AVL Chapter 26

On Tianyan Academy’s opening day, the Xi family’s young master was thrown into the river and severely injured.

 

When this news spread, all the Central State families were shocked, speculating about which capable person dared provoke that pampered young master.

 

The “severely injured” Xi Jue turned his head and sneezed, his bare feet kicking on the couch, so angry his eyes were red and his voice hoarse.

 

“Go drag that Sheng whoever here! Hang, hang him up *cough cough*… whip, whip him to death!”

 

The attendant knew Xi Jue’s temperament well, knowing he definitely wouldn’t let this go, and helplessly coaxed him: “Young Master, don’t be angry. Eat some spirit pills first—you need to recover before you can whip anyone.”

 

Xi Jue had been weak and sickly since childhood. Even after awakening his Xiangwen, he remained frail. After being pulled from the water, he developed a fever, his face now flushed red from the heat.

 

He coughed until his brain rattled, licking a few spirit pills from his palm and eating them gently, his eyebrows slightly drooping, looking extremely wronged.

 

“This place is so small.” When Xi Jue was angry, everything looked unpleasant. He randomly kicked the couch: “Can’t even stretch my legs!”

 

Tianyan Academy’s Zhuxing Zhai was a separate academy, personally taught by the academy director.

 

The vast academy housed only eight people, and since Xi Jue had Spiritual level Xiangwen, his quarters were naturally spacious and exquisite.

 

Spiritual artifacts and ornaments were everywhere, the beauty couch was inlaid with spirit stones, evening light streamed through rolled curtains, gauze drapes were tied to carved pillars on both sides, filling the room with afterglow.

 

Outside was a large pond with koi swimming everywhere, a towering tree planted on the shore. When the wind blew, leaves rustled—even great family residences couldn’t compare to this elegant luxury.

 

But Xi Jue complained he couldn’t stretch his legs.

 

Another attendant knelt beside him, wiping his wet hair.

 

“Tianyan Academy doesn’t allow attendants or traveling mustard seeds inside. They’re just following the rules. Young Master, we were in the wrong first this time. You should restrain yourself a bit.”

 

“Restrain myself?” Xi Jue was unwilling. “So my falling into the water just gets brushed aside? Where does that leave the Xi family’s face? A bunch of people at the academy gate saw it.”

 

The attendant sighed, not knowing how to persuade him.

 

At this moment, a voice came from outside: “Right, this definitely can’t be let go!”

 

Xi Jue finished licking the spirit pills and had the attendant wipe his hands, frowning: “Who is it?”

 

The young boy Feng Yu in black and white robes with ghost character patterns strolled in with his hands behind his back. Seeing Xi Jue’s pitiful wet state, he couldn’t help but turn his head and snicker with a “puchi.”

 

Xi Jue glared at him: “Who are you?”

 

The attendant reminded: “The Feng family’s young master, Feng Yu.”

 

Feng Yu made himself completely at home, sitting boldly in a chair and raising an eyebrow: “How do you not know anyone? The news of Sheng Jiao’s Spiritual level Xiangwen ‘Worthy of Heavenly Dao’ has spread throughout Central State—you haven’t heard?”

 

Xi Jue sneered: “Why should I have heard of some mere fallen household—what are you here for, to watch the show?”

 

Feng Yu propped his chin up with a grin: “Of course.”

 

Xi Jue was about to throw something.

 

But he heard Feng Yu add: “Though Sheng Jiao is an inflexible block of wood, the Sheng family head desperately wants to join Central State’s great families. Soon someone will probably drag that saw-mouthed gourd here to apologize to Young Master Xi. I’m naturally waiting to watch his show.”

 

Feng Yu had heard of this Xi family young master’s heroic deeds before and was certain he would fight Sheng Jiao to the death.

 

Having been struck by Sheng Jiao during the day, his anger was still unsettled, so he came to see how Xi Jue would deal with that arrogant Sheng Jiao, and vent his own anger in the process.

 

But Xi Jue was stunned.

 

Drag him here, apologize?

 

Indeed, as Feng Yu had said.

 

Just as the sky darkened, hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

 

An attendant hurried in from outside: “Young Master, people from the Sheng family have arrived, saying they want to apologize to you.”

 

Xi Jue, who was drinking tea, choked.

 

Feng Yu slapped the table and laughed heartily: “I knew those disreputable Sheng family members would do such things. Now there’s really a show to watch—hey, kid, bring me some pine nuts and sunflower seeds.”

