Chapter 77

Ye Lingxi’s tone was firm as she pressed the jade into Jiang Xia’s hand. “No need for formalities between us—Itachi helped me, so I naturally owe Itachi a debt.”

“By the way, once training camp opens, we can keep teaming up and watch each other’s backs.”

Wang Teng immediately raised his hand. “Count me in! The three of us can fight side by side again!”

Seeing Ye Lingxi’s determination, Jiang Xia reluctantly accepted the jade—only for the dragon mark on his forehead to flash the instant he gripped it, instantly draining all the fate energy from the jade until it became an ordinary stone.

The others stared, stunned. Wang Teng trembled as he spoke: “What the hell just happened, Lao Xia? What thing just sucked all the energy out of that stone?”

Jiang Xia recalled the jade pendant from last night and had a hunch—but couldn’t quite believe it.

As the four stood frozen in silence, atop the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion, the scene unfolded.

Qing Yun watched the surveillance feed on his screen: Jiang Xia, Wang Teng, and Ye Lingxi inside the Treasure Pavilion.

He fixed his gaze on the faint dragon mark hidden deep in Jiang Xia’s brow, a smile curling at his lips as he spoke to Zhao Tianji beside him.

“I didn’t expect this artifact to activate so quickly in Jiang Xia’s hands. Looks like our bet wasn’t misplaced.”

Zhao Tianji nodded with a smile. “This kid isn’t just strong—he’s composed too. No wonder Lu Wujiu values him so highly.”

“And we’ve conveniently handed them the Ice Phoenix Feather and that scythe. I’m sure they won’t take long to carve out their place at Shanhai Pass.”

Qing Yun lifted his teacup, took a sip, and gazed out the window at the Tianmen Pass ramparts, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes. “The prodigy training camp is getting more interesting by the day.”

Three days later, at dawn, the Demon-Suppressing Army training base east of Tianmen Pass buzzed with noise.

A stretch of silver alloy buildings, several li long, bore flowing golden runes etched along their outer walls.

At the entrance stood two mechanical statues, dozens of meters tall, their energy cannons glowing faintly blue, barrels aimed skyward, ready to intercept any approaching beast.

“Damn! This place is so cool!”

Wang Teng snapped photos nonstop with his phone—until the screen flickered with static as he pointed it at the mechanical statues, making him hastily shove it back into his pocket.

“These runes interfere with signals? No wonder—this camp’s security is top-tier!”

Jiang Xia stood aside, his gaze fixed on the massive electronic screen above the training camp gate.

The screen scrolled through the list of prodigies admitted this session, ranked by the Prodigy List. At the top, “Akatsuki Jin” in bold gold, followed by “Fen Tian Ge—Wu Zong Peak.”

Seventh down was his own name, with “Wen Dao Yuan / Shouye Ren—Wu Zong Early Stage” in parentheses beside it.

Right after him came Ye Lingxi’s name: “Zhen Yao Jun / Wen Dao Yuan / Shouye Ren—Wu Zong Early Stage,” with one more title than his.

Further down, Wang Shichen and Ling Zhantian’s names appeared, labeled “Wen Dao Yuan—Wu Zong Early Stage” and “Zhen Yao Jun / Wen Dao Yuan—Wu Zong Early Stage.”

“Looks like Wen Dao Yuan sent quite a few people this time.”

Jiang Xia smiled, turning just as Ye Lingxi strode toward them in black training gear, her long hair tied in a high ponytail, stray strands lifted by the wind to reveal her smooth forehead.

Ye Lingxi urged them: “Hurry up and check in—I saw everyone already picking up gear!”

The three reached the registration desk, where several officers in Zhen Yao Jun major uniforms stood behind the counter. One familiar figure caught his eye—Su Muxue, who had helped them at the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion’s entrance.

“Major Su!” Jiang Xia stepped forward to greet her.

Su Muxue looked up, spotting Jiang Xia and Wang Teng, and a faint smile touched her professional face. “Itachi’re just in time—register and pick up your gear.”

