Chapter 100: Shake the Heavens (2)
Zhao Baifan had no grounds to stop Si Longliang and Wang Haisheng from tagging along, so the group of four ventured deep into the martial academy, soon reaching the exclusive trial grounds.
Skystride Pavilion, though called a pavilion, was actually a structure consisting of three interconnected towers, each spanning a massive area.
Two martial academy students stood at the gate, waiting for someone to finish their trial. Upon seeing Wu Yuan and his group, they quickly paid their respects. "Instructor Zhao, Instructor Si."
Both Zhao Baifan and Si Longliang acknowledged their greetings with a nod, not initiating a conversation. The instructors were clearly accustomed to disciples of the Cloud Martial Hall attempting to conquer the Skystride Pavilion.
"A disciple is currently attempting the challenge. Young Wu Yuan, you'll have to wait." Si Longliang pointed to the red sign at the gate: "A green sign indicates that you may enter."
"Thank you for the reminder, Instructor Si." Wu Yuan responded with an honest face.
Si Longliang’s face stiffened once again.
"The three towers represent levels one, two, and three of the Skystride Pavilion," Zhao Baifan explained to Wu Yuan, "Conquering the Skystride Pavilion simply refers to completing a level. By completing level one, you will be qualified to reside in the Upper Courtyard. As for level two? It will require the strength of a second-rate Adept at least."
Zhao Baifan turned to Wu Yuan, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I don't expect you to succeed. Just hold on as long as you can, and try not to disgrace yourself too much."
"Understood." Wu Yuan nodded ever so slightly. Try not to disgrace himself?
"Instructor Zhao, what is that?" Wu Yuan pointed to a towering three-sided stone tablet that stood before the first tower. Each side of the monument was engraved with names and detailed time records.
The first side wrote:
Historical Record: Fang Xia, fifteen years and ten months, Eastern Martial calendar year 3022.
Current Record: Xu Hui, sixteen years and nine months, Eastern Martial calendar year 3216.
The second side wrote:
Historical Record: Fang Xia, seventeen years and nine months, Eastern Martial calendar year 3024.
Current Record: Xu Hui, twenty years and eight months, Eastern Martial calendar year 3220.
The third side wrote:
Historical Record: Fang Xia, twenty-one years and four months, Eastern Martial calendar year 3028.
Current Record: None.
Wu Yuan quickly skimmed through the inscriptions, and a general understanding formed in his mind.
"The historical record refers to the youngest disciple to have completed that level of the tower since the sect’s inception. The current record refers to the youngest presently enrolled martial academy disciple to have passed that level." Zhao Baifan explained.
"I've heard of Senior Brother Xu Hui. They say he's a first-rate Adept, yet he couldn’t pass the third level?" Wu Yuan asked curiously. Was the martial academy’s trial truly that challenging?
"He couldn't," Zhao Baifan confirmed. "But remember, Senior Brother Xu still has two more years. There's still a chance for him to conquer it before his graduation."
Wu Yuan gave a faint nod. Didn’t this mean even a first-rate Adept could not pass the third level?
"Who is this Fang Xia recorded here?" Wu Yuan asked. All historical records on the three-sided stone tablet were accomplished by someone named Fang Xia. A first-rate Adept at the age of twenty-one? Truly impressive!
"Grandmaster Fang Xia." Admiration rose on Zhao Baifan's face. "He's the strongest Grandmaster in the history of our Cloudstride Sect."
"The strongest Grandmaster?" Wu Yuan’s interest was piqued.
"300 years ago, the founder of our Cloudstride Sect established the Cloud Hall. In those early days, we were merely an ordinary sect, even weaker than the Yuanhu Villa of today." Zhao Baifan explained. "Back then, our Cloudstride Sect struggled to secure its territory."
Wu Yuan couldn't help but nod. 300 years ago, the Chu-Jiang Empire was in its prime.
"After the sect was founded, it experienced over a century of decline until the rise of Grandmaster Fang Xia, who revived the sect." Zhao Baifan murmured, "Not only did he break numerous records, but at the age of 31, he climbed onto the Land Rankings, becoming the youngest Grandmaster in the Jiang Continent in the last 500 years."
A Land Ranker at 31? Even Wu Yuan could not help but admire him. In this world, reaching the limit of the human body was much harder than in the world of the Human Federation. One could only imagine how talented this Grandmaster Fang Xia was!
"Under Grandmaster Fang Xia's leadership, our Cloudstride Sect flourished, and before he turned 50, he became one of the ten Great Grandmasters in the world. The royal family of the Chu-Jiang Empire honored Grandmaster Fang Xia as the King of East Jiang and granted him the territories of Cloudhill, Baihu, Southdream, and Hillstride as our sect's permanent domain." Zhao Baifan revealed, "That was the golden age of our Cloudstride Sect."
Martial strength decides who owns the land. This was a proverb and likewise, a reality.
"What happened next?" Wu Yuan asked.
"Grandmaster Fang Xia vanished mysteriously at over 60 years old. Legend has it that he entered an immortal relic and died there," Zhao Baifan sighed. "At that time, he was already ranked third in the Land Rankings, and universally recognized as the most promising expert to step into the Heavenly Rankings."
Disappeared when he was over 60? Wu Yuan nodded slightly. At such an age, a Grandmaster was still in his prime, untouched by old age.
