Once all the new students had arrived, three figures appeared in midair amid a glow of light.
The two on either side were elders dressed in blue robes, with white hair and white beards. Their expressions were solemn, their eyes slightly narrowed, and lightning seemed to flicker within their pupils.
The figure in the middle had a strikingly unusual appearance: crane-white hair paired with a youthful face, sword-like brows, and star-bright eyes. He smiled as he surveyed the students below.
According to Mu Ling, all three were elders of the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. The two on either side were Earth Seat Elders, while the one in the middle held a Heavenly Seat.
The youthful-faced, white-haired Heavenly Seat Elder first swept a satisfied gaze over the students, then introduced himself.
"My name is Zhu Tian. Once again, welcome to the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. I will be presiding over this year's Freshman Assembly."
Having said that, he paused. Once he saw that the students had all turned their attention toward him, he continued.
"The rules for this year's Freshman Assembly are different from those of previous years. There will no longer be a complicated series of arena matches."
"See that mountain before you? I planted a flag at its summit. Whoever gets their hands on it first takes first place."
"The academy has released quite a few spirit beasts along the route to the summit, including several that have reached the Heaven Tier."
"Of course, first place won't be the only one rewarded in this Freshman Assembly. The first five people to reach the summit will all receive rewards."
"First place gets five hundred thousand Spirit Value, second place gets four hundred thousand, and so on."
"Furthermore, the top five will all qualify to enter the Divine Spiritual Arts Hall.