Early morning of 21st December.
Meng Chuan sat in bed and gently caressed his blade that was cold and sharp to the touch.
“My twelve years of cultivation has been for this very day,” Meng Chuan murmured softly. The day for the Archean Mountain entrance examination was finally here. He had been waiting a long time for this day to come.
Meng Chuan thought of many people at that very moment. His father, mother, grandaunt, clan leader, Third Elder, and many other clan elders hoped that he could enter Archean Mountain.
...
In a nearby room, Meng Dajiang stared at a painting hanging on the wall. It was a painting of his wife.
The day has finally come. Meng Dajiang looked at the portrait. I’ve done all I can. I sparked Chuan’er’s interest in the saber. I sparred with him. I found a suitable Dao Academy teacher for him. The credits I’ve accumulated over the past few years have been exchanged for Chuan’er’s Iceheart Fruit. I’ve done whatever I can!
I, Meng Dajiang, am a mediocre person, but the son I’ve raised is my greatest pride! Nianyun, our son will definitely enter Archean Mountain. Meng Dajiang was equally nervous.
Suddenly, they heard a voice from outside. “Young Master Meng, Young Master Yan, Lord Marquis has summoned everyone. They are preparing to set off.”
We’re setting off? Meng Dajiang wiped the corners of his eyes and walked out of his house. He immediately shouted, “Chuan’er, Chuan’er, we’re leaving.”
Creak.
Meng Chuan walked out from his own room, his saber by the waist. He smiled at his father. “Let’s go.”
Meng Chuan, Meng Dajiang, and Yan Jin gathered at Wu State Guild Hall’s lobby.
Although it had snowed yesterday, the snow inside the guild hall yards had long been cleared. Only the trees and rooftops were left covered in snow.
“Young Master Meng.”
“Young Master Yan.” Everyone in the lobby greeted them.
Out of the twelve young adults, only Yan Jin was alone. The others had elders accompanying them.
“Everyone is here. Let’s set off now.” Marquis Southcloud entered the lobby and did a sweeping glance. Everyone followed when he walked out.
Within a spacious garden at the guild hall, a fiery red bird stood waiting. One by one, they leaped onto the bird’s back.
Meng Chuan, Yan Jin, and Meng Dajiang sat in a corner on the bird’s back.
“Let’s go,” said Marquis Southcloud.
The fiery-red bird immediately flew up. From above, one could see every street and gorgeous building in Archean City. It was quite the unique experience.
...
Meanwhile, at Eastcalm Prefecture’s Meng family.
In the ancestral hall, Fairy Meng was kneeling on a prayer mat. She pressed her palms together in anticipation.
“Ancestors, please bless us. Please bless our Meng family’s descendant, Meng Chuan. Please let him pass the Archean Mountain entrance examination and be admitted into Archean Mountain.” Fairy Meng’s pale face wore a hint of death. The demon invasion had hurt her too much. Her body was on the verge of collapse. If it weren’t for her strong obsession, she wouldn’t have survived until today.
Meng Chuan was the Meng family’s hope. If she died, Meng Chuan would be the future pillar of support.
Thus, she waited for news of Meng Chuan’s admission into Archean Mountain. Only then could she rest in peace.
...
Ah Chuan. On a mountain peak on Archean Mountain, Liu Qiyue was distracted while reading a book. She looked at the vast sea of clouds through the window, feeling a little nervous. Ah Chuan is going to take the entrance examination today, right? He will definitely pass!
...
The Archean Mountain entrance examination is today, 21st December. Will he be admitted into Archean Mountain? Yun Qingping couldn’t help but have such thoughts arise in her as she practiced her swordplay in the morning. She then shook her head. Why think about this? She continued practicing her swordplay.
...
Meng Chuan and company sat on the fiery-red bird’s back. The bird flew at a height of 1000 feet. It wasn’t fast, and it allowed its riders to enjoy the view of Archean City. The bird flew dozens of kilometers before slowly descending. It landed near a vast palace. On the palace’s front door, there were three large words: Blazing Sun Palace.
“Let’s go.” After Marquis Southcloud transported Meng Chuan and company to their destination, he softly instructed his mount. The fiery bird soared into the sky and flew towards Archean Mountain.
