Tu Xiao’an and Dongfang Yuan stood before the simple, ancient gate. The hefty young man swallowed nervously, turned to look at Tu Xiao’an, and said apprehensively, "Brother-in-law, you have to promise to protect me. It’s incredibly dangerous in there."

Tu Xiao’an let out a wry smile. ’He’s just going in for Cultivation. Why does he make it sound like he’s going to his death?’

This wasn’t his first time inside the Ancient Academy. It was no big deal.

Besides, with his current strength, he probably qualified to be the headmaster of the Ancient Academy.

"Let’s go. First, we need to check in at the registration office." Tu Xiao’an took the lead and walked in. The last time he was here, he had scaled the wall to chase after Cat Spirit Haitang. This time, he was walking right through the front gate.

Today was the first day of school at the Ancient Academy, and there were many new Awakeners from all over the country. Tu Xiao’an had also learned a lot about the Ancient Academy from Dr. Snake. It was an institution created by a special government agency, unknown to the outside world, that specifically recruited and trained Awakeners with Talent.

Everyone became an Awakener by undergoing a physical awakening and gaining miraculous abilities. Because every Awakener possessed their own set of uncanny skills, they were recruited by a special department to be cultivated as assets. This also served as a form of control, preventing them from using their powers for evil.

Once Tu Xiao’an learned about the Demon Management Bureau, this academy didn’t seem so surprising. Everything was about balance. If there were awakened Demons, then naturally there had to be powerful Martial Cultivators.

Otherwise, how could the world possibly remain in human hands?

He had heard that only the most outstanding graduates from the Ancient Academy were qualified to work for the Demon Management Bureau and serve the country.

Awakeners weren’t ordinary people. One with an evil heart could potentially bring a terrible disaster upon the world.

An Awakener was like a sharp sword: it could be used to kill, or to save.

Upon entering the Ancient Academy, Tu Xiao’an saw a crowd gathered up ahead. It was a small plaza, not very large, but there were several thousand people packed into it, spectating.

There were new students reporting for registration and upperclassmen just there for the show. Tu Xiao’an also noticed many people had brought pets with them.

In the hands of an Awakened Martial Cultivator, pets were called Battle Companions. They were like your right and left arms, a part of your own combat strength.

Take a Demon Hunter like Yu Zitong, for example. Without his Golden Pupils, his combat strength would probably only be at ten percent. The other ninety percent came entirely from his cat.

The clothing of many people there was also a bit strange. A lot of them weren’t wearing modern clothes, but something that looked more like historical attire. Some carried swords on their backs, like chivalrous heroes from the Jianghu, fighting for justice.

Just standing there, they looked majestic and full of presence. Others carried greatswords, looking like they’d cut down anyone who rubbed them the wrong way.

All that was considered normal. Compared to the pets people had with them—dogs, wolves, and even highly ornamental foxes—the place was practically a zoo.

Then, up ahead, Tu Xiao’an saw someone brazenly parading around on the back of a huge pig. ’What the hell?’

’Showing off on the back of a pig? Now that’s just too much.’

"Brother-in-law, if I’d known we could bring pets, I would’ve brought my big wolfhound. It would’ve been good for scaring some people."

Dongfang Yuan’s face was filled with regret.

"Is your wolfhound an Awakened Creature?" Tu Xiao’an asked in surprise.

Dongfang Yuan replied with a blank look, "Of course not, but my wolfhound is really fierce. He’s very scary."

’Scary?’

’There are no ordinary creatures in the Ancient Academy. Bringing one would just be embarrassing. He’d probably get laughed at.’

Suddenly, a man in a black robe walked toward Tu Xiao’an. Both of them were a little surprised to see each other.

"God, what are you doing at the Ancient Academy?"

It was the Rat Lord, Lin Fan.

Although Lin Fan had been easily defeated by Tu Xiao’an, he didn’t hold a grudge. When faced with absolute power, what was the point of holding a grudge after being so completely crushed?

Besides, he had just been doing a job for someone else. He’d done what he could.

What surprised him was seeing Tu Xiao’an at the Ancient Academy.