 

Xi Jue placed his teacup on the small table, sitting cross-legged on the beauty couch with raised eyebrows: “Let them in.”

 

The attendant obeyed and left, soon bringing two people in.

 

It was that saw-mouthed gourd and…

 

And a man Xi Jue didn’t recognize, but seeing his plum blossom and flowing water pattern robes, he knew it was someone from the Sheng family.

 

“Greetings to the Young Immortal Lord.” The man respectfully bowed.

 

Xi Jue rested his palm against his cheek, lazily glancing at Sheng Jiao before looking at him: “Who are you?”

 

This little wastrel was too spoiled and arrogant. Though from a great family, he seemed not to know a single prominent person in Central State.

 

“I am Sheng Biyan, a mountain elder of Tianyan Academy.” Sheng Biyan said, “Hearing that Sheng Jiao was disrespectful to the Young Immortal Lord today, I’ve brought him to apologize and ask for your forgiveness.”

 

He presented an exquisite box containing a supreme quality spirit essence.

 

Xi Jue pressed his advantage mercilessly, snorting: “Do I care about this thing? Today I suffered greatly, and the Xi family was greatly embarrassed. You think a broken spirit essence can just brush this aside?”

 

Cold sweat beaded on Sheng Biyan’s forehead as he forced a smile.

 

“However the Young Immortal Lord wishes to handle and punish this, the Sheng family has no objections, as long as it appeases your anger.”

 

Feng Yu crunched on the spirit pills Xi Jue had given him while watching the show and calculating.

 

This Xi family really was as powerful as the rumors suggested. This young master had only been thrown into water once—neither hurt nor frozen—yet the Sheng family was forcing their only Spiritual level Xiangwen to apologize.

 

Could being on good terms with the Xi family be more important than a Spiritual level Xiangwen?

 

“Punishment isn’t necessary.” Xi Jue glared at Sheng Jiao. “But at least have your eldest young master open his precious mouth and apologize to me.”

 

Both Sheng Biyan and Feng Yu were stunned, even the nearby attendant was surprised.

 

Just an apology could settle this matter?

 

This didn’t match this young master’s arrogant and domineering style.

 

No matter what the two said, Sheng Jiao, who had been forced to come apologize, remained expressionless throughout.

 

He was like an empty shell lacking the seven emotions and six desires, without joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness. Even puppets might have richer expressions and emotions than him.

 

Seeing Sheng Jiao like this made Xi Jue angry, and he was determined to make him speak.

 

“Say ‘Young Immortal Lord, I was wrong.'” He even thought up the apology for Sheng Jiao, letting his legs dangle from the beauty couch, toes pointed and touching the footstool, leaning forward slightly and staring as he waited for this saw-mouthed gourd to apologize. “As long as he says it, I’ll forgive him this once.”

 

Sheng Jiao treated him like he was farting, not even moving his eyes.

 

Xi Jue was famously arrogant throughout Central State, yet was being so reasonable this time—there was definitely something fishy.

 

Sheng Biyan was sweating profusely as he grabbed Sheng Jiao’s wrist, saying in a low voice: “Apologize.”

 

Sheng Jiao didn’t make a sound.

 

Sheng Biyan smiled apologetically while suddenly applying force with his hand, lowering his voice sternly: “Do you want to implicate the entire Sheng family?”

 

Sheng Jiao was ultimately a thirteen-year-old half-grown child. Sheng Biyan didn’t control his strength and directly dislocated his right wrist bone.

 

A barely audible “crack.”

 

Intense pain spread throughout his body, yet Sheng Jiao remained like a true puppet, not moving at all.

 

Xi Jue was startled, looking over in shock.

 

Sheng Biyan’s hand was still gripping Sheng Jiao’s hand, seemingly deliberately making him hurt as he applied force viciously, even channeling spiritual power into his meridians, rampaging and causing his spiritual power to flow backward.

 

Sheng Jiao’s thin body swayed violently, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

 

…Yet he remained unmoved.

 

Xi Jue had never seen such a scene of forcing someone to apologize, his eyes wide as if frightened.

 

“Enough, enough!”

 

Xi Jue was so frightened his toes curled up. He coughed heavily and said arrogantly: “Since he’s unwilling to speak, forget it. This young master doesn’t like forcing people. That, that spirit essence can count as the apology. Don’t let it happen again.”

