System Possession, One Sword Shocks the Gods

14: The Rise of a New Era in the AcademyThree days later, the first light of dawn appeared.

In the central square of Qingyun City, the ten young Cultivators who passed the assessment gathered, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation. They were about to embark on a new journey to the cultivation Holy Land that countless people yearned for—Tianfeng Academy.

Ye Chen was still dressed in a green robe, carrying the cloth-wrapped qingfeng sword on his back. He didn’t stand out much in the crowd, but the few people around him looked at him with awe and wariness. The image of him defeating three enemies with a single sword strike during the arena free-for-all was deeply etched in their minds.

Steward Outer Court Steward of Tianfeng Academy’s gaze swept over the ten people. He nodded slightly without saying much and waved his sleeve. A shuttle-shaped flying vessel, about thirty meters long and emitting a faint cyan glow, appeared in the sky above the square, drawing gasps of amazement from the crowd below.

”Board the vessel.”

Everyone followed the command, boarding the flying vessel with curiosity and excitement. The interior of the vessel was much more spacious than it appeared from the outside, with a simple layout and fixed seating.

Once everyone was seated, Steward Outer Court Steward of Tianfeng Academy stood at the bow and formed a hand seal. The vessel vibrated slightly, its glow intensifying before it transformed into a green rainbow, piercing through the clouds and speeding into the distance at a pace far exceeding that of a galloping horse.

Inside the vessel, everyone watched the sea of clouds and the landscape receding rapidly outside the windows, their hearts racing with emotion.

Ye Chen closed his eyes to rest, but his mind delved into the System. There was still some time before the next refresh of the Myriad Worlds Sword Tomb Elementary exploration permissions, so he could take this opportunity to organize his previous gains and plan his future cultivation.

Tianfeng Academy was rich in resources. He had to increase his strength as quickly as possible to deal with any potential follow-up actions from Lin Batian or even Ye Chenfeng’s maternal family. At the same time, he also needed to prepare for entering the even broader ”Liuyun Sword Sect.”

The flying vessel flew for about half a day, crossing several towering mountain ranges before the horizon suddenly opened up.

A magnificent complex of buildings established atop rolling mountains came into view. Pavilions, towers, and upturned eaves were nestled among lush green forests and swirling mists. From time to time, Disciples dressed in light green academy robes could be seen maneuvering Magical Artifacts or riding immortal cranes, presenting a scene of immortal elegance.

At the mountain gate, four large characters were carved into a massive natural green stone with powerful brushstrokes—Tianfeng Academy!

The flying vessel slowly landed on a huge platform in front of the mountain gate.

”Disembark.” Steward Outer Court Steward of Tianfeng Academy’s voice woke everyone from their shock. ”Follow me to the External Affairs Hall to complete the admission procedures.”

Everyone followed Outer Court Steward of Tianfeng Academy through the academy. A dense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi rushed toward them, several times more concentrated than in Qingyun City! Along the road, Disciples could occasionally be seen sparring on the martial arts fields, with Sword Qi crisscrossing and fist winds howling, leaving the youths from Qingyun City dazzled and full of longing.

Inside the External Affairs Hall, Stewards were already waiting. They registered names, birthplaces, tested bone age and cultivation, and issued identity jade plaques, academy robes, as well as a copy of the ”Academy Rules Compendium” and ”Academy Overview.”

Ye Chen was assigned to the Ding Quadrant, Courtyard No. 981. There were tens of thousands of Outer Court Disciples in Tianfeng Academy, divided into four districts—Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding—based on potential and cultivation. The conditions in the Ding Quadrant were the most ordinary, yet they were still much better than Ye Chen’s residence in Qingyun City.

It was an independent small courtyard with a bedroom, a quiet room, and a small practice field. Though simple, it was peaceful.

”The academy distributes basic cultivation resources at the beginning of each month. If you want more, you need to exchange academy points for them. Points can be earned by completing academy missions, conquering the Trial Tower, or as rewards for cultivation Breakthroughs.” The guiding Steward left after a brief explanation.

Ye Chen changed into the light green academy robes and hung the identity jade plaque at his waist. The jade plaque served not only as identification but also as a record of academy points.

He opened the ”Academy Overview” and read it carefully. The Tianfeng Academy Outer Court had important places such as the Instruction Hall, Mission Hall, Medicinal Pill Pavilion, Armory Workshop, and Scripture Pavilion. Disciples’ cultivation was primarily self-taught, but at the beginning of each month, Stewards or Elders would give public lectures in the Instruction Hall to answer cultivation questions.

”Points...” Ye Chen’s gaze landed on this item. This was the hard currency within the academy. He checked his jade plaque; the initial points were zero.

