Chapter Thirty: The Entrance Ceremony
Under the impact of Feng Shang’s aura, the light circle surrounding Han Tianyue was pushed outward. Han Tianyue’s circle suddenly collided with another, finally coming to a stop. Though it wasn’t intentional, Han Tianyue apologized, “Sorry about that!”
Looking up, he realized the other person was Boka. With his mask on, Han Tianyue couldn’t tell if Boka was angry. Boka’s aura remained steady in mid-air, unaffected by the collision, which allowed Han Tianyue to breathe a sigh of relief. Boka glanced at Han Tianyue, his gaze lingering only for a moment before turning toward the crowd.
Han Tianyue, still anxious, returned to Feng Shang’s side and said angrily, “Were you trying to get me killed?”
Feng Shang was deeply apologetic. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I didn’t think we’d crash into each other!”
Though upset, Han Tianyue didn’t pursue the matter further. After all, they were at the grand event, and the entrance ceremony was about to begin.
“These past years, the school has declined. Fewer and fewer students come to participate,” Instructor Yun said, conversing with Instructor Song.
“Every year, the Legendary Team takes first place. Who still wants to take part in the competition?” another instructor complained bitterly.
Instructor Song nodded. “I wonder what the principal is thinking, always letting those few carefully cultivated students join the contests every year.”
Just then, the stone gates closed, and a thousand fireworks exploded, filling the sky over the plaza.
With a whoosh, a firework shot past Han Tianyue. He noticed that these fireworks weren’t tangible but rather a strange kind of illusion. Curious, he asked, “Instructor Song, who created these illusions?”
Instructor Song looked at Han Tianyue in surprise and smiled. “Did you see those elders over there?”
Following Song’s direction, Han Tianyue nodded.
“Those elders are the school’s senior teachers. They guard this place so nothing escapes from below,” Song explained. “Everything you see here is an illusion—in fact, we are existing within the illusions conjured by those elders!”
“How can that be?” Fang Zhe, hearing this, looked around in disbelief.
“Don’t trust your own eyes too much. The greatest deceiver is your own sight,” Instructor Song added, unwilling to say more. He sat quietly, waiting for the next program.
“The greatest deceiver is your own sight,” Han Tianyue recalled the crystal ball conjured by the spirit form earlier. It seemed so real, yet when he lunged for it, he found nothing. “If I ever meet someone skilled in illusions again, I’ll need to be careful.”
As the fireworks faded, the ground suddenly began to crack. A thunderous roar erupted—a dragon burst forth, its every spirit scale faintly visible. It broke through the earth, its massive body coiling in mid-air, then transformed into a statue suspended above the lake—Panlong Lake.
“The annual graduation competition has officially begun. Welcome, students, to the venue. Panlong Lake has risen. Please line up and await the baptism of the lake’s waters!”
Seeking gold medals, seeking favorites, seeking recommendations, seeking clicks, seeking comments, seeking red envelopes and gifts—whatever you desire, bring it all on!