Volume One: First Steps on the Path Chapter Seven: Anze Academy

As the pillars of light in the courtyard gradually faded, the Eight Trigrams diagram atop the circular platform slowed to a stop, its glow dimming until, before long, everything returned to how it was before, as if nothing had happened at all. Only the passersby in the street remained engaged in lively discussion about the recent events, but that was no longer of any concern to those who had already been teleported to Anze Academy.

...

It was impossible to say how much time had passed—it felt both like the blink of an eye and as long as several years. As the teleportation neared its end, Ye Junze’s consciousness slowly returned. “Where am I? What just happened?”

“The teleportation is almost over. This should be Anze Academy,” came Meng Yuan’s voice in his mind.

Hearing Meng Yuan’s reply, Ye Junze began to recall the events leading up to this moment. It seemed his awareness had only lingered on the platform before teleportation, recalling the words the driver had spoken to him. Beyond that, he remembered nothing.

He couldn’t help but ask, “How much time has passed?”

“Not long, really—just a few breaths. It’s just your first time experiencing long-distance spatial teleportation, so you lost all sense perception. You’ll get used to it,” Meng Yuan replied.

“The teleportation is ending. I sense several powerful spiritual presences in this school. To avoid being noticed, I’ll return to the illusionary realm for now. Take care of yourself,” Meng Yuan continued.

“All right.”

At that moment, Ye Junze felt as though he was suddenly set down upon solid ground. He shifted his feet and realized he truly was standing somewhere. Looking down, he saw he was on a teleportation array about the same size as the one behind Qingxuan’s courtyard, emitting the same steady glow and featuring a spinning Eight Trigrams diagram. Glancing around, he noticed that most people wore dazed and unsettled expressions. Some, perhaps from nerves during teleportation, were bent over retching. Watching the newcomers, Tu Shanyue thought to herself, “This year’s batch isn’t bad—at least fewer are vomiting compared to before.”

With that, Tu Shanyue cleared her throat. “All right, what you see now is Anze Academy’s teleportation chamber. From now on, whether you’re heading out on missions or going home for holidays, you’ll all travel through here.”

At her words, Ye Junze and those around him couldn’t resist surveying the teleportation chamber. It was a vast open-air space, and aside from the array beneath their feet, there were several other intricate-looking devices scattered around, presumably connected in some way to the teleportation process.

Tu Shanyue addressed the group, “Okay, everyone please step down from the teleportation array. In a moment, someone will come to escort you to registration. As for me, I’ll be returning to Qingxuan’s quarters—there are more newcomers arriving. If fate allows, we’ll meet again in the future. Don’t forget me then!” She cast a mischievous glance at Ye Junze as she finished.

The onlookers were instantly curious, fixing their gaze on Ye Junze and wondering just what sort of person he must be to earn such attention from someone who clearly wasn’t just an ordinary teacher.

Wang Dongdong, ever the gossip, sidled up to Ye Junze and, lowering his voice, said, “Impressive, Brother Ye! You’ve only just arrived and you’ve already caught the eye of a beauty like her?”

Ye Junze couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. “Don’t talk nonsense. We just had a conversation before you all arrived, nothing more. Don’t overthink it.”

Wang Dongdong gave him a knowing look, as if to say, “I get it, I get it. Men—we understand each other.”

Seeing the expression on the chubby boy’s face, Ye Junze knew the misunderstanding would only grow if he tried to explain. With a resigned sigh, he let it go—after all, the more one tries to clarify, the more tangled things become. In time, people would lose interest.

“Enough. Judging by your expression, you’re not up to anything good. We should get going,” Ye Junze said, still helpless but resigned.

Tu Shanyue watched as the newcomers left the teleportation platform. Just as she was about to form a seal to activate the array again, she noticed Ye Junze, at the front of the group, wave back at her without turning around. A smile crept onto her face. “At least the boy isn’t ungrateful—he’s making good use of what I gave him.” With that, she formed the familiar hand seals, and the teleportation array once more shot skyward with dazzling light, vanishing in an instant.

