"Yo-You actually mastered the "Raindrop" stage already?!" A voice filled of surprise resounded all over Sea Dragon restaurant. 

"Yea!" Jiufeng stubbornly said. 

"This...this is great! You really are quite something aren't you?" Old Man Hai had a wide smile, but then his face turned stern. "To be able to master the first stage is quite something, however, your eight hour record isn't much. There was once a great genius who managed to master the first stage in one hour!" 

Jiufeng nodded to Old Man Hai's words, but in his heart he was shocked. One hour? Although in the real world it seem like he took eight hour to master the "Raindrop" stage, in truth, it took him three days to master it in the mind space. For someone to actually master it one hour, that person was indeed a real genius. 

Unfortunately, that "genius" Old Man Hai talked about was something he just made up. He created all for the sake of maintaining Jiufeng's pride. He knew he showed a bit too much surprise so he did this to make that Jiufeng doesn't grow overconfident or take too pride in mastering the first stage. This pride could transform into arrogance and that arrogance could affect Jiufeng's cultivation path someday. 

"First stage..."Raindrop" stage...Jiufeng you're coming with me tomorrow," Old Man Hai said resolutely. "Starting tomorrow, I shall seriously train you! I will make sure that you can go further in cultivation. Now, hurry upstairs and get some sleep, we're going early tomorrow; before sunrise!" 

Old Man Hai laughed as Jiufeng walked up to the second floor with a downcast expression. Although he was enthusiastic about cultivating, he had a gut feeling that training under Old Man Hai wasn't going to be something easy. He slept peacefully on his bed as head runs wild with ideas about tomorrow. 

.....

The next morning, Old Man Hai took Jiufeng to train in the mountains and forests for weeks. Sea Dragon would usually remain close as Old Man Hai was spending most of his time training Jiufeng. Bai Yangjian would return back to the restaurant sometimes and would manage it by himself. However, the three were usually absent and thus, Sea Dragon was the "close" sign was hung on its door for many days and weeks. 

Old Man Hai taught Jiufeng all sorts of thing. He first taught Jiufeng hunting, fishing, and all sorts of basic survival skills. Even with cultivation, people should still know the basics on how to live and survive. Old Man Hai firmly believed in this and there was even a time when he threw Jiufeng into a pit of vipers. Only by relying on the [Rain Dragon Steps] did he manage to survive as Old Man Hai also gave him a rule of not allowing to use anything, but movement arts and skills. 

This type of training went on for a year. 

After Jiufeng developed his survival skills, Old Man Hai was finally teaching Jiufeng about his cultivation arts. With Old Man Hai's teaching and Qin Daozi's mind space, Jiufeng made multiple breakthrough in his cultivation base and cultivation skills. 

This type of training went on for three years. 

.....

Many seasons has pass since Jiufeng started to train with Old Man Hai. The year was now entering spring. 

The sun was slowly appearing in the horizon. Half a mile from Black Pinecone City, a boy was sitting atop a grassy hill. He had his eyes close and his black hair wave along with the early morning breeze. 

He wore a set of comfortable black clothing-a shirt and pants.

He rotated his cultivation base and streams of natural energy traveled to him. It entered his body and traveled through and nourished his bones, flesh, organs, and blood. 

He took a deep breathe in and an even stronger stream of natural energy was flowing to him. However, if one could see this energy, one would notice that this energy was colored purple! 

Usually, natural energy was clear and invisible. Even to cultivators, natural energy can't be seen with eyes, however, there are two cases when natural energy can be seen.

The first is when a cultivator is born with special eyes. These special eyes were natural gifted to them by luck. Their ancestor might have had these eyes or a mutation occurred while they were in the womb.

The other case when natural energy could be seen is when the natural energy was produced from natural phenomenon or certain events that affect a terrain! Phenomenon such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and thunder storms would produce certain natural energy that corresponds with the phenomenon.

The other case is when terrains are affected by a large event such as long-time war or a country with years of peace and joy, would also produce certain energy that correspond with the environment. 

In this situation, it was the former case and the purple energy that the boy was absorbing was also known as the Violet Air of the Sun! In ancient times, when the early morning sun and sky turns purple it was auspicious sign of the coming of a sage or the descent of an Immortal. The air would also turn purple and the east where the sun rose would show the mortal world a glimpse of the Heavens. 

As the sun slowly rises, the Violet Air of the Sun that the boy was absorbing was becoming more abundant and richer in quality as he absorbs it. He sat and meditated like this for two hours before the sun rose all the way. 

The boy opened his eyes and said, "The Violet Air of the Sun from the East is truly miraculous!" 

This boy was naturally Jiufeng and this year he was 10 years old. Ever since he started training in the [Violet East Air Scripture], Jiufeng has many multiple breakthroughs.

First, he obtained a cultivation base of from the Energy Refining Path! The [Violet East Air Scripture] was a cultivation method of the Energy Refining Path after all, so it was natural that Jiufeng would obtain an Energy Refining Path base and after training in it for four years, he manage to achieve Body Transformation Stage 8! 

