A bright jade-green mirror was held in his hand as Liu Bai stared at the cold-faced youth reflected within. He could even see faint traces of blood in his pupils, as though a blood-colored cloud was churning inside them.
"This is... me?"
Liu Bai touched his own cheek. The person in the mirror felt unfamiliar even to himself. No wonder everyone he encountered along the way had reacted with such fear.
Liu Qingtian sighed inwardly, his heart aching slightly.
"Bai'er, just take a good rest these next few days. While slaughter can easily lead one down the demonic path, if you can take this opportunity to master the killing intent and learn to release and restrain it at will, it could actually be of great benefit to you."
Liu Bai nodded coldly before turning to leave.
It wasn't that he had any complaints about his father, but from the moment he entered the room, his face had remained expressionless, and he himself hadn't even realized it until he saw his reflection.
After Liu Bai's figure disappeared, Liu Qingtian sighed again. At that very moment, Liu Zong returned.
"Second Brother, come here quickly and tell me just what happened to Bai'er during this time?"
Back then, Liu Qingtian had secretly ordered Liu Zong to protect Liu Bai from the shadows. Although Liu Zong had merely followed from a distance, he had witnessed everything. There were several moments when he had nearly intervened, but ultimately held back and had been thoroughly shocked by the means Liu Bai had displayed.
"Big Brother, you don't know. Our Bai'er, he's really... really..." Liu Zong paused, struggling to find the right words.
Liu Qingtian grew anxious at once. "Really what? Second Brother, just spit it out already!"
Though he had maintained a calm demeanor earlier, he was in truth deeply worried about his son's current state.
After thinking for a moment, Liu Zong finally said, "Let me put it this way. Based on what I've seen, Bai'er's current strength... I fear even you might not be his match."
Liu Qingtian's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
Liu Zong nodded and then detailed everything he had seen and heard along the way without omitting a single detail.
Meanwhile, back in his small courtyard, Liu Bai sat cross-legged on his bed with his eyes closed.
To be honest, he hadn't expected the pursuit of the Blood Wolf Bandits to bring about such a drastic change in himself. Along the way, as he watched his experience points and spiritual Pulse awakening points increase, he had unknowingly ignored the changes accumulating from all the killings.
Now that he thought back carefully, he realized that ever since he had slaughtered the entire base of the Blood Wolf Bandits, his behavior had grown increasingly aggressive. His temperament had become irritable and violent. At first, the sight of blood would still make him uncomfortable, but gradually he got used to it and eventually even began to enjoy it.
Especially when facing those Blood Wolf Bandit members he had hunted down in the end. Most of them had already collapsed in spirit, offering little to no resistance. Yet even then, he would still slit their throats with a dagger and watch the blood spray from their necks with a strange sense of satisfaction.
Thinking of this, Liu Bai suddenly shuddered.
When had he become such a madman...
Hoo!
He exhaled deeply, as if trying to release the oppressive weight on his heart.
"Good thing I realized this early. If this state had persisted much longer, it could have led to irreversible consequences..."
After all, he had transmigrated. Liu Bai had no intention of becoming some bloodthirsty demon. Wouldn't it be better to enjoy life? If the opportunity arose, he could even travel throughout the vast Great Thousand World and meet all kinds of beautiful young ladies...
With that thought, his mood improved significantly. He then began silently cultivating his spiritual arts, using training to grind down the fury within his heart.
Before long, the sun set and night fell.
Just as Liu Bai was entering a state of deep concentration, he suddenly heard footsteps outside the door, followed by a soft knock.
He frowned slightly and said, "Come in."
At times like this, it was usually someone bringing his dinner.
Sure enough, the visitor had indeed brought a sumptuous meal and even prepared some wine. But as Liu Bai looked at the girl before him wearing nothing but a thin, translucent gauze robe, through which her jade-like body was faintly visible—he suddenly felt that tonight's dinner might be too extravagant.
"And you are...?" Liu Bai averted his gaze and looked at the unfamiliar young woman, unable to hide his confusion.
