Chapter 1 Going to the Martial Academy

Without delay, after breakfast, Chen Xiao headed to Tian Feng Martial Academy, accompanied by Xiao Liu Zi, who knew the way.

Along the way, Xiao Liu Zi was extremely excited, chattering non-stop, even more excited than Chen Xiao. A year younger than Chen Xiao, he was at the age to play, but he usually had to stay in Zheng Yi Pavilion and rarely had the opportunity to go out. Today, although he was just accompanying Chen Xiao to register, it felt like a trip to him.

Tian Feng City's western suburbs bordered the Daqi Mountains. At the foot of the Daqi Mountains was a magnificent group of buildings, which was Tian Feng Martial Academy.

Built against the mountain, when Chen Xiao and Xiao Liu Zi arrived, the plaza in front of the mountain gate was already crowded with people, forming several long queues, all apparently there to register.

"There are so many people. I knew we should have come later. How long will we have to wait?" Xiao Liu Zi said, looking at the long lines, his tone full of helplessness.

Chen Xiao didn't expect there to be so many people either, but after observing carefully, he said, "Doesn't Tian Feng Academy have age requirements for the assessment?"

"Of course. You can't register after you're eighteen," Xiao Liu Zi said, not understanding the meaning of Chen Xiao's question. Chen Xiao was only seventeen, so there was no need to consider the age issue at all.

"Oh, then let's wait. I believe it will be our turn soon. Although the lines are long, many people aren't here to register," Chen Xiao said confidently.

"Not here to register?" Xiao Liu Zi was a little puzzled, but after carefully observing the crowd, he understood. "Ah, I see. Many people are here with their children."

It turned out that besides teenagers in their teens, there were also many adults in the lines. They couldn't possibly be here to register, so they must be accompanying their children.

These people came from all over the Empire. Judging from their attire, most were ordinary people. Under the blazing sun, many faces were covered in fine beads of sweat, but their eyes were filled with eager hope.

Undoubtedly, they all hoped that their children could be admitted to Tian Feng Martial Academy, thereby changing their fate. But the reality was cruel. As the most prestigious martial academy in the Empire, the difficulty of its assessment was self-evident. Most of them would be unsuccessful.

Chen Xiao didn't have the leisure to feel sorry for others. He suddenly thought that Xiao Liu Zi was about the same age as him, and wondered if he had ever participated in the assessment, so he asked, "Liu Zi, have you ever participated in the Tian Feng Martial Academy assessment?"

Xiao Liu Zi was stunned, then stammered, "No, Wang Lao... he wouldn't let me register."

Chen Xiao's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he said with some displeasure, "Why is that old man so harsh on you?"

Xiao Liu Zi quickly said, "No, Wang Lao is very good to me. It's just that my cultivation talent is too low... Besides, my greatest wish in this life is to learn the art of array talismans."

Chen Xiao shook his head helplessly. "Okay, someday I'll make you the most powerful array talisman master in the Tian Feng Empire."

"Hehe." Xiao Liu Zi chuckled. If someone else said that, he would definitely think they were bragging, but when Chen Xiao said it, he believed it one hundred percent.

Just then, several tall horses came galloping from not far behind them. The riders were several gorgeously dressed young men who didn't slow down at all because of the crowded people in front. They roared through the crowd as if no one was there, heading towards the mountain gate.

"Damn it, get out of the way! If any of you blind bastards touches my horse, you won't be able to afford it!" one of them shouted loudly, not feeling that he was going too fast at all, but instead blaming the crowd for blocking his path.

Seeing that these people were richly dressed and riding fine horses, indicating that they came from extraordinary families, the people didn't dare to speak out in anger.

But Chen Xiao's face was full of anger because he recognized that one of the young masters was Wang Hao.

"Damn it, are you guys rushing to be reborn?" Xiao Liu Zi dared to curse only after the horses had run far away. Seeing that Chen Xiao's expression was not right, he quickly comforted him, "Brother Xiao, don't bother with them. They're just a bunch of spoiled brats. They're not even worthy of carrying your shoes."

Chen Xiao was still staring at those people. They dismounted in front of the mountain gate and went to the registration area, apparently to register as well. However, they completely disregarded the hard work of others who were waiting in line, blatantly cutting to the front.

Wang Hao whispered a few words to the receiving disciple, and the fat-headed, big-eared receiving disciple immediately bowed and scraped to Wang Hao, ignoring the people who had been waiting in line for so long and instead attending to Wang Hao and his companions.

"Damn, cutting in line after running around like that, these guys are too arrogant," Xiao Liu Zi said angrily.

The people in front of the line were naturally extremely dissatisfied as well. After waiting in line for so long, just when it was about to be their turn, someone cut in.

Then, a man shouted loudly, "Hey, those cutting in line, be aware and go to the back of the line."

This was a dark-faced man, his bulging muscles stretching his outer garment tight. He was very strong, and next to him stood a dark, sturdy teenager who looked exactly like a smaller version of him.

Wang Hao and his companions turned to look at the person who had shouted. Before they could speak, the receiving disciple exploded, shouting sharply, "What are you shouting about? Do you know the rules? Nobles don't have to wait in line. Do you think everyone is a country bumpkin like you? If you shout again, believe it or not, I'll directly disqualify you from registering."

It turned out that there were two main types of disciples at Tian Feng Martial Academy: those who were admitted based on their own cultivation talent, and those who were descendants of nobles.

Tian Feng Martial Academy was the martial academy established by Tian Feng Sect in Tian Feng Empire. The royal family provided a large amount of resources to Tian Feng Sect every year, so Tian Feng Sect would naturally give the royal family some face.

And nobles were conferred by the royal family, their titles inherited by their descendants. There were countless connections between the three. Therefore, descendants of nobles not only didn't have to pass the assessment to enter Tian Feng Martial Academy, but also had many privileges.

However, as far as Chen Xiao knew, the Wang family in Qingyuan City was not a noble family. He didn't know whose connections Wang Hao had used to acquire noble status.

"You..." The black-faced man was also quick-tempered. The receiving disciple's words were so unpleasant that his face instantly turned even darker, his eyes filled with anger. He rolled up his sleeves and was about to step forward.

At this time, the sturdy teenager next to him quickly pulled him back. "Dad, forget it. We've waited so long already. What's a little longer?"

Although the teenager was trying to dissuade the black-faced man, his gaze towards Wang Hao and his companions was also filled with angry flames. His fists clenched and unclenched, obviously suppressing his anger.

"I... Sigh!" The black-faced man sighed and listened to the teenager, quieting down.

"Hmph." Wang Hao snorted dismissively and said to the receiving disciple, "Don't bother with them. I have other things to do after registering."