Three times "rare!"
The scene was deathly silent.
Sensing the tension in the air, Gu Qianchen frowned slightly, glancing around, "What is it?"
At this moment, Li Xiu stepped forward and deeply bowed to Gu Qianchen before recounting everything that had happened, without the slightest concealment.
After listening, the silence grew even deeper!
Several elders and the two other vice principals of Cangmu Academy gave Li Xiu a cold glare, their expressions filled with disapproval.
If it weren't for Gu Qianchen's remnant shadow being present, they would likely have lashed out at him.
After a moment, Gu Qianchen shook his head slightly, "This array was originally created by Principal Mu. Later, I felt it was too weak, so I turned the wooden figures into sword cultivators. Anyone under twenty who can break this array, even if it involves some trickery, still possesses exceptional talent. And the one who just broke it did not cheat. Although he has no dantian, that makes him all the more extraordinary—in fact, terrifying. Breaking this array without a dantian—isn't that frightening?"
Upon hearing this, Li Xiu's face paled, especially when recalling An Lanxiu's earlier attitude.
Who was An Lanxiu?
Such a terrifying genius—would she favor a mediocre person?
Certainly not!
Li Xiu smiled bitterly and bowed deeply to Gu Qianchen, "I was blind."
Gu Qianchen shook his head, "Fate cannot be forced."
He then looked around, "I have been away from Qingzhou for centuries. I left this remnant shadow to see if anyone could break the formation I created with Principal Mu in the shortest time possible. I never expected this result... So be it. As for the affairs of Cangmu Academy today, I cannot intervene. You must manage yourselves."
With that, his form gradually faded away.
Seeing this, everyone in the field bowed deeply, "Farewell, Principal Gu!"
Soon, Gu Qianchen's remnant shadow completely dissipated.
The other two vice principals, as well as the various mentors and elders, all looked at Li Xiu.
Li Xiu smiled bitterly, "From this moment on, I will voluntarily go to the Cliff of Reflection for self-reflection. After the principal emerges from seclusion, I will accept whatever punishment he deems fit."
He looked at a white-haired old man not far away, "Brother Mosong, please take charge of the academy for now."
Mosong, another vice principal of Cangmu Academy, sighed softly, "This matter was indeed mishandled... Alas, there's no point in discussing it further now. Go reflect, and wait for the principal's decision."
"Hold on!"
At that moment, another old man in a black robe stepped forward.
This was Kumu, the other vice principal of Cangmu Academy.
Hearing Kumu speak, everyone turned their gaze towards him.
Kumu spoke coldly, "He's just a promising prodigy, nothing more. If he couldn't join our Cangmu Academy, it is his loss, not ours. Let me be frank—he does not deserve us to punish a vice principal for him."
Silence fell.
Kumu continued, "If we punish Li Xiu, wouldn't Cangmu Academy become the laughingstock of the world? Besides, though he is talented, he is not worth sacrificing a vice principal over. Send word out that Ye Xuan is nothing but trash rejected by Cangmu Academy! We want the world to know that even if he is a genius, a prodigy, in front of our Cangmu Academy, he is still a waste!"
The elders and mentors exchanged glances. Some hesitated, but others immediately agreed.
Kumu went on, "Since Principal Gu's time, when have we ever bowed our heads to anyone? We didn't then, and we won't now."
He looked around, "Remember this, students of Cangmu Academy—Ye Xuan has joined Canglan Academy. Next year, I want his head hung along the mountain path. Let the world know that not joining Cangmu Academy is the greatest regret of Ye Xuan's life!"
Countless Cangmu Academy students bowed, shouting in unison, "We will see Ye Xuan's head hang upon the mountain path!"
Kumu nodded slightly, and the elders, including Li Xiu, also nodded.
Soon, news of Ye Xuan joining Canglan Academy spread throughout the capital.
The trash rejected by Cangmu Academy had been picked up by Canglan Academy!
For a time, Ye Xuan's name spread throughout the entire capital—though not in a good way. He had become a laughingstock, and so had Canglan Academy!
"Canglan Academy has fallen so low that they're picking up the students Cangmu Academy doesn't want..."
The entire capital echoed with that phrase.
Cangmu Academy's fame and prestige soared to new heights once again!
...
On a secluded mountain path, Ye Xuan carried Ye Ling on his back, following the old man ahead of them closely. Every few steps, the old man took a hearty swig from his wine gourd.
"Brother... I feel warm!"
"Comfortable?"
"Mmm!"
"That's good!"
"Brother... promise me, never kneel to anyone for my sake again, okay?"
Ye Xuan fell silent.
Ye Ling hugged Ye Xuan's neck tightly, "Brother, I'd rather die than see you kneel."
"I'd rather kneel to the whole world than see you die!"
