Heaven’s sword
Although it was called an electric vehicle, its speed far surpassed the ones Li Chuan was familiar with. Shen Nianxiang seemed to notice how much Li Chuan liked it and accelerated even more. To Li Chuan’s astonishment, the vehicle was actually hovering five centimeters above the ground.
“How does it do that?” Li Chuan asked excitedly.
Shen Nianxiang, clearly proud but keeping a calm exterior, replied, “Electric vehicles here have two systems. One runs on electricity, with a top speed of 40 kilometers per hour. The other is powered by a personal energy system. When you strap this energy ring around your wrist, it can instantly accelerate the vehicle to 200 km/h. If the driver has enough energy, it can even reach 400 km/h and fly at low altitudes.”
“That insane speed and the fact it left the ground just now—was that powered by your energy?” Li Chuan asked.
Shen Nianxiang spoke as if it were no big deal. “Yeah, I used my energy. But that’s nothing. Once you get your cultivation manual and start training properly, you’ll be able to do this in no time.”
“We can cultivate too?” Li Chuan asked in surprise.
“Of course,” Shen Nianxiang said. “Why else would the Human Realm send you all here? People living in the main city serve three purposes.
“The first group maintains the outermost protective shield. As long as there are enough people living here, the shield holds.
“The second group is people like me—those with a bit of strength, responsible for maintaining public order. When there’s an external threat, we’re cannon fodder. When there isn’t, we bully ordinary residents.
“As for the third group…”
At that moment, Shen Nianxiang had pulled the vehicle to a stop in front of the Fuyao Academy administrative office. He didn’t finish the sentence, choosing instead to flash a mysterious smile and say, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Why not tell me now?” Li Chuan asked, puzzled.
Shen Nianxiang said, “Because no one ever explains the first two types to you—you have to experience it for yourself. As for the third type, everyone will be talking about them constantly. I don’t need to say a word, and you’ll know.”
“The third kind… are the elites everyone wants to be, right?” Li Chuan asked.
Shen Nianxiang patted him on the shoulder and said sincerely, “I hope you become one of them.”
With that, he turned the vehicle around and leisurely rode off at 40 km/h.
Li Chuan stood in front of the Fuyao Academy administrative office, looking up at the imposing building.
Fuyao Academy—one of the three great academies under the Huaxia nation of the Human Realm. Its emblem featured a dragon soaring through the heavens. The columns in front of the office were also carved with Huaxia-style dragon motifs.
On either side of Fuyao Academy’s office stood the administrative offices of the other two nations’ academies.
One was Ulla Academy from the Polar Cold Nation; the other was Eagle Academy from the North Pacific Nation.
The three offices stood in a row, each with a distinct architectural style.
Li Chuan had heard back in school that upon arriving in the Allheaven Realm, the three academies would merge. Their students would train and study together, and the most outstanding among them would be selected to guard the Human Realm.
Li Chuan’s uniform, badge, and student ID—all proof of his identity—had been burned. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk into the office, saying to the registration clerk, “Hello, I’m Li Chuan, a graduate of Fuyao Academy’s 36th class.”
The woman behind the desk was an older lady. She looked puzzled and said, “We were notified that the new graduates will all report in tomorrow.”
“I had special circumstances and arrived a day early,” Li Chuan explained. “Right after I arrived, I ran into an extreme heat storm. All my clothes and identification were burned. The clothes I’m wearing now were borrowed from the city guards.”
The woman thought for a moment and then handed him a form. “The reception desk won’t be staffed until tomorrow, so no one can officially check you in today. For now, fill out this housing form and go to the dorms out back to get settled in.”
“Thank you, sis!” Li Chuan said sweetly. “I don’t have any ID, and you’re still helping me. You’re so kind!”
The woman, flattered by being called “sis,” smiled and said, “It’s just letting you stay a night early. If you’re impersonating a graduate, someone will catch you and throw you out tomorrow. No need for me to get involved.”
“But by the rules, you totally could’ve refused to let me stay. You’re really beautiful and kind to take care of a newcomer like me,” Li Chuan said as he filled out the form.
Everyone likes flattery. The woman beamed and asked, “Do you have any relatives in the main city?”
“No. I’m the only one in three generations of my family to get into Fuyao Academy,” Li Chuan replied.
The woman looked a bit worried. “With no relatives paving the way for you, it won’t be easy. I can’t help much, but I’ll tell you a little secret. When picking a dorm room, go for the ones on the left side of the staircase. The closer, the better.”
“What’s special about those rooms?” Li Chuan asked, leaning in.
She explained, “It’s not exactly a secret. Every month, Fuyao Academy gives students four vials of energy solution for cultivation. The distribution starts from the left side of the staircase—so the closer your room is, the earlier you get them.”
Li Chuan didn’t quite get it. “If everyone gets four vials, what does it matter when you receive them?”
The woman lowered her voice. “Some of the energy solutions are bought from the Allworld Marketplace. Others are refined in the main city. The ones refined here only work half as well. So if you’re one of the first to get them, you have a better shot at getting the good stuff.”
Li Chuan thought that even if there weren’t enough high-quality solutions to go around, they should at least be evenly distributed. Otherwise, those who received theirs last would be severely disadvantaged.
But he didn’t say that aloud. The woman was being kind, and all she wanted was a simple thank-you.
No wonder she had asked if he had any relatives in the Allheaven Realm—this kind of insider knowledge wasn’t something a newcomer could just stumble upon.
This place is so damn shady, Li Chuan thought, disappointed by what he was learning.