”It seems I need to find a way to earn points,” he mused. Without resources, the speed of cultivation would be greatly diminished.

Just then, a slightly arrogant voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

”Newcomer? Ding No. 981, Ye Chen, come out for a moment.”

Ye Chen frowned slightly and pushed open the courtyard gate. Three young men were standing outside, all dressed in academy robes. The leader was tall and thin, his eyes filled with scrutiny and contempt, and his aura was clearly at the Peak of the Ninth Level of Body Tempering Realm. The other two were also at the Ninth Level of Body Tempering Realm.

”Is something the matter?” Ye Chen’s tone was flat.

The tall, thin youth looked Ye Chen up and down and sneered, ”A newcomer needs to know the newcomer’s rules. I am the Managing Disciple of the Ding Quadrant, Liu Feng. According to the rules, when a newcomer enters the academy, they need to pay a hundred points, or an equivalent amount of Spirit Stones, as a ’Management Fee’.”

The other two also crossed their arms, looking at Ye Chen playfully, clearly thinking they had this newcomer cornered.

”Management Fee?” Ye Chen’s eyes turned cold. ”There doesn’t seem to be such a rule in the academy regulations.”

”Academy regulations?” Liu Feng acted as if he had heard a joke. ”Regulations are dead, but people are alive. In this Ding Quadrant, our word is the regulation! Stop talking nonsense and hand over the money to avoid physical suffering!”

With that, he released his Spiritual Pressure of the Peak Ninth Level of Body Tempering Realm without reservation, attempting to suppress Ye Chen.

The other two also took a step forward, forming a surrounding formation.

If it were an ordinary newcomer facing the pressure of three veteran Ninth Level of Body Tempering Realm Disciples, they would likely have to swallow their pride and pay to avoid trouble.

But was Ye Chen an ordinary person?

Feeling the other party’s hollow Spiritual Pressure, a cold arc curled at the corner of his mouth.

”I’m afraid you won’t live to take my points.”

Before his voice had even faded, Ye Chen moved!

He didn’t draw his sword. His figure charged forward like a ghost, and before Liu Feng’s startled eyes, he was already close! A simple punch struck straight at the center!

Liu Feng didn’t react at all; he only felt an overwhelming force crash into his chest!

*Bang!*

He flew backward like a tattered sack, crashing into the courtyard wall. With a muffled groan, he slid to the ground, blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with unbelievable terror.

Seeing this, the other two’s expressions changed drastically. Just as they were about to act, Ye Chen’s cold gaze swept over them.

That gaze was like a physical sword edge, piercing their Souls with pain, as if they would be cut down on the spot in the next moment!

Their movements froze instantly, cold sweat pouring down. They didn’t dare make another move.

Ye Chen didn’t even look at Liu Feng struggling on the ground. His gaze fell on the two frozen Disciples, and his voice was indifferent:

”Get lost. If I see you bullying newcomers again, it won’t just be a few broken ribs.”

The two felt as if they had been granted a great reprieve. They hurriedly helped up the groaning Liu Feng and fled the courtyard in a sorry state, not even daring to look back.

Ye Chen closed the courtyard gate, as if he had just casually shooed away a few flies.

He knew this was only the beginning. Within the academy, the Law of strength being supreme was manifested even more blatantly. Keeping a low profile and enduring wouldn’t bring peace; only by showing enough strength and edge could one deter petty people and obtain relative tranquility.

He returned to the quiet room and sat cross-legged.

”Strength, I still lack strength.” He clenched his fist. If he had the cultivation of the Kaiyuan Realm, would the likes of Liu Feng dare to come and provoke him? Would Lin Batian dare to act so recklessly?

He took out his identity jade plaque and delved his consciousness into it, connecting to the academy’s internal mission System.

A dazzling list of missions appeared, ranging from gathering herbs and hunting low-level Yao Beasts to escorting merchant caravans, assisting in Alchemy and Artifact Refining, and even dangerous missions like exploring ruins or tracking down traitors. The rewards ranged from a few points to several thousand points.

Ye Chen’s gaze quickly locked onto several Yao Beast hunting missions with relatively generous rewards that suited his current strength.

”It seems I need to take a trip to the mountain range outside the academy.”

It would allow him to hone his sword techniques and consolidate his cultivation while also earning points—killing two birds with one stone.

He selected a mission to hunt ”Wind Wolves” for their fur and fangs, which rewarded fifty points.

Without delay, Ye Chen made some brief preparations and left the courtyard, heading toward the Cangmang Mountain Range outside the academy.

A new environment, new challenges—it had already begun.