Lesson One

In the cool morning breeze, the instructor Mu Qing, with a faint smile, sent all the new students of the Zhi Ge faction out of the Freshman Hall: "From today onward, I will no longer escort you; you must enter and exit the Freshman Hall on your own."

Behind her, the open doors revealed the green-tiled, bronze-roofed buildings of the angular towers, resembling a slumbering beast lying in wait.

Like that middle-aged man, Lin Xi, who embraced the philosophy of making the best of his circumstances and appreciating the wonders of this world, was once again struck with awe.

A few black-and-white cranes glided past the green tower, creating a scene that was rarely witnessed in his previous world, juxtaposed against the black-robed woman standing below.

"Is he our teacher for this first lesson?" 

Li Kaiyun, who approached Lin Xi, did not share his sense of wonder. As a figure appeared unexpectedly from behind a building of dark bricks and tiles, he, along with many other new students of the Zhi Ge faction, froze in place.

The figure advancing toward them was none other than the cold, one-eyed instructor.

Lin Xi, however, did not find this one-eyed instructor particularly terrifying; his appearance resembled that of a more aged Professor Snape from the movies, missing an eye. Instead, he was drawn to the several pale-faced new students whose unsteady steps caught his attention. "What's wrong with them?" Lin Xi inquired curiously, lowering his voice to Li Kaiyun.

"They were trapped in the hall overnight in a few corridors until Mu Qing brought them out this morning," replied Hua Jiyue, a tall girl from the Northern Miao Province, who looked at Lin Xi with interest. "Many were stuck in the hall last night, but most weren't as unfortunate as them, unable to find their way out. What about you? Didn't you run around in the hall?"

Lin Xi chuckled, "Do I really look like someone who enjoys running around aimlessly?"

"Don't forget, you were the first to barge into my room," Hua Jiyue said, casting a sidelong glance at Lin Xi. "Your curious gaze seems to indicate an interest in everything. Is that how you managed to tackle the peculiar questions posed by that Medicine Department professor during the grand examination?"

Lin Xi beamed even brighter, "I suppose you could say that. However, I'm not in a rush; if I want to see something, I can wait for others to tell me what's worth looking at before I go and see it. So, indeed, I didn't wander around last night."

Hua Jiyue shot him another glance and whispered, "Last night, two guys discovered that the Freshman Hall is much larger than we imagined. Not only is there this tower where we stay, but there are also passages leading into the mountain's heart. Who knows how vast it is beneath the tower and what lies within?"

"Then you must tell me once you figure it out."

"You...!" Hua Jiyue nearly choked on Lin Xi's words.

"I'm just joking; there's no need to take it seriously," Lin Xi chuckled. "If there are any classes that allow us to be trapped for an entire night without consequence, we can explore. Didn't Mu Qing mention that aside from areas requiring certain credits for entry, we can roam freely around the entire Qing Luan Academy? There must be many places to explore."

"Boom!"

At that moment, the new students of the Zhi Ge faction surrounding Lin Xi erupted into a flurry of whispers.

Lin Xi turned in surprise to see that nearly all the students from prestigious backgrounds were staring intently at the chest of the approaching one-eyed black-robed instructor.

On his chest were two badges: one was shield-shaped, golden, adorned with thorny patterns, and the other was silver, featuring a comet-like design.

"The Thorn Badge and the Falling Star Badge!" Li Kaiyun, initially as puzzled as Lin Xi, changed his expression dramatically upon recognizing the intricate designs of the badges. His demeanor shifted from awe to admiration and shock.

The two badges gleamed on the black robe, reflecting an indelible glory.

"Only those who have executed extremely dangerous assassinations or rescues more than twice may be awarded the Thorn Badge. The Falling Star Badge is bestowed upon those who display extraordinary courage in battle; both are symbols of unparalleled honor within the Empire. It is said that only about twenty of such badges are awarded each year throughout the Empire," Li Kaiyun explained in a slightly trembling voice, noticing Lin Xi's continued bewilderment.

Half of the morning sunlight streamed in from the east, while the other half emanated from the hidden glory of the badges, making the one-eyed black-robed instructor appear dazzling as he approached from the eastern side.

"Follow me."

The one-eyed black-robed instructor coldly uttered these four words, leading all the new students to a section of a broken corridor bridge suspended over a precipice.

A silver cable, as thick as a thumb, ran parallel to a similarly silver chain, extending toward a distant valley. The cable had several live loops, allowing one to suspend themselves from it.

