“ Alright settle down. You’ll all find out in due time, just what I mean by that. As for now I’ll be explaining quite a few things, not everything as we hope your parents have told you the very basics.” The dean spoke in a clear and concise manner, but still managed to instill an aura of oppression over the crowd of new arrivals.

Dean Liang waited for the murmurs to stop before continuing again.

“For starters, and I’m sure it is a question on all of your minds. You will all stay here for the entire year. Your families are allowed to visit you and you are allowed to visit them if granted permission, other than that however, your time will be fully spent here. Should you try to leave the academy without permission it is an immediate expulsion.” From the way the dean spoke, everyone could tell that their time at the academy was not going to be fun.

“As for the rest of the rules, I’m sure you’ll find them out soon enough, but of course I will warn you. Fair fights and sparring are fine, but should you ever,” The dean paused and allowed a small intent of his aura to seep out, instantly bringing some of the weaker students to their knees, “and I mean ever, kill or gang up on another student, I shall personally come and deal with you. This applies to everyone, regardless of your status.”

The dean cast his gaze over several people, and Zhao Chen noticed he spent more time with his eyes on the five young lords. It seemed like they weren’t that liked by anyone.

The dean paused only for a moment, before speaking up once more.

“Moving on, currently you are all Soul Rank disciples. The academy is split into 5 ranks, Soul, Body, Mind, Earth and Heaven. These ranks do not correspond to how long students have been at the academy, but their ranking amongst their peers. The 5000th place to the 3000th place are Soul rank students. 2999th place to 1000th place are Body rank students. 999th place to 500th place are Mind rank students. 499th place to 100th place are Earth rank students. Finally 99th place to 1st place are the Heaven rank students. With the rise in ranks, your status and power will grow, but I don’t believe I'll need to go in depth about that. When it comes to ranks, you all are not in the Soul rank because you are weak, but because your power hasn’t been compared to your peers at the academy. Ah, furthermore, the ranks for martial artists and alchemists are separate. You’ve yet to see any alchemists yet but I'm sure you’ll see them in due time. Now I'm sure you want to know how you can rise in rank?”

The dean watched as the students shook their heads in eagerness. Everyone was power hungry, a realization that Zhao Chen had just now come too.

“There are two methods to increase your ranking. The simplest way is to challenge a person ranked higher than you to a duel. Should you win, you take their place and they take yours. You aren’t allowed to challenge someone a major rank higher than you, meaning you can’t be at soul rank and immediately shoot up to heaven. Every loss results in a relegation, depending on your rank. For you soul rank students, after 5 losses you will be expelled. That also reminds me, the academy is not a place to relax. Every year the bottom 45 from each rank, other than heaven and earth, are kicked out of the academy. So if you wish to laze around all day and think you may treat the academy like your home, you are dead wrong.”

“Hey brother Chen, you want to make a bet?” Zi Qingyun bumped Zhao Chen on the arm and turned to him with a smile.

“And what exactly would this bet be?” Zhao Chen had already grasped Zi Qingyuns true intentions, so he flashed an equal smile right back at him.

“The first person between me and you to reach number 1 of the heaven rank gets to order around the loser for an entire year.” Zi Qingyun had already outstretched his arm, waiting for Zhao Chen to take his hand.

Zhao Chen just waved Zi Qingyun off before turning to face the dean, who was currently lecturing some students at the front of the crowd for interrupting him.

“I’ll have to pass then.”

Zi Qingyuns jaw dropped. No way! Was Zhao Chen really such a coward?

“Why not!? You're that scared you’ll lose!?” Zi Qingyun half whispered, half yelled, occasionally shooting a glance over at the dean.

“Of course not you idiot. My goals are much higher than yours. I'm going to reach rank 1 in both martial arts and alchemy. Then within the same year I’ll join the Purple Rain sect!” Zhao Chen spoke in a manner that said that he had just now thought of this plan. But in reality Zhao Chen had planned this out since the entrance exam.

