The morning sun had barely risen when Azure River City awakened once again.
Only this time...
The atmosphere was different.
The excitement that had filled the city over the past few days had transformed into anticipation.
Today...
Martial High would officially open the Entrance Tournament.
---
Azure River Plaza
Thousands of applicants streamed toward the enormous central plaza.
Some wore the proud robes of their sects.
Others displayed the crests of renowned clans.
Many carried polished weapons that had clearly been prepared for this day.
Among the sea of confident martial artists...
One young man in simple gray clothes quietly walked with the crowd.
Kael looked around curiously.
"...Everyone woke up early."
A passing applicant overheard him.
"...Of course."
"It's the Opening Ceremony."
Kael nodded.
"I see."
He still wasn't entirely sure what an Opening Ceremony was.
---
The Crimson Saber Hall
Inside a luxurious courtyard...
A broad-shouldered young man swung a massive saber repeatedly.
Each strike released bursts of crimson Martial Qi.
The surrounding air trembled.
BOOM!
A nearby boulder split cleanly into two halves.
His companions erupted into cheers.
"As expected of Senior Brother Han!"
"No one here can match your Crimson Saber Art!"
Han Zhen calmly rested the saber on his shoulder.
"There will always be someone stronger."
His tone was calm.
Yet...
His confidence remained unmistakable.
An elder smiled approvingly.
"Good."
"Arrogance dulls the blade."
"Confidence sharpens it."
---
Sky Hawk Pavilion
Jian Yu stood silently beneath a pine tree.
His master approached.
"The ceremony begins soon."
Jian Yu opened his eyes.
"...Yes."
"You seem distracted."
"...I've been thinking."
"About what?"
"The old instructor."
His master frowned slightly.
"What about him?"
"When we registered..."
"...his attention lingered on someone."
The master became interested.
"Someone noteworthy?"
"I don't know."
"I never saw his face clearly."
The master simply nodded.
"Then you'll eventually meet."
---
Zhao Clan Residence
Zhao Lian adjusted the sword hanging at her waist.
A maid smiled warmly.
"Miss..."
"Everyone says you'll easily reach the final stages."
Zhao Lian gently shook her head.
"I've yet to cross blades with anyone."
"How can I know such a thing?"
The maid giggled.
"Because you're amazing."
Zhao Lian smiled but said nothing.
Instead...
She quietly looked out the window toward Martial High.
"...Today begins another journey."
---
Martial High
Beyond Azure River City stood an enormous mountain.
Built into that mountain...
Like an ancient kingdom carved from stone itself...
Was Martial High.
Thousands of broad stone steps led upward.
Training grounds occupied one side.
Towering lecture halls another.
Massive arenas overlooked the surrounding valleys.
At the summit...
The Main Hall stood proudly beneath fluttering black banners embroidered with a golden dragon encircling a sword.
Hundreds of instructors quietly gathered there.
The elderly instructor from registration looked toward the mountain path below.
"They're coming."
Beside him...
Another instructor laughed.
"I always enjoy this part."
"The confident ones walk like kings."
"The nervous ones look ready to faint."
"And once in a while..."
"...someone surprises us."
The old instructor smiled faintly.
"I wonder who it'll be this year."
---
At the Foot of the Mountain
Applicants gradually gathered before the enormous staircase.
There were so many people that the crowd stretched beyond the city gates.
Kael stopped walking.
Then slowly looked upward.
The staircase seemed endless.
"...That's..."
"...a lot of stairs."
Rowan suddenly appeared beside him carrying his spear.
"Kael!"
"You made it!"
Kael smiled.
"Good morning."
Rowan laughed.
"I barely slept."
"I was too nervous."
Kael looked at him.
"...Did being nervous help?"
"...No."
"Then perhaps sleep would have."
Rowan blinked.
Then laughed loudly.
"I really like talking to you."
---
Nearby...
Several applicants whispered among themselves.
"Look over there."
"That's Han Zhen."
"They say he split a giant boulder with one strike."
Another pointed elsewhere.
"And that's Zhao Lian."
"I heard she mastered her clan's sword art before turning eighteen."
The whispers spread rapidly.
Many famous names were already known.
Many gathered admirers before the tournament had even begun.
Meanwhile...
Almost no one noticed Kael.
Exactly as he preferred.
---
High above...
Standing on a stone platform overlooking everyone...
Several instructors quietly observed the crowd.
One young instructor suddenly spoke.
"There."
"The gray-clothed boy."
The elderly instructor followed his gaze.
"...Kael."
"You remember him?"
"I do."
The younger instructor frowned.
"He doesn't seem particularly remarkable."
"He doesn't."
The old instructor agreed.
"And yet..."
"I'd like to see him move."
---
Suddenly...
A deep bell echoed across the mountain.
BOOOOOONG—
The sound rolled through the valleys.
Every conversation ceased.
Thousands of applicants instinctively looked upward.
A dignified middle-aged man wearing long black robes stepped onto the highest platform.
His mere presence silenced the mountain.
Even the wind seemed calmer.
His voice carried effortlessly throughout the gathering.
"Welcome..."
"...to Martial High."
No one dared interrupt.
"For over six hundred years..."
"Martial High has opened its gates only to those who prove themselves worthy."
"You come from noble clans..."
"Ancient sects..."
"Merchant families..."
"Small villages..."
"And some..."
"...have walked alone."
Kael quietly listened.
The Headmaster's gaze swept across the endless crowd.
"Within these mountains..."
"Your birth holds no value."
"Your family name grants no privilege."
"Only your own strength..."
"...your determination..."
"...and your character..."
"...will decide how far you walk."
Many applicants unconsciously clenched their fists.
Excitement burned in their eyes.
The Headmaster continued.
"Today..."
"You will climb these steps."
"You will receive your examination tokens."
"And tomorrow..."
"The Entrance Tournament shall officially begin."
The mountain erupted into cheers.
Thousands of hopeful martial artists looked toward the summit with determination.
Kael looked up as well.
Then quietly adjusted the strap of his backpack.
"...That's simple enough."
He took his first step toward the staircase.
Unaware...
That this climb would become the first time many people would begin noticing the ordinary-looking mountain youth.
End of Chapter 17