Volume One: Femme Fatale Chapter 53: Dragon Gate Academy

"Giddyap! Giddyap!"

Jiang Hao and his companion departed from the northern gate of Longxia City, galloping swiftly toward the northeast.

"Commander Zhang, what kind of horse is this? Its speed is actually so astonishing!" Jiang Hao patted the fine steed beneath him and asked Commander Zhang, who was riding beside him.

Commander Zhang smiled faintly and replied, "Young Master Jiang, you may not know this, but this is a Gale Steed, a rank-one fierce beast renowned for its incredible speed."

"A fierce beast?" Jiang Hao asked in surprise.

Patting the horse's back, Commander Zhang explained earnestly, "This beast has the build of a horse, with a proud and athletic posture. When it gallops, it feels as though a gale is whistling past your ears. Its speed is extraordinary, capable of traveling three thousand li in a single day, and it is frequently used as a mount."

"I see!" Jiang Hao sighed inwardly, thinking, *If only I could one day own such a magnificent steed.*

Seeming to perceive Jiang Hao's thoughts, Commander Zhang smoothly offered, "Young Master Jiang, if you like it, this Gale Steed can be given to you as your mount."

"Commander Zhang, how could I possibly accept such a gift?" Jiang Hao replied while continuing to gallop.

"Haha! Young Master Jiang is Her Majesty the Queen's personally appointed disciple of the Dragon Gate Academy; there is no need for you to decline such a mere Gale Steed!" Commander Zhang persuaded.

"In that case, I shall accept it without further courtesy!" Jiang Hao said joyfully.

"Haha! Young Master Jiang is most straightforward!" Commander Zhang laughed heartily.

"Giddyap! Giddyap!"

Spurring their horses, the two continued their rapid ride toward the Dragon Gate Academy...

The Dragon Gate Academy was situated about thirty li northeast of Longxia City. It was an academy personally founded by the royal family of the Southern Xia Kingdom, carrying the dreams and glories of countless talented individuals.

Although the reputation of the Dragon Gate Academy could not rival that of the six great immortal sects, its strength as an academy of cultivation established by the royal family of the Southern Xia Kingdom was certainly not to be underestimated.

"Whoa!"

"Young Master Jiang, we have arrived!"

In less than the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, Jiang Hao and his companion reached the gates of the Dragon Gate Academy.

The Dragon Gate Academy stood majestically amidst a vast expanse of mountains, gleaming brilliantly like a radiant pearl. Its architectural style was ingenious, featuring soaring eaves, upturned corners, and intricately carved beams and painted pillars, exuding an unmatched aura.

The doorframe of the grand entrance was carved from sturdy bluestone, polished as smooth as a mirror as if seamlessly integrated with nature. Exquisite patterns and ancient runes were engraved upon the doors, exuding a profound cultural heritage and a heavy sense of history.

The gate panels reached high into the clouds, spacious and solemn, creating an overwhelming sense of awe. Towering stone lions stood majestically on either side, mighty and vigorous, conveying a silent dignity and power.

The steps before the gate were broad and neat, covered with a layer of moss that seemed to recount the vicissitudes of time and the long history of the academy.

"What a magnificent Dragon Gate Academy!" Jiang Hao leaped down from the Gale Steed, a look of awe washing over his face.

Outside the gates stood an elderly man nearing sixty, dressed in a grey robe, with several middle-aged cultivators standing behind him, as if they had been waiting here for a long time.

"Zhang Chen pays his respects to Vice President Sun!" Zhang Chen walked forward quickly, bowing with cupped fists.

During the journey, Jiang Hao had already learned that Commander Zhang was named Zhang Chen, and that he served as the commander of the imperial palace guard as well as the loyal shadow by Her Majesty Queen Nangong Xue's side.

Additionally, Jiang Hao had learned from Zhang Chen that the vice president of the Dragon Gate Academy was named Sun Ping.

Although this vice president was nearing sixty with temples touched by frost, he was the right-hand man of Her Majesty Queen Nangong Xue. The Dragon Gate Academy under his administration continuously supplied fresh talent to the royal family.

"Haha! Commander Zhang is as spirited as ever!" Sun Ping said with a smile.

