36 The Legendary Blue Qilin - Part 1

There were many people in front of the city gate, waiting for something that the four didn't know of. Whether they were waiting for everyone to gather or was it some kind of tradition was unclear, but when even the Princess was waiting there for several hours, it surely must be something very important.

Only Asura Ryuu could see the situation in front of the city gate out of many people still traveling through the air. The other children could only discern a massive red-colored gate in the distance they've heard lots of stories about and grown-ups could notice a crowd of people in front of the gate or even someone below them as they flew through the air. All in all, nobody of those remaining in the air could see who were the ones in front of the gate.

The crowd stably increased as humans and other races all gathered together under the watchful eyes from below and flew above the outskirts of the Crimson Star City, eventually landing before the big red gate. As each of those responsible for transporting the kids to this location landed, they explained what will happen after a while and flew off to the inner side of the city after walking through the Torii-style gate.

Asura Ryuu, Asura Tenka, Xun Bao and Xun Meng finally made it to this important place - the place many dreamed of. The place full of prestige and fame. Having qualifications to reside in the Crimson Star City or be a member of Crimson Star Academy was something people would fight for since birth, as directed by their families. Many small families would host internal competitions to choose the best of their children to send into capital - after all, there were few places for new disciples in the Crimson Star Academy, so sending the weak people was a waste of time.

The families who were more respected and established would send two or more disciples if they had a close enough gap in their skills, or if they had some special attributes like special body, constitution or bloodline. Those kinds of children, even if they couldn't make it through the regular means, they could still stay in the academy. If one didn't have a good Spirit Soul but had an ancient bloodline, the academy would pay special attention to them because there were many branches and separate organizations in the academy.

Having different fields of focus and covering a multitude of different areas was something only a big academy like Crimson Star Academy could have. The academy never fell under any force - be it the Royal Family or any other force that wanted to conquer the entire academy. Many of those who tried miserably failed because of the protectors residing within. They were the true legendary beings, like the old man that raised the four. The top of this world's power. Each of them could replace millions of soldiers, not to mention what would happen when dozens gathered together.

Xun Meng was unfamiliar with big crowds of people and clung to Asura Ryuu's arm. The other kids weren't much better off either. Being separated from their families and in an environment where they didn't know anyone was a mysterious and a bit scary feeling for these youngsters. There were several kids who didn't belong in this category and they were usually the ones who were the members of big families or powers, like the Princess.

Xun Bao looked around with curiosity and his eyes would occasionally stop on some kids then go on, as if he was trying to remember everyone by doing that. Asura Ryuu noticed his restless gaze and the unique aura he had among the crowd. Instead of the usual lazy Xun Bao, what now took his place was a child full of energy and some kind of untold dignity. Asura Ryuu smiled because the aura from Xun Bao was like the one the Princess had.

"This kid may have it hard in the future. It seems like the Xun family may very well be a member of the Royal Family or there are some more complicated things hiding behind their background..." Asura Ryuu thought.

Asura Tenka was carefree and looked at the people with curiosity. She wasn't afraid of crowds because she had experience with big crowds - especially the sizeable crowds of Gods. Although it wasn't really a thing to brag about, it was also a part of her life whether she wanted it or not.

When only children remained on the ground in front of the gate, their families having left this area and retreated somewhere, a loud roar came from the skies above the capital. The blue shadow rose behind the mountain and in an instant arrived above the city gate. As it was flying down, all kids could clearly discern the magnificent form of the beast, not losing out even to the Emerald Phoenix that carried the Princess on its back. It was a blue Qilin with sapphire-like glittering scales. The Qilin's wings covered the sky, casting the shadow over the group of awestruck children.

On the back of the Qilin stood a middle-aged man with a strong aura and sharp eyes, wearing a blue uniform that matched with the color of the Qilin's scales. With its ancient blood, the Qilin looked through the crowd with pride in its eyes, but there was a strangely familiar feeling in those eyes when Asura Ryuu glanced at them. It was as if he saw that kind of eyes almost every day. Where was it?

As he was thinking, the Qilin landed on the city gate and curled up, obviously wanting to sleep. At that moment, a powerful kick landed on its body from above, coming from the person standing on it. "You lazy thing! The only thing you want to do willingly is sleep! How can you even be the descendant of the True Qilin?!"

The man riding on its back was obviously angry at the performance of this beast. It was supposed to inspire these children with its awesome aura by releasing the aura of its blood, but it wanted to sleep as soon as it landed! How can it bring shame to the academy by doing that? Of course he'd curse and hit it. The Qilin opened its tired eyes with difficulty and glanced at the crowd, barely releasing a faint aura that caused the little hearts of the kids below the gate to beat faster. There were only several exceptions to this.