404... no, the Academy Secret Realm.
The golden sun hung high in the firmament, casting down bright and clear sunlight that illuminated the entire world with a brilliant golden glow.
Within the world, peaks towered, with waterfalls cascading down from heights of thousands of meters, like a celestial river pouring from the heavens. There were also pure white stairs winding upwards, resembling a celestial staircase striving to reach the sky.
The waterfall was the legendary structure, the 'Heart-Observing Waterfall'.
The stairs were the epic structure, the 'Grindstone Stairs'.
With the collaboration of many top designers from Blue Star, various cultivation and defense structures were perfectly integrated into the secret realm environment.
Between the mountain peaks, white mist swirled, making the entire secret realm resemble an ancient immortal palace, ethereal and magnificently beautiful.
Even though the secret realm's architecture was still primarily white, completely opposite to the 'neat white' and 'symmetrical white' pursued by the Kandra Empire.
Let alone mythological beings who had visited for three months, even the secret realm administrator, Miss Ruo, widened her eyes, completely unable to discern any connection to the secret realm's previous state.
Its shape had completely changed, *sob sob sob*!
But it possessed a unique artistic beauty.
Within the academy, resembling an ancient immortal palace, it was not deserted. Occasionally, students in uniform robes could be seen traversing between the peaks on flying swords or various streams of light, landing before the main palace.
Recruitment had not yet begun, but the faculty of the Phoenix Fire Academy, along with the 'senior brothers' and 'senior sisters', were already in place.
These senior brothers and sisters were not just for show or to inflate the academy's size; they were genuinely preparing to undergo training at the academy.
The Phoenix Fire Academy was the pinnacle of the cultivation system on Blue Star!
On Blue Star, martial arts courses were added starting from junior high school. Youth who performed excellently in martial arts assessments could proceed to the basic training camps to cultivate, gain more resources, and acquire cultivation knowledge.
Following that, a very small number of them might receive recommendations from the base city's basic training camp instructors to proceed to the elite training camps. However, they could only remain in the elite training camps after passing an assessment.
The elite training camps, Phoenix Fire had established two.
One was located at the Pacific Base on Blue Star, and the other was at Oasis No. 3 in the Shattered Sea.
Originally, the elite training camps were the final stage. Now, a 'Supreme Academy' had been added. Prodigies who excelled in the elite training camps would have the opportunity to study at the Phoenix Fire Academy, to witness a broader outer world, and various other geniuses... in the future.
The elite training camps did not have so many geniuses. Many of the academy's students were early formal members of Phoenix Fire. Some of them had unstable foundations, while others were preparing to break through to the Mythological realm. They came to the academy to cultivate during the current period of relative leisure.
There were also newly ascended mythological beings like Xu Tian, Roland, and Ming Deng, who were in closed-door cultivation to stabilize their realms.
However, as mythological beings, they were no longer students of the academy but instructors.
Indeed, ordinary instructors.
Above the students and below the instructors, there was also the position of teaching assistant, held by those in the Six Senses pinnacle who were slightly older and powerful in combat.
"Wait, I want to be a teacher too!"
Yiluoxi clamored.
This seemed very interesting... no, this would greatly contribute to the organization.
But,
"Why can't I be a teacher!"
She tiptoed, her eyes wide, her face full of dissatisfaction.
Until a stack of 'failing' test papers was slapped in front of her, and the girl's head immediately drooped. Her soaring spirit deflated like a leaky balloon.
However, the primary reason for not allowing Yiluoxi to be an academy teacher had little to do with her being a poor student.
She was merely a poor student in academic subjects. In the arts of magic, she was a genuine prodigy. Like Yiluoxi, mythological beings who were poor in academic subjects were not uncommon, perhaps even numerous.
The true reason for disqualifying Yiluoxi was her identity. She was the guardian of the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild, not a mythological being from the mysterious organization Phoenix Fire.
To protect the facade of the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild, he needed the guild to maintain a certain distance from the organization.
But in the future, when the Phoenix Fire Academy recruited teachers externally, it would be no problem for Yiluoxi to apply and go through the motions.
—As an academy about to recruit from across the entire world of specters, having teaching staff from all regions of the world of specters was quite reasonable.
Seeing Yiluoxi staring at the test papers, as if facing a formidable enemy and preparing to cram academics to gain a teaching position, Fang You swallowed the words he was about to say.
This was good.
...
"Next is the actual recruitment phase, and we are currently located in the Cloud Radiance Great Domain of the Southern World of Specters."
The secret realm traversed through spatial rifts and arrived at the Southern World of Specters.
However, due to the short time elapsed, Fang You knew very little about the Southern World of Specters. He only knew that for the Southern World of Specters, the Cloud Radiance Great Domain was like the 'Shattered Sea' to the 'Eastern World of Specters' – the core circle of human influence, with a spatial area equivalent to several great domains.
The overall strength of the Cloud Radiance Great Domain was even stronger than the Shattered Sea.
The reason for this was the discovery of a significant number of Kandra ruins there. The strongest force in the Southern World of Specters, the 'Central Holy Court', even claimed to be the inheritor of the Kandra Empire.
