The Eight Royal Cities each have their own academy.

Each academy has its own local students, the so-called NPCs.

There aren't many of them, but each one is an elite.

They can easily beat players of the same level to the point of searching for their teeth on the ground.

It's said that most of the lords of the main cities spent their youth in one of these eight academies.

You can imagine the prestige.

The people gathering near the teleportation array were the new students of the academy.

But Jiang Chen knew very well that this so-called welcome was more like a show of dominance.

The first hundred players to arrive at the Royal City and enter the academy were almost invariably "welcomed" by these senior students.

In the local students' words, this "welcome" was called the initiation ceremony!

However, there was one thing Jiang Chen didn't understand.

Shouldn't this initiation ceremony start after arriving at the academy?

They had just stepped out of the teleportation array and were still on the streets of the Royal City, and they were already being "welcomed"?

This didn't quite match what he had heard!

Can they fight here?

The Royal City guards are not to be trifled with!

At this moment, not only was Jiang Chen puzzled.

Qing Ying and Tao Xiaoyao were even more bewildered.

They had no idea what was happening.

They only knew that it seemed like they were being robbed in the Royal City.

"Hand over the money quickly!"

A young man at the front, holding a long spear, scanned Jiang Chen and his group with a smug look.

"Hand over what money?"

Jiang Chen frowned slightly, looking at the spear-wielding man named [Kai Qiang].

"Toll money!"

Kai Qiang twirled his spear casually, looking quite imposing.

"Is this road yours..."

Qing Ying immediately spoke, but before she could finish her sentence.

A deep voice suddenly rang out, "Alright, hurry up and give them the academy badges."

A middle-aged man walked over from behind the group of young people.

He was dressed in a black robe, his hands behind his back, with a hint of authority on his face.

"Mr. Lu."

The young people beside him greeted respectfully.

"Mr. Lu, why are you here?"

Kai Qiang looked at the middle-aged man in black, frowning slightly.

"If I didn't come, were you planning to fight on the streets of the Royal City? When the guards come, don't expect me to bail you out of the Royal City prison."

The middle-aged man said slowly.

"Mr. Lu, but this initiation ceremony was set by the dean..."

Kai Qiang wanted to argue.

"The initiation ceremony is to be held within the academy. Who told you to mess around outside?"

The middle-aged man said sternly, "Hurry up and give them the academy badges. Once you're in the academy, you can 'welcome' them however you like."

"Alright!"

Although unwilling, Kai Qiang nodded.

Then, he scanned Jiang Chen and his group, taking out four badges.

But then, he frowned, looking at Yuna, and said with a sneer, "You're not an adventurer from another world, what are you doing here?"

Saying this, he put away one badge.

This look made Yuna's small hands tighten, and she hurriedly hid behind Jiang Chen.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"It's okay."

Jiang Chen turned his head and said softly to Yuna behind him.

However, the fact that Yuna couldn't get an academy badge troubled him.

Originally, he didn't plan to enter the academy immediately.

After all, there were other things to do, like checking out the Divine Quality shop or quickly maxing out the last bit of intimacy.

But this Kai Qiang...

Really made Jiang Chen a bit annoyed.

He really wanted to give him a piece of his mind right away.

"These are the academy badges, one for each of you. You're quite lucky to have chosen Skyward City. Our Skyward Academy has the best conditions!"

"Follow me into the academy quickly. As your senior, I'll give you a good lesson!"

Kai Qiang's lips curled up as he handed three badges to Jiang Chen, Qing Ying, and Tao Xiaoyao.

【You have obtained the Skyward Academy badge!】

【Skyward Academy badge: Special item, no need to wear it. Holders can freely enter and exit Skyward Academy.】

Jiang Chen quickly put the badge into his backpack.

Then, he looked at Yuna and, after a brief hesitation, asked the middle-aged man, "She's my contract partner. Can she enter the academy?"

"No, only adventurers from another world can enter the academy. Even you, if you don't meet the requirements later, will have to leave the academy."

The middle-aged man looked at Yuna and hesitated, "Unless she..."

"Unless what?"

Hearing a glimmer of hope in his words, Jiang Chen immediately asked.

"Unless she has a recommendation from a renowned figure."

The middle-aged man pointed to Kai Qiang and his group, "If someone of authority and prestige recommends her, she can enter the academy."

