The smile on Shu Fang's face slowly faded away, and a frown appeared on her beautiful brows. "Why did you say such vulgar words to this adorable goddess?" she asked in confusion.
"If you expose your relationship with my husband—"
"Our husband," Shu Fang cut in, interrupting Ling Wei's words. "Continue your explanation," she urged, sensing Ling Wei's ugly expression.
"Once you expose your relationship with my husband, only you will be spared, and my husband will have to face difficulties. The worst part is that he might even be banned from the school for the rest of his life. Don't ask me why; I will explain the reason. Apart from the fact that the school forbids any relationships, you are a nature cultivator and you are expected to be clean and transparent. You are bound to attract more than normal attention now that you are known as a nature cultivator. People will believe that my husband tried despicable means to get your attention. Even if you explain the situation, it will only make things worse. The king is here not only to draw your attention to his side but also to one of his princes," Ling Wei explained.
"Curses!" Shu Fang frowned.
"I said earlier that you made the right choice by claiming to be the nature cultivator because with this identity of yours, you can help my husband in this way. I mean, if you claim to be his friend, people will try to be on his good side," Ling Wei continued.
"I see how it is," Shu Fang commented. "I understand better now."
Ling Wei opened her mouth to say more, but a loud ringing bell sounded. "You should leave; all students were summoned outside," she said.
"You should come immediately as well." Shu Fang flashed Ling Wei a smile and disappeared.
"There's always trouble for these nature cultivators. Did she think it would be easy, just as I explained? Tsk. She will just drag me down with her before she loses it and reveals her identity as a goddess. That would cause even more trouble," Ling Wei sighed as she grabbed the bath towel that was on the table she used to support herself and went to the bathroom.
...At the Academy Entrance...
A golden carriage stopped, and the king exited the carriage with Li Na trailing beside him excitedly, having completely forgotten that the spot next to him wasn't meant for her.
"Li na, royal sister, respect royal father and come down." A female among the princesses, dressed in a lovely white dress, spoke gently.
"Oh," Li Na flashed the king an apologetic smile. "I got too excited, that's why," she explained and stepped down immediately.
The king merely sighed and shook his head lightly.
The entrance academy door opened, and the elders and students who were already prepared at the entrance bowed immediately as soon as they saw the king.
"Welcome to the academy, your royal majesty!" Everyone echoed together.
"Ah, rise! Rise!" The king entered excitedly and supported the elder in the middle up. "Ah... where is the nature cultivator?" He went straight to the point after weaving for everyone to rise.
The elder in the middle laughed and cupped his hands together with a bow. "Your majesty, the student is in the main hall," he chuckled. "Even Queen Yin Lian came," he said.
"Really!" The king's eyes widened in shock. "Is she here for the nature Cultivator as well?" he murmured, a worried expression crossing his face. "When did she arrive?" he asked.
"Hm... she has been here since yesterday, your royal majesty," the elder replied.
The king frowned slightly. "Alright, let's go in first," he said.
"This way, your royal majesty." The elder paved the way, and together with a few talented students, including Ling Wei, they went to the main hall.
Han Jun, who had been watching the scene from a distance, frowned his brows lightly. "Is that the king? Why is he here?" he murmured, looking at Li Na, who was being pulled forward stylishly by her siblings. "No need to see her now. Since these people are focused on them, I should take the opportunity to look for the library," he said and turned left.
At that moment, Li Na looked back and saw the back view of Han Jun. A smile appeared on her face, and she whispered something into a lady's ear before carefully making her way out of the crowd and running after Han Jun.
.... The Main Hall....
The rows of seats stretched long to the end of the hall, with a long table serving as a border between the two rows of chairs. Each chair was occupied by many. In the center of the chairs was the place for the king, while the first seat on the vertical row on the left was empty,as well as the second seat. Shu Fang, dressed in her long-lasting blue dress and veil, sat in the third seat, with Ling Wei positioned in the seat next to her. Down from the fourth seat were the elders, who filled up the remaining seats. In the opposite seats, the first seat to the eighth seats were filled with princes and princesses, while the remaining seats were occupied by the talented students according to their level of cultivation.
