The Nihility Chef

The group of five moved steadily toward the entrance of the pocket world, their footsteps echoing softly against the ancient stone path. Feng Yutu and Xiao Ying led the way, with Yutu skipping ahead, her energy boundless and infectious. Her laughter rang out like the chime of a silver bell, a stark contrast to the solemnity of the journey ahead.

"Acala," Alice began, her curiosity piqued by the lively girl ahead. "Tell us about Miss Yutu."

The monk sighed, his expression softening as he watched the petite figure darting ahead. "Miss Yutu is the daughter of the Vajra Peak Master. I see her as my younger sister. She's a year younger than us but already at Tier 6—an absolute genius. Yet, in the eyes of Vajra Peak, she is... lacking. She has no talent for Buddhist techniques, and that has made her an outcast."

His voice carried a weight of sorrow, and his eyes darkened as he continued. "Even though she's a genius, she's not what Vajra Peak values. People look at her with disappointment, as if she's failed them simply by being herself. She puts on a brave face, always smiling, but I've seen her cry too many times. That's why we left the sect. We came to Tianjiao Academy so she could escape the pain."

Alice fell silent, her gaze lingering on Yutu's carefree figure. She felt a pang of empathy, recognizing the echoes of her own struggles in the girl's story. "Why didn't her father help her? He's the Peak Master, isn't he?"

Acala's expression grew complicated. "The Peak Master loves Yutu dearly. He dotes on her whenever he can. But the sect's rules forbid nepotism. Yutu must fend for herself. And while no one dares to openly defy the Peak Master, they find ways to harm her in secret—anonymous pranks, malicious whispers. It's a subtle cruelty, but it cuts deep."

The trio fell into a contemplative silence, their eyes fixed on Yutu as she twirled ahead, her laughter echoing through the air. They felt an unspoken resolve settle over them—a shared determination to protect her smile and ensure she remained happy.

Half an hour later, the group arrived at an ancient temple, its turquoise stone walls glowing faintly under the pale light of the pocket world. A golden sign hung above the entrance, its characters radiating a cold, otherworldly aura: Tianjiao Academy. The words seemed to hum with power, as if they were alive and watching.

As they stepped inside, they were greeted by an old man who exuded an air of timeless wisdom. His long gray hair and thick eyebrows framed a face that glowed with vitality, despite the wrinkles that marked his age. His beard reached his chest, and though his clothes were simple, his presence was anything but ordinary. He stood tall, his back straight, and his eyes sparkled with a youthful energy.

"Hello, old man!" Feng Yutu chirped, her voice brimming with excitement. "How do we get to the main area of Tianjiao Academy?"

The other four facepalmed in unison, their expressions a mix of exasperation and amusement. It was clear to them that this old man was no ordinary gatekeeper—he was a "hidden boss," a figure of immense power and significance.

To their surprise, the old man chuckled, his eyes crinkling with warmth. "Ah, such lively energy! It's refreshing." He gestured toward a shimmering portal that resembled the Milky Way, its swirling colors both beautiful and terrifying. "Step through there. But remember, you must hold the token you were given. Without it, the rift will obliterate you."

The group quickly checked their tokens, clutching them tightly as they approached the portal. With a deep breath, they stepped through, the world around them dissolving into a kaleidoscope of light and shadow.

The old man watched the spot where they had stood, his expression thoughtful. "This may be the strongest generation in Tianjiao Academy's long history," he murmured. "The world is about to change."

The group reappeared on a stone platform, the air around them buzzing with energy. Around them, identical platforms dotted the landscape, each with its own shimmering rift. Translucent stairs materialized before them, leading down to a vast white-and-gold square teeming with life. Yutu bounded down the stairs without hesitation, forcing the others to hurry after her to ensure she didn't cause any trouble.

At the bottom, they found themselves in a bustling square filled with hundreds of individuals from countless races. Dragons, titans, demons, beasts, and even murlocs mingled together, all united by their desire to enroll in the most prestigious academy in the world. Here, the humble and the privileged stood side by side, each a genius in their own right. This was a place where legends were born.

Suddenly, a group of figures materialized in the air above the square, their auras radiating world-shaking power. At their forefront was a woman of breathtaking beauty, her scholarly demeanor contrasting sharply with her devilish figure. Her voice, calm yet commanding, echoed across the square.

"Welcome to Tianjiao Academy. All of you are geniuses, but we are here to make you monsters. Not everyone can become the strongest, so today, you will prove your worth. Show your talents, and become Tianjiao."

Another figure stepped forward, a man who seemed utterly ordinary—so unremarkable that he might be forgotten in a crowd. Yet his presence was undeniable. "As our dean said, these trials will test your abilities in various fields: combat, healing, forging, alchemy, technology, and even architecture. My name is Albert, and I am the overseer of these trials."

He explained the rules, his voice steady and clear. "Points will be recorded on your tokens, and those with the highest scores will be placed in better classes. These classes offer greater opportunities and resources. Strive for the top, for only the strongest will thrive here."

The crowd buzzed with anticipation, each individual eager to prove their worth. Pride burned in their eyes—they were geniuses, and they would not be outdone.

The group of five made their way to the combat trial, their steps filled with purpose. The trial was housed in a towering spire, its structure imposing and grand. A staff member stood at the entrance, explaining the rules.

"Choose the realm of the aura holograms you wish to face. The number you defeat in one hour determines your points. Fighting opponents of the same realm earns you 5 points, one realm above grants 10, two realms above 20, and so on. If you are Tier 9 and face a Transcendence Realm hologram, you earn 20 points, with additional points for higher floors."

The young geniuses exchanged excited glances, their competitive spirits ignited. Samael turned to his companions. "What tiers are you all in, and what realm will you choose to fight?"

After a day together, the group had grown close, their bond strong despite the short time. They trusted one another, their camaraderie evident.

"I'm Tier 6 and will fight Tier 8 holograms," Yutu declared. "I'm speed-oriented, so most Tier 8s won't be able to catch me."

"I'm Tier 7 and will also fight Tier 8s," Xiao Ying added. "If that goes well, I'll try Tier 9."

Acala nodded. "I'm Tier 8 and will face Floor 1 Transcendence Realm holograms."

"Same here," Alice said, her tone resolute.

Samael grinned, his confidence bordering on arrogance. "Well, the genius in me is Tier 9, so I'll be fighting Floor 3 Transcendence Realm simulations."

The others groaned, but there was a fondness in their exasperation. They were ready—for the trials, for the challenges, and for the future that awaited them.

Info of the Day - Dragons

Dragons are a powerful and reclusive race, their lifespans stretching up to 10,000 years from birth. They are divided into two types: Eastern and Western.

Eastern Dragons possess serpentine bodies and lack wings, relying on their control of the wind to fly. Their common elements include wind, water, lightning, ice, metal, and wood. All Eastern dragons inherently possess the wind element, as it is essential for flight before reaching Tier 9.

Western Dragons have reptilian bodies and wings, capable of breathing elemental fire from birth. While they can access all elements, they often excel in one or two harmonious elements, such as water and ice. However, there are rare instances of Western dragons mastering conflicting elements, such as the Yin-Yang Dragon or the Five-Elemental Dragon.

Though Eastern and Western dragons do not openly hate each other, they maintain a respectful distance, living on opposite sides of the world—East and West. Their coexistence is marked by an unspoken understanding, a balance as old as time itself.