Three days later
It was early morning, and the inn was already bustling with activity. Guests gathered in the main hall, drinking and chatting.
In the courtyard behind the inn, a tall, slender youth with long hair and a determined, though still slightly immature face, sat cross-legged in quiet meditation.
This was Bai Tian.
Uncle Xiao had already left for Mist Veil Island, leaving Bai Tian alone in the old inn. Over the past few days, he'd spent most of his time practicing sword forms in the courtyard and occasionally wandering the streets of Misty Rain City. During this time, he'd become more familiar with Aunt Lianxue, the inn's middle-aged owner, and her daughter Mo Yanyu. Although he'd exchanged a few words with Mo Yanyu, their conversations were stiff and awkward. Bai Tian was simply not used to speaking with girls.
Previous Morning, Bai Tian recalled how his Uncle Xiao used to meditate at dawn and decided to try it himself. To his surprise, it left him feeling unusually refreshed. Since then, he'd made it a habit to meditate before starting his sword practice.
Finishing his meditation, Bai Tian rose to his feet and picked up his sword. He moved through the forms Uncle Xiao had taught him, his movements sharp yet still carrying the rawness of youth.
After completing a set, he reached into his pouch and pulled out a small round disc — a Timekeeper.
This device, crafted by Greenwood Academy, marked the passage of time with a slender needle gliding over its surface.
"I should get ready and head out early," Bai Tian muttered to himself.
After a quick bath, he dressed in a clean robe, fastened his pouch at his side, and secured his sword Tianyu at his waist. Once prepared, he made his way downstairs to bid farewell to Aunt Lianxue and Mo Yanyu. Aunt Lianxue offered to escort him to the harbor, but Bai Tian politely declined, preferring to go alone.
At Misty Rain City's Harbor
Today marked an important occasion throughout the entire Seven Alliances. It was the anniversary of their founding, but more importantly for Bai Tian, it was the day Greenwood Academy and several sects officially recruited new disciples.
Greenwood Academy had been established a thousand years ago alongside the founding of the Azure Alliance. From then on, any child capable of sensing Astral Energy was admitted. In recent times, those gifted in herbology, craftsmanship, and other skills were also welcomed.
Bai Tian, though unable to sense Astral Energy, was accepted because of his extraordinary physical strength.
Standing at the bustling harbor, Bai Tian clutched a Greenwood Disciple Token — a small wooden token crafted by the academy to identify its disciples. It was said that forging or stealing one was impossible.
A voice called out from behind.
Turning around, Bai Tian saw a thin youth a little shorter than himself, with a scholarly appearance.
The boy cupped his fists in greeting.
"This humble one is Wen Yu from Cloud River Island. May I ask Brother's name?"
Slightly caught off guard, Bai Tian quickly returned the gesture.
"Bai Tian of Mist Veil Island. Pleased to meet you, Brother Wen Yu."
Wen Yu looked around, then smiled.
"It seems we're a bit early. Not many others have arrived yet. Looks like we'll be waiting for a while."
The two struck up a conversation, and Bai Tian learned that Wen Yu was the same age — fourteen — and had also been admitted to the Martial Division. Bai Tian was quickly impressed by Wen Yu's breadth of knowledge, especially when the boy casually mentioned details about Mist Veil Island.
After a while, Wen Yu looked over with a curious expression.
"Brother Bai, are you related to the former Misty Rain Ship Commander? The surname and your birthplace can't be a coincidence."
Bai Tian hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes… he was my grandfather."
There was no reason to conceal it. At Greenwood Academy, there would surely be disciples with far more influential backgrounds.
Wen Yu's eyes brightened.
"Do you know that your grandfather's teacher was considered the strongest Foundation Realm cultivator in Azure Alliance history?"
Bai Tian was stunned. He vaguely remembered Granny Yu mentioning how powerful his grandmother had been, but this was the first time he'd heard she might have been the strongest in her era.
"I didn't know that. But how do you know? If she was so powerful, wouldn't everyone have heard of her?"
Wen Yu grinned.
"My grandfather was a renowned scholar and once a teacher at Central Greenwood Academy. I heard it from him."
