C12 Preparing to Enter the School

With a deep exhale, Aotian released a breath of stale air and rose to his feet, standing proudly with his hands clasped behind him, facing the wind. His hair fluttered in the gentle breeze, and as he felt the cool touch on his skin, he couldn't help but reflect on the swift passage of time. Three years had slipped by since his last breakthrough. During that time, he had devoted countless hours and immense energy to refining his body. Now, at thirteen, Aotian appeared somewhat smaller than before, a result of purging the impurities from his system. His height, however, remained unchanged—it would be quite the concern if it had! He may not have looked as burly, but beneath the surface, his muscles were solid and brimming with explosive power. In terms of strength, speed, and other abilities, he had made significant strides over the past three years.

Turning to gaze into the distance, a fierce light suddenly sparked in his eyes. "World, await my conquest!" he whispered to himself before he started to sprint up the mountain, burdened with weights. His fleeting silhouette and the swirling leaves he left in his wake were the only traces of his passage. Aotian's training now went beyond the structured sessions of the past; he was left to his own devices to ponder and practice. He believed that only he could fully understand his body's needs, recognizing its weaknesses and flaws. By focusing his training on these areas, he could better address and overcome his shortcomings.

Having completed his morning cultivation, Aotian returned to the small courtyard early. Aunt Maria had specifically reminded him that the family patriarch had requested a meeting with him that evening. Unsure of what to expect, Aotian promptly cleaned up, donned a pristine white robe, and made his way to the clan's grand hall.

Upon entering the hall, he was greeted by his grandfather, Loong Ming, and his father, Loong Kun. His eldest uncle, Loong Yiming, had been absent for quite some time. Rumor had it that he had been appointed as the commander of the Qilin Legion, one of the empire's five elite armies, and unless there was a matter of great importance, he seldom left his post to return home.

"Grandpa, Father, did you need to see me for something?" Aotian inquired with due respect as he entered the hall.

The two men on the dais looked down at Aotian with a complex mix of emotions. At thirteen, Aotian's sturdy and upright frame was striking. His bronzed skin radiated vitality against the backdrop of his crisp white robe, and his fiery red hair accentuated his handsome features. His piercing eyes only added to his impressive appearance. Despite being his kin, they had never cared for him since his birth, relegating him to the care of a servant in a secluded courtyard. Particularly after the baptism ceremony three years ago revealed his Nine Yin Meridians, the family had all but ignored him, even his closest relatives hadn't inquired about his life. It had been nearly two years since they last saw him, only occasionally hearing from Maria about his daily physical training on the back mountain. His robust physique and tanned skin were testament to his good health.

With a silent sigh, Loong Ming broke the silence, "Aotian, you're thirteen now, aren't you? It's been a while since I've seen you. We called you here today to catch up and to inform you that it's time for you to start your education. Your brother and sister began their schooling at your age. So, next month, you'll be joining them at the academy. How about the Black Tortoise Academy where your brother studies?"

Upon hearing his grandfather's words, Aotian gave him a complex look, musing internally that this must be the reason for the summons. It surprised him that they still acknowledged his existence within the family. They were well aware of his Nine Yin Meridians, so why send him to the academy? It must be for the sake of the family's honor. The Black Tortoise Academy was reputed to be the finest in the empire, and it was likely his family's influence that secured his place. With over ten thousand applicants each year and only five hundred accepted, Aotian couldn't help but feel that his admission might have come at the expense of another deserving child.

Just as Aotian was on the verge of declining, he heard his master's voice.

"Aotian, don't say no. Just agree, and don't ask why. I'll explain everything once we're back home," his master urged.

With a sense of resignation, Aotian acquiesced to his grandfather's wishes. "Understood. I'll report there next month. Is there anything else, or may I be excused now?"

"Why the rush? Can't I call you over without an emergency? Aren't you still part of this family? Who else would be so discourteous?" Loong Kun chided upon hearing Aotian's words.

Am I truly considered part of this family? Do they even regard me as one of their own? Aotian pondered his father's words and couldn't help but smirk at the irony.

"There's nothing more. You're dismissed. Remember to prepare this coming month. I'll have the butler escort you to the academy for registration. Also, your sister, Loong Qian, is currently studying at the Black Tortoise Academy. Seek her out once you're there; she'll look after you," Loong Ming instructed.

With that, Aotian slowly made his exit from the hall.

