Chapter 298: Entrance Examination
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Most of the cities within the Eternal Clan’s territory did not have city walls.
Xuanshui City was no exception.
When the bull-drawn cart descended from the official road and entered the city’s internal road, it was considered to have entered Xuanshui City.
Initially, the roads were lined with short buildings and scattered farmland.
But, as they went deeper and deeper into Xuanshui City, the buildings along the road became more numerous, taller, and more elegant.
More branching roads extended from the main road, like the city’s arteries, spreading in all directions.
Quan Chao timely stopped the carriage.
He knocked on the carriage door and heard Lu Ming’s voice coming from inside.
“Let’s head straight to the vicinity of the Three Elements Academy.”
With that said, Lu Ming looked at Zhang Caixin and the other two and said, “If 1 remember correctly, the start of the school entrance examination is in three days, right?”
Zhang Caixin nodded, “That’s right, in three days. We have three days to explore Xuanshui City. I’ve never been here before.”
Wang Beibei chimed in, “Me neither. I want to have some fun this time.”
Xuanshui City was the capital of the Heavenly Wheel Province, one of the eight provinces in the Eternal Clan’s mainland.
It was considered a first-tier city in the Eternal Clan.
Naturally, young people were attracted to bustling cities, so they arrived a few days early to explore Xuanshui City.
Lu Ming asked, “Have you all booked a hotel?”
Zhang Caixin and the other two nodded in unison, “Yes, we’ve booked one near the academy. Brother Lu, haven’t you booked a hotel?”
The few of them had already exchanged names during their previous casual conversation.
When Lu Ming heard this, he shook his head and said, “No, but I think there should be many places like hotels near the Three Elements Academy.”
There were evidently many hotels and inns near the Three Elements Academy.
Moreover, they were catering to different price ranges.
After arriving near the Three Elements Academy, Lu Ming parted ways with Zhang Caixin and the other two. He and Quan Chao continued to rush towards the location of the academy and soon arrived at the entrance of the academy.
“It’s quite impressive.”
Lu Ming murmured as he stood in front of the academy gate.
The entire Three Elements Academy was vast, seemingly endless.
It was located in the city center but occupied an area roughly the size of a city district.
According to Zhang Caixin and the others, the Three Elements Academy was a signature institution in Xuanshui City, and the city provided substantial support and land concessions to it.
Inside the academy, there were artificial forests, lakes, and over a hundred building areas.
The academy had spawned various supporting industries near it, and had attracted many people to take root near the academy.
Therefore, it was not that the Three Elements Academy was located in the city center.
Instead, it was because the Three Elements Academy was here that this place had become the city center!
Since it was the city center, it had to be guarded by powerful figures!
Looking into the distance at the tallest building, Lu Ming could not help but slowly squinted his eyes.
He could sense a grand and huge aura emitted from there…
This aura far surpassed even Ancient Realm or Quasi-Divine Realm, and even Moon Fiend, and it confirmed the identity of the person in that building.
The head of the Three Elements Academy: Jiu Han!
It was said that Jiu Han had a lazy personality. Although he was the sect master of the Hundred Schools of Philosophy, he rarely left the Three Elements Academy and spent most of his time secluded.
The person in charge of the internal affairs of the Hundred Schools of Philosophy was the deputy head, Xiang Yi. The person handling the external affairs was the deputy head, Shu Fang.
Jiu Han, despite his high status, only managed the Three Elements Academy, this small corner of the world.
However, this further indicated Jiu Han’s immense strength, likely surpassing both Xiang Yi and Shu Fang, not to mention Moon Fiend.
Thinking of this, Lu Ming subconsciously nodded.
Because that was what he wanted!
“Let’s go find a hotel first.”
They booked a suite at a place called Tengda Hotel and Lu Ming and Quan Chao settled in.
After packing up briefly and having a simple meal of local cuisine, night fell.
Just as Lu Ming was about to sleep, he suddenly felt a surge of heat in his chest.
He sat up on the bed and touched his chest, pulling out a token from there.
It was the token Moon Fiend had given him back then.
He infused it with source power to establish communication, and Moon Fiend’s cold voice came from the token.
“Why did you go to the Heavenly Wheel Province? Have you done what 1 instructed you to do?!”
The high and mighty tone in her voice made Lu Ming slowly narrow his eyes.
It was not surprising that Moon Fiend could sense Lu Ming’s current location.
Perhaps it was because of the communication token or the Moonlight Curse Seal in his body, or perhaps it was both.
However, Lu Ming also had a plan for such situations.
He casually replied, “1 found out that a well-favored descendant of Shu Fang is currently studying at the Three Elements Academy, so 1 came to Heavenly Wheel Province for him.”
It was a fabricated story.
But there should not be any issues.
Moon Fiend probably could not find any flaws in it.
After all, a young relative highly favored by a deity studying at the Eternal Clan’s largest academy would not have any inconsistencies.
Moreover, how could Moon Fiend know which of Shu Fang’s young relatives was favored? If she knew, why wouldn’t she just assign Lu Ming to assassinate the target directly?
As expected, Moon Fiend’s tone quickly softened.
“I see… Well, there’s no problem then.”
“Do your job as soon as possible and do your job well. If you do this well, I’ll definitely reward you heavily!”
Lu Ming replied calmly, “Understood.”
The communication was terminated.
Lu Ming held the token and sat in silence for a long time.
Soon, Lu Ming let out a deep breath.
It might have looked easy on the surface, but upon closer inspection, one could see that Lu Ming’s left fist had clenched tightly, with his knuckles even turning slightly white.
Some grudges tend to fade with the passage of time.
However, some grudges would only gradually deepen as time passed.
Moreover, Lu Ming was not known for his forgiving nature!
An eye for an eye, a score to settle!
Moreover…
The sooner the better!
With these thoughts in mind, the corners of Lu Ming’s mouth suddenly curled into a sinister smile.
“Soon.”
Three days later.
The 640th day of the Black Mist Calendar.
For Xuanshui City, this day was of great significance.
This was because today was the annual enrollment day at the Three Elements Academy!
Given the status of the Three Elements Academy in Xuanshui City, it was not an exaggeration to say that today was the New Year festival of Xuanshui City.
Early in the morning, Lu Ming and Quan Chao arrived at the entrance of the Three Elements Academy.
They were greeted by a sea of people and heavy traffic.
Parents accompanied young students who had come to take the entrance exam, hoping for a chance to rise to greatness.
There were also old wanderers standing in quiet spots, gazing at the entrance of the Three Elements Academy with enthusiasm.
The Three Elements Academy did not just admit current students, nor did it limit enrollment to Eternal Clan members.
Most of the Hundred Schools of Philosophy operated similarly, accepting students of all ages and backgrounds, provided they had potential and a suitable temperament.
Around nine o’clock in the morning, accompanied by the resounding toll of a deep bell, Ancient Realm experts ascended into the sky and proclaimed in a loud voice,
“The time has come; the examination begins!”
In response, there were also students from the Three Elements Academy echoing everywhere.
“Candidates, please enter by category and in an orderly manner..”