《Futian Clan》


 Chapter 1: The youth here.

    In the autumn of the year 9999 of the Shenzhou calendar, in Qingzhou City, East Sea.


    Qingzhou Academy, the sacred place of Qingzhou City, has nurtured more than half of the strong practitioners from the noble families and sect clans within the city. Therefore, the people of Qingzhou City take great pride in being able to study and cultivate within the academy, and once given the opportunity to enter, they dedicate themselves to diligent learning.


    However, it seems not everyone shares this sentiment.


    At this moment, in one of the academy''s classrooms, a young man was fast asleep on his desk.


    On the lecture platform, a young woman in a long green dress noticed this scene, and a trace of anger appeared on her delicate face. She stepped down and walked towards the sleeping youth.


    Qin Yi, seventeen years old, a formal disciple of Qingzhou Academy, and a lecturer for outer disciples, was known for her stunning beauty and curvaceous figure.


    In the classroom, many eyes followed Qin Yi''s graceful movements. Even in anger, her steps remained elegant.


    "This guy, he''s sleeping in Qin Yi''s lecture again," some youths around whispered, clearly exasperated. This was evidently not the first time.


    "With Qin Yi''s looks and figure, just looking at her is enough to be a delight. What on earth is going on in that guy''s head?"


    Among all the lecturers, Qin Yi was undoubtedly the most popular, and for good reason. Many regarded her as a goddess, and her lectures were always packed to the brim.


    Sleeping in Qin Yi''s lecture? This was nothing short of sacrilege.


    Qin Yi''s steps were light, making no sound as she approached the sleeping youth. She stood by his desk, looking down at the peacefully sleeping face, her beautiful countenance now frosty.


    "Ye Futian," a soft voice called out, though it didn''t come from Qin Yi, but from behind Ye Futian.


    As if hearing his name in his dream, Ye Futian stirred, propping his head up with his hands, and slowly opened his eyes. In his blurred vision, what greeted him was a pair of undulating peaks.


    "So big," Ye Futian couldn''t help but mutter under his breath. His voice was soft, almost a whisper, but in the quiet of the classroom, it was as clear as day. Instantly, many eyes froze in the air, then turned to anger.


    "He actually... publicly disrespected Qin Yi?"


    "This shameless guy, what a scoundrel." Angry gazes turned into sharp swords, making Ye Futian shiver. Sensing something amiss, his eyes traveled upwards from the alluring sight, only to meet a face as delicate as jade, but now filled with rage.


    "Uh..." Ye Futian''s face darkened. Why was it Qin Yi? Wasn''t it Qingxue who called him?


    Turning his head, he saw a pure-looking fifteen-year-old girl glaring at him angrily.


    Ye Futian glanced at the girl, then cursed inwardly. He''d been set up, no wonder the proportions felt off.


    "Qin Yi, I..." Ye Futian began to explain.


    "Ye Futian," Qin Yi coldly cut him off, "Under what circumstances was Qingzhou Academy established?"


    Clearly, Qin Yi was trying to steer away from the earlier awkwardness, changing the subject. But the anger in her voice was palpable, and Ye Futian could even feel a faint sword intent emanating from her, sharp and piercing, stinging every inch of his skin.


    "Three hundred years ago, Emperor Donghuang unified the Eastern Shenzhou and ordered the feudal lords to establish martial academies to promote martial arts. Qingzhou Academy was founded under this decree," Ye Futian replied. Of course, this was the official history. In the unofficial histories he had read in his family, there was another name mentioned, but that forbidden name was not to be spoken of.


    "What are the professions in cultivation?" Qin Yi asked again.


    "Cultivation can be divided into martial arts and sorcery. Martial practitioners include warriors, knights, swordsmen, and many others. Sorcery practitioners include mages, alchemists, artifact forgers, and various other professions. Mages are further divided into multiple schools, and there are also those with exceptional talent who practice both martial arts and sorcery," Ye Futian answered.


    "You seem to have missed one profession," Qin Yi said solemnly, her tone serious.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    "Of course not," the young man''s face lit up with a sacred glow. "The most revered profession in Shenzhou, blessed by the heavens��the Destiny Mage. They possess innate talents bestowed by the heavens, such as summoners, beast tamers, astrologers, most of whom are Destiny Mages. Whether they practice martial arts or sorcery, Destiny Mages have a natural advantage over others."


    The people around were captivated, their hearts yearning. Destiny Mages, a legendary profession, blessed by fate, favored by the heavens.


    "Not only that, even the most ordinary Destiny Mage is naturally suited for both martial arts and sorcery," Qin Yi said with a look of longing, then turned her gaze back to the young man before her, her anger resurfacing. "I didn''t expect you to know so much about this."


    "Of course," Ye Futian looked at Qin Yi earnestly. "I am a Destiny Mage."


    "Pfft..." A young man nearby who was drinking water choked and started coughing violently. All eyes turned to Ye Futian, looking at him as if he were an idiot.


    How could there be such a shameless person in the world? Truly a legendary figure in Qingzhou Academy, not only publicly flirting with Qin Yi but now also claiming to be a Destiny Mage, all to get her attention?


    But who was he? After three years in the academy, he was still stuck at the first level of awakening, the Qi Gathering stage, with a frail body, clearly not even having completed body tempering. Such a mediocre, even trashy figure, claiming to be a Destiny Mage?


    Did he have no shame?


    Qin Yi''s chest heaved once more, creating a breathtaking sight. She glared at Ye Futian in anger. "If you are a Destiny Mage, then you must have a soul in your Destiny Palace. Release it and let me see."


    "My soul is still dormant and cannot be summoned. The reason I fell asleep in class is because of my soul," Ye Futian replied calmly.


    "Ye Futian..." Qin Yi suddenly shouted, her beautiful eyes fixed on the young man before her. "Three years ago, when you were twelve, you entered the academy. At that time, I was still an outer disciple, observing your talent assessment. You had a heaven-grade perception of spiritual energy, shocking the entire academy, and many teachers took notice. But in the three years since, you have made no progress, remaining at the first level of awakening, the Qi Gathering stage, idle and lazy, always distracted in class. Have you even been cultivating? And now, you lie about being a Destiny Mage, using it as an excuse for sleeping in class."


    "For three years, whether it was the spring or autumn exams, you forfeited every time, always ranking last in the academy. Ye Futian, do you have no sense of shame?"


    As Qin Yi''s angry tirade filled the classroom, the room fell into a deathly silence. Everyone stared at Qin Yi''s flushed face, seemingly witnessing her lose her composure for the first time.


    Ye Futian seemed stunned as well, his dark eyes fixed on the exquisite face before him, now red with anger.


    "Three years already," Ye Futian murmured to himself. He hadn''t realized that three years had passed, and the being in his Destiny Palace still hadn''t changed. He was also surprised that the usually cold and aloof goddess Qin Yi had been paying attention to him all along, ever since he entered the academy with his heaven-grade perception talent.


    The room was eerily quiet. Qin Yi''s gaze lingered on the young man''s face��his handsome features, clear and sharp, his deep eyes like stars. At fifteen, aside from being slightly thin, there was nothing else to fault. In a few years, he would undoubtedly be a handsome man.


    "Was I too harsh?" Qin Yi wondered to herself, noticing a hint of melancholy in Ye Futian''s eyes. Her anger began to dissipate.


    "In one month, it will be the autumn exams again. If you forfeit or fail this time, even if Yu Sheng pleads for you, it won''t matter. The academy will no longer allow you to stay. Do you understand?" Qin Yi continued. The people in the classroom exchanged glances. It seemed the academy had finally had enough of him.


    Finally, he was going to be expelled from Qingzhou Academy? If so, it would surely go down in the academy''s history, as being expelled from Qingzhou Academy was an exceedingly rare occurrence.


    "If he leaves, I leave," a cold voice came from the back of the room. Many turned to look at the young man sitting in the corner, their eyes filled with complex emotions��envy, jealousy, admiration, and fear.