"Brother... in the next life, I still want to be your sister. No, the life after that, and the one after that..."
"..."
After a quarter of an hour, the old man stopped.
Ye Xuan also halted.
Ahead of them stood two small peaks. They weren't very tall, only about thirty meters high—pitifully small compared to Cang Mountain at Cangmu Academy.
Between the two peaks was a narrow path, beside which stood a stone tablet, overgrown with weeds. Four large, black characters were carved into it: "Canglan Academy!"
The words looked somewhat desolate.
Following the old man's lead, Ye Xuan carried his sister through the narrow path. At the end of the path stood another mountain, not very tall, just slightly higher than the previous two. At its peak, some buildings could be vaguely seen.
The old man walked slowly ahead, while Ye Xuan carried his sister behind.
Suddenly, the old man spoke, "I can't remember how many years it's been—you are the first willing to join Canglan Academy."
Behind him, Ye Xuan was momentarily stunned, then asked in surprise, "Senior, if I may ask, how many students are there currently at Canglan Academy?"
"Including you, two!" The old man did not turn his head.
Ye Xuan froze.
After a moment, he quickly caught up with the old man, carrying his sister, "Senior, are you sure you're not joking?"
The old man glanced at Ye Xuan, "Do I look like I'm joking?"
"No..."
Ye Xuan swallowed, "Canglan Academy... including me, really only has two students?"
The old man nodded.
Seeing that the old man wasn't joking, Ye Xuan smiled bitterly, "Senior... two people... this..." He was speechless.
The old man patted Ye Xuan on the shoulder, "Rest assured, I've already tricked—I mean, recruited two more. They should arrive soon. Then, Canglan Academy will have four students."
With that, he walked towards the distant mountain peak.
Ye Xuan stood dumbfounded.
On Ye Xuan's back, Ye Ling looked at the old man in the distance and whispered, "Brother, I think you've been tricked!"
Ye Xuan shook his head and smiled, "He saved you, and just for that, I'd jump into any pit he digs!"
With that, he carried Ye Ling and quickly followed.
Soon, under the old man's lead, the three arrived at the mountain peak, where there was only a dilapidated main hall and a dozen or so rooms. The paint around the main hall had mostly peeled off, several sections of the walls had large cracks, and even one of the doors was missing... A glance inside revealed weeds growing everywhere.
Ye Xuan turned to the old man, who said, "Canglan Hall, the place for meetings and receiving guests—though we haven't had meetings or guests in years. Yes, it's a bit neglected. You can tidy it up later!"
Ye Xuan: "..."
The old man pointed to the back of the hall, "The houses back there are empty. You can choose any room you like. I'm feeling tired, so I'll rest first."
With that, the old man disappeared without a backward glance.
Ye Xuan, carrying Ye Ling, stood silently, staring at the dilapidated main hall for a long time.
He knew Canglan Academy wasn't doing well, but he didn't expect it to be this bad... No, it wasn't just bad—it was practically on the verge of collapse!
An unknown old man, two students—was this even an academy?
More like an orphanage!
After a long time, Ye Xuan sighed softly. Just then, Ye Ling jumped down from his back, holding Ye Xuan's hand, "Brother, you go pick our rooms. I'll clean this hall."
Ye Xuan hesitated, "You..."
Ye Ling jumped on the spot, smiling, "I'm not cold anymore. Go on, I'll be fine!"
Seeing that Ye Ling wasn't lying, Ye Xuan nodded, gently rubbing her head, "Take your time. I'll find us two rooms and get some food, then come help you."
Ye Ling nodded obediently.
Ye Xuan smiled and turned to leave.
Ye Ling entered the hall, found a broom, and began sweeping.
A few dozen meters behind the main hall, several scattered buildings were spread around. Judging by their appearance, they must have been magnificent once, but now... they were in terrible shape, especially the building directly in front of Ye Xuan—half of its roof was missing...
Shaking his head, Ye Xuan walked through the weed-covered path. Suddenly, he stopped—not far to his right was a courtyard that looked quite decent. It wasn't as dilapidated as the others, and there were flowers and plants around, giving it a pleasant appearance.
Ye Xuan's heart lifted, "This could be a good place for my sister!"
He quickly walked over and pushed the gate open. As he did, he froze. Not far ahead, there was a pool, and in it, a woman leaned against the edge, her legs stretched out in a 'T' shape.
The water was crystal clear—clear enough to see everything at the bottom.
Of course, that wasn't the most important thing—the most important thing was that the woman was completely unclothed.
The woman simply looked at Ye Xuan, her expression calm.
Ye Xuan blinked, then turned away. Just then, he sensed a terrifying aura approaching from behind. An extremely thin blade was pressed against his neck.
Ye Xuan's expression changed, and he quickly raised his hands, "I only like men!"