Then, he made major leaps and bounds in the Body Refining Path. Although the [Violet East Air Scripture] was a cultivation method from the Energy Refining Path, the Violet Air that was gathered from cultivating the scripture nourished his body in the process. The Violet Air was one of the most sacred types of energy out there and was beneficial to everyone.

Even if most of it went to building his Energy Refining Path, the Violet Air naturally improved his flesh, bones, organs, and down to the smallest cell. In addition, with the [Divine Asura Idol], Jiufeng used that Violet Air in a more orthodox way and managed to advance his body all the way to Body Transformation Stage 9! 

However, his body wasn't just simply at Body Transformation Stage 9. In fact it was more accurate to label it as Half-Step Spirit Cycle Body!

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

The term "Half-Step" refers to a realm that it above the highest stage of a cultivation realm, but below the realm of higher cultivation. His body was "Half-Step" to the Spirit Cycle Realm meaning that it was higher than Body Transformation Stage 9, but below Spirit Cycle. That's what it means to be at Half-Step Spirit Cycle!

And finally, his cultivation arts. After four years, he reached the fourth stage of [Rain Dragon Steps], the Rainstorm stage. His movement was now akin to that of an actual rainstorm, quick and blurry to the mortal eye. At the same time, he also cultivated the [Pentawave Surging Fist] and reached the first stage of it, the One Wave stage. 

The rate of what he was going wasn't the quickest, but for someone of his age, his speed of improvement was monstrous! Most children of his age, in four years, starting at the Body Transformation Stage 1, would advance to the fifth or sixth stage. Even geniuses would advance to the seventh or eighth stage, but Jiufeng, with the help of Qin Daozi and Old Man Hai of course, was definitely a young emperor of his generation! 

Jiufeng stood up and move. He seemingly transformed into a shadow as he head toward Sea Dragon restaurant.

.....

The doors of Sea Dragon open as Jiufeng walked in. 

"Hey, Little Jiu." A young man walked towards him. "Welcome back." 

This young man with golden hair, purple eyes, and handsome exterior was Bai Yangjian. After four years, the 13 years old Big Brother Yang that Jiufeng knew was now 17.

During the time Jiufeng was training, Old Man Hai would usually have him spar with Yangjian and after fighting for numerous times, Yangjian and him bonded to the point that they really were as close as brothers. Yangjian even told him a little about himself. 

Yangjian was born into a good family of nobility and thus, was raised to be formal and kind child. However, Yangjian's true personality was that of someone wild and fiery. Yangjian had shown that side numerous time during the time they sparred and only after a while did that side surface on casual greeting.

However, none of that surprise him as much compared to Yangjian's cultivation base. During one of their spar, Yangjian accidently revealed a bit of his cultivation base, releasing an overbearing aura. 

That aura knocked Jiufeng out and he passed out for an entire day. After waking up to Yangjian's apologies and Old Man Hai's yelling, Jiufeng used Eden to confirmed Yangjian's cultivation. After feeling the aura of a cultivator, Eden or any A.I. would be able to analyze that aura and confirm the level of the cultivator. And Yangjian's cultivation level shocked him.

[Beep! Scanning Bai Yangjian! Target's Cultivation Level: Half-Step Spiritual Vortex!]

Half-Step Spiritual Vortex? Yangjian was actually above the Spirit Cycle Realm and was about to enter Spiritual Vortex! That was the highest cultivation level that Jiufeng has ever known and experience and that made him admire Yangjian even more. 

"Big Brother Yang, where's Grandpa Hai?" When Jiufeng walked in he didn't see Old Man Hai anywhere. 

"Oh, he's going went for a longer walk today since we're closing for today." Yangjian grabbed a wet cloth and wipe the surface of a table. 

"Closing? Why today?" Today was a Friday and Sea Dragon usually only take breaks on the weekends. 

"Wait until Grandpa Hai comes back and then we can all talk about it, okay?" Yangjian went to kitchen while carrying dishes.

Jiufeng walked to a table and made tea for himself. An hour later, Old Man Hai came back. 

"Yang'er, Jiu'er, come here now!" Old Man Hai sat on chair as he called for the two youngsters. 

They both stopped what they were doing and sat in chairs opposite of the old man. Old Man Hai looked at the two and smile at Yangjian. 

"Yang'er, today is the day you return. Make sure you take Jiu'er with you as well." 

"Yes, Grandpa Hai." Yangjian nodded his head.

"Huh?" Jiufeng raised an eyebrow at Old Man Hai. "Where is Big Brother Yang taking me?" 

However, who answered him was Yangjian. "Little Jiu, me and grandpa has been thinking about sending you to school lately. You're already at that age and you must go to school. So, we've been thinking about sending you to my school, Everdawn Academy." 

"Everdawn Academy?" 