Zhao Chen was knowledgeable enough to know that all academies had some kind of ranking system, a clear hierarchy of power in between the students. And it was evident that the higher ranking you were, the chances of being noticed by the parent sect were much higher. So if Zhao Chen's guesses were correct, if he reached rank 1 in both alchemy and martial arts, being recruited into the purple rain sect was a given.

“Zhao Chen you are the-” Zi Qingyun was cut off by a gust of wind that barely nicked his throat.

“Would you two brats shut up!? The next person to speak is going to get kicked out immediately!” The dean brought his arm back down to his side and cleared his throat.

“As I was saying, the second method is to challenge the Twin Yin Wolves Formation. A formation laid down in that large azure tower you all see on the walk over here. All the current rankings are recorded there and changed in real time. Depending on how hell you perform within the formation, you will receive a ranking that represents your achievements. The current record is held by a now Purple Rain sect's inner disciple, Hu Tao, who reached the eight stage of the trial. But be warned, each stage you reach will be at a difficulty level that is doubled compared to the last.” The dean paused once again.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“This guy really likes dragging things out. It feels like we’ve been standing here forever.” Zi Qingyun whispered out of the side of his mouth in an effort to not get caught again.

Zhao Chen nodded in agreement. This ceremony didn’t feel like much of a ceremony. This information could be given to them by their professors.

“Moving on, when-”, just as the Dean was about to continue the hooded man approached the dean and said something in his ear.

The deans expression changed and a little bit of color was drained from his face. The dean whispered something back to which the hooded man just nodded in response. The dean turned back to the crowd of students before clearing his throat.

“Unfortunately we’ll have to conclude the ceremony here. Something rather urgent has come up so I’ll be leaving now. The rest of the information will be given to you by your professors. I hope to see each and every one of you grow to unimaginable heights. That will be all.” As soon as he finished speaking, both the dean and the hooded man vanished into thin air.

Leaving the students dazed and confused.

It took everyone a few minutes and a lot of “ That's… all?” ‘s before people started to disperse into small crowds.

Most headed back to their rooms to get more rest. Others went to check out the rest of the academy with their friends. And some seemed to be real fanatics of the dean, as they too vanished.

Zhao Chen and Zi Qingyun stood in place for a few minutes, at a loss. Classes did not start until tomorrow, so there was nothing to do in the area of academics. The two of them were too awake to go back to sleep but also too lazy to go walking around.

As the boys continued to stand in place, having no clue as to what they should do to pass the time, Zhao Chen had an idea.

“Zi Qingyun, come follow me.” Zhao Chen wasted no time and grabbed Zi Qingyun without warning and started pulling the boy along with him.

“Wait, brother Chen, where are we going?” Zi Qingyun yelled out in protest but he did nothing to stop Zhao Chens dragging.

“The Thousand Whispers Library!”

In Front of large and domineering pagoda, Zhao Chen dragged Zi Qingyun to the entrance

“You know most places that have such boastful names aren’t much to look at in the first place. But something about this place makes me feel all weird.” Zi Qingyun, who was now free from the clutches of Zhao Chen, sized up the pagoda in its entirety.

Zhao Chen nodded in agreement. It was always a fun surprise when Zi Qingyun said something smart.

The pair spotted a boy guarding the entrance, who wore robes identical to theirs but with a small scale underneath the emblem of the dragon. They quickly approached him.

“Greetings to senior brother. We two juniors were wondering if it would be possible to enter the library?” Zhao Chen spoke with as much respect as possible. He wanted nothing more than to enter the pagoda.

The guard sized Zhao Chen and Zi Qingyun up before looking around him.

“What rank are you two?” The guard asked, still looking around him.

“Soul.” The two said in unison.

“Alright but you’re only allowed on the first 5 floors. If you’re not out within an hour, you’ll have to bear the consequences yourself.” The boy put down the spear he was holding and went to open the doors.

“Wait what conce-” A worried Zi Qingyun was dragged into the library by a very eager Zhao Chen.

The two immediately had their jaws drop in awe once they entered the library. There wasn’t a single word they knew of that could describe the beauty of what they say.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a place before. This interior is up to the standards of the upper realm!’ Zhao Chen twirled in place, marveling at all that was around him.

