Morning light spilled over the majestic walls of Blue Sky Imperial City. Kai stepped out from the guestroom of Elijah's manor, fresh and alert, despite having slept little. Elijah waited for him in the courtyard, smiling brightly in his fine ceremonial robe.
"You ready?" Elijah asked, adjusting his cuffs.
Kai nodded, calm as always. "Let's go."
The streets of the inner city were alive with anticipation. Carts rolled by, nobles conversed in elegant corners, and towering banners of the Blue Sky Academy fluttered in the breeze.
Eventually, they reached the academy gates.
A single old man sat cross-legged at the entrance, eyes half-closed, his presence oddly heavy. His cultivation was well-hidden, but Kai's sharp senses could tell — Peak Rank 5, at the very least.
He said nothing, merely gesturing toward the line already forming.
Applicants stepped forward, many holding tightly to their recommendation letters. Those without would have to endure the full entrance test — a daunting path few passed.
Suddenly, a brash voice cut through the silence.
"Out of my way, peasants! Do you even know who I am?! My father is the City Lord of Ironveil! Make space!"
A young noble, Raymond Grell, shoved his way to the front of the line. His arrogance radiated like a stench.
The old man didn't even open his eyes. "Shut up."
The pressure in the air changed instantly.
"W-what did you say?" Raymond faltered.
"I said you're disqualified."
A flick of the old man's sleeve, and Raymond was blasted back out of the gates, rolling across the stone steps like a rag doll.
The line fell into terrified silence.
"Next," the old man said calmly.
One by one, recommendation letters were handed in.
Then came Elijah.
The old man glanced at the scroll, eyes narrowing with mild interest. "Jackson Clan, huh… Not bad. Go on."
Elijah stepped aside proudly.
Then it was Kai's turn.
He silently handed over the scroll. The old man examined it briefly, then raised a brow. "Interesting… You're one of the recent applicants from Windy City. Seems we have a curious batch this year."
He waved Kai through.
Inside the courtyard, the atmosphere shifted again. The successful applicants — about thirty in total — gathered before the old man.
"Silence!" he commanded. "I am Elder Mo, your examiner. You will face three trials. The first begins now — the Trial of Will!"
"Wait, don't we get—"
"Quiet!"
BOOM.
A sudden wave of oppressive aura crashed down over the group like a falling mountain.
Cries rang out instantly. Several applicants dropped to their knees, gasping for air.
Those with weaker minds collapsed completely.
Kai remained perfectly still, calmly observing the scene. His gaze briefly shifted to Elijah — who, although sweating, was enduring the pressure.
"He's holding up well," Kai thought.
Then, from within his pocket dimension, Crimson spoke.
"Master, that boy…"
"Yes," Kai responded in his mind. "He has a lord-rank bloodline. No wonder he's been so composed."
Crimson's voice sharpened. "To find someone with a bloodline like that in a small kingdom… unusual."
Kai gave a faint smile. "I knew he was strong."
Two minutes passed. The crowd thinned rapidly.
Only three applicants remained.
Whispers began to spread among the onlookers.
"Elijah Jackson is still standing…"
"And that's Gavin Li, son of the Prime Minister!"
"But… who's the other one?"
"Never seen him before."
"Could he be from a minor city?"
"Impossible… how can someone from a minor city last this long?!"
Then, Gavin dropped to his knees, collapsing with a grunt.
"Eliminated," Elder Mo said flatly.
Moments later, Elijah clenched his fists… then fell forward, panting and defeated.
"Only one remains."
Elder Mo turned his full attention on Kai.
The aura around him doubled.
The pressure that had dropped dozens was now a storm, a mountain crashing from the heavens — but Kai didn't even blink.
Not a bead of sweat. Not a shift in stance. Nothing.
"…Interesting," Elder Mo muttered. He finally lifted the aura.
The crowd stared in awe.
Kai lowered his hands behind his back casually, looking around with calm eyes.
"Well done," Elder Mo said. "Those who endured more than one minute may continue. The rest—leave."
Of the original thirty, only nine remained.
"The next test begins shortly," Elder Mo said. "Follow me."
And with that, the successful few were led deeper into Blue Sky Academy — toward the second trial, and the path to elite cultivation.