Chapter 81: Joining the Canaan Academy
Ruo Lin and Xue Ni were momentarily stunned by his words.
When they had agreed to Xiao Cang's request earlier, they believed that the red bellyband was certainly not a valuable item, and they didn't think they would lose.
However, they were proven wrong. In front of so many people, they couldn't back out, especially with Xiao Cang's handsome appearance.
Having tea and becoming friends with him seemed like a reasonable compromise.
"Now that we misunderstood Young Young Master Xiao, let's fulfill the compensation as mentioned," Ruo Lin said gracefully.
"Very well. There's a teahouse nearby. Shall we move there for a chat?" Xiao Cang suggested with a faint smile.
"Sure."
Ruo Lin and Xue Ni nodded and followed Xiao Cang through the crowd to the teahouse.
"Waiter, bring a pot of Qing Xuan tea. I heard that Qing Xuan tea from Black Rock City is renowned. I invite Young Master Xiao to have a cup as an apology for the previous misunderstanding," Ruo Lin politely requested.
"While Qing Xuan tea is good, it pales in comparison to the tea pills I personally refine. Why don't you both taste my tea pills?" Xiao Cang suggested, taking out a few tea pills and placing them in their water cups.
"This..." Ruo Lin and Xue Ni exchanged glances, feeling a bit hesitant.
"Why worry? Within the Gama Empire, who would dare to plot against the recruitment guide of the Canaan Academy?" Xiao Cang smiled warmly, lifting his cup and taking a sip.
Seeing this, Ruo Lin finally lifted her cup and took a sip. "Mmm, refreshing and delightful. Excellent tea!"
After tasting it, Xue Ni followed suit, "Such a fragrant tea. Young Master Xiao has excellent taste."
"If you both like it, then it's good." Xiao Cang said, looking at the red bellyband in Xue Ni's hand. "Miss Xue Ni, do you plan to keep holding onto this bellyband?"
Xue Ni was taken aback, realizing she was still holding the red bellyband from earlier. Blushing, she quickly stowed it away in her pouch. "Sorry, I forgot I was still holding it."
Xiao Cang and Ruo Lin burst into laughter.
Later, Xiao Cang chatted with Ruo Lin and Xue Ni and they had a few more cups of tea. Ruo Lin suddenly sensed something unusual – not discomfort, but rather an overwhelming sense of comfort.
Initially, the tea's fragrance was pleasant, but after a couple of cups, she felt warmth spreading throughout her body.
It seemed like a subtle medicinal power was nourishing her, accelerating the circulation of her Dou Qi.
Ruo Lin clearly felt that under this state, her cultivation speed would increase by at least thirty percent!
"Young Master Xiao, this tea..." Ruo Lin asked.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Cang inquired.
"Why do I feel like my cultivation speed is accelerating?" Ruo Lin questioned.
"I forgot to mention earlier. The tea pills can be considered top-grade pills, and regular consumption provides great benefits to cultivation," Xiao Cang explained with a warm smile.
"Top-grade pills?" Ruo Lin exclaimed. Though she was a Da Dou Shi, such pills were still precious to her.
After the revelation, Xiao Cang continued the conversation with Ruo Lin about the Canaan Academy's recruitment. Ruo Lin offered to register Xiao Cang in advance if he wished to join.
"How about it, Master Ruo Lin?" Xiao Cang asked with a smile.
"You're just joking, Young Master Xiao. With your discerning eyes, you must be at least a Dou Ling-level expert. Such experts don't need to join the Canaan Academy, and besides, the academy has an age limit for new students," Ruo Lin said, thinking that Xiao Cang had already exceeded the age limit.
Xiao Cang, with a playful look, took a sip of tea and said, "How does Master Ruo Lin know I've exceeded the age limit?"
"Because the standard for admitting new students is eigh—"
Ruo Lin was about to say the standard was eighteen and below when she suddenly stopped. She looked at Xiao Cang's confident face and had a strange feeling.
Could it be...
"Is Young Master implying..." Ruo Lin widened her eyes, asking in disbelief.
"That's right, I just turned eighteen this year," Xiao Cang said with a warm smile.
Ruo Lin and Xue Ni both gasped in surprise.
Eighteen years old?
Dou Ling level?
Even within the Canaan Academy, breaking through to Dou Ling at eighteen was considered outstanding. Many students barely reached the Dou Ling level even after graduating in their twenties.
"That means Young Master Xiao is qualified to join the Canaan Academy," Ruo Lin chuckled awkwardly.
"If Young Master Xiao joins the academy, he might even be directly admitted to the inner courtyard, right? I wonder how the senior brothers and sisters in the academy will react" Xue Ni remarked, blinking in disbelief.
Ruo Lin's eyes dimmed slightly at the thought, If Xiao Cang directly joined the inner courtyard, she wouldn't be his instructor, making it impossible for her to add this achievement to her record when she applied for the position of a Profound Stage mentor next year.
However, despite her mixed feelings, she still hoped that Xiao Cang would join the Canaan Academy. A talent like him deserved the best training.
"Although tomorrow is the official registration day, since I have a connection with Young Master Xiao, if you really want to join the academy, I can register you in advance," Ruo Lin offered.
"Alright, I appreciate the help, Master Ruo Lin," Xiao Cang said with a faint smile.
Ruo Lin took out the registration form and began filling it out. "By the way, may I know Young Master Xiao's full name?"
"Xiao Cang."
"Such a beautiful name, Xiao..."
Ruo Lin complimented, but as she began to write, she suddenly lifted her head and almost simultaneously exclaimed with Xue Ni.
"Xiao Cang?!"
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