“The training camp operates under military discipline. Roll call every morning at six, bed check every night at ten. One minute late deducts ten academic credits. If your credits drop too low, Itachi’re demoted to Class D.”

As she spoke, she handed Jiang Xia a black smart wristband. “This is your camp ID. It tracks your location, displays your schedule, stores your credits, and lets Itachi pay at the base convenience store.”

Wang Teng took the band, fiddling with it curiously. “Credits? This thing can be used as money?”

“Of course,” Su Muxue nodded. “Excellent training performance, winning duels, completing missions—all earn credits. Poor performance deducts them.”

“Class A students get a monthly subsidy of a thousand credits. Class D gets two hundred.”

She paused, glanced around the crowd, then lowered her voice. “By the way, the camp divides classes by strength. There’ll be an entrance exam soon—aim for Class A. The resources there aren’t comparable to any other class.”

Jiang Xia and Wang Teng thanked Su Muxue. As they finished registering, a familiar voice called out behind them: “Jiang Xia! Wang Teng!”

At that moment, two familiar figures pushed through the crowd.

Ling Zhantian wore camouflage training gear, broad-shouldered and thick-backed, his stride commanding attention.

Wang Shichen wore simple white sportswear, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, a notebook in hand, scribbling notes.

“Jiang Xia! Wang Teng!” Ling Zhantian waved from afar, grinning as he approached. “Didn’t expect to run into Itachi here—I thought Itachi’d be two days late.”

Wang Shichen adjusted his glasses, his gaze settling on Jiang Xia, his tone tinged with awe.

“Last time at the Wen Dao Yuan’s Ability Competition, Itachi were still a Great Martial Master. How long has it been? Now Itachi’re Wu Zong Early Stage, ranked seventh on the Prodigy List—unbelievable.”

“Same goes for Itachi,” Jiang Xia smiled. “Itachi both broke into Wu Zong Early Stage too? Ling Zhantian, your God of War ability—can Itachi now punch through the scales of a Wang Jie beast?”

Ling Zhantian smirked proudly. “Not that exaggerated. Just barely able to trade blows with a Wang Jie Early Stage beast.”

“Wang Shichen’s spatial ability’s the real deal. Last simulation drill, he twisted space and tore a Wang Jie beast apart.”

Wang Teng stepped closer, clapping their shoulders. “Since we’re all connected, we’ve gotta look out for each other in camp!”

“Especially me—I’m the lowest-ranked among us. I’ll need Itachi guys to cover me!”

“Indeed,” Ye Lingxi’s cool voice cut in. “We’re all from Wen Dao Yuan—we should help each other.”

As the four chatted, a commotion erupted in the distance.

A group of crimson-clad cultivators escorted a red-robed young man forward—Akatsuki Jin of Fen Tian Ge.

Over his training uniform he wore a cloak embroidered with flame patterns; his Fen Tian Ge token glowed at his waist. Prodigies nearby instinctively stepped back, clearing a path for him.

“Oh? Isn’t this Brother Jiang?”

Akatsuki Jin stepped before Jiang Xia, a sly smirk on his lips. “Didn’t expect Itachi’d actually show up at training camp. Seems Itachi haven’t learned your lesson from the auction.”

Jiang Xia glanced at him coolly. “Itachi’re awfully idle, Akatsuki Brother. Shouldn’t Itachi be preparing for the exam instead of picking fights here?”

“Picking fights?” Akatsuki Jin sneered, faint flames of spiritual energy flickering around him.

“I’m just warning Itachi—this isn’t an auction. No one will hold back. If I meet Itachi on the dueling platform, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“We’ll see,” Jiang Xia replied without flinching, his left eye faintly glowing red with the Sharingan.

As tension crackled between them, Su Muxue strode over, sternly declaring: “Akatsuki Jin, private brawling is forbidden in training camp. If Itachi want to duel, use the designated dueling platforms. Now, go prepare for the entrance exam.”

Akatsuki Jin glared at Jiang Xia, snorted, and turned away with his entourage.

The group paid no mind and continued chatting as the training camp gates slowly swung open, a deep voice echoing through the grounds via loudspeaker.