7:00 AM.
The Martial Arts Arena at Tianyi Academy was already filled with students who were about to head out for training.
When Shen Han and the other three from his academy arrived at the arena,
Zhong Nan, their tutor, was surprisingly already waiting there.
Seeing this, Chai Haifu and the other two felt a mix of discomfort and unintentional gratitude.
In the past, regardless of the occasion, Dugu Tian would always arrive later than the students.
Noticing the three looked a bit nervous, Mr. Zhong Nan approached to ease their anxiety.
Unlike Dugu Tian’s belief of "teaching the world’s finest talents,"
Zhong Nan understood there are not as many geniuses in the world.
He also knew his limitations; he couldn’t turn a mere mortal into a worldly prodigy.
But as a teacher honored with the title "teacher," he felt a responsibility to fulfill.
Moreover, the four in front of him were not lacking in Zhong Nan’s eyes.
Once everyone was gathered, the students of Tianyi Academy set off.
In the Capital City, there were a total of four academies.
The Mountain Sea Academy, Jade Dragon Academy, Qiling Academy, and the Tianyi Academy, which was less than a century old.
Apart from Mountain Sea Academy, the other two also had substantial foundations.
The Jade Dragon Academy was formerly known as the Dragon-Controlling Academy, but due to taboos, it was renamed Jade Dragon Academy.
After the renaming, it seemed as if their luck changed as well, and they’ve produced no talents over the past century.
In the eyes of the Great Wei people, Jade Dragon Academy has a foundation.
But it truly lacks the fortune to produce talents.
Qiling Academy was somewhat specialized, excelling in scholars and the study of literature and art, matching the strength of Mountain Sea Academy.
Yet in other unfamiliar cultivation methods, Qiling Academy was nearly a blank slate.
Overall, the four academies in the Capital City stand as follows.
Mountain Sea Academy leads, followed by Qiling Academy, with Jade Dragon and Tianyi Academies lagging far behind.
Following the crowd, they headed to the east side of the Capital City.
After exiting the city gates, they waited a while on the vast open ground.
Soon, students from the other three academies also arrived.
Shen Han looked around and, from the faces of his peers, seemingly discerned which academy each belonged to.
The students from Mountain Sea Academy wore the proudest expressions.
Standing on the open ground, they would perhaps glance around.
After their glance, they would look straight ahead, without further regard.
Their faces naturally lift with pride, not even attempting to hide it.
Students from other academies seemed to accept the superiority of Mountain Sea Academy students and would even make way for them without challenge.
Lacking even the pride to compete.
Shen Han glanced at Chai Haifu and the other two beside him, whose eyes were fixed on the students from Mountain Sea Academy.
However, following their gaze, it seemed they were admiring the ladies from other academies.
Noticing Shen Han’s gaze, Chai Haifu returned to his senses, awkwardly cleared his throat twice.
"A fair lady, a gentleman’s desire, a common human sentiment."
Shen Han’s words eased Chai Haifu’s awkwardness slightly.
Beside him, Wu Jiahuan couldn’t resist teasing, "What kind of lady does Brother Shen admire?
After all, Brother Shen only gave the fairy-like ladies of Mountain Sea Academy a glance..."
Hearing this question, Tang Xuhe quickly nudged him with his elbow.
Then whispered, "Haven’t you heard of Su Jinyu...?"
Wu Jiahuan realized his slip as Shen Han once had a marriage agreement with the Su Family’s Pride.
After climbing high mountains, lesser hills seem insignificant in comparison.
Outside the city, once the four academies gathered, they officially set off.
Along the way, many people glanced towards the students of Mountain Sea Academy.
Watching while whispering softly.
"Who do you think is Shen Ye?
Is it the one leading the Mountain Sea Academy procession?"