Bursting Through the Door

The black flowers bloom in the air. 

Lin Xi drew ever closer to the bronze threshold, until at last, there was no distance left, and he crashed into it with great force. 

"Bang!" 

The bronze door emitted a deep, resonant sound, reverberating throughout the vast, shadowy stone hall. 

All the black spears, standing like a forest in the earth, trembled slightly as Lin Xi fell heavily, landing in a most pitiful manner. Yet, amidst the humming noise, the heavy bronze door revealed a narrow gap, which soon widened further. 

A ray of sunset filtered through the slowly opening bronze door, casting its glow upon Lin Xi. 

Silence enveloped the stone hall; even the dull sounds of machinery within the walls faded away, creating an atmosphere of profound tranquility. However, within Jiang Xiaoyi's heart, the echo of Lin Xi's impact against the bronze door continued to resonate, sending shivers through his entire being and stirring an indescribable excitement within him. For someone of their cultivation level to breach this direct spear formation was utterly unimaginable, yet Lin Xi had accomplished it right before his eyes. 

Though this spear formation was an incredibly realistic simulation of being ensnared in chaotic battle, even amidst the fray of hundreds or thousands of combatants, there would surely be gaps; it would not be like this spear formation, where five or six black spears relentlessly thrust at him from all sides, without the possibility of support from allies. 

Charging through in such a manner was akin to directly confronting the enemy commander on the battlefield. 

Only a true star of battle could cut through the chaos and confront the opposing commander head-on! 

The stone hall remained enveloped in silence. 

In his desperate bid to reach the bronze door as swiftly as possible, Lin Xi had exerted every ounce of his strength, leaping forth and slicing through the black spears that threatened him. He had no time to adjust his body, resulting in a final charge that could only be described as tragic, with his face colliding against the door like a bell tolling. 

Though he ultimately struck the door with his forehead and bore the brunt with his shoulder, and despite being a practitioner with a head much sturdier than the average person, the ancient bronze door was exceedingly thick and hard. His head collided with it, leaving him dazed, with stars dancing before his eyes. 

After a long while, the dazzling lights before him began to fade, and Lin Xi touched his head, finding it intact, though a small bump had formed on his forehead. He exhaled, a self-deprecating smile creeping onto his lips as he muttered, "That was impulsive..." However, upon seeing the now-open bronze door, a smile of joy and pride blossomed on his face, hidden beneath his silver mask: "I finally opened it." 

Beyond the bronze door lay a patch of overgrown grass, with a narrow path leading to the next stone hall. Yet, due to the countless excruciating torments he had endured and the slanting rays of sunset streaming through the door, the space behind the bronze door transformed in Lin Xi's eyes into an exceptionally beautiful landscape. 

... 

Li Wu's skin tingled slightly as well. 

Could a mere freshman achieve such a feat? 

The young black-robed instructor, bearing a dark blue lizard tattoo on his left cheek and possessing a slightly hunched back, had reported to Luo Houyuan upon witnessing Lin Xi traverse nearly a hundred steps through the spear formation for the second time. 

The trust Luo Houyuan placed in him compelled him to observe and document Lin Xi's actions in the Trial Valley. Time and again, Lin Xi had astonished him, yet he never anticipated that today, Lin Xi would directly breach the spear formation and burst through the bronze door. 

At this moment, he felt as if he were witnessing the extraordinary, unable to contain the urge to share his astonishment, yet surrounded by no one with whom to confide, leaving an indescribable emotion to swell within him. He longed to sit down and untangle his thoughts and feelings. 

However, the black spears embedded in the earth and the hourglass beside him reminded him of his duties. 

So, after a deep breath, he stepped out from the stone hall's hidden chamber. 

The wall on one side of the hall shifted, and he approached Lin Xi, who was already seated on the ground. Overwhelmed by the swirling emotions within him, he found himself at a loss for words, merely gazing at Lin Xi with a hint of admiration as he slowly remarked, "In the past fifty years at the academy, no one has ever broken through this door with their head." 

"I didn't intend to; I simply couldn't adjust in time. My head hurts now," Lin Xi replied, sizing up Li Wu. The sudden appearance of the hunched instructor did not surprise him, as he was well aware that instructors were observing their actions. However, the tattoo on Li Wu's face sent a slight shiver down his spine, appearing menacing. Yet, the expression in Li Wu's eyes instantly conveyed safety and warmth, dispelling Lin Xi's tension and wariness. He rubbed his forehead and stood up, bowing respectfully to Li Wu: "I've been here often these days; I truly appreciate your help in retrieving these spears... I wonder if we could design an automatic retraction mechanism for the chains?" 

Li Wu was momentarily taken aback, not expecting Lin Xi to voice such a thought. Compared to other students, this young man from Dulintown was indeed quite exceptional. 

"Wherever one is, one can train." After a brief contemplation, Li Wu waved his hand, accurately tossing a black spear into a square hole several dozen paces away. He then looked at Lin Xi and said, "When I first entered Qingluan Academy, my instructor imparted this principle to me, and I hope you too can grasp its meaning... As for altering the mechanisms, that falls under the domain of the Artificer Department. Even if changes were possible, the time and effort required would be considerable, and it might not be worth it." 