"Kun, try not to be so harsh with Aotian in the future. He is your son, after all. Treat him a bit better. We've neglected him too much these past years," Loong Ming sighed, watching Aotian's retreating figure and addressing Loong Kun.

"Yes, Father," Loong Kun acknowledged, reflecting on his father's words. He realized he had indeed neglected Aotian, not even seeing him for the last two years. Despite his feelings, Aotian was still his son.

Back in his room, Aotian immediately questioned his master, "Why must I go to school? You know as well as I do that the academy mainly focuses on combat techniques and martial arts. What's the point of me going there? I could continue my training at home. At the academy, I'll have far less time to cultivate!"

"Kid, there's a reason I'm sending you to the academy. I've been disconnected from the mainland's culture for thousands of years! There's so much I can't teach you. The academy is where you'll get to dive into the knowledge of today! Sure, I can pass on martial techniques, but when it comes to history, geography, and a host of other subjects, I'm at a loss. That's where the academy comes in—you'll get a solid grasp of these areas. Plus, your physical conditioning is nearly complete. Soon, you'll likely be ready to advance to the Bone Burning phase of your training. You can start learning the foundational techniques of the Blood Refinement Arts now. The academy will aid your practice, and you can tap into the library's resources to expand your knowledge!" Dark Night Zhan gave Aotian a serious response to his query.

"Really? I'm close to reaching the third stage?" Aotian couldn't contain his excitement upon hearing his master's words. You see, on the continent, most folks don't make it to the rank of Senior Swordsman until they're 20, and even the talented ones don't get there until 18—super geniuses being the rare exception. If I make it, I'll be a super genius among my peers! How could Aotian not be thrilled?

"Calm down, kid. I said 'soon,' not 'immediately.' If things go really well, you might make it in a year, or it could take two if it's slower," Dark Night War said, tempering Aotian's excitement with a dose of reality.

Aotian paused, a wave of disappointment washing over him, but it was quickly replaced by determination. If he put in the effort, maybe he could break through in a year. At 14, that would still be quite an achievement. Bolstered by this thought, Aotian's fighting spirit and confidence soared.

Then, recalling his master's mention of martial skills, Aotian asked with curiosity, "Master, what martial skills can I start practicing now? And how many are there?"

"Yes, you're ready to begin training in martial skills now, given your current physical strength," Dark Night said after a brief pause. "Our Blood Refinement Arts' Raging Dragon Spear Technique consists of nine major moves and eighty-one minor ones. The variations are endless, and you'll need to figure them out on your own. For now, you can start with the nine minor moves within the first major one."

"Only nine moves? That seems too few. And I'm only allowed to practice one of them?" Aotian responded, clearly disheartened.

"Listen up, kid. Did you catch what I said? Nine major moves, eighty-one minor ones. If used correctly, they're more than sufficient. What do you know, anyway? Do you think having more martial skills is better? It's not about quantity; it's about mastery. Most people only need to learn two or three. Too many moves can be a disadvantage—you won't be able to study each one thoroughly. Don't complain about it being too few. The real masters focus on a limited number of skills and excel in them. It's the second-rate fighters who clutter their repertoire with too many techniques."

Seeing the frustration on Aotian's face, Dark Night couldn't help but scold him.

"Oh, Master, when can I start learning the martial arts for this first major move?"

"Weren't you the one who said you didn't want to learn, Mr. Too Few?" Dark Night teased, noticing Aotian's eagerness.

"Please, Master, I realize my mistake. Stop giving me a hard time!" Aotian pleaded, embarrassed by his earlier reaction and his master's playful taunts.

"Fine. Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you this martial skill. But for now, let's focus on today's spiritual and soul training," Dark Night said with a sly grin.

"Okay, let's get started."

Aotian sighed, resigned to his fate. Despite having endured this training for so long, he still felt a wave of dread at the thought of the rigorous cultivation course. After a grueling six-hour session with his master, Aotian was exhausted but pushed through the intense pain. He rested briefly, seizing the moment to recuperate and looking forward to the next day's martial arts training with great anticipation.

Watching Aotian drift into sleep, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. Nowadays, Aotian manages with less than six hours of rest each day, a testament to his grueling training regimen. I know this all too well, having gone through a similar phase myself. Thankfully, Aotian's robust constitution and physical resilience make such scant rest sufficient for him. Yet, it's undeniable that he's been robbed of the joys of a carefree childhood.

With a heavy heart, I let out a sigh and shook off the melancholy thoughts. It was time to focus on preparing Aotian's training schedule for the next day.