The Vermilion Bird Academy was built against the mountainside, with its structures ascending layer by layer along the terrain.
Shrouded in mist and clouds, it resembled an immortal sanctuary.
"Let's go."
Wang Mingyuan was the first to descend the aircraft stairs.
He pointed toward the modern urban area surrounding the Vermilion Bird Academy in the distance.
Dozens of buildings with smart glass facades.
Sky bridges connecting various structures.
Maglev trains gliding silently along elevated tracks.
"Prosperous."
Compared to this place,
Jiang City seemed like a backwater.
Wang Mingyuan explained, "Ten years ago, this was still the most impoverished area in the south, with per capita GDP less than one-third of the national average. All the young people left to find work elsewhere."
"It wasn't until the Vermilion Bird Academy chose this location that it gradually transformed into what you see today. This entire area was officially renamed Vermilion Bird City."
Su Zhan nodded silently.
Economic radiation.
He understood that concept well.
The three of them disembarked and walked through the spacious airport.
Su Zhan's gaze was drawn to a pair of twin towers.
Two 400-meter structures connected by a transparent quantum glass bridge at the hundred-meter level.
The bridge appeared completely invisible at night, with only silhouettes of people walking midair visible.
"That's where the academy researches Mist creatures."
Wang Mingyuan noticed his gaze. "It won the global architecture gold medal just five years ago."
"Old Wang, don't tell me you've forgotten the way after being away so long."
Kong Wu teased from the side.
"Not likely."
Wang Mingyuan's eyes held nostalgia. "But ten years... Vermilion Bird City has changed tremendously."
As they walked and talked,
Su Zhan found his eyes overwhelmed.
The towering buildings and futuristic technology along the way offered more than he could take in.
Taking their time, the trio stopped frequently during their walk.
After half an hour, they finally reached the main gate of Vermilion Bird Academy.
The majestic stone pillars were carved with reliefs of a phoenix spreading its wings.
After the security system scanned Kong Wu's credentials,
the three entered the academy.
Admissions Office.
The admissions director was an unremarkable, ordinary-looking middle-aged man.
He stood immediately when they entered. "Old Wang, long time no see."
Wang Mingyuan nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"Finally, our SSS-grade genius has arrived."
The admissions director smiled as he pushed forward an exquisite metal case. "This is the Vermilion Bird Academy's exclusive uniform."
The lid opened automatically, revealing neatly folded dark red stand-collar uniforms with golden phoenix patterns embroidered on the lapels and cuffs.
"Woven with nano-fibers, fireproof and bulletproof, with environmental temperature regulation."
The director picked up a black magnetic card from the case's bottom. "Single dorm room. This is your access card - Freshman Zone Building 1, Room 302."
Su Zhan accepted the case.
He weighed it in his hands - surprisingly light, nothing special about it.
Wang Mingyuan adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and said to Su Zhan, "Go settle into your dorm. I have some matters to attend to."
"Understood."
Su Zhan nodded and wheeled the case out of the admissions office.
Following his phone's navigation,
he arrived at the dormitory building.
Standing before Freshman Building 1, Room 302, he tapped the black card against the sensor.
"Beep—"
The lock disengaged automatically, the alloy door sliding open silently.
A roughly 50-square-meter single room greeted him.
The color scheme combined dark red and silver-gray, exuding modern technological aesthetics.
To the left was a bed elevated half a meter from the floor.
The material resembled some kind of memory alloy that could adjust firmness according to body contours.
The headboard embedded a holographic display showing time, temperature, and academy notifications.
To the right stood a foldable alloy desk.
The surface had touch controls - a light press could switch it to an electronic drawing tablet or tactical simulation sandtable.
The bookshelf beside it was transparent.
Already neatly arranged were several foundational martial theory books and a "Mist Creatures Atlas."
Opposite the door was a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the academy's central square.
As Su Zhan entered, the central air conditioning activated automatically, adjusting the temperature.
"Welcome, student Su Zhan. The dorm has registered your biometrics. Please use voice commands for environmental adjustments."
Su Zhan took a deep breath, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"This place... not bad."
"Knock knock knock..."
Someone rapped on the door.
Su Zhan opened it to find
a skinny boy standing on tiptoe peering through the peephole, nearly tumbling inside when the door opened.
"Whoa!"
Staggering two steps before regaining balance, he scratched his head with a grin. "Bro! You're finally here!"
The boy couldn't be more than 160cm tall, with a lean build.
His bright eyes sparkled, a prominent canine tooth visible when he smiled, his entire demeanor radiating clever energy.
"I'm Xu Hao, just call me Mouse!"
Xu Hao squeezed past familiarly and plopped onto the floating bed, which sank noticeably under his weight. "There's only four of us on the third floor of Freshman Zone Building 1 - you're the last to arrive."
"Su Zhan."
Su Zhan gave a brief introduction.
"Su Zhan!?"
Xu Hao's eyes lit up. "You're that Su Zhan? The one who went viral online for awakening an SSS-grade Life Soul?"
Su Zhan smiled faintly. "Just lucky, I guess."
Apparently his reputation in Daxia had thoroughly spread through media amplification.
"Holy shit!"
Xu Hao jumped up excitedly. "Damn, bro! Your awakening story's so inspirational! That guy, what's-his-name... right! Doberman! Named after a dog and acted like one too! Good riddance!"
Watching Xu Hao's animated gestures and excited bouncing, Su Zhan understood.
This kid was probably trying to curry favor.
After the news of his SSS-grade Life Soul spread, he'd seen plenty of similar behavior.
Strangely, he didn't find it irritating.
Maybe because Xu Hao's admiration seemed too pure, devoid of calculation.
Or perhaps his boisterous manner felt so natural, even his flattery carried a clumsy sincerity.
Too obvious.
But compared to those who showed respect while scheming behind backs, he'd rather deal with someone who wore their thoughts openly.
Though he still maintained some guard, it wasn't much.
"Come on, let me introduce you to our third-floor freshmen!"
Xu Hao suddenly sprang up, dragging Su Zhan outside. "There's this amazing barbecue place in Vermilion Bird City - 20% off for freshmen today!"
"Let me tell you, their honey-glazed wings are to die for. Last time..."
Chattering nonstop like a motor mouth.
Su Zhan frowned.
Before coming to Vermilion Bird Academy, he'd imagined scenes of
every dorm room lit, students either meditating or studying techniques.
Everyone in the hallways focused and absorbed in cultivation.
After all, this was one of Daxia's top martial arts institutions - wasn't every student here supposed to be one-in-ten-thousand geniuses?
"Their grilled kidneys are killer too, with that special dipping sauce..."
Yet here was Xu Hao, pulling his arm and enthusiastically describing various delicacies like some comic relief character.
Listening to his vivid descriptions,
Su Zhan found his lips relaxing into a smile.
On second thought, maybe this wasn't so bad.
Every team needed someone to lighten the mood.
Right now, Xu Hao's enthusiasm was actually easing his newcomer awkwardness.