 

Sheng Biyan thought he was getting impatient: “Young Immortal Lord, please don’t be angry. This child has a stubborn temperament—he just needs some prodding.”

 

Before Xi Jue could figure out what “prodding” meant, he saw Sheng Biyan kick Sheng Jiao’s knee, trying to force him to kneel and apologize.

 

Xi Jue: “…”

 

Xi Jue was shocked.

 

This is how you treat a Spiritual level Xiangwen?

 

Sheng Jiao’s thin body staggered but stood firm like a pillar. Blood from the corner of his mouth dripped onto his black clothes, the Tianyan pearls on his wrist crackling but not summoning thunder.

 

Feng Yu frowned, his gaze coldly fixed on Sheng Biyan.

 

“The academy head really has impressive authority.” Xi Jue suddenly said.

 

Sheng Biyan was stunned.

 

Xi Jue sat back cross-legged on the couch, propping his chin with a smile as if watching a good show, though his eyes held no mirth: “Even my Xi family’s theater troupe couldn’t perform as well as you.”

 

Sheng Biyan stammered: “Young Immortal Lord… what do you mean?”

 

“I already said this matter is settled.” Xi Jue drew up one leg, saying lazily: “You don’t think I was being polite with you, do you?”

 

Sheng Biyan didn’t quite understand.

 

All of Central State knew the Xi family’s young master was vindictive, holding grudges and being ruthless despite his young age.

 

Sheng Jiao had caused this spoiled young master great suffering—shouldn’t he be happy seeing his enemy suffer?

 

Sheng Biyan observed his expression, saying carefully: “Sheng Jiao made a grave mistake this time. If it could appease the Young Immortal Lord, even though he has Spiritual level Xiangwen…”

 

Xi Jue suddenly interrupted: “Feng Yu.”

 

Feng Yu looked irritated and ready to hit someone: “What?”

 

“Who’s in charge of Fengzhou’s Feng family? A branch family?” Xi Jue asked.

 

Feng Yu didn’t understand his non-sequitur rambling, frowning as he answered: “Naturally the family head is in charge. What authority would branch families have?”

 

“Oh.” Xi Jue nodded thoughtfully, looking at Sheng Biyan with a half-smile: “No wonder the Sheng family remains unknown in Central State’s three territories despite producing a Spiritual level Xiangwen. Turns out those in charge are such short-sighted people.”

 

Sheng Biyan’s face was covered in sweat: “This…”

 

Xi Jue was always arrogant and domineering, giving Sheng Biyan no chance to speak as he chattered on.

 

“When I say the matter is settled, it’s settled. Yet you continue punishing him in front of me. Are you putting on a show for me? No, you want all the Thirteen States to think I, Xi Jue, am cruel and vicious—that over a small matter I’m relentless, deliberately humiliating a classmate and making him kneel to apologize.”

 

Sheng Biyan’s expression changed.

 

Xi Jue’s eyes suddenly darkened as he swept the teacup from the small table beside him.

 

With a “clang,” the tea bowl shattered on the ground.

 

Xi Jue’s young face was full of coldness: “You’re ruining my reputation like this—what are your intentions?”

 

Sheng Biyan nearly knelt before him: “I… I had no such intention!”

 

“Are you saying I misunderstood you?!” Xi Jue pointed at the table, saying unhappily: “Didn’t you want to appease my anger? Fine, then you apologize to me! Make amends!”

 

Sheng Biyan: “…”

 

Feng Yu: “…”

 

He had thought this wastrel was truly cold-faced but soft-hearted, but he turned out to be like a mad dog, biting whoever he caught.

 

Sheng Biyan dared not refute, hurriedly apologizing in a humble manner.

 

Feng Yu watched in amazement, even more curious about what Xiangwen this young master had awakened to make all of Central State so fearful of him.

 

Sheng Biyan trembled as he went through almost every possible apology.

 

Xi Jue sneered relentlessly.

 

“On Tianyan Academy’s first day, you deliberately humiliate a Spiritual level Xiangwen—what are you trying to do?

 

“The twelve Spiritual level Xiangwen are all destined for ascension. Everyone says Zhuxing Zhai will surely produce immortal lords. If he had really knelt and been humiliated today, wouldn’t our Zhuxing Zhai become the laughingstock of the Thirteen States in the future?!

 

“I spoke nicely with you, but you wouldn’t listen. You only feel comfortable after a pile of groveling flattery, right?”

