"Who is that?" Bai Shengyi asked Feng Wuya.
"The woman is Xun Meng from the Xun family. Rumor has it her divination techniques have reached the level of human and nature in unity, even able to predict destiny. However, the Xun family is one of the most mysterious among the eighteen hidden families, so none of us are familiar with her. As for the other person..."
Feng Wuya propped up his chin. "He's Sister Li's teammate."
This meant that even Feng Wuya, who was the most well-informed, didn't know who it was.
"He's very unfamiliar," Chu Tianle frowned slightly.
In the past, he would have certainly felt uncomfortable, but for some reason, looking at that man now, he only felt curiosity, not jealousy or envy.
However, Chu Tianle instinctively rejected delving into the reason behind this.
Bai Shengyi was observing the others, and they were all looking at her and Chu Tianle. In the eyes of everyone, this team, which had raised its score in just a few days, was clearly not to be underestimated.
"Congratulations on passing the entire assessment!" A familiar figure appeared on the fighting stage. It was Mu Xing, who looked very seriously at the crowd below.
"But I must tell you, your real assessment has just begun. I believe everyone already knows that passing the assessment does not mean you can enter Shenqi Academy. Even if you enter the academy, you will only face more dangers and difficulties."
"Therefore, the academy has given everyone a chance to regret. In one month, you may go to the academy to register with a recommendation letter. Anyone who fails to arrive at the academy after the deadline will be considered to have forfeited."
After Mu Xing finished speaking, he quickly left.
The crowd looked at each other, and they also dispersed in twos and threes. Before leaving, Bai Murong gave Bai Shengyi a meaningful glance.
"That woman has ill intentions. Shengyi, you need to be careful," Luo Feihua frowned tightly. She hated women like Bai Murong who were two-faced and liked to stab people in the back.
Bai Shengyi nodded. "I will. By the way, the teacher from the academy only mentioned the time but not the location. Do you know it?"
Bai Shengyi felt that Shenqi Academy truly deserved its reputation as the top force on the Shenqi Continent. Its entire selection mechanism and other rules were very casual.
Take today, for example. It seemed to be giving people a chance to regret, but who knew if it wasn't just another trap dug for everyone, another assessment?
"Wuwang Yunhai," Feng Wuya said with certainty.
Everyone's eyes lit up with a "shua" sound, and they stared intently at him.
Feng Wuya waved his small handkerchief and explained proudly, "My grandfather is a guest elder of the Zhen Dan Peak. I went with him when I was little, but unfortunately, after I turned eight, the academy wouldn't let me in anymore."
As the place with the most complete cultivation techniques, the strongest teaching staff, and the top influence on the continent, even though Shenqi Academy recruited from the three kingdoms every year, it remained aloof. Many people could never set foot within its threshold in their entire lives.
This was because its entry requirements were very high, its assessments were very diverse, and they were personalized to each individual. For example, Feng Wuya's grandfather, Feng Xun Guang, had the strength to enter the academy himself, but the academy would not give preferential treatment to his descendants because of it. Feng Wuya still had to undergo assessments according to the rules to get in.
However, it contained countless rare treasures and cultivation techniques. Thus, someone once said, "Shenqi Academy is the paradise for cultivators, and also the hell for cultivators."
With the location of Shenqi Academy confirmed, things became easier.
"I need to go home first. What about you guys?" Feng Wuya said, "Wuwang Yunhai is near Suixia City in Jinque Kingdom. We can arrange to meet in Suixia City and go to the academy together."
"I should go home," Bai Shengyi said. "Bai... my brother sent someone to bring me a letter a few days ago, asking me to return to the manor."
Although she didn't know what Bai Sicheng wanted, she would still give him this face. Besides, she also needed to find her second uncle Bai.
The others also stated they needed to go home first.
Thus, everyone unanimously decided to gather in Suixia City in half a month to go to the academy together.
While Qianlian City was good, it was not friendly to those at the Foundation Establishment stage like them. Without the academy's protection, they were not safe here. Moreover, none of them were procrastinators, so they soon bid farewell to each other and went their separate ways.
The Chu family, the Luo family, and Great Ning Country were all in the same direction, so Chu Tianle, Luo Feihua, and Bai Shengyi needed to travel together for a while. Behind them, Bai Murong and Qing Bulih followed not too far behind.
Bai Shengyi assumed Bai Murong was also returning to the Bai family, so she paid them no mind.
"Feng Wuya said that those who failed the assessment were not immediately sent back by the academy. They might select another batch of people," Luo Feihua wiped the sweat from her forehead, suddenly feeling that the weather today was too hot.
Chu Tianle had been very silent all the way, likely thinking about something.
Bai Shengyi took a small sip of water. "As outer disciples?"
Luo Feihua shook her head. "I heard they are taken as handyman disciples."
"Tsk, the academy is truly..." Bai Shengyi trailed off, unable to find a word to describe Shenqi Academy's actions.
It was Chu Tianle who finally supplied two words: "Overbearing." Those who had managed to reach the final stage were at least talented, if not geniuses. Yet, Shenqi Academy only took them as handyman disciples.
"Yes, exactly, overbearing." Bai Shengyi glanced at Chu Tianle in surprise. "I thought you were going to melt from the heat, which is why you were so quiet the whole way!"
She was rather unaccustomed to it. She had previously mistakenly thought Chu Tianle was a chatterbox, but lately, Chu Tianle had indeed become more silent day by day.
As Bai Shengyi spoke, she noticed Chu Tianle glance at her and then lower his head without speaking.
She quickly gave Luo Feihua a look: What's wrong with him? Is he heartbroken?
Bai Shengyi remembered that Chu Tianle seemed to like Li Shiqing. Was he like this because Li Shiqing chose to team up with someone else?
Luo Feihua shook her head. She felt something was amiss. Chu Tianle's demeanor didn't seem like it was because of Sister Li.
"Bai Murong and them are gone!" Chu Tianle's voice suddenly rose. "Shengyi, Feihua, be careful!"
"Shua!"
As soon as Chu Tianle finished speaking, a cold white light flashed, and a long sword, like a dragon emerging from water with clear intent, thrust towards Bai Shengyi.
Bai Shengyi quickly retreated and dodged with a backward roll. She saw dense fog suddenly rising around them, and Luo Feihua had already disappeared.
"Shengyi, are you alright?" Chu Tianle had just grabbed Bai Shengyi's sleeve, preventing them from being separated.
Bai Shengyi shook her head slightly. "Be careful, the person is at least at the late stage of Foundation Establishment." And a powerful one at that.
"No, he should be at the Golden Core stage." Chu Tianle took a deep breath, gripped his great saber, and his veins bulged on his arm as he stood alertly.
Bai Shengyi's heart trembled slightly, and she looked around more cautiously, only to find the surroundings shrouded in thick fog, with no sign of anyone.
However, the opponent spoke, "Chu family brat, since you have such good eyes, quickly leave. This Venerable can spare your life."