Time swept by like a fleeting dream—before one could grasp it, seven years had quietly passed.
Gu Qingli had grown from a cherubic five-year-old into a delicate maiden of twelve.
Though her fair and jade-like cheeks still retained a trace of babyish roundness, her phoenix eyes gleamed with shifting brilliance. Her elegant nose was finely sculpted, and her rose-petal lips shimmered like rubies set upon alabaster.
She stood taller than most of her peers, her budding figure beginning to show the early contours of womanhood. Though still youthful, the faint outline of extraordinary beauty had already begun to emerge.
Owing to her relentless cultivation, Gu Qingli paid little heed to the outside world, her mind wholly immersed in spiritual pursuit.
Were it not for the grand recruitment of students by the prestigious Windcloud Academy in Loulan City, she would likely still be secluded in her quiet cultivation, indifferent to worldly affairs.
Recalling her master's instructions, Gu Qingli knew that though twelve was still young, gaining admission into Windcloud Academy might be an excellent opportunity.
Thanks to her mastery of the Phoenix Fire Art, her physical constitution far surpassed others of the same rank.
Moreover, Windcloud Academy was truly a sanctuary where the paragons of the East Saint Kingdom gathered—its halls filled with prodigies from across the realm. Even Gu Qingli's master held the Academy in the highest esteem.
One could well imagine the academy's extraordinary heritage—it was indeed a forge of geniuses.
Its unparalleled influence and immense strength even caused powerful factions like Windcloud City and Kunlun to tread cautiously around it. Fortunately, students dispersed upon graduation, or else the accumulation of such formidable talents would unsettle even the most dominant powers.
The academy's headmaster, Lu Jingyun, ranked second among the Ten Supreme Powers of the Honggu Continent, his renown stretching back over a millennium.
Though a martial swordmaster, even Gu Qingli's revered teacher was no match for him—testament enough to Lu Jingyun's might.
Furthermore, the academy was home to ten Saint Elders, each a towering force in their own right. With such formidable presence, Windcloud Academy commanded the reverence of the entire East Saint Kingdom.
This year's recruitment targeted those between twelve and eighteen years old—Gu Qingli had just reached the minimum age. It was at this moment her master, Dongfang Kunlun, suggested she take the opportunity to train within the academy's walls.
Though the Gu family was reluctant, they dared not defy the will of Dongfang Kunlun.
Gu Zhan and Ouyang Qian, though loath to part with their young daughter, understood well that her gifts and strength were far from ordinary.
To keep her buried in a place like Loulan City would be a lifetime's regret.
Though Gu Qingli had hidden her true power from others, she had never intentionally concealed it from her parents.
Thus, while Gu Zhan and Ouyang Qian were unaware of her precise capabilities, they understood she was far more than what appeared on the surface.
That day, the skies were clear and radiant, a gentle breeze carrying the subtle scent of summer through the streets. Loulan City awakened early, a sense of festivity filling the air.
As dawn's golden light spread across the land, youths from every family began to ready themselves.
The Gu clan's main hall bustled with excitement. A crowd of spirited young cultivators chattered animatedly, their eyes alight with anticipation. Once everyone was assembled, Elder Mu would escort them to the Windcloud Academy's registration point.
All knew the academy's selection was mercilessly strict, yet its reputation as the cradle of true power inspired boundless hope. Each young soul harbored the dream of being chosen.
Gu Qingli stepped into the hall with quiet grace, clad in a pale blue gown that shimmered like starlight. A sheer azure veil draped over her figure, giving her the ethereal presence of a celestial maiden.
As she entered, silence fell across the great hall. The younger generation of the Gu clan turned their gazes toward the Sixth Young Miss, their eyes sharp with scrutiny.