Chapter 105: Entering the Branch Academy

Ye Liuyun thought for a moment and said, "I, as a disciple, devote myself entirely to the martial path; although I am very interested in illusion arts, I cannot study this alone and risk disappointing my seniors!"

He noted that the elder's reputation was considerable, and he was also a saint whose seniority should be on par with the Profound Heaven Saint, so protecting him would be comparable. Yet he could not abandon the martial way by devoting massive effort to studying illusion arts.

Whether the mystic saint before him was genuine or not, he said everything without reservation. He believes his own road should still prioritize the martial way.

Being able to study illusion arts alongside is ideal, but he would never forsake the martial way for illusion arts.

The Mystic Saint showed slight regret, then immediately said, "Indeed, with your Divine Sense, whichever path you take, the future is boundless. I will not force you. Since you have passed the Illusion Array test, I will give you this book 'Illusion True Manual' as a good bond!"

As he spoke, the elder handed the Illusion True Manual to him.

Ye Liuyun didn't open it, caring not about its authenticity, and said he'd deal with it after taking it back.

The elder examined him again, pointed to the fourth door beside him, stepped into the Formation, and vanished once more!

After Ye Liuyun went out, he drew everyone's attention.

Even Steward Yue's gaze toward him changed dramatically.

He had overseen the admission tests for years, and this was the first time he saw anyone emerge from the fourth stone door.

He had also entered that Stone Hall for testing, but could only pass three stages.

However, he said little. Although Ye Liuyun performed spectacularly in the next two stages, his performance in the bloodline stage was rather mediocre; everything now depends on whether Ye Liuyun can enter the inner gate.

Then the test continued. Ye Liuyun relaxed a bit after seeing everyone's expressions. Looking again at the Ten Thousand Gods Command in his Sea of Consciousness, there was no longer any response, confirming that he had indeed left the Illusion Array.

Yet his heart still trembled. "The Illusion Array is truly formidable; if one cannot get out, being trapped to death inside is possible."

Until the sun set, all the youths finally completed the test. The admission test was thus completely concluded.

Steward Yue stepped forward to announce the results.

"First place, Long Yue, 8 points; second place, Ye Liuyun and Qi Tianyue tied, 7 points; third place…"

Ye Liuyun hadn't expected to place second. Fortunately his aptitude test score was low, so no one cared much. Everyone's focus was on Long Yue. He finally managed to get through this stage.

Steward Yue finally announced that anyone scoring no more than five points was eliminated. This branch academy admission admitted just over sixty students, only a quarter of the total.

Song Yi and Li Mengxi, with scores of 5.5, also entered the branch academy smoothly. The rest were all eliminated. The younger ones would have another chance in three years, but those over seventeen were destined to have no connection with the Sacred Martial Academy in this life.

Ye Liuyun and the others couldn't help but sigh. These are the elite geniuses from all regions! Yet so many were eliminated! No wonder the Sacred Martial Academy stands above the dynasty.

People like Xu Ze, Nan Xiner, Long Yue, Qi Tianyue—those with powerful bloodlines—are all gathered here; it's hard for the Sacred Martial Academy not to be strong.

Ye Liuyun's eyes shone brightly toward the horizon, his heart swelling with ambition. He also gave thanks to King Tianyun.

"You have given me a ride; one day I will repay you with a torrent. I will fulfill your wish, trample the Profound Heaven Saint beneath my feet, and ascend to the pinnacle of this era!"

He has already entered the Sect's world. This is a new starting point.

From now on he will walk a different life, challenging geniuses from everywhere; this novel feeling deeply drives him onward.

Steward Yue, the steward of the branch academy's Administrative Hall, handles their registration, lodging arrangements, and such matters there.

Steward Yue gave each of them a Token, a small booklet recording the Sect's regulations, and a set of outer disciple attire.

The sixty disciples, holding their identity Tokens, were somewhat excited.

From now on they are outer disciples of the Sacred Martial Academy North Branch.

Ye Liuyun exchanged glances with Song Yi and Li Mengxi, smiles blooming on their faces.

Then these newly admitted disciples, stepping along the winding mountain path, followed Steward Yue toward the back mountain to arrange their lodging.

"Look quickly, that mountain…"

Suddenly, a youth shouted.

After they turned past the Administrative Hall's Grand Hall, the view opened up considerably.

In the darkening night sky, a mountain peak covered with blood-colored thunder and lightning stood out especially.

At this moment, the blood-colored electric glints were especially intense, emitting an ancient primordial aura that both shocked the soul and made one feel as if placed in another era.

Ye Liuyun had previously been limited by his line of sight and hadn't seen this peak; moreover, the mountain was guarded by a Formation, and his Divine Sense could not detect it.

Up close, the shock was greater. And the Lei Ming inside the Storage Ring seemed to sense the thunder's power, yearning to emerge.

"Don't rush; when the time comes I'll let you out!" Ye Liuyun comforted Lei Ming with his Divine Sense.

While Ye Liuyun was plotting, he heard a Steward say to Steward Yue, "It seems the opening day is approaching again!"

Steward Yue nodded, then turned to the crowd and said, "This peak is the ancient relic Blood Thunder Peak, the foundational inheritance of our branch academy, and a forbidden area of the institute. Normally Saint Elders guard the surroundings; anyone who trespasses within ten li of the mountain will be killed without mercy!"

Steward Yue simply gave them this reminder and said nothing more.

Ye Liuyun felt a chill in his heart. It seemed that approaching this place required careful planning, not haste. The Saint's protection was no joke.

The youths, hearing this, grew even more curious about Blood Thunder Peak, yet no one dared to scheme against it.

As they moved, they finally caught a glimpse of Blood Thunder Peak's full shape between the two mountains.

The group instantly shouted again.

It turned out Blood Thunder Peak was suspended, unlike other peaks that are attached to the ground.

Moreover, Blood Thunder Peak was not a single mountain but an entire range.

This left all the youths utterly astonished.

"How can such a vast range be suspended there?" the crowd asked, baffled.

Ye Liuyun's Illusion Pupil gazed far, but it was blocked, unable to discern the interior of the range.

"Blood Thunder Peak is truly bizarre; it can even block an Illusion Pupil!" Ye Liuyun thought, realizing that even without Saint protection, his current strength still couldn't enter the range.

Finally, Steward Yue led them to the outer disciples' residence, assigning each a Stone House.

"From now on you will cultivate here. The branch academy's outer gate has a ranking list that includes only the top two hundred strongest."

"Starting tomorrow, you may challenge disciples on the list. The higher your rank, the better the rewards. The top ten even have dedicated Side Courtyard residences."

"A month later, those ranked within the top two hundred will officially become outer disciples."

"Those who do not challenge, or whose rank fails to reach the top two hundred, will be classified as labor disciples."

"Of course, labor disciples may later challenge the list; a victory will replace the opponent's spot and shed the labor disciple status."

The academy's rules are all listed in the booklet given to you. You'd better memorize that booklet, lest you make a mistake and lose your life.

After Steward Yue finished speaking, he led the stewards away, leaving the group of newcomers to move about freely.