"A renowned figure? What do you mean? Can you explain more clearly?" Jiang Chen asked, puzzled.

"Just like us, having someone influential backing you!"

Kai Qiang added arrogantly, "And they must be people with power and reputation!"

"Kai Qiang is right. Ordinary people can't enter the academy."

The middle-aged man nodded.

"So it's the same everywhere..."

Jiang Chen pursed his lips, then asked, "Does the lord of the main city count?"

"The lord of the main city?"

The middle-aged man was shocked, then nodded, "If it's the current lord, their recommendation certainly counts."

"I understand."

Jiang Chen nodded, then said to Qing Ying and Tao Xiaoyao, "I'll be back soon."

"Okay."

"Alright."

Although they didn't know what Jiang Chen was going to do, the two girls didn't ask much and nodded obediently.

Then, Jiang Chen took Yuna's hand and turned back towards the teleportation array.

Seeing Jiang Chen turn and leave, the middle-aged man quickly shouted, "Once you complete the initiation ceremony, you can learn skills in the academy. There are also leveling rooms and combat rooms inside. Don't miss the opportunity!"

Jiang Chen ignored him and quickly stepped into the teleportation array.

"Big brother, why aren't you going to the academy? Is it because of me?"

Although Yuna was new to the outside world and still a bit unaccustomed, it didn't mean she didn't understand anything.

"I come from another world and won't always be by your side. I need to find a safe place for you, and the academy is very safe."

Jiang Chen looked at Yuna and said softly, "We're going to Leaving Fire City!"

After saying that, Jiang Chen quickly put on the Faceless Mask and selected the teleportation destination.

【You have been teleported to Leaving Fire City!】

With the system prompt, the scene before Jiang Chen's eyes shifted, and he and Yuna appeared in the large teleportation array of Leaving Fire City.

Passing by the surrounding white buildings, the two quickly arrived at the main city square.

The square was bustling with people.

Because of the previous server-wide quest, many players remained in Leaving Fire City.

This was also why Jiang Chen wore the mask.

The two walked through the square and approached the main city's mansion.

Climbing the spiral staircase inside the mansion, Jiang Chen led Yuna to the fifth floor, in front of a large door.

This was the lord's office.

At this moment, the door was wide open.

"Old Flame!"

Jiang Chen called out and quickly walked in.

At the end of the room, Yan Changfeng was sitting at a long wooden table.

He held an ancient book in his left hand, reading it carefully.

In his right hand, two spherical lights, one blue and one red, rotated around each other.

Just like when Jiang Chen first met him.

Hearing the voice, Yan Changfeng quickly looked over.

"Faceless Mask?"

He looked at Jiang Chen, slightly surprised, then said, "Brother Mortal World?"

"It's me."

Jiang Chen nodded.

"I didn't expect Aisha to give you the Faceless Mask."

Yan Changfeng smiled slightly, then looked at Yuna beside Jiang Chen, puzzled, "Who's this little girl?"

"Yuna, my contract partner."

Jiang Chen replied.

"Brother Mortal World, I have to say..."

Yan Changfeng suddenly put on a serious expression, "Although this little girl is extraordinarily beautiful, she's too young. You can't be so hasty."

Too young?

Hasty?

Jiang Chen was first stunned, then understood, and said irritably, "Yan Changfeng, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Haha, just kidding."

Yan Changfeng laughed, then said, "By the way, you've already dealt with the Dreamland Secret Realm. Why aren't you heading to the Royal City right away? Why come to me?"

"Let me tell you, the academy in the Royal City can help you improve a lot, and the spots are limited. You should hurry over!"

"By the way, I'll tell you a secret. Skyward Royal City's academy is the best. Their lord is very capable, almost as good as me."

Yan Changfeng looked at Jiang Chen, talking enthusiastically.

"Don't worry about the spots. Do you think everyone can get to the Royal City as quickly as I can?"

Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively, then said, "But what you said later, it sounds like you're bragging. Old Flame, can you not be so thick-skinned?"

"Ahem..."

Yan Changfeng coughed lightly, then changed the subject, "So, what do you need from me?"

"I need a recommendation spot. I want Yuna to enter Skyward Academy." Jiang Chen said seriously.

"A recommendation spot isn't hard, but..."