"That's enough. You can learn about the exploits of Grandmaster Fang Xia in the library later," Zhao Baifan said. "If you want to attempt the Skystride Pavilion, go ahead and challenge yourself."
"Yes." Wu Yuan nodded.
At that moment, the doors to the first tower swung open with a bang, and a figure in black came hurtling out, crashing heavily onto the ground. The doors closed, and the red sign turned green.
"Senior Brother Tian."
"Senior Brother." The two martial academy students hurried forward to help the black-robed student, who appeared around eighteen or nineteen, back to his feet.
"I failed yet again," the young man in black muttered, shaking his head in frustration, his teeth gritted together. "Just a bit more, just a little bit more and I could have won!"
The two students exchanged a look. Anyone could tell that Senior Brother Tian had failed. If he had succeeded, he wouldn't have been unceremoniously thrown out.
"Instructor Zhao, I am going in," declared Wu Yuan. Without further ado, he strode past the black-clad youth and his companions, pushing open the doors.
Once he entered, the doors closed shut once more.
"Who is he? I don’t recall seeing him before!" A disciple was confused.
"He seems quite young, perhaps he’s a new disciple?" Another disciple guessed.
"He is a disciple under Instructor Zhao's guidance, and just entered our sect via special recruitment. Though merely fourteen, he has considerable talent. Do not underestimate him," chuckled Si Longliang.
Zhao Baifan frowned at his words, but remained silent. She shifted her gaze towards the towering structure. Not a single sound emerged.
"He just joined?"
"Fourteen? He must barely possess the strength of a martial virtuoso!" Several disciples were taken aback. "He dares to challenge the Skystride Pavilion when he's still so weak?"
Si Longliang's smile grew even brighter. However, it quickly began to fade. Because, a full twenty breaths later, Wu Yuan had yet to be thrown out.
"This kid, he isn't hiding by the door avoiding the trial, is he?" Si Longliang murmured.
Wang Haisheng stood by, clenching his fists.
Another ten breaths passed!
"He hasn't emerged yet?" A disciple expressed surprise.
"Isn't this almost as long as I endured?" The disciple in black was equally amazed. His strength was ranked among the top 30 of the junior academy.
"Oh?" A smile appeared on Zhao Baifan's face. In her view, as long as Wu Yuan lasted more than twenty breaths, he wouldn't be a disgrace. Now, 30 breaths had already passed.
Very quickly, another ten breaths passed!
Now, the faces of the crowd outside the tower showed a mixture of shock and bewilderment. So long? How could that be possible?
"Senior Sister Zhao, is it possible your disciple was knocked unconscious by the sect elder, and is now nursing his injuries?" Si Longliang couldn't help but ask.
Zhao Baifan shot him a sidelong glance.
Boom~ After what felt like an eternity, the imposing doors creaked open. Contrary to everyone's expectations, Wu Yuan was not thrown out.
Instead, a weathered old man in flowing white robes emerged. Wu Yuan trailed behind him, his clothes in disarray, but his eyes burning with an unparalleled intensity. It was clear that he had undergone a fierce battle.
The disciples witnessing this scene were somewhat confused. However, the instructors of the martial academy, Zhao Baifan and Si Longliang, exchanged looks of profound shock. Could it be...?
"Greetings, Sect Elder Tian." Zhao Baifan and Si Longliang respectfully bowed.
"Greetings, Sect Elder," echoed the other disciples, following suit. Only then did they realize that the guardian of the Skystride Pavilion was actually a sect elder, and all sect elders were Savant experts!
"Haha, Baifan, are you Wu Yuan's mentor?" The white-robed elder exuded an aura of tranquility as he smiled at Zhao Baifan.
"Indeed, Sect Elder, Wu Yuan just joined today," Zhao Baifan replied with deference.
"Mm. Ensure that you teach him well and do not let his potential go to waste," the elder instructed, turning his attention to Wu Yuan. "Young Wu Yuan, don't slack off."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior," Wu Yuan responded with deep respect. Then, he walked down the stairs, coming to stand beside Zhao Baifan.
The elder in white robes didn't offer an explanation. With a single stride, he arrived before the first stone tablet and bowed respectfully. "Ancestor Fang Xia above, excuse my impertinence."
With a swift motion, a flexible sword appeared in his palm.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Sword lights shone brightly as fragments of stone were chipped away. Seconds later, a brand-new inscription was revealed before everyone's eyes:
Historical Record: Wu Yuan, fourteen years and seven months, Eastern Martial calendar year 3224.
Current Record: Wu Yuan, fourteen years and seven months, Eastern Martial calendar year 3224.
Total silence. Everyone stared at the text on the stone tablet, then at Wu Yuan, hardly believing their own eyes. He successfully passed the first level of the Skystride Pavilion at fourteen years old?
"This!" Si Longliang's eyes widened, unable to believe what he was seeing. But it had been personally verified by Sect Elder Tian, there was no possibility of falsehood.
"You?" Zhao Baifan also stared at Wu Yuan in utter disbelief.
"Instructor Zhao," Wu Yuan said with a haughty grin, "I told you, I won’t disappoint you. I will break Ancestor Fang Xia’s records one by one."
Wu Yuan's voice was not loud, but his words were audible to everyone present.
Si Longliang instinctively opened his mouth to reprimand the boy. Who was Ancestor Fang Xia? He was a sacred figure that countless disciples of the Cloudstride Sect revered!
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