The black iron gate stood tall and firm before them, adorned with carvings of dragons coiled around the emblem of Qinglong — a green dragon stretching toward the sky.
Li Yuan, Mu Yi, and Fan Tu stood with cloth bags on their backs, while Yu Shan, the academy's envoy, stood in front of them.
"From this point on, your fate will begin to change," Yu Shan said in a deep voice, then pushed open the massive gate.
Qinglong Academy — the center for the study of martial arts, body refinement, and understanding the laws of the world. The moment they stepped inside, it felt as if they were being swallowed by another realm.
Towering buildings with grand architecture loomed over them — curved rooftops, massive wooden pillars, and wide courtyards filled with the sounds of students in training. The rhythm of punches, heavy breathing, and shouted chants created a constant, living tempo.
They were taken to a building on the eastern side. A senior student led them to the second floor of a large hall. Inside was a modest dormitory, with folding mattresses lined up — enough to accommodate ten people.
"You're the first to arrive," the senior student said. "The others from nearby villages will come tomorrow. Use today to rest. Don't act out… and don't make noise."
With that, he left, leaving the three in silence.
Mu Yi immediately threw his bag onto a mattress and dropped himself onto it.
"Finally, a soft bed… even if it still smells like straw."
Fan Tu chuckled quietly and began unpacking his belongings. He sat by the window, gazing down at the training grounds below.
Li Yuan didn't sit down right away. He walked slowly around the room, running his hand along the wooden walls, his eyes scanning the architecture in detail. Every dragon carving, every stone in the courtyard… all etched clearly into his mind.
"This academy… is no ordinary place," he murmured.
"The buildings are made with high-quality materials. The entire place feels like a living body that channels energy."
Mu Yi glanced at him and raised an eyebrow.
"You're thinking about that? I'm just thinking about dinner."
Fan Tu added, "You think they'll test us tomorrow?"
Li Yuan didn't answer. He stared out the window at the sky, his pale gray eyes reflecting the golden light of the setting sun.
"Everything starts now," he said softly.
"We'll see… who's still standing at the end."