Although Cangshan City was desolate, the city square was extraordinarily vast, perhaps built specifically to accommodate the trials of Zhengying Academy.
By dawn, the square was already packed with crowds, dense and bustling.
"Silence, silence," an elder in a sword robe with a clear and resolute face spoke from the high platform at the center of the square.
His voice wasn’t loud and was somewhat deep, yet it carried to every corner of the place as if directly entering everyone’s ears, causing all the young swordsmen to quiet down upon hearing.
Mu Hanyan felt a chill, realizing that the elder was a Sword Saint in cultivation.
"I am Senior Duan Tianya from Zhengying Academy, and I will be overseeing this trial," the elder continued.
A murmur of admiration arose from the crowd below, as everyone looked up to Duan Tianya with respect. The Four Great Academies of Anyun Country, although varying slightly in status, did not differ much, and the same applied to their instructors. The status of a Holy Sword Master was equivalent to that of the Holy Dragon Master at Longyan Academy.
For the vast majority below, a Holy Sword Master was an ultimate powerhouse whom they could only look up to in their lifetime, not daring to dream of equalling.
"The trial in Longyan Mountain Range has been a tradition continued by Zhengying Academy for thousands of years. Those who perform excellently will have the opportunity to join Zhengying Academy and study under our instructors, practicing the academy’s secret techniques," Duan Tianya continued.
Immediately, a roar of cheers erupted from below, the young people appearing so excited, as if they were about to be selected to join Zhengying Academy and achieve rapid success.
Even Mu Hanyan could not help but be moved by the prestige and attractive power of the Four Great Academies of Anyun, which truly could not be compared to the combined efforts of several families.
In her past life, she had trained alone and never joined any academy, leading to a slight regret now.
"Quiet down," Duan Tianya said with a smile as he gestured with his hand, "However, being selected by Zhengying Academy is no easy task. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel-fire.net
I will now announce the rules for this trial. The location is called Exotic Beast Valley. From the name alone, you can guess what kind of place it is. With exotic beasts rampant and dangers lurking everywhere, none of you should be careless.
Soon, I will open the teleportation portal and everyone will enter Exotic Beast Valley from different directions, advancing towards the valley center. Just crossing the center of the valley will be considered completing the trial, and everyone will receive a certain reward.
Moreover, there are numerous Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the valley. If you manage to kill an exotic beast and obtain a Beast Blood Pearl or Beast Bone Relics, those are also rare treasures worth keeping. You can choose to keep them for yourself or hand them to the academy in exchange for corresponding rewards," Duan Tianya continued.
Mu Hanyan’s mind stirred at the mention of Exotic Beast Valley; she had trained in Longyan Mountain Range more than once but had never heard of Exotic Beast Valley.
It is said that the Four Great Academies and some ancient families have their private cultivation sanctuaries in Longyan Mountain, which not only forbid entry but are even unheard of by outsiders.
Wondering what exactly was in these forbidden cultivation grounds, Mu Hanyan became somewhat curious.
"Senior Duan, if the exotic beasts are too powerful and we can’t resist, what then? Is there a risk to our lives?" As soon as Duan Tianya finished speaking, a young swordsman with less confidence asked.
They were all young elites from their respective families, and even if they were not selected by Zhengying Academy this time, there would be other opportunities in the future; they certainly did not wish to lose their lives in this attempt.