He added, his tone a little somber,
"My condolences, Brother Bai. When your grandfather didn't return from beyond the Azure Alliance years ago, my grandfather mentioned this story to me."
Bai Tian fell silent. He'd heard about it before — how his father and grandfather had left in search of a cure for his mother and never returned. In truth, his memories of them were faint. He only recalled his mother's gentle smile. The others existed in portraits and old stories.
Noticing the mood, Wen Yu grew quiet as well.
As time passed, more youths around their age began gathering at the harbor, most accompanied by senior family members. Before long, a loud ship's horn echoed across the waters. A massive ship approached, as grand as the famed Misty Rain Ship. This one bore the banner of a towering ancient tree with emerald leaves spread wide like a protective canopy.
Once the ship docked, several figures disembarked. The young disciples bade farewell to their families and began boarding.
Bai Tian and Wen Yu boarded together, having quickly formed a bond.
Aboard the Ship
Inside the spacious main hall, the new disciples sat in neat rows. Bai Tian and Wen Yu found seats near the back. Two large, burly boys sat directly ahead of them, towering over everyone else, even Bai Tian, who was typically taller than most.
Before long, a middle-aged man with sharp features and a cold, commanding gaze appeared at the front.
"I am Xue Jianhong, Law Enforcement Instructor at Greenwood Academy. From this day forward, you will address me as Teacher Jianhong."
His voice was clear and firm, leaving no room for debate.
"Now — take out your disciple tokens."
Everyone, including Bai Tian, raised their tokens. A formless spiritual force swept through the room, causing the tokens to rise and hover above their heads. Moments later, the tokens returned to their hands.
Bai Tian glanced around. Many disciples were pale and sweating from the oppressive spiritual pressure. Even Wen Yu was breathing heavily.
Wen Yu leaned over and whispered,
"Damn… Bai Tian, how are you fine? That was the pressure of a Foundation Realm cultivator!"
Bai Tian didn't respond. His gaze was fixed on Teacher Jianhong, who, to his surprise, was looking straight at him. A faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered on the instructor's otherwise cold face before he turned and left.
In a Private Chamber
Teacher Jianhong stepped into a side room, where a graceful woman in blue robes awaited him. Alongside Jianhong, she was one of the instructors responsible for escorting the disciples.
Noticing his expression, she asked,
"What's on your mind, Jianhong?"
Without a word, he channeled his astral energy into a strange machine. Moments later, a face and personal details appeared on the glowing display — it was Bai Tian's.
They both stared at the screen, momentarily stunned.
"Is that brat Senior Bai's grandson?" Jianhong muttered.
The woman scoffed.
"Why are you asking me? It's written right there."
Jianhong let out a sigh.
"That boy withstood my spiritual pressure like it was nothing. Even though I spread it evenly across all the disciples, and it's rare for even an early-stage cultivator to remain unaffected."
The woman turned away, her expression unreadable.
"What a pity… still unable to sense astral energy."
Neither spoke further.
Once the inspection concluded, the ship set sail, leaving the bustling harbor behind and gliding smoothly over the calm, azure waters.
The route was tightly controlled. Armed naval ships patrolled the perimeter, ensuring no unauthorized vessels could approach the passage leading to Greenwood Academy's private harbor.
Bai Tian and Wen Yu leaned against the railing, taking in the scenery as the ship steadily circled around Misty Rain City. From Wen Yu, Bai Tian learned that Greenwood Academy wasn't located within the city itself, but on a separate island just off the northern coast. The ship was essentially making a loop around the city to reach the restricted harbor on the far side.
Before long, they spotted another harbor coming into view. This one was clearly different from the public docks they'd departed from. Numerous ships bearing the crest of Misty Rain City were anchored there, alongside several others flying unfamiliar banners. Among them, Bai Tian noticed a distinctive emblem — the same strange beast depicted on the Azure Coins. He recognized it as the symbol of the Azure Alliance.
The ship didn't stop there. Instead, it continued along the route, sailing a little farther before a small, mist-shrouded island came into view. Ancient trees rose from its hills, and a stone pier jutted out from the shore. This was their destination — the island where Greenwood Academy was located.