Feng Qingxue's response was expected by many. Ye Futian actually foolishly thought about cultivating with Feng Qingxue—was this a disguised pursuit? Truly no self-awareness at all.

Although many people knew that their relationship was good, probably due to years of friendship, it didn't mean they could cross the line. Feng Qingxue's remark, "We're both adults now," was probably meant to indicate her stance.

"Got slapped in the face, huh?" Many people wore expressions of schadenfreude, as though they were watching a good show.

And she didn't even leave herself any room.

Seeing the expressions of the crowd, Ye Futian naturally understood what they were thinking. It was a clichéd and melodramatic plot. He shook his head and turned to leave.

"You really didn't leave her any choice by asking in front of so many people," Ye Futian said softly.

"From the moment she allowed Murong Qing to stand in front of you, it already indicated her stance. After all these years of friendship, when she says she wants to keep her distance from you, what does that mean? Is it a severance of ties?" Yu Sheng's face darkened, like an enraged lion.

"Young people are always easily swayed. She's only fifteen, what does she know?" Ye Futian seemed completely unaware of the slap in the face he'd just received. Instead, he seemed to want to explain Feng Qingxue's actions.

"Don't forget her words. Her attitude was so decisive; how could she have left you any face? Since she's already made her decision, then this friendship ends here." Yu Sheng said firmly. He understood Ye Futian better than anyone. Beneath the mask of indifference was a passionate heart, especially when it came to the people around him. Ye Futian might want to overlook everything Feng Qingxue just did and give her another chance.

But Yu Sheng couldn't allow it. He had to protect certain things for Ye Futian, like his pride and dignity. He certainly understood that Feng Qingxue had just missed something important.

He would never forget what his father had said to Ye Futian: when a person is down and out, they can see things clearly. None of this matters. One day, when you shine brightly, the whole world will make way for you.

........

At this moment, a commotion arose in the martial arts arena, drawing the attention of the crowd. Ye Futian and Yu Sheng turned their gazes toward the noise, and saw several figures flying toward the arena. They had wings sprouting from their backs, flapping them in the air, and landing above the martial arts stage.

"They are seniors from the Sorcery Palace, wind element mages. They use wind attribute magic to form wings and fly in the sky." Many people looked on with envy. The Awakening Realm is a breakthrough beyond the limits of the human body, where spiritual energy and the body are perfectly integrated. Only when one enters the Glory Realm, becoming a Glory Mage, can they freely release various spells.

In the Divine Continent, mages hold a higher status than martial cultivators.

Only wind element mages can fly in the Glory Realm.

"The Tianyao Mountain has cleared a designated area. In this area, no beasts beyond the Awakening Realm will appear. The next seven days will be the Autumn Hunt before the Autumn Entrance Examination. You may go hunting to test your progress over the past year and hone your practical combat and danger-response skills."

A wind element mage floating in the air spoke, "You will eventually leave the academy. If you don't go through the trials of blood and fire, you will never truly grow."

"Of course, your safety during the Autumn Hunt must come first, so I hope you will go in groups and look out for each other."

Everyone nodded. Every year before the Autumn Entrance Examination, Qingzhou Academy organizes a clearing of the area to ensure safety. Even so, some brave individuals still venture into Tianyao Mountain for training.

"In addition, when the Autumn Entrance Examination comes, Qingzhou Academy will be open, and many from Qingzhou City will come to observe. Your elders may also attend, so make sure to perform well and not disappoint them." The senior from the Sorcery Palace continued. Everyone already knew that the Spring and Autumn Entrance Examinations were the most important events for Qingzhou Academy, and also for Qingzhou City.

Compared to the Spring Entrance Examination, the Autumn Entrance Examination is more grand, as the focus is on selecting official disciples, with only a few people standing out.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Alright, go prepare now." The senior waved his hand, and the group of wind element mages flapped their wings and left, seemingly heading toward the back mountain.

The martial arts arena instantly became lively, with many gathering together to discuss the Autumn Hunt.

This trial opportunity couldn't be missed.

"Ye Futian, what are your thoughts?" Qin Yi asked Ye Futian from across the arena.

"Senior Qin, what do you mean?" Ye Futian looked at Qin Yi.

"The Autumn Hunt is an opportunity. You and Yu Sheng should be safe together. You can use this chance to hone your skills and see if you can break through." Qin Yi said.

"No, I don't plan on participating in this Autumn Hunt," Ye Futian shook his head. "I just came down from the back mountain not long ago, there's no need to go again."

Qin Yi's beautiful eyes widened as she looked at him, then she turned away angrily, "You're hopeless."

Ye Futian blinked, realizing that Qin Yi misunderstood, then glanced at her proud figure and muttered under his breath, "Senior, actually, I'm not that young."

Qin Yi paused, turned to look at Ye Futian's gaze, then angrily walked away. "You're beyond help."

