The Boundless Dao Academy was vast—especially the Lower Court Island, immense enough to house and educate a hundred thousand students. At this moment, in the island's southeast air harbor, several dozen enormous hot-air dirigibles were parked in neat rows.
Countless new students descended one after another, luggage in hand, eyes filled with curiosity and excitement. The air was noisy, but laughter—bright and hopeful—overpowered it all.
These were the candidates from across the Federation who had passed this year's entrance examinations for the Boundless Dao Academy.
On the deck of one dirigible, students from Phoenix City, including Wang Baole, stepped off carrying their belongings. Each one was thrilled, staring at the blue sky, the rolling clouds, and the distant peaks of the Academy's various departments. Their hearts brimmed with exhilaration and anticipation.
Compared to their youthful energy, the old physician and the teachers walking out from the main cabin looked strangely uneasy. After all, they had already become very familiar with this group from Phoenix City…
Especially familiar with Wang Baole.
Every one of them couldn't help but glance repeatedly in his direction.
Wang Baole, who was always perceptive about other people's mood, immediately noticed. Though he stood among the crowd, his mind constantly hovered over his exam results; he never stopped searching for teachers' reactions. Naturally, he sensed something wrong.
Why are they all staring at me…Could it be my test results were too heaven-defying? Hahaha—must be that!
He trembled with excitement, though a bit of confusion slipped in—because among the teachers there was one with a goatee, whose gaze toward him seemed… mournful. Almost angry-sad.
"What's that supposed to mean…"
Wang Baole felt uneasy. That goatee teacher looked like he had a personal grudge. Before he could think further, the teachers, including the goatee one, began walking straight toward their group.
"Chen Ziheng, come with me. I'll take you to registration."
One teacher hurried forward, calling the red-robed youth.
Chen Ziheng nodded thoughtfully and left with him. As they walked, the teacher appeared to be recommending something intensely.
Seeing this, Wang Baole's eyes instantly lit up. His breathing quickened.
It's starting! My exam results are finally kicking in!
His heart raced; he puffed out his chest, doing everything possible to make sure all the teachers noticed him.
Soon, the calls continued:
"Xu Liushan, this way.""Liu Daobin, come with me."
One name after another was called. Every chosen student was led away by a teacher.
Everyone quickly realized—these were clearly high scorers. Different departments were trying to secure good seedlings before official enrollment.
Wang Baole felt proud. Though he hadn't been called yet, he was very confident in his exam performance.
The later the call, the better the score.When ALL the teachers fight over me… ah, what a headache!How will I choose between them?
He basked in this fantasy, chin lifted high.
But as time passed…Even Du Min was called away.
Around him, what once was hundreds of incoming students had dwindled to maybe eighty percent.
Wang Baole froze.
"…No way…"
Cold sweat began forming on his forehead.
Teacher after teacher left. Even the old physician gave him a complicated look and walked away.
Until… only the goatee teacher remained.
Wang Baole's vision darkened.
Finally, with visible pain in his expression, the goatee teacher's chest rose and fell rapidly—like a man forced to accept a terrible fate.
"Wang Baole! Get over here!"
He squeezed the words out between his teeth, then turned sharply and walked off the dirigible.
Wang Baole nearly cried from joy.
What a heavenly sound!
He didn't care about the man's expression at all. He rushed forward with doglike enthusiasm—if the teacher had luggage, Wang Baole would've grabbed it immediately.
After they left, the remaining students were collectively escorted off. Those who didn't stand out during exams would, over the next few days, choose their departments on their own.
Outside the air harbor, the goatee teacher walked briskly with hands behind his back, expression dark as charcoal. Ahead, several small dirigibles waited. Some upper-year students in blue academy uniforms milled around excitedly, especially eager whenever a pretty new girl passed by—immediately rushing over to offer assistance.
When they saw the goatee teacher arriving, they bowed quickly.
"Teacher, wait up! Which department are we going to?"
Behind him came Wang Baole's panting voice. The teacher walked too fast—Wang Baole, who had never practiced ancient martial arts, couldn't keep up.
Overwhelmed with frustration, the goatee teacher pulled a purple jade token from his robe and threw it back at Wang Baole.
"Report to the Armament Department. I have things to do."
With that, he stepped into a small dirigible and flew off at once.
Wang Baole caught the token, equally frustrated.
He definitely has a problem with me…Did I perform TOO well in the exam?Ugh… what even is the Armament Department?
He rubbed his forehead, sighed, and took out some snacks from his luggage to comfort his wounded soul.
He had no choice but to gather information on his own.
Lower Court Island was boiling with activity—new students flooded every corner of the air harbor. The weather was already hot, and the crowds made it even more suffocating. The lake breeze brought no coolness—only more heat.
Sweating profusely, Wang Baole spotted a vendor selling ice water—"Ice Spirit Water," as the sign claimed. The price was steep, but Wang Baole was never one to mistreat himself. No matter how expensive, he rushed over and bought several bottles, stuffing them into his bag.
