Azure Firmament Spirit Crane

Specks of azure light sprang into view, filling his entire field of vision in the blink of an eye.

An indescribably terrifying aura poured down from midair.

Zhang Jing lowered his head involuntarily, a sudden urge to prostrate himself surging within him. An intense sense of suffocation made his mouth open instinctively, while his heart began pounding rapidly like a drum.

Every hair on his body stood on end.

It felt like a lesser creature facing a higher being, terrifying him to the very soul!

"Was that an immortal crane?"

In that hurried glimpse,

Zhang Jing had dimly made out an enormous crane-shaped silhouette behind the azure light.

He turned his head with difficulty.

He found that the others had likewise bowed their heads low, their bodies trembling like chaff in a sieve.

Except for Ji Bochang!

The fellow had his head lowered, but his expression was utterly calm.

Noticing Zhang Jing looking at him, Ji Bochang even winked his little eyes, opened his paper fan, and gave himself two ostentatious fans.

Zhang Jing's gaze immediately grew rather strange.

Fanning himself in cold weather was one thing; that could pass for youthful exuberance. But why was this man winking at another man? Didn't he know that sort of behavior was very...

Zhang Jing discreetly took a small step back.

Just then,

"Is that Junior Brother Liu from Yong’an Academy down below?" A clear, gentle voice suddenly rang out from midair.

"I am Liu Sanyi. Welcome, Senior Brother," Master Liu answered respectfully.

"Haha, are these the youngsters you selected this year, Junior Brother? Mm, not bad. Your Yong’an Academy has produced a promising seedling."

"You flatter us, Senior Brother."

As the two spoke, a vast shadow like a dark cloud slowly descended over them.

Zhang Jing could not help looking up.

What entered his sight were rounded crane legs like pillars of white jade.

His gaze traveled farther upward.

The white feathers were as enormous as small trees, each shimmering with a rich azure spiritual glow, looking sacred and extraordinary.

Perhaps because he was standing too close, even craning his head back as far as he could did not let Zhang Jing see the immortal crane in its entirety. He only felt as though a mountain of feathers over a dozen zhang high had abruptly been piled before him, radiating an overwhelming pressure.

"Isn't this immortal crane a little too tall..." Zhang Jing marveled.

The gentle voice rang out again.

"Junior Brother Liu, since everyone is here, I shall take them straight back to the Dao Academy."

"Sorry for the trouble of escorting them, Senior Brother."

"It is part of my assignment. There is no trouble to speak of."

The instant those words fell, Zhang Jing felt a gentle force lift him softly into the air.

Rising alongside him were Ji Bochang and the dozen or so academy students standing on the other side.

The scenery on the ground grew tiny.

Zhang Jing could even see pedestrians on the streets outside, but they seemed unable to see the enormous immortal crane beside him, merely hurrying along with their heads down.

Before long,

Zhang Jing and the dozen or so others stood upon the immortal crane's broad back.

The whistling of fierce winds reached their ears.

Not far behind them,

a rustic wooden cabin stood out conspicuously.

Directly ahead sat a young man with his legs crossed, looking only in his twenties.

The man wore azure robes and a crown of white suet jade. His features were gentle, his eyes half-closed, as though his mind were wandering beyond the heavens.

"Greetings, Immortal Elder."

Zhang Jing and the others bowed to the man and called out in unison.

"Mm." The man opened his eyes and said expressionlessly, "Since Junior Brother Liu selected you, you must give your all in our Dragon Lake Dao Academy's examination. Do not disappoint him."

"Thank you for your admonition, Immortal Elder!"

Zhang Jing and the others spoke in unison.

"If you have nothing to attend to, go into the cabin. You may also move freely about the Azure Firmament Spirit Crane's back, but do not make a loud commotion."

"We shall heed your teachings, Immortal Elder."

Hearing this, the man nodded slightly and closed his eyes again.

Zhang Jing and the others stepped lightly, slowly retreating for fear of disturbing the Immortal Elder before them.

Yet the next moment, the "ground" suddenly shook, sending them all stumbling every which way. Zhang Jing hurriedly dropped flat, only then steadying himself.

He turned to look.

The spirit crane beneath their feet suddenly spread its wings and, with a gentle flap, rose from the ground and shot straight into the heavens.

In an instant,

thick clouds and mist surrounded them.

"Azure Firmament Spirit Crane. What a fine name," Zhang Jing praised.

He noticed that as the spirit crane flew, a faint, flickering layer of azure spiritual light covered its body.

It was probably thanks to this layer of azure spiritual light that they could remain as safe and steady as though on the ground, untouched by the biting gales.

A dozen or so breaths later, the footing beneath them grew steady.

"Brother Zhang, what are you staring into space for? There are quite a few people in the cabin already. Let's join the fun."

Ji Bochang nudged Zhang Jing's arm and spoke softly.

"There are quite a few people already?" Surprise appeared on Zhang Jing's face.

"They must be from Hui Prefecture's other six commanderies. Because of our location, the Immortal Elder always comes to our Linshan Commandery last."

"So that's how it is." Understanding dawned on Zhang Jing, and he followed closely behind the others.

Creak-

The door was pushed open.

"Ji Bochang of the Yong'an Ji Clan?" someone inside called in a deep voice.

In an instant,

Zhang Jing saw dozens of pairs of eyes light up inside the cabin, sweeping back and forth over their group, with no shortage of awe and ingratiation in their gazes.

He instinctively took a step back.

At once, the gazes shifted cleanly away from Zhang Jing.

Taking this opportunity, Zhang Jing surveyed the cabin's interior.

The wooden cabin was not large, yet a full sixty or seventy people were inside, sitting or standing, crowded into the surrounding corners.

In the center, however, sat two young men and a young woman with their legs crossed, looking exceptionally distinguished.

A large space had been left empty around the three.

Yet no one dared approach.

Are these the people from the great aristocratic clans? An answer began to take shape in Zhang Jing's mind.

In front of Zhang Jing,

Ji Bochang folded his fan and laughed heartily. "I take it I have the pleasure of meeting Brother Deng, Brother Wu, and Fairy Chu. My elders often speak of you three. You truly put me to shame."

"You jest, Brother Ji. Before I left, my father repeatedly instructed me to learn from you."

The young woman among the three rose gracefully and said with a lovely smile.

Young as she was, she already showed traces of beauty that could topple a kingdom. Her pretty face bore no makeup, its delicate features like those of a celestial being. Her eyes in particular shone like pools of spring water, every glance giving rise to boundless charm.

Her pale green flowing gown not only failed to conceal her stunning figure but lent it a touch of deadly allure.

It drew sidelong looks from everyone.

Zhang Jing's gaze swept over the young woman without lingering in the slightest.

Having lived two lives, he knew very well that women this outrageously beautiful often meant trouble, especially at his current age.

On the other side,

"Indeed, Brother Ji, you're too modest. Come and sit with us." The two remaining youths warmly welcomed him.

"Haha, then I won't stand on ceremony." Ji Bochang nodded, then turned and said quietly to Zhang Jing, "Brother Zhang, these three are the prodigies of the Black Mountain Deng Clan, the Yang River Wu Clan, and the Zhouyang Chu Clan. Shall we go over together?"

"Go ahead, Brother Ji. There's no need to mind me," Zhang Jing answered with a smile.

"Very well. I'll go sound them out first."

With that, Ji Bochang walked toward the center of the cabin.

After looking around,

under the curious gazes of those around him, Zhang Jing found a secluded corner with slightly fewer people, leaned against the wall, and slowly sat down, closing his eyes to rest.

He waited for the moment they would arrive at Dragon Lake Dao Academy.