Chapter Sixty-One: Azure Dragon Bridge

"May I go in now?"
Taking the badge from the guard with a hint of indifference, Ke Bei looked at the gate soldiers, whose faces showed some fear, and asked softly.
He put the badge casually into his backpack and wondered to himself—it's just a badge, some Nine Rivers Pass, why are they so nervous?
"Of course, of course, please enter... We were blind to your greatness, sir, we hope you won't blame us!"
The leading guard spoke nervously, as if terrified Ke Bei would reprimand them.
"Sir?"
Ke Bei was momentarily stunned, then understood. This title was not for him, but for the token representing the Genius Training Camp.
What kind of place was this Genius Training Camp? He merely had a referral for an assessment, yet the guards, whose strength was at the Transcendent Realm, were so frightened... Ke Bei muttered inwardly, then smiled, shook his head, and walked into the Nine Rivers Base.

"Ke Bei, brother!"
Just as Ke Bei stepped into the city and had not walked far, a young man in a silver battle uniform, embroidered with three golden stripes across his chest, called out in delight, scanning the crowd.
"Little Jiu!"
The familiar voice reached his ears, and Ke Bei turned slowly, seeing Little Jiu searching for someone. He smiled knowingly. Nine Rivers Base was utterly unfamiliar to him, and in this strange city, meeting an acquaintance stirred a feeling of finding a friend in a foreign land.
He hurried over and warmly patted Little Jiu on the shoulder.
"Little Jiu, what are you doing here?"
Ke Bei's cheeks were flushed with a mysterious excitement as he smiled at Little Jiu.
"Boss Han sent me to pick you up, hehe... He's busy with the instructor assessment and couldn't get away,"
Little Jiu grinned mysteriously at Ke Bei.
"Damn, how did Boss Han know I would arrive today?"
Ke Bei scratched his head, eyeing Little Jiu's secretive smile, and asked.
"He didn't know you'd come today, but he knew you'd return. I've waited three days for you."

Little Jiu's lips curled into a teasing smile as he spoke.
"Wait, Little Jiu, you definitely know something. Was my referral given by Boss Han?" Ke Bei looked at Little Jiu's smiling face, growing more suspicious.
"Of course not. He hasn't passed the assessment yet. Usually, instructors are at the upper War God rank, only a few are mid-rank. Boss Han just broke through recently, so it's not easy for him to pass." Little Jiu replied slyly.
"If not Boss Han, then how did he know?"
Ke Bei frowned. From Little Jiu's tone, Han Lingyue must have gone straight to the assessment after returning from Wushan City, and wouldn't have had time to travel to Lingfeng City. If Han Lingyue hadn't left Nine Rivers, how did he know the news? Ke Bei was baffled, his frown deepening.
"Is it necessary to fuss over this? Well, you got me. The referral came from the City Lord of Lingfeng, the Ice-Sealed War God, who is Boss Han's father. Boss Han just gave you a little recommendation."
Little Jiu rolled his eyes at Ke Bei and explained the matter.
"You understand now? Let's go. There's something fun ahead. Just make sure you cross the Azure Dragon Bridge—otherwise, the brothers will mock you forever!"
"Azure Dragon Bridge?"
Ke Bei smiled faintly. He didn't know what it was, but he had confidence in himself. Before obtaining the Nine Yang Divine Skill, his strength was no less than Little Jiu's; now, with it, he was even stronger. Since Little Jiu was already a Genius Training Camp cadet, passing the assessment should pose no problem.

The two walked side by side through bustling streets full of traffic and energy. Even at their pace, it took them over three hours to reach the north city where the Nine Rivers Genius Training Camp was located.
The northern city of Nine Rivers Base bordered Azure Dragon Lake, beside which stood a mountain called Mist Gold Mountain. The training camp was built atop Mist Gold Mountain.
"That's the Azure Dragon Bridge."
Little Jiu pointed excitedly at a faintly visible blue stone bridge shrouded in mist.
"A marvel!"
Ke Bei's eyes flashed with awe. The Azure Dragon Bridge floated above the lake, its end lost in swirling clouds. The bridge was made of blue stone, with no visible supports, spanning the lake a hundred meters above, as if hanging in midair.
At the entrance of the bridge stood a small pavilion, where an elderly man, about fifty, sat upright, leisurely drinking wine, occasionally singing a few lines. Several cranes hovered nearby, clouds drifting about, making the scene appear almost otherworldly.
"Elder Wine, a newcomer is here to cross the Azure Dragon Bridge."
Little Jiu led Ke Bei to the pavilion and bowed respectfully to the elder sitting on a stone chair, drinking from a wine jug.

"Hahaha! Life is meant for joy—ancient wisdom never lies!"
The elder, with an air of immortality, took a hearty swig. His bold laughter boomed like thunder after rain, making Ke Bei's eardrums ache.
"Alright, place the badge down, and you may go."
After a moment of wild laughter, the old man glanced at Little Jiu and then at Ke Bei, speaking casually.
At Little Jiu's sign, Ke Bei stepped forward and placed the palm-sized, dark golden badge before the elder, then joined Little Jiu on the Azure Dragon Bridge.
"Ke Bei, from here it's all up to you. Let me warn you: whatever happens, just keep walking forward. Remember, let nothing trouble your heart! Your only goal is to cross the Azure Dragon Bridge and enter the Mist Gold Mountain Genius Training Camp!"
Little Jiu leaned in with a serious expression, whispering to Ke Bei.
"Appearances can deceive. The cranes dancing around the old man earlier—they're fake! That's all I can say, or I'd break the rules. I'll go ahead and wait for you at the bridge's end!"
Little Jiu patted Ke Bei's shoulder.
"Don't let Boss Han down. Your referral wasn't easily won!"
"There are things I can't explain now. When you cross the bridge, remember to thank him properly. Don't waste his efforts."
Little Jiu nodded solemnly, his figure fading into the mist.

Ke Bei exhaled slowly. With Little Jiu's words, his previous doubts cleared. No wonder, after slaying members of the Blood Sword Alliance, not only did nothing happen to him, but he was granted a spot in the Genius Training Camp. It was all because of Boss Han!
"Boss Han, I, Ke Bei, will never let you down!"
He clenched his fists tightly, gazed at the blue stone bridge looming in the mist, drew a slow, resolute breath, and stepped forward onto the Azure Dragon Bridge.