As the sun set in the west, the number of people in this vast region gradually lessened. The initial examination had ended, and the nine martial academies had stopped their recruitment. Many people left in disappointment, while those who stayed behind gradually moved towards the direction of the Emperor Star Academy and the Royal Academy.
At this moment, a white-robed figure with a longsword strapped to his back walked towards Qin Wentian and the rest. Qin Wentian had seen this young man before. He was none other than the sword-type Astral Soul cultivator back in the Sky Harmony City.
"Luo Huan, Mountain, Teacher wants you guys to go over." Yufei walked over as he called out to Luo Huan and the rest.
"Mhm, did Teacher say which two of us are to enter the Dark Forest?" Luo Huan asked. According to Janus, Janus and Mustang could each bring two veteran students with them.
"You, and the other person. Teacher didn't say who it was," Yufei replied. "We'll know when we get there."
"Okay." Luo Huan nodded, and the group of them walked towards the direction of the gathering crowd. Out of the nine martial academies, there were a total of 5,000 people who had the qualifications to participate in the Dark Forest. This was an extremely terrifying number, but if one thought about the number of people who had registered, they would understand that this ratio was already one out of a hundred.
The nine martial academies of the Royal Capital were the gathering place for the elites of Chu.
"If you want to become strong, you have to face all sorts of dangers head-on. This will be your first lesson, so enjoy it." At this moment, in the direction of the Royal Academy, a person shouted to the crowd. The countenances of the youths were all solemn, they were clear that without the experience of blood, one couldn't be considered a true cultivator.
"Bzzz!" Not far away in the sky, a raging wind gusted as two demonic beasts flew over. Upon seeing the silhouette on the back of one of the demonic beasts, the gazes of the crowd froze.
"How beautiful, it's Mo Qingcheng. She actually came."
In this region, cultivators below Yuanfu were not allowed to ride on demonic beasts, but Mo Qingcheng could. Nobody doubted her.
Janus and Orchon were taken aback when they saw Mo Qingcheng and Mustang together. However, they soon turned to the crowd and spoke, "Since we're all here, let's move out. Everyone, run at full speed, we have to enter the Dark Forest before sunset."
"Junior Brother, take care of yourself." Luo Huan smiled at Qin Wentian as she walked forward to lead the group. That lecherous snowy puppy actually remained in her embrace, not moving an inch.
"Junior Brother Qin, I'll wait for you at the academy." Mountain patted Qin Wentian on his shoulders. The representatives of the various academies all lined up in their battle formations and set off. Numerous demonic beasts soared into the skies, with the teachers standing on top of them, while the students sprinted on the ground towards them.
The Dark Forest enveloped half of the Imperial City. It was obviously impossible for them to advance forward. Wouldn't that mean that they would have to pass through the Imperial Palace?
The Emperor Star Academy had the least number of people, with only 500, while the Royal Academy had over 800.
When they sprinted with all their might, the earth trembled, as though there were tens of thousands of horses galloping at full speed. Everywhere they passed, a strong gust of wind would kick up. Many passersby had smiles on their faces as they stared at these youthful silhouettes. These people would be the future pillars of Chu.
"Hey." In the camp of the Emperor Star Academy, a smiling fatty stood beside Qin Wentian as he called out to him. Although their speed was extremely fast, to those who had already stepped onto the Martial Path, it didn't require too much energy. Hence, they were able to chat casually.
"What's your name?" the fat youth asked.
"Qin Wentian, what about you?"
"Fan Le, Fan as in ordinary, Le as in happy." The fat youth laughed.
Qin Wentian cast a glance at him. He was wearing an ordinary robe, with messy hair and a smile on his face.
"This name really suits you." Qin Wentian laughed.
"Hehe." Fan Le grinned, as he shifted his gaze onto the young lady on top of the flying crane. He whispered, "This is the number one beauty of Chu. She's so beautiful, causing my little heart to palpitate wildly."
Qin Wentian involuntarily rolled his eyes upon seeing the intoxicated look on Fan Le's face. However, he had to admit that Mo Qingcheng was indeed beautiful.
"However, Senior Sister Luo Huan is more suitable to my taste. That figure, that ample bosom, hehe …" Fan Le had a wretched expression on his face.
"You're acquainted with Senior Sister Luo Huan?" Qin Wentian asked.
"How could I possibly be acquainted with her? I've only heard about her from others. Who doesn't know of the number one demoness of our Emperor Star Academy? Hehe." Fan Le laughed, as he turned his head to look at Qin Wentian. "You look so serious, but in your heart, are you also …"
Looking at the wretched expression on Fan Le's face, Qin Wentian rolled his eyes as he cursed in a low voice, "Scram!"
This fellow was definitely a genius.