He didn't believe for a second that this girl had come to seduce him of her own accord. While Liu Qingtian, as a father, wouldn't mind if his son started producing heirs early to strengthen the family, such a notion was far from the top priority in the Great Thousand World.
Only those destined to achieve nothing in cultivation would marry and bear children early. As for Liu Bai, who was undoubtedly the future hope of the entire Liu Clan, the family would never allow him to waste time on women.
Not to mention, Liu Bai was technically still underage. At this stage, it was even more impossible for him to indulge in sensual pleasures.
"Who sent you here?"
Though his words were calm, the killing intent beneath them was so intense that the young woman nearly collapsed on the spot.
"It—it was the Domain Lord..." the girl's voice trembled uncontrollably from fear.
Liu Bai instantly understood his father's intention. Was this a way to let him vent the violence in his heart through her? His father really underestimated him.
"Alright, you may leave. I'll speak to my father about this myself."
Liu Bai waved his hand, dismissing her directly.
He did like girls—especially pretty ones but he would never indulge his desires for the sake of emotional release. If he allowed himself to be driven by lust and power, then no matter how many cheats he had, he would ultimately become nothing more than an empty shell controlled by desire.
After rejecting his father's well-intentioned plan, Liu Bai spent the next several days in seclusion, never stepping foot outside his courtyard. Aside from eating and sleeping, every moment was devoted to cultivation.
Regardless of how effective his training was, after several days, the fury that had accumulated in Liu Bai's chest had gradually dissipated.
The stiff shell surrounding him had softened. He returned to his usual demeanor, his smile regaining its gentle quality. That icy aura that once pierced to the bone had completely vanished. Only the occasional crimson glint in his eyes hinted at the immense force hidden beneath that warm expression.
"Bai'er, you'll be leaving tomorrow. Once you depart, it may be a while before you can return. You must train diligently at the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. Though it's full of geniuses, I believe you're not inferior to any of them!"
After hearing from his younger brother all that his son had accomplished over the past month, Liu Qingtian became certain his son was no ordinary talent. Perhaps this Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy would be the perfect opportunity for both Liu Bai and the entire Liu Clan to soar to greatness.
Liu Bai chuckled and nodded. "Don't worry, Father. The next time we meet, I'll be sure to give you a big surprise."
"Haha, then I'll be looking forward to it."
The next day, Liu Bai rose early and, after bidding farewell to his family and friends in the Liu Residence, he used a teleportation formation to reach Northern Spirit City and headed straight for the Northern Spiritual Academy.
At Northern Spiritual Academy, in a vast training ground—
The training ground was surrounded by nearly all the academy's students, their gazes filled with envy as they looked toward the center. There, five massive light formations glowed with fluctuating spiritual power.
This was the most significant change in Northern Spiritual Academy over the past two months five specially constructed teleportation arrays. Only by passing through these arrays could one leave the Northern Spiritual Realm and enter the assessment realms prepared by the Five Great Academies.
At the center of the training field, Liu Bai and five others stood ready, prepared for departure. Especially under the envious and jealous gazes of the surrounding students, several of the six puffed their chests even higher.
After all, they were just teenagers. In such moments, it was natural to feel proud or self-satisfied. Even if the instructors and dean saw it, they would merely smile knowingly rather than mark them down for it.
"Listen closely..."
At this moment, Mister Lin turned toward them and began speaking.
"I've told you before. Although you've passed the trials of Northern Spiritual Academy, from a certain point of view, those trials only earned you the qualification to enter the Five Great Academies. It does not mean that you are already disciples of the Five Great Academies."
"The Five Great Academies each have their own assessment standards. That will be the true trial from the Five Academies themselves. If you pass, you will officially become students of the Five Great Academies, and your future will be limitless."
"But if you fail, although you won't be sent back directly, you also won't be allowed to enter the Five Academies. At that time, you will be reassigned to other large-scale Spiritual Academies."
"Therefore, in order to truly become students of the Five Great Academies, you must all give it your utmost effort."
"Yes!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bai and the others all grew solemn.
