Wei River city.
It was a city that was located near the Magnificent Flame Sect’s border. It was surrounded by water, making a natural defense for the town. Citizens of Wei River City traveled by boat and fished for a living.
The river was the main reason the city was safe from intruders despite being located near the sect’s borders.
Wei River city port. There was a vast, majestic ship that was moored at the dock.
There stood two rows of disciples dressed in dark blue uniforms on the port. They looked ahead, standing upright with a solemn expression on their faces.
“No children are allowed to make a fuss. Come on board in an orderly manner.” A middle-aged man said. He had a strong aura, and when he spoke, the sound waves made the entire port vibrate.
The citizens were all comforting their children.
“Be a good kid. Master skills well and come back to visit mom in the future.” A woman said, holding onto her child as she sent him on board.
She was unwilling to part with him, but there was nothing she could do, as this was a command from the mayor. Every household had to send a child to the Iron Sword Academy to cultivate.
They might be compensated with subsidies, but who would want to send their child to an academy that was so far away?
It was said that their children would spend ten years in the academy to cultivate. However, there was no guarantee if they would ever get to see their child again.
On the bow of the ship stood two men.
The elderly man stood hunched over, but he had a bright pair of eyes. His eyes were so bright that they shone brightly.
Next to him stood a middle-aged man in fancy clothes. He easily stood out among the group.
“Mayor Wei, a huge part of this success is thanks to you.” The elderly man said calmly. A wide smile was formed on his thin face when he saw the long queue of children boarding the ship.
Being the mayor of the city, Wei Long had enormous authority in the city. He turned to the elder, wearing a small smile on his face. “It’s just a small matter.”
Suddenly!
There was a commotion amongst the crowd.
“Elder brother, don’t go!” A four-year-old child wearing a tiger print hat and canvas shoes ran out from the crowd. Unwillingness could be heard in his voice.
His elder brother was an eight-year-old boy in the queue. When he saw his younger brother, he couldn’t help but smile at him adoringly. “Little tiger, wait for elder brother to return.”
Seeing little tiger, the elder’s eyes shone. “This child is talented.”
Hearing this, Wei Long nodded and spoke up. “That kid, board the ship as well. Come to the Iron Sword Academy .”
Just then, a couple stood out, looking very unwilling. “Mayor, he’s too young. Let’s wait a few years more.”
Wei Long frowned. “Hmm. We are being eyed by the Sunshine Sect now, so what’s wrong to let children cultivate from a young age? Don’t you understand this point?”
“Mom, I want to go with elder brother.” Little tiger whined.
Every household was required to send a child to the Iron Sword Academy. Only children were not spared. Thus there were many complaints from the citizens.
However, this was the mayor’s command. So they had no choice but to do as they were told.
Moreover, they were told that their children would be sent to the Iron Sword Academy to cultivate, and they would return after ten years. Thus, many believed that ten years pass eventually, and their children would then return.
Just then, a voice boomed across the dock. “What are you guys doing?”
Lin Fan had left the Sunshine sect’s territory and went back into the Magnificent Flame Sect’s territory. He was prepared to return to the sect immediately. Still, the commotion going on at the Wei River city port had caught his attention.
Not only so, but the huge number of children taking turns to board the ship also aroused his suspicions.
“Who is it?” Wei Long brought his guard up immediately. When he saw the figure floating in the sky, his heart sank. ~If he can fly, that means his cultivation is above the Earth Star Border Stage Seven.~
`~This city is located at the border; why would an elite come here?~
When the elder saw Lin Fan, he squinted his eyes. He could feel that Lin Fan had a powerful aura, and he was no ordinary cultivator.
“I am Wei Long, the Wei River Mayor. Greetings, Magnificent Flame Sect’s Lord.” Wei Long could tell that Lin Fan came from the Magnificent Flame Sect by his clothing. But he could not understand why a Magnificent Flame Sect disciple would come here.
“Who are you, old man?” Lin Fan asked. ~The only ones with strong cultivation here was Wei Long and him.~
~As for the rest, they were ants which weren’t worth his notice.~
The elder walked out, wearing a huge smile on his face. “I’m a Hall master of the Iron Sword Academy’s Disciple Hall, Xiao Zhen.”
“Iron Sword Academy?” Lin Fan said, trying his best to figure out what organization was the Iron Sword Academy.
The Magnificent Flame Sect was huge, and many organizations were in their territory. However, it was a messy list as the Magnificent Flame Sect didn’t manage them properly. In fact, as long as there was a Heaven Star Border in charge, they could establish an academy to pass on their skills.
Especially now, when the sect was unstable. Even Earth Star Border cultivators had established their own academies, making things even messier.
~I have no idea, so I won’t think about it anymore.~
“What are you doing?”