 

Sheng Biyan was struck by these accusations, his face deathly pale as he gritted his teeth: “I… I wouldn’t dare.”

 

Feng Yu had never imagined this unlearned young immortal lord had such eloquence, listening in stunned amazement.

 

“So now, do you understand what I mean?” Xi Jue’s young face was expressionless as he said word by word: “I said, forget it.”

 

Sheng Biyan: “I understand, I understand. Thank you, Young Immortal Lord, for not holding grudges and showing mercy.”

 

Xi Jue was too lazy to talk with him, pointing to indicate: Go, go, go!

 

Sheng Biyan felt greatly relieved, leaving the spirit essence behind and carefully departing with the silent Sheng Jiao.

 

The previously unmoved Sheng Jiao suddenly turned slightly, seeming to glance at Xi Jue.

 

“You…”

 

Sheng Biyan yanked Sheng Jiao out. Once they reached a deserted place, he almost ground his teeth to powder, saying harshly: “I warned you when we came not to provoke the Xi family’s young master. Why didn’t you listen?!”

 

Sheng Jiao seemed to have his seven emotions and six desires sealed, remaining unmoved no matter how Sheng Biyan scolded or humiliated him.

 

Sheng Biyan cursed as he dragged him away.

 

Feng Yu watched their retreating figures, marveling: “Who would have thought—the Sheng family doesn’t even care about their Spiritual level Xiangwen to curry favor with your family. That’s ‘Worthy of Heavenly Dao’!”

 

“Who knows what they’re all thinking? The Sheng family head is also confused. Having a Spiritual level Xiangwen but not treasuring him properly, letting some branch family member humiliate him like this—do they think flattering the Xi family will make them ascend overnight?”

 

Xi Jue sat unhappily on the couch, kicking his legs: “Is that guy mute? Even beaten like that and still won’t speak.”

 

“I remember he wasn’t like this before. Must be a problem with that Xiangwen.” Feng Yu crossed his legs, tossing a spirit pill up and catching it perfectly in his mouth, saying indistinctly: “Tsk, why are all the Spiritual level Xiangwen abnormal?”

 

“Who’s abnormal?”

 

“Heng Yudu is a paralyzed cripple who can’t walk, and Rang Chen… oh right, your family is on good terms with the Rang family so you should know—he practices a vow of silence.” Feng Yu went through them one by one. “You didn’t attend the entrance ceremony at noon so you don’t know, but there isn’t a single normal person in Zhuxing Zhai. There’ll be great entertainment to watch in the future.”

 

Xi Jue didn’t want to watch entertainment. He stared absent-mindedly at the bloodstains on the ground for a long time.

 

After a while, he gritted his teeth and cursed in a low voice: “Stuffy gourd, serves you right!”

 

Having been frightened during the day, Xi Jue had nightmares all night.

 

In his dream, the saw-mouthed gourd suddenly split in two, bouncing and hopping after him on two wooden legs while thundering. Xi Jue was terrified and ran desperately forward.

 

But with his short legs and small stature, after running half the night he was still caught.

 

The gourd wrapped him up airtight and slowly closed.

 

Xi Jue was so scared he kicked wildly, screaming as he fell off the bed.

 

The attendant hurried in: “Young Master?”

 

Xi Jue sat disheveled on the footstool, taking a while to fully wake up.

 

Obviously the young master wouldn’t admit he’d been scared awake by a nightmare. He coughed guiltily and patted the bed with his weak hand in disgust: “This bed is too narrow, not enough room for me to roll around.”

 

The attendant looked at the spacious bed that could fit four or five people lying side by side and fell silent.

 

Xi Jue climbed up and looked outside: “What time is it?”

 

“The hour of the dragon.”

 

“Oh, do we start classes today?”

 

“The director said today you should familiarize yourselves with Zhuxing Zhai first, then go to Jiusi Courtyard for classes tomorrow.”

 

Xi Jue sat for a while, finally recovering from the nightmare’s lingering effects. He grumbled as he dressed properly, planning to find Feng Yu to play with.

 

“Speaking of which, someone also lives across the pond.” The attendant said, “Since Young Master didn’t attend Zhuxing Zhai’s entrance ceremony yesterday, why not go see which classmate it is? It would be good to have someone to look out for each other in the future.”

 

Xi Jue snorted: “As long as it’s not that annoying ghost, anyone will do.”

 

The morning sun was blazing.