Although any large-scale Spiritual Academy was certainly better than staying at Northern Spiritual Academy, not a single one of the six wished to end up in that position. After all, everyone knew that the Five Great Academies were the best spiritual academies in the Great Thousand World. Who in this world wouldn't want the best?
"The assessments of the Five Academies are all different, so even I don't know what you'll face next. But after you pass through the teleportation arrays, someone on the other side will receive you. How far you can go will depend entirely on yourselves."
"Alright, the teleportation arrays are just about ready..."
At this, everyone grew tense even Liu Bai was no exception.
"Those going to the Saint Spiritual Academy, proceed to the second teleportation array on the left," Mister Lin said with a wave of his hand.
Upon hearing this, Xu Ling quickly stepped forward. Just before stepping into the array, he turned to look at Liu Bai and said in a deep voice, "Liu Bai, it's a pity we didn't get the chance to fight this time, but I believe we'll meet again. I hope you won't disappoint me then."
With those words, he entered the teleportation array without looking back.
Liu Bai was slightly speechless. Who even are you? Do I know you? You're about to leave and still insist on putting on an act in front of me was that really necessary?
One by one, the others followed. Soon, it was Liu Bai's turn.
"Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, fourth teleportation array."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bai stepped forward. Just then, he heard a voice calling out from nearby.
"Big Brother, do your best at Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. I'll come find you in three years!"
It was Liu Mubai. Watching his big brother step into a teleportation array that could change his entire life, his blood was surging with emotion.
"Big Brother Liu Bai, I'll also work hard to follow in your footsteps!"
That was Hongling. Her crisp voice carried a faint tremble, as though she had used all her strength just to call out.
Liu Bai turned around and waved at the two of them before stepping fully into the teleportation array.
"Steady your minds. The teleportation is about to begin!"
Mister Lin shouted in a low voice. With a wave of his sleeve, several beams of light shot into the teleportation arrays. Moments later, radiant light burst forth, gradually enveloping the figures within.
As the brilliant light gradually obscured Liu Bai's vision, he cast one final glance at the figures sending him off in the distance Liu Qingtian, Liu Mubai, and even Hongling...
From this point onward, who knew what scene would greet them the next time they met?
It was a vast and boundless world...
The sky was a deep azure, with white clouds drifting lazily above. Below stretched an ancient forest that seemed endless.
Within the forest stood towering trees, each thousands of feet tall, their immense height rivaling mountains. An ancient and boundless aura emanated from the massive woodlands.
Above the forest, flocks of spiritual beasts flew past. Their sharp cries echoed throughout the heavens and earth.
Farther within the forest, one could occasionally see gigantic spiritual beasts engaged in brutal combat. Their earth-shaking roars reverberated from a distance, shaking the very skies and land.
This land was saturated with primal savagery and ancient aura. It was like a primordial wilderness, untouched by human presence.
However, that desolate atmosphere was soon broken. Suspended in midair, a massive green stone platform roughly a thousand feet across floated silently. Clouds and mist coiled around it, giving it the appearance of a celestial realm.
At this moment, beams of light were continuously appearing atop the green stone platform. With each light beam came a figure emerging onto the platform.
The number of people quickly increased. As chatter and exclamations filled the air, the world began to grow lively.
Liu Bai looked around, observing the ever-growing crowd. Drawing upon the memories of his previous life, he realized that he had arrived at the examination zone prepared for new students by Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy—this was the Northern Heavens Realm.
As for the platform he was currently standing on, it was likely just one of many within the Northern Heavens Realm.
"If I remember correctly, I'm one class ahead of Mu Chen and the others from the original story. I wonder how many monstrous geniuses are among this year's batch. How many have passed through the Spiritual Road? How many have earned the title of King?"
Liu Bai tried hard to recall any useful information from his memories. Unfortunately, looking across the platform that now held nearly a thousand people, there was no one who particularly stood out to him.
Moreover, although these people varied in attire and temperament, they all shared one thing in common: low cultivation. There weren't even many who had reached the late Phase of the Spiritual Wheel Realm, meaning Liu Bai was currently the most powerful person on this entire platform.
.....
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