The Seven Wonders of the World (REMASTERED)

1. Shi Ailun's Awakening!

The world was a plain mess, and it would not get better for Shi Ailun.

He would be in a tiring battle with once an ally of his, a foe named Wei, as the two would battle it out for hours and hours on end.
The fight had eventually came to a halt, as the two had clashed swords, lightning bolts surging out of it as the two looked at eachother.
“Stop this, Wei!” said Ailun, as he would have a desperate tone. “Don't you realise that you're killing the world here? We are the last ones left!”
“Yes.. it appears so,” said Wei, “for you are fighting for the wrong side here. You so called Rangers are nothing but a joke! Rangers are no more!” He clenched his fist, as marks appeared on his arm and face, as they would turn dark green for a few moments.
Ailun looked at him hopefully, as he slowly stood up straight, drawing his sword as purple lightning bolts surged out of it, as Ailun began to channel his shen energy around his body, his aura turning red. “I'm still a Ranger, Wei! and I will defeat you!"
The two combatants would stare intensely at each other, neither wanting to back down.”
Wei would smirk, confident as he felt his demonic strength welling up within him. “You may have the blood of a Ranger in your veins, but you no longer have the spirit.” His blade, crackling with shen energy, was raised as he slowly advanced towards Ailun. “After I defeat you here and now, there won't be any Rangers left in the world. And the demon within me will finally be free.”
“Bring it on then..” said Ailun, as he rushed at Wei.

THREE YEARS AGO

Ailun would be a fourteen-year-old wannabe ranger, as he would get up everyday, washing himself and brushing his teeth as he would be living with his Grandma Chen and his Grandpa Kai -- the only family Ailun ever knew. Ailun was a spiky brown-haired boy, with a green jacket and a white shirt underneath, green pants, and white shoes.
“You better get ready, Ailun!” said Grandpa Kai. “The Entrance Exam for the Ranger program begins tommorow, and you are at that age where you can sign up and enlist!”
“I know, I know!” said Ailun, rushing down the stairs as he stuffed some toast into his mouth, simultanously putting on his clothes at the same time.
“My boy,” said Grandpa Kai, “finally on his journey to becoming a Ranger. It is a tough battlefield out there, young one! Make sure you emerge victorious!”
Ailun's face went blank. “Grandpa.. do you really have to be so negative?”
“You have to be prepared for anything in this life, kid,” said Grandpa Kai. “Especially when you want to be a Ranger.”
Ailun paused for a moment, thinking about Grandpa Kai's words.
Ailun would think to himself, as he sighed. “He's not wrong... It IS a battlefield out there, and a battlefield that could change my life forever.” Ailun then smiled confidently. “But, I've got this. I've got a good support system here with my grandparents.”
Without finishing his breakfast, he put his jacket on and opened the door. “I'm going to school now!” he yelled.
“Alright!” said Grandma Chen, as she was in the kitchen. “Make sure to go hunting after you leave school, bring a bow and arrow with you or something!”
“Right!” said Ailun, opening up a wardrobe before grabbing his bow and a quiver full of arrows, before promptly closing the door and sprinting towards his school in the nearby village.