 

Xi Jue was spoiled and afraid of sun exposure, wearing a hat with thin, transparent white gauze hanging around it to block the sunlight. As he walked, he hummed: “Zhuxing Zhai has eight people—besides the four with Spiritual level Xiangwen and Feng Yu, who else is there?”

 

“Liu Changxing, the Medicine Sect’s Little Poison… the name’s a bit awkward, oh I remember now, called Lezheng Zhen.”

 

“What about the other one?”

 

“Hm? Another one? Strange, I just remembered it earlier…” The attendant thought his memory was poor and laughed dryly: “I’ll go back and check the records to tell Young Master later.”

 

Xi Jue walked across the pond’s boardwalk. Catching sight of the deep water from the corner of his eye, probably still traumatized, he hopped to the side.

 

After realizing what he’d done, he cursed angrily: “Don’t let me see that surnamed Sheng again, or I’ll make sure he gets what’s coming to him!”

 

The two courtyards were very close.

 

After just a few steps, he could see a towering osmanthus tree in the distance. A quiet little courtyard was hidden among dense woods, with its own elegant charm.

 

In deep autumn, the osmanthus blossomed fully. The eaves and bluestone slabs were covered with a thin layer of fallen osmanthus flowers.

 

Brilliant morning sunlight spread over them like melted honey on the ground.

 

Xi Jue sniffed and strolled through the main gate, stepping on the osmanthus flowers, planning to see what kind of person this classmate he’d be spending day and night with was.

 

But before entering, the attendant seemed to see something and suddenly grabbed Xi Jue, his face turning green: “Young Master, let’s, let’s go find Young Master Feng instead. Didn’t you get along well with him?”

 

“What’s the rush?” Xi Jue was puzzled. “I don’t know where he lives. Don’t I have to walk around and look while searching?”

 

The attendant couldn’t say much and tugged back and forth with him at the entrance.

 

Xi Jue became even more suspicious of something fishy, shaking off his hand and quickly walking to the threshold.

 

The attendant showed a miserable expression.

 

When his gaze fell on the figure standing under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, Xi Jue’s eyes widened in disbelief and he nearly tripped and fell flat.

 

The person who had been looking up at the osmanthus flowers turned around expressionlessly and met his gaze coldly.

 

—It was actually Sheng Jiao.

 

Xi Jue was so angry he nearly fell backward: “Sheng…”

 

What was his name again?

 

He forgot again.

 

Xi Jue turned his head.

 

The attendant whispered a reminder: “Sheng Jiao, Sheng Jiao.”

 

“Sheng Jiao!” Xi Jue said, “Why are you living here? I don’t want to live with you. Move out, move out right now.”

 

Sheng Jiao’s hollow gaze swept over him once but didn’t linger long, returning to focus on a cluster of golden osmanthus flowers.

 

—As if even one osmanthus flower was more interesting than looking at Xi Jue.

 

Having never experienced such disregard in his life, Xi Jue immediately marched forward angrily.

 

But the closer he got to this person, the more Xi Jue realized he was more than half a head taller than himself. To glare at him angrily, he had to look up.

 

Xi Jue: “…”

 

The short Xi Jue was furious. He suddenly reached out to pluck that osmanthus branch and took a big bite with an “awoo.”

 

“Look at me.” He glared at Sheng Jiao. “I’m talking to you.”

 

Sheng Jiao found another osmanthus branch to look at.

 

Seeing his young master jumping up and down without getting any response, and fearing he might use his whip on someone again, the attendant hurried to coax him: “I heard Young Master Sheng has a solitary and cold temperament. He’s not deliberately targeting Young Master. Let’s, let’s go find Young Master Feng to play.”

 

Xi Jue spat a few times, spitting out the chewed osmanthus petals: “Tastes terrible.”

 

Sheng Jiao ignored him. Probably finding him too noisy, he turned to walk to the other side of the tree.

 

Xi Jue instinctively reached out to grab him: “Don’t think of escaping. Did you hear me talking?”

 

But when his hand touched Sheng Jiao’s wrist, he keenly noticed his entire arm suddenly trembled, as if instinctively shaking from pain.

 

Only then did Xi Jue realize Sheng Jiao’s hand had been broken by Sheng Biyan yesterday, and he quickly withdrew his hand.

 

Sure enough, Sheng Jiao’s hand hanging at his side was red, swollen, and twisted, yet he continued looking at the osmanthus flowers.

