Jing Shaoyu and his six companions walked out of Tiandou Academy under the courteous send-off of Li Zhi.
They had no plans to linger in Tiandou City. After leaving Tiandou Academy, they found a restaurant to replenish their energy before preparing to head to the next city.
"Class monitor, are we going to challenge the second academy this afternoon?" Mo Hentian asked on the way to the Tiandou City train station.
"The timing isn't that tight," Jing Shaoyu replied with a smile. "We'll arrive in the next city this afternoon, rest for the night, and challenge the second academy tomorrow."
"Then," Mo Hentian's eyes flashed with a hint of joy, and he hesitated before speaking, "can we leave Tiandou City tonight and head to the next city?"
"Do you have something else to do in Tiandou City?" Jing Shaoyu asked, looking surprised.
The others also turned their curious gazes toward Mo Hentian. For someone as reserved as Mo Hentian to actively make a request, it must be something important.
Under everyone's scrutiny, Mo Hentian's face turned slightly red. "This afternoon, Divine Craftsman Zhenhua will be giving a lecture at the Tiandou City Blacksmiths' Association. I'd like to attend."
"Divine Craftsman Zhenhua!" Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned to realization. Jing Shaoyu nodded and said, "Of course, that's a great opportunity. After all, lectures from a Divine Craftsman are rare and hard to come by! I have no objections. What about the rest of you?"
"No objections here," Gu Yue and Na'er said in unison.
"A lecture from a Divine Craftsman could definitely improve Little Mo's forging skills. That's a good thing for all of us. I support him," Wu Siduo said thoughtfully.
"I have no objections either. Hehe, this gives me time to explore Tiandou City," Xu Xiaoyan said with a giggle.
"Fine," Ye Xinglan said succinctly.
"Thank you, everyone," Mo Hentian said gratefully, his heart warmed by their support.
"Alright, then we'll leave for Tianyun City tonight," Jing Shaoyu made the final decision, then turned to Shen Yi, who was accompanying them. "Teacher Shen, we need to adjust our itinerary. What do you think?"
"You can decide for yourselves. Don't worry about me," Shen Yi replied with a smile.
Thus, Jing Shaoyu and his group accompanied Mo Hentian to the Tiandou City Blacksmiths' Association. Mo Hentian went to attend Zhenhua's lecture, while Gu Yue, Ye Xinglan, and Shen Yi rested in the association's lounge. Na'er, Xu Xiaoyan, and Wu Siduo dragged Jing Shaoyu out to explore and tour Tiandou City. They decided to meet up at the Tiandou City Soul Train Station in the evening.
Time passed quickly, and as the city lights began to illuminate the night, Jing Shaoyu and his seven companions smoothly boarded the train from Tiandou City to Tianyun City, continuing their journey for the end-of-term assessment.
In the blink of an eye, more than half of the assessment period had passed. Jing Shaoyu and his group arrived in a city called Tianding City, a rising city with a history of less than three thousand years. Due to its strategic geographical location, it had developed rapidly. Located at the transportation hub between Mingdu and Tiandou City, it was approximately two thousand kilometers from Mingdu. This was the eighth city the class committee team had reached during their assessment, and the Tianding Starry Sky Academy, located in the southwest corner of the city, would be the sixth high-level Soul Master academy they challenged.
Tianding Starry Sky Academy was a Soul Master academy with a military background. Its admission criteria were strict, accepting only Soul Masters with flying-type Martial Souls. The academy's history was tied to Tianding City, having been established shortly after the city's founding, just over two thousand years ago.
Initially, it was an academy dedicated to training flying Soul Masters for the federal military. However, with the rapid development of soul technology and mechs, the academy expanded its focus to include mech pilots and transitioned from a military academy to a regular one.
Nevertheless, the academy still held significant influence within the federal military and was the alma mater of many junior officers.
If all Soul Master academies on the continent were categorized into tiers like cities, Shrek Academy would undoubtedly be the sole super first-tier academy. The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy and Tiandou Academy would be first-tier, while Tianding Soul Master Academy would undoubtedly be a top-tier second-tier academy, far surpassing Jing Shaoyu's hometown's Donghai Academy.