    "The academy has already decided. Yu Sheng doesn''t need to participate in next year''s spring exams. He can choose to join any of the academy''s battle towers, knight orders, or sorcery halls. His future can no longer be held back by you," Qin Yi said with a sigh, looking at Ye Futian. The paths of him and Yu Sheng were destined to diverge completely.


    "Held back?" Ye Futian''s lips curled into a faint, nonchalant smile.


    "Shut up..." Yu Sheng, sitting at the back, stood up, his eyes gleaming with a sharp, piercing light as he stared at Qin Yi.


    "Sit down," Ye Futian said without turning his head, his voice calm. Yu Sheng''s gaze faltered as he looked at the back of Ye Futian''s head, then quietly sat back down. To him, Ye Futian''s words were like an iron command.


    "I''ve decided..." Ye Futian''s face broke into a slightly arrogant smile as he looked at Qin Yi. "I will officially participate in this year''s autumn exams."


    Behind him, Yu Sheng''s eyes flashed with a brilliant light.


    Three years. Finally, he was going to get serious?


    In the three years since Ye Futian had been at Qingzhou Academy, everyone only knew of Yu Sheng''s extraordinary talent��his heaven-grade perception of metal attributes, his exceptional martial arts talent, capable of both martial and sorcery cultivation. Though an outer disciple, his level surpassed even many lecturers.


    But who truly understood the dormant youth?


    "Your body is still frail, stuck at the first level of awakening, the Qi Gathering stage. Even if you participate in the autumn exams, how can you pass?" Qin Yi looked at Ye Futian, her heart heavy. Even if he were to make an effort now, it might already be too late.


    "What if I do pass?" Ye Futian seemed utterly unaware of his own limitations, his tone brimming with confidence.


    "If you pass, you can do whatever you want in my lectures from now on," Qin Yi said.


    Ye Futian''s eyes sparkled with an unusual light as he gazed at the beautiful figure before him, his eyes inadvertently drifting to places they shouldn''t. He whispered softly, "Whatever I want?"


    "This guy, what does he mean by that..." Many eyes were fixed on Ye Futian.


    "This shameless scoundrel, where is he looking?" Some noticed where Ye Futian''s gaze had wandered, and they were on the verge of losing their temper. How dare he still flirt with Qin Yi?


    Qin Yi, of course, noticed Ye Futian''s gaze. Any sympathy she had felt for him vanished instantly. Her beautiful eyes glared at him, her teeth clenched as she said, "Whatever you want, it''s fine!"

 Chapter 2锛歍hree years of Qi Gathering

    Qin Yi glared fiercely at Ye Futian. Seeing the smile on his face, she couldn''t help but recall three years ago, when he was just twelve years old. During the talent assessment, facing many important figures from the academy, his clean face had worn a natural and proud smile, completely different from the nervousness and anxiety of the other youths.


    The results of that assessment were astonishing: heaven-grade perception of spiritual energy, and a natural talent for martial arts cultivation.


    Now, three years had passed. Apart from his perception talent, which remained, his cultivation level had not progressed at all. He was lazy, idle, and rarely seen in lectures. Yet, his eyes were the same as they had been three years ago.


    "What if you don''t succeed?" Qin Yi asked.


    "Then whatever you want, Qin Yi," Ye Futian replied.


    "I hope you won''t ruin Yu Sheng''s future," Qin Yi said, glancing at the resolute young man sitting at the back.


    Yu Sheng, with his heaven-grade perception of metal attributes and his eighth-level awakening, the Hundred Transformations stage, was even stronger than Qin Yi, who was at the seventh-level awakening, the Profound Mystery stage. His future should not be hindered.


    "Alright," Ye Futian nodded. But was that even possible?


    Qin Yi walked back to the lectern, her beautiful eyes scanning the room. "There''s one month left until the autumn exams. I hope you all make the most of your time. By next year''s spring exams, another group of outer disciples will officially enter the academy. Ling Xiao, you''ve already reached the sixth-level awakening, the Peerless stage. Feng Qingxue, you''ve been stuck at the fifth-level awakening, the Divine Strength stage, for a while now. I hope you can both advance further by next year''s spring exams."


    The first stage of cultivation was called Awakening, also known as the Nine Levels of Awakening: Qi Gathering, Body Refining, Meridian Opening; Iron Bones, Divine Strength, Peerless; Profound Mystery, Hundred Transformations, and Unity.


    If one could undergo seven awakenings before the age of eighteen and reach the Profound Mystery stage, they could officially become a disciple of Qingzhou Academy, as long as their performance in the spring exams wasn''t too poor.


    "Don''t worry, Qin Yi," Ling Xiao nodded in agreement. Feng Qingxue clenched her fists, feeling closer to her goal.


    "Dismissed," Qin Yi said softly, then walked out of the classroom. Many young men''s eyes followed her graceful figure. Once Qin Yi''s figure disappeared, many turned their fierce gazes toward Ye Futian. This scoundrel had dared to disrespect their goddess.


    "Ye Futian," a clear, cold voice called out, drawing everyone''s attention. The voice belonged to the girl who had reminded Ye Futian earlier, Feng Qingxue.


    At fifteen, Feng Qingxue had already blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Her eyes were particularly striking, her features delicate, and her entire being radiated youthful energy, giving off a pure and lovely vibe. When she stood up, her long, slender legs and elegant curves were immediately noticeable.


    "How could you do that?" Feng Qingxue asked, her eyes filled with anger as she glared at Ye Futian.


    Ye Futian looked at the girl''s inexplicable anger, raised an eyebrow, and then smiled. "Are you jealous?"


    Feng Qingxue was momentarily stunned, then looked at him with exasperation. "What are you going to tell Uncle Ye?"


    "Tell my father?" Ye Futian blinked, then remembered his father''s comment about Feng Qingxue having good childbearing hips. His gaze involuntarily drifted to her curvaceous figure, and his expression turned peculiar.


    "What are you thinking about all day? We''re still young. We can think about having kids later," Ye Futian said earnestly. As soon as these words left his mouth, the room fell silent once more. Many of the young men felt their anger boiling over.


    This scoundrel! How could he be so shameless? Just moments ago, he had publicly disrespected Qin Yi, and now he was saying such inappropriate things to the pure and innocent Feng Qingxue.


    Did he have no shame?


    Feng Qingxue was stunned, then remembered an off-color joke Uncle Ye had once made to her father. Her face instantly turned red. Was this shameless guy deliberately twisting her words?


    "What I meant was, how are you going to explain to Uncle Ye if you get expelled from the academy after the autumn exams?" Feng Qingxue said, her chest heaving. What was going on in this guy''s head?


    Clearly, she didn''t believe that Ye Futian, who was only at the first level of awakening, could pass the upcoming autumn exams.


    "Impossible," Ye Futian shook his head lightly, looking at the girl.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Three years, stuck at the first level of awakening, yet still acting as if nothing''s wrong, laughing and joking as usual. I also want to ask, Ye Futian, do you even know how to write the words ''shame'' and ''honor''?" A cold voice suddenly rang out. Many turned to look at the young man sitting behind Feng Qingxue��Ling Xiao.


    At the sixth level of awakening, the Peerless stage, and following the wind-element mage path, Ling Xiao was undoubtedly one of the most talented outer disciples of Qingzhou Academy at the age of fifteen. He had a chance to officially enter the academy in next year''s spring exams.


    Ling Xiao didn''t even look at Ye Futian as he spoke. His gaze was fixed on Feng Qingxue as he continued, "The lowest of the low, yet daring to speak so casually to a shining genius like you. Where does his courage and confidence come from? It reminds me of the saying, ''The ignorant are fearless.''"


    Ling Xiao voiced what many had wanted to say but didn''t dare. They all looked at Ye Futian with scorn. This guy, when it came to shamelessness, was truly unmatched.


    Yu Sheng had somehow appeared beside Ye Futian. When he stood there, his presence alone exuded a powerful aura, causing many of the mocking gazes to shrink back.


    "Yu Sheng," Feng Qingxue called softly.


    "Yeah," Yu Sheng nodded casually, but his eyes were fixed on Ling Xiao, radiating intense pressure.