 

Xi Jue would jump around for half a day if he lost a single hair, but seeing Sheng Jiao with a broken wrist acting like nothing was wrong, he stammered: “You, you…”

 

“Don’t you feel pain?”

 

Even with all his anger, Xi Jue couldn’t bring himself to express it at this moment.

 

Seeing Sheng Jiao treat him like he was invisible, he could only run away angrily with a dark face.

 

Getting angry with such a person simply wasn’t worth it—he might as well chat with a stone instead.

 

The attendant caught up: “Young Master, shall we go find Young Master Feng?”

 

“Find him my ass.” Xi Jue said sullenly.

 

He was probably still angry. Passing by the pond, he suddenly gestured with his hand.

 

“Build me a high fence from here to here, and set up several barriers. No wait, to there—I like this tree, I want to claim more than half of it. No, I want to claim it all, not leaving him even a single branch.”

 

The attendant nodded repeatedly: “Good, good, good, we won’t leave him any. Even if it bears fruit, we won’t give him any to eat.”

 

Only then did Xi Jue calm down, but after walking two steps, he said again: “Stop following me. Go back to the Xi family.”

 

The attendant was shocked.

 

The young master had never been without someone to serve him since childhood. This time he had even suffered greatly trying to bring attendants into Tianyan Academy, yet now he was voluntarily sending him away?

 

“But Young Master…”

 

“Go quickly.” Xi Jue said, “I have hands and feet. I won’t die without someone to serve me.”

 

The attendant knew he meant what he said. After hesitating for a while, he had no choice but to leave under his glare.

 

Moments later, the quiet little courtyard was empty.

 

Xi Jue peeked around the door frame to secretly watch the attendant leave, then ran back inside, rummaging through boxes and cabinets to find a piece of jade marrow.

 

His fingertip gently rubbed over the priceless jade marrow, white fragments falling through his fingers.

 

Soon, Xi Jue leaned forward and blew gently.

 

The jade dust scattered wildly like falling snow.

 

After the “snow” stopped, the palm-sized jade marrow looked as if it had been finely carved, now a jade token engraved with the character “Wen” (温).

 

Xi Jue found a tassel to hang on it, smiled smugly, and strolled out holding this freshly made director’s jade token.

 

Crossing the pond’s boardwalk, Xi Jue stepped on the osmanthus flowers scattered on the ground and ran to that quiet courtyard.

 

Sheng Jiao maintained his original posture, slightly raising his eyes to stare at that osmanthus branch. Sunlight poured down through the tree branches onto half his face, like an ice sculpture carved with knife and axe.

 

Even under the blazing sun, it couldn’t melt him in the slightest.

 

Xi Jue walked over with his hands behind his back, suddenly reaching up to pluck that osmanthus branch and stuff it in his mouth.

 

Sheng Jiao looked down at him with cold, lifeless eyes.

 

Seeing he was finally looking at him, Xi Jue quickly seized the opportunity to grin at him, flamboyant and smug: “Hey, are you a stuffy gourd? You haven’t also practiced a vow of silence like Rang… like that whoever, have you?”

 

Sheng Jiao didn’t speak.

 

“You like osmanthus flowers?” Xi Jue ran to his other side, humming as he waved the jade token in his hand. “Too bad, even if you like them, it’s useless now. Director Wen has ordered you to move out from here and live wherever you want.”

 

Sheng Jiao’s gaze fell on that jade token with “Wen” engraved on it. Finally showing a reaction, he reached out to take it.

 

—His right hand was nearly broken, yet he curled it slightly without seeming to feel pain.

 

Xi Jue held the tassel with two fingers, making the jade token sway constantly.

 

Sheng Jiao’s hand grasped at empty air, his eyes moving slightly.

 

Like an ice-carved statue finally gaining a trace of human spirit.

 

But it was only for an instant. He expressionlessly reached for the jade token again.

 

Xi Jue flicked his hand and threw the jade token directly into Sheng Jiao’s palm.

 

Even so, Sheng Jiao didn’t know to close his hand. Fortunately, the tassel caught on his thumb, preventing it from falling.

 

The jade token emitted a snow-white glow, almost imperceptible under the sunlight, like a stream of water silently wrapping around Sheng Jiao’s five fingers and spreading to his wrist.

 

In just an instant, the hideous wound under Sheng Jiao’s sleeve was completely healed.

 

Xi Jue probably found him too slow and snatched the jade token back, saying arrogantly: “This is Director Wen’s jade token. You don’t think it’s fake, do you?”

