Chapter 19: Another Promotion?

The students present watched with curiosity as Qin Yuzhou walked toward Ji Jiuxuan. Qin Yuzhou’s reputation as the Little Tyrant of Wangling Peak was well-known; even before entering the academy, everyone had been repeatedly warned not to provoke him under any circumstances.

Among their generation, Little Tyrant Qin was already considered one of the strongest—while most were still at the first level of Qi Refinement, he had already reached the second, and at this rate, he would likely soon break through to the third. It wasn’t just that no one could bully him; his protective martial uncles, aunts, and senior brothers and sisters would always side with him, regardless of right or wrong. With such backing, no one dared cross him.

Within this classroom, aside from Qin Yuzhou, Feng Hanxiao was another not to be trifled with; the newly arrived Ji Jiuxuan now also joined the ranks of the untouchables. Watching these two immovables meet, the others looked on with excitement.

Qin Yuzhou regarded Ji Jiuxuan solemnly. “Did you have another breakthrough?”

Since there had been no commotion earlier, Qin Yuzhou was unaware that Ji Jiuxuan had advanced outside just moments before.

Ji Jiuxuan nodded lightly, which instantly reignited Qin Yuzhou’s fighting spirit. His little uncle had been right—there was always someone better, and pride would only breed inner demons in moments of adversity.

Seeing that Qin Yuzhou remained silent, Ji Jiuxuan simply walked over to an empty seat beside Feng Hanxiao and sat down. Unexpectedly, Qin Yuzhou followed her to the desk behind them and declared to a young boy sitting there, “This is my seat now.”

True to his domineering nature, the chubby Qin showed no restraint toward those weaker than himself, though his brashness vanished before the composed Ji Jiuxuan.

“You can have it,” the boy muttered and quickly found another place to sit.

Ji Jiuxuan had no interest in Qin Yuzhou’s bullying ways, but she did recall that his seat had not been here earlier. Remembering their previous agreement, she turned and said, “That challenge from before doesn’t count. I only wanted to spur you on—I didn’t mean it seriously.”

In hindsight, having someone follow her around every day would be more trouble than it was worth; she believed in growing strong through her own efforts.

Qin Yuzhou frowned in disapproval. “No. Since we made an agreement before the match, the loser must honor it. That’s my principle.”

From his manner, it seemed as if her refusal would shatter his very path of cultivation.

At that moment, the instructor arrived, and Ji Jiuxuan let the matter drop.

This was something to resolve at a later time.

The instructor was a scholar from the Listening Palace and gave lectures covering the most fundamental knowledge from all fields. Wen Ying had once explained aspects of this world to her, but the teachings of the Listening Palace’s elders took a different approach.

Ji Jiuxuan listened with rapt attention; an hour passed in what seemed a moment, and she was left wanting more.

Feng Hanxiao sidled up to her, whispering mysteriously, “Xuanxuan, do you know who those two were that fought yesterday?”

From her tone, Ji Jiuxuan guessed Feng Hanxiao knew more and played along. “Who?”

“The one in red was Qu Liang, a true disciple of the Spirit Beast Peak. The one in blue was Yu Heng, a scion of the peak master’s clan, also from Spirit Beast Peak, though he’s a sword cultivator. The two have never gotten along since their initiation. Yu Heng’s temper is notorious, and since one of our ancestors is from the Yu clan, he fears no one.”

Feng Hanxiao looked a bit embarrassed. “Actually, Yu Heng often challenges Qu Liang to duels, and Qu Liang usually tries to avoid him. We just happened to stumble upon them this time; it was my fault for dragging you along.”

Ji Jiuxuan shook her head. “No, you didn’t drag me into anything—I invited you. Besides, dueling within the sect is prohibited. Qu Liang doesn’t seem the type to break rules—why would he fight Yu Heng? It seems to be a frequent occurrence.”

“Qu Liang tries to avoid him, but sometimes Yu Heng catches him. As long as they don’t damage sect property or disturb others, it’s usually overlooked. Yu Heng is the most promising of his generation, so occasionally the ancestor intervenes on his behalf, which only makes Yu Heng act out even more.”

Feng Hanxiao arched an eyebrow, growing more secretive. “But my father said, this time Yu Heng won’t get off so easily. If he isn’t seriously punished, it’s impossible. If he weren’t a fellow disciple, he’d have been executed already for harboring murderous intent. When he attacked us, I could feel his killing intent. We’ve no feud with him—why would he want to harm us?”

She understood her little uncle and grandfather’s meaning—Yu Heng would find it very hard to leave the Hall of Discipline.

“They say he’s been possessed by inner demons from reckless sword practice and can’t control himself.”

But Feng Hanxiao’s explanation didn’t sit well with Ji Jiuxuan. Someone who could so brazenly flout sect rules and repeatedly challenge his peers, who attacked them for no reason—there had to be more to the story.

She remembered clearly that Yu Heng had not seemed deranged at all.

She resolved to ask her little uncle when she saw him; perhaps he had first-hand information.

Feng Hanxiao mused, “That ancestor will probably step in again.”

Then she snorted, “Who doesn’t have an ancestor backing them? Yu Heng just thinks he’s special.”

This time, Feng Hanxiao used a sound-isolating formation disk, so no one overheard their conversation.

After class, although they had planned to try some delicacies that morning, the incident disrupted their plans. Feng Hanxiao felt a bit guilty. “Xuanxuan, let me take you to the dining hall! The elders there make amazing food.”

Ji Jiuxuan shook her head. “Another time, I must see my master now.”

Seeing Feng Hanxiao’s puzzled face, Ji Jiuxuan explained, “I’ve just become Elder Zhou’s disciple.”

By now, the isolation formation had been put away. Qin Yuzhou, who had been following Ji Jiuxuan, was also surprised.

It was Elder Zhou—the head of the Listening Palace, who pursued the Dao through scholarship, whose knowledge dwarfed even the Scripture Pavilion. Everyone yearned for his guidance, but few dared hope to become his disciple. He cared nothing for status or background, accepting pupils only by fate.

“Xuanxuan, you’re incredible!” Feng Hanxiao exclaimed, truly happy for her and clapping her shoulder. “When you’re free, we must celebrate together with a proper feast.”

It was a suggestion that delighted them both.

The two walked out together.

Knowing Ji Jiuxuan was going to see Elder Zhou, Feng Hanxiao bade her farewell and left.

Watching Qin Yuzhou still standing behind her, Ji Jiuxuan felt rather helpless. Her earlier mischief had only been a ploy to gain a guide, but now she realized that having a shadow everywhere was inconvenient.

She turned to Qin Yuzhou and said seriously, “Qin Yuzhou, I only wanted to challenge you—I never intended for you to become my attendant. Please, you should go back.”

Qin Yuzhou, who appeared adorably round, was stubborn when he made up his mind. With a stern face, he replied, “If you have something to do, I’ll leave for now. But I lost, and I’ll honor my word. Call on me whenever you need.”

With that, he turned and left without looking back.