Cangyun City.

Central Teleportation Plaza.

Xiao Che looked at the towering teleportation platform, a flicker of curiosity flashing through his eyes.

The platform was encircled by thirty-six pitch-black stone pillars, each carved with intricate array patterns that shimmered with flowing light.

At the centre stood a massive circular light screen. Figures constantly stepped in and out, ripples spreading across its surface with each movement.

“Brother, this is a teleportation array?”

Xiao Qing clutched his sleeve tightly, her small face a mix of nervousness and excitement.

“Mm.”

He nodded, amused by her anxious expression. “Don’t worry. I’m here.”

His gaze shifted to the pricing board beside the platform, and his lips twitched.

Thirty per person. Sixty for two.

The original host would’ve needed three months to save that.

This was nearly half a year’s expenses for an average Foundation Establishment cultivator. No wonder most people would rather travel for months on foot than use the teleportation array.

He handed over sixty low-grade spirit stones, wincing inwardly.

Grasping his sister’s hand, he stepped into the glowing light screen.

“Hold tight. Don’t let go.”

Buzz—

A wave of dizziness hit. The world blurred instantly.

Streams of light streaked past them as if they were inside a kaleidoscopic tunnel. Space itself seemed distorted.

“Brother…”

Xiao Qing’s voice trembled slightly.

“Steady. It’ll pass.”

Xiao Che closed his eyes and tightened his grip. Pure Yang True Flame Art circulated instinctively within him, pure yang qi shielding his body and suppressing the discomfort from spatial turbulence.

This felt like being tossed into a spinning washing machine.

About ten breaths later—

Light flared brightly. A moment of weightlessness followed.

When he opened his eyes again, they were standing in a different grand plaza.

“We’re here.”

Xiao Che exhaled and looked around.

This plaza was several times larger than the one in Cangyun City. People flooded the area, voices rising like waves.

Above, the sky was clear and azure. Most striking of all was the spiritual energy in the air—several times richer than in Cangyun Prefecture.

Each breath made the spiritual liquid in his qi sea stir faintly.

Eastern Continent’s heartland.

White Deer City.

Though not the royal capital of the Great Chu Immortal Dynasty, White Deer City had become a sacred destination for cultivators from all thirty-six prefectures of the Eastern Continent because of the transcendent status of White Deer Academy.

This vast world was divided into five regions—East, South, West, North, and Central.

The Eastern Continent lay at the easternmost edge of the Eastern Region. Though technically still peripheral, it was the core of its thirty-six prefectures.

As for the legendary Central Region—where sects flourished, and geniuses gathered—that was far too distant for Xiao Che right now.

“Well then. Graduated from the beginner village. Finally made it to the main city.”

His thoughts were cut short by a loud shout.

“Make way! Qingyang Prefecture’s Liu Family coming through!”

Several young cultivators in blue robes escorted a delicate, shapely girl out of the teleportation array.

She carried an air of pride between her brows. Her purple robes accentuated her graceful curves as she walked toward the plaza’s exit.

Her gaze swept the crowd—and briefly met Xiao Che’s as he stepped aside.

Her steps paused almost imperceptibly.

Those arrogant eyes lingered on his sharp features for a breath.

Tall and upright, black hair and white robes, sword on his back—he stood out distinctly amid the chaotic crowd.

Then she withdrew her gaze as if nothing had happened, chin lifting slightly as she led her group away.

“The Liu Family? That alchemy clan from Qingyang Prefecture?”

“That’s Liu Ruyan! I heard she has a top-grade wood spirit root and an extraordinary talent for alchemy. She’s definitely entering the Alchemy Court.”

Whispers rose among the crowd.

Xiao Che pulled Xiao Qing aside, noting Liu Ruyan’s departing figure.

Just then, another commotion erupted from the teleportation array.

The crowd parted again.

A young man dressed in black stepped out alone.

He wasn’t particularly tall, but his steps were steady and heavy. A broad, unsheathed greatsword rested on his back—dull in appearance yet exuding a chilling weight.

His face was cold and sharp as a blade. Ignoring the surrounding chatter, he strode toward White Deer Academy.

“Heavenly Sword Pavilion… the place that produces sword maniacs?”

“Feng Mohan? They say he possesses the rare ‘Sword Bone’ physique. Established a foundation at sixteen. No opponent has lasted three exchanges under his blade!”

“Shh… keep your voice down. His killing intent is terrifying.”

The whispers reached Xiao Che’s ears.

His gaze lingered briefly on that unsheathed greatsword.

Sword Bone?

His fingers brushed lightly against the hilt of Flowing Flame on his back.

How convenient. I seem to have a rather extraordinary Dao Body myself.

“Brother,”

Xiao Qing edged closer, watching the outstanding figures appear one after another. “They all look so amazing…”

“Mm. They are.”

Xiao Che nodded, then smiled at her. “But my Qing’er is even more amazing.”

“Huh?”

She blinked in confusion.

“Wood generates fire. Mutual enhancement. Your mutated fire-wood twin spirit root makes you a natural alchemist—far superior to single-attribute roots.”

“Once you enter the Alchemy Court, you’ll see. It’s your talent that others will envy.”

Xiao Qing paused, blinking.

“R-Really?”

“Why would I lie?”

Xiao Che gave her a light pat. “Stand tall. If your brother says you’re a genius, you are. Carry yourself like one.”

Her shoulders straightened instinctively, the earlier unease fading.

“Let’s go. Time to head to the Academy.”

They followed the crowd toward the centre of White Deer City.

The city was built along a mountain slope—the closer to the centre, the higher the elevation.

After about half an hour of walking, a towering mountain gate came into view, carved entirely from white jade. Four ancient characters were inscribed upon it:

White Deer Academy.

Beyond the gate lay endless immortal peaks wrapped in mist. Pavilions and towers peeked through the clouds. Spirit birds and exotic beasts moved freely—a true celestial landscape.

Hundreds of young cultivators had already gathered in the plaza before the gate, voices buzzing with excitement.

Xiao Qing kept her back straight the entire way.

“That’s more like it,” Xiao Che said with a grin. “From today onward, we’re here to… stir the winds of this Academy.”

“Brother, you sound more and more like a villain…”

“That’s called confidence,” Xiao Che corrected solemnly. “The confidence of a top-tier genius.”

Laughing and chatting, they reached one side of the plaza.

There stood a massive jade wall, glowing faintly. Names, origins, and assigned courts of new students were densely inscribed upon it.

“The Freshman Ranking!”

Someone exclaimed.

The crowd surged toward the jade wall, searching for their names.

Xiao Che pulled Xiao Qing forward and scanned rapidly from top to bottom.

“Qingyang Prefecture, Liu Family, Liu Ruyan — Alchemy Court.”

“Rockridge Shi Family, Shi Chongshan — War Court.”

“Water Moon Sect, Mu Xinlan — Dao Court.”

…

Familiar and unfamiliar names passed before his eyes.

He checked three full times.

His brows slowly knitted together.

Nothing.

There was no “Xiao Che.”

No “Xiao Qing.”

Their names were nowhere on the Freshman Ranking.