After Ye Junze and the others left the teleportation array and stepped out of the chamber, they found themselves greeted by banners reading slogans such as “Welcome New Students” and “Welcome to Anze Academy.” The festive display lessened the air of mystery around the school for Ye Junze; at least when it came to welcome ceremonies, this place seemed no different from any other university.

As everyone paused to take in the banners, a tall woman emerged from the crowd and addressed them. “New students, welcome to Anze,” she said, waving. “I’m Lin Xin, a second-year in the Daoist Arts Department—so you can consider me your upperclassman. Today, I’ll be your guide—please take care of me.”

Everyone responded in kind, greeting her respectfully as “Senior Sister.”

Hearing her mention the Daoist Arts Department, Ye Junze found himself puzzled. He couldn’t recall any university having such a department—how intriguing.

Noticing his thoughtful look, Lin Xin smiled at him. “What’s on your mind, junior? Are you captivated by your senior’s beauty?”

Ye Junze played along, half joking, “I didn’t expect Senior Sister to be not only beautiful but also clever—you can even guess what I’m thinking.”

Lin Xin laughed, delighted by his words. “That’s not all I have going for me. You’ll discover more of my talents in the future.”

“I look forward to it,” he replied.

Lin Xin waved her hand, “All right, enough banter. Let’s get you all registered—follow me, please.”

The group followed Lin Xin, soon arriving at a building bearing a sign that read “Anze Academy Registration Office.”

“All right, this is where you’ll register. Go on in.”

One by one, the new students entered. When it was Ye Junze’s turn, he found the process straightforward: present the admission letter, register his name, and that was it. Afterward, someone handed him a set of clothes—presumably the academy uniform—and a key. “This is your uniform, and this key is for your dormitory room. Please keep it safe.” With that, the staff member moved on to others.

Examining the key, Ye Junze saw the character “Qian” engraved on it, along with the number 216, which he guessed was his room number. Registration complete, he stepped outside and found Lin Xin waiting.

“Senior Sister, where is everyone else?” he asked.

“They’ve already been escorted to their dorms. You took a bit longer, so I’ll take you myself,” she replied.

“Thank you, Senior Sister.”

“No need to be so polite. Let me see your key.” Ye Junze handed it over. Lin Xin glanced at it and exclaimed, “What a coincidence—we’re both in Qian Building. You’re in 216, and I’m on the fourth floor, room 410.”

“I'll take you there.”

As they walked, the two chatted aimlessly. Suddenly, Ye Junze asked, “By the way, senior, what exactly is the Daoist Arts Department you mentioned?”

“It’s just what it sounds like—we major in Daoist methods. You’ll learn more in a few days. Our academy has many departments: Daoist Arts is just one, along with Artifact Forging, Alchemy, and so on.”

“So how do I choose a department?”

“Don’t worry about that. There’ll be a test soon, and the school will help assign you to a department based on your results.”

Ye Junze nodded thoughtfully. “All right, thank you, Senior Sister.”

“You’re welcome. By the way, our dorm building is co-ed, but everyone has their own private room, fully equipped. You’ll see for yourself soon.”

The two continued chatting until they reached Qian Building. Lin Xin led Ye Junze to room 216. “This is your room—settle in. The opening ceremony is tomorrow, so get some rest. Oh, this is my contact info—if you need anything, just let me know.” She held out her phone, and after adding each other as friends, she said, “That’s all for now. I’ll go greet more newcomers. See you around, junior.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister. Goodbye,” Ye Junze replied, waving.

Watching Lin Xin disappear from view, Ye Junze opened his door and was stunned by what he saw—the room was so luxurious that even a presidential suite in a five-star hotel might pale in comparison. He recalled Lin Xin’s words and thought to himself, “This is more than just fully equipped—it has everything one could possibly need.”

After thoroughly exploring his room, Ye Junze lay on the bed and reflected on all he’d experienced that day.

“Anze... I’m finally here.”