After Ye Hai left, Ye Fan remained in the courtyard to continue his training.
During the day, he basked in the sunlight, absorbing its energy to enhance his cultivation.
At night, he entered the Zhentian Realm, focusing on martial arts refinement.
In addition to the Nine Yang Burning Heaven Sword Technique, he also strengthened his mastery of the Blazing Sun Hand.
His martial skills had become significantly more refined, and his cultivation was on the verge of another breakthrough.
Before long, the day of Tianwu Academy's freshman trial arrived.
"Fan'er!"
Ye Hai's voice echoed from outside the courtyard. He stepped in and saw Ye Fan lounging lazily on a recliner. Unable to hold back, he offered a word of caution.
"Fan'er, don't get complacent just because you've made some progress. Always remember—there's always someone stronger out there. Tianwu Academy is full of geniuses."
"I haven't been slacking."
Ye Fan smiled calmly.
"You haven't?"
Ye Hai clearly didn't believe him, thinking Ye Fan was just saving face. Still, he didn't scold him.
"It's fine to rest when you're tired. Balance is key. You don't need to act tough in front of your father."
"Eh…"
Ye Fan shrugged helplessly, knowing Ye Hai had misunderstood.
Whether resting or cultivating, lying in the sun was part of his training.
"Let's go. Ye Yao's been waiting outside."
Ye Hai didn't press further and motioned for Ye Fan to follow.
As soon as they stepped out of the courtyard, Ye Fan's eyes were drawn to Ye Yao.
She wore a tight white dress that accentuated her graceful curves—especially the proud twin peaks on her chest, which strained against the fabric.
Bathed in sunlight, her skin glowed like polished jade. Her figure was impossible to ignore.
"What are you staring at? Haven't you seen a woman before?"
Ye Yao caught his gaze, crossed her arms over her chest, and snapped.
Ye Fan chuckled, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"Sister Yao, with a figure like yours, how could I not look?"
Ye Yao's cheeks flushed. She raised her hand as if to strike him.
"I haven't smacked you in years. Are you itching for it?"
"No need for that! Sister Yao, I was wrong!"
Ye Fan quickly backed away, hands raised in surrender.
"Hmph."
Ye Yao gave him a once-over, her eyes filled with mild disdain.
"I heard you've improved lately. Don't go to Tianwu Academy and end up getting beaten to a pulp."
"Don't worry, Sister Yao. If I do, you'll be the first person I run to for help."
"Stop being cheeky."
Ye Yao rolled her eyes and turned to Ye Hai.
"Master, we're heading out."
"Go ahead."
Ye Hai nodded, unconcerned. He had full confidence in Ye Fan's abilities.
"Come on!"
Ye Yao called out, striding ahead.
Her chest swayed with each step, and Ye Fan, trailing behind, couldn't help but sneak another glance.
"That figure… it's lethal," he muttered under his breath.
—
Tianwu Academy's enrollment wasn't limited to the imperial city.
Each major city in Yunyin Kingdom had its own quota.
Today, all those who passed the admissions assessment had gathered in the capital.
The streets were bustling with excitement.
Ye Fan followed Ye Yao toward Tianwu Academy.
Suddenly, the sound of hooves and wheels clattering over the bluestone road echoed behind them.
A horse-drawn, luxurious soft sedan rolled forward, its frame adorned with golden embroidery.
The crowd instinctively parted to make way.
"Quite the spectacle."
Ye Fan's curiosity was piqued as his eyes locked onto the ornate carriage.
"It's the Third Princess."
Ye Yao glanced at it and immediately recognized it.
A breeze lifted the curtain slightly, revealing a glimpse of the woman inside.
Her face was flawless—skin like snow, brows like ink, ethereal and cold like a celestial maiden. She was like the moon in the heavens: distant, radiant, and untouchable.
"So beautiful… Is that Mu Qingcheng, the imperial city's number one beauty? She's breathtaking…"
"If I could spend just one night with her, I'd die happy."
"Mu Qingcheng is the Third Prince's consort. You think someone like you could touch her?"
"I heard she's a stone girl. Even His Highness hasn't laid a hand on her."
"Seriously? A stone girl? That's such a waste of beauty…"
The crowd murmured in awe and regret.
Even Ye Fan was momentarily dazed. That brief glimpse had etched her image into his mind.
"Enjoying the view?"
A cold voice snapped him out of it.
"She's stunning," Ye Fan replied instinctively, admiration in his tone.
Mu Qingcheng's beauty rivaled Qin Yimo's—though her body had its limitations.
"She's gone. Still staring?"
The voice came again, tinged with annoyance.
Ye Fan turned to see Ye Yao, arms crossed, watching him with playful disdain.
"Sister Yao is beautiful too."
Ye Fan laughed awkwardly, then added with a teasing glance at her chest:
"And in some areas, you've got the edge. Way more alluring than the Third Princess."
"Save the flattery."
Ye Yao snorted. She wasn't buying it.
"Mu Qingcheng lives up to her name—charming and elegant. She's rightfully the most beautiful woman in Yunyin. But don't get any ideas. She's not someone you can afford to provoke. It'll only bring trouble."
"Trouble?"
Ye Fan shrugged, unfazed.
At this point, what could be more troublesome than Duan Tianya?
"Let's go. We don't want to be late."
As the crowd resumed its flow, Ye Yao led the way toward Tianwu Academy.
Ye Fan followed, glancing once more in Mu Qingcheng's direction.
"Sister Yao, it looks like the Third Princess is heading to Tianwu Academy too."
"She is."
Ye Yao nodded. "She's one of the three supervisors for the freshman trial."
"Supervisor?"
Ye Fan raised an eyebrow.
"The instructors don't oversee the trial directly. Instead, three supervisors ensure fairness and impartiality."
Ye Yao explained, "Mu Qingcheng's appointment isn't unusual. She's also a student of Tianwu Academy—like me, an inner courtyard student. But she's ranked in the top ten."
—
After walking for a while, they arrived at a towering arched gate.
A gilded plaque hung above it, inscribed with four bold characters: Tianwu Academy.
The entrance was packed with people—new students, family members, and friends.
Ye Yao stopped and turned to Ye Fan.
"You didn't go through the selection process, so take your admission notice to the trial supervisor and collect your Tianwu Order."
The Tianwu Order was the official token of Tianwu Academy students—essential for identification and access.
"Is the supervisor here?"
Ye Fan scanned the crowd, looking overwhelmed.
"There."
Ye Yao pointed toward the academy gate, her gaze landing on a middle-aged man.
Her brows furrowed.
"Why is it Mu Jian?"