Vice Dean Xia's words brought a collective sigh of relief from those within the Wen family's carriage.
The six freshly prepared sheepskin scrolls were once again presented before Wen Xuan Yu. As he selected one, his complexion paled the instant the middle-aged lecturer in black robes unfurled it.
The two characters inscribed on the scroll read "Inner Affairs."
The black-robed lecturer displayed the opened scroll to Vice Dean Xia and the six professors while loudly announcing, "Inner Affairs Department!"
A flicker of joy passed through the eyes of the stern middle-aged man affiliated with the Inner Affairs Department, while the expressions of the plump middle-aged woman, the gray-bearded elder, the black-robed old woman, and the emaciated elder from the Spirit Ritual Department darkened further with vexation.
Just moments ago, Wen Xuan Yu had openly scorned Lin Xi's cultivation aptitude, yet Lin Xi remained unperturbed, his demeanor calm and collected. This composure only deepened their admiration, but now, Lin Xi was already designated as a member of the Cease War Department!
Vice Dean Xia's gaze settled on the girl in green, "Gao Yanan, will you accept our arrangement for the chosen selection, or will you follow Wen Xuan Yu's lead?"
"I don't mind at all. Once we enter the academy, can't we choose to take courses from other departments if we are interested? Moreover, isn't it permissible for academy students to volunteer for the border troops? What difference does it make?" Gao Yanan replied nonchalantly, leaving many in a state of shock.
Wen Xuan Yu nearly fainted, "Is that allowed?"
"You speak wisely," Vice Dean Xia replied, a rare smile gracing his face as he nodded at the middle-aged lecturer in black robes, who then placed four sheepskin scrolls before Gao Yanan.
She casually selected one, and this time, the middle-aged woman's furrowed brow relaxed, revealing the inscription "Pharmaceutical Control."
"Isn't that the same department?" Lin Xi felt a twinge of melancholy as he heard the black-robed lecturer announce, "Pharmaceutical Control Department!"
"But one can still take courses in Pharmaceutical Control..." he mused, his lips curling into a slight smile.
"These seniors are heading to the border troops for training. According to our academy's tradition, before they depart, we must arrange for you to meet them," Vice Dean Xia's voice resonated once more.
Though his tone remained measured, many around Lin Xi, including Li Kaiyun, felt a shiver run through them as they gazed at the neatly lined-up seniors behind the six professors and lecturers, their eyes sparkling with fervent admiration.
Most new students, aside from a few "golden spoons," were largely unaware of the academy's traditions. However, Li Kaiyun and his peers understood all too well the dangers faced by the border troops, realizing that among these seniors, many might never return from those desolate regions.
"He roams the world with a Qilin and a divine phoenix, traversing deserts untouched by human feet. He has severed the heads of demons and generals alike, basking in the glory of Falling Star Lake, unmatched by any..."
The solemn and majestic song began to echo once more, as the academy students in black robes behind the six professors and lecturers began to depart, forming a long black procession heading toward the Four Seasons Slope.
Li Kaiyun and the others straightened their backs; these students were in pursuit of their predecessors' glory, embodying the pillars and shields of the empire. Now, they too had become students of the academy, bearing the same mission.
"Is the situation at the borders of the Yunqin Empire always so tense?" Lin Xi pondered, furrowing his brow.
In such a scene, even he, who instinctively felt little connection to the empire, found himself unwittingly affected, realizing he needed to understand the true conditions of the border troops.
"Let us return to Qingluan Academy," Vice Dean Xia said to Lin Xi and the others as he watched the long black procession gradually fade from view, before turning and leading all the professors and lecturers around Lingxia Lake, heading north.
"Are we leaving?"
Lin Xi suddenly jolted, hastening to the edge of the main group, waving vigorously toward the cluster of carriages.
The anxious expression on his face quickly vanished, replaced by a radiant smile that flowed like sunlight.
For in his line of sight, a dilapidated carriage emerged from the throng, with the elderly driver, who had accompanied him through half the Yunqin Empire, watching him depart with the academy.
In this world, upon leaving Lulin Town, he had nearly no friends aside from his parents and younger sister. The youths of Lulin Town, his peers, understood far too little, failing to grasp much of his experiences. Even sincere conversations labeled him as an outsider, as "Lin Er." Yet this elderly driver, though taciturn and reticent about his own stories, had cared for him well over the past month, unwittingly becoming his first friend in this new world, followed by the freckled chubby boy Meng Bai, and then Li Kaiyun, Zhang Ping, and Xiang Lin.
