AGM 166 – Xiao Lan
As the news of Royal Academy’s defeat was disseminated, the crowd quickly realised that their earlier victory over the Emperor Star Academy didn’t really counted for anything.
The Emperor Star Academy was still the first among the martial academies of Chu. Their number one position was unshakable.
Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng stood at the registration area demarcated for the Emperor Star Academy, and upon seeing the faces of the youngsters filled with vitality and excitement, both of their faces had exceptionally radiant smiles on them.
“Do you still remember what happened last year when you came to enroll?” Mo Qingcheng turned her head sideways and smiled at Qin Wentian.
“Mmm.” Qin Wentian nodded his head. He still remembered that it was exactly at this location last year when he wanted to enroll in the Emperor Star Academy that Mo Qingcheng and Nolan’s carriage had pa.s.sed by. Back then, Mo Qingcheng lifted the curtains of her carriage and smiled in his direction. Thinking of this now, he wondered, was Mo Qingcheng really smiling at him back then?
Perhaps in the entire Chu Country, only Qin Wentian would have such preferential treatment.
“Am I very old now?” Qin Wentian grinned.
Mo Qingcheng’s beautiful eyes glanced at Qin Wentian as though she was seriously contemplating the question. Qin Wentian’s eyes now were still as clear as before, but his disposition, when compared to the past, had already undergone a complete transformation. He no longer had the feel of an underripe fruit. The harrowing experiences of the past year had done much in tempering him, causing him to mature faster. Not only that, in the past, Qin Wentian’s eyes would always clearly express whatever he was feeling, but now, it was hard to tell what his feelings were just from looking at his eyes.
Qin Wentian fidgeted slightly after being stared so hard by such a peerless beauty. Traces of shyness could be seen in the sun-like smile on his face
Upon seeing this, Mo Qingcheng involuntarily called out ‘Dumbo’ in her heart. She was so close with Qin Wentian, not because he was the champion of the Jun Lin Banquet, but rather because in him, she could see a kind of simplicity and honesty that couldn’t be found in other talented youths within the Royal Capital.
“Cough cough. My lovely future junior brothers and sisters, come and enroll over here.” Qin Wentian panicked slightly after being stared at so hard by Mo Qingcheng. Why was he always being teased by her?
Mo Qingcheng felt that it was extremely laughable when she saw how Qin Wentian was behaving. However, in front of others, she had remarkable self-restraint and didn’t allowed her laughter to show. After all, there were too many people focused on her at this moment.
She didn’t like this kind of crowded environment, but since her grandpa wanted her to come, she could only acquiesce to his demands. But seeing Qin Wentian, this dumbo, she was still quite happy about it. After all, she was a girl in the prime of her youth, and normally her life was pretty dull and boring. Her only close friend was Nolan.
“Senior brother Qin.” At this moment, a youth ran forwards in Qin Wentian’s direction. Mountain tried to block the youth, but the youth’s movements were extremely nimble, and he successfully dodged Mountain.
“d.a.m.ned brat.” Mountain scolded in a low voice, but he had an expression of laughter on his face, apparently not blaming the youth.
“Senior brother? You haven’t even pa.s.sed the examination. Are you sure you will be able to enroll in the Emperor Star Academy?” Qin Wentian had a warm and gentle smile on his face as he stared at the youth, who was about 15 years old. This youth was even younger than him back then when he had enrolled into the academy.
The youth had a head full of frizzled hair and was dressed in common attire. His eyes were big but pure and filled with spirit. Reverence could be seen in them as he stared at Qin Wentian.
“Naturally. I want to be the same as senior and become the champion of the Jun Lin Banquet a year from now. How can I fail the enrollment examination to enter the Emperor Star Academy?” The youth grinned.
“Keep boasting.” Mountain walked over and gave a rap on the youth’s head, causing the youth to stare earnestly at Mountain after he recovered. “It’s true, Senior Mountain. Since Senior Brother Qin could do it, why can’t I?”
“Alright, I believe you.” Qin Wentian was feeling exceptionally happy. To think that finally, there would be someone addressing him as Senior Brother.
“Junior Brother Qin, this fellow is named Zi Jun, and he’s the same as you, from Sky Harmony City. His first Astral Soul was condensed from the 3rd Heavenly Layer, and he’s already on our shortlist. But to think that this little rascal would be so unbridled.” Although Mountain’s words had a scolding tone to them, the twinkle in his eyes portrayed his real emotions. After all, such a genius like Zi Jun was indeed extremely rare.
No wonder this fellow wors.h.i.+ped him so much. It was because he was also from Sky Harmony City.
“Little fellow, work hard.” Qin Wentian ruffled the hair on Zi Jun’s head. Mo Qingcheng, who was at the side, broke out into laughter as she saw what Qin Wentian was doing. This fellow could also still be considered young, but he purposely acted like an adult in front of Zi Jun. The sight of this filled her with laughter.
“Er&h.e.l.lip;” Qin Wentian cast a side glance at Mo Qingcheng. Couldn’t she give him some face in front of his junior brother?
“Ah, this beautiful sister must be the girlfriend of Senior Brother Qin, right? How beautiful.” Zi Jun had a look of admiration on his face as he stared at Mo Qingcheng. He had never seen such a ravis.h.i.+ng lady before.