At this moment, Jing Shaoyu and his group arrived at the main gate of Tianding Starry Sky Academy. A tall, burly, gray-haired middle-aged man stood at the entrance, surrounded by a few students in Tianding Academy uniforms, who looked at him with a mix of reverence and curiosity.
The man's eyes lit up when he saw Jing Shaoyu and his group, and he immediately stepped forward, calling out, "Are you the juniors from Shrek Academy? I am Li Zhilong, the dean of Tianding Starry Sky Academy."
"Senior Li, hello!" Jing Shaoyu greeted with a smile. "I'm Jing Shaoyu, the first-year class monitor."
"So you're Jing Shaoyu! Indeed, a fine young man!" Li Zhilong said with a hearty laugh. "Please follow me. I've already made arrangements and have been waiting for your arrival."
"Thank you, Senior," Jing Shaoyu said politely, following Li Zhilong into Tianding Starry Sky Academy.
Since the academies Jing Shaoyu and his group had been challenging were all ones with Shrek Academy graduates, news of their first-year end-of-term assessment had spread among Shrek alumni. Thus, in the past three challenges, Jing Shaoyu and his group had been warmly received as soon as they stated their purpose, much like Li Zhilong's behavior.
In fact, the exchange matches between Jing Shaoyu's group and the students of these academies were mutually beneficial. Jing Shaoyu's team could complete their end-of-term assessment, Shrek graduates could enhance their status and influence, and the academies could gain prestige.
Tianding Starry Sky Academy covered a vast area, though it couldn't compare to Shrek Academy. Among the academies Jing Shaoyu's group had challenged, only Tiandou Academy surpassed it in size. The academy's environment was also quite elegant, with many sky-related stone sculptures lining the pathways.
"Juniors, this must be your first time in Tianding City, right?" Li Zhilong said with a smile as he introduced the city to Jing Shaoyu and his group. "Though our city's history isn't long, its future is undoubtedly bright. Among all federal cities, Tianding City is the most committed to exploring the skies and starry seas. We believe humanity's future lies in the vast cosmos!"
"I see," Jing Shaoyu said. "That's why your academy is called Starry Sky Academy, right?"
"Exactly," Li Zhilong replied with pride. "In our academy, flying is the most basic requirement. One of our daily teachings is to gaze at the stars and absorb the power of the cosmos."
Hearing Li Zhilong's words, Xu Xiaoyan and Ye Xinglan, walking behind, exchanged glances, both seeing amusement in each other's eyes. Tianding Starry Sky Academy was indeed interesting.
Perhaps to facilitate stargazing, Tianding Starry Sky Academy's teaching building was an imposing structure, nearly a hundred meters tall. From the outside, it was impossible to tell how many floors it had, but its top featured a massive hemisphere, a domed structure.
"Everyone, this is our teaching building. Our students are already prepared," Li Zhilong said as he led Jing Shaoyu's group into the hundred-meter-tall building. "Do you need to rest, or can we start right away?"
"Senior, let's start directly," Jing Shaoyu said with a smile. "We're all well-rested."
"Alright," Li Zhilong glanced at Jing Shaoyu, then smiled. "Follow me."
Next, Li Zhilong led the group up a spiral staircase. Surprisingly, such a tall building had no elevator, only a spiraling staircase. According to Li Zhilong, this was to allow students to exercise their physique at any time.
This explanation left Jing Shaoyu and his group speechless. This hardcore training method—could it have been inspired by Shrek Academy?
Only Soul Masters, with their exceptional physical abilities, could handle such a climb. For ordinary people, the nearly ten thousand steps would have left them utterly exhausted, with no energy left for classes.
They followed the staircase all the way to the top, then walked through a long corridor before entering a grand hall. This hall was an open-air structure with no dome, offering a clear view of the sky. It felt as if one could reach out and touch the clouds.
"This is our academy's observatory, also the most important practical training ground. It has a diameter of three hundred meters, and most importantly, its height is limitless!" Li Zhilong introduced excitedly. "Here, our students can have the closest interaction with the sky and quickly grasp the essence of being a flying Soul Master!"
"It's truly magnificent!" Jing Shaoyu exclaimed. "This place must be incredibly beautiful at night. 'A tower so high, one can pluck the stars; dare not speak loudly, lest th
e heavens be startled!'"
"Junior, you're quite knowledgeable!" Li Zhilong's eyes lit up.