137: Chapter 137 The Venerable One

Time slipped by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was June the twelfth.

Yesterday, Li Wen and Fang Chenghong returned together to the grand and ancient Xinhuo Ancestral Vein and moved into the new student townhouses located in the core area.

Independent small buildings with blue tiles and white walls were built against the mountainside, nestled among lush ancient trees. Each building was equipped with a training room, a meditation room, and attendants dispatched by the school, dressed in uniform gray cloth short shirts, responsible for taking care of the students' daily lives.

Such superior conditions clearly demonstrated Kindling University's high regard for this batch of Genius Seeds.

Early in the morning, as the rising sun cast golden light across the massive white jade plaza atop Wudao Peak.

Li Wen and the other two hundred newly admitted Disciples, who had passed layer upon layer of selection and represented the future of the Human Race, gathered here in uniform cyan student combat attire, looking spirited.

Every year on this day, Wudao Peak would be bustling with activity.

All students currently enrolled at Kindling University, regardless of grade level, assembled here wearing formal Peak Robes.

Looking out, the area for senior students was neatly divided into twelve phalanxes, clearly demarcated from one another.

The styles of their Peak Robes were all different—some ethereal like clouds, some heavy like mountains, some blazing with flames, or dotted with stars. Their colors and patterns varied, totaling twelve different styles, symbolizing the twelve core Legacy Peaks of Kindling University.

The students stood tall, their Auras deep and steady. The Aura they unconsciously exuded converged into a powerful field, immediately imposing pressure yet also invigorating the newly arrived students.

On the high platform in front of the plaza, twelve figures stood majestically.

Their sense of presence was like twelve towering Peaks, their Auras deep as the sea. A glance from their eyes seemed capable of penetrating people's hearts.

These were the twelve Peak Masters of Kindling University, renowned across the Blue Star. Every single one was a powerhouse at the Feng Wang Rank.

"Quickly look! The one whose body seems to flow with starlight is the Peak Master of Xingyan Peak! I heard he once single-handedly trapped and killed three Yao Race members of the same rank using only his Domain!" A well-informed new student whispered in amazement, his tone full of longing.

"Is that the Peak Master of Chiyan Peak? Such blazing blood essence! It is said that back on the battlefield in the Nu Yan Star Domain, she, with a single spear, incinerated a Yao Beast nest spanning a hundred miles!" Another voice spoke with reverence.

"The one whose Aura is the most steady and heavy, like the Foundation of the earth, must be the Peak Master of Zhenyue Peak! I heard he primarily Cultivates the Supreme Grade Divine Demon Body, possessing peerless defense. He once withstood a joint assault from three Great Yao at the Feng Wang Rank without losing ground."

Among the new students, murmurs and discussions were endless, filled with excitement over these figures who usually only existed in legends.

This was the Foundation of Kindling University! The Twelve Peak Masters represented twelve different Peak paths leading toward the pinnacle of the Martial Dao!

However, Li Wen, standing at the very front of the new students, after sweeping his gaze over those twelve awe-inspiring "High Peaks," immediately looked past the main stage to the vast formation composed of the twelve-colored Peak Robes—the senior student area.

His gaze swept back and forth across the senior formation, meticulously scanning every face.

Calm, arrogant, confident, humble, overbearing—they were all there.

But he still could not find that one figure, Ling Feng, who had left such a deep impression on him by slaying a High Grade Flying Star Rank Yao Beast with a single slash on New Year's Eve.

A faint trace of regret crossed Li Wen's mind.

In the past few days, he had gained a deeper understanding of Kindling University through the internal data access permissions and Fang Chenghong's introduction.

This was absolutely not a university in the ordinary sense, but an ancient Sect with a long Legacy, strict systems, and the goal of cultivating top-tier Divine Demons to guard the Human Race's Star Territory.

Kindling University had no fixed academic term, but it had two almost cruel rules:

First, within ten years of entry, one must Break a Breakthrough to the Flying Star Rank using High Grade or Supreme Grade Divine Demon techniques. Otherwise, they would be expelled, just like Fang Chengwu.

Second, after Breaking a Breakthrough to the Flying Star Rank and Cultivating the Divine Demon Body, one must meet the evaluation standards set by the Peak before being allowed to leave school and proceed to guard the Interstellar Gate.

Of course, there were exceptions; for instance, Ling Feng's descent from the mountain last time was due to certain special mission requirements.

"It seems he hasn't returned to school yet," Li Wen withdrew his gaze, suppressing that sliver of regret.

What needed focus now was the ceremony about to begin.

Just as Li Wen was searching for Ling Feng, undercurrents were also surging within the senior student area.

Countless gazes focused on these new faces, interwoven with curiosity, scrutiny, and evaluation.

"Which one is Li Wen?"