"Yup. Everdawn is the number one educational institute for young cultivators on Planet Starbud." A spark of reverence appeared in Yangjian's eyes. "Everdawn was set up thousands of years ago and since the time of its creation, it has been the number one school. Virtually all top factions in the world has sent their youths to Everdawn to train and to come back as experts. In fact, one week from now is when the entrance examination for Everdawn shall start. However, Everdawn is extremely hard to get into as only little monsters could it get into it. Only once a year will they accept students and it's usually less than hundred kids." 

A serious look flashed in his eyes for a moment, but then it went back to normal. "But, since you're a little monster, you can get in easy!" 

Yangjian rubbed Jiufeng's head and pinched the latter's cheeks. "Ow, ow, ow!" 

Old Man Hai then said, "Indeed, you might be able to get in. However, the world is full of surprises and dangers. Everdawn Academy has had a strict entrance requirement since its first year and no one has ever join smoothly." 

 He took out a black box from his clothes and then his eyes darted straight into Jiufeng's eyes. "Jiu'er, take this."

Jiufeng did as he was told and presented his hand while his palm was up. Old Man Hai placed the box into his hand. 

"There are two letters in that box. Remember, you can only open them if any of these three scenarios happen." Old Man Hai's face was solemn. "The first is if you fail the entrance exam, open the first letter. If you pass, open the second letter and once you reach Primal Sea, you can open the first letter again." 

"What if I don't pass and reach Primal Sea?" Jiufeng inquired.

"Then still, don't open the second letter. You can only open it if you pass." The old man's face was completely serious as he spoke to the child.

Jiufeng nodded and put the box away in his inside his black clothes. 

"Both of you go up and meditate. Tomorrow, both of you have to go early. It'll take five days to get there." 

Yangjian and Jiufeng nodded and they went upstairs to cultivate. Old Man Hai sat at where he was and poured the tea that Jiufeng made into a cup. He took a sip. 

"Not bad." 

.....

The next day. Early sunrise. 

On the outer regions of Black Pinecone City, the gates of the city stood tall. Old Man Hai, Yangjian, and Jiufeng stood there below the gates. Old Man Hai took out a wooden whistle from his pockets and blew on it.  

Xiao! Xiao! 

A clear screech echoed in the morning as a large white figure descended before them. Dust and wind rise which made Jiufeng close his eyes. 

Once he open them, he saw a gigantic white bird with thin golden armor covering its head and torso. On the side of the torso armor was the symbol of a hexagonal star with two wings sprouted on the sides of the star and a small crown floating above it. It was the symbol of Everdawn Academy. 

Jiufeng looked at the bird and felt a fluctuation of power coming from it. "Eden, scan the white bird." 

[Beep! Scanning Target! Beep! Target Identified! Name: N/A, Cultivation: 33-cycled Spirit Cycle Realm!] 

Jiufeng was secretly shock. Beside Yangjian's, this bird had the highest cultivation base Jiufeng ever witness!

Yangjian jumped onto the bird's back and stretch a hand towards Jiufeng. "Hurry and get on the Cloud Drift Swallow, Jiufeng. Although it's pretty strong, it has a very docile and gentle nature."

Jiufeng took his hand, jumped onto the bird, and sat on. Yangjian then said, "To Everdawn, now." 

The Cloud Drift Swallow flapped its sky-concealing wings and soar into the air. In less than ten seconds, the bird was already a 100 feet above the ground. Then, in a fraction of a second, it flew West at breath-taking speed.

"Bye, Grandpa Hai!" Yangjian and Jiufeng, with natural energy enhancing their voices, both as they waved at Old Man Hai. 

Old Man Hai waved back with a smile on his face as he watch them fly into the distance. Only when the figure of Cloud Drift Swallow disappear then the old man walked back to Sea Dragon restaurant. 

.....

Forty miles from Black Pinecone City, Jiufeng and Yangjian were gripping onto the Cloud Drift Swallow tightly as it flew. Jiufeng would look back from time to time as he stare behind him, where the sun was rising in the East. 

"Little Jiu, it's your first time going so far away, huh?" Yangjian asked. Jiufeng nodded his head. "Uh." 

"Feeling nervous won't do much, but my words won't do much either. What I can say is that I'm here for you and I'll always be here." Yangjian smiled. "I will do everything I can to get you into Everdawn and if you can't get in, I'll make sure you are well taught." 

Jiufeng nodded slightly while still looking at the direction of the sun. They were now 100 miles away from Black Pinecone City. 

This was the first time Jiufeng ever left the city's region and he was feeling nervous. However, in that heart flooding with anxiety was a flame of excitement. He turned his head around and his eyes burned with passion as he stared into the distance. 

"Everdawn Academy, where I rise to prominence shall start with you!" Jiufeng made a resolution that he whispered he in heart.

Inside the white ring on his left hand, the sound of laughter echoed throughout a vast space of emptiness.