8 Enrollment 1

Billions of kilometers south of the Golden Forest is a mountain range that extends for exactly a million miles. The range is filled with dense forests, precious herbs and materials, wild beasts, lone cultivators, and small villages. At the center of the mountain range is a peak that slices the clouds that are unlucky enough to try to pass it. The first glimpse of the waterfall that descends from the sky can be scene where the clouds part ways. At the base of the waterfall is Low Water Lake that is hundreds of miles wide.

At the center of the lake is a marvelous city floating on the water. It spans fifty miles in diameter and is filled with plethora of buildings ranging from clothing shops to restaurants to inns. Cultivators from all around the Deity Realm have been gathering in the city during the past couple of days. Seven days from now the Highland School is holding its yearly examinations for new disciples.

Some distance away from the city an emerald green dragon with gigantic wings that grow starting from its shoulders and end all the way down at its pelvis. The wings are leaf like, the insides of the wing seem to be made of thin crystals and bamboo at the bottom almost give it a feathered look.

This is a mutated earth dragon that resides in the Golden Forest. It helps protect Mo Haoshe when he is not there.

On the dragons back is a teenage boy with green hair with brown highlights and alluring bright green eyes that seem to be one with nature themselves. He has on a green robe with a golden tree stitched over the left side of the chest. On his back is a four-foot wooden staff that was tied into his robe. This young man is Arbor.

Sitting upright next to Arbor is Eos. His demeanor is proud and sad at the same time. He can't help but relish in the idea of him having wings and being able to soar through the skies.

Standing next to Arbor is Telum sporting a tight fitting, deep brown, sleeveless top. His massive muscular arms are the first thing anyone would notice. A similar golden tree is stitched over the left side of the chest area. He has blue eyes and ebon hair is tied up and drapes halfway down his back

"We are coming up to Ground Zero City." Telum started before getting interrupted by Arbor.

"Why the hell is it named Ground Zero? That's kind of an odd name."

"Long ago, one powerful existence fought an army here. The mountain was formed due to their fight. The lone fighter survived and established the city and the Highland School at the top of the mountain. That is where you will be enrolling at."

"Anything I should be worried about or know before I get there?" Arbor inquired.

"No, not really. You will be doing classes and cultivating until the next realm. Thalli has supplied you with enough information on cultivation that will get you to our realm and how to strengthen your foundation. You need to focus on building up power, making connections, and creating new spells." Telum answered.

Arbor nodded in response.

…

"Haoshe are you sure this is the right choice? I agree with sending him to the school, he will be protected. But, is sealing his memory necessary?" Sol asked.

"I understand your concerns but think of it this way. What happens if he starts to become arrogant and complacent because he knows that we are his backers. This can halt his progress or get him into unnecessary trouble. We wont always be able to be there for him. We have our wars on different fronts. In addition, what if one of Veon's underlings gets wind that he exists because he spouts some nonsense about us. What happens then when one of Veon's underlings searches his soul?"

"Master is right. We can only hope that he doesn't take his time." Pona added.

…

"This place is magnificent." Arbor had mumbled in admiration. The streets in Ground Zero are brimming with people and animals. Arbor, Telum, and Eos entered the city a few minutes ago and are walking through the market.

"Peak god clothing artifacts for sale! One thousand god level spirit stones or trade an equal value item!"

"Hey young'n! you look like you could use some flying daggers. All of them are low god grade. Get them all for three-hundred god tier spirit stones!" A merchant said towards Arbor.

Arbor took a glance at the merchant and continued walking. "Hey Telum, what grade are the items I have?"

A voice sounded in Arbors mind, "Your staff and clothing are all peak tier deity level artifacts. As you know that is the highest-level artifact or spirit pill available to be crafted. Some say it's not the highest but there is no record to prove that. Just like your staff, you can manipulate your new robe. It has abilities that you will find out later. Its imperative that you do not tell anyone about your artifacts. People will hunt you down for them."

Arbor signaled his agreement and acknowledgment with a simple nod.

Telum led Eos and Arbor to the most luxurious inn. Due to Arbor only being in the kuwa realm he was not able to tell that the receptionist was in the second highest realm, the sovereign realm. Heck, he is not able to tell what level any is at. Currently Arbor has no grasp on the value of money, hence he does not understand the astronomical price Telum paid to get a room. Luckily, this price is too steep for a large majority of the those seeking courtyards here.

Telum, Sol, Vulcan, and co are all at the peak of cultivation, the deity realm. Only those who are embodiments of certain laws or those who have the highest comprehension in a certain area are those considered to be Gods and are called Gods by the populace. Although, they are still at the peak of the deity realm. Two examples of this are Mo Haoshe and Dark Lord Veon.

The receptionist led the group of three towards the courtyard before leaving them with, "I hope the Master's find everything to their liking. If Young Master is taking part in this year's examination, I wish you the best of luck. If you need anything during your stay, please come and find me, my lowly self is named Kumiko."

Telum gave his thanks to Kumiko before turning to Arbor, "There are still six days before the examinations start, work on opening another meridian until then. Little one, come with me, we are going to the woods for you to do some hunting. We will be back."

Six days later Arbor is sitting under the canopy of a couple of tree in a full lotus position, when a childish, yet somehow familiar voice, sounded in his head, "Ma…mast….master."

Arbors eyes sprang open and looked around. After not seeing anyone he closed them again and went back to opening his second meridian on his right leg. He has already opened half of it and only has the return pathway left to clear.

"Master," The voice sounded again.

This time Arbor stood up stood to investigate the courtyard. Telum and Eos strode into the courtyard about thirty seconds later. Eos had caught Arbors attention due to his increase in size. He had grown by about fifty percent. Eos's spine stands at three feet tall and his head is another foot above that. Eos's white feathers became more pure and have the slightest hint of the wind attribute. His brown fur is now lighter, but thicker and tougher than before. A normal human could not pierce the coat with the sharpest knife. Upon seeing Eos, Arbors eyes widened, and his jaw dropped.

Eos sprinted over and lunged at Arbor. He is now use to the shenanigans that Eos pulls, and easily dodges out of the way. They started to engage in their typical game of cat and mouse. Arbor tried to catch Eos with the three vines that he can use. After some fifteen minutes or so, the two stopped.

"How have you grown so much?" Arbor inquired. Dumbfounded by size increase that Eos went through in just six days. This is not something he had ever heard of or seen back on Earth.

"He broke through and is now a two-star beast." Telum interrupted. "Typically beasts aren't able to communicate in any way until they reach the fourth tier, but since he is part of your soul spirit, he should be able to communicate with you using minimal amounts of language."

"So that was you. What is your name?"

"Eos." The childish voice answered in his mind.

"You two have the rest of your lives to make up. We do not have much time to waste, the examinations have already started. Its time to go." Telum instructed.