"There, the one in black at the very front. Hmm? He does look spirited, but he doesn't have three heads and six arms.", an older Disciple muttered.

"I heard that in the ninth round of the Spiritual Sense assessment, he mastered the Ten Forms of Blade Technique! He treated several elite Yao Generals as nothing. This resume—tsk tsk, which one of us could have done that back then?"

"That's right. With this talent, perhaps only Senior Brother Ling Feng can compare with him."

"Look, he's observing us?"

"It seems he's looking for someone."

"Who cares! You guys guess which Peak he will choose. Will it be Lietian Peak, which has the largest number of people and is filled with experts? Or Xingyan Peak, which is currently in the spotlight and focuses on the Dao of Trapping and Killing? Or—"

The voice of the speaking senior lowered, carrying a trace of awe, "—that one known as the Ultimate Peak, where the techniques are the hardest to practice, but those who succeed are basically invincible among peers—Jiuxiao Peak?"

Upon mentioning "Jiuxiao Peak," the expressions of several surrounding seniors became somewhat complicated.

It was easy to enter that place, but succeeding in coming out—that was too difficult.

Just then, the space in the center of the main stage rippled slightly like water, and a figure appeared out of thin air, silently, yet instantly capturing the attention of everyone present.

It was an elderly man of imposing stature, with hair and beard as white as snow.

He wore an ancient-style cyan scholar's long gown. His face was lean, and his eyes were gentle and clear, seeming to contain endless wisdom and the accumulation of ages.

He did not deliberately exude any oppressive might, but standing there, he seemed to have become the center of the entire world.

The crowd could not even raise their heads to look directly; they could only vaguely see an old man wearing a long gown with their peripheral vision.

"So strong! We can't even look directly at him."

"The Principal of Kindling University! That legendary Principal at the Venerable Realm!" Many new students felt a tremendous shock in their hearts.

The one who presided over the entrance assessment was King Chu He, but this white-haired scholarly figure was the true helmsman of Kindling University.

"Huh?" A student from a star system with highly developed technological civilization couldn't help but lower his head and quietly ask his companion among the new students, "Why is Kindling University filled with imitation ancient architecture? Does this Principal and those Peak Masters also like to wear these long gowns? It feels—a bit out of place."

A Blue Star student who understood the situation better immediately replied in a low voice, "It is said that the origin of Kindling University is extremely ancient, not established after the modern Martial Dao system was formed. It is more like a hidden Sect that has been passed down for countless years, merely borrowing the modern title of 'University.' Many of the great figures inside—they have lived for far more than a few hundred years!"

"A few hundred years?" The alien student was even more bewildered, "But the history we learned says that the Martial Dao system only flourished in the last two hundred years after the Galactic Calendar, right?"

"This—" The explaining student was momentarily speechless, shrugged, "I'm not entirely clear about the connection. Perhaps it involves some sealed history. Anyway, just follow its ancient rules."

Li Wen heard this brief conversation word for word, and his mind suddenly cleared: "So that's how it is. No wonder Jian Xin Hall, Wudao Peak, and even their conduct exude an air of antiquity. Kindling University, Xinhuo—this Legacy might be far more ancient than we imagined."

This realization added a layer of reverence and curiosity to his feelings toward the university.

While the crowd was murmuring, the Principal on the stage was also observing the crowd below.

His gaze swept over the two hundred people. When he saw Li Wen in the middle of the front row, he clearly paused for a moment, the corner of his mouth curving slightly: "Hmm, very good. All new Disciples are in place, all fellow Sect members are present, and the Twelve Peak Masters have arrived in person."

The white-haired scholarly Principal's gaze was gentle, his face carrying a warm smile. His voice sounded clearly in everyone's ears; it was not loud, but it was full of power.

"Since that is the case, this session of the Kindling University New Student Entrance Ceremony shall now commence."

The entire place instantly fell silent.

The old man did not waste time on pleasantries. His voice was calm but contained a convincing penetrating force as he began to introduce the origin of Kindling University: "The two words 'Xinhuo' are taken from the meaning 'Kindling passes on the fire.' We stand before the Star Gate, using flesh and blood as Kindling, igniting the fire of the Martial Dao, for the future of the Human Race, for the continuation of civilization, advancing wave upon wave, ceaselessly. This place is not a haven of comfort, but a furnace for sharpening blades and an anvil for refining fine gold!"

"Kindling University is completely different from the ordinary martial arts universities you know. This place is the starting point on the path to becoming Divine Demons!"

The Principal's voice suddenly became resonant and powerful, "For you to be able to stand here means you are top geniuses selected from hundreds of millions. The minimum achievement you should aim for is achieving the Flying Star Body and entering the ranks of Divine Demons!