After the Sunshine Sect trip, Lin Fan acted cautiously. ~If our people can sneak into the Sunshine Sect’s territory, they can do the same to us too.~
~Since I have come across such a suspicious event, I must investigate.~
~As a Magnificent Flame Sect disciple, how can I not care about the wellbeing of the Magnificent Flame Sect citizens?~
Wei Long smiled and bowed. “Reporting to Lord, the Iron Sword Academy is recruiting disciples.”
“Oh, recruiting disciples? I have never seen anyone recruiting disciples like you do. I didn’t know that you could recruit disciples forcefully.” Lin Fan looked down. He was prepared to take down the two of them as soon as they made any move.
“Lord, the Sunshine Sect is currently eyeing us. As the Wei River city’s mayor, I’m worried about the situation. I hope to train more disciples so that we will be able to fight the Sunshine Sect in the future. That’s why I’m in such a hurry.”
Wei Long did not expect that Lin Fan would have so many questions. He was obviously not someone who could be fooled easily. However, the other party’s cultivation showed that he was not someone Wei Long could offend. Thus he took the time to answer all of his questions and hoped that Lin Fan would leave soon.
“Worried?” Lin Fan laughed. “What the hell are you talking about. The Magnificent Flame Sect is not forcing children to cultivate. Still, as a mayor, you’re forcing them to leave their parents? You’re overstepping as a mayor, huh?” He said sternly.
“Lord…”
Lin Fan waved his hands and flew to the eight-year-old boy. “Kid,” He said, petting his head. “Tell me, do you wish to leave your family?”
The boy looked up at Lin Fan and little tiger who stood near him. “Lord, I don’t wish to leave.” He said softly.
“Alright, then return. You should be spending your time with your family at your age. You can start cultivating at thirteen.” Lin Fan patted his head lightly. “Alright, you may return home.”
“Thank you, Lord.” The boy thanked Lin Fan in gratitude and ran off.
But just as he passed a guard, he was pulled back. “You are not allowed to leave unless you get permission from the Hall master.”
Bang!
The guard was immediately tossed out by force, and a patch of red could be seen on the water.
“Why? Are you guys planning to rebel?” Lin Fan looked at them coldly. He looked at his surroundings and jumped onto the ship. “Iron Sword Academy? Great. Let’s go. I want to meet the person who went against our sect’s rule and forces children to cultivate.”
Xiao Zhen’s expression changed. He did not expect the Magnificent Flame Sect disciple to attack without the slightest hesitation.
“Kids, you are not at the age where you should cultivate. Wait till you are thirteen. Return to your parents now.”
Lin Fan told the children. After his attack, no other guards dared to make a move, as they feared that they would be the next meal for the fishes.
Wei Long thought fast and bowed to Lin Fan. “Since Lord has spoken, then we shall follow your wishes. Hall master Xiao will lead the way.”
“What are you trying to do? Who said that you could leave? Let’s go together.” Lin Fan stopped Wei Long in his tracks. He’s planned to make a trip to the Iron Sword Academy to see what they were up to.
Wei Long wanted to say something, but he saw Xiao Zhen nod his head lightly; thus, he bowed towards Lin Fan. “Since you insist, I’ll go accompany the lord.”
Lin Fan then turned to the guards standing below the ship. “I give you all 30 seconds to board the ship. If not, you will die.”
Hearing this, the guards scuttered up the ship.
Very soon, the ship took off towards the distance.
The citizens were on cloud nine to see their children returning to them. All of them wore a broad smile on their faces.
They would not want their child to leave either. Thirteen was the age that was right to start cultivation.
Among the crowd, there stood a few figures. “Who’s that?”
“I don’t know, but he’s obviously from the Magnificent Flame Sect. Wei Long is suspicious, but we don’t have any evidence currently. This is something unexpected too.”
“Mhmm. The Iron Sword Academy is not a major academy. There are at least a thousand kids here; how could they afford to support them? There must be something wrong. I wonder if the lord will be fine?”
“Should be. He must be at least of the Earth Star Border Stage Seven if he can stand fly. He’s stronger than us. Let’s continue to help those we can.”
“Yeah.”
On the ship.
Xiao Zhen came towards Lin Fan. “Lord, it will take two days for us to reach the Iron Sword Academy. Please go ahead and rest first. We will inform you once we arrive.”
“No need, just tell me where it is located.” Lin Fan waved his hands.
Xiao Zhen raised his brows and sighed, answering Lin Fan honestly.
Wei Long’s who stood by the side, was trying to think of ways to solve this issue.
Lin Fan took a step out and floated in the air before making his way to the ship’s bottom.
“What are you trying to do?” Xiao Zhen said after a short pause. He was unsure of what the other party was trying to do.
Boom!
Suddenly, the ship shook. It floated up, leaving the water.
“Two days? We will reach in a few hours.” Lin Fan said, holding the bottom of the ship up and flying towards the Iron Sword Academy.
“This…” Xiao Zhen and Wei Long’s face changed. ~How could he be this powerful?~
They exchanged glances, and they could see killing intent in each other’s eyes.