The people from the Nine-Emperors Immortal Palace snorted coldly but they didn't reply. These thousands of people were all peak demon-level geniuses of the immortal foundation realm, there was no one mediocre here. Who wasn't proud and arrogant because of their confidence in themselves?
It was just that some people may exhibit their arrogance in their tones but an even larger group of people were silent. There were no lack of famous people among them and they were content to simply watch everything calmly.
Finally, when the thousands of experts finished the 'examination test,' that illusory figure on the platform glanced at all of them and spoke, "You guys can consider yourselves to have passed temporarily. You may enter the sacred academy first."
As the sound of his voice faded, he waved the scepter in his hand and unique runes enveloped those who passed the test. The sight of this caused everyone to be startled slightly. Although these people were very outstanding, the spectators didn't expect that everyone would pass. Seems like the illusory figure has plans of his own and intentionally allowed those more confident supreme geniuses to step out first for easier selection.
With a wave of his hand, a separate space appeared before him. He then spoke, "Those who wish to enter the sacred academy all come forth and stand at the edge of this space. Release your astral souls, immortal foundations and bloodline power. For those who are not selected by me, please step back and make some space."
An instant after that, several figures stepped out and moved forward. For a period of time, the entire space here trembled as everyone released their astral souls, immortal foundations and bloodline power, constituting a dazzling sight.
Qin Wentian exchanged mutual glances with those beside him when he saw this scene. Earlier, that process could be considered pretty lax. There might be some whose potential wasn't high enough but were chosen anyway as the number of people was simply too staggering. However, the illusory figure gave these outstanding geniuses a chance for them to step out on their own earlier so as not to miss out on any true elites as typically, elites would usually have an abundance of confidence in themselves.
"Let us go in first then, they will know what to do." Qin Wentian, Qing`er, Nanfeng Yunxi and the others all stood together. A moment later, the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect, Evergreen Immortal Empire and Southern Phoenix Clan all proceeded forward together, moving towards the entrance of the Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy. Now, everything depended on their own fate.
The experts walked towards the sacred academy. Right now, all of them were enveloped by the marvelous light from the scepter. The instant they set foot inside the entrance of the sacred academy, Qin Wentian felt a momentarily bout of strangeness, it felt like he had just stepped through a gate to the void.
Slowly walking in, the scene before their eyes changed. Qin Wentian felt waves of shock in his heart as he stared at what lies before him.
"It's rumored that the Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy existed in a separate dimension, a world formed by laws of surrealism. Seems like the rumors were true." Jun Mengchen spoke. A slight wind gusted past them, fluttering their clothes as they continued advancing.
At this moment, the thousands of experts all found themselves at the shore of a sea. Before their eyes was an incomparably vast and boundless ocean that emitted an unusual aura.
This sea, seemed limitless in terms of size, it had no boundaries at all. Despite them being immortals, their eyes weren't powerful enough to see the other end of this sea.
The sounds of waves crashing permeated the atmosphere. The sea before their eyes shimmered with astral light as the illusory figure from before appeared standing in the air as he stared at everyone else.
"The name of this sea is the immortal sea. It is also known by its other name - the Dao Sea. You guys came to the Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy to seek the dao, but first in order to do so, you have to traverse through the immortal sea. If you cannot do so, you will be stranded on the sea forever." That figure slowly spoke. "This sea has no boundaries, if you wish to cross it...there are a myriad of ways to do so. Everyone, wait a little while for everyone to arrive before you all attempt the crossing together."
Everyone nodded their heads as they stared ahead. The words of the illusory figure contained many mysteries and they had no way to see through them. Since the immortal sea is boundless, how are they supposed to cross it?
Behind them, more and more experts appeared here. Clearly, these were all the immortal foundation experts who passed after them. The number of people here were simply too many, in fact, there were over 20,000 people.
"Is there still people coming in?" Everyone felt perplexed. Earlier, the illusory figure clearly said that the quota was only 20,000. Yet now, he actually permitted more than 20,000 people to enter.
To truly enter the Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy, they still needed to cross this sea. Right now, they couldn't consider to have stepped into the academy yet. This sea was yet another test to determine their potential.
Less and less people entered. This mass of immortal-foundation experts stood on the shore before the sea, each with solemn expressions. They were all extraordinary geniuses with great determination. However right now, they couldn't help but to feel a little impatient.
Time slowly flowed, the number of people gathered here got increasingly more in number although the rate of new entries gradually lowered.
The illusory figure in the air once again repeated his words and added, "The immortal sea has no boundaries, there are a myriad of ways to cross it. Each of you will have a boat, do not attempt to travel together as the route will differ according to the individual. If you all pass this test, you would all appear in different locations of the sacred academy."
"For the first 20,000 to pass, those people will be considered to have truly become a member of the sacred academy. The others who didn't make it in time will be sent out of here. If there's not 20,000 people who passed within a hundred years, everyone else still on the sea would be sent out as well." That illusory figure continued. After that he materialized a boat made from leaves and gently descended upon it. The boat drifted on the water and he soon vanished from the view of everyone.
"Crossing the sea, seeking the dao." Everyone was staring at the immortal sea. This immortal sea was also known as the Dao Sea. How would they reach the other shore?