"Will the Central Holy Court have any Kandra survivors or descendants?"
Liu Feng muttered.
If there were, wouldn't he be the ancestor of those survivors?
Hey, if he had married a hundred or eighty wives back then and continuously produced offspring, would there be descendants carrying his bloodline still existing in the world today?
Perhaps they would even hold high positions and wield great power.
Unfortunately, back then, he advocated his teacher's saying, "Women only slow down my sword-drawing speed," and remained single for over a hundred years.
Alas, a big miscalculation.
Perhaps because the age of his revived body was fixed at when he was at the Seven Senses peak, Liu Feng felt his mindset had also become much younger.
He was full of confidence for the future.
Fang You was unaware that Liu Feng had already envisioned the idea of 'creating an entire dynasty with one's own power', but he considered the possibility of Kandra survivors to be extremely low.
Even if they existed, they would absolutely not dare to be overt.
After all, the Kandra Empire was directly annihilated by the evil god faction, perhaps even by the hand of an unnameable evil god itself.
"The Kandra Empire seemed to disappear overnight. And regardless of any rumors, the content always spoke of Kandra people with glorious bloodlines, none of whom survived... Wait, why would such a rumor exist?"
He shook his head and looked at Liu Feng.
"Next, the academy will officially begin operation. The main affairs here will be handed over to you, but..."
"Don't forget to cultivate. Realm and combat power are the foundation of our foothold in the world of specters. And your limit is far beyond the Half-God of Eight Senses."
Liu Feng straightened up and nodded solemnly.
Tens of thousands of years ago, the Kandra Empire gradually entered its twilight. The Phoenix Fire Academy also rapidly declined as strong individuals continuously fell in battle. He, the dean, gradually lost the youthful drive and fearless heart of his youth.
A swordsman, if unable to advance with all their might, would see the sharpness on their blade dull.
He had hesitated, retreated, and wandered in the past. Now, he would not. He would become the highest, strongest Sword God! An invincible Sword God!
His sword intent surged towards the sky. Liu Feng seemed to have achieved enlightenment and hastily retreated into a secluded place to begin arduous cultivation.
Dean Fang was very pleased. His great chicken soup technique truly possessed profound skill.
But as he felt pleased, his expression froze.
Recruitment had already begun, and Liu Feng, the main person in charge, had gone into seclusion. Did this mean...
"Alas..."
As the dean and a teacher, what could he do? He rolled up his sleeves and sat down in the office.
...
A mysterious voice, originating from a certain inconspicuous great domain near the Cloud Radiance Great Domain and spreading rapidly to the surroundings.
This was a device from the 404 ruins.
Only those with pure human blood and sufficient strength could hear this 'recruitment message' coming from afar.
Its safety and practicality were superior to the legendary specter artifact, 'Sanchila's Rumor Phonograph'.
It was perfectly reasonable for Phoenix Fire Academy to possess and use this kind of Kandra technology in this era.
The academy's recruitment was rapidly and silently fermenting.
In the Cloud Radiance Great Domain, at Torrent Port.
This was a super-oasis level giant city, immensely prosperous commercially, and it controlled the transportation hub to outer domains. Yes, in this Cloud Radiance Great Domain, there was direct transportation to some surrounding great domains.
Cloud Kun Skyship.
A top-tier vehicle combining the epic mythical creature 'Cloud Kun' with rune technology, possessing a certain spatial traversal capability.
However, Cloud Kun Skyships did not have fixed flights, and sometimes it could take years for one to depart for an outer domain.
What was there to go to in the barren outer domains?
This was the thought of most mercenaries and nobles in Torrent Port. But today, many mercenaries, lone powerhouses, and powerful clan members, adorned with specter weapons and emanating an aura of power, were eagerly boarding the Cloud Kun Skyships bound for the adjacent Falling Maple Great Domain.
Even though the ticket price today was more than three times the usual, enough to make even a Six Senses expert flinch, they did not hesitate.
"They've gone mad! Today, the second Cloud Kun Skyship bound for the Falling Maple Great Domain has already departed, and I estimate a third trip will be needed later."
"Is it worth it! Is it worth it! Do you all think you have too much money and are bored!"
Many people were confused and greatly bewildered.
But as the strong individuals who boarded the Cloud Kun Skyship exchanged glances, sparks flew, and everything was understood without words.
Even the leaders of some major forces, who possessed safe routes to the outer domains, chose to board the Cloud Kun Skyships. For no other reason than that it was faster, and seizing opportunities required speed.
A few steps slower, and there would be nothing left, not even soup.
"But I didn't expect there to be so many strong individuals who heard the mysterious message. No, not just that. What I'm seeing is only the situation in Torrent Port. Other major cities might also have strong individuals rushing to the Falling Maple Great Domain at this very moment."
A young man in ornate robes, wearing a scholar's cap, had a solemn expression.
He was Xu Feng, the renowned lone powerhouse of Torrent Port, known as the Green Leaf Sword. He came from humble beginnings, but through his own hard work and some fortunate encounters, he cultivated his way to the Six Senses, earning a recognized title.
