The train roared across the grey-white Gobi, with a forceful wind under the zing sun high above. The endless wilderness inspired a boundless heroic spirit, which beckoned one''s heart to sing loudly out of the open window carriages, as white curtains danced and the whooshing sound of the wind pped against one''s chest.


    This was the special train heading to the Northern First District; within the carriages sat graduating students who were about to take part in the assessments and re-examinations of the many prestigious schools there, decisions that would determine their futures in life.


    Today, Hexia also sat among them, her hair lifted by the air currents, with sunlight streaming through it, fragmenting and shimmering like light glinting off water.


    Her pale pink nails appeared semi-transparent in the sunlight as she slowly caressed the identity and qualification badge, her gaze drifting towards the distant expanse outside the window, contemting this vast and deste world.


    There were quite a few Gobi deserts in the northern part of Jade Skirt, stretches of opennd with only a few desert nts scattered within.


    It was said that hundreds of years ago, this ce had also been covered with grasnds and forests, but all the vegetation was destroyed by acid rain. Without vegetation to anchor it, thend turned to desert year by year, until it became the hot and empty wastnd it is now.


    The train sped along, departing in the early morning and passing through the desert-like Northern Sixth District, then the rugged and mountainous Northern Fifth District, the t Northern Fourth District with sparse vegetation, the halfnd, halfke Northern Third District, and the Northern Second District filled with abandoned factories and rust, finally arriving in the midst of a huge and imposing canyon—this was the Northern First District, where high mountains and canyons coexisted, a dense city conglomeration, the central hub of the northern poption.


    Mountains nearly a kilometer high stabbed into the sky; their grey-white surfaces were rugged with numerous ravines, typical cial topography. Lower down the mountain sides, mid-slopes were covered with verdant coniferous forests, a mix of yellow and green hues. Looking further down, even greener and tender grasnds started to appear.


    The colossal mountains surrounding the canyon protected it from the corrosive acid rain, preserving the world inside. Leaning against the grandeur of the mountain walls, cities sprawled among them, overlooking this magnificent world through the mist.


    About one third of the entire Northern Hemisphere''s poption was concentrated in the Northern First District, one of the few regions with a pleasant climate in the hemisphere.


    After stepping off the train, Hexia stood in the spacious square at the foot of the mountains and couldn''t help but look up at the towering peaks before her. The tips were steep, giving the impression that they might copse at any moment and inspire a sense of terror that made you want to flee from the shadows of the huge mountains.


    Between the two giant mountains, sunlight poured through the gap, and hover cars flew between them, with rail tracks wrapping around the mid-slopes—numerous transport trains traveled the tracks, constant roaring and liveliness resounded.


    In the sky, massive white airships ascended and descended from time to time, asionally shading the entire swath of blue overhead. Somended on the far side of a distant mountain, while others followed the open Gobi outside the canyon heading toward the setting sun, turning into tiny ck dots.


    Walking between these majestic mountains, one''s mood seemed to expand, no longer desiring to return to the gloomy and stifling underground metropolis.


    No wonder ssmates all wanted toe to the Northern First District to study and live, the girl couldn''t help but think the same.


    And this was just the Northern First District. It was said that the Southern First District of the Southern Hemisphere was even more prosperous and beautiful, unimaginable to many.


    Following the directions on her personal terminal, Hexia crossed the huge Cross Square, heading for the steps on one side. The steps were reminiscent of the entrance to an ancient amphitheater, about the hundreds of meters wide with densempposts along the way. Only after several turns uphill did she reach arge observation deck mid-slope.


    Standing there, one could overlook the vast Cross Square below, where people appeared norger than ants or sesame seeds. In the space between, sightseeing hover cars asionally flew past.


    [Continue straight in the direction of 2 o''clock for 620 meters, and you''ll see the stop for Line 8192. Take that hover car for 49 stations and get off at Wolf Poison Peak Station...]


    Following the instructions, Hexia ascended the steps and soon beheld the red station nestled amongst the mountain slopes, with its red ze-like smooth exterior walls, dark golden translucent metal corridors and windows. Upon entering the station, you would simply step on the square floating floor panels and hold onto the handlebars to be taken to your desired destination.


    Having reached the boarding point, the girl stepped off the square tform and joined the many people standing together in patient wait. There were also many students from out of town, who, to judge from their appearance, seemed to be here for the retest as well.


    "I wonder if I can pass, I''ve been training hard for half a year for this," a short-haired boy said as he shadowboxed hesitantly, d in a loose white martial arts uniform with bandages bound around his wrists, though they seemed more for show.


    "The academy I''m aiming for is the only witchcraft academy within Jade Skirt. In the month of March, under the stars, nxiluka, Mn Hua, may the sages among the stars bear witness for me. I will embark on the path once trod by ancient witches and achieve a great destiny across the starry tracks," a girl with a ck witch hat whispered as she prayed with closed eyes, her right hand clutching a mysterious golden pendant while her left hand waved gently in the air, pale blue trails emerging to form intricate badge symbols.


    "You two, if we hadn''t known each other since we were little, I really wouldn''t want to be seen with you," the only ''normal'' girl among the three retorted, pushing up her sses on the bridge of her nose and stepping back to distance herself from the other two.


    "Come on, Tao Hui, stop hiding. We made a pact when we were children to be legends together," the girl with the wizard hat said as she caught herpanion''s hand and looped it around her waist, then ''kidnapped'' the long-braided girl to head towards the mountain train together.


    "Let''s go! Our goal this time is victory!"


    "Whoa!"


    What a beautiful and vibrant scene, the girl thought, stepping lightly onto the train.


    Compared to these energetic students, she felt as if she were not of the same age, her mindsetpletely different. Perhaps it was the harsh living environment of Payin City that forced people to abandon many illusions and focus onpetition andparison instead.


    In her junior high, ssmates either worried about their future school and jobs or were obsessed with making money and scheming against each other, causing her to lose some of her own fantasies as well.


    However, not everyone lived such a life. Like those three students just now, they were still chasing the romantic possibilities in life, sparking not resentment but a faint envy in others.


    The train started moving, rushing along the side of the mountain, speeding up from slow to fast. On the other side of the windowy the abyss and tall mountains, sky and valley. The train''s speed soon hit 500 KM per hour, twirling and undting through the mountains like some ancient amusement ride known as a ''roller coaster.''


    Half an hourter, Hexia, slightly dizzy, got off the train. She now stood on a high mountain teau, as neatly cut in half as if a giant had sliced right through the mountain, spanning several hundred square kilometers and adorned with elegant white buildings interspersed with trees— a picture of elegance.


    Is this Yuanting Academy?


    She looked up at the grand white archway, its intricate and beautiful script flowing through it, with delicate blue crystal irises entwining around the columns. Students, d in white uniforms with fine blue edging and sapphire bow ties at the cor, wereing and going, an enviable sight indeed.


    Pressing her hand to her chest to muster courage, Hexia entered the majestic school gate.


    It''s about to begin, Hexia.


    Come on, you can''t fall behind your sister.