Chapter One: The Seventh Medicine Peak

The Blackwater Mountains, beneath the Seventh Medicine Peak, a series of neatly arranged cottages belonging to the Hortonklin family enterprise dotted the foothills, their presence orderly amidst the open ground. In the center training field, where the cold wind howled, over a hundred boys and girls gathered in small groups, fending off the chill as they waited quietly for the elders of the Hortonklin family.

Xu Wen, only fourteen, did not mingle with these children whose bodies and minds matched their age. He lounged lazily against the wall at the edge of the field, a blade of wild grass clamped between his teeth, one leg stretched out and the other bent. His head tilted, gaze lowered onto the open "Introduction to Magical Knowledge" resting on his knee. He remained motionless, only chewing when turning a page, revealing a handsome, slightly childish face and a pair of earnest eyes.

Already, Xu Wen had adopted some of his family’s habits—learning to "see" people with his eyes, seeking suitable and worthwhile companions, regardless of gender. With a soul of twenty-three years, he could hardly stoop to plot his future or display grand ambitions among these awkward little brats. The girls who were flat-chested and flat-backed interested him even less; he was no perverted old man.

Rather than wasting time with them, he preferred to use his photographic memory to review the books in his storage pouch.

The old man who brought him here had said he had only three months. Within those three months, everyone here would have to rely on their own talent and diligence to improve their abilities. Afterward, whether they would join the Hortonklin family and enjoy wealth and honor, living a life of luxury, or continue as poor youths struggling at the bottom of society, would depend on whether they could stand out among the many registered disciples after three months!

Wealth and honor—though the phrase grated on the ears of a twenty-first-century top-tier gamer like him, for Xu Wen in this world, it was extremely real.

Perhaps it was because a twenty-three-year-old soul had been thrust into the body of a fourteen-year-old boy; laziness and seriousness, two contrasting qualities, harmoniously coexisted within him. This caught the attention of many on the training field, who whispered and speculated about his identity.

“Who is that guy? I’ve never seen him before.”

“Oh, he’s probably the last registered disciple for this term. Last night, I saw Elder Xu personally bring him in,” said a boy who lived next door to Xu Wen, dropping a bombshell.

“Elder Xu? You mean the master of the Seventh Medicine Peak?”

Several boys nearby were startled. Their gazes toward Xu Wen changed, tinged with intrigue.

“What kind of background does he have to trouble Elder Xu?”

“Background?” The boy next door glanced at the speaker, amused. “When he came in yesterday, he was still wearing shabby civilian clothes, a real mess. I think Elder Xu probably picked him up from outside.”

At this, the curious gazes faded, replaced by faint disdain and mockery.

It was no surprise. Without a background, he must have exceptional talent to catch Elder Xu’s eye. Still, all registered disciples of the Hortonklin family were chosen for outstanding aptitude—he was just lucky.

At that moment, among the group, a slightly chubby boy shot a vicious glare at the one by the wall. “So that’s why my brother didn’t get in—the spot went to a worthless commoner. Hmph! Just wait, someday I’ll settle accounts with him.”

The boys rallied around the chubby one, not noticing the cold, aloof youth nearby, whose lips curled in a faint sneer:

While others diligently built their strength, these fools wasted their time boasting. Who would be dealing with whom, when the time came, was anyone’s guess…

When the aloof youth glanced again at the boy by the wall, his eyebrow twitched as he caught a flicker of fire that disappeared at the other’s fingertips.

A spark?

In such a short time, the boy could already sense and summon fire elements? If, as they said, he was a mere commoner and had only arrived last night, then… Elder Xu’s new ward must have remarkable talent!

Repeated attempts had already given Xu Wen a bit of personal insight:

“Meditation helps recover mental energy and allows clearer perception of elemental forces in space. Magical incantations can trigger elemental resonance in the shortest time… The form and power depend on proficiency and magic strength. Nothing too difficult.”

Just as Xu Wen was about to try a few one-star spells, a group appeared in the distance, causing a stir on the field and prompting him to close his book.

Finally, they had arrived!

With a crisp snap, he shut the book, stood up, dusted off his pants, and, observing the approaching trio—two women and one man—walked to the front of the gathering.

Leading was a young woman, about twenty, graceful and charming, serene and gentle, her unadorned face exuding an elegant, pleasing beauty. At first glance, she was refreshing and delightful, and even Xu Wen, used to seeing beauties, was momentarily stunned, his steps faltering.

A true gem!

Xu Wen silently praised her.

With such a stunning beauty in front, the man and woman behind were obviously mere supporting cast, yet Xu Wen still noticed that the man’s eyes followed her every move obsessively, as if nothing else in the world mattered.

As Xu Wen rejoined the crowd, he overheard a few nearby children whispering excitedly:

“They’re wearing intermediate mage robes… All three of them are intermediate mages! And so young!”

“I see the badges—they’re three-star mages, three-star fire mages!”

Obvious!

Xu Wen nearly frowned at these childish whispers. The Hortonklin family was a pure fire-based magical clan; all their members practiced fire magic—no question about it. As for the mage rank badges, anyone with a bit of common sense would know.

Sigh.

