"Tomorrow there will be no classes. I will lead everyone out of the city for a practical trial," the tutor announced suddenly after the evening bell, a piece of news that delighted the young students.
After the tutor left, the students didn't stand up but engaged in heated discussions. Even Xu Yi was surrounded by people.
"It's not the first practical trial, why are you all so happy?" Xu Yi asked lazily, resting her chin on her hand.
Practical training involved going to a barren mountain outside Ink City to engage in combat with beasts deliberately released there. The beasts there were all below the Foundation Establishment stage and not strong in attack, making them the best training targets. Xu Yi had been there several times, not for trials, but to help. Although the beasts were weak, the students lacked experience and sometimes got flustered or disorganized in unexpected situations. This required Xu Yi to step in to help restrain the rioting beasts, allowing the students to calm down and continue their trials. However, after the first two times, Xu Yi hadn't had the chance to act.
"It's fun not having to attend class and being able to go out for trials," Zhang Nannan said, sitting cross-legged beside Xu Yi. "Besides, practical combat allows us to master spells faster. It's a rare opportunity for us." In two years, they would leave Qiming Academy and would no longer be able to hide under the wings of the tutor and the headmaster. They would have to venture out on their own. Now was the time to seize every opportunity to improve themselves as much as possible.
Xu Yi nodded, feeling touched. Zhang Nannan and the others were not taught by Qiming Academy to be bookworms who only knew cultivation and not worldly matters. Instead, they understood more clearly what they wanted. Qiming Academy, true to its name, had become their guiding star.
The next day, the weather was clear and bright, a perfect day for an outdoor trial. Led by the tutor, the students followed behind him out of the city in two neat columns. Xu Yi trailed at the end of the procession, a sweet grass stem in her mouth, given to her by Zhang Nannan. The roots of the sweet grass could be chewed to extract sweet juice, making it a favorite snack for the children of Ink City.
"Xu Yi, we've known each other for so long, and I've never seen you get serious. How about showing us some of your skills later?" Wang Yao asked, twisting his neck, his face alight with excitement.
"Me? No, no, my strength is very poor. I'd better not make a fool of myself," Xu Yi replied, the sweet grass in her mouth not hindering her speech.
"Xu Yi, you're lying! We all know you're very capable!" Zhang Nannan, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation even though she hadn't turned around, immediately turned her head with a puffed-out face and said indignantly upon hearing Xu Yi's refusal.
"Who says? I'm not strong at all, maybe just a little bit better than you," Xu Yi said with a smile, her eyebrows curving. She brought her thumb and index finger together, making a gesture for "just a little bit."
"You! If you don't agree, then spit out the sweet grass I gave you!" Zhang Nannan knew Xu Yi was being mischievous but was helpless. After a long pause, she could only utter this sentence.
"Okay." Xu Yi grinned and, under their watchful eyes, bit off the root of the sweet grass cleanly before handing the remaining leaves back to Zhang Nannan.
"You, you're bullying me!" Zhang Nannan stared blankly at the green leaves before her and shrieked, lunging at Xu Yi. Xu Yi, naturally, wouldn't stand there foolishly. The two began chasing each other at the end of the procession until the tutor's stern reprimand made them sheepishly return to the ranks. After rejoining the formation, Zhang Nannan glared at Xu Yi with mock ferocity and delivered a classic threat: "You just wait." Xu Yi shrugged helplessly, feeling she hadn't done anything.
The barren mountain outside Ink City had no name. It was mostly covered with bare grey stones and scattered sparse shrubs. Upon arriving at the mountain, the tutor announced that they were free to act. Xu Yi, following her usual habit, found the tallest tree and sat on it to better observe the disciples below. However, she soon noticed that the situation was different from usual. The students, who normally acted separately, were now gathered together, heads close, muttering something in low voices. Xu Yi initially considered using her divine sense to eavesdrop but decided against it. She leaned back against the tree trunk, closed her eyes to rest, reminding herself that she was just an ordinary academy student now. But Xu Yi's day was destined to be anything but peaceful.
An hour later.
"Hiss! Hiss!" A strange rustling sound reached Xu Yi's ears. She opened her eyes and looked down, then chuckled.
"Xu Yi, if you don't make a move soon, we'll release them!" Zhang Nannan declared loudly from beneath the tree, hands on her hips with a smug expression. Behind her stood students holding various beasts. Most striking was a giant python, over ten feet long, with black and white markings. This python, though intimidating in appearance, was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, harmless, and venomless. It was currently held tightly by two burly students, its expression one of utter resignation.
Xu Yi's face was full of amusement. These students had progressed rapidly, now able to capture so many beasts in such a short time. Yet, they thought these few beasts could make her act? They were underestimating her. She swung her legs lightly outside the tree, saying, "Don't you dare bring these things up here. I'm really scared." Despite her words, her face showed no fear, only a cheeky, smug expression.
"You!" Zhang Nannan stomped her foot in anger and waved her small hand, "Release!" However, after her command, the students behind her remained still for a long time.
"What are you waiting for!" Zhang Nannan's face turned red as she saw Xu Yi's smile widen. The students looked at each other. One of them stepped forward and said softly, "Sister Nannan, wouldn't this be... not so good?" If they really hurt Xu Yi, their classmate, what would they do?
"I think it's not so good either. Hee hee," Xu Yi's mischievous voice echoed from the tree again.
"Ahhhh!!!" Zhang Nannan screamed in frustration again, snatching a beast from the hands of a nearby student and throwing it towards the tree. In her haste, she didn't even see what she had grabbed.
"Swish, swish—" The sound of flapping wings erupted. Zhang Nannan finally saw that what she had thrown was a five-colored chicken with a sharp beak and long feathers. The five-colored chicken was arguably the weakest beast on the barren mountain, possessing almost no combat ability. It was typically used as food to replenish energy for cultivators. Even students who had recently begun their cultivation could easily subdue it. As the leader among these students, Zhang Nannan could certainly handle a five-colored chicken. However, Zhang Nannan had a weakness she was reluctant to admit: she was afraid of all beasts with sharp beaks. As the five-colored chicken was released, it flapped its wings twice and then turned, flying towards Zhang Nannan.
"Ah!"