    "The ignorant are fearless?" Ye Futian wasn''t angered by Ling Xiao''s mockery. Over the past three years, he had experienced this many times. Some people liked to step on others to prove their own superiority, especially in front of beautiful girls.


    "Do you think you know a lot?" Ye Futian asked indifferently.


    "When it comes to cultivation, what I know is naturally beyond your understanding," Ling Xiao replied calmly. A first-level awakening trash who rarely showed up to lectures��how could he not be ignorant?


    "How can a warrior defeat a fire and metal dual-element mage?" Ye Futian suddenly asked. Ling Xiao was stunned, then sneered, "Are you showing off your stupidity? Not to mention a dual-element mage, even a single-element mage of either fire or metal would be nearly invincible in a one-on-one fight, as long as they''re not stupid enough to let the warrior get close."


    Mages could use spells, giving them an advantage in solo combat over warriors. This was undeniable, and the warrior''s chances of winning were extremely low.


    "Idiot, if the warrior''s level is higher, of course they can win," Ye Futian mocked. Ling Xiao was stunned, his face darkening. The others in the room also looked at Ye Futian. Wasn''t this question just shameless?


    "When you bring up battles between different professions, it''s assumed to be under the premise of equal levels. What''s the point of such a cheap trick?" Ling Xiao sneered.


    "Equal levels, huh? What if the warrior is a body cultivator and has trained in movement techniques?" Ye Futian asked again. Many in the classroom were stunned, beginning to think. Body cultivators had strong explosive power, and if they also trained in movement techniques, they could close the distance to a mage quickly.


    "You mentioned a fire and metal dual-element mage. With fire spells enveloping their body and the strong defense and attack power of metal, even at close range, they wouldn''t be weaker than a body cultivator," Ling Xiao retorted coldly.


    "What if the body cultivator also trained in a combat skill like Ninefold Shatter, combining it with their explosive power? Do you think metal''s defense would hold up?" Ye Futian asked with a hint of disdain. "As for the mage''s attacks, you should know they''d be meaningless."


    Ling Xiao''s expression grew more serious. Indeed, a body cultivator trained in movement techniques could avoid direct spell attacks. In theory, Ye Futian was right.


    "This is all just theoretical. It has no practical significance," Ling Xiao naturally couldn''t admit defeat.


    "Exactly, how could a mage lose to a warrior?" someone chimed in.


    "Parroting others, yet claiming to be knowledgeable and mocking others for being ignorant. Let me ask you a simpler question: Are there differences in how people cultivate at the first level of awakening, the Qi Gathering stage?" Ye Futian asked again.


    "Martial cultivators perceive spiritual energy to gather Qi, while mages are more sensitive to single-attribute spiritual energy, making their Qi purer and more potent. Thus, they gather Qi based on their elemental affinity. If both are martial cultivators, there''s no difference. But for mages, depending on their element, there are differences in the Qi Gathering stage," Ling Xiao explained, considering various factors.


    "Idiot," Ye Futian glanced at Ling Xiao with disdain, then turned to leave.


    "What do you mean?" Ling Xiao frowned, watching Ye Futian''s retreating back. "Can''t argue anymore, so you pretend to win and leave? How laughable."


    "This guy really knows how to put on an act," someone mocked.


    But as they spoke, a dazzling light suddenly appeared around Ye Futian''s body. It was a flow of Qi, circulating around him like a radiant screen. The mocking gazes behind him froze, their expressions turning incredibly vivid.


    Ye Futian was at the Qi Gathering stage. He was using reality to show everyone that his Qi Gathering stage was different.


    Ling Xiao''s expression darkened. Qi flowing around his body, radiating light��was this really the first level of awakening, the Qi Gathering stage?


    Yu Sheng followed Ye Futian, and soon their figures disappeared outside the door. After they left, the classroom erupted in chatter.


    "That scoundrel''s Qi Gathering stage is actually different from others."


    "So what? He''s been stuck at the Qi Gathering stage for three years. Of course, it''s a bit different. If we were as useless as him, we could do the same."


    "Exactly, three years at the Qi Gathering stage. Where does he get the confidence to act so arrogant?"


    "How dare he say such things to Qin Yi and Feng Qingxue? Despicable, this scum."


    "Ling Xiao, don''t take it to heart. No matter how pretty his theories are, if he faced you in person, you could crush him with a finger," someone said loudly to Ling Xiao, and many others agreed.


    Ling Xiao pondered for a moment, then smiled brightly. That''s right, why bother with such a lowly existence?


    "Qingxue, that guy has no self-respect. I know you''ve been close since childhood, but you should keep some distance from him," Feng Qingxue''s friend, Murong Qing, advised. She had always disliked Ye Futian. With such a low cultivation level, how could he still act so smug?


    "That guy is really too much," Feng Qingxue said, somewhat annoyed.


    "Qingxue," Murong Qing saw that Feng Qingxue wasn''t taking it seriously and said earnestly, "You need to wake up. You''re on the verge of becoming an official disciple of the academy. You should be thinking about your future. His behavior could affect your reputation, yet you don''t seem to care. What will others think? Is someone like that really worth it?"


    Feng Qingxue''s beautiful eyes narrowed. She hadn''t thought about it that way.


    "It''s time to grow up. Keep your distance from him, or better yet, cut ties with him," Murong Qing continued to advise.

 Chapter 3: Three Realms in a Single Day

    Qingzhou Academy, the sacred land of Qingzhou City, was vast and sprawling, built against a mountain and backed by the Tianyao Mountain Range. Even the outer disciples of the academy had their own private courtyards.


    Ye Futian returned to the area where the outer disciples resided, entering his own courtyard with Yu Sheng quietly following behind.


    "Yu Sheng, I think I''m going to give up," Ye Futian suddenly stopped and said in a low voice.


    "Even without awakening your destiny, you''re still a genius," Yu Sheng replied, looking at the young man in front of him. When Ye Futian claimed to be a Destiny Mage, everyone thought it was a joke. Only Yu Sheng knew it was no laughing matter.


    Ye Futian was indeed a Destiny Mage.


    "Of course, I know that. It''s just... I can''t help feeling a bit unwilling," Ye Futian said with a bitter smile. "Three years have passed. If I continue like this, I''ll really fall behind you. It seems I need to start working harder."


    "Let''s go. Time to cultivate," Ye Futian said, turning to look at the taller youth behind him. Yu Sheng, with his larger-than-average build, naturally exuded a powerful aura.


    The two walked to the cultivation area within the courtyard. Ye Futian sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and in an instant, a dazzling flow of energy surrounded him. The spiritual energy in the surrounding area seemed to go wild, rushing toward Ye Futian''s body like a tidal wave. Yu Sheng sat behind him, quietly observing. At this moment, Ye Futian was like a terrifying vortex, devouring all the spiritual energy around him. If anyone else had seen this, they would have been utterly shocked.


    The powerful flow of energy coursed through Ye Futian''s body, heading toward a specific area in his mind��his Destiny Palace.


    Within the Destiny Palace lies the Destiny Soul, the mark of a Destiny Mage.


    At this moment, inside Ye Futian''s Destiny Palace, there stood a towering ancient tree with lush green leaves. The surroundings, however, were barren. As the spiritual energy poured in, the ancient tree greedily absorbed it all. The green leaves rustled without any wind, as if alive.


    Beneath the ancient tree, a faint figure materialized��Ye Futian''s consciousness. He looked at the tree and whispered, "After absorbing spiritual energy for three years, you''ve shown no change. All you do is take. From now on, I won''t channel any more spiritual energy into you."


    With that, Ye Futian''s consciousness disappeared, and the spiritual energy that had been flowing into his body began to spread to his limbs and bones instead of entering the Destiny Palace.


    The powerful spiritual energy began to refine his body, preparing him for the Body Refining stage. But at that moment, something unexpected happened. A strong pulling force emerged, and in an instant, the spiritual energy reversed its flow, rushing back toward the Destiny Palace.


    This sudden change caused Ye Futian''s body to tremble, and a wave of intense frustration washed over him. For three years, he had been sending all his spiritual energy to the Destiny Palace, yet it had shown no change. Now, it was forcibly taking the energy, preventing him from cultivating?


