Eli Shan stayed in seclusion as one and a half weeks passed like the fire on a candle.

It was the day to depart for the graduation ceremony. The air buzzed with excitement and energy as everyone prepared for the event.

On this day, Eli Shan opened his eyes. He rose from his bed and changed his attire to a dignified black robe with an imposing long collar. With a swift step, he vanished from his chamber, re-emerging on the training field where the students had already gathered.

In front of the crowd, the imposing headmaster stood tall, his voice resonating with authority as he declared, "The moment to depart for the main capital has finally arrived!" His gaze swept over each student before he boomed, "Are you all prepared?"

The students felt their excitement surge through their veins as they shouted in unison, "We are prepared, headmaster!"

A satisfied smile played across the headmaster's face as he continued, "The school has already sent a notification to your parents a month ago. If they wish to witness your match, they must reach the capital before it commences."

Everyone's eyes lit up when they heard about their parents. It had been nearly a decade since they last saw them. Now, they were coming to witness their children's match! At this moment, no one wanted to appear anything less than formidable in their parents' eyes!

With that, the headmaster whistled and the crowd of magnificent creatures, resembling giant pigeons flew over one after another. Each of them large enough to comfortably carry ten students on its back.

Shock rippled through the crowd as they laid eyes on them.

At first, everyone's mind was filled with doubt, questioning how they could reach their destination in less than half a week. However, after looking at those giant pigeons, all of their doubt vanished

Standing at the very front, Eli Shan confidently looked at the most robust pigeon and stepped forward with Feng Qiang, making his way toward him.

Locking eyes with the majestic creature, Eli Shan took a deep breath, allowing the currents of wind intent to envelop him. He gracefully rose into the air, a dance of harmony with the elements. The Pigeon King, perched majestically, met Eli Shan's gaze with eyes that sparkled in recognition.

With a warm smile on his face, Eli Shan gently touched the pigeon's head, massaging it with love. "Can you take us on a tour and share the secrets of your wind power with me?" Eli Shan whispered.

The majestic creature, as if understanding the request, bobbed its head in agreement.

It could be said that wind was the main power of pegion and it was the first time a human was interested in it, so pegion was quite happy to teach and posture about it.

Eli Shan held Feng Qiang's hand firmly and settled onto the back of the majestic pigeon. Scanning the surroundings, Eli Shan observed the lively scene below, where students were engaged in coaxing the pigeons to give them rides. Amidst the enthusiastic efforts, Eli Shan noticed that some pigeons used the power of the wind to easily toss aside those students who tried to be a boss before them, making them the center of laughter.

Headmaster turned his gaze towards Eli Shan who was sitting on the biggest pigeon and murmured, "Even the king of pigeons like him," he thought to himself.

Then, with a subtle wave of the headmaster's hand, an overwhelming pressure filled the air as a colossal creature resembling a giant lion soared into view, his majestic forms casting shadows over the training field. Each of those wings outstretched, seemed to carry the promise of a swift and extraordinary journey.

Gasp!

A hushed gasp swept through the crowd as everyone beheld the magnificent creature. "Wing lion," someone whispered, recognizing the legendary creature.

"He's riding a winged lion!" exclaimed another.

"Headmaster is so cool."

Amidst the awe and praise, the headmaster sat on the back of the legendary winged lion, casting a serious gaze at the assembled students. "Everyone, it's time to depart!" the headmaster shouted.

Hearing the headmaster, all of them quickly mounted their pigeons, shouting with enthusiasm, "We are ready, Headmaster!" One after another, they ascended to the sky, following the headmaster's lead.

As the pigeons accelerated, their speed became so fast that students found it hard to even open their eyes, much less control them. It was due to the pigeons training that they knew all they had to do was just follow the headmaster.

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As everyone enjoyed the journey, their faces kept changing due to the fast wind. On the other hand, Eli Shan didn't care about his flight and was already immersed in the cultivation of wind intent.

He could feel the wind intent emanating from his pigeon, it was strong enough to make him feel like a child in its presence. But he knew that pigeons have an innate talent for wind, so he didn't feel demotivated.

As he continued to cultivate, he felt that the pigeon king was using his wind intent to remove all shackles from ahead. It was as if the sky was the battlefield and wind intent was his sword!

Eli Shan couldn't help but feel excited to cultivate the wind intent at the pigeon king's level. He removed everything from his mind and solely concentrated on the wind intent used by Pigeon King.

As the new scenery came and went, Eli Shan's understanding of wind intent continued to grow. The pigeon king also felt it and began to use his wind intent to the fullest. He increased his speed, using many times more wind intent to help Eli Shan, but his speed was so lightning fast that it made Feng Qiang frown due to the wind pressure.

