The ride to the main office was swift—less than ten minutes in the sky, under a pale morning light.
When they entered, only Su Cheng and Dai Lihua were present, seated outside Principal Renshu's closed door.
Fan Yumei exchanged nods with them, then led her parents and team to find seats.
Nobody spoke. Tension crackled.
Over time, more students arrived with their parents. Quiet chatter floated between groups, never loud enough to disturb the weight of what was coming.
Some minutes later, Principal Renshu emerged with a gentle smile, Commander Qian Shiyan following behind him.
Renshu rested a hand on his cane. "You're all early, I see."
Commander Qian nodded with a commanding presence. "Right on schedule."
Fan Yangwei and Ka Sanni slipped in quietly—respected observers of this critical moment.
"You'll each receive ten high-tier healing serums, two anti-all poison vials, and a rift tracker to locate fellow students if they send an SOS signal," Renshu said, flicking his wrist. Small black cases shimmered into each student's hands.
"I'm not saying you must help, but it would be… decent. Remember, they aren't your opponents this time. The other academies are."
He let that sink in before continuing.
"Now take a life talisman—mark it with your blood and stamp it with your soul seal. If anyone falls… the Academy will make preparations for your family."
A stillness settled over the room as the students pressed their blood into the parchment.
Commander Qian stepped forward, handing out two Void Flares per student. "Use these only in emergencies. They're your last resort."
Fan Yumei and her teammates accepted the supplies with quiet nods. The lifelines felt heavier than they looked.
Ka Sanni and Fan Yangwei exchanged silent salutes with Principal Renshu. Yangwei peeled off to speak privately with Commander Qian.
"You all will face the realm," Renshu said, voice steady. "Not much can be said about the place you're about to step into. Show no mercy."
Fan Yumei's parents exchanged a glance. Their resolve was firm.
"Remember your training," Ka Sanni said.
"Trust your beasts," Fan Yangwei added, tapping her temple.
Fan Yumei touched her Emerald Spirit Band. It fit like a second skin. Her father's Ancient Jadebow, nearly as tall as she was, rested over her shoulder—heavy with old power. She barely noticed the weight anymore.
Commander Qian gave a final nod. "Let's get going."
⸻
Outside the main compound, all fifteen students gathered with Principal Renshu and Commander Qian. A sleek Federation hovercraft shimmered under the morning haze, waiting.
Students buzzed with excitement, nerves high and rising.
"Do we get assigned seats?"
"Is it true there are storms at the gate?"
"Can we use beast-mode transit or is that restricted?"
Voices overlapped, energy running wild.
"Quiet down," Principal Renshu called out. Not shouting—but the authority in his tone cut through the noise like a blade.
A few students muttered about the destination, others about the rumors surrounding the Secret Realm.
Just before boarding, Fan Yumei remembered she was missing one of her kiddos—Mystic! She raised two fingers to her lips and whistled sharply—twice.
The sky trembled.
A low rumble echoed like distant thunder—then Mystic appeared, slicing through the clouds in radiant motion. She wasn't in cloud form this time.
Eighteen feet of pale, seamless sky flesh drifted down, glowing softly. Mystic looked carved from starlight, her body pulsing with silent power.
Su Cheng startled, then grinned. "She's even bigger than last time."
Then a voice from the group rang out, grinning:
"Fan Yumei, how about you let us ride your beast instead?"
A few laughed, others perked up at the idea.
"Is that a… sperm whale?" someone whispered.
"No… that's not a whale," another said, eyes wide. "That's a sky leviathan."
"She's not even using her cloud form!" Hu Ailing whispered. "How is she floating!?"
"Wait—is that Fan Yumei's beast?"
"She has a Myth-class beast?" someone breathed.
"She's glowing."
"She's terrifying."
"She's incredible."
"Bro, she's huge—beast god mode huge."
Mystic hovered above them, her belly swirling with light. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Can we… ride her please!?" someone shouted out, voice cracking with awe.
"That would be way cooler than the hovercraft," another mumbled.
Fan Yumei's teammates barely glanced up—too used to the spectacle to care. Min Zhao already had her pack secured. Jin Minhe was chewing dried jerky. Liang Chenwu adjusted his shoulder brace. Zhou Qian rolled her eyes and muttered, "Try not to trip on the stairs this time."
Fan Yumei looked at the Principal.
Principal Renshu cleared his throat. "That would be faster. And frankly… more dramatic. Your call, Cadet Fan."
Fan Yumei nodded. "She can carry everyone."
Hearing this, Mystic released a spiral cloud stair escalator from her underside, lowering near the hovercraft. The steps swirled and locked into form, moving gently like a conveyor.
That was all it took.
Chaos.
The rest of the students rushed over, offering hurried bows and cries of "Thank you!" as they rode the cloud escalator up Mystic's side.
"Fan Yumei's a beastmaster goddess confirmed," someone laughed.
"I call tail-side!" yelled a tall cultivator.
"You're insane if you think I'm not claiming the top ridge!" another snapped.
"Let me sit near the blowhole!" someone shouted.
"She doesn't have to—it's her beast, she can let anyone sit there. Right, so can you pick me?" another corrected and asked.
