For the next several days, Azure Maple City appeared as peaceful as ever.
Merchants filled the streets.
Hunters entered and left Mistwood Forest.
Academy disciples continued their daily cultivation.
Yet beneath the calm surface, unseen currents had begun to stir.
In a luxurious hall within the Wang Family estate, Wang Jie knelt on the floor with his head lowered.
Before him stood a stern middle-aged man wearing dark blue robes.
He was Wang Jie’s father, Wang Zheng, the Second Elder of the Wang Family.
"You lost..."
His voice was calm, but it carried an oppressive pressure.
"...to a boy with a Mortal Grade One Martial Soul."
Wang Jie clenched his fists.
"Father, he's hiding something!"
"His cultivation improves too quickly."
"And his strength doesn't match his Martial Soul."
Wang Zheng's eyes narrowed.
"You believe he possesses a secret?"
"I'm certain of it."
The hall fell silent.
After a long moment, Wang Zheng spoke.
"Then discover that secret."
"If he truly possesses a great fortune..."
"...it belongs to the Wang Family."
Meanwhile, at Azure Maple Academy, Lin Yuan continued his routine.
Cultivation.
Training.
Searching Mistwood Forest for spiritual herbs.
The Evergreen Scripture steadily strengthened both his body and the Green Spirit Sapling.
Although he had yet to break through again, his foundation became increasingly solid.
Instructor Han watched him train from afar.
Every punch.
Every kick.
Every movement.
Lin Yuan performed them with flawless precision.
"Remarkable..."
Han murmured.
"He improves every single day."
That afternoon, Elder Sun summoned every disciple to the central plaza.
Hundreds of students gathered before the enormous stone platform.
Elder Sun looked across the crowd.
"In one month..."
"The Azure Wind Kingdom's annual Four Academy Tournament will begin."
Excited whispers spread immediately.
The Four Academy Tournament was held once every year.
The strongest young cultivators from the kingdom's four great academies competed for honor, cultivation resources, and the chance to enter one of the kingdom's great sects.
"The tournament allows only disciples below the age of eighteen."
"Our academy may send only twenty participants."
His gaze swept over the disciples.
"One week from today..."
"The selection matches will begin."
"Anyone who wishes to represent Azure Maple Academy may register."
The plaza erupted with excitement.
Representing the academy was a tremendous honor.
For talented disciples, it was also an opportunity to catch the attention of powerful sects.
Lin Yuan quietly listened.
The Green Spirit Sapling rustled gently within his spiritual sea.
For some reason...
His intuition told him that this tournament would change his life.
As the crowd dispersed, Mu Qingxue approached him.
"You'll be participating, won't you?"
Lin Yuan nodded.
"I will."
She smiled faintly.
"I hope we both qualify."
Before Lin Yuan could answer, a cold voice interrupted them.
"That won't happen."
The two turned.
A young man in white robes walked toward them.
His academy badge bore the emblem of the Heaven Courtyard.
His cultivation aura was far stronger than Wang Jie's had ever been.
He stopped several paces away, his eyes fixed on Lin Yuan.
"So you're the one everyone has been talking about."
"My name is Chen Xuan."
"The number three disciple of the Heaven Courtyard."
Lin Yuan nodded politely.
"Lin Yuan."
Chen Xuan folded his arms.
"I don't care what tricks you used to defeat Wang Jie."
"But the selection matches aren't decided by luck."
"If we meet..."
"I won't hold back."
Lin Yuan met his gaze calmly.
"I wouldn't expect you to."
For a brief moment, the two stared at one another.
Then Chen Xuan turned and walked away.
Mu Qingxue sighed softly.
"He's already in the Spirit Gathering Realm."
"Be careful."
Lin Yuan watched Chen Xuan's departing figure.
Instead of feeling intimidated...
He felt motivated.
The path ahead was finally leading him beyond Azure Maple City.
And he intended to walk it all the way to the peak of the heavens.