As he walked alongside the main group, witnessing the sunlight cast a gentle golden hue on Meng Bai and the others' youthful faces, Lin Xi felt an uncontainable surge of thoughts about "Director Zhang" flooding his mind.
What kind of person was this legendary middle-aged figure?
Why had he left behind so many peculiar traditions and names at Qingluan Academy?
Neither the elderly driver nor Meng Bai could ever comprehend his world. If he were to share tales of his realm, it would surely only evoke their anxiety, prompting him to refrain from speaking nonsense. In Xinghua Village beyond the Four Seasons Slope, the elderly driver would surely think he was recounting an absurd tale, stemming from an innate inability to understand or believe.
It was akin to a traveler unable to narrate his past, leaving him with an inexplicable sense of regret and loneliness.
As time passed, Lin Xi knew he might begin to doubt whether he truly hailed from a different world, instead believing he had merely caught a chill and was experiencing a long, absurd dream.
"If he is like me, from that world, then surely he too must have felt loneliness and solitude over the decades?"
Suddenly, an image from the song's lyrics surfaced in Lin Xi's mind—a middle-aged man traversing the wilderness with a bizarre beast resembling a large dog and another resembling a duck. This naturally conjured a vague yet poignant scene that stirred Lin Xi's emotions.
"If it truly is the case... having crafted such a legend, he must possess abilities akin to mine, right?" In an instant, Lin Xi's body jolted as a possibility dawned upon him.
"What's wrong?" Meng Bai sensed Lin Xi's unusual demeanor and couldn't help but ask quietly.
"Nothing," Lin Xi replied, not wishing to fabricate a lie, simply stating, "I was pondering the matters concerning the legendary Director Zhang..."
"Oh," Meng Bai whispered in Lin Xi's ear, "Do you know what I am thinking about?"
Lin Xi shook his head, "No."
Meng Bai grimaced, gesturing ahead, "I was wondering what my grandfather did to anger that professor. I hope I won't be subjected to various petty grievances once I arrive at the academy."
"Ha!" Lin Xi couldn't help but laugh aloud.
...
"Where exactly is Qingluan Academy? Where are we headed?" The candidates, all of tender age and youthful spirit, had been walking along the shores of Lingxia Lake for half a day, with no signs of stopping, leading to an increasing murmur of whispers. Some couldn't help but voice such questions.
The professors, lecturers, and the formidable Vice Dean Xia did not inhibit the new students' chatter, showing no signs of strictness. However, upon hearing someone speak too loudly, the black-robed lecturer pointed toward the distance, "Qingluan Academy is over there; we are headed there."
The spot indicated by the black-robed lecturer was a colossal mountain range, blanketed in snow, towering above the clouds, obscuring its peak from view.
The Ascending Heaven Mountain Range!
"Are we to walk directly there?" The new students erupted in astonishment.
Among the newcomers, some were aware that Qingluan Academy was situated within that vast mountain range, but even Lin Xi, who knew the least, had heard from the elderly driver that the main mountain ranges of Shanhai and Ascending Heaven were the two largest within the Yunqin Empire. The Four Seasons Plain lay within a basin between these two mountain ranges, and to traverse from the shores of Lingxia Lake to the foot of the Ascending Heaven Mountain would likely take at least three or four days on foot.
The black-robed lecturer's serious voice showed no hint of emotional fluctuation or pause, "You are now students of the academy; your cultivation begins at this very moment, meaning... your first lesson has already commenced. According to the academy's tradition, your performance from this point forward will be recorded for academic credits. Outstanding students will receive credit rewards, while those who perform poorly will face penalties and credit deductions."
A chill ran through all the new students.
After a brief pause, the black-robed lecturer added, "You should feel fortunate and honored that Vice Dean Xia accompanies you on this journey of enrollment."
The professors and lecturers ahead suddenly came to a halt, nearly causing a collision with the restless new students trailing behind.
"Come forward to receive these cloaks; one for each of you."
In the black-robed lecturer's cold voice, all the lecturers removed the large bundles they had been carrying. The previously folded tents were neatly stacked by the lakeside, seemingly awaiting someone to organize them. Lin Xi had speculated about the contents of the large bundles on the lecturers' backs, and now he knew the answer.
Each lecturer's bundle contained a sleek, shiny black cloak.