In the future, you will be the main pillars supporting the Human Race's Star Territory defenses by guarding thousands upon thousands of Interstellar Gates!"

His gaze slowly swept over every young and vigorous face, his expression becoming extremely solemn: "Precisely because you shoulder such a heavy responsibility, in order to enhance your future survivability and killing power, I solemnly declare here—any Disciple of Kindling University must choose at least High Grade Divine Demon techniques and methods to Cultivate."

As these words were spoken, many new students felt a chill in their hearts.

The Principal's words still echoed across the white jade plaza, painting a grand yet heavy future for the new Disciples.

It also laid the firmest and strictest Foundation for the crucial choice they would soon face—choosing which Legacy Peak to join.

Under the blue sky atop Wudao Peak.

The prelude to the New Student Ceremony had just begun, and the true challenge belonging to Li Wen and this batch of geniuses was about to arrive.

The opening ceremony did not last long, concluding after about two hours with the Principal's brief summary.

On the Wudao Peak white jade plaza, nearly a thousand new students did not disperse immediately. The air was filled with an atmosphere of excitement and solemnity.

The Principal's final words were branded onto everyone's heart like a mark.

Choosing the Divine Demon technique would be a critical decision concerning one's Martial Dao Foundation and future height.

Kindling University did not force the students to make a choice immediately but granted them a one-month grace period.

During this period, all new students were granted access permissions to freely enter Kindling University's virtual core—the Xinhuo World.

In the Xinhuo World, they could carefully observe the twelve types of Supreme Grade Divine Demon techniques capable of leading to the path of Divine Demons, as well as the twenty-four High Grade techniques renowned for their immense power.

Discussions broke out on the plaza.

Regarding how to choose the most suitable technique, some suggested utilizing intelligent AI for auxiliary analysis.

But older students who understood the situation quickly explained that few people successfully Cultivate High Grade and Supreme Grade Divine Demon techniques, resulting in severely insufficient sample data. This meant even powerful intelligent AI could not achieve one hundred percent accurate matching.

What they could do was provide background introductions to the techniques, cultivation requirements, and limited insights left by predecessors. The final choice still depended on the Martial Artist's own Martial Dao intuition, alignment of Heart-Nature, and outlook for the future.

Of course, the most important factor was whether one could ultimately succeed in practicing it. High compatibility did not guarantee success.

The difficulty of Cultivating some Supreme Grade techniques was as hard as ascending to heaven; some people struggled for ten years without success, wasting precious time.

Therefore, in previous years, some people ultimately chose High Grade techniques instead of the Supreme Grade techniques with the highest compatibility.

Some High Grade techniques, when mastered to the level of consummate skill, were no weaker than Supreme Grade techniques.

Thus, this one month was a time for true contemplation, experience, and enlightenment.

After announcing the conclusion, the Principal did not leave immediately.

His gaze, which seemed to see through everything, pierced through the crowd and landed gently but with ineffable power precisely on Li Wen, who had just separated from Wang Shuo, Fang Chenghong, and others.

"Li Wen, come with me for a moment."

The voice was not loud but clearly reached Li Wen's ears, also attracting the attention of a small area nearby.

"It's a private summons from the Principal!"

"It must be the privilege given to the first place in every assessment, right?"

"He must be bestowing a reward. How enviable!"

Looks of envy and amazement converged on Li Wen. The crowd's reaction was normal; they didn't think too deeply about it.

Li Wen was slightly stunned, then nodded to the few people beside him and calmly walked out of the crowd.

He didn't even have time to see clearly how the Principal moved; he only felt that the surrounding light and shadow seemed to be gently manipulated by an invisible hand, twisting slightly.

The scene before his eyes abruptly changed.

A gentle mountain breeze, carrying the crisp dampness of vegetation, replaced the noisy Origin Qi and human voices of the plaza.

What his feet stepped on was no longer smooth white jade slabs, but soft soil growing moss and sparse small flowers.

An ancient and elegant octagonal pavilion stood quietly by the edge of the back mountain cliff. On the stone table beneath the pavilion, two cups of clear tea were emitting wisps of warm mist.

The Principal, wearing a long gown, sat on a stone stool, a peaceful smile on his face that reassured people.

Li Wen's heart shook violently.

His Primordial Spirit's detection range could reach a clear hundred meters, and he could vaguely sense the life Qi within a radius of five li.

Yet, this Principal could move him from the center of the crowded plaza to this secluded spot behind the mountain in an instant, without any warning to his Primordial Spirit and before his consciousness could react at all.

Such means were simply miraculous, surpassing imagination.

"Don't stand there stunned, sit down," the Principal raised his hand in invitation, his voice gentle, breaking Li Wen's shock.

Li Wen obeyed and sat down opposite the Principal, his posture respectful yet tinged with awe.