Li Jianxing, however, possessed complete sword intent, making him likely unbeatable by anyone below the King realm.
Xin Ci could understand this, though. After all, Li Jianxing's sword intent was the result of his years of dedicated sword practice and comprehension.
For him to grasp half-step sword intent within a month was still quite commendable.
*Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!*
Instantly, a deep and resonant bell tolled throughout the Four Symbols Academy and its surroundings.
Within the space of consciousness, Mu Qingqing's small face flushed with excitement upon hearing the bell, "It's finally here, the Heavenly Pit Secret Realm trial."
However, amidst her anticipation, Mu Qingqing also harbored a sliver of unease.
Her influence, after all, was bound to cause deviations in the storyline.
What she worried about was whether these deviations would affect the existence within the Heavenly Pit Secret Realm that was forbidden from being unleashed.
Once the bell chimed, Xin Ci arrived at the plaza of the Four Divine Beast statues, where he had undergone his admission test.
He found that the top ten seats from each academy had already gathered there.
Upon arrival, Xin Ci immediately noticed a malicious gaze directed at him. He turned his head to see.
It was Nalan Wuxia from the Azure Dragon Academy's team.
He stared at Xin Ci with venomous eyes, as if he wished to cut him into a thousand pieces.
Xin Ci merely glanced at him as if he were an ant, then ignored him.
This dismissive behavior instantly enraged Nalan Wuxia, who thought viciously in his heart,
"Xin Ci, no matter how arrogant you are, this Heavenly Pit Secret Realm will be your grave."
Also within the Azure Dragon Academy's team, Liu Muming saw Xin Ci arrive and excitedly waved at him, intending to chat intimately.
Before he could even step out of the Azure Dragon Academy's formation, a petite and adorable girl in a white dress grabbed his ear and pulled him back.
Liu Muming turned and met Bai Ting's smiling eyes.
"The entrance to the Heavenly Pit Secret Realm is about to open. Where do you think you're going?"
"Nowhere... I just saw an acquaintance and wanted to say hello. It's Xin Ci, you know, hehe."
"Xin Ci?"
Bai Ting's mind briefly flashed back. She seemed to recall this person from the admission test a year ago.
The commotion in the Azure Dragon Plaza a month later was also reportedly caused by him.
While she was lost in thought, Liu Muming, seizing the opportunity, slipped away and went over to Xin Ci's side.
This made Bai Ting stomp her foot in frustration, her cheeks puffed out, she muttered, "That wretched Liu Muming, preferring to stay with a man rather than look at me, his fiancée. Do you hate me that much?"
Xin Ci noticed Bai Ting's indignant expression and couldn't help but remind Liu Muming, "Are you sure you don't want to pay attention to your little fiancée?"
"Don't tease me. Although she's my fiancée, it's just a family arrangement."
"She's always bullied me since we were kids, but I don't hate her. I just don't really agree with suddenly making her my wife,"
Liu Muming said nonchalantly.
Then, he changed the subject and grinned lewdly at Xin Ci, "Little Xin Xin, you know, I'm quite drawn to you..."
*Ugh.*
Xin Ci felt a chill run down his spine. His fists clenched again. He had beaten up that little fatty Luo Fei, but he had forgotten about this guy.
To prevent Liu Muming from dwelling on it, Xin Ci fabricated a small lie.
He pretended to be serious and said, "Brother Liu, to be honest with you, the maiden you saw that day was actually a characteristic of my cultivation technique, capable of disguising itself as anyone."
"That night, I was just testing out this transformation skill. So, I am indeed a man."
"Really?"
Liu Muming blinked, scrutinizing Xin Ci with a doubtful gaze.
What he said wasn't entirely illogical, but Liu Muming still couldn't forget the beautiful woman he had seen that night, who had captivated him.
He then turned back with another lewd smile, "Hehe, Xin Ci, even if you might really be a man, could you transform into a woman one more time for me to take a good look?"
"Get lost!"
Xin Ci refused him outright and unceremoniously.
What do you mean, "might really be a man!"
Besides, I can't even see her myself, why should I let you?
*Ahem!*
Elder Gong Ci's cough silenced everyone in the arena.
He swept his gaze over the crowd and solemnly stated, "Since many of you are first-time participants in the Heavenly Pit Secret Realm trial, I will clearly explain the rules here."
"The Heavenly Pit Secret Realm is an ancient battlefield that was once attacked by extraterrestrial beings. Within it, besides relics, treasures, and demonic beasts, there is also a special creature called a Blood Spirit!"
Upon hearing the term "Blood Spirit," many of the trainees began to express their confusion.
"Blood Spirit? What is that?"
"I don't know, I've never heard of such a thing before."
Someone took this opportunity to ask, "Does this Blood Spirit have anything to do with our trial mission?"
"Yes, it does. Due to the special influence of the secret realm's space, a crystalline substance called a Blood Soul Pearl will condense within the Blood Spirit creatures."
"Your trial mission is to collect Blood Soul Pearls within the one month that the secret realm is open. The academy's rankings will be determined by the total amount of Blood Soul Pearls collected."
"In addition, all treasures you obtain within the secret realm are yours to keep. The Blood Soul Pearls you collect can also be used to exchange for academy points."
"One last point to note: Blood Spirits are not creatures to be trifled with. If you encounter a life-threatening situation, inject spiritual energy into your trainee token, and you will be teleported out of the Heavenly Pit Secret Realm."
The news that they didn't have to hand over acquired treasures to the academy was the best news they had heard.
Many were already unable to contain their excitement and were eager to enter the Heavenly Pit Secret Realm.
The four sub-deans each stood before one of the four Divine Beast statues and injected their spiritual energy into them.
All the statues began to tremble slightly. Spiritual energy of four different colors condensed into energy spheres within the mouths of the Divine Beasts.
Finally, they all fired beams of light that converged in the center of the plaza.
These four powerful energies did not explode upon collision. Instead, they created a colossal gate of light in the center of the plaza.
This was the entrance to the Heavenly Pit Secret Realm.
"The Four Sub-Deans have opened the Heavenly Pit Secret Realm. You may enter now."
As Elder Gong Ci finished speaking, the forty trainees eagerly rushed into the gate of light.
At this moment, Nalan Su, the sub-dean of the Azure Dragon Academy, looked at Liu Yuanhao, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, openly mocking him.
"Sub-dean Liu, has your Vermillion Bird Academy already reserved last place this year?"
Liu Yuanhao frowned and let out a cold snort.
"How the Vermillion Bird Academy performs is none of your Azure Dragon Academy's business. I think Sub-dean Nalan should worry more about your trainees' performance."
"What if, by some chance, today's first place changes hands? Your Azure Dragon Academy will lose face."
"Hmph, the Azure Dragon Academy has always been the first among the Four Academies. That's something your Vermillion Bird Academy can never change, no matter what you do."
Liu Yuanhao and Nalan Su confronted each other, neither willing to back down.
Lin Yuanrong, the only female sub-dean among the Four Academies, showed a hint of displeasure in her eyes.
She stepped forward to mediate, "Two sub-deans, today is the Heavenly Pit Secret Realm trial after all. In front of so many disciples, please restrain your tempers somewhat."
The two men quieted down slightly but still eyed each other with displeasure.