    Determined to resist, Ye Futian tried to fight back, but the overwhelming force ignored his efforts, relentlessly sucking in all the spiritual energy. Even his vital energy was being drained. In just a few moments, his face turned pale.


    "Damn it!" Ye Futian cursed. As the spiritual energy flooded into the Destiny Palace, he felt his mind shaking violently, as if something monumental was happening inside. He tried to enter with his consciousness, but it was instantly torn apart by a violent force.


    "Ah..." A low groan escaped Ye Futian''s lips. Yu Sheng immediately stood up, watching the drastic changes happening to Ye Futian. Not only was Ye Futian''s body undergoing a transformation, but even the spiritual energy around him was being sucked in. The plants and trees nearby were withering at an alarming rate. Realizing what was happening, Yu Sheng''s eyes flashed with a sharp light. He sat down behind Ye Futian, placing his hands on his back. In an instant, a powerful suction force began to drain the spiritual energy from his body.


    Finally, is it awakening?


    When Ye Futian woke up, he felt extremely weak. He opened his eyes, squinting against the bright sunlight. It was clear that a night had passed.


    "What... happened?" Ye Futian sat up, noticing the withered plants around him and Yu Sheng sitting nearby, looking exhausted as he regulated his breathing.


    Recalling the events of the previous day, Ye Futian closed his eyes and focused his consciousness on his Destiny Palace. His body trembled as he saw the once-barren Destiny Palace now bathed in moonlight, with a vast landscape stretching out before him. The ancient tree stood tall, its leaves greener and more vibrant than ever, as if filled with spiritual energy.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "The World Tree," Ye Futian murmured, his consciousness forming a faint figure beneath the tree. Could it be that his father hadn''t been lying?


    His father had once told him that their ancestors included a legendary Destiny Mage whose Destiny Soul was the World Tree, capable of absorbing the spiritual energy of all things. However, the family''s legacy had been lost over time, and Ye Futian was the only one who had inherited this ancient talent.


    "If that''s the case, then the Great Freedom Visualization Technique must also be real," Ye Futian thought, feeling a surge of excitement. He began to recite the obscure incantations he had memorized since childhood. Soon, his mind became clear, and his thoughts flowed freely, reaching out into the world around him.


    In his visualization, rich spiritual energy appeared, and he could even see different colors representing various elemental attributes. Each color symbolized a different type of spiritual energy.


    "Fire," Ye Futian focused on the fiery red spiritual energy. The World Tree in his Destiny Palace turned a fiery red, glowing brilliantly. Instantly, the fire-attribute spiritual energy surged into his body, flowing through his organs and meridians, bringing with it an intense heat.


    "Wood attribute," Ye Futian shifted his focus to the green spiritual energy. In an instant, wood-attribute energy flooded his body, rapidly restoring his depleted vitality.


    "Metal, earth, wind, water..." Ye Futian continued to experiment. After a while, he finally stopped and opened his eyes, staring blankly ahead.


    "Is this... real?" Ye Futian looked at his hands, unable to believe what had just happened.


    "Of course, it''s real. You are... an all-attribute mage," Yu Sheng said, his fists clenched tightly, veins bulging from the excitement. His eyes were fixed on Ye Futian. "And not just that, you''re an all-attribute Destiny Mage who can cultivate both martial arts and magic."


    "In that case, my talent is..." Ye Futian''s eyes sparkled with excitement.


    "Unparalleled," Yu Sheng said firmly. "There''s no one else in Qingzhou City like you."


    A bright smile spread across Ye Futian''s face. After so many generations, the ancestral talent had finally awakened in him. Was this destiny? A Destiny Mage, blessed by the heavens.


    "Let''s go," Ye Futian suddenly stood up and headed out of the courtyard.


    "Where to?" Yu Sheng asked.


    "The back mountain," Ye Futian replied, referring to the Tianyao Mountain Range behind Qingzhou Academy.


    "The back mountain is full of fierce beasts. What are we going there for?" Yu Sheng asked.


    "We''ll stay near the edge. With you here, what''s there to fear?" Ye Futian was already walking out, and Yu Sheng followed without another word.


    The Tianyao Mountain Range was a vast and treacherous area, filled with dangerous beasts. Few knew how deep it truly was. It was said that Qingzhou Academy was built against the mountain to protect against the beasts that roamed there, and it also served as a training ground for the academy''s disciples.


    At noon, the two youths reached the peak of a mountain at the edge of the Tianyao Mountain Range. Standing on a large rock, they looked down at the majestic academy below. Ye Futian let out a long breath.


    "Three years," he murmured. Knowing he was a Destiny Mage, how could he be content with only cultivating martial arts? But with his Destiny Soul showing no change, a sense of loneliness had always lingered beneath his confident exterior. Now, it was finally over. He would move forward toward his dream of becoming a powerful Destiny Mage.


    The sun blazed overhead, shining down on Ye Futian. The young man looked up at the sun, his narrowed eyes filled with confidence.


    The essence of the Great Freedom Visualization Technique lay in observation and imagination.


    Now, he would visualize the sun.


    Ye Futian stood on the mountain peak, visualizing the blazing sun. Soon, the sunlight transformed into solar flames, enveloping his body and then penetrating deep within. A domineering solar fire flowed through his organs, meridians, and limbs, filling his entire body.


    Yu Sheng watched as Ye Futian''s body seemed to turn into a figure of fire. A smile appeared on his usually stoic face. The sleeping dragon was finally awakening.


    Crackling sounds echoed as Ye Futian''s skin turned red from the intense heat. Under the solar flames, his body underwent a continuous transformation.


    After a long time, Ye Futian''s skin became translucent, as if glowing with fire. Inside his body, fiery dragons surged through his meridians, colliding and creating thunderous roars. The commotion was immense, but fortunately, they were alone on the mountain peak, with only Yu Sheng to witness the spectacle.


    The sheer magnitude of the transformation was astonishing.


    As the sun began to set, Ye Futian''s body was completely enveloped in flames. Inside, it felt like a storm was raging, and his bones continuously emitted cracking sounds. When the sun finally disappeared, Ye Futian stopped and slowly opened his eyes. A flash of fire shot out from his pupils.


    "Three realms in a single day," Yu Sheng said in awe. After three years of suppression, Ye Futian had finally unleashed his potential. Using the power of the sun to refine his body, he had broken through the Body Refining and Meridian Opening stages, reaching the fourth level of awakening��Iron Bones. His body was now as strong as tempered steel.


    "This is too overpowering," Ye Futian muttered. Normally, it would take months for someone to refine their body to such a level. But as a Destiny Mage, using the Great Freedom Visualization Technique to harness the power of the sun, combined with his Destiny Soul, he had achieved it in half a day.


    He felt an overwhelming surge of power. Standing up, Ye Futian walked over to a large ancient tree on the mountain peak. With a swift punch, he struck the thick trunk. In an instant, the tree shattered into pieces, collapsing with a loud crash. The spot where his fist had landed was charred black.


    "Even those at the Divine Strength stage wouldn''t be able to withstand a single punch from you," Yu Sheng said, watching the scene with admiration. The fifth level of awakening, Divine Strength, granted immense physical power, but Ye Futian''s punch far surpassed what an ordinary martial artist at that level could achieve.

 Chapter 4: The Solar Destiny Soul

    Ye Futian stared at the aftermath of his punch, momentarily lost in thought. Then, as if remembering something important, he closed his eyes and focused his consciousness, entering his Destiny Palace.


    Within the palace, his consciousness manifested as a faint figure standing beneath the towering World Tree. His eyes widened in awe.


    At this moment, the emerald-green ancient tree seemed to shimmer with a faint fiery glow, as if infused with fire-attribute spiritual energy. But what truly shocked Ye Futian was the sight above him��a blazing sun now hung in the sky of his Destiny Palace, radiating fiery light. Though it wasn''t as dazzling as the real sun, it was still breathtaking.


    "The Great Freedom Visualization Technique��observe the mountain, and you gain the mountain; observe the water, and you gain the water. I visualized the sun for cultivation, and now, a sun has appeared in my Destiny Palace," Ye Futian murmured to himself, deeply moved. "This technique is truly extraordinary."