Qin Wentian’s eyes flickered, after which, he also stared at Mo Qingcheng in silence without blinking. This time around, it was Mo Qingcheng’s turn to feel awkward. An expression of shyness could be seen on her face, more beautiful than one could imagine.
Upon seeing the expression on Mo Qingcheng’s face, Qin Wentian couldn’t help but think that she would also have this day coming, and he laughed involuntarily. As the corners of his lips curled up, he looked at Zi Jun and stated, “Hmm, yes, she should be mine shortly.”
Mo Qingcheng, who was standing at Qin Wentian’s side, couldn’t help but to blush upon hearing what Qin Wentian had said. She sneakily got closer to Qin Wentian and stomped her foot on his feet, causing Qin Wentian to silently curse at how ruthless she was.
Zi Jun’s spirited eyes flickered as he punched his fist into the air, “Senior Brother, work hard!”
“Yup, you too.”
“Come with me.” Mountain chortled as he led Zi Jun away. The little fellow didn’t forget to wink several times to Qin Wentian, which caused Qin Wentian’s countenance to be filled with laughter. He really hoped that Zi Jun would be able to retain this guileless heart of his.
“Shhii&h.e.l.lip;” At this moment, Qin Wentian suck in a mouthful of cool air and lowered his head. He realised that Mo Qingcheng had stomped on his foot once again. Qin Wentian could only smile bitterly as he directed his gaze at her. Mo Qingcheng refused to lock gaze with him and was staring straight ahead, but her countenance was adorned with a cheeky smile.
Taking advantages of beautiful girls was really tough indeed.
Currently , in the direction of the enrolment area allocated to the Royal Academy, there were several silhouettes, including Chu Tianjiao, Ye Wuque as well as, Xiao Lan, Wu Chong, and those who had defeated the Emperor Star Academy’s Yuanfu Realm students. They all arrived personally.
Xiao Lan’s stare shot towards the direction of the Emperor Star Academy, as his eyes landed on Qin Wentian. He silently remarked in his heart, “This person can truly be considered a rare talent. Although he had some misunderstanding with Luo Qianqiu, there was no harm if I try to pull him into my camp. After all, this would be something that benefit myself. Since that’s the case, there’s no harm in giving him a chance.”
“Get someone to go over and tell him to get over here. I wish to have a chat with him.” Xiao Lan said in a low voice.
“Brother Xiao, are you referring to Qin Wentian?” Chu Tianjiao’s countenance stiffened slightly.
“Yes.” Xiao Lan nodded his head. “It would naturally be for the best if he could be obedient. This way, it would save us from dealing with plenty of troublesome matters.”
“I can understand Brother Xiao’s love for talent, but I only fear that Qin Wentian would be unable to appreciate it.” Although Chu Tianjiao felt unhappy in his heart, he quickly suppressed his feelings as a gentle smile appeared on his countenance. He was very clear regarding the status of the person in front of him possessed within the Nine Mystical Palace—his status was even higher when compared to Luo Qianqiu. Chu Tianjiao didn’t expect that when he had contacted the Nine Mystical Palace earlier, their response was actually to send Xiao Lan over.
“Wuque, make a trip over.” Chu Tianjiao stated.
The pupils of Ye Wuque contracted slightly, but eventually he nodded his head and strode towards the enrollment area allocated to the Emperor Star Academy.
Bewilderment painted Qin Wentian’s face upon seeing Ye Wuque approach him.
Ye Wuque first casted a glance at Mo Qingcheng, hints of adoration apparent in his eyes. He had always been interested in Mo Qingcheng. To him, he always believed that only a woman of such beauty like Mo Qingcheng could match up to him. Sadly, she was always cold towards him.
“Qin Wentian.” Ye Wuque’s gaze slowly s.h.i.+fted over.
“What’s the matter?” Qin Wentian stared right back. A cold glint of light could be seen flickering in his eyes.
“There’s someone who wishes to meet you. Come along with me.” Ye Wuque calmly stated as his finger pointed to the direction of the enrollment area allocated to the Royal Academy.
Qin Wentian’s eyes s.h.i.+fted towards the Royal Academy’s area, and he saw many pairs of eyes staring right back at him. There were Chu Tianjiao’s, Wu Chong’s as well as the eyes of that mysterious Xiao Lan.
He discovered that Xiao Lan’s gaze was the most indifferent and that Xiao Lan was standing right in the middle of Chu Tianjiao and the rest.
Qin Wentian suddenly recalled that back then when the Royal Academy issued their challenges, the first four were all extremely polite. Only Xiao Lan was exceptionally arrogant.
Overbearing and hegemonic on the stage, but the current Xiao Lan seemed as tranquil as water. Qin Wentian could faintly sensed that the person who wanted him to go over was none other than the mysterious Xiao Lan.
“Who is he?” Qin Wentian turned his head back, as traces of displeasure could be seen in his eyes.
These people were really haughty. They wanted to speak to him but actually still got Ye Wuque to take the initiative to get him to go over. Such an action apparently showcased their thoughts: they considered everyone to be beneath their attention.
He didn’t know that in the eyes of Xiao Lan, this was giving him an opportunity.
Because of his love for talent, he gave Qin Wentian a favor. After all, Qin Wentian already had a grudge with Luo Tianya and Luo Qianqiu. Although the father and son duo couldn’t represent the Nine Mystical Palace, they were part of the Nine Mystical Palace after all. Qin Wentian