"Vice President Sun flatters me!" Zhang Chen respectfully replied, then turned to introduce Jiang Hao to Sun Ping. "Vice President Sun, this is Young Master Jiang. He is the son-in-law of the Qin family of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, and also the person personally appointed by Her Majesty the Queen to cultivate at the Dragon Gate Academy and participate in this year's Azure Cloud Tournament."

"I trust Vice President Sun can find a superior dwelling for Young Master Jiang to assist him with his cultivation over the coming month," Zhang Chen added.

*Oh? Someone able to catch the eye of Qin Jiangtang from the Myriad Treasures Pavilion is a rare sight throughout the entire Southern Xia Kingdom. Yet, why is this young man's cultivation realm only at the initial stage of the Spirit Spring Realm?* Sun Ping thought inwardly, though a smile remained on his face as he replied, "Since he is personally appointed by Her Majesty the Queen, this old man naturally will not treat him poorly."

"With Vice President Sun's words, I am reassured," Zhang Chen said respectfully.

"Young Master Jiang, Her Majesty's matters have been attended to, and I must return to the palace to report. Zhang wishes Young Master Jiang brilliance at the Azure Cloud Tournament a month from now!" With that, Zhang Chen remounted his Gale Steed.

"Thank you, Commander Zhang!" Jiang Hao immediately turned and cupped his fists in gratitude.

"Until we meet again, Young Master Jiang!"

"Giddyap!"

As the words faded, Zhang Chen drove the Gale Steed forward, leaving a trail of dust in his wake.

Watching Zhang Chen's departing figure, a wave of curiosity arose in Jiang Hao's heart. He turned and respectfully asked Sun Ping, "Vice President Sun, might I ask what Commander Zhang's cultivation level is?"

Sun Ping stroked his beard and smiled, "Young Master Jiang may not know this, but Commander Zhang is only thirty years old, yet his cultivation has already reached the initial stage of the Spirit Pill Realm."

Sun Ping's words left Jiang Hao deeply shocked: *To reach the initial stage of the Spirit Pill Realm at such a young age—he must have endured countless grueling hardships to achieve such a feat!*

Seeing this, Sun Ping smiled meaningfully and gestured, "Young Master Jiang, since it is Her Majesty's decree, please follow me. This old man will take you to your place of cultivation right away."

Hearing this, Jiang Hao snapped back to his senses and respectfully said, "Then I must trouble Vice President Sun!"

"Hehe..." Sun Ping stroked his beard, smiled, turned around, and led the way into the courtyard.

"Gale Steed, store!" Jiang Hao mentally commanded the Gale Steed into his cosmic ring, then quickly followed behind.

Stepping through the gates of the Dragon Gate Academy, pavilions and towering structures rose in an orderly fashion within, resembling a celestial wonderland that captured the imagination.

"What on earth is this kid's background, to have Vice President Sun guide him personally?"

"He must be a scion of some noble royal family!"

"I wouldn't be so sure! That kid looks completely unfamiliar; it seems we've never heard of such a figure among the royal nobility of the Southern Xia Kingdom."

"Could he be a disciple from one of the six great immortal sects who came here in pursuit of Her Majesty the Queen?"

"I think that's quite possible. After all, the son of the Great Sword Sect's sect master lowered himself to come to our Dragon Gate Academy precisely for Her Majesty."

"What do you mean by that, brat? Are you implying our Dragon Gate Academy is necessarily inferior to the six great immortal sects?"

Whispers echoed from the surroundings as everyone cast curious glances at Jiang Hao's face.

Paying them no mind, Jiang Hao maintained a calm expression as he kept pace with Sun Ping and strode forward.

After some time, having traversed the entire Dragon Gate Academy with Sun Ping, Jiang Hao finally arrived at the academy's back mountain.

"The forbidden ground of the back mountain? Vice President Sun, is this the place of cultivation you mentioned?" Jiang Hao gazed at the four large characters carved into the stone tablet and looked doubtfully at Sun Ping.

"Indeed!" Sun Ping nodded, his tone carrying profound meaning. "If Young Master Jiang wishes to make breakthroughs in his cultivation within a month, this old man can think of no better place for cultivation throughout the entire Dragon Gate Academy."

"Young Master Jiang, please follow me." With those words, Sun Ping stepped past the stone tablet and walked slowly inward.

"..." Although doubts lingered in his heart, Jiang Hao followed without the slightest hesitation.