Feeling the pressure, she couldn't help but use her cultivation to resist, but just when she was about to use power, something happened that shocked her. The wind coming from the front seemed to cut apart, or rather, the wind began to leave the way for Eli Shan and his friend!

Feng Qiang looked at the back of Eli Shan and saw that he was still immersed in his cultivation, but one could clearly feel a mysterious aura coming from him, which was controlling the wind at his will!

The wind on the way made a way for Eli Shan. But what shocked Feng Qiang more was, that she could feel the wind intent emanating from the pigeon king was getting absorbed by Eli Shan's body!

"What kind of constitution is this? He seems to absorb every bit of pigeon king's wind intent." Feng Qiang looked at the back of Eli Shan with a solemn gaze.

Even though Eli Shan relentlessly absorbed all wind intent, Pigeon King also seemed to have an infinite amount of wind intent. The former became the vicious devourer and the latter turned into a bottomless pit.

Eli Shan, lost in the cultivation process, forgot the passage of time. The exhilarating flight continued, and suddenly, he felt a gradual descent. Opening his eyes, he was greeted by a breathtaking sight—an empire surrounded by towering walls!

The students, their faces transformed by the fast wind, couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur below. "So strong," Eli Shan whispered in awe, his gaze locked onto the majestic empire.

From behind him, Feng Qiang, smiling knowingly, added, "Everyone here is stronger than average countryside people like us."

Eli Shan nodded slowly, still thinking of something.

Soon, the headmaster, followed by every student, gracefully landed before the grand entrance of the empire.

As everyone jumped down from their pigeon, exhaustion appeared on their faces from the long journey. Yet, Eli Shan stood apart, his face lit up with joy. He clenched his fist, feeling the increase of power, his excitement shining through a victorious grin.

But his pigeon was quite opposite to his beaming face. He looked completely exhausted unlike other pegion even though he was the strongest of them.

The headmaster saw them and smiled inside with a guess. Then he approached the guards, took out a wooden token with a school carving on it, and greeted them.

The guard inspected the token and glanced at the gathered students. "Seems like you're here for the graduation ceremony, which happens every three years, right?"

The headmaster smiled politely and nodded. "Indeed, we are from the holy school in the sacred city."

The guard smiled warmly. "I've heard of your school's prestige." He shifted his gaze towards the students and encouraged, "Do your best, students, and bring honor to your school."

Everyone shouted in unison with an excited voice, "We will definitely win, sir!"

The empire guard nodded at them and allowed everyone to pass through the gate with a friendly smile.

As everyone entered the gate, excitement buzzed in the air at the sight before them. Massive houses resembling the luxurious hotels, and majestic inns akin to the palaces of city lords in their hometowns stood tall.

What astonished them the most was the realization that everyone's cultivation level here was at least in the realm of Tian. The air crackled with an aura of power and skill that left the visitors in awe of the empire's strength.

They all gasped in amazement and felt that their existence was as insignificant as an ant compared to the people here.

Walking alongside everyone, Eli Shan couldn't contain his excitement as he looked around. "One day," he thought with determination, "I will rise above them all and look down on everyone here."

Observing children in the True Qi realm, Eli Shan couldn't help but be further astonished. "How did they cultivate so quickly? Even a child is as strong as my father."

Seeing the perplexity on everyone's faces, the headmaster, while continuing to walk, addressed their concerns. "In the imperial city, there are many pills that aid in faster cultivation. However, these pills are expensive, and not everyone can afford them. Cultivating without the aid of such pills often means more potential, so none of you could lose against them in the same realm."

Everyone nodded in understanding and satisfaction.

After a leisurely chat and a stroll, they all laid their eyes on a colossal, silver-colored arena, its size rivaling one-third of the sacred city.

Upon reaching the spot, the headmaster said to the students, "This is where all of you will be staying for two days, and your graduation ceremony will take place here."

As they entered, they soon realized that, what initially seemed like an arena, wasn't just an arena; it was more akin to an inn. At the surface, there was a colossal fighting stage, but beneath the circular surface lay a vast underground area, teeming with numerous rooms and lively with people coming and going.

The headmaster, leading the way, showed his wooden token to a guard who then guided everyone to their respective rooms. Each person received a room token with a reminder, "Keep these tokens safe; you won't be able to enter without them."

Eli Shan also received his room token with eager anticipation. As he smiled and prepared to enter his room, he overheard someone mocking, "So, the Holy School has come to get beaten again, huh?"

The taunt came from Nangong, the headmaster of the Five Element School from Xu City, which was under the king's jurisdiction.

The headmaster of the Holy School just smiled mysteriously and entered his room.

Nangong saw it, puzzled by his reaction, "Since when did he become so mysterious?"

With a shrug, Nangong also left the arena, and Eli Shan, undisturbed by the exchange, entered his room with a smile.