However, he had reached his limit.
Among titled experts, he was only third-rate, and he had no backing from any faction. No matter how he thought about it, Xu Feng understood that he had no chance of reaching the Mythological realm.
After all, even titled experts with the support of major factions had a slim chance of breaking through to the Mythological realm, let alone a commoner like himself!
He had come to terms with it. If he couldn't break through, he couldn't. At the Six Senses, he was already a renowned expert in Torrent Port. He planned to live a stable life for the rest of his days.
To that end, Xu Feng had purchased many properties, intending to marry, have children, and establish a family. His long-term goal was to obtain hereditary noble status.
He had even courted a second daughter from a noble family, planning to embark on a passionate romance.
The mysterious message arrived.
"Do you wish to surpass the limits of mortals and glimpse the highest brilliance? Come, I await you at Phoenix Fire Academy."
What did such a mysterious message represent? A ruin!
And most likely, Kandra ruins!
Even though this message contained not a single word related to Kandra, such technology, and this range—what else could it be but a legendary Kandra high-level ruin?
In the Cloud Radiance Great Domain, there were many similar rumors.
"A certain strong individual accidentally entered a Kandra ruin, eventually achieving rapid progress in strength, marrying the eldest daughter of a great noble, and reaching the pinnacle of life."
Although when people discussed these rumors enthusiastically, they subconsciously ignored the dangers and struggles involved, the fact that Kandra ruins represented wealth and supreme opportunities was indisputable.
If it were a 'Trial Ground' type of ruin, perhaps there would be no dangers or struggles.
Xu Feng's dormant heart began to boil once more.
Noble's second daughter? No!
Procreation? No!
Stable life? No!
What he wanted was a chance to ascend to the Mythological realm. Even if it was just a sliver, he had to pursue it.
Xu Feng looked up, gazing at the vast gray mist outside the thin walls, and the black cracks that occasionally flickered within the mist. His surging emotions leaped from his chest.
"Ruins, a chance to ascend to the Mythological realm, I am here!"
...
The Cloud Kun Skyship possessed spatial traversal capabilities, making cross-domain travel extremely fast.
In just three days, the skyship landed in the Falling Maple Great Domain.
A group of experts, pursuing opportunities, exchanged glances and eagerly disembarked from the skyship, heading straight for their destination.
"Found it!"
In the distance, a thick gray mist suddenly dissipated, revealing a fog-free area with a diameter of about several kilometers.
Silver-white magnificent palaces stood tall, flanked by towering rhomboid pillars, emitting a faint white light.
Xu Feng vaguely saw that the palace gates were wide open, as if leading to another world.
However,
Outside the ruins of the palace, there were numerous young men and women wearing similar styles of clothing. Some were guarding the palace gates, others were setting up defensive formations, and some were looking at the newcomers from the sky, seemingly muttering something...
"Are we late?"
"Has this ruin already been monopolized by a certain faction?"
Xu Feng was not the only one harboring similar thoughts.
And they were not worried.
Except for the Central Holy Court, any other faction that dared to do so would incur great wrath. And judging by the attire of these people, they were clearly not the Central Holy Court.
It was an unfamiliar, little-known minor faction.
A terrifying divine might emanated from the crowd not far away. A being stood in the sky, surrounded by raging flames that transformed into a giant fiery palm, descending from the heavens.
A mythological being had taken action!
This was the might of a mythological being!
Xu Feng and the other powerful individuals stood in awe, quickly stepping aside, their hearts pounding with both fear and envy. Because this was their lifelong pursuit!
However, amidst his pounding heart, Xu Feng noticed that the expressions of the people around the palace showed no panic at all, only three parts helplessness, three parts mockery, and four parts casual remark.
The fiery giant palm did not land.
A golden radiance erupted from the palace.
Strands of golden light converged, forming a golden sword radiating brilliant sword intent.
The sword fell.
As if a hot knife cutting through butter, it sliced through the fiery giant palm, extinguished the remaining flames, and continued its momentum towards the origin of the giant palm.
Boom—!
The world roared. The mythological being, who had just stood in the sky, was struck by the sword light and disappeared into the distant horizon.
The prolonged sounds of panic and exclamations, along with the human figure that had become a black dot, gradually faded away.
"This seems to be... the Brilliant Sword Defense System!"
Someone in the crowd said.
Then another knowledgeable voice chimed in.
"Indeed. I've seen it in the Central Holy Court. And this defense system requires a long time to build, which means..."
The strong individuals rushing towards the ruins all stopped in their tracks, looking at the young men and women around the palace, who were wearing similar clothing, with surprise and uncertainty.
A bold guess involuntarily arose in their minds.
Could it be that...
"That's right, we are the welcoming party of Phoenix Fire Academy."
"If you have come to become stronger, to glimpse the realm of mythology, then you need not be disappointed."
On the palace steps, a young man with an ordinary appearance spread his arms, a smile on his face.
Behind him, the open gate seemed to emit waves of bright radiance.
It elongated his figure.
He stood in the light, facing the crowd emerging from the darkness.
"Everyone, welcome to Phoenix Fire Academy."
(End of this chapter)