Langde was on the shores of Divine Province’s Western Sea. The Immortal Alliance’s Langde branch was large, half on water, half on land.
Due to the Western Sea being a battle zone between humans and demons, the section built at sea was a naval base and a water fortress in one. Immortal Alliance’s elite frontier guards were mostly concentrated here.
The demons’ raids led to hardening the people eking out a living near the Western Sea. They say only the barbarians in the north could match them.
As for the Cracked Peak Island, it might’ve been a geomancy treasure that bore the genius Transcendent, but its people never called themselves sea barbarians.
The Immortal Alliance branch here became just as hardened. Word got around that Langde Immortal Institute’s disciples undergoing combat trials would have their leading Foundation Establishment teaching assistant take them to hunt sea demons.
Jiongli was on Divine Province’s southeast coast. It was known for its landscape, varied and complex, but equally mesmerizing. Before Immortal Alliance came to be, Landscape Metropolis reckoned this place’s geology was special, able to glean some truths from the area and established their own branch here. After Immortal Alliance was formed, Landscape Metropolis turned its branch into an Immortal Alliance branch, even pointing out how it should expand. Nothing beat Landscape Metropolis’ engineering, and Jiongli was built making sure the landscape remained untouched. In fact, it became a unique sight as the city leaned on the mountain and followed its range. No traveling cultivator looking to toughen his Dao Heart would miss Jiongli’s views for the world.
Wang Qi showed no reaction when Mao Zimiao introduced the Ten School Joint Examination situation. Instead, he hasted lively towards Su Junyu’s location, staying overtime.
Only on the third day did Wang Qi show a trace of excitement.
The long-awaited examination began!
Alas, the enthusiasm was as shortlived as the legendary virtual particle. The bigger the excitement, the shorter it lasted. Wang Qi was soon back to solving problems to distract himself and pass the time.
The Immortal Institute required all freshmen to gather at the training grounds in the morning. Being winter, it was still dark when Wang Qi arrived. He yawned hard, managing to squeeze out a tear. He rubbed his eye and asked Wu Fan next to him, “When do we eat?”
Wu Fan was too busy with his book to pay him any attention.
Wang Qi was bored just standing there, but then he closed his eyes and meditated on the abridged Store Thoughts Art.
As the flame energy cloud pattern formed in his mind, Wang Qi plunged into the same incredible state. His soul felt alive, his thinking cleared. He grasped every one of his thoughts and even sensed their root, deep within his mind.
With a special breathing to match, Wang Qi’s mind sank deeper and deeper as he combed through his thoughts.
A clamor reached his ears at one point and opened his eyes. The first thing that came into view was a well-shaped face.
“Yo!” Ai Dinglan pulled a face on him and made a weird sound.
Wang Qi stepped back. “Senior Sister Ai, what are you doing?”
“Junior Brother, that was a secret art you were cultivating, right? One about the mind, yes?” Ai Dinglan brought her weird expression closer. “You were so interesting that I had to give you a scare. Judging by your frantic heart, I nailed it!”
[Anyone waking up to a face of the opposite gender would fluster…]
Wang Qi looked around and noticed it was still dark, but for a different reason.
A huge spirit boat hovered overhead. It had a flat and wide keel, even bigger than the deck. It had three pairs of masts on the sides, like wings, and four masts on the deck. As all sails were inscribed with arrays, the slightest breeze would drive the boat.
The flying ship’s two sides had rope ladders the freshmen crammed around to climb aboard.
Ai Dinglan said. “Let’s go! I came here just to wake you up!”
Wang Qi was startled. “Senior Sister, you’re coming as well?”
She’d never seen Ai Dinglan leave her medical office in any of his previous monthly examinations.
“My task is to heal freshmen, making sure their injuries don’t cause any lasting harm.” The emotionally oblivious five best true disciple explained. “With all of you gone, there’s no freshman around.”
“Damn, can’t top that logic.” Wang Qi was in shock. “Senior Sister, I can’t believe you’re capable of coming to such normal conclusions.”
“In my freshman days, I had straightforward thinking when it came to solving problems. It never declined since!”
Staring at her smile, Wang Qi came to realize sarcasm and irony went right over her head.
Going by ‘geniuses’ heads are screwed on differently’ logic, Ai Dinglan had to be taking the cake.
“Senior Sister Ai, why have you come to me in particular, then?”
“Little Junyu and Qiqi have to stay on Argent Apex. ” Ai Dinglan’s big eyes showed a slight sorrow. “They asked me to look after you, so here I am.”
To reiterate, Ai Dinglan’s talent was completely and unequivocally pure.
Most Immortal Institute disciples had the basics of movement arts learned, easily climbing the rope ladder. When the training grounds started clearing up, it was Wang Qi’s turn to climb. He used his movement art to rush up the ladder. He only touched the ladder a few times for support to reach the deck in no time at all.
After the last freshman got on deck, the great spirit boat moved. Its bow turned and flew northbound. Once out of the Mistshroud Mountain Array, it shot southeast.
Wang Qi stood on the prow, pointing out with excitement. “Jiongli! Make way for this bookworm!”
Wu Fan blushed behind him. “Wang Qi, shouldn’t you be saying that after we arrive?”
The over-excited bookworm looked back with a smile. “I’m seasick.”
[By the time we arrive, I’ll be hanging by a thread. You think I can show of, uh, have style then?] The source of thɪs content is 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝘯𝘦𝘵