Thousands upon thousands of books lined the walls. The entire place was made out of a strong black wood that emitted a soft aura. One singular staircase was located in the center of the pagoda, that seemed to spiral on upwards, endlessly.

It was just a plain old library, but Zhao Chen and Zi Qingyun couldn’t help but be amazed. Something about this place made them feel like they weren’t in a library, but some great family's main hall. Like they were esteemed guests to the grandest of parties thrown in their honor.

“I don’t know what the guard meant by consequences, but I'd rather not get into trouble on the first day. You clearly are more drawn to this place than me, so you go look around and I'll stand guard here. Once we are near an hour I'll come get you.” Zi Qingyun was smitten by the library, yes, but he wasn’t nearly as impressed as Zhao Chen.

“You sure? You might be able to find something good here.” Even though a part of Zhao Chen just wanted to say his thanks and run off towards the books, he was still a rational man at the end of the day.

“Yeah I'm good. Plus when I'm rank 1 they’ll probably allow me in whenever I want for however long I want. You go have fun, you nerd.” Zi Qingyun shot Zhao Chen a playful smile.

Zhao Chen said his thanks and rushed immediately to the fifth floor. Working his way down seemed to be the best course of action. But when he reached the fifth floor, something inside him was desperately trying to get him to run up.

Zhao Chen could admit that the library was something worthy of praise, but he knew not why he felt so drawn to it. Then Zhao Chen realised there was someone he could ask.

“Baifun?” Zhao Chen entered his sea of consciousness. He didn’t see anyone, but he assumed it might be one of Bai Funs ways of keeping himself entertained.

Like there was some kind of summoning spell on Zhao Chen's thoughts, he felt a presence behind him.

‘What?’ The veiled man disappeared from behind Zhao Chen and reappeared in front of him.

“I wanted to ask you a question.” Zhao Chen wasn’t able to get scared in his sea of consciousness, but if this was his real body he would’ve been undeniably frightened. This Baifun was truly an odd one.

“I believe I already gave you three questions?” Baifuns face was covered, but Zhao Chen could guess that he was probably smiling behind that veil.

Zhao Chen wanted to yell out in anger and say that Baifun had only truly responded to one question, but he maintained his composure and through gritted teeth, spoke up.

‘If you answer this one question, I promise to not ask another question for a week.’

Baifun put his finger to where Zhao Chen was assuming his chin was and pondered the suggestion.

‘Two weeks and I’ll do it.’

Zhao Chen was almost at his breaking point. He was already pleading with someone, something he’d never done before, but now that person wanted to be stingy on top of that. Zhao Chen would’ve cried tears of anger and frustration, if he had tear ducts.

‘Fine.’ Zhao Chen responded quickly. This information was needed to know, and he could just vent his anger on someone later.

On the first floor of the library, Zi Qingyun felt a shiver run down his spine.

‘Amazing. What do you want to know?’ Baifun spoke in a goading manner, as if he was praying Zhao Chen would try something.

Unfortunately it did not go his way.

‘Do you see this library I'm in right now?’

‘I see everything you see.’ Baifun responded rather dejectedly.

‘Creepy but not important. Is there something special about this place?’ Zhao Chen picked up on Baifuns misery and let out a small smirk.

‘Important how?’ Baifun seemed to be growing tired of their exchange.

‘Why do I feel so drawn to this place? Is there some kind of illusion or spell in place?’

‘You feel drawn to it because something of yours is inside it.’ Baifun responded as if it was something casual.

Zhao Chen however almost fainted, before remembering he was in a sea of consciousness.

‘What does that mean? How could something from my past life be here!’

‘On the hundredth floor, something you lost long ago resides. More importantly you just asked me a question about yourself. Since I'm not a monster, I’ll count this as a warning, but you’ll still have to be reprimanded’ Zhao Chen knew Baifun was smiling under his veil.

‘Wait wha-’ But before Zhao Chen could speak up he was drawn out of his sea of consciousness and fell to his knees.

“ARGHH!”