The king looked at the empty second seat on the left and frowned. "Where's Li Na?" he questioned.
"Reporting to your imperial majesty, royal sister Li Na suddenly found the air temperature suitable for cultivation and noticed that she would soon have a breakthrough. Since she was in the academy already, she decided to use the air to make her breakthrough smoother." A princess, the lady whom Li Na had whispered to earlier, spoke softly.
"Ah, the academy is as good as ever," the king praised.
"The little princess is really a rare talent; to have a breakthrough with just the temperature of the air is a true gift," an elder flattered.
The king waved his hand in denial but smiled. "We are only waiting for Queen Yin Lian," he said. Just as his voice fell, the door opened.
An elegant lady dressed in green stood at the entrance, her eyes blindfolded with white silk, and her beautiful sparkling green hair cascading down almost to the floor. Atop her soft, fragrant hair sat a mighty crown. Her fair face made her look soft and adorable, while her green-colored nails were long but sharp. The flowing green dress concealed the lovely green frame heels she wore, hiding her feet. The air around her proclaimed her nobility, but for anyone calm enough to study her closely, one could sense the hidden murderous aura that lingered beneath her graceful exterior.
Even with her eyes blindfolded, she walked elegantly to the first seat in the left row and sat down gracefully.
"This queen makes everyone wait," Yin Lian's melodious, heart-calming voice resounded. Although her voice was soothing, it was emotionally detached, as if she were speaking to ghosts.
The king smiled. "Queen Yin Lian, you didn't keep us waiting. You are here at just the right time," he said.
Yin Lian nodded in acknowledgment but said nothing.
"Ah... since the Queen is here, there's no need to delay any longer. Elder Tang, where is the nature cultivator?" the King asked excitedly.
One of the elders, named Elder Tang, stood and bowed slightly before the King, but bowed with full respect before the Queen, named Queen Yin Lian. "The nature cultivator is here; her name is Shu Fang," he said.
Everyone fixed their gaze on the veiled figure of Shu Fang, whose expression was hidden beneath the veil.
Shu Fang raised her head slightly. "A God like me has to bow before these low-level cultivators?" she thought to herself but said nothing.
Yin Lian looked at Shu Fang, her brows slightly raised. This lady isn't mortal, she thought. Why is his scent on her? Could it be...? Suddenly, she frowned, a wave of oppressing murderous intent escaping her body.
Everyone felt the sudden killing intent and looked at Yin Lian with concern etched on their faces.
Ling Wei glanced at Yin Lian, her brows furrowed, exchanging a meaningful gaze with Shu Fang.
These two carry his scent, Yin Lian thought, staring at Ling Wei. No rush; things will eventually fall under my control. She took a deep breath, calming herself and retracting the killing intent she had released earlier.
Everyone sensed that the killing intent had dissipated and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Err... Lady Fang, this King would like to invite you to the palace," the King said, forgetting to remind Shu Fang to greet him and stylishly casting a side glance at Yin Lian.
The King expected Yin Lian to step in and claim Shu Fang, but surprisingly, she remained calm, as if she didn't care about the nature cultivator. "What is going on? Wasn't she here for the nature cultivator?" he thought to himself, beginning to worry.
Shu Fang lightly shook her head. "I am fine with the academy; I won't go to the palace," she replied in her usual melodic voice.
Everyone was shocked and looked at Shu Fang strangely; even the King was surprised. Has the Queen already met her? he pondered, feeling anxious.
"Lady Fang, please think this offer over. Once you enter the palace, you will be granted whatever you desire," he said in a pleading tone.
Yin Lian wore a smirk on her face but said nothing. "Expecting a God to serve you? What a joke", she thought.
Shu Fang remained silent, her expression unreadable beneath the veil.
Seeing that Shu Fang had no intention of accepting the offer, an elder stood up and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, Shu Fang here is a newcomer to our academy; perhaps she feels she hasn't had enough experience here, which is why she hasn't agreed to your invitation," he said.