The portal in Yuelin Town was located in a very secluded place—a ruined house near the Beast Jungle. But with Mr. Gu's help, reaching it was easy.
To access the portal platform, an authorized identification was required. An invisible barrier surrounded the platform. Mr. Gu took out an identification badge—a violet-colored stone with a golden engraving carved into it.
Holding the badge in front of the barrier, it emitted a faint violet glow, and the barrier slowly opened.
"Stand at the center of the platform. It will take you to Fenglin City," he said.
Li Yanshu stepped onto the platform and faced Mr. Gu.
"Take care, Mr. Gu.," she said, her eyes held a trace of unspoken gratitude.
"You too."
Mr. Gu looked at her for a moment, his expression softening ever so slightly.
Li Yanshu took a slow breath and closed her eyes.
She felt the familiar warm flow of mana coursing through her body.Maybe the portal was made using the Void element—that would explain this sensation.
In an instant, violet light erupted from the platform and engulfed her.
As she passed through the portal, dizziness struck her. It was manageable before, but now every time she used it, she felt nauseous.
When she arrived on the other side, her body tilted sideways. She grabbed the nearby wall for support, her legs trembling.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered. "I need to get control over my teleportation. I can't keep traveling like this. At this rate, I'll get PTSD from it."
After a moment, Li Yanshu steadied herself and stepped off the platform. It seemed the platform was inside a cave.
A narrow path stretched ahead, likely leading to Fenglin City. She began walking toward it.
After about an hour, she finally saw the massive gates of the city.
Mr. Gu had told her that Fenglin City was famous for magical beasts, but seeing it with her own eyes was an entirely different experience.
It was one of the largest trading hubs for them, Beast tamers and binders were everywhere.
No wonder transportation is cheaper here, she thought.
Once inside the city, she began asking around for a beast carriage.
Near the main road, she spotted a woman selling snacks.
"Auntie, do you know any shop where I can buy a beast carriage?" Li Yanshu asked.
"A beast carriage? Go straight down this narrow road, then turn right. At the very end, you'll find a big shop called Fenglin Beast Shop."
"Thank you, Auntie."
"You don't look like you're from here. Where are you from?"
"I'm from Yuelin Town. I need to go to the Imperial Academy, so I need a carriage."
"Oh! You're going there for admission?"
"Yes."
"Then you'd better hurry. "Admissions are about to start, and most of the carriages are already booked. That academy is very famous—they only conduct exams once every three years. When that happens, people flood in from everywhere. It becomes very difficult to even find a carriage."
"Thank you for the tip."
Li Yanshu handed her five silver coins and practically ran toward the shop.
When she arrived, the place was packed with customers—there wasn't even space to stand.
Struggling through the crowd, she somehow made her way to the counter.
"Uncle, I want to book a carriage to the Imperial Academy."
"Sorry, miss. We've run out of carriages. Better luck next time."
"What? But I need to take part in the admission process. Could you please check again? I'm sure there must be one left."
"I'm sorry, miss. We have none left."
"But—"
"You can ride with us if you want."
A clear female voice came from behind her. Judging by her aura, she seemed to be a high-level awakener.
"You… are?"
"Oh, where are my manners? My name is Su Yan. We have a beast carriage for four people. I'm traveling with two companions, and we have one empty seat. If you want, you can join us."
"This might sound rude, but… do I know you?"
Su Yan was surprised by her blunt question.
"No."
"Then why are you helping me?"
For the first time in her life, Su Yan was left speechless. She had come to the Fenglin Beast Shop to look for a rare beast, but she never imagined she would instead encounter such a rare kind of person.
"I heard you're going to the Imperial Academy for admission. My companions and I are students there. If you get selected, you'll be our junior. There's no harm in helping a junior."
Su yan held the badge of imperial academy and showed it to her.
After noticing the badge. Li yanshu knows she misunderstood the person.
"Sorry if I sounded rude. I don't know you, so I thought you might be a swindler."
"Swindler…?" Su Yan repeated, slightly amused. It was the first time anyone had called her that, but she kept her expression neutral.
"You must have met many swindlers before. But you've never met one as pretty as me, right?"
Li Yanshu didn't know how to respond. She wasn't a swindler… but she definitely seemed a bit narcissistic.
