Langde, located on the West Coast of Shenzhou. The Immortal Alliance's Langde Branch was of immense scale, half on the road and half in the sea.
Because the West Sea had always been a battleground between the Human Clan and Sea Demons, the part built in the sea was essentially a military port combined with a water fortress, where the elite forces of the Immortal Alliance Guardian Envoys were concentrated.
It was precisely because of the Demon Clan's rampages that those who could make a living in the West Sea inherently possessed a cultural toughness. The local customs were fierce, and it was said that only the northern Barbarians could match them.
Take for instance Split Peak Island. Although it was a Feng Shui treasure land that had produced talents like Yuanli Masters, the residents of Split Peak had always considered themselves sea Barbarians.
In such a place, the operations of the Immortal Alliance Branch also turned rather fierce. It was said that the disciples of Langde Immortal Institute's Combat Training Trials were often led by Foundation Establishment Stage Teaching Assistants to hunt Sea Demons in the Shallow Sea.
Jiongli, on the other hand, was located along the southeast coast of Shenzhou. Jiongli was known for its topographical beauty and its intricate and picturesque landscape. Before the establishment of the Immortal Alliance, Mountain River City found the unique geology of the place enlightening and built an Other Mansion there. After the Immortal Alliance's establishment, Mountain River City offered its Other Mansion to be repurposed as a branch, even advising the Immortal Alliance on its expansion. The engineering of Mountain River City was incomparable, and the constructed Jiongli did not harm the original topography one bit, creating instead the beautiful scene of "the city beside the mountain, the city following the mountain." Any Cultivator seeking to refine their Dao Heart through travel would not miss the scenery of Jiongli.
After Mao Zimiao had finished explaining the situation regarding the ten-school joint examination, Wang Qi didn't show any sign of arrogance or lack of confidence; instead, he visited Su Junyu more frequently and spent more time in the Book Tower.
It was on the third day after this that Wang Qi occasionally showed a hint of anticipation.
The academic overachiever was looking forward to the start of the joint examination.
"Come on, Langde's underachievers! My big knife is already itching for a fight!"
Unfortunately, such bold declarations were usually like the legendary virtual Particles, whose greater the energy, the shorter the existence duration. Before long, Wang Qi began to do some problems to distract himself, so as to not pay too much attention to Time.
Then, the fourth day finally arrived.
This Time, the Immortal Institute required all new Disciples to gather at the training grounds in the morning. Winter mornings were late to brighten, and when Wang Qi arrived at the grounds, it was still dark. He yawned mightily, managing to squeeze out a tear. Wang Qi rubbed the corner of his eyes, then asked Wu Fan standing next to him, "When can we eat again?"
Wu Fan was busy warming up with his books, showing no interest in replying.
Since Wu Fan wasn't talking to him, Wang Qi quickly became bored. He simply closed his eyes and began to practice the significantly pruned Memory Storage Skill.
The moment the Flame Cloud Map was conjured in his Consciousness, Wang Qi once again entered that wondrous state. His Soul was completely activated, his thinking became more agile. He grasped every thought in his heart, and could even trace the roots of thoughts at the bottom of his spiritual sea.
Coordinating with a special Breathing technique, Wang Qi immersed his mind deeper. In this state, he began sorting through his own thoughts.
Before long, Wang Qi heard a commotion around him. He opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was a face that was very close.
"Yah!" Ai Qinglan saw Wang Qi open his eyes, made a Ghost Face, and emitted a strange sound.
Wang Qi quickly stepped back, "Senior Sister Ai, what are you doing?"
"Disciple brother, you actually started to practice a Secret Technique here, and it's a mental one!" Ai Qinglan, still making a Ghost Face, said, "It looked so fun, so I couldn't help but scare you! Look at how fast your heart is beating! Success!"
Anyone would blush and heart race if they suddenly saw a face of the opposite sex at this distance...
Wang Qi looked around, thinking it was still dark. But when he looked to the sky, he realized that was not the case.
A massive Spirit Boat hovered over Wang Qi's head. The boat had a very flat and broad base, slightly larger than its deck with paired masts that had sails resembling wings on both sides, and four masts on the deck adorned with Spirit Arrays on the sails, seemingly able to sail with just a bit of wind.
Many rope ladders were let down from the sides of the Flying Boat, and the new Disciples climbed up in an orderly fashion.
Ai Qinglan said, "We're off! Senior Sister specially came to call for you!"
Wang Qi was surprised, "Senior Sister, you're actually going with us?"
In the past few monthly tests, Wang Qi had never seen Ai Qinglan leave the medical center.
"Senior Sister's task is to provide medical aid to the new Disciples to ensure they are not seriously injured!" The socially oblivious True Inheritor explained, "If you guys leave, will there be other new Disciples here?"
"Holy shit, such tight logic!" Shock was written all over Wang Qi's face: "Senior Sister, you can actually make such a normal judgment!"
"When I was at the Upper Immortal Institute, my answering process was very clear, and I never missed a step!"
Looking at Ai Qinglan's smiling face, Wang Qi realized that sarcasm was utterly meaningless in front of this woman.
Judging by the fact that "a genius's thought processes are somewhat different from a normal person's," Ai Qinglan was indeed an extraordinary genius.
"But Senior Sister, how did you think to specifically come to call for me?"
"Little Junyu and Qiqi have to stay in Xinyue, so they can't come." A hint of regret appeared in Ai Qinglan's large eyes: "They said to keep an extra eye on you, so I specially came to take a look at you!"
To reiterate, Ai Qinglan was genuinely talented, the real deal.
Most Immortal Institute Disciples had some foundation in movement techniques and easily climbed the rope ladders; soon, the training ground was largely empty. Wang Qi grabbed the rope ladder and, powering up his movement technique, charged towards the boat. In mid-air, he pushed off the ladder a few times and boarded the deck.
Once the last new Disciple had boarded the Spirit Boat, the large vessel officially set off. It slowly turned its bow and headed north. After passing through the northern exit of the Cloud Mountain Mist Shield Array, the Spirit Boat accelerated southeast.
Wang Qi stood at the bow of the Spirit Boat, pointing excitedly to the southeast, and shouted, "Jiongli! Here comes the academic overachiever!"
Wu Fan, following behind him, was embarrassed: "Wang Qi, shouldn't you say that after we see Jiongli?"
The exuberant scholar turned his head and smiled at the young man: "I get seasick."
When we nearly reach the destination and I've lost half my life, can I still joyously show off... or rather, elevate my status?