Yan Changfeng paused, then continued, "As the lord, I can't casually help you adventurers from another world. Otherwise, it would be chaotic. That's the rule."

"Old Flame, Brother Yan, think of a way."

Jiang Chen looked straight at Yan Changfeng.

"Let me think..."

Yan Changfeng pondered, then smiled, "The snake people tribe on the Western Plains has been restless lately. If you deal with some of the wasteland snake people, I'll reward your contract partner with a spot in Skyward Academy!"

【Quest triggered: Exterminate the Snake People Tribe. Do you accept?】

"Accept the quest!"

Jiang Chen immediately nodded.

【Quest accepted: Exterminate the Snake People Tribe.】

【Quest content: Eliminate the wasteland snake people on the Western Plains (0/20).】

【Quest reward: One spot in Skyward Academy.】

【Note: This spot is not valid for players.】

"You're the best, Old Flame!"

Jiang Chen gave a thumbs up.

"It's just a spot in the academy, not for you adventurers. It's a piece of cake."

Yan Changfeng looked at Jiang Chen and smiled, "By the way, if you can take down the Snake King, I'll give you an extra reward."

"Is that a hidden reward?"

Jiang Chen's face lit up with a smile.

"I can't say more."

Yan Changfeng shook his hand, keeping silent.

"Alright, I'll get it done and come back soon!"

After saying that, Jiang Chen quickly left the lord's office with Yuna.

Watching them leave, Yan Changfeng muttered to himself, "The aura of arcane magic..."

Outside the mansion.

Jiang Chen and Yuna arrived at the main city square and used the teleportation array to reach the west gate of Leaving Fire City.

Then they quickly headed to the quest location.

Soon, they arrived at a very remote area.

It was a vast plain, and not far away, a wooden fence surrounded the area.

Inside were simple stone tools, and snake people were wandering around.

At the entrance gate, two snake people stood guard.

They were black and green all over, with snake-like lower bodies and human-like upper bodies, their faces covered in scales, looking extremely ugly.

【Wasteland Snake People: LV15】

"Yuna, stay behind me and don't draw aggro. Your health points are too low."

Jiang Chen glanced at the snake people's information and reminded Yuna.

"I understand, big brother."

Yuna nodded.

Facing these monsters, she seemed less nervous, as if humans were scarier to her than monsters.

Jiang Chen strode towards the gate of the fence.

"Yee~!"

The two wasteland snake people screeched.

At the same time, they rushed towards Jiang Chen.

"Healing Ray!"

A white healing ray condensed in front of Jiang Chen, quickly connecting to the two snake people.

-1780!

...

Three seconds later, the two snake people fell to the ground.

"The cooldown didn't reduce..."

Jiang Chen was frustrated to find that although he and Yuna were contract partners, it didn't count as a regular player party, so he couldn't trigger the Blessing of the Goddess of Love.

"I still need to max out the intimacy quickly."

Jiang Chen muttered to himself and quickly entered the fence.

At this moment, due to the previous screeching of the two snake people, a group of snake people rushed out.

At a glance, there were at least twenty of them.

"Just in time."

Jiang Chen was too lazy to go in and pull aggro, so he stood at the gate, letting the group of snake people rush towards him.

Then, a hexagram magic array lit up under Jiang Chen's feet.

Enveloping all the snake people inside.

-4450! (Double Casting)

Almost instantly, all the snake people were left with a sliver of health.

Before they could get close, the subsequent damage numbers popped up above their heads.

Then, the entire group of snake people fell to the ground.

【You have completed the quest: Exterminate the Snake People Tribe (20/20)!】

"Walking for ten minutes, farming mobs for ten seconds, I need to find a mount!"

Jiang Chen muttered to himself and quickly walked deeper into the fence.

He wanted to find the "Snake King" that Yan Changfeng had mentioned.

Soon, at the end of the fence, behind a stone house, a snake person twice the size of the others appeared in his sight.

【Wasteland Snake King (Bronze Level BOSS): LV15】

Before Jiang Chen could check the BOSS's skills.

A friend message popped up.

【Qing Ying: Brother Mortal World, Tao Xiaoyao and I have arrived at Skyward Academy. That Kai Qiang keeps wanting to duel us, saying he wants to give us a lesson. What should we do? Should we fight?】

【Mortal World: Don't fight, you can't beat him. Try to stall him, I'll be right there!】