A few chuckles followed, but heads turned toward Fan Yumei.
Commander Qian raised a brow. "Is she okay for multi-student transport, Cadet Fan?"
Fan Yumei smirked. "Very."
He grinned. "Then she's your ride."
Mystic responded with a pulse of cloud qi—solidified crescent seats forming in a full circle along her back, complete with gentle restraints made of wrapped cloud belts, locking everyone safely in place.
Mouths agape.
"Is this even legal?!" student chatter buzzed with excitement.
"I wonder if she'll give me an egg if she mates her beast," another student said, thinking out loud.
Even Principal Renshu, boarding last, was in awe as he sat near the center. Commander Qian joined him with a chuckle.
Fan Yumei sat near the front—Maxius and Lufei beside her, flanking her on either side like silent guardians.
She touched the glowing Celestial Rune Matrix on Mystic's scale. The great beast purred, rumbling the air.
She signaled Mystic to go with a trained whistle after receiving the coordinates.
Zhou Qian sat with a raised brow. "They're acting like she's a cruise hoverstar craft."
Kai Shi, seated next to him, just snorted, crossing his arms. "Better than the hovercraft though."
Min Zhao shook her head. "They better not start jumping around up there. Mystic's tolerant, not stupid."
Mystic rose—smooth and steady—too massive to land, but perfectly balanced as she glided into the sky, leaving the hovercraft behind.
Maxius and Lufei stayed close to Fan Yumei, their presence commanding attention.
→ Maxius – Phantom Apex Mirage, Ascended Assassin Class
Sleek and cloaked in shifting shadows, Maxius's eyes gleamed with intent—untouchable.
→ Lufei – Celestial Verdant Crowned Antler Spirit, Transcendent Class
Radiant antlers pulsing verdant energy, Lufei's presence was both soothing and formidable.
They sat, silent and alert, the wind slipping past their figures.
Her mother and father stayed behind, watching from below until Mystic vanished into the clouds.
⸻
The first stop was at a clearing. It was around midday when Mystic hovered above a broad outcrop of land clearing in the vast unexplored areas of the wild zones.
She created a lower terrace from her solid clouds, allowing the students to disembark briefly using her cloud escalator. Everyone stretched, snacked, and compared notes.
Fan Yumei checked Mystic's core readings.
Min Zhao passed around warm tea.
Jin Minhe challenged anyone willing to spar for food.
"You ready for the next stretch?" Kai Shi asked.
Fan Yumei nodded as everyone began boarding. "Let's finish this flight strong."
Principal Renshu boarded calmly, taking a seated position near the central runic heart.
Commander Qian followed, unbothered. "Comfier than our old transports," he muttered, settling beside Renshu with a sigh.
Fan Yumei climbed aboard last, patting Mystic's smooth skin with casual ease.
"You're doing great," she murmured.
Mystic gave a low, deep rumble, the sound of restrained joy.
Then she rose.
⸻
Their next stop was at Stormwatch Ridge.
By late afternoon, storm winds rose. As they ascended higher above the cloud line, a dome began to form with thick solid clouds, sculpted into a soft protective shell over Mystic's back. Each cloud layer clicked into place like armored panels, shielding them from wind and lightning.
Inside, everyone remained seated in their cloud circle. Fan Yumei retrieved Thermo-Essence Orbs from her gear.
Jin Minhe, cocooned in a blanket:
"So it was handy you packed those weird little things. Thought you were a bit Lulu in the head."
Fan Yumei thwacked him.
Laughter followed.
They shared ghost stories, rival academy gossip, and beast hunts. Blankets, food packs, and heated blankets were passed around. Light conversations started to rise—now relaxed, even spirited.
They poked fun at each other and debated which rival academies posed the biggest threats.
"I heard Zhao Han from Ironroot hasn't lost a single duel in three years," Liang Chenwu said.
"Yeah, and Wu Xian from Jade Tiger allegedly stole someone's beast egg and still won his match," Zhou Qian added.
"White Fang's assassin girl is the real threat," Min Zhao muttered. "Three teams vanished. No one even saw her move."
Fan Yumei leaned back against Mystic's smooth form, expression calm.
"Then we don't give them a chance."
"Or we beat them and take their spots in the Federation rankings," Jin said with a grin, chewing on dried jerky.
Kai glanced up from his gear. "Only if we're still breathing."
Laughter broke out again.
Even under the weight of what tomorrow held, the air inside Mystic's dome felt lighter.
Outside, clouds surged and lightning crawled across the distant sky.
Inside, they huddled together—fifteen young cultivators with gear, nerves, and bonds stronger than steel.
They weren't at the Gate yet.
But they were close.
⸻
The final stop came as dusk approached.
Mystic hovered silently at a high altitude as the Rift's jagged outline glowed faintly in the distance.
Everyone stayed seated, watching the horizon sharpen.
"So that is Fan Yumei's bonded beast?!" cried another.
"I thought that thing was a myth!" someone else chimed in.
"Nope," muttered Min Zhao, dry as ever. "It's real. Get used to it."
"Show-off," Zhou Qian teased under his breath, bumping her shoulder.