    He began to visualize the sun within his Destiny Palace. Instantly, he felt as if he had transformed into the sun itself. The fire-attribute spiritual energy from the surrounding world surged into his body, flowing into his Destiny Palace and merging with the World Tree.


    The ancient tree in his Destiny Palace took on a fiery hue, and the sun hanging above it grew even more radiant.


    "It''s so hot," Ye Futian thought, feeling as though he were inside a blazing furnace. The solar flames continuously tempered his meridians and bones.


    "A Destiny Palace houses a soul, which is the Destiny Soul," Ye Futian muttered, contemplating a possibility. With a thought, a radiant solar halo appeared behind his head, illuminating his surroundings. His handsome face took on a sacred glow.


    "Is your Destiny Soul the sun?" Yu Sheng asked, standing beside him.


    Ye Futian suddenly opened his eyes, and the solar halo vanished. He looked at Yu Sheng with a strange expression and said softly, "I think... I can create Destiny Souls."


    He realized that the sun in his Destiny Palace was, in fact, a Destiny Soul. Not only could he use it for cultivation, but he could also manifest it externally.


    Yu Sheng''s eyes widened as he stared at Ye Futian. After a moment, he said seriously, "Can you make one for me too?"


    Ye Futian''s face darkened. This guy''s thought process was too quick. Shouldn''t he be shocked or at least curious? Instead, he was asking for a Destiny Soul to be made for him...


    "You''ve got quite the imagination," Ye Futian said with a serious nod, then turned and walked away.


    Yu Sheng scratched his head and called after him, "Where are you going?"


    "To cultivate. I need to observe beasts and birds," Ye Futian replied confidently, his spirits high. He had visualized the sun and harnessed its flames to break through multiple realms. However, to progress from the Iron Bones stage to the Divine Strength stage, he needed to refine his body''s coordination and power control. Only when he could unleash his strength freely, with his essence, energy, and spirit united, would he truly reach the Divine Strength stage.


    The Tianyao Mountain Range was teeming with demonic beasts, even in its outermost regions.


    Not long after entering the mountains, Ye Futian and Yu Sheng spotted a Level 4 demonic beast��a Wind Leopard.


    "Yu Sheng, block it. Don''t let it get away from me," Ye Futian shouted, dashing forward. As soon as he spoke, Yu Sheng sprinted ahead, his heavy steps causing the ground to tremble. The Wind Leopard, sensing the threat, turned and bolted like a flash of lightning.


    "Intent follows the heart, action follows intent. The Great Dao is natural, unbound by action or the heavens," Ye Futian recited the mantra of the Great Freedom Visualization Technique. As he ran, he visualized the Wind Leopard''s movements in his mind, slowing down each motion until it became crystal clear.


    Then, he began to mimic the Wind Leopard''s movements. As he leaped into the air, his right leg bent slightly, and upon landing, all his strength concentrated in his right leg, propelling him forward like a bolt of lightning. At first, his movements were awkward and unnatural, and he quickly fell behind. Fortunately, Yu Sheng had already intercepted the Wind Leopard, preventing it from escaping.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "It''s not just about strength; it''s also using the wind," Ye Futian realized. He could sense the wind-attribute energy surrounding the Wind Leopard. Gradually, his body began to move with the wind, and his movements became smoother. After half an hour, he was running as swiftly as the Wind Leopard itself.


    "Yu Sheng, that''s enough," Ye Futian said, coming to a stop. Yu Sheng released the Wind Leopard, allowing it to flee.


    "Your ability to mimic is incredible," Yu Sheng remarked, having watched Ye Futian''s movements closely. In just half an hour, he had mastered the Wind Leopard''s speed.


    "I can sense the wind''s spiritual energy. As long as I master the technique, I can mimic the Wind Leopard''s speed. But that''s not enough. I''ll need your help in the coming days," Ye Futian said with a smile. Yu Sheng simply nodded and followed him silently.


    Over the next few days, Ye Futian continued to cultivate in the Tianyao Mountain Range, observing the movements of demonic monkeys, the strength of lions and tigers, and even chasing after birds. Every day, he made progress. On the tenth day, he finally broke through to the fifth level of awakening��the Divine Strength stage.


    One day, as Ye Futian and Yu Sheng walked deep into the forest, the ground began to tremble slightly. The trees around them shook, and the air was filled with the roars of a ferocious beast.


    The two exchanged a glance and headed toward the source of the noise. The tremors grew stronger, and soon, they saw a massive, enraged beast��a Level 9 demonic beast, the Violent Ape, standing five meters tall.


    "A Level 9 Violent Ape," Yu Sheng said, his eyes sharp. This beast was a threat even to him. But what surprised them more was the sight of a slender, graceful girl standing in front of the ape.


    The girl was dressed in pure white, her long hair flowing in the wind. Her beauty was flawless, and though she was still young, she had the makings of a stunning beauty.


    "It''s her, Hua Jieyu," Ye Futian thought, his heart skipping a beat. How could he not recognize the legendary beauty of Qingzhou Academy?


    "Should we help her?" Yu Sheng asked.


    "Wait, the Violent Ape is injured," Ye Futian observed. The ape was covered in wounds, while the girl appeared unharmed.


    With a deafening roar, the Violent Ape charged at Hua Jieyu, its massive frame seemingly capable of crushing her in an instant. But Hua Jieyu moved like a swallow, leaping onto a tree with ease.


    The Violent Ape smashed the tree, uprooting it and swinging it toward Hua Jieyu in midair. The sheer force was terrifying.


    Hua Jieyu dodged gracefully, and the leaves around her swirled like a vortex, each one sharp as a blade, slicing toward the Violent Ape.


    The ape swung the tree wildly, scattering the leaves, but the tree itself began to crack under the strain. The ground was littered with flying debris as Hua Jieyu landed on another tree. She closed her eyes, and the scattered stones around her shot toward the Violent Ape like deadly projectiles. Though they couldn''t fully penetrate the ape''s tough hide, they left bloody marks on its skin.


    Even more astonishing, some of the stones, infused with spiritual energy, transformed into sharp spears, hovering in the air and pointing directly at the enraged ape.


    "Spells," Ye Futian thought, his heart racing. In the next moment, he saw the spears pierce through the air, striking the Violent Ape''s eyes. The beast let out a painful roar and fled, crashing through trees as it went.


    Hua Jieyu didn''t pursue it. Instead, she landed gracefully on the ground, her white robes fluttering like a celestial being.


    "Have you seen enough?" Hua Jieyu asked calmly, her gaze turning toward Ye Futian and Yu Sheng, who stepped out from their hiding spot.


    "Impressive. Are you a multi-attribute mage?" Ye Futian asked.


    "I know you," Hua Jieyu said, ignoring his question and looking directly at Ye Futian.


    "Am I that famous?" Ye Futian chuckled, feeling a sense of pride at being recognized by the legendary beauty of Qingzhou Academy.


    "Three years ago, during the entrance test at Qingzhou Academy, I heard what you said when we first met."


    Ye Futian coughed awkwardly but quickly regained his composure. "What did I say?"


    Hua Jieyu looked at him, then smiled faintly, leaving Ye Futian momentarily entranced.


    "Do I look like a temptress?" Hua Jieyu asked softly before turning and walking away into the forest.


    "Yes," Ye Futian said after a moment, nodding seriously as he watched her retreating figure.


    "You were right," Yu Sheng said, watching Hua Jieyu disappear.


    Ye Futian recalled the scene from three years ago when he had seen the twelve-year-old Hua Jieyu and said to Yu Sheng, "This girl is already so stunning at twelve. In a few years, she''ll be a real temptress."


    "I heard she''s already at the ninth level of awakening, cultivating both martial arts and magic. But the spell she just used, which allowed her attacks to leave her body, is something even ninth-level awakeners struggle to achieve. There are also rumors that she might be a Destiny Mage and has already caught the attention of the academy''s higher-ups. She has countless suitors, but no one dares to approach her because of her beauty and talent," Yu Sheng said quietly.


