The Demonic Cult Academy.
This academy, was where the cult trained its disciples. It was a place made to shape Murim warriors strong enough to protect and serve the Demonic Cult. Every hall, every courtyard, and every drop of sweat spilled here existed for one purpose, to turn ordinary people into powerful martial artists who would carry out the cult's will.
The courtyard of the academy buzzed with life. People from different sects had gathered for this life-changing moment. By a rough count, there were more than five hundred martial artists, all hoping to become top Murim warriors who would one day serve the Demonic Cult.
And Li Yao stood behind them all.
"Damn... Now that I'm actually here I'm a bit nervous, is the aura around here always like this?"
"It's probably coming from those guys, the self entitled young masters of the five great sects."
They stared ahead, their eyes fixed on the five individuals standing at the front. Even from their clothing alone, it was clear — these people were on a completely different level from the rest of the martial artists from the lower sects.
"I can't blame you, this academy brings so many sects together, both high and low ranked ones with one fundamental goal, so it is not surprising that martial artists of different calibers would be here."
As the time for the entrance exams drew closer, more and more martial artists gathered in the courtyard, their numbers growing by the minute. The once spacious area was now crowded with anxious faces and restless movements. Nervous murmurs spread through the crowd like a quiet wave, mixing with the sound of footsteps and rustling robes as everyone waited for the exam to begin.
"Look at them." A voice said from a distance, high up the stairs that led into the academy's main building. "They are all excited?" The man's voice grew darker, as if their excitement about finally reaching the academy was something sinful.
"With you around, I'm sure those smiles will turn upside down the moment you introduce yourself to them." Another voice spoke from behind him, and the man slowly turned around. His eyes met a tall, nonchalant figure with messy purple hair that shimmered faintly under the sunlight.
He wore a loose blue kimono that fluttered softly with the breeze, and a sheathed sword rested at his waist, silent yet commanding respect. His face showed little emotion, calm and distant, as if nothing in the world could disturb his peace.
"Hm?" He frowned, his expression tightening as if he had just come face to face with the one person he'd been trying to avoid for a lifetime. "What the hell are you doing here? I've never known you to take interest in the entrance exams."
The man, Li Wu Zhen, had black hair tied into a neat ponytail and a well-trimmed beard that gave him a composed, mature look. He wore a dark blue robe with silver linings that shimmered faintly in the light, and at his waist hung a sheathed sword. He was the academy's chancellor.
But these two men were none other than the left and right hands of the Patriarch. They shared no blood relation, yet their unmatched talent with the blade and flawless record in every battle fought for the Demonic Cult had earned them that honor.
And together, they were known throughout the lands as the Twin Demons of the Cult.
"Oh shut up, I don't like seeing your face either, but I came here to deliver a message from the head guard. Something came up, and the patriarch won't be able to make it."
The chancellor remained silent for a moment. It was tradition — the Patriarch's presence at the academy's entrance exam was seen as a symbol of hope, a source of inspiration for the young martial artists who wished to serve the cult. It had been that way for generations.
So his absence today was a bit concerning, but not even that was enough to halt what they had already set in motion. "I guess we have no choice."
The chancellor stepped forward and gave a slight nod to one of the professors standing at the corners of the courtyard, each stationed there to help maintain order.
The professor acknowledged the chancellor's nod and bowed in response. Then he lifted the mallet beside him and struck the large gong. A deep, ringing sound echoed across the entire courtyard, instantly drawing the attention of every candidate present.
Everyone looked up, their eyes falling on the chancellor who stood above them at the highest steps, watching over the crowd.
"I-Isn't that..."
"One of the twin demons of the demonic cult?"
"It's the patriarch's right hand man!"
"Holy shit... Isn't he like among the top three strongest murim master in the demonic cult!?"
Li Wu Zhen exhaled sharply, then his eyes snapped open. "Silence!" .
His voice echoed through the entire courtyard, carrying a swift and commanding authority that left no room for noise. In an instant, every candidate fell silent.
'It's sickening... To think that these weak willed descendants are the future of the demonic cult.' He thought.
'However.' He lowered his sights toward the front row, where five individuals stood side by side among the many candidates. There was something different about them — the way they stood, the calm in their eyes. It was clear they weren't ordinary martial artists like the others.
'Judging from their aura, I can tell, they must be the descendants and the young masters from the five major sects. They aren't intimidated by my presence?' A grin slowly stretched across the side of his lips, hinting at thoughts he chose not to reveal.
'Good... It seems this year will be interesting after all. The young masters of the five great sects huh? Interesting, that means they won't break easily. Only then can they be worthy of bearing such a title.'
"You are all so damn loud, how pitiful. You all lack of spirit, and you dare assume you could become the murim masters that'll serve the sect?"
His grin widened, turning into a sinister smile as he looked over all the candidates, and he made no effort to hide the dark intent behind it at all. "Fine then, I will decide if you have what it takes to be the future of the demonic cult."