Drinking the icy water, he scanned the bustling crowd. Someone nearby was even livestreaming the new student arrivals, loudly begging for gifts.
It didn't take long for him to gather the basics about the Armament Department. His heart burned with anticipation as he boarded a small dirigible heading toward Armament Peak.
Upon landing, he found the area just as crowded. Some were visiting for consideration; others had already decided to apply here.
Many enthusiastic Armament Department seniors were present to receive newcomers. The entire peak teemed with voices—lively, chaotic, full of energy.
"The Armament Department may look like it only forges tools, but it's far more than that. We can refine anything under heaven into a treasure!"
As the crowd moved, a horse-faced senior sister spoke excitedly, her voice full of pride. Her introduction fit perfectly with what Wang Baole had already learned—he listened with sparkling eyes.
"Our Armament Department is number one in the entire Federation! Whether magical tools, battle gear, or civilian artifacts—we excel in all. Every graduate of our department becomes highly sought after!"
She led them upward as she spoke.
"In the sky earlier, you should've seen the three giant platforms of Armament Peak. Those are our three major academies—Spirit Stone Studies, Rune Pattern Studies, and Spirit Mold Studies!"
She continued explaining academy life, the loose structure, open learning halls, annual exams, the distant but vital Upper Court Examination…
"Within five years, if you still cannot enter the Upper Court… you will have to leave the Academy."
At the word "exams," Wang Baole's ears sharpened instantly.
Others reacted similarly.
"But don't panic. For now, the Upper Court is too far for you." She smiled. "We're here—this is where freshmen submit their department applications."
She stopped before a large, ten-zhang stone mirror. Ancient, weathered, covered in mysterious rune-like veins.
"Place your application jade card here to brand it. In up to three days, the Lower Court will release acceptance lists."
Wiping sweat from her forehead, she stood aside. In her eyes flickered nostalgia—she felt as if she were watching her younger self.
"I wonder how many of them will get accepted… every year we only take about four thousand."
Seeing her wipe sweat, Wang Baole immediately jogged over, grabbed a chilled Ice Spirit Water from his bag, and handed it over.
"Senior sister, thank you for guiding us! It's so hot—please have some water."
His sincerity and silly smile caught her off guard. She stared at him for a few seconds—and her impression instantly improved. After all, she had welcomed freshmen many times… and rarely met anyone this considerate.
Other students also turned to look—his gesture represented all of them, not just himself, making a good impression across the board.
Wang Baole, feeling proud, thought to himself:
I really do have the talent of a future official…
Soon, students lined up at the stone mirror. Each placed a white jade card onto it; the mirror flashed, marking it.
Everyone had one of these cards, given by their accompanying teachers earlier.
But…
Wang Baole stared blankly at the cards.
Why don't I have one…?
After asking around, he realized—the goatee teacher had completely forgotten to give him his.
By the time everyone else finished, only Wang Baole remained. The senior sister looked at him kindly.
"Junior brother, is something wrong?"
"My card… is a bit different from theirs…"
He hesitated, then gingerly placed the purple jade token on the stone mirror.
The instant it touched—
BOOM!!
The jade token erupted with blinding violet light!The stone mirror burst into radiant brilliance!
Thunderous rumbles shook Armament Peak. Shockwaves swept outward. Students stumbled back in terror.
"What's happening!?""What is that!?"
Even Wang Baole jumped in fright.
But then—something even more astonishing occurred.
From the peak's summit, grand and ancient bells began to toll.
CLANG—CLANG—CLANG—
The sound rolled across Armament Peak.
Everywhere—students climbing the mountain, those in the academies, even cultivators meditating inside buildings—every one of them froze and looked up.
Beside the stone mirror, the horse-faced senior sister felt her mind explode. She stared wide-eyed, voice trembling as she screamed:
"A special-recruit student!!"
"Say what?"Wang Baole was completely dazed.
At the same time, atop Armament Peak—inside a grand hall infused with spiritual energy—sat the goatee teacher, flipping through an old tome. His frustration, which had only just begun to fade, instantly surged back.
"This little bastard… why did he get here so fast!"
His five-year privilege… gone just like that.He felt deep regret—so deep his intestines might tie themselves in knots.
As if that wasn't enough, the tolling bells soon drew several figures rushing into the hall—other professors of the Armament Department.
"Brother Zhang Youde! We heard you specially recruited an extraordinary prodigy this year!"
"Hahaha! Old Zhang, we always knew you had sharp eyes! Where is this prodigy? Bring him here—I want to see!"
Surrounded by excited colleagues, the goatee teacher's face turned pitch-black.
It felt like he had bought a pile of dog shit—and now had to swallow it with tears.
Forcing a smile, he said:
"Yes, yes… a very good seedling indeed. I—uh—have a magical tool to refine. I'll take my leave!"
And he ran.
Terrified that if he stayed even a moment longer…he might lose control and slap that "prodigy" to death himself.