 

Sheng Jiao looked down at his right hand.

 

After showing off, Xi Jue turned and ran, shouting as he fled: “Hurry up and move out. Go wherever you want, or I’ll come make trouble every day.”

 

This person dared to throw him in the lake without fearing the Xi family’s power—he would definitely ignore such unreasonable orders.

 

Xi Jue’s guilt and shame instantly vanished. He casually threw away the jade token and happily went to find Feng Yu to play.

 

Zhuxing Zhai was extremely large. Xi Jue and Feng Yu spent the entire day exploring without covering even half of it. They agreed to continue wandering together after school tomorrow, and Xi Jue headed back to his quarters as night fell.

 

During the day with warm sunshine and blooming flowers, Xi Jue only found it fun.

 

But walking alone through the dense forest at night with just a small lamp, the thirteen-year-old half-grown child’s courage was smaller than a sesame seed. He looked around fearfully, afraid some fierce ghost or evil beast would emerge and devour him.

 

Xi Jue muttered fearfully: “This is Tianyan Academy. Even Feng Yu’s fierce ghosts can’t enter, so naturally there won’t be other demons and monsters. Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.”

 

Halfway through his muttering, seeing his quarters were almost in sight, Xi Jue immediately broke into a run.

 

But just as he turned a corner around the towering tree, catching sight of the nearby pond from the corner of his eye, Xi Jue was so frightened his pupils contracted and he nearly screamed.

 

In the deep of night, the water surface was covered with wisps of white mist, ghostly and eerie.

 

A person in black clothes stood by the shore, almost merging with the darkness, so strange it made one’s scalp tingle.

 

Xi Jue stood dazed for a while before his frightened soul returned as white mist floating back to his forehead.

 

He gathered his courage to look carefully and discovered the person was Sheng Jiao.

 

Xi Jue didn’t even have the energy to be angry, thinking weakly: “What is this person doing here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?”

 

He looked back and discovered the osmanthus courtyard gate was tightly locked not far away.

 

Xi Jue’s heart skipped a beat.

 

This stuffy gourd… couldn’t have believed his nonsense from the day and actually moved out, could he?

 

He was too easily fooled!

 

Seeing Sheng Jiao’s thin body seemingly covered with a thin layer of frost, Xi Jue felt inexplicably guilty. He quietly walked forward along the pond’s boardwalk, planning to say a few words to him.

 

The bright moon hung in the sky, surrounded by the sweet fragrance of frost and osmanthus.

 

Xi Jue walked behind Sheng Jiao, awkwardly calculating how to speak, his toes just stepping within three paces of Sheng Jiao.

 

Suddenly.

 

A heavenly thunder suddenly burst from the Tianyan pearls hanging on Sheng Jiao’s wrist, striking directly at Xi Jue.

 

Sheng Jiao turned his head to look at him, cold as frost.

 

No, perhaps even frost had more warmth than him.

 

Xi Jue was pampered and had never fought with anyone. Being suddenly attacked, his mind had no experience of counterattacking or dodging. Completely unprepared, he was struck and swayed to the side.

 

Beside him was the icy pond.

 

Xi Jue: “…”

 

This place was deserted, and Sheng Jiao was like a block of wood. Even if he fell into the water and drowned, he probably wouldn’t spare a glance.

 

Xi Jue’s ten fingers clawed wildly, trying to steady himself, but there was nothing around and he grasped only empty air.

 

It’s over.

 

He thought.

 

Just then, Sheng Jiao frowned tightly, his whole body trembling as he suddenly released an uncontrolled stream of spiritual power.

 

—Not the cold ruthlessness of the Tianyan pearls, but warm as spring breeze, gently sweeping over the frost-covered grass by the shore.

 

The wilted grass suddenly swayed.

 

Under the deep autumn frost, it tremblingly bloomed a small yellow flower.

 

The moment the flower bloomed, the frozen seven emotions and six desires, three souls and seven spirits seemed to struggle back to life. Sheng Jiao’s vacant, withered pupils contracted slightly as he suddenly reached forward as if possessed.

 

After making this movement, he himself was stunned.

 

At the critical moment, Xi Jue instinctively grabbed Sheng Jiao’s outstretched hand, gripping it with all his might.

 

But his downward momentum was too great, causing the unprepared Sheng Jiao to stumble forward.

 

“Splash!”

 

Both fell into the icy water together, sinking to the bottom with bubbles.

 

##

 

1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter