At Shēn hour,[1]
The western sun dipped low.
Mountain winds swept through the Candidate Quarters,
And before the stone wall outside Yuntai Hall,
Nearly a hundred new students had gathered.
Some stood in silence, gazing upward.
Some whispered in hushed tones.
Some clenched sweaty palms—
Gripping tightly.
Xuán Chén and Xiǎo Chén stood at the edge of the crowd,
Silent.
They simply stood with the wind,
Staring at the weathered stone wall—
As if untouched by the surrounding tension and anticipation.
Half a moment later,
A golden talisman rose from the wall.
Its glyphs shimmered—
Like fire burning gold,
Illuminating the surface.
Flames bloomed.
Light surged.
And line by line,
Names were etched into the stone
As if carved by golden fire—
Radiant and clear.
—The new Ao Tian Academy Enrollment List.
Fewer than fifty names had passed the trial.
As the list appeared,
The top ten names emerged one by one.
The first three were all disciples of sects or noble clans—
Backed by recommendations or family resources.
But the seventh and eighth—
Xiǎo Chén and Xuán Chén—
Had entered from nowhere.
No sect.
No sponsor.
No known background.
They stood out—
Blindingly so.
A sharp-eyed student cried out—
"Look!
Those two…
Xiǎo Chén… Xuán Chén…
They're in the top ten!"
"This…
Impossible!
They just finished the trial!"
In an instant,
Voices erupted—
Surprise, envy,
Even quiet resentment.
One student scoffed,
Turned away,
His sleeve hiding a flicker of lingering intent.
Xuán Chén lifted his gaze briefly,
Then lowered it again—
No joy, no ripple.
Xiǎo Chén grinned,
Clapped Xuán Chén on the shoulder.
"Looks like we gave them something to talk about."
Just as the murmurs grew,
Dù Jīn arrived,
Carrying a wooden scroll.
As stern as ever,
His robe fluttered in the mountain wind.
His voice was not loud—
But through a spiritual sound talisman,
It fell directly into every heart.
"All those listed—
Hear the command—"
Dù Jīn
paused.
His gaze swept past Xiǎo Chén and Xuán Chén—
Not lingering,
But within,
A ripple of thought quietly settled.
"All those listed—
Follow me to your lodgings.
Each will enter the room assigned by number.
From today onward,
You will reside in the Candidate Quarters.
Do not disturb others in their cultivation."
"The top twenty
May also attend supplementary sessions at Xuǎn Zhēn Pavilion.
After half a year,
You will be eligible for Inner Court Preselection."
His words fell—
And the crowd erupted.
A student whispered in awe—
"Xuǎn Zhēn Pavilion?
Isn't that reserved for Inner Court disciples?"
"Just passed the entrance trial…
And already allowed into Xuǎn Zhēn?
Ao Tian hasn't seen this in years!"
Dù Jīn said no more.
He simply rolled up the scroll,
And added quietly—
"Those unwilling to compete
May withdraw."
No one spoke of withdrawal.
As the list appeared,
Shī Tóngbǎi had already positioned himself behind the two,
Eyes darting—
Clearly calculating something.
Xuán Chén and Xiǎo Chén exchanged a glance.
Their eyes were clear.
They said nothing.
Just then,
A crisp, sly voice rang out from the edge of the crowd—
"Well now, junior brothers—
You've certainly stolen the spotlight.
Quite the maneuver.
Congratulations—top ten on the list and entry into Xuǎn Zhēn Pavilion.
Need someone to show you where your dorms are?"
Xiǎo Chén turned his head.
A youth in a gray-blue short robe stood smiling,
Harmless in appearance,
Eyes lively,
Several bamboo scrolls hanging from his waist.
Xiǎo Chén chuckled.
"You've got sharp timing.
How do you always show up just right?"
Shī Tóngbǎi bowed with a grin.
"They call me Mr. Knows-It-All."
He glanced around,
Lowered his voice.
"Three years ago,
With my weak roots,
I wouldn't have even touched the threshold.
But now that they've opened admissions to commoners,
I slipped in—just trying to earn a living and learn the ropes.
If you ever need intel,
I'm your guy."
He chuckled again,
Then whispered—
"Behind this wall…
There's something even flashier than the entrance list."
"What?"
Xiǎo Chén raised a brow.
"The Hidden Dragon List,"
Shī Tóngbǎi murmured.
"It was carved by Startrace Sect years ago.
When Ao Tian was founded,
They sealed it here.
That's what gives this wall its prestige."
"Whoever holds that stele—
Holds the voice of power."
"Even Supreme Academy
Has been eyeing it for years."
Xiǎo Chén
's fingertip paused briefly,
A subtle flicker passed through his brows—
Then he shifted his stance,
As if nothing had happened.
Xuán Chén lifted his gaze slightly,
Spoke quietly—
"Then…
Who's guarding it now?"
Shī Tóngbǎi pointed toward the distant high pavilion wall.
There,
Several Inner Court disciples in silver-embroidered robes
Stood watch before the Starwatch Wall.
Their figures sparse,
Their auras varied.
"All five academies recognize it—
But the one truly guarding it is Ao Tian."
"If you want your name remembered in the academic world,
You've got to carve it onto that stele."
He squinted with a grin,
His voice half-lost in the wind—
"Anyone bold enough to list themselves
Is someone who can fight—
And kill if needed."
"Oh, and that troublemaker from last night—Xiàng Yuán?
You remember him?
He's ranked eighty-ninth on the Hidden Dragon List.
Backed by… hmm, the White Profound Society, I think."
"I even heard the top-ranked one
Is actually our Headmaster's illegitimate son—
Wait, no, no—
That was last year's joke list.
Heh… I'll explain it properly another time."
Xiǎo Chén listened, half-understanding.
Xuán Chén simply nodded,
But his gaze had already drifted toward the distant wall,
Where the wind brushed his hair—
Still as a sinking star.
—
The mountain wind swept past the wall.
Golden light from the rankings reflected on the crowd.
In a corner of the Star Vault,
Huì Wúyuān stood with hands behind his back.
His gaze passed over the sea of new students,
Landing on the fiery golden names.
A faint curve touched his lips.
He murmured—
"Xuǎn Zhēn Pavilion…
Interesting."
At that same moment,
On the Starwatch Corridor,
Sītú Jìng stood with a book in hand,
Tapped its spine,
And chuckled softly—
"Bái Shī…
You're always in such a rush."
—
Meanwhile,
A minor figure from the bottom of the Hidden Dragon List
Stepped out from the crowd.
His eyes scanned the rankings—
Then landed coldly on the two.
His voice rose—
"The top few are backed by sects—
Can't touch them."
"But you two?
No backing,
And you dare take top ten?"
"Heh…
Step forward and trade a few moves.
Let everyone see what you've got!"
Xiǎo Chén's lips curled,
Ready to retort.
But beside him,
Shī Tóngbǎi leaned in and whispered—
"He won't touch the ones with sects or sponsors.
You two—
Commoners who rose to the top—
Are perfect for him to use as a stepping stone."
The crowd froze.
Whispers rose.
A subtle tension rippled through the air.
Xiǎo Chén raised a brow,
Gave the challenger a half-smile,
Then scoffed—
"So what, city nobles gotta flash silver notes from eighteen generations back
Just to prove they deserve to breathe?"
The crowd blinked—
Then burst into low laughter.
Suddenly,
A figure stepped forward from the side.
His silver-embroidered robe fluttered slightly.
His voice was cold and clear—
"Go back and read some proper doctrine
Before you speak again.
Don't disgrace your seniority."
Someone in the crowd murmured—
"Silver Mirror faction's stepping in…
White Profound Society won't like that…"
Sure enough,
A cold laugh echoed from the White Profound side.
The tension deepened.
Xiǎo Chén patted Xuán Chén's sleeve,
Spoke casually—
"Let's go grab some water.
More fun than watching them bicker."
Xuán Chén nodded silently,
Turned and followed.
Shī Tóngbǎi hurried after them,
Grinning obsequiously—
"Senior brothers, wait up—
Don't walk too fast.
There's a lot to learn inside…"
Xiǎo Chén waved him off,
Then turned—
"Don't call us senior brothers.
We entered the same year.
Technically, you're still junior."
Xuán Chén added calmly—
"We respect seniority—
But we also respect fairness.
You help us run errands and gather intel,
We'll pay what's due,
And help where we can.
That's balance."
Shī Tóngbǎi blinked—
Then broke into a wide smile,
Bowing repeatedly—
"Got it, got it…
I'll remember that!"
—
On the Starwatch Wall,
Sītú Jìng tapped the spine of his book,
Gazing toward the White Profound side.
He chuckled coldly—
"Bái Shī…
You just couldn't hold back.
Fine then—
Let's enjoy the show."
In a corner of the Star Vault,
Huì Wúyuān gently stroked his jade-bound book.
His gaze fell on the scattered crowd,
Then settled on a particular name.
A faint smile touched his lips—
As if spotting a new piece
Rising from an old game.
—
The three turned past the wall.
Shī Tóngbǎi walked beside them,
Voice lowered—
"There are four dorm wings in total.
The one next to Xuǎn Zhēn Pavilion…
Not simple at all."
"Whatever you do—
Don't wander in there by accident…"
The three walked along the dormitory corridor.
At the turn ahead,
A young woman in a teal robe appeared,
Flanked by two companions.
Her gaze brushed lightly past Xuán Chén—
And for a moment,
A thousand threads seemed to flicker in her eyes.
But she quickly reined it in,
Turning to chat softly with the girl beside her.
Xiǎo Chén tilted his head,
Raised a brow with a grin—
"Brother,
That senior sister might have a thing for you…"
Xuán Chén replied calmly,
His voice like a star chart hidden in the wind—
"Not for me.
She's probing fate."
Xiǎo Chén chuckled—
"Brother,
Don't just read the surface~"
Shī Tóngbǎi stifled a laugh,
Trailing behind.
He rubbed his nose,
Muttering—
"…She's one of the few people
Who dares look twice.
You two have your own fortunes… heh…"
With that,
He led them up the final stone steps.
Above the wooden doorframe hung three characters:
Qīng Shí Pavilion.
It was the quietest wing among the new dorms,
Nestled beside the rear mountain stream.
At night,
The wind whispered through the trees,
Accompanied by the sound of water and stone.
Inside,
The room was sparsely furnished—
One desk, one bed.
The bedding was fresh.
A bamboo curtain hung with faint inked talisman threads,
Blocking outside noise
And calming the mind.
Xiǎo Chén stepped in,
Glanced around,
And nodded—
"Cleaner than I expected."
Xuán Chén ran his hand along the talisman wood by the bed,
Speaking softly—
"Simple setup.
But the seals on the doors and windows haven't been tampered with.
Honest enough."
Shī Tóngbǎi stepped in,
Smiling as he bowed—
"If you're settled in,
I'll head back.
Got messages to run for the academy,
And scrolls to deliver tomorrow morning…
Heh, I won't intrude."
Xiǎo Chén turned,
Clapped him on the shoulder—
"Go on.
We'll find you if we need you."
The door closed.
Only soft light remained inside.
Xuán Chén stood by the window, hands behind his back.
The mountain wind drifted in,
Stirring the curtain like flowing water.
Xiǎo Chén leaned against the desk,
Spoke quietly—
"Tonight's events…
All the pieces have moved.
Now—
It's just a matter of who slips first."
Xuán Chén
replied softly,
His expression unchanged—
"The game isn't fully laid.
There are plenty of players yet to move.
Let's watch."
The curtain swayed.
The lamp flickered like a bean of light.
In the distance,
A faint glow still lingered near Xuǎn Zhēn Pavilion.
Night had deepened.
The wind remained.
Xuán Chén stood by the window,
The breeze brushing past his temples,
His voice like a low hum from a star chart.
Xiǎo Chén murmured—
"Seems like in this academy,
It's not just cultivation that's cutthroat—
Even choosing sides takes caution."
He leaned against the desk,
Silent for a moment.
Then said—
"Silver Mirror uses rules to suppress.
White Profound uses fists to coerce.
Looks like two distinct beasts—
But deep down,
They're both after the same prize."
"Brother,
What do you think?"
Xuán Chén's voice was calm—
"Silver Mirror appears orderly—
But there are layers beneath.
Not necessarily clean."
"White Profound seems wild—
But beneath that,
They're even more ruthless."
"Which is closer,
Which is farther—
We'll see."
Xiǎo Chén raised a brow,
Tapped the desk lightly.
"Shī Tóngbǎi's clever, sure—
But truth and lies probably swirl in the same mouth.
Useful,
But not to be trusted fully."
Xuán Chén nodded—
"Keep a margin."
Xiǎo Chén stared at the candle flame,
His voice low—
"The Hidden Dragon List…
It's trouble."
"Even if it's just a ranking—
Once your name's on it,
Someone will want to drag you down."
Xuán Chén smiled faintly,
His gaze still as water—
"Ao Tian Academy looks loose on the outside,
But it's tight within."
"The Hidden Dragon List—
It's not just the academy's doing."
"Those eyes
Aren't watching the list—
They're watching who can be used."
"And someone
Always has to be the blade."
Xiǎo Chén chuckled,
Then sighed—
"This game…
Is livelier than I thought."
The wind drew closer.
The candlelight flickered.
The two sat in silence,
While beyond the courtyard wall,
Leaves rustled—
Like a chessboard
Still in play.
[1] In classical Chinese culture, a day was divided into twelve shíchen (時辰), each lasting two hours. These divisions were based on the movement of the sun and were deeply tied to daily rhythms, astrology, and even martial strategy.Each shíchen has a name derived from the Earthly Branches (地支) and corresponds to a specific two-hour period in modern time.