The next morning, the sun broke at dawn.

Dewdrops still clung to the leaves by the secluded cabin, falling onto the empty steps with a soft DRIP... DROP...

Just as she had before, Sen Hui arrived with a smile to look for Fang Yang.

Today, she was taking Fang Yang to Academy Jia-One, the same academy where she had spent her youth!

Fang Yang lowered his gaze, thinking, ’From the way Sen Hui is acting, it seems she doesn’t know that Chen Ying sent me a letter. Of course, this could also mean I’ve passed their test.’

Suddenly, he had a realization. Fang Nian must have faced a similar choice back then.

But judging by what happened afterward, Fang Nian must have tried to have it both ways and failed to make a clear decision.

The sun climbed higher, and the air grew warmer.

Fang Yang followed Sen Hui to Academy Jia-One and strolled through its grounds.

Academy Jia-One was the most prestigious academy of the Changkong clan.

Essentially, everyone who studied here was a descendant of the major families.

Its faculty and learning environment were far beyond what Academy Jia-Thirty-Seven could ever compare to.

At that moment, Sen Hui blinked her bright eyes.

"Ah Yang, my sister wanted me to tell you something. She said that while her own efforts were important in achieving her current status and power, her platform and background were even more crucial."

"In the grand scheme of things, her personal hard work was just a small part of it. She was merely riding the wave."

Fang Yang’s sharp brows twitched slightly. He instantly understood that Sen Wei was giving him a piece of indirect advice.

He gazed at the pine-covered mountains in the distance and said, "It’s true. Who in this life doesn’t work hard? Fine horses are common, but a discerning judge of them is rare. Meeting Xiaohui has been my greatest fortune."

He was going along with the sentiment, but unexpectedly, Sen Hui stopped him.

Sen Hui grasped both of Fang Yang’s hands, her eyes locking with his as she said firmly:

"No, I don’t think my sister is right.

Everything you’ve achieved is due to your own effort. All I did was add the icing on the cake.

Besides, being by your side is *my* greatest fortune!"

Staring into her determined eyes, Fang Yang felt an urge to look away.

In that instant, a tempest raged in Fang Yang’s heart.

A Prince is born half a king.

A farmer’s line, for generations, is bound to the soil.

Let no one laugh at the poor man’s supposed sloth.

Since ancient times, how often has the Celestial Dao truly rewarded diligence?

After a few breaths, Fang Yang slowly suppressed the turmoil in his heart and regained his composure.

His gaze flickered to the glowing orb of his [Seek Fortune, Avoid Misfortune] talent as he asked himself, ’Is my talent for seeking fortune and avoiding misfortune really the only reason for my success?’

...

There were two requirements to enter the Thunder Saint Academy: one, to possess a Grade-A Spirit Body, and two, to receive a recommendation from a Saint.

Of these two conditions, Fang Yang already met the requirement for a Grade-A Spirit Body. All he lacked was a Saint’s recommendation.

His proactive move to cut ties with Chen Ying had earned him the approval of Mrs. Sen.

The current Mrs. Sen was not Sen Hui’s birth mother, but she treated Sen Hui as her own daughter all the same.

Because of this, Mrs. Sen decided that Fang Yang’s recommendation wouldn’t come from just Sen Yue, but from Sen Yue *and* the Cold Moon Great Saint.

A dual recommendation, with one being from a Great Saint—it was easy to imagine that even upon entering the Thunder Saint Academy, Fang Yang would by no means be an ordinary cultivator.

Perhaps because their fates were intertwined...

Fang Min and Fang Hao also received a recommendation from Saint Fan Liu, allowing them to enter the Thunder Saint Academy to become Fang Yang’s partisans!

When the two of them learned of this, they were stunned for a moment before being overcome with ecstasy!

「Night.」

The moonlight was faint.

Under the large banyan tree by the secluded cabin, Fang Yang looked at his Clan Uncle and Clan Sister with some surprise.

Fang Hao said, "Ah Yang, thank you for your help. By being able to enter the Thunder Saint Academy, I have at least a thirty percent greater chance of becoming a Dao Seed!"

Fang Min added, "You really are something, Ah Yang, quietly pulling off such a huge surprise for me. By entering the Thunder Saint Academy, I have at least a thirty percent greater chance of becoming a Saint!"

A thirty percent chance, a twenty percent chance.

It might not sound like much, but it was more than enough to completely change Fang Hao and Fang Min’s destinies.

How could they not be ecstatic?

The fact that they didn’t go around loudly proclaiming it was a testament to their strong character.

After some discussion, Fang Yang finally understood the full reason behind it.

He congratulated them both and said no more.

The following days became a period of waiting—waiting to depart for the Thunder Saint Academy.

During this time, when he wasn’t cultivating, Fang Yang mostly spent his time reviewing skills like Alchemy and formation setting.

From time to time, he would feed the Pills he refined to his three battle pets, as if tossing them small candies or other snacks. Life was quite pleasant.

"BOOM..."

「On this day.」 A booming sound erupted from the Small Frost Horse’s body.

Its aura surged, easily breaking through its bottleneck and reaching a whole new realm.

Tier Two Elementary!

Beneath its four hooves, not only did fierce winds swirl, but white flames also bloomed.

And as time went on, the white flames grew ever more brilliant.

[Burning Flame Skill]

It had only just reached the Tier Two Elementary realm, yet its Bloodline Power had already evolved, causing it to awaken a new Magic.

Such talent was truly extraordinary.

"Wind Chasing Skill, Burning Flame Skill... Heh, both are Body Technique types of Magic. It seems you’re meant to synergize with my Thunderfire Wings," Fang Yang said, his eyes crinkling into a smile.

In the past, his most powerful killing move had been the Celestial Eagle Cross Spear.

It was precisely because of the Celestial Eagle Cross Spear that he had raised battle pets like the White Feathered Eagle, the Small Frost Horse, and the electric python.

This was because these battle pets could synergize with his killing move, making it even more powerful.

Although he had now evolved the ’Celestial Eagle Cross Spear’ into the ’Golden Tai Chi Diagram,’ he hadn’t forgotten its essence.

The White Feathered Eagle corresponded to the Fire Domain Skill.

The electric python corresponded to the Thunder Sea Skill.

And now, the Small Frost Horse naturally corresponded to the Thunderfire Wings!

From their corresponding Magic, one could discern the combat systems and growth paths of the three battle pets.

...

Time passed day by day. Finally, the day came for Fang Yang and the others to depart for the Thunder Saint Academy.

The sky was clear and sunny, without a single cloud for thousands of miles.

Within the Changkong clan, a group of renowned chosen talents all arrived at Cloudbreak Cliff.

Among them were people like Lin Shenghuang, Ji Juyun, Cyan Aura, and Lin Tianxue.

When they saw Fang Min and Fang Hao also standing beside Fang Yang, they were slightly surprised.

Fang Yang paid little attention to the various stares directed his way.

Ever since he became the First Martial King, he had been met with such gazes wherever he went.

’What will the Thunder Saint Academy be like?’

He stood alone on the deck of the Flying Boat, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the azure sky.

On this journey, his most important goal was to obtain the wings of the Golden Sun Wind Roc, which meant ranking in the top ten of the Earth Ranking, or even taking the top spot.

Beyond that, he would also be competing against the top chosen talents from the eight great Golden Clans.

Of course, while he cared about all of this, it wasn’t an absolute necessity.

He only wanted to wholeheartedly pursue the Path of Longevity.

The Sen family was indeed helping him, but they were also subtly holding him back.

This was evident from the incident with Chen Ying’s letter.

He had to be prepared for the day he might have to turn against the Sen family!