While Xu Wen lamented the generational gap, a discordant snort sounded nearby.

“A bunch of country bumpkins!”

The voice was haughty and disdainful, clearly trying to stand out.

Xu Wen raised his eyebrow and saw the arrogant youth.

Dressed in finery and exuding arrogance, the boy glanced at the timid beauty beside him, then, clearly wanting to show off, quickly recited an incantation.

Xu Wen’s newly acquired magical knowledge came into play. He immediately sensed unusual reactions as fire elements responded in the surrounding space.

He closed his eyes, meditating…

Meditation heightened his sensitivity to elements. In the endless darkness, countless fiery red points seemed to dance, rapidly gathering a few meters away. Within seconds, they formed a fireball over twenty centimeters in diameter, brimming with explosive heat.

“Grand Fireball Technique!”

Xu Wen opened his eyes in surprise. Sure enough, the arrogant youth held a bright red fireball in his hand, drawing amazed whispers from the crowd.

“A two-star spell.”

“He’s already a two-star fire mage! Why compete with us registered disciples?”

“Idiot! Hortonklin family rules—even the patriarch’s direct descendants must pass through the registered disciple stage!” Some knowledgeable children from the family’s branches retorted. A mage? So what? Many of them had practiced magic before becoming registered disciples, hoping to stand out in the three-month competition and become inner disciples of the Hortonklin family.

Yet…

This arrogant youth was clearly on a higher level!

A fourteen-year-old two-star mage—within the Hortonklin clan, he had already secured an inner disciple’s ticket!

Amidst the commotion, the arrogant youth proudly dismissed his magic.

He failed to notice two unusual gazes fixed on him…

One came from the aloof youth nearby; unlike the shock and envy on others’ faces, his eyes held the gravity of one recognizing a rival.

The other gaze belonged to Xu Wen, who stared fixedly at the half piece of pale purple jade hanging from the arrogant youth’s chest, his expression deeply conflicted.

No mistake!

“Those patterns, that faint calming scent—must be refined from the rare ‘Companion Amethyst Essence,’ which soothes the mind and promotes meditation. For mages, it greatly enhances training, with unexpected effects. I recall there were only three such items in the game.”

He never had one in the game, yet here he saw one so easily. Xu Wen’s heart raced but ultimately he withdrew his gaze in resignation.

A child with two-star magical ability at such a young age must have a powerful background. No wonder he was so strong. Pity the boy hadn’t realized the risk of flaunting such a valuable treasure.

Regrettably, the entire Blackwater Mountains belonged to the Hortonklin family; within a hundred miles, few dared intrude here to steal treasures.

As Xu Wen mused on this, Mischa and her companions approached the crowd.

Mischa’s lashes fluttered as she glanced at the proud youth who had just dismissed his grand fireball, frowning slightly, already matching him to the “Ding Yushan” her master had asked her to observe closely.

Ding Yushan, grandson of Ding Rong, the Fourth Elder of the Forging Peak!

Among the registered disciples of the Seventh Medicine Peak, his fire magic was the strongest. The gentle-looking girl beside him must be the one recently stirring up so much gossip in the clan…

As for the other two boys her master had asked her to observe, one was present—his face cold, and he also had two-star magic ability; the other was the one at the very front, still holding an introductory magic textbook. Magic knowledge for beginners?

Mischa suppressed her doubts, and after pinpointing the four key targets, stepped forward:

“Everyone should have received a storage pouch.”

Her opening remark drew every boy and girl’s attention, calming the earlier commotion as her sweet, pleasant voice spread.

“Inside your storage pouch are the books and tools you’ll need, as well as dry rations and fresh water for the next three months. My name is Mischa—you may call me by my name or as your senior. These two are Senior Wang and Senior Li. Over the next three months, we’ll guide you in alchemy and fire magic training. If you have any difficulties in daily life, you can come to us. We’ll be living with you during this period.”

Listening to Mischa’s detailed instructions, Xu Wen nodded quietly.

No wonder the ‘Fire’ clan of Blackwater City, renowned for hundreds of miles, stood so tall—such a rich, open training environment was far superior to ordinary magic academies. That old man hadn’t lied.

“Disciples wishing to practice alchemy may gather herbs on the mountain. Any common herbs recorded in the books can be found nearby. Those training in fire magic may apply to me, to team up or venture alone to hunt one-star magical beasts at the mountain’s edge. After three months, those who meet the standards in alchemy or fire magic will officially become outer disciples of the Medicine Peak. Outstanding performers may enter the inner circle as our junior brothers and sisters.”

At this, Mischa’s tone shifted, solemnly reminding the daydreaming youngsters before her:

“Three months is not long. Everyone must work hard. Disciples who fail to meet any standard… as you know, the Hortonklin family will immediately strike your name and send you home that very day.”

“I trust none of you wish to disgrace your families, so from this moment, make the most of your time! Train diligently!”

The sweet encouragement and stern warning, delivered swiftly and decisively, left the fragile boys and girls blushing and fired up—like young calves ready to charge ahead. Xu Wen chuckled inwardly; who would have thought the beautiful senior had such a knack for being a modern class advisor…

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