The Azure Crane Academy's Outer Academy rose like a second fortress beyond the inner training grounds, its stone walls higher and courtyards wider. The air was cooler here, sharper, and carried a faint scent of incense and herbs from the Outer Alchemy and Medicine Halls. It was a place reserved for those who had survived the first year and passed the Body Tempering Stage 1 taste. Only they were allowed to enter, while novices and untested students remained behind, restricted to the inner dorms.
Whoosh… thump… clang… The wind tore through the high walls of the Outer Academy, carrying sounds of distant exercises: heavy logs striking stone, students grunting under weight, and the rhythmic clang of staff on training dummies. Luo Yun, walking with Zhen Wei and Fang Rui, felt a chill in his chest—not from the cold, but from the realization that they had entered an entirely new world of strength and hierarchy.
"This place… it's huge," Fang Rui whispered, his eyes scanning the vast courtyard and the buildings beyond.
Zhen Wei nodded, more serious. "Look at the senior disciples… they're all at least one or two stages higher than us. Some are Stage 2 or even Stage 3 of Body Tempering. We have to be careful."
Luo Yun's small frame felt heavier with the weight of the expectations. They had survived the first year, but the Outer Academy was a different level of challenge. Everything here—lodging, training grounds, libraries, alchemy labs—was designed for serious martial artists. Novices like them were just beginning to learn how high the climb could be.
Master Han Qiu appeared at the entrance to greet the new arrivals. His voice carried over the wind. "Congratulations to all of you who have passed the first year. From today, you are allowed to enter the Outer Academy. Here, you will see disciples who are years ahead of you in cultivation. Observe, learn, and understand the gap. This is not just a test of strength—it is a lesson in humility, perseverance, and endurance."
The Outer Academy was divided into several sectors. The Outer Dormitory housed the first-year graduates, while the Outer Hall served as a training ground for higher-stage disciples. The Outer Library contained rare texts on cultivation, martial theory, and medicinal herbs. The Outer Alchemy hall and Outer Medicine Hall were filled with herbs, potions, and tools to assist refinement. Finally, the Outer Weapon Hall displayed a vast array of weaponry, from staffs and swords to exotic armaments for advanced combat.
Novices like Luo Yun were allowed only Outer Dorm access, while the other areas were strictly off-limits. Crossing into those spaces without permission was a grave offense and could result in immediate expulsion. Even observing from afar required care; the senior disciples were sharp, and any sign of disrespect or curiosity could bring unwanted attention.
Clatter… scrape… thump… whoosh… The Outer Dorm courtyard was alive with activity. Senior disciples trained relentlessly, their movements precise and powerful. Some lifted massive logs that would have crushed the novices, while others performed stances that seemed to flow like water, their control over their bodies near-perfect. The sound of effort, combined with the wind, created an atmosphere that was both intimidating and inspiring.
Luo Yun, Zhen Wei, and Fang Rui were assigned to their rooms in the Outer Dormitory. Each room was modest but larger than those in the inner academy. The beds were simple mats, the walls bare except for small shelves to store personal belongings. It was a place to rest, recover, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
As they settled in, Bai Feng appeared nearby, leaning casually against a column. His presence alone drew attention. He smirked at Luo Yun and his friends. "So, the three little survivors from the inner dorms made it here," he said mockingly. "Let's see if you can actually keep up this year. The Outer Academy isn't forgiving."
Luo Yun clenched his fists but did not respond. He knew words would not protect him here. Survival required effort, not argument.
The first day in the Outer Academy began with a general inspection and orientation. Master Han Qiu guided the novices through the courtyard, pointing out key locations: the Outer Hall for combat exercises, the Outer Library for study, and the Outer Alchemy and Medicine Halls for cultivation resources. He explained the strict rules:
Only Outer Dorm access was permitted for first-year graduates.
Trespassing into higher-level areas could result in expulsion.
Respect and obedience toward senior disciples were mandatory.
Daily training, diet, and contributions were monitored carefully.
Thump… clang… whoosh… Even as the students listened, the sounds of training never ceased. The discipline of the Outer Academy was absolute, a constant reminder that survival and growth were inseparable.
That evening, the three friends gathered outside their dorm. Luo Yun looked out toward the distant Outer Hall, where senior disciples moved like shadows, their bodies refined and their power evident. "It's… overwhelming," he admitted quietly.
Fang Rui nodded. "But this is why we're here. To see them, learn from them, and eventually reach their level."
Zhen Wei added, "We survived the first year. Now, it's about improving faster than we ever have. The Outer Academy won't wait for anyone."
Over the next few days, the novices began basic exercises in the Outer Dormitory courtyard, focusing on endurance, balance, and minor body tempering techniques. Master Han Qiu and other instructors monitored them, offering guidance but never leniency. Clap… thump… scrape… whoosh… Each sound in the courtyard served as both instruction and warning.
The hierarchy was evident. Senior disciples occasionally approached the Outer Dorm courtyard, observing the novices with a critical eye. Some offered advice: subtle corrections in stance, breathing, or lifting technique. Others seemed to test patience, challenging the novices verbally or subtly highlighting their weaknesses. Every interaction was a lesson in humility and perseverance.
Luo Yun quickly learned that Body Tempering was more than just physical effort. Even slight adjustments in posture, breathing rhythm, and focus could improve efficiency and reduce fatigue. Watching the senior disciples, he realized how far he was from their level. But rather than discouragement, it sparked determination.
Meanwhile, Bai Feng continued to watch him and his friends. He was naturally talented, but Luo Yun's perseverance earned his reluctant respect. Though Bai Feng mocked him openly at times, he also observed Luo Yun's steady improvement, noting that the small, quiet boy had the kind of endurance that could not be ignored.
The Outer Academy also enforced the contribution system rigorously. Each novice received minimal rations and herbs, enough to sustain their training. Anything extra—special herbs, medicine, or study materials—had to be earned through labor or achievement. Luo Yun and his friends took small tasks, such as carrying logs or assisting instructors, ensuring they had enough resources without overextending themselves.
By the end of the first week, the novices began to feel the gap between themselves and the senior disciples. Stage 2 and 3 Body Tempering disciples moved with confidence and precision, their bodies refined far beyond the novices' capabilities. Thump… clang… whoosh… The sounds of training, constant and unyielding, reminded them of the work required to survive.
Master Han Qiu spoke to the group again as they rested in the dormitory courtyard that evening. "Observe carefully, practice diligently, and do not be discouraged by the strength of others. The Outer Academy is a mirror of your own limitations. Only by confronting them will you grow. Remember, perseverance and patience are the greatest tools you possess."
Luo Yun, looking at the flickering shadows of the Outer Hall across the courtyard, felt a quiet fire ignite within him. This was the true beginning—the first year had been merely a taste. Now, in the Outer Academy, every day would be a test of strength, endurance, and spirit.
Whoosh… thump… scrape… clang… The wind carried the sound of staff against stone, the groans of exertion, and the sharp commands of instructors through the vast courtyard. For Luo Yun and the other novices, these were not just sounds—they were a constant reminder that in the Azure Crane Academy, survival was the foundation of all progress, and the journey toward true strength had only just begun.