    "Are you smitten?" Ye Futian teased.


    Yu Sheng shook his head, then said seriously, "I think she''d make a good wife for you."


    Ye Futian smacked Yu Sheng''s head lightly. "What are you thinking about?"


    As he walked away, a bright smile spread across his face. "But you''re not wrong. She''s definitely a candidate."


    Behind him, Yu Sheng stumbled slightly, glaring at Ye Futian''s back. A candidate? How shameless.

 Chapter 5: Feng Qingxues Decision

    In the blink of an eye, more than twenty days had passed. Two figures descended from the back mountain and returned to Qingzhou Academy.


    Ye Futian had undergone noticeable changes. His eyes were sharper, and his physique had improved. As he walked along the stone paths of the academy, he felt as though he had been away for a long time, as if he had just woken from a dream.


    "That guy finally came back after hiding for so long."


    "There are only eight days left until the autumn exams. He probably can''t hide anymore."


    Whispers spread among the students as they saw Ye Futian. The incident from Qin Yi''s lecture more than twenty days ago had already become widely known. The "legendary figure" who hadn''t broken through a single realm in three years had publicly flirted with the goddess Qin Yi and later teased Feng Qingxue. The name "Ye Futian" was now extremely prominent in Qingzhou Academy.


    "Seems like some people are looking for trouble with me?" Ye Futian''s hearing had become more acute, and he could even hear the low murmurs.


    "What do you think?" Yu Sheng gave him a sympathetic look. Both Qin Yi and Feng Qingxue were stunningly beautiful and had many admirers in the academy, especially Qin Yi, who was seventeen and had a fiery figure. Ye Futian had flirted with both beauties in a single day, so it was no surprise that many people wanted to settle scores with him.


    "It''s fine. You''re here anyway," Ye Futian shrugged.


    "Can''t you handle it yourself now?" Yu Sheng said, feeling a bit frustrated. Ye Futian was now at the peak of the Divine Strength stage, and his combat power might even surpass those at the sixth level of awakening, the Peerless stage.


    "Need to keep a low profile," Ye Futian said, striding forward with his hands behind his back. Yu Sheng looked at the figure in front of him, feeling speechless. Back when Ye Futian was at the first level of awakening, he had boldly claimed to be a Destiny Mage. Now that he actually was one, he wanted to keep a low profile? Could he be any more shameless?


    Not long after the two returned to their courtyard, people began to approach their residence. And not just one group, but two.


    The two groups seemed to have coincidentally met. They exchanged sharp glances, their eyes clashing in mid-air, before both headed toward the same courtyard.


    "It''s people from the Knight Order of the Martial Arts Palace and the Golden Element Hall of the Spell Palace." Many onlookers gathered, their eyes filled with curiosity. These newcomers were all formal disciples of Qingzhou Academy, from the Knight Order and the Golden Element Hall. They weren''t here for petty rivalries.


    The Martial Arts Palace had the Battle Tower, the Sword Pavilion, and the Knight Order, while the Spell Palace had seven elemental halls. One group wore silver robes that shimmered brilliantly��they were from the Knight Order, known for training powerful knights. The other group wore golden robes, contrasting sharply with the silver��they were from the Golden Element Hall of the Spell Palace.


    "Senior Mo Lanshan, a Three-Star Glory Knight; Senior Han Ye, a Two-Star Glory Golden Element Mage. They actually came together." Someone recognized the leaders of the two groups and felt a chill. They quickly realized why these two groups had come.


    What an honor!


    The Martial Arts Palace and the Spell Palace sending people at the same time��this was clearly not about Ye Futian.


    Inside the courtyard, Ye Futian stood to the side, watching the two groups face Yu Sheng. A faint smile played on his lips. The guy who had always stood behind him was finally stepping into the spotlight, and his brilliance would only grow brighter in the future. Ye Futian was absolutely certain of this, just as Yu Sheng had always believed in him.


    Back in Qin Yi''s lecture, when she mentioned that Yu Sheng could freely choose between the Martial Arts Palace and the Spell Palace without needing to take the spring exams, Ye Futian had wondered if the higher-ups would take the initiative to recruit him. Now, it had happened.


    "You can leave first," Mo Lanshan said indifferently. Ye Futian naturally understood that this was directed at him. He smiled slightly, not minding, and walked out of the courtyard.


    Outside the courtyard, a crowd had gathered. Qingzhou Academy had thousands of outer disciples, and fewer than ten were actively recruited as inner disciples each year. Envy and jealousy were inevitable.


    "Yu Sheng is about to become a formal disciple of the academy, while he will be expelled. What a joke." Seeing that only Ye Futian was present, people didn''t hold back their voices. Many in the academy were unhappy with him.


    "He''s only been able to stay in the academy for three years because of Yu Sheng''s protection. Otherwise, he would have been kicked out long ago."


    "I''m kind of looking forward to seeing how he performs in the upcoming autumn exams," someone said with a laugh.


    "Instead of worrying about me, you should think about how you''ll handle the autumn exams. If your performance is too poor, it''ll be quite embarrassing," Ye Futian leaned against the wall, speaking casually.


    "How arrogant."


    "The rumors are true." Many eyes focused on Ye Futian. With Yu Sheng, who had always followed him, about to become a formal disciple, didn''t he feel any shame?


    Ye Futian closed his eyes, ignoring the voices. Not long after, people began to leave the courtyard��first the Knight Order led by Mo Lanshan. As they passed by Ye Futian, Mo Lanshan paused.


    "I heard that Yu Sheng''s father is a steward in your family?" Mo Lanshan asked indifferently, not looking at Ye Futian.


    "Yes," Ye Futian nodded.


    "Mundane backgrounds do limit one''s vision. But as one grows older, they naturally come to understand that some people are simply not from the same world. The more prideful you are now, the more humbled you''ll be in the future. Those who once crossed paths with you will eventually become figures you can''t even look up to," Mo Lanshan said coldly. After speaking, he continued walking, his figure gradually disappearing.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    From beginning to end, he never once looked directly at Ye Futian, as if he were beneath his notice.


    Ye Futian watched the retreating figure with some confusion. He believed that Yu Sheng wouldn''t make a decision without consulting him first. Since Mo Lanshan knew about his relationship with Yu Sheng, why would he insult him like that? As far as he knew, they had never interacted before.


    The people from the Spell Palace also came out. Han Ye glanced at the disappearing figure of Mo Lanshan, then turned his gaze to Ye Futian, smiling. "You even dared to flirt with Senior Sister Qin Yi. You''ve got guts."


    "Uh..." Ye Futian was speechless. Had this incident already spread among the formal disciples?


    "Mo Lanshan is from the Knight Order of the Martial Arts Palace. Although Qin Yi practices in the Sword Pavilion, she''s also part of the Martial Arts Palace," Han Ye left with these words. Ye Futian''s eyes flashed, and he immediately understood. So that''s how it was.


    When Ye Futian returned to the courtyard, Yu Sheng was about to speak.


    "Don''t overthink it. If they think they can make you choose so easily, they''re underestimating your talent. Don''t choose either. If there''s no follow-up, then after the autumn exams, they''ll naturally realize what kind of genius you are!" Ye Futian said casually. Yu Sheng was stunned for a moment, but seeing that Ye Futian didn''t seem to care about the matter, it was clear he already had his own thoughts. Yu Sheng nodded.


    He trusted Ye Futian more than he trusted himself.


    Seven days remained until the autumn exams. In the early morning, the sound of a bell echoed through Qingzhou Academy.


    Figures emerged from their courtyards, all heading in the same direction.


    Every year at this time, Qingzhou Academy would summon its outer disciples to announce matters related to the autumn exams and to conduct a final review before the exams.


    The outer disciples'' training ground was enormous, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of people. Even as the outer disciples gathered, the space still felt vast.


    The outer disciples'' instructors had already arrived. Qin Yi was wearing a tight-fitting outfit that accentuated her fiery figure, drawing countless gazes.


    "That guy''s here." At that moment, a small commotion broke out in the crowd. Many people looked in the same direction, where two figures were approaching.