“Everyone, follow me,” said a steward—who had accompanied them—of the Wu State Guild Hall. “Lord Marquis has matters to attend to. All you need to do is follow me.”
The steward smiled and said, “Blazing Sun Palace is a side area of Archean Mountain. Every year, the Archean Mountain entrance examination’s registration is held here. Of course, our guild hall has already registered the twelve geniuses of Wu State. Everyone, please follow me inside. I estimate that in an hour, the Archean Mountain Godfiends will come. The test will officially begin when that happens.”
“Thank you, Steward Wang.” Immediately, some of the clan elders went over to strike up conversations.
Meng Chuan and company entered the Blazing Sun Palace together.
A square could be seen after passing through the palace doors. There were already many youths in the palace square, with many elders and servants by their side.
“Oh?” Many people looked over when they entered.
“It’s people from the Wu State. The person wearing a deep blue robe with a saber by his waist is called Meng Chuan. It’s said that he killed a demon commander with a single slash and did it twice in a row. He is extremely strong,” said a purple-dressed woman after taking a look. “There are twenty admission spots for Archean Mountain, so he probably has one spot. Also, the white-robed young man beside him is much more powerful than ordinary Core Condensation experts. Furthermore, he’s also King Calm Sea’s seventh son.”
“King Calm Sea’s seventh son? Are you sure?” asked a tall man beside her in surprise.
“How could the princess’s intelligence be wrong?” Another golden-robed youth laughed.
“This was originally a secret, but after King Calm Sea’s sword mark saved the entire Eastcalm Prefecture, the imperial family found out that King Calm Sea’s mysterious seventh son had gone to Eastcalm Prefecture under the alias Yan Jin,” said the purple-robed woman “You don’t need to worry too much about it. Archean Mountain’s entrance examination doesn’t care about background, only strength and potential. This time, there are many geniuses that pose quite a threat—Wu State’s Meng Chuan, Jiang State’s Ning Yibo... The very famous ones already roughly account for ten people, and there might be people who hid their strength. Perhaps there are some who have broken through. Even I’m not confident of securing a spot.”
“Princess, your archery is the best in the imperial capital amongst the younger generation. You will definitely be admitted into Archean Mountain,” praised the golden-robed youth.
...
Meng Chuan’s group naturally waited together.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the palace.
A red-robed youth walked in barefoot. A group of people followed behind him. Five of them had terrifying auras. Clearly, they were Godfiends.
“There’s no need to follow me. What’s the point of following me?” said the red-robed youth impatiently.
“Haha, Tong’er, you are participating in Archean Mountain’s test today. We are all very concerned, so we would like to watch.”
“As your granduncle, I want to see you get admitted into Archean Mountain.” The elders behind him all chuckled.
The red-robed youth was helpless as well. Behind him were his parents, grandparents, and a few other clansmen with extremely high status in the family clan.
“That’s Yan Chitong, the number one genius of Archean City. He’s the only son of Marquis West Sea. He’s extremely talented. He comprehended Force despite only being thirteen this year! Since he’s very young, even if he’s ranked outside of the top twenty, Archean Mountain might admit him.”
“I hope he ranks past twenty! He’s only thirteen years old. Why is he competing with us?”
“The Yan family has one king, one marquis, and nearly twenty Godfiends. Now that another genius has been produced, it’s truly a joyous occasion...” The descendants of ancient Godfiend family clans all sighed in amazement. Even large family clans in the imperial capital and Archean City would look up to the Yan family!
Meng Chuan and Meng Dajiang pricked up their ears to listen.
They weren’t privy to a lot of intelligence. They hadn’t heard of many geniuses. After all, the Meng family was only an ordinary Godfiend family clan in Eastcalm Prefecture. The matriarch of the family clan, Fairy Meng, hadn’t been admitted into Archean Mountain. It was normal for them to be ignorant.
As time passed, more and more people gathered in the square. It was especially so for the locals of Archean City. Many of them were accompanied by three to five elders.
Boom!
Finally, the doors of Blazing Sun Palace closed. People were barred from entering after the appointed time.
It’s about to begin. The three hundred-plus youths felt their hearts tighten.