Chapter 272
It seems I need to find a suitable opportunity to personally visit Soto City.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Council Hall.
The hall was filled with the refreshing scent of agarwood, and light filtered through the tall, carved wooden windows, casting dappled shadows on the smooth, mirror-like black jade slabs.
The palace is magnificent, yet without a trace of vulgarity, exuding the profound heritage and understated luxury of a thousand-year-old sect.
On the north side of the main hall, the main seat, symbolizing the supreme authority of the clan leader, is a large chair exquisitely carved from a single piece of the finest rosewood.
In the center of the chair back is a piece of jade as big as a washbasin.
The jade is entirely emerald green, lustrous and moist, as if it contains the vitality of a deep pool, radiating a soft and constant warm glow. It is a rare and exquisite piece of warm jade.
This jade is not only priceless, but its nurturing power can also calm the mind and enhance the circulation of soul power, making it a treasure that support-type soul masters dream of.
At this moment, sitting upright on this rosewood carved jade chair is Ning Fengzhi, the current sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
He looked to be around forty years old, with a handsome face, smooth skin, a high nose bridge, and a natural, gentle smile on his lips.
His spotless white robe made him appear even more gentle and refined.
Her smooth black hair cascaded down her shoulders, her posture casual and natural, without the slightest trace of the deliberate majesty of a superior.
However, deep within those seemingly gentle eyes lies a wise light that has seen the world and is keenly aware of its complexities.
He was like warm jade, radiant and unfathomable.
At that moment, his gaze calmly fell on a young man kneeling on one knee below.
The young man was dressed in a white outfit with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda emblem embroidered on his chest. His aura was refined, clearly indicating that he was a well-trained elite sentry from a sect with considerable soul power.
"Reporting to the Sect Master."
The young man's voice was calm, clear, and respectful.
"Miss has arrived at Shrek Academy safely and has successfully passed the entrance examination."
He paused slightly, his tone becoming more serious.
"Furthermore, Miss met Lord Lin Xia, the city lord of Gengjin City, within the academy!"
"Oh?"
A clear ripple finally crossed Ning Fengzhi's originally calm face.
A hint of surprise and keen interest flickered in his gentle eyes, and his seemingly constant smile deepened slightly.
He leaned forward slightly, his fingertips habitually tapping lightly on the armrest of the warm jade chair, producing a crisp, soft sound.
"City Lord Lin Xia?"
Ning Fengzhi's tone carried a hint of amusement and deep thought.
"How could he end up in a place like Shrek Academy?"
Shrek Academy, an obscure little academy in a remote village, should never have caught the eye of someone like Lin Xia.
The dignified Lord of Gengjin City, who holds the lifeline of the continent's soul tools and is someone even the Spirit Hall has to give way to, condescends to go to Shrek Academy to enroll.
This is even more unbelievable than a titled Douluo going to a rural Soul Master Academy to become a tutor!
"My subordinates have investigated extensively, combining information from the young lady's personal guards with rumors circulating within Shrek Academy..."
The young man paused slightly, seemingly considering his words, and finally chose the most direct description that best reflected his understanding.
"Lord Lin Xia went to Shrek Academy, and his behavior... seems... seems to be going out to have some fun."
Looking for fun?
Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow. This answer was completely unexpected and sounded absurd, but judging from Lin Xia's unfathomable yet occasionally youthful behavior, it was not entirely impossible.
He gestured for the young man to continue.
The young man took a deep breath and clearly summarized the intelligence he had gathered. "City Lord Lin Xia displayed overwhelming strength the moment she entered the academy. Vice Dean Zhao Wuji, a level 76 Soul Saint, attempted to establish his authority by attacking her, but..."
The young man's voice unconsciously carried a sense of awe.
"City Lord Lin Xia summoned a terrifying giant beast spirit called Banqilas, triggering a sandstorm like a natural disaster. With just the pressure of the spirit, he severely injured Vice Dean Zhao Wuji and crushed him deep underground. He has been unconscious ever since, and the Shrek Academy grounds were completely destroyed."
Ning Fengzhi's fingers, which were tapping on the armrest, suddenly stopped, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.
He had heard of the name of Immovable King Zhao Wuji, a powerful offensive Soul Saint known for his defense and strength, yet he was crushed by Lin Xia's Martial Soul pressure.
That Bangilas...
"Subsequently, student Ma Hongjun was severely injured by City Lord Lin Xia's female companion named Zhu Zhuqing due to his inappropriate words and actions. City Lord Lin Xia used pure soul power to condense earth spikes, instantly turning him into a sieve. He is currently still lying in bed in the academy's infirmary, and his injuries are horrific. Dean Flander dared not say a word about this, and was even extremely respectful to City Lord Lin Xia, even... fearful."
Ning Fengzhi listened in silence, his gentle expression gradually fading, replaced by a deep solemnity.
He never doubted Lin Xia's abilities.
But this almost childlike, crushing attitude appearing at Shrek Academy suggests that its purpose is far more than simply having fun.
A person who has reached such heights and wielded such power at the age of twelve must have profound meanings behind every action that are difficult for ordinary people to fathom.
“What’s even more puzzling is…”
The young man continued:
"Lord Lin Xia showed no intention of leaving. On the contrary, he accepted Flander's arrangement and seemed to really intend to stay at Shrek Academy as a student."
After the young man finished speaking, he respectfully bowed his head, awaiting Ning Fengzhi's instructions.
The main hall was completely silent, with only the wisps of smoke from the agarwood incense drifting silently through the air.
Ning Fengzhi leaned back in his wide chair, his gaze falling on the exquisite coffered ceiling of the main hall, and fell into deep thought.
What exactly does this old friend of mine want to do?
"It seems I need to find a suitable time to go to Soto City in person."
Shrek Academy.
Night was just beginning to fall.
The dusty playground during the day was now shrouded in a deep blue twilight.
Sparse stars began to twinkle in the sky, and the rising crescent moon cast its cool, silvery light, barely illuminating the empty space.
Flander's tall figure stood in the center of the field, his crystal glasses reflecting a cold light in the moonlight, like a hawk lurking in the darkness.
Oscar stood a short distance in front of Flander, head bowed, his hair plastered to his skin by sweat, panting heavily, his legs trembling slightly, clearly having just endured a strenuous run. His white cadet uniform was covered in dust and sweat, looking utterly disheveled.
Ning Rongrong stood a little further away, her arms crossed over her chest, her delicate face showing a hint of stubbornness and lingering anger.
After venting her frustrations in Soto City in the afternoon and enjoying some exquisite refreshments, her mood calmed down considerably, but the resentment towards Flander and the Shrek curriculum still lingered in her heart.
Looking at Oscar's disheveled appearance, she felt little sympathy. Instead, she felt he deserved it—who told him to be so spineless, even afraid to run like that.
Lin Xia and Zhu Zhuqing stood in the shadows at the edge of the playground, seemingly blending into the night.
Lin Xia stood with her hands in her pockets, relaxed, a faint smile playing on her lips, her gaze calmly fixed on the scene.
Flander's cold gaze swept over the two of them, finally settling on Oscar. His voice was not loud, but it carried an invisible pressure that clearly pierced through the silence of the night.
"Oscars".
He adjusted his glasses.
"Have you finished twenty laps?" (End of Chapter)