    "I heard that yesterday, seniors from the Martial Arts Palace and the Spell Palace personally went to recruit Yu Sheng. Not many people receive such treatment. What right does that guy have to walk in front of Yu Sheng?" Many people were extremely displeased with the "legendary figure" walking ahead. Yu Sheng''s future was destined for greatness, but what about Ye Futian? He was likely to become the most insignificant existence.


    However, Ye Futian seemed completely unaware. His relationship with Yu Sheng was something others couldn''t understand.


    "Senior Sister Qin Yi," Ye Futian walked straight toward Qin Yi, his eyes shining. With her beauty and figure, it was no wonder someone like Mo Lanshan, a Glory Knight, would insult a "nobody" like him.


    Qin Yi''s expression darkened when she saw Ye Futian. "Where have you been these past few days?"


    "Of course, I''ve been cultivating," Ye Futian said. "Since I promised Senior Sister Qin Yi, I had to work hard to pass the autumn exams."


    Qin Yi''s expression softened slightly when she saw that Ye Futian didn''t seem to be lying. If he had truly been motivated to cultivate, as long as his performance in the autumn exams wasn''t too poor, she might be able to plead for more time for him.


    "Have you reached the Body Refining stage?" Qin Yi asked.


    "Senior Sister, I''ve already reached the Divine Strength stage," Ye Futian said seriously.


    However, upon hearing his words, Qin Yi''s face instantly turned cold, and she glared at him. She had initially considered pleading for him, but now she realized she had been foolish to believe him.


    "Pfft..." Someone nearby couldn''t help but laugh. Ling Xiao, who had appeared at some point, looked at Ye Futian and said, "Senior Sister Qin Yi, why bother with someone like him?"


    "Ye Futian, there''s really no time left. If you still want to stay in the academy, you need to work hard to reach the Body Refining stage in the next seven days," Qin Yi said, feeling disappointed. Thinking back to the talent assessment three years ago, she couldn''t help but feel it was such a waste.


    Ye Futian seemed to sense Qin Yi''s emotions, but a bright smile appeared on his face. At the very least, Senior Sister Qin Yi genuinely wished him well.


    "Don''t worry, Senior Sister. I won''t let you down," Ye Futian said, a proud curve forming on his lips. The morning sunlight fell on his still-youthful, handsome face, making him look particularly striking.


    Qin Yi felt a warmth in her heart, but then she heard Ye Futian add, "Senior Sister, don''t forget the condition you promised me."


    "You really..." Qin Yi stomped her foot in frustration and walked away. After all, she was still a seventeen-year-old girl.


    Many people watched in a daze, their anger toward Ye Futian growing, mixed with a hint of jealousy. They were probably jealous that Ye Futian could joke so freely with Qin Yi, even if it was shameless...


    "Why waste time on someone like him?" A male instructor walked up to Qin Yi and whispered.


    Qin Yi glanced at him and said, "Actually, he has great talent. Even now, I don''t understand why he hasn''t broken through the Qi Gathering stage in three years. Maybe, just maybe, there will be a miracle during the autumn exams?"


    "I really don''t understand why you still hold onto hope for him," the instructor shook his head, his gaze toward Ye Futian filled with displeasure.


    At that moment, Ye Futian was also feeling a bit frustrated. He turned to Yu Sheng and said, "Why does no one believe me when I tell the truth?"


    Yu Sheng gave him a helpless look. In just over twenty days, he had gone from Qi Gathering to Divine Strength. Who would believe that?


    "Next spring, both of us will officially enter the academy. Should we help Qingxue as well?" Ye Futian asked.


    Yu Sheng glanced at Feng Qingxue and nodded. If she could cultivate with Ye Futian, she might have a chance to reach the seventh level of awakening, the Profound Mystery stage, before next year''s spring exams.


    Ye Futian found where Feng Qingxue was and walked over. Many people instinctively made way, largely because Yu Sheng was standing behind him.


    However, as he approached Feng Qingxue, someone blocked his path��Feng Qingxue''s friend, Murong Qing.


    "What do you want?" Murong Qing asked coldly.


    "I''m here to see Qingxue," Ye Futian said with a smile.


    "I know. Whatever you have to say, say it here," Murong Qing replied.


    Ye Futian looked up, ignoring Murong Qing, and said to Feng Qingxue, "I have something to tell you."


    "You can say it there," Feng Qingxue avoided his gaze, seemingly unable to look him in the eye.


    "Qingxue, what does this mean?" Ye Futian asked, puzzled.


    "Don''t you understand? It means Qingxue doesn''t want to get too close to you. Keep your distance," Murong Qing said coldly.


    Ye Futian''s pupils contracted, and his gaze suddenly turned sharp, as if he were extremely serious. However, Feng Qingxue continued to avoid his eyes.


    "Forget it," Ye Futian''s brows gradually relaxed, and he spoke softly.


    "Futian wants you to cultivate with him from now on," Yu Sheng suddenly spoke up, his gaze equally sharp.


    Ye Futian was momentarily stunned, looking at Yu Sheng beside him. He was usually a man of few words, but at this moment, Yu Sheng seemed... angry.


    Feng Qingxue finally looked up, meeting Yu Sheng''s sharp gaze, and timidly called out, "Brother Yu Sheng."


    Many eyes turned toward them. Ye Futian was inviting Feng Qingxue to cultivate with him? Ridiculous. The guy was daydreaming. However, since it was Yu Sheng who had spoken, no one dared to interject.


    "I know Qingxue respects you, but do you really think Ye Futian is worthy of cultivating with her?" Murong Qing looked at Yu Sheng.


    Yu Sheng didn''t even glance at her, completely ignoring her words. He continued to look at Feng Qingxue and said, "I want to know your thoughts."


    Feng Qingxue clenched her fists, her body trembling slightly. She looked at Yu Sheng, then at Ye Futian, and finally shook her head seriously. "Brother Yu Sheng, we''re all adults now. It''s better to keep some distance."


    After saying this, she let out a long breath, as if she had just made an important decision and felt much lighter. But she also knew that she would lose something in the process.


    Ye Futian had been waiting for her answer. When he saw Feng Qingxue''s decision, he smiled bitterly and shook his head. She had truly grown up.

 Chapter 6: A Dragon Appears

    Feng Qingxue''s response was expected by many. Ye Futian actually foolishly thought about cultivating with Feng Qingxue��was this a disguised pursuit? Truly no self-awareness at all.


    Although many people knew that their relationship was good, probably due to years of friendship, it didn''t mean they could cross the line. Feng Qingxue''s remark, "We''re both adults now," was probably meant to indicate her stance.


    "Got slapped in the face, huh?" Many people wore expressions of schadenfreude, as though they were watching a good show.


    And she didn''t even leave herself any room.


    Seeing the expressions of the crowd, Ye Futian naturally understood what they were thinking. It was a clich��d and melodramatic plot. He shook his head and turned to leave.


    "You really didn''t leave her any choice by asking in front of so many people," Ye Futian said softly.


    "From the moment she allowed Murong Qing to stand in front of you, it already indicated her stance. After all these years of friendship, when she says she wants to keep her distance from you, what does that mean? Is it a severance of ties?" Yu Sheng''s face darkened, like an enraged lion.


    "Young people are always easily swayed. She''s only fifteen, what does she know?" Ye Futian seemed completely unaware of the slap in the face he''d just received. Instead, he seemed to want to explain Feng Qingxue''s actions.


    "Don''t forget her words. Her attitude was so decisive; how could she have left you any face? Since she''s already made her decision, then this friendship ends here." Yu Sheng said firmly. He understood Ye Futian better than anyone. Beneath the mask of indifference was a passionate heart, especially when it came to the people around him. Ye Futian might want to overlook everything Feng Qingxue just did and give her another chance.


    But Yu Sheng couldn''t allow it. He had to protect certain things for Ye Futian, like his pride and dignity. He certainly understood that Feng Qingxue had just missed something important.


    He would never forget what his father had said to Ye Futian: when a person is down and out, they can see things clearly. None of this matters. One day, when you shine brightly, the whole world will make way for you.


    ........