"If you aren't too foolish, you've likely already learned from Mu Qing that this is the silver cable of our Qing Luan Academy. Zhao Ke'an, step forward!"

A skinny boy from North Chaoling nervously squeezed out from the crowd.

"Grip tightly, then slide down," the one-eyed black-robed instructor glanced at the booklet in his hand, noted Zhao Ke'an's features, and stated clearly.

Zhao Ke'an's face turned pale as he stared at the hundreds of meters high cliff ahead, unable to move.

"Ah!" With a sharp cry, the one-eyed black-robed instructor mercilessly kicked Zhao Ke'an in the rear, sending him soaring down the silver cable.

"Is it really that simple? What if I don't hold on tight and fall?" Zhao Ke'an's terrified scream echoed, causing another new student from the Zhi Ge faction to step back, trembling.

"Then you'll fall to your death," the one-eyed black-robed instructor replied coldly, casting a derisive glance at the student. "If you can't hold on tight, dying here would save the academy from future embarrassment. What's your name?"

"Tu Xiaomeng."

"Good, now it's your turn."

"…"

"Thud," as this new student was once again kicked in the rear and slid down with a pale face, Lin Xi couldn't help but laugh.

"What's your name?" The gaze of the one-eyed black-robed professor then settled on Lin Xi.

"Lin Xi."

Thus, amidst the gloating eyes of Mu Shan Zi and Qiu Lu, Lin Xi became the third to stand at the edge of the cliff.

However, to the astonishment of both, before the one-eyed black-robed professor could make a move, Lin Xi effortlessly slid down.

...

Lin Xi felt exhilarated and light-hearted, finding the majestic scenery and the various structures nestled within the valley made this swift descent far more enjoyable than the roller coasters he was familiar with.

He glided through the wind, traversed the mist rising between the mountains, and inhaled the unique fragrance emanating from the forest, ultimately colliding with a wooden wall cushioned by thick mats upon landing.

The two previously arrived pale-faced new students of the Zhi Ge faction gazed at Lin Xi with a look of incredulity as he smiled slightly, then began surveying the valley.

It was a modest valley, adorned with a gentle slope covered in purple orchids, through which a crystal-clear stream flowed. On the flat ground beside the stream stood a grass hut with only a roof for ventilation.

The air was suffused with a delicate fragrance, and in the crystal-clear spring water, small fish, about the size of a finger, swam fearlessly towards the sound of voices.

One by one, the new students of the Zhi Ge faction landed on the thick mats, and finally, the one-eyed black-robed instructor descended like a black eagle, landing steadily without touching the mats.

Without uttering a word, he gestured for all the new students to follow him into the grass hut by the stream.

The well-ventilated grass hut contained a low, square table upon which rested a long black bow, with bamboo mats laid out opposite.

The stream babbled softly, and a gentle breeze wafted through as the one-eyed black-robed instructor took his seat behind the table and began the lesson.

"Do you think I deliberately flaunt my badges while teaching you?" The one-eyed black-robed instructor's icy gaze swept over all the new students of the Zhi Ge faction.

No one responded; even if some harbored such thoughts, few dared to openly criticize a faculty member's actions.

"This is a directive from the dean; every instructor must wear their badges when delivering their first lesson."

"Why?" Finally, a bold student spoke up. This student, with sharp brows and bright eyes, sat upright, exuding an air of nobility, was none other than Dugu Xueting from the Imperial Capital of Zhongzhou.

"Without a comparative goal, how can one hope to surpass? It is these badges that uphold the academy and grant you the opportunity to sit here," the one-eyed black-robed instructor solemnly regarded each new student of the Zhi Ge faction, observing their pristine blue garments. "You must remember, the black robe I wear and the academy's garments you don are the most important badges. You have already attained such honor without having accomplished anything yet... thus, in the future, you are destined to achieve even greater feats to live up to this honor bestowed upon you."

A student, filled with reverence, asked, "Do all instructors of the academy possess such badges?"

The one-eyed black-robed instructor did not lift his eyelids, sneering coldly, "Do you think the academy's instructors are so worthless? Only those who possess at least two badges of this caliber are qualified to become instructors."

As murmurs of astonishment filled the air, Lin Xi, who had learned from Li Kaiyun that one of these badges equated to military merit equivalent to a position of high authority, couldn't help but be taken aback, reflecting on Xia Yanbing and Mu Qing... So, it seemed that the seemingly youthful Xia Yanbing and the composed, quiet woman had indeed accomplished countless breathtaking feats?