"I’m here to register as a new student," Tu Xiao’an said, looking at him. "Are you a student here too?"

"I’m an upperclassman from last year," Lin Fan said, a shocked expression on his face. "You’re registering as a new student?"

In Lin Fan’s eyes, an Elemental Martial Cultivator like Tu Xiao’an was probably a terrifying Rank 3 existence. And he was saying he was here to register as a new student?

"God, are you kidding me?"

Lin Fan called Tu Xiao’an "God" as a sign of respect for his power.

"I’m not kidding. He and I are both here to register as new students."

Lin Fan glanced at Dongfang Yuan and saw no fluctuation of Elemental Power from him. "He’s not an Awakener?"

"Right. His dad spent a hundred million to get him specially admitted," Tu Xiao’an said bluntly.

Lin Fan stared at Dongfang Yuan, dumbfounded.

’What kind of pair is this? One is a terrifying Elemental Martial Cultivator, probably Rank 3, and the other is an ordinary person who hasn’t even awakened and just bought his way in.’

’This year’s class is really going to be interesting.’

"You don’t hold a grudge against me, do you?" Tu Xiao’an suddenly asked Lin Fan.

Lin Fan immediately gave a wry smile. "Hold a grudge against you? Would I be asking for trouble? Besides, we wouldn’t have met if we hadn’t fought. It’s my good fortune to know an Elemental Martial Cultivator like you, God."

Lin Fan was being very agreeable. Now that their adversarial relationship was gone, seeing each other again made them feel like old acquaintances.

"That’s good to hear," Tu Xiao’an said with a slight smile. "We just got here and don’t really know the rules of this Ancient Academy. Is that the registration office up ahead where everyone’s crowded around?"

Lin Fan nodded. "That’s right. All new students have to get their strength and aptitude measured first to see what kind of Awakener they are."

"Then do I, as someone who hasn’t awakened, still need to be measured?" Dongfang Yuan asked timidly.

Er...

Lin Fan had never encountered a situation like this. The Ancient Academy only recruited Awakeners. He had no idea if someone who had paid a fortune to get in through the back door needed to be measured.

"I think you probably do," Lin Fan said after a moment of thought. "It’s a pre-enrollment Cultivation and strength test. Since you were able to get into the Ancient Academy, you must have already received your acceptance letters. However, your individual strength will determine which class you’ll be placed in for your education."

He continued, "There are several hundred new students this year, and they’ll be assigned to upper, middle, and lower classes. Placement is based on Cultivation, from highest to lowest."

Hearing this, Tu Xiao’an nodded. "That’s a pretty simple and brutal placement policy. So if your Cultivation is low, you end up in the lower class."

’So you’re basically a lower-class citizen in the Ancient Academy? Destined to be bullied by others.’

’If you were just recruited right after awakening, you’d definitely be a lower-class citizen... oh, no, I mean, in the lower class.’

"It’s to facilitate teaching students according to their aptitude," Lin Fan said, looking at him. "But for a new student like you, God... are you really here to learn, or just for a tour?"

Tu Xiao’an didn’t beat around the bush. "I’m here with him to guarantee his safety."

"Oh, I see." Lin Fan looked at Dongfang Yuan with new respect. ’To be able to hire an Elemental Martial Cultivator as a bodyguard, he must have an extraordinary background.’

Dongfang Yuan said proudly, "My dad is Dongfang Ye, the chairman of Shanye Group."

Lin Fan had thought he might be from some Hidden Clan. So it turned out he was just a regular rich kid. Nothing special.

Seeing Lin Fan’s expressionless face, Dongfang Yuan felt a bit awkward. As he’d expected, his status didn’t count for much here at the Ancient Academy.

"Brother-in-law, if I go get measured, I’m definitely going to be in the lower class, right?"

Tu Xiao’an shot him a speechless glance. ’Does he even need to ask? What’s the deal? A guy who bought his way in still has dreams? He wants to get into the upper class?’

"But I want to get into the upper class. What should I do?"

What’s the difference between a man without dreams and a salted fish? Clearly, Dongfang Yuan was still an ambitious, portly young man.

Lin Fan just rolled his eyes to the side, not knowing what to say.