"Don't pretend, hehe." Fan Le revealed a 'you-know-what' expression, causing Qin Wentian to be speechless.
"However, the Royal Capital of Chu is indeed filled with geniuses and beauties. Over there, Autumn Snow from the Royal Academy is extremely beautiful. It's said that she has already condensed an Astral Soul from the 3rd Heavenly Layer." Fan Le pointed to the group of people from the Royal Academy, as he spoke to Qin Wentian.
"And our Emperor Star Academy is also filled with geniuses. Look at that gigolo at the front, his name is Orfon. He's extremely strong, at the 2nd level of Arterial Circulation, and has two Astral Souls." Fan Le then pointed to a youth at the front. It was none other than the youth standing beside Orchon earlier. It seemed like they were brothers.
"And look over there, that beautiful girl dressed in black. She's at the 1st level of Arterial Circulation, and has two Astral Souls. Her figure isn't bad either, just that some parts of her body are slightly imperfect." Fan Le mused.
"However, do you know who the number one genius of our Emperor Star Academy is this year?"
"Who?" Qin Wentian curiously asked.
"Right in front of you." The flesh on Fan Le's face crumpled together, and his smile was as shameless as it could get.
"Fan Le, you're bragging to others again." A person ran over, smiling as he glanced at Fan Le. Evidently, this person had 'bragged' in front of Qin Wentian before.
Qin Wentian laughed. Although this Fan Le loved to brag, he was also humorous, causing others to feel that he was interesting.
As the sun set, nine gigantic groups of people crossed the Eastern Heavenly Gate of the Royal Capital.
The Royal Capital was surrounded by the Dark Forest. In the 3,000 years of history of the Chu Country, there had been many demonic beasts from the Dark Forest. Hence, the city gates of the Dark Forest were so tall that they pierced through the heavens, resembling a heavenly moat.
After crossing the Eastern Heavenly Gate, there was another city that connected the Royal Capital to the Dark Forest. As a buffer zone, there were many adventurers and cultivators in this city. When they saw the people from the nine camps rushing through the city like a hurricane, they were all dumbfounded.
"Could it be that these are the students from the nine martial academies? They are indeed full of vigor."
"So many handsome guys and pretty girls, haha." The passing adventurers laughed as they discussed.
"Continue forward, you guys will set up camp in the Dark Forest." In the air, a clear voice drifted over, causing the hearts of the people to shiver. For a month's worth of training, they would have to spend many nights in the Dark Forest. Not only that, they had to be self-sufficient and hunt for food.
Night gradually descended, and at this moment, the people from the nine camps finally arrived at the boundary of the Dark Forest. In front of them, ancient trees stretched as far as the eye could see, with no end in sight. A wild and demonic aura permeated the air.
When everyone came to a halt, the atmosphere abruptly became exceptionally quiet. Everyone could sense that they were about to face a true crisis.
In front of the Dark Forest, the experts from the nine martial academies stood on the backs of demonic beasts as they spoke to the participants, "You guys will enter the Dark Forest now. Before dawn tomorrow, you must enter the Dark Forest for a distance of ten miles. This ten mile area will be considered the outer perimeter of the Dark Forest. In the following month, if anyone is discovered moving around in the outer perimeter, they will be disqualified. Now, enter."
The ten mile area was considered the outer perimeter of the Dark Forest. Humans would frequently roam about, and there weren't any powerful demonic beasts around.
"Qin Wentian, let's go together." Fan Le spoke.
"Right." Qin Wentian nodded his head. After which, the people from the nine camps all stepped into the Dark Forest. The huge formation of five thousand people started to spread out in all four directions, forming groups of two or three as they advanced.
With the aid of the weak Astral Light, Qin Wentian and Fan Le advanced through the Dark Forest. Some of those who were proficient in fire-type Innate Attribute Techniques directly ignited flames, illuminating their surroundings. There were also some who used treasures like Night Pearls to illuminate their surroundings.
"Let's first enter eight to nine miles deep, then find a spacious place to rest for the night. We'll continue to advance the next morning. This way, we won't be breaking the rules." Fan Le spoke in a low voice. Along the way, Qin Wentian and Fan Le also used rocks to ignite flames, as they raised their torches and advanced.
"There seems to be someone staring at us." As they advanced, Fan Le spoke in a low voice. Qin Wentian's heart trembled, he had also sensed it. His perception had always been extremely sharp.
In the Sky Harmony City, he had killed Ye Mo and Ye Lang. Not only that, he had also displayed extraordinary talent. Evidently, the Ye Clan wouldn't let him off so easily.
This time around, there was a reason why Qin Wentian wanted to participate in this training exercise. At the same time, it could also temper the disciples of the various martial academies. There were only benefits to this. Hence, none of the martial academies would reject such a suggestion.
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