Chapter 11: Enrollment, Spirit Hall Academy
After leaving the Supreme Pontiff Palace, Qian Yang suppressed the waves in his heart and went straight back to his residence. The room was still tidy, and the wooden box that had held the whale glue yesterday was still on the table. He carefully placed the immortal herb illustrated guide on the bedside table, then sat cross-legged on the soft large bed. With a slight movement of his fingertips, the taiji diagram slowly emerged in his palm.
A pale golden halo enveloped his body. Qian Yang closed his eyes and began to circulate his spirit power—after yesterday's baptism by the hundred thousand year spirit bone, although his internal spirit power had broken through to a Level 30 Spirit Elder, it was still somewhat unstable. The black and white fish of the taiji diagram rotated slowly, like a fine sieve, filtering and tempering the spirit power in his body bit by bit, removing the impurities and making the spirit power increasingly condensed and heavy, much like the purification process described in high-level Spirit Master cultivation.
A night passed quietly. When the sky outside turned the color of a fish's belly, Qian Yang slowly put away the taiji diagram. He stretched, feeling refreshed all over. The spirit power in his body circulated more and more smoothly, and the previous feeling of instability mostly dissipated.
In the early morning, a gentle knock sounded at the door, followed by a maid's soft voice: "Young Master Qian Yang, the High Priest asked me to come and take you to the Spirit Hall Academy after you have had breakfast."
Qian Yang stood up and opened the door to see a maid in a simple, elegant long dress standing outside with a food tray. On the tray were several pieces of steaming Spirit Beast meat and a bowl of rice porridge. "These were specially prepared by the High Priest's orders. He said that Spirit Beast meat can replenish your vital energy and blood, which is beneficial for your cultivation," the maid said respectfully as she placed the tray on the table.
Qian Yang nodded, picked up a piece of golden-brown Spirit Beast meat, and took a bite. The meat was tender and fresh, carrying a faint aura of spirit power similar to low-grade Spirit Beast essence. It melted in his mouth, sliding down his throat into his stomach and turning into a warm current that nourished every inch of his meridians. He finished his breakfast in a few bites, patted his stomach, and followed the maid out of the room.
Outside the courtyard, an exquisitely decorated carriage was already waiting. The carriage was pulled by two pure white hundred-year Spirit Beasts known as Treading Snow Colts. The body of the carriage was carved with faint Angelic Patterns, symbolizing the lineage of Qian Daoliu and the Angel Clan, exuding a sense of nobility. The maid led Qian Yang to the carriage and said softly: "Young Master Qian Yang, the High Priest has already arranged everything. After you board the carriage, the Treading Snow Colts will head directly to the Spirit Hall Academy. Once you arrive, a specialized teacher will be there to receive you."
Qian Yang gave a response, lifted the curtain, and climbed into the carriage. The interior was spacious and comfortable, covered with a soft wool carpet, with cushions on both sides and a small plate of fresh fruit in the corner. He leaned against a cushion, but did not lower his guard. Instead, he closed his eyes again and began to meditate—there was still some distance to the academy, which was the perfect time to consolidate his spirit power.
Seeing that Qian Yang was settled, the maid gave a soft instruction to the Treading Snow Colts. The two Treading Snow Colts let out a docile neigh, and with a light tap of their hooves, the carriage slowly began to move toward the Spirit Hall Academy. The wheels rolled over the bluestone road with a faint rumbling sound. The scenery outside the window slowly receded as the morning in Spirit City became lively, with pedestrians gradually appearing on the streets, full of vitality and energy, much like the bustling scenes often depicted in Spirit Hall-controlled cities.
The carriage traveled extremely fast and soon left the vicinity of Spirit City. The Spirit Hall Academy was located in a valley on the outskirts of the city, far from the hustle and bustle. The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi here was even denser than inside the city, making it extremely suitable for building Mimicry Cultivation Environments, a common method used by Spirit Hall to accelerate cultivation efficiency. As the carriage slowly entered the valley, well-arranged Teaching Buildings and cultivation grounds were faintly visible in the distance, with a faint aura of spirit power permeating the air.
Soon, the carriage stopped at the gates of Spirit Hall Academy. As soon as Qian Yang lifted the curtain, he saw three elders in gray robes already waiting there. Their auras were deep and settled. Although they did not release any spirit power, they exuded an air of authority from long-held high positions—these three were the three Deans of Spirit Hall Academy, all of whom were Spirit Douluo level experts.
"Young Master Qian Yang!" Upon seeing Qian Yang step out of the carriage, the three elders bowed in unison, their tones respectful.
Qian Yang quickly took a step forward and moved aside to avoid the formal salute, speaking slowly: "The three of you do not need to be so formal. I am currently just an ordinary student of Spirit Hall Academy; just calling me Qian Yang is fine." He knew well that being too ostentatious in the academy was not a good thing; keeping a low profile and accumulating strength was the primary task at hand, just as many hidden geniuses in Spirit Hall preferred.
Hearing this, a flash of approval appeared in the eyes of the three Deans. They then stood up and followed behind Qian Yang, introducing the academy's situation as they led him inside: "Young Master Qian Yang, the academy is divided into three divisions: Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. Given your current situation, you are temporarily arranged in the Elementary Division to adapt. That white Teaching Building ahead is where the Elementary Division holds its classes."
While they were talking, the four of them arrived in front of the Teaching Building. The leading Dean pushed open the door to a classroom on the first floor. The teacher on the podium, who was explaining knowledge about Spirit Beasts—such as classification, cultivation years, and combat traits similar to those found in the Star Dou Great Forest—quickly stopped the lesson upon seeing them and bowed: "Deans!"
Teacher Li's gaze fell on Qian Yang. When he saw the Angelic Pattern embroidered on his robe, a look of realization flashed in his eyes, and he quickly nodded in agreement: "Yes, Dean, I understand."
Qian Yang nodded to the three Deans and turned to walk into the classroom. The students in the classroom all looked up, curiously sizing up this new classmate—the pale golden robe, the exquisite face, and that faint noble aura made him stand out exceptionally in the crowd.
"Classmate, please introduce yourself first," Teacher Li said gently as he stepped forward.
Qian Yang stood on the podium, his gaze sweeping over the students below. His voice was calm: "Qian Yang." There were no extra words, concise to the point of being somewhat cold.
Teacher Li didn't mind either and pointed to an empty seat by the window on the far right of the first row: "Alright, Qian Yang, you sit there."
Qian Yang walked straight over and sat down. Just as he took out his textbook, he felt several unfriendly gazes. He looked up and saw three children sitting in the back row of the classroom wearing the exclusive attire of Spirit Hall—they were the famous Golden Generation of the future: Yan, Hu Liena, and Xie Yue.
Qian Yang sneered in his heart—when he read the original records in his previous life, he didn't have much of a good impression of these three. Now that he had transmigrated, he remembered even more clearly: in the past, when he accompanied Qian Renxue to the Supreme Pontiff Palace, every time they were driven out by Bibi Dong, these three would always hide in a corner to watch the excitement. Especially Xie Yue and Yan, the mockery in their eyes was completely unconcealed.
A class session passed quickly. As soon as Teacher Li left the classroom, Qian Yang pulled the immortal herb illustrated guide from his chest and turned to the page about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, studying it carefully. He was so absorbed that he didn't notice Hu Liena had already walked up behind him.
"This is the pattern of Uncle Yue Guan's Spirit, isn't it?" Hu Liena's voice held a hint of curiosity. "Did you get this book from Uncle Yue Guan?"