The experts here all gushed forth with immortal energy, materializing small boats as they stepped upon them.
Beside Qin Wentian, Qing`er turned her gaze over, staring at him.
"Seeking the Dao while crossing the sea. From the words of that figure, it seems that the method of crossing this sea is different for everyone and we would all be sent to different locations of the sacred academy if we passed. Maybe, they would send us to the most suitable locations according to our Daos. Qing`er we might be separated on the way there. If this is the case, I will see you again in the sacred academy." Qin Wentian spoke in a gentle voice to Qing`er.
"Mhm." Qing`er nodded. Them wanting to enter the Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy was because they wanted to improve their strength. She didn't mind temporarily putting matters of the heart aside for now.
Before this, the Skymist Immortal Empire kept forcing their Evergreen Immortal Empire. Now that the legendary Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy actually appeared, she naturally wanted to grab hold of this opportunity.
"However, who knows...Maybe we may not drift apart." Qin Wentian smiled. After that he cause a small leaf boat to materialize from his immortal energy as he stepped on it. He then turned to his comrades and spoke, "Let's move out."
Everyone used their immortal energy to materialize the boats and stood upon them as they drifted out together onto the sea.
At this instant, thousands upon thousands of boats could be seen. Everyone set forth onto this boundless immortal sea.
Many days passed. Everyone was already within the sea. To their surprise, they discovered that this immortal sea had a law unique to the Great Dao. Energy fluctuations from this marvelous law enveloped everyone, it felt incredibly profound and hard to decipher, causing everyone to feel how extraordinary this sea is exactly.
Several months then flowed by. All the experts had already travelled an immense distance. The people taking the test all gradually drifted apart, off in different directions as they sought their own paths, wanting to cross the immortal sea to reach the other shore.
"What a vast sea, there's truly no end to it. How should we cross it?" Nanfeng Yunxi mumbled. Beside her, Qin Wentian and the others were there as well. They headed further and further together yet they simply couldn't see the shore at the other end.
It seems that the illusory figure's words earlier weren't just spoken casually. This sea was truly boundless.
"Our speed is already extremely fast yet we still cannot see the other shore. Maybe this method might be wrong. This sea is too mysterious and we might do good to consider the words of that illusory figure." Jun Mengchen also discovered that something was wrong. Not only for him, everyone sensed the same thing as well. However, they had to try this most simple method of sailing in a straight line to reach the other shore. However after they attempted it, they discovered that this method might be the wrong one after all.
"There truly seems to be no end to this sea. Maybe, we need to find a spark of insight of comprehension regarding our own Dao before we can exit here." Nanfeng Shengge was at the side of Nanfeng Yunxi. Her personality was humble and kind and she was also more intelligent compared to the other dao protectors of Nanfeng Yunxi. Nanfeng Yunxi treated her like a real sister and trusted her immensely.
"Mengchen, you need to temper your character. In fact, I feel that this immortal sea truly suits you. You have to guard against your pride and impatience, do not screw this up and end up ranking below the 20,000. If you fail, you won't even have the qualifications to enter the academy." Qin Wentian reminded.
"Mhm, those who could enter here are all extraordinary people. Although their talents are unable to be comparable to yours, they are by no means mediocre. All of them are the most outstanding elites of the immortal realms. It would do you good to pay some attention to them." Nanfeng Shengge spoke in a light voice.
Qin Wentian saw Qing`er was deep in thought. He involuntarily asked, "Qing`er, what are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking that ever since this test started, we have been travelling together as a group. There's no time for us to quiet down our hearts and reflect upon the Dao." Qing`er's melodious voice rang out causing Qin Wentian to freeze. After a moment, he shook his head and smiled, "Qing`er, what you say is right. Maybe it's truly time for us to separate."
"What if we are all wrong? What if the true location of the other shore is to simply sail ahead in a straight line and we will reach there sooner or later. This is just a test of our patience." Jun Mengchen spoke.
"Just follow what you think is right in your heart. If you fail, just try again after." Qin Wentian spoke to Jun Mengchen, his words caused everyone to muse silently. It wasn't without logic.
"Let us meet again in the sacred academy then." Qin Wentian smiled. The boat beneath his feet begin to drift into the horizons. He stared at Qing`er only to see her nodding lightly to him as she too, proceeded on her own journey.
"As expected of lovers." Jun Mengchen murmured.
"Baobao is also going then." Even Little Rascal had a boat to himself as well. He controlled the little boat and drifted over the water into a certain direction. That snow-white body of his was at the bow of the ship. For some reason, even at this moment, he still looked extremely adorable. He simply stood there leisurely, allowing the boat to drift wherever it willed, directed by the wind.
After that, Nanfeng Yunxi and Nanfeng Shengge both also departed.
"Senior sis Qingxuan, Hua Taixu. You guys…" Even before Jun Mengchen finished his sentence, both Zi Qingxuan and Hua Taixu had already set foot on their boats. Hua Taixu's white robes fluttered in the wind, Zi Qingxuan didn't even turn her head back, leaving Jun Mengchen alone on the shore. He then plopped himself down and laid down straight on the boat, staring at the vast blue skies as he let out a long sigh. Seems like this voyage is going to be an extremely boring one. Where is the damnable Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy exactly!