    At this moment, a commotion arose in the martial arts arena, drawing the attention of the crowd. Ye Futian and Yu Sheng turned their gazes toward the noise, and saw several figures flying toward the arena. They had wings sprouting from their backs, flapping them in the air, and landing above the martial arts stage.


    "They are seniors from the Sorcery Palace, wind element mages. They use wind attribute magic to form wings and fly in the sky." Many people looked on with envy. The Awakening Realm is a breakthrough beyond the limits of the human body, where spiritual energy and the body are perfectly integrated. Only when one enters the Glory Realm, becoming a Glory Mage, can they freely release various spells.


    In the Divine Continent, mages hold a higher status than martial cultivators.


    Only wind element mages can fly in the Glory Realm.


    "The Tianyao Mountain has cleared a designated area. In this area, no beasts beyond the Awakening Realm will appear. The next seven days will be the Autumn Hunt before the Autumn Entrance Examination. You may go hunting to test your progress over the past year and hone your practical combat and danger-response skills."


    A wind element mage floating in the air spoke, "You will eventually leave the academy. If you don''t go through the trials of blood and fire, you will never truly grow."


    "Of course, your safety during the Autumn Hunt must come first, so I hope you will go in groups and look out for each other."


    Everyone nodded. Every year before the Autumn Entrance Examination, Qingzhou Academy organizes a clearing of the area to ensure safety. Even so, some brave individuals still venture into Tianyao Mountain for training.


    "In addition, when the Autumn Entrance Examination comes, Qingzhou Academy will be open, and many from Qingzhou City will come to observe. Your elders may also attend, so make sure to perform well and not disappoint them." The senior from the Sorcery Palace continued. Everyone already knew that the Spring and Autumn Entrance Examinations were the most important events for Qingzhou Academy, and also for Qingzhou City.


    Compared to the Spring Entrance Examination, the Autumn Entrance Examination is more grand, as the focus is on selecting official disciples, with only a few people standing out.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Alright, go prepare now." The senior waved his hand, and the group of wind element mages flapped their wings and left, seemingly heading toward the back mountain.


    The martial arts arena instantly became lively, with many gathering together to discuss the Autumn Hunt.


    This trial opportunity couldn''t be missed.


    "Ye Futian, what are your thoughts?" Qin Yi asked Ye Futian from across the arena.


    "Senior Qin, what do you mean?" Ye Futian looked at Qin Yi.


    "The Autumn Hunt is an opportunity. You and Yu Sheng should be safe together. You can use this chance to hone your skills and see if you can break through." Qin Yi said.


    "No, I don''t plan on participating in this Autumn Hunt," Ye Futian shook his head. "I just came down from the back mountain not long ago, there''s no need to go again."


    Qin Yi''s beautiful eyes widened as she looked at him, then she turned away angrily, "You''re hopeless."


    Ye Futian blinked, realizing that Qin Yi misunderstood, then glanced at her proud figure and muttered under his breath, "Senior, actually, I''m not that young."


    Qin Yi paused, turned to look at Ye Futian''s gaze, then angrily walked away. "You''re beyond help."


    Seeing Qin Yi getting angry, Ye Futian''s smile became brighter as he called out, "Senior Qin, thank you."


    Qin Yi stopped momentarily but continued walking forward.


    "Not bad. You should consider it." Yu Sheng muttered softly.


    Ye Futian looked at him in confusion. "Consider what?"


    "Isn''t that your candidate?" Yu Sheng said seriously, looking at Ye Futian.


    "Huh..." Ye Futian rubbed his head. "I guess proximity to strong people is contagious, huh?"


    ......


    The atmosphere in Qingzhou Academy grew lively as a large group headed toward the back mountain. Many were full of energy, and such scenes occurred every year. After a few days, many of these energetic figures would grow dispirited, and many would face mental shadows. Of course, injury was inevitable.


    During the hunting period, Qingzhou Academy organizes a clearing of the area, but powerful level-seven, level-eight, or even level-nine beasts still lurk around. These beasts become nightmares for some.


    The hunt was a trial, but also a baptism.


    At the foot of Tianyao Mountain, groups of people were heading up together. At this moment, a group of figures arrived at the base of the mountain.


    "Feng Qingxue." Many people noticed the young girl in the group, wearing a fiery red outfit. She looked elegant and heroic, and her beauty, set off by the attire, appeared even more charming and alluring.


    "Who is the person beside her?" Someone noticed that, besides her friend Murong Qing, there was a man beside Feng Qingxue, with a distinguished air.


    "That''s Murong Qiu, Murong Qing''s cousin. He''s a direct descendant of the Murong Merchant Guild, with an Awakening level-nine cultivation. He''s going on the Autumn Hunt with Feng Qingxue? No wonder..."


    Many people thought of a certain poor fellow who had been brutally rejected, shaking their heads. He truly lacked self-awareness.


    Adults, maintaining distance? Then what about Murong Qiu?


    If that guy knew, who knows how he''d feel.


    "That guy''s probably going to skip the Autumn Entrance Examination after this blow," the crowd murmured, seeing Murong Qiu and Feng Qingxue heading toward the back mountain.


    Ye Futian soon heard about this from others. He felt a bit confused to be the tragic male lead in this melodramatic story. Although he never had any intention of pursuing Feng Qingxue, he still felt a slight annoyance. It wasn''t about love, but just pure frustration.


    Of course, he wouldn''t dwell on it. He intended to focus on his cultivation, striving to improve his strength before the Autumn Entrance Examination.


    A few days later, in the secluded courtyard, Ye Futian was quietly cultivating. The blazing Sun Fire surrounded him, refining his meridians and bones. Having the Sun Soul, he naturally focused on cultivating fire attribute techniques.


    Earlier, during the trial in the back mountain, when he observed the trees, he could sense the dense wood attribute spiritual energy, and when watching waterfalls and flowing water, he could sense water attribute spiritual energy. However, none of them could compare to the sensation of observing the sun, which formed his Sun Soul.


    Was he being too greedy? After all, such an opportunity was rare.


    Footsteps approached, and Ye Futian stopped his cultivation. He looked up at Yu Sheng and asked, "What''s the matter?"


    If there wasn''t anything important, Yu Sheng wouldn''t disturb his training.


    "Several people have come down from the back mountain these past two days, and there''s a rumor in the academy that''s causing a stir," Yu Sheng said.


    "What rumor?" Ye Futian asked curiously.


    "They say someone saw a dragon in the forbidden area of Qingzhou Academy," Yu Sheng''s eyes shone with intensity.


    "A dragon," Ye Futian''s eyes flashed with a brilliant gleam. The forbidden area was meant for the hunting trial, but someone actually saw a dragon there?


    Not to mention the forbidden area, even if a dragon appeared in the entire Tianyao Mountain, it would be a sensational event. If true, it would probably shake Qingzhou City.


    A dragon, a symbol of fortune, a sacred being among beasts, comparable to an emperor among humans.


    "Do you think it''s true?" Ye Futian asked Yu Sheng.


    "Some say they saw it with their own eyes. Now, Qingzhou Academy is even preparing to reverse the clearance and have the disciples return. If the academy does this, it''s very likely to be true," Yu Sheng said.


    "Let''s go out for a walk," Ye Futian said, standing up and walking toward the courtyard gate. Over the past few days, many students had returned, and some, like Ye Futian, hadn''t gone. They probably knew their realms were too low to face the dangers, as even a random beast could overpower them.


    The two of them arrived at the back mountain and saw many people coming down from the mountain in groups. It was clearly a bit unusual.


    Ye Futian and Yu Sheng exchanged a glance, and someone turned to ask the descending group, "What happened?"


    "A powerful beast has entered the forbidden area. The teachers told us to come down and not to go back up," someone replied.


    "What kind of powerful beast? Can''t the teachers just kill it?" Someone asked in surprise.


    "They say it''s a Thunder Serpent. It''s been cultivating for many years, and its aura is terrifying. It hasn''t been subdued yet."


    The crowd murmured, and Ye Futian and Yu Sheng exchanged another look. They couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off. Was it a snake or a dragon?