"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher." Standing at the entrance, Jiang Xiaoyi, still slightly tingling from the experience, shuddered and promptly bowed to Li Wu. 

Since Li Wu referred to "you" in the plural rather than singular, it indicated he was addressing not only Lin Xi but also including Jiang Xiaoyi. The precision with which Li Wu could toss the spear into the hole without damaging the mechanisms filled Lin Xi with profound respect for the instructor's strength. 

Though Lin Xi had previously heard "Wherever one is, one can train" from Tong Wei, he felt Li Wu's goodwill clearly. Considering that even with a bow and arrow, he might not be able to accurately hit the small square hole from several dozen paces away, his respect for the hunched instructor grew, prompting him to bow earnestly once more. He then asked, "Teacher, how long did it take me to pass through this spear formation?" 

Li Wu regarded Lin Xi, striving to keep his tone calm, so as not to reveal too much astonishment that might lead to Lin Xi becoming overly proud. "Your final leap and headbutt saved you considerable time; you completed the spear formation in a total of sixty-eight breaths." 

"Sixty-eight breaths?" Jiang Xiaoyi, standing at the entrance, couldn't help but turn to glance at the small leather scroll on the wall, only to hear Li Wu instruct him, "Bring that scroll over here." 

Jiang Xiaoyi promptly retrieved the scroll, his hands trembling slightly, and stepped into the hall. Since the mechanisms within had ceased their operation, no black spears emerged to strike, yet the sight of the spears standing like a forest in the earth still sent shivers down Jiang Xiaoyi's spine. 

"I was still a bit slow," Lin Xi frowned, rubbing his forehead, feeling a twinge of regret. He recalled the previous record left by the Stopping War Department, which was sixty-one breaths with two spears hit, while someone from the Internal Affairs Department had recorded fifty-four breaths, a full ten seconds faster than his own time. 

As if sensing Lin Xi's thoughts, Li Wu spoke slowly, "Although you were slower than the recorded time, you still set a new record." 

Lin Xi was taken aback, and Li Wu explained, "Because you were never struck by a single spear." 

"Does that mean I can receive a credit reward?" 

"Indeed." Li Wu glanced at the astonished Lin Xi, his brow furrowing slightly. "However, you should understand that if you were on a real battlefield, the longer you remain in the enemy's formation, the greater the consumption of soul power, and thus the more dangerous it becomes. While you may receive a credit reward this time, according to academy rules, credits earned here will not be awarded again in your next training session. Still, I hope you can break the time record, for training here can provide you with substantial benefits." 

Lin Xi pondered for a moment, sincerely nodding in agreement. 

Li Wu turned to Jiang Xiaoyi, who had been standing quietly nearby, taking the leather scroll from his hands. He then looked at Jiang Xiaoyi with a serious expression and said, "From your earlier interactions, you likely have a rough idea of who he is and which department he belongs to. Our Qingluan Academy greatly values students exploring on their own and discovering insights from subtle clues, as this aids in cultivation and often helps you survive longer. Therefore, most places in Qingluan Academy are open for exploration. However, I must remind you that if certain matters were to leak out, it would not bode well for him. So regardless of whether your assumptions are correct, you must keep such matters to yourself." 

Jiang Xiaoyi stiffened slightly, then took a deep breath and nodded vigorously, "I understand, Teacher." 

"Not only him, but your performance has also pleased the elders of our academy in this valley. Witnessing him pass through the spear formation today, I'm not concerned that my words will lead you to become arrogant," Li Wu said, glancing at Jiang Xiaoyi. "The purpose of my words is to caution you against underestimating yourself. You must understand that every student who graduates from Qingluan Academy, as long as they do not willingly fall into decline, will undoubtedly leave a significant mark in the annals of Yunqin history." 

Jiang Xiaoyi stood in shock, an inexplicable cold sweat forming on his back. Yet before he could speak, Li Wu waved his hand at him and Lin Xi, saying, "You may leave now; I must restore these." 

Breaking records relies on a surge of spirit, and since Lin Xi felt he could not surpass his previous performance today, he refrained from saying more and exited through the bronze door with Jiang Xiaoyi, heading toward the next stone hall. 

... 

... 

Wen Xuanyu entered the stone hall of the spear formation. 

Though he had been severely injured by Lin Xi and Jiang Xiaoyi, the unknown opponent had driven him to endure the pain and reach this place. 

His pride would not allow him to admit defeat; he could not afford to yield, even if a mountain loomed before him; he would force his way through. 

"How is this possible!" 

However, merely glancing at the leather scroll on the wall filled him with indescribable rage, and he shouted, "This is impossible!" 

"Direct Spear Formation, passage through the hall, and reaching the back door signifies completion of training. Current records: Medicine Department, seventy-three breaths, with three hits; Literary Department, seventy-five breaths, with four hits..." The scroll now bore an additional line beside the original record of the Stopping War Department: "Stopping War Department, sixty-eight breaths, with no hits." 

Someone from the Stopping War Department had actually passed through this spear formation, and in just sixty-eight breaths, without being struck by a single spear! 

Could it have been those two just now? 

"..." 

Wen Xuanyu gasped, a breath of frustration caught in his chest, and he found himself unable to breathe, triggering a fit of violent coughing, his mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood.