A new day arrived. The skies above the Holy Beast Academy were painted with golden and amber streaks as the first light of dawn touched the towering spires and courtyards of the vast campus. Birds chirped softly, and the gentle rustle of trees created a serene background melody. It was the first official day of academy life for the students, a moment they had all eagerly anticipated.
Lan Zhen stirred from his bed, blinking at the sunlight filtering through the dormitory curtains. The air was crisp and filled with the distant buzz of morning activities. He glanced around and noticed that both Lei Wei and Shi Feng were still deeply asleep, their blankets tangled messily around them.
Zhen sighed and walked over. "Come on, guys, wake up or we'll be late for school," he said, shaking them gently.
Lei Wei groaned and mumbled, "Come on Zhen, don't disturb my sweet dream..."
Zhen crossed his arms, more insistent. "It's the first day. We really can't be late. What if a strict bond master is our teacher?"
That did the trick.
In a flash, both Shi Feng and Lei Wei bolted upright and shouted in perfect unison, "WE CAN'T BE LATE!"
Their synchronized panic echoed so loudly that it stirred someone outside.
A muffled voice called out from the hallway, clearly irritated: "Don't shout, you fools!"
It was the dorm master.
Zhen chuckled. "Alright, alright. Let's get ready."
The three boys scrambled into action, putting on their pristine first-year uniforms. The jackets were a deep blue with silver linings and an embroidered crest of the Holy Beast Academy — majestic and regal. With excitement buzzing through their veins, they stepped out of their dorm and into the courtyard.
The campus sprawled before them in all its majestic glory. Towering buildings crafted of smooth stone, magical crystal spires gleaming in the morning sun, enchanted lanterns floating gently above the walkways — everything looked grander than they'd ever imagined.
Shi Feng gawked. "This place is MASSIVE."
Lei Wei smirked, arms crossed. "Of course it is. It's the most prestigious beast bond master academy in the entire Holy Continent."
As they admired the surroundings, they noticed Gu Na'er, Bing Queer, and Yu Xiatao standing before six colossal statues carved into the cliff wall at the academy's northern edge. The statues were awe-inspiring, each figure exuding an aura of unmatched power and legacy.
Zhen waved. "Na'er!"
The girls turned.
Na'er lit up. "Zhen!"
The group met up, all of them dressed in matching uniforms. Na'er glanced at Zhen and smiled. "Zhen, you look great in uniform."
Zhen's cheeks turned a shade pink. "Really?"
"Yeah," she said with a light laugh.
Lei Wei and Shi Feng exchanged glances and chuckled.
Na'er raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing!" they replied quickly.
Shi Feng changed the topic. "So, what are these statues?"
Before anyone could answer, a calm voice spoke from behind them. "They are the six legendary Holy Kings of the Holy Beast Empire."
Lei Wei and Bing Queer gasped. "HOLY KINGS?!"
Zhen, Na'er, Shi Feng, and Xiatao exchanged puzzled glances. "Holy Kings?"
The man smiled faintly. "You'll learn more in class. Now go, you don't want to be late."
They turned to leave, but Zhao Xiong, standing at a distance with Yan Wu and his cronies, sneered when he saw Zhen entering Class 2. "Hmph," he muttered and headed into Class 1.
Inside Class 2, students took their seats as murmurs filled the air. Moments later, the same man who'd spoken about the statues entered the classroom.
He stood tall, his robes flowing with subtle flames.
"My name is Guan Fang," he introduced himself. "I am a Rank 45 Holy Shifter. My bond is the Fire Fox. For the next two years, I will be your head teacher."
Zhen and the others were stunned. The man from before was their instructor.
A curious student raised a hand. "Head Teacher, those statues outside... who were they?"
Guan Fang's eyes twinkled. "Those are the six legendary Holy Kings of our empire. A Holy King is a bond master who reaches Rank 98. It is an achievement so rare that even reaching Rank 80 is considered extraordinary."
Gasps filled the room. Zhen leaned over to Lei Wei. "Rank 98… that's insane."
Another student, Liu Hao, asked, "How many Holy Kings are there across the continent?"
"There are thirty-six in total," Guan Fang replied. "Twelve reside within the Holy Beast Empire. The Holy Continent is divided into three great empires — the Holy Heaven Empire, the Holy Soul Empire, and our Holy Beast Empire."
The class fell silent as they absorbed this massive revelation.
Guan Fang continued, his voice more solemn now. "Those six statues outside belonged to a legendary team — Darkness Light. During their time at this very academy, they brought honor, power, and glory to our nation."
The bell rang, signaling the end of class.
Outside, the six friends regrouped.
"That was so much information," Bing Queer said, rubbing her temple.
Na'er smiled. "You know, Queer, Xiatao and I are roommates."
Lei Wei smirked. "Well, we boys share a room too. Looks like destiny keeps grouping us together."
They laughed and chatted, excitement bubbling in their voices. As the sun began its descent, Shi Feng checked the time.
"Let's head back. We're not supposed to roam after dark."
The group parted ways, each heading toward their respective dorms.
Night descended.
In the boys' dorm, Lei Wei and Shi Feng were fast asleep, their even breathing filling the quiet room. But Zhen lay awake, mind spinning with thoughts of Holy Kings, rankings, and what Guan Fang had said.
Unable to sleep, he walked to the balcony.
The academy was bathed in moonlight. Trees swayed gently, and a mystical calm settled over the world.
Suddenly — a surge of pressure.
Zhen gasped, nearly falling as a crushing force bore down on him. He clutched the balcony railing, barely able to stand.
A crimson light flashed before him.
Floating in the air was a young woman, her dark red hair dancing in the wind, her eyes glowing like burning embers.
Zhen's eyes widened in recognition. "Aren't you the lady from the entrance trial?"
It was Long Yi.
She was silent for a moment, then answered with a voice deep and powerful. "Lan Zhen. Follow me."
And so, beneath the gaze of the moon and the weight of destiny, Zhen's real journey was about to begin.