"So, are you coming with us or not?"
"Yes, I'll come with you. What about the fare?"
"You don't need to worry about that. In the presence of seniors, we can't let a junior pay. That's a rule at the Imperial Academy."
"Oh…"
"Shall we go?"
"Yes."
Su Yan led her to the gates of Fenglin City, where a large carriage was waiting. The beasts pulling it resembled horses, but with black horns—they seemed to possess wind attributes.
After climbing in, Su Yan guided Li Yanshu inside.
"What took you so long? We've been waiting forever."
A man's voice echoed from within.
As Li Yanshu entered, the carriage suddenly fell silent.
Inside, there were four seats—two on each side, facing each other.
Su Yan sat opposite the man who had just spoken. Li Yanshu took the remaining seat near the entrance, opposite a man wearing a black mask, who was leaning back with his arms folded.
"Su Yan, the Imperial Academy allows beast pets, not human ones," the masked man said lazily, his deep voice resonating through the carriage.
"Shen Yun, don't start trouble," Su Yan replied.
"She's our junior and wants to participate in the entrance exam. Without a carriage, she wouldn't make it. We have an extra seat—why not help her?"
"Fine by me. That seat was going to stay empty anyway. She can take it," said the young man. Who sits opposite to su yan.
"Thanks, Mo Chen. Only you understand me," Su Yan smiled.
"She's only participating. It's not certain she'll become our junior yet, and you're already calling her that," Shen Yun remarked.
"Shen Yun!" Su Yan snapped.
"What? I'm just stating the truth," he replied calmly, raising an eyebrow.
Li Yanshu's gaze turned cold, her expression calm.
"Mr. Shen Yun," she said, her voice steady and sharp, "I don't believe I've ever offended you.
"As for being your junior—" she continued, her tone growing firmer, "I have no interest in it. A senior-junior relationship must have mutual respect, and clearly, that is something you lack."
The air inside the carriage seemed to tighten.
"And about my admission…" she added, her eyes unwavering, "you don't need to concern yourself. I will definitely enter the Imperial Academy."
Shen Yun's gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable behind the mask. Then, slowly, he let out a quiet, almost amused breath.
"Confidence is a good thing," he said calmly, his deep voice carrying a faint hint of mockery, "but overconfidence can easily get you into trouble."
"I know what I'm doing. You don't need to concern yourself with my matters."
This time, the silence that followed was heavier.
Sensing the atmosphere turning awkward, Mo Chen cleared his throat lightly, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
"Well… since we'll be traveling together," he said, his tone warm and easygoing, "why don't we properly introduce ourselves?"
The tension loosened slightly.
"My name is Mo Chen," he continued. "I'm a Level 5 Light Awakener—and a healer."
His calm demeanor brought a sense of balance to the group.
"I'm Su Yan. You already know me. I'm also a Level 5 Awakener—a dual-element Fire and Dark warrior."
Her tone carried a hint of pride, but also a natural ease.
Gradually, all eyes shifted toward the masked man.
He had been silent the entire time, leaning lazily against the seat with his arms folded.
"Shen Yun," he said simply, his voice low and unhurried. "Level 5 Fire and water, a dual Binder."
His gaze drifted toward Li Yanshu.
"What's your name… little junior?"
A subtle smile curved at his lips— almost teasing, yet carrying an unmistakable sense of provocation.
Li Yanshu met his gaze without flinching.
"Bai Qingran."
Mo Chen's brows furrowed slightly, as if trying to recall something.
"Bai Qingran…" he murmured. "Why does that sound familiar?"
Su Yan's expression changed almost instantly.
The casual confidence on her face stiffened, replaced by surprise.
"Wait…" she muttered, sitting up straighter.
"Bai?"
Her eyes sharpened as she looked at Li Yanshu again, this time more carefully—
"Don't tell me… you're from the Bai family of the capital?"
Li Yanshu's expression remained calm, her posture composed.
"Yes," she said. "The Bai family—one of the capital's top five families."
As for Shen Yun—
Though his expression remained hidden behind the mask, there was the faintest shift in his posture. His gaze lingered on her just a second longer than before.
"He thought to himself, 'Interesting.'"