Seeing Qin Yi getting angry, Ye Futian's smile became brighter as he called out, "Senior Qin, thank you."

Qin Yi stopped momentarily but continued walking forward.

"Not bad. You should consider it." Yu Sheng muttered softly.

Ye Futian looked at him in confusion. "Consider what?"

"Isn't that your candidate?" Yu Sheng said seriously, looking at Ye Futian.

"Huh..." Ye Futian rubbed his head. "I guess proximity to strong people is contagious, huh?"

......

The atmosphere in Qingzhou Academy grew lively as a large group headed toward the back mountain. Many were full of energy, and such scenes occurred every year. After a few days, many of these energetic figures would grow dispirited, and many would face mental shadows. Of course, injury was inevitable.

During the hunting period, Qingzhou Academy organizes a clearing of the area, but powerful level-seven, level-eight, or even level-nine beasts still lurk around. These beasts become nightmares for some.

The hunt was a trial, but also a baptism.

At the foot of Tianyao Mountain, groups of people were heading up together. At this moment, a group of figures arrived at the base of the mountain.

"Feng Qingxue." Many people noticed the young girl in the group, wearing a fiery red outfit. She looked elegant and heroic, and her beauty, set off by the attire, appeared even more charming and alluring.

"Who is the person beside her?" Someone noticed that, besides her friend Murong Qing, there was a man beside Feng Qingxue, with a distinguished air.

"That's Murong Qiu, Murong Qing's cousin. He's a direct descendant of the Murong Merchant Guild, with an Awakening level-nine cultivation. He's going on the Autumn Hunt with Feng Qingxue? No wonder..."

Many people thought of a certain poor fellow who had been brutally rejected, shaking their heads. He truly lacked self-awareness.

Adults, maintaining distance? Then what about Murong Qiu?

If that guy knew, who knows how he'd feel.

"That guy's probably going to skip the Autumn Entrance Examination after this blow," the crowd murmured, seeing Murong Qiu and Feng Qingxue heading toward the back mountain.

Ye Futian soon heard about this from others. He felt a bit confused to be the tragic male lead in this melodramatic story. Although he never had any intention of pursuing Feng Qingxue, he still felt a slight annoyance. It wasn't about love, but just pure frustration.

Of course, he wouldn't dwell on it. He intended to focus on his cultivation, striving to improve his strength before the Autumn Entrance Examination.

A few days later, in the secluded courtyard, Ye Futian was quietly cultivating. The blazing Sun Fire surrounded him, refining his meridians and bones. Having the Sun Soul, he naturally focused on cultivating fire attribute techniques.

Earlier, during the trial in the back mountain, when he observed the trees, he could sense the dense wood attribute spiritual energy, and when watching waterfalls and flowing water, he could sense water attribute spiritual energy. However, none of them could compare to the sensation of observing the sun, which formed his Sun Soul.

Was he being too greedy? After all, such an opportunity was rare.

Footsteps approached, and Ye Futian stopped his cultivation. He looked up at Yu Sheng and asked, "What's the matter?"

If there wasn't anything important, Yu Sheng wouldn't disturb his training.

"Several people have come down from the back mountain these past two days, and there's a rumor in the academy that's causing a stir," Yu Sheng said.

"What rumor?" Ye Futian asked curiously.

"They say someone saw a dragon in the forbidden area of Qingzhou Academy," Yu Sheng's eyes shone with intensity.

"A dragon," Ye Futian's eyes flashed with a brilliant gleam. The forbidden area was meant for the hunting trial, but someone actually saw a dragon there?

Not to mention the forbidden area, even if a dragon appeared in the entire Tianyao Mountain, it would be a sensational event. If true, it would probably shake Qingzhou City.

A dragon, a symbol of fortune, a sacred being among beasts, comparable to an emperor among humans.

"Do you think it's true?" Ye Futian asked Yu Sheng.

"Some say they saw it with their own eyes. Now, Qingzhou Academy is even preparing to reverse the clearance and have the disciples return. If the academy does this, it's very likely to be true," Yu Sheng said.

"Let's go out for a walk," Ye Futian said, standing up and walking toward the courtyard gate. Over the past few days, many students had returned, and some, like Ye Futian, hadn't gone. They probably knew their realms were too low to face the dangers, as even a random beast could overpower them.

The two of them arrived at the back mountain and saw many people coming down from the mountain in groups. It was clearly a bit unusual.

Ye Futian and Yu Sheng exchanged a glance, and someone turned to ask the descending group, "What happened?"

"A powerful beast has entered the forbidden area. The teachers told us to come down and not to go back up," someone replied.

"What kind of powerful beast? Can't the teachers just kill it?" Someone asked in surprise.

"They say it's a Thunder Serpent. It's been cultivating for many years, and its aura is terrifying. It hasn't been subdued yet."

The crowd murmured, and Ye Futian and Yu Sheng exchanged another look. They couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Was it a snake or a dragon?