Dong!
The ancient bell's sound echoed from deep within the academy, like ripples spreading outwards, disappearing into the distance.
This was the Dao Bell.
Not an ordinary morning bell, it only rang when something important happened.
And today was the day the academy grand ceremony began.
Bang, bang, bang!
One by one, doors were flung open.
All were academy disciples, their faces filled with excitement.
Each one was brimming with energy, pushing their state to the peak.
For the vast majority of academy disciples, the ceremony was a turning point in their fate. As long as they performed well, they would be noticed and given focused training.
A brand-new life would await them!
Dong!
The Dao Bell continued to ring, its sound deafening.
Everyone started heading towards the grand ceremony plaza in the inner palace.
In a room.
Luo Mu slowly opened his eyes.
He exhaled a breath of stale air.
A smile appeared on his lips.
Truly worthy of the Skywater Primordial Lotus, after only four days of cultivation, he had broken through to the Spirit Sea Realm, third level.
His strength had increased significantly.
"Has it begun?"
Luo Mu stood up and washed his face.
He picked up a black robe and put it on.
A youthful face, both handsome and resolute, appeared in the bronze mirror.
"Not bad."
Luo Mu nodded.
He then turned around and left the room.
The sunlight outside was bright and dazzling, falling on the small path in front of the door, like a golden avenue.
——
Inner Palace Plaza.
Enlarged by formations, the plaza was now much larger.
It could accommodate ten or more groups of disciples battling simultaneously.
High platforms lined the sides, specially built for dignitaries.
Below them were tens of thousands of spectator seats.
Representatives of the noble families from the seven counties of Chang Le would be sitting here.
At this moment, the plaza was not quite full, but it was close.
Even with the formations muffling the sound, it was still quite noisy.
"Lord Chen, I hear your son recently climbed to 77th on the Dragon潛龍榜, truly commendable."
"Elder Li, you flatter me, a mere 77th, nothing worth mentioning, nothing worth mentioning."
"..."
"I heard that this time, not only is there a member of the royal family, but it's the current Ninth Prince. When did noble scions of the royal family start coming to such a remote place?"
"Don't underestimate us. Although our seven counties of Chang Le are far from the Imperial Capital, our strength is not weak, isn't it? Worthy of the royal family's attention, for instance, Bloodbrave Marquis Cheng Tian Cang!"
Mentioning Cheng Tian Cang, many people's eyes immediately showed admiration.
Born a commoner, yet he rose to his current position. Truly something extraordinary.
As they spoke.
More and more disciples arrived at the inner palace plaza.
They were all awestruck.
Such a grand spectacle, it was very rare.
On the spectator seats.
Were representatives, or even heads, of various noble families.
As for the high platforms, they were reserved for the heavyweights.
Each platform represented a kingly or noble family!
"That's An Shan King from Feng Du County!"
Someone pointed out.
An Shan King, the oldest royal family in Feng Du County.
And it was hereditary.
No restrictions of any kind.
Even if the successors were incompetent.
They could still inherit the kingly title and enjoy endless glory.
However, the Li family of An Shan King was always low-key, rarely appearing in public. Only at grand events like the academy ceremony would they send representatives.
"Fu Guang King, Han Lin King..."
"......"
"Li Yang Marquis, Loyal Courage Marquis, Wu Yang Marquis..."
The crowd looked around.
They gasped.
They didn't expect there to be so many kingly and noble families in the seven counties of Chang Le.
However, the Great Zhou Dynasty had been established for over a hundred thousand years.
This number wasn't really that much.
It was said that around the Imperial Capital, any random person could be a king or marquis.
"They should be representatives from each family."
"Or perhaps the heads of their families."
Head of the family.
It sounded like they held all the power.
But in reality, they were the ones responsible for handling daily affairs in each family.
The real core, they wouldn't have time to waste on such trivial matters.
Therefore.
The aura emanating from these people wasn't particularly strong.
In fact, it was somewhat bland.
"Look, Li Jian Yi is here!"
Someone suddenly exclaimed excitedly.
From a distance, a figure walked towards them, his back straight, a long sword on his back, his eyes calm.
He had long, brown hair.
His eyes were also brown.
Different from ordinary people.
Li Jian Yi.
The current number one prodigy of the inner palace.
Half a year ago, he already had no opponents.
He chose to close himself off to cultivate.
Nobody knew how strong he was now.
As he walked, disciples continuously gave way, letting him reach the center of the plaza and stand there.
Li Jian Yi's face was indifferent.
He didn't even bother glancing at the surrounding crowd.
He had become invincible in the inner palace half a year ago, focusing on comprehending sword intent, until today.
Sensing something.
Li Jian Yi looked towards a high platform.
It was the direction of An Shan King Li family.
A rare smile appeared on his face.
He sensed his father's presence.
This time, he would definitely defeat everyone as always!
To vindicate his father's lineage!
"Li Jian Yi, long time no see."
A voice came from behind.
A young man in a blue robe walked over, also carrying a sword on his back, his arms crossed.
He was also chewing a blade of grass.
Li Jian Yi didn't respond.
It seemed no one could spark his interest.
The young man didn't mind.
He seemed to be used to it.
"Be careful, I've also made significant progress. If you underestimate me, you might actually lose to me."
Huang Yun Tian said softly.
He was currently the number two in the inner palace.
Li Jian Yi still didn't respond, which made Huang Yun Tian feel a bit helpless. Although he was used to it, repeatedly being rejected could inevitably make anyone feel uncomfortable.
"Did you hear? A guy even more monstrous than you appeared in the outer palace, he comprehended martial dao intent while still in the True Aperture Realm!"
Huang Yun Tian's eyes flickered.
Hearing this.
Li Jian Yi's eyes suddenly opened.
His brows furrowed slightly.
He had been in seclusion and hadn't heard of this.
He could be considered one of the most outstanding disciples since the academy was founded.
He had comprehended sword intent soon after entering the Spirit Sea Realm.
But the True Aperture Realm.
This was something he couldn't do.
Seeing this.
A smile spread across Huang Yun Tian's lips.
He knew this news would definitely stir Li Jian Yi's heart.
"But don't worry, it's just that he comprehended it earlier. Now, he's probably still stuck in the True Aperture Realm."
"Even if he reaches the Spirit Sea Realm, his comprehension of martial dao intent won't be able to compare to ours."
Huang Yun Tian said with a smile.
——
(ps: Just got back.)