Chapter 33: Rediscovering the Way of the Sword

Over four hundred freshmen entered the Outer Court of the Yunhai Academy together.

A young instructor at the Yuan-Channeling Realm distributed a freshman handbook to each of them and provided them with their dormitory room numbers. According to the academy's requirements, all disciples must open seven pulse wheels—reaching the seventh level of the Pulse-Channeling Realm—before the age of twenty to remain in the academy.

The requirements for entering the Inner Court were significantly more stringent. The primary condition was to reach the third level of the Yuan-Channeling Realm or higher, all while under the age of twenty. While there were indeed many at the seventh level of the Pulse-Channeling Realm under twenty, reaching the Yuan-Channeling Realm before twenty was considered a mark of moderate talent across the entire Great Qian Dynasty. Those who achieved the third level of the Yuan-Channeling Realm or higher before twenty possessed superior talent and could gain entry into the inner court of any academy within the dynasty. Those with even greater aptitude would be groomed as core disciples.

Although Chu Tianchen’s strength was already comparable to the sixth or even seventh level of the Pulse-Channeling Realm, he appeared to be only at the second level. At nineteen, he had less than a year left. To successfully enter the Inner Court, he had to raise his cultivation to the third level of the Yuan-Channeling Realm. As for the highly coveted Yunhai Secret Realm that everyone pursued, one had to reach the God-Channeling Realm just to enter; otherwise, the terrifying gravity within would crush an intruder into a pulp the moment they stepped inside.

Chu Tianchen’s goal was not merely the Inner Court; he was determined to enter the Yunhai Secret Realm. After all, if even those from the greater world cared so much about it, it could not be simple.

Chu Tianchen took his handbook and headed to his dormitory. The rooms were shared by four people, allocated based on the freshmen’s cultivation levels. His roommates included two others at the second level of the Pulse-Channeling Realm and one at the third level. They were all young, roughly fifteen or sixteen years old. Chu Tianchen’s bed was in the innermost corner.

Seeing him enter, the three looked at him with surprise. "Are you a freshman too?" asked a young disciple named Wang Teng.

Chu Tianchen nodded noncommittally. "Is there a problem?"

"Look, brother, do you not understand the rules of Yunhai Academy? You have to be at the seventh level of the Pulse-Channeling Realm by twenty to stay. You must be turning twenty in a few months, right? You’re only at the second level now—how can you open seven pulse wheels in less than a year? What's the point of spending a few months in the Outer Court?" Wang Teng asked. The other two nodded in agreement.

Chu Tianchen glanced at Wang Teng. Although his tone was blunt, there was no malice in his eyes. "I’ll give it a try. Who knows, maybe it will work out," Chu Tianchen replied as he went to his bunk.

"Wait, I think I’ve seen you somewhere before," another person said, frowning in thought. "I remember now! The day I came to register, you had a conflict with the Liu Sect at the gate." The speaker was Mo Xiaolang, and he exclaimed in shock.

Wang Teng and the fourth roommate, Zhao Tengfei—the youngest of the group at just under fifteen—widened their eyes.

"What? You had a conflict with the Liu Sect?" Wang Teng swallowed hard.

"Right, the other party seemed to be the Dean’s daughter, Liu Qingxin," Mo Xiaolang added.

At these words, Wang Teng’s legs went weak, and he slumped to the floor. "Who did you say? Liu... Liu Qingxin? Damn, you got into a conflict with her and still came to the academy? Brother, aren't you just delivering your own head on a platter? Hurry up and pack your things before the Liu Sect finds out you're here! Wait, the bedding belongs to the academy—just turn around and run! If you want to take a gamble, go to another academy; there’s no need to do it here."

The others looked at him, clearly in agreement. Chu Tianchen, however, laughed at their nervous expressions. "Are you afraid of being implicated? If so, I can change rooms or move out."

"Afraid? Who's afraid?" Wang Teng stood up, trying to regain his composure. "I come from a reputable family. There are eight major sects in the Yunhai Academy, and the Liu Sect only ranks third. Our Wang Sect has its place, too. They wouldn't dare do anything to me. Zhao Tengfei and Mo Xiaolang here just joined the Wang Sect themselves."

"Might I ask, what is the ranking of your Wang Sect among the eight?" Chu Tianchen asked.

Wang Teng looked slightly embarrassed. "Well... it’s eighth, but holding a seat among the eight is already quite impressive."

"Brother Teng, why don't you talk to the Wang Sect and bring this brother into the fold? That way, the Liu Sect wouldn't dare target him," Mo Xiaolang suggested. Zhao Tengfei agreed.

Wang Teng’s expression grew unnatural. While his sect held a seat, the gap between them and the Liu Sect was vast. If Chu Tianchen were a peerless genius, the sect might stand up for him, but they would never offend the Liu Sect for a nineteen-year-old at the second level of the Pulse-Channeling Realm.

"If you insist on staying, I'll try to talk to my sister when I get the chance," Wang Teng said, bracing himself. "She is the Deputy Sect Leader of the Wang Sect."

Chu Tianchen smiled at his troubled expression. "I appreciate that, Brother Wang."

They introduced themselves. Chu Tianchen had a decent impression of his roommates; they didn't despise him for his cultivation or ostracize him for his trouble with the Liu Sect. As for joining the Wang Sect, Chu Tianchen was only humoring them. The Yunhai Academy was merely a stepping stone toward the greater world. He wouldn't stay forever. Once his cultivation improved and he found his grandfather and the others, he would rescue them and head to higher realms to pursue the ultimate peak. He carried the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance and had even experienced the power of a Land Immortal; that terrifying, awe-inspiring strength was what he truly longed for.

After settling into the dorm, the group headed to the Outer Court’s martial arts field, where an instructor led them to the Scripture Pavilion. Although Chu Tianchen possessed the Nine Dragons Heaven-Swallowing Technique and heaven-tier arts from his inheritance, they were not suitable for his current level. He decided to try his luck at the pavilion; having extra skills never hurt. He also needed to buy a sword. The Chu family had always been a family of swordsmen. Five years ago, he had already grasped sword intent, and now that he was reopening his pulse wheels, it was time to reclaim his path of the sword.

*Grandfather, Father, Uncle, Aunt... I believe you can hold on until I arrive!* Chu Tianchen whispered to himself as he followed the others into the Scripture Pavilion.