As Ailun ran towards his school, he would think to himself, eager for the opportunity to prove his skills as a Ranger. The sun beat down on him as the wind blew through his hair.
He arrived at his school, where his best friend, Xiao Yifei, was waiting for him. “You ready for the Entrance Exam?” asked Xiao.
“As ready as I'll ever be,” he replied.
The boys then hurriedly entered their classroom, where many children were gathered for the big day.
As Ailun looked around the classroom, he could see a variety of students around him. One being Cheng Chi, a clown who was known for pulling pranks on others. Then there was Han Dongxiu, a studious girl who was interested in Architecture. Then there was a boy named Wei Gongsun. Wei Gongsun was a teenager who sat in a corner, minding his own business. He was a rather stoic and reserved individual who preferred to keep to himself. He would often observe people quietly but rarely ever interact with them directly. Despite his stoic demeanor, there was no doubt about his strength and skill, as he was known for being incredibly talented at swordplay and other martial arts. There was always a certain degree of mystery surrounding him, as he never engaged in idle convos and kept a low profile.
As class started, the students could feel their hearts racing and their hands twitching with excitement as the Teacher began his lecture. “Alright everyone, listen up!” yelled the Teacher. “Tommorow is the big day! The Entrance Exam for the Ranger program is finally here.” The students all sat up straight, their jaws wide open. “You all know the drill, I don't want to hear any nonsense from you lot. The exam will consist of four tasks: A written exam, a survival skills test, a combat test, and finally a team-building exercise.”
“Now let me just give you all some last minute revision on the world's history,” the teacher then walked up to the board, which had a detailed drawing of a figure, “this here is a cursed deity, otherwise known as the Yimao named Zhou, who has been sealed away in an ancient temple for centuries due to losing in the Last Great World War. His whereabouts are unknown, but we all know that he is waiting for the time when he obtains a new vessel, thus allowing him to reclaim the world.”
“If you know the history of this world, and the story of Zhou, you will pass the written exam, so pay close attention,” the Teacher then began explaining the history and mythology of this world in great detail. After taking notes and studying hard for the rest of the lecture, the students seemed to have a much better understanding of everything.
After the lecture ended, all the students started filing out of the classroom. Xiao and Ailun then huddled up to the side, discussing their plans for the upcoming exam. “I think this will be easy,” said Xiao, “I know I'll pass the physical exams no problem, so I'm not worried about that. What about you, Ailun?”
“Maybe I am on the same boat as you. My physical skills are great, and I already understand the historical aspects of this world. I think I can pass!”
As the two walked through the hallways, they were interrupted by a peer of theirs as he called out to them. “Hey, asswipes!” said a boy, as the two turned around, it was a boy named Wangchen. Wangchen was the class jock, as he was with his group of lackeys, seemingly wanting to torment the two boys as he has done over this semester.
“Wangchen,” said Xiao, “it's the last day of school, and you're still trying to pick on us?”
“And why shouldn't I?” said Wangchen. “It's still fun. Besides, you two are both Ranger wannabes, and you are just gonna fail the exam tomorrow and end up working for my dad!” Wangchen then laughed as his group of lackeys laughed along, leaving Xiao and Ailun looking pissed.
Xiao and Ailun just clenched their fists in anger, their eyes steaming in fury as they stood silently. They could tell that they were both thinking the same thing: that tomorrow's exam would be the defining moment of their lives, and they would not let any obstacle get in their way, not even a cocky prick like Wangchen.
Wangchen noticed Ailun's bow and arrow, as his eyebrow was raised. “What's with the bow, dork?”
“A bow is one of the weapons that is permitted in the combat exam tomorrow,” said Ailun calmly, not taking the bait. “Why? Are you jealous because you can't use a bow like me?” he smirked.
“Oh, you cocky little shitstain,” said Wangchen, “think you're really that slick? Why not just be my slave and hunt some free food for me? It's better than whatever crap you're thinking.”
Ailun clenched his fist a little tighter, as he stood tall even though he was only 14, he had quite the imposing figure. “I will never be your slave, you bastard, and I wouldn't be surprised if you end up failing that exam tomorrow!” he said firmly.
Wangchen rolled his eyes. “Yeah yeah, keep yacking, kid, and I'll see you when you beg for my mercy you dumbass.” With that, Wangchen and his crew walked away, laughing like hyenas.
“Man, that guy really thinks he controls everything,” said Xiao. “I just can't wait to see the look on his face after tomorrow when he learns that we become Rangers!”
“Yeah, me too,” said Ailun, “but let's focus on what's important first. After school, i've gotta hit the hunting grounds, then I have to revise.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan,” said Xiao.