and junior academies conducted separate assessments.
“Are disciples of the junior academy not allowed to participate in the major tournament?” Wu Yuan asked, curious.
“Let’s discuss that when you get to the top ten of the annual competition,” Zhao Baifan glanced at him. “Don’t overestimate yourself. You may be talented, but there’s no shortage of geniuses at the Cloud Martial Hall. Most of the junior academy disciples who rank in the top ten are close to becoming second-rate Adepts. Some exceptional ones are already second-rate Adepts!”
Typically, individuals entered the Cloud Martial Hall at around fifteen or sixteen years old. A second-rate Adept at twenty years old? That was already extraordinary!
“Incredible! Absolutely incredible!” Wu Yuan displayed an appropriately astonished expression. But deep down, he was calculating the amount of strength he should reveal and when to reveal it to remain within the boundaries of common sense.
To be reasonably talented and successfully navigate through his body’s golden development period—that was Wu Yuan’s goal. As for the annual competition and major tournament? Wu Yuan hardly spared it a second thought.
As they conversed while walking, Wu Yuan gradually gained a deeper understanding of the Cloudstride Sect and the Cloud Martial Hall.
“We’re here,” Zhao Baifan pointed into the distance.
A massive training ground, several martial grand halls, and countless expansive courtyard houses came into Wu Yuan’s view. Wherever Wu Yuan’s gaze landed, many disciples with youthful appearances were practicing their martial skills on the training ground, each displaying remarkable prowess. Cultivation was an arduous endeavor, one could only attain great achievements through relentless practice from the break of dawn till the fall of dusk.
“Instructor Zhao, didn’t you mention that few disciples are enrolled in the Cloud Martial Hall? Why is it so large?” Wu Yuan couldn’t help but inquire.
“Just because there are few people, we should have a small venue?” Zhao Baifan gave a cryptic smile. “Wu Yuan, think of it from a different perspective. Those who train here are not mere disciples, but Adepts – some even broaching the level of us instructors. How could the training grounds not be large?”
Upon entering the martial academy, numerous disciples cast inquisitive gazes towards Wu Yuan. In the Cloud Martial Hall, the intake of new disciples numbered only around a hundred each year, so everyone generally knew one another – or at least they were not strangers.
This young man that Zhao Baifan had brought in was undoubtedly a disciple of the martial academy, yet he appeared unfamiliar.
“Is he a special recruitment student?”
“He must be!”
“A special recruitment student arrived just yesterday, and there’s another one today?”
“Who is he? Which county does he hail from? Does anyone recognize him?” The disciples present for morning practice whispered among themselves curiously.
Special recruits were a rare breed, with only two or three admitted each year, and thus, they attracted quite a fair bit of attention.
Wu Yuan surveyed the scene with a look of interest and soon spotted a familiar face.
“Wu Yuan? What brings you to the Cloud Martial Hall?” A surprised voice came from the side of the training ground. Wu Yuan and Zhao Baifan turned their heads towards the source of the voice.
“Liu Ruyan?” Wu Yuan smiled. “Long time no see.”
Indeed, it was Liu Ruyan, the one who had managed to ‘defeat’ Wu Yuan in the martial academy major tournament. She had just entered the Cloud Martial Hall this year.
“You know each other?” Zhao Baifan glanced over.
“We were disciples in the same year at the county city’s martial academy.” Wu Yuan replied with a smile.
“Instructor Zhao.” Liu Ruyan was visibly nervous.
“Hmm, Liu Ruyan, train diligently and build a strong foundation.” Zhao Baifan said calmly. “Although Wu Yuan has just joined us, he already possesses the strength of a martial virtuoso. From now on, both of you will be under my charge. You can learn a lot from Wu Yuan.” With those words, Zhao Baifan led Wu Yuan deeper into the academy, leaving a bewildered Liu Ruyan behind.
“Wu Yuan, a martial virtuoso?” Liu Ruyan found it hard to wrap her head around it.
Ever since her ‘lucky’ admission into the Cloud Martial Hall, she believed diligent training and the hall’s resources would allow her to leave her former competitors in the martial academy far behind in the dust. But Wu Yuan?
In the past, he lost to me. Yet right now, I’m still far from the martial virtuoso level. Liu Ruyan was deeply shaken. How did he suddenly gain the strength of a martial virtuoso?
…
As Liu Ruyan questioned her reality, Zhao Baifan led Wu Yuan to the disciples’ residence situated deep within the martial academy.
“The junior disciples mostly reside here, four to a courtyard house,” Zhao Baifan pointed towards the huge courtyard houses not far away, “Wu Yuan, you will temporarily reside in the Ninth Courtyard House.”
Looking over, Wu Yuan noted that every courtyard house occupied nearly 1000 square meters, within which four smaller villas were constructed.
“What about those? Can junior disciples reside there?” Wu Yuan pointed towards several courtyard houses in the distance.
Those courtyard houses were standalone, ensuring complete privacy for their occupants. The land each one occupied was no less than that of an entire communal courtyard, appearing rather luxurious.
“They can,” Zhao Baifan responded indifferently, “However, only those ranked top ten of the annual competition may reside there.”
“Top ten of the annual competition?” Wu Yuan furrowed his brows slightly.
With his numerous secrets, he naturally hoped to secure a private residence. However, the competition was still months away.
“Instructor Zhao, are there other ways?” Wu Yuan inquired.
“There are indeed.” Zhao Baifan responded coolly, “Any junior disciple who challenges the Skystride Pavilion and succeeds may move into the Upper Courtyard.”
“Skystride Pavilion?” Wu Yuan’s eyes lit up, “I wish to give it a try.”
“You?” Zhao Baifan gave him a side glance, “You’re far from ready.”
“Instructor Zhao, there’s no harm in trying,” Wu Yuan grinned, “Even if I fail, it will allow me to realize my shortcomings.”
“Fine, I’ll take you there.” Zhao Baifan nodded.
It was high time she taught Wu Yuan a lesson, to curtail his pride and demonstrate that there were indeed heights beyond his reach.