Min Zhao scowled. "Says the boy with a grandma's name."
Zhou Qian shrugged. "At least my dad wanted a girl. Your mother only wanted a boy."
Min Zhao pouted and shot a wind spell at him.
"Ow! Why am I surrounded by crazy women?" he whined, rubbing his arm.
A few students chuckled as Mystic circled once above, then released a wide, spiraling set of solid cloud stairs that dropped down and anchored beside the hovercraft—perfectly stable, soft underfoot but firm as stone.
"Is it really OK for her to carry everyone?" someone asked, wide-eyed.
"She's carried worse. Plus she can use the workout and stretch," Fan Yumei muttered, not looking up, adjusting her packs.
Fan Yumei finished checking her final inventory.
Kai helped repack their rations.
Zhou Qian read quietly.
Min Zhao sharpened her throwing knives while muttering about her name—again.
"Alright," Principal Renshu said, stepping forward. "Let's move. We'll reach the gate."
Fan Yumei's team took up their usual places near the center. The others gave them respectful space—except for a few brave students who wandered around out of curiosity.
Min Zhao stretched out like she owned the place, flipping a snack orb into her mouth.
Jin Minhe munched on jerky.
Kai Shi leaned back against a solid ridge, eyes closed but fully alert.
Zhou Qian adjusted his weapon, then casually leaned toward a nearby group.
"So… anyone worried about the gate blowing us all into dimensional soup?" he asked casually.
"Why would you say that out loud!?" someone shrieked.
"Zhou, don't scare the others," Fan Yumei warned.
"Not my fault. I just speak with honesty though."
Later, as Mystic descended toward the group of people below, they arrived at the Gate.
The scene below stunned them.
Sleek drones hovered in formation in the surroundings. Several academy banners snapped in the wind. Over a hundred students stood with their beasts in rows—some feral, some poised, others far too strange to classify.
Mystic hovered above the platform. Her solid cloud escalator extended, spiraling softly to the ground.
A hush fell as Mystic descended her cloud stairs with Fan Yumei, followed by Kai Shi, Min Zhao, and all the others. Maxius and Lufei flanked her like shadows and light all on it.
Mystic shrank to a much smaller size but still hovered protectively above.
"Be on guard at all times, children," Renshu said softly.
Commander Qian stepped forward, Principal Renshu at his side.
Naturally, the conversation turned to the other academies.
Zhou Qian counted them off on his fingers.
"Aurora Crest Academy. Ironroot Vanguard. White Fang Academy. Redwind Conservatory. Ironclad Institute. Stormcaller Academy."
"You're forgetting some, dumb-dum dum," someone whispered in the back.
"Oh yeah, there is also Sunflare Academy. Moonshard Academy. Verdane Institute. The Royal Sovereign Academy. Federation Elite Command. Jade Tiger Academy. Veiled Lotus Academy."
"That's thirteen," Liang Chenwu noted. "Fourteen including us."
"And all their top combatants are here," Min Zhao added, brushing wind from her bangs.
They sat quietly as they waited—and felt the weight of what was coming.
"Got it! Don't engage other students unless necessary and don't die," Jin Minhe said through a mouthful of bread. "That's my contribution."
Min Zhao smirked. "Keep your rift map scrolls close and your beast closer."
Kai Shi gave a firm nod.
Then Fan Yumei spoke, calm but resolute:
"Final check—Tag the locators and remember the plan."
Liang, Zhou, Min, and Kai nodded. Jin mumbled, "You don't let us forget about anything."
Fan Yumei closed her eyes, calming her soul beast's nerves. Mystic was feeling a bit off.
Kai Shi nudged her jokingly. "Did you pack enough gear?"
She opened her eyes, rolling them, and smiled—annoyed at the interruption.
"Of course, she has enough for a year or two of apocalypse survival gear."
Jin Minhe slapped his thigh, giggling hard.
"There was no skimping—she even kept saying. We don't know how long we'll be in there or what we'll face." Zhou Qian joked hanging on Liang Chenwu's shoulder laughing.
"Over‑prepared beats under‑prepared," Liang Chenwu also chimed in, laughing.
A hush fell. Then—
Everyone burst into blaring laughter.
A low vibration shuddered as the Secret Realm gate's friction arcs danced. The air arch—etched with ancient runes—towered under a violet haze.
Under it stood Principal Renshu and Guild Commander Qian, flanked by ten rival academy representatives and four powerhouse families, their beasts at ready.
Fan Yumei's heart hammered.
Ancient pylons hummed. Mystic formed a protective ring around them as she flew onto the floating launch disc.
Fan Yumei drew her bow, Emerald Spirit Band gleaming, forming emerald armor. She turned to her team, adrenaline rising.
"Survive. Stay sharp!" she barked.
Min Zhao leaned in:
"What if someone doesn't make it back…?"
Fan Yumei didn't flinch:
"Then I'll bring them home."
Principal Renshu raised his staff cane silencing all the students.
"Welcome, students of the Federation Academy. Today you step beyond known bounds. I will now introduce you to your peers and competitors—from our ten rival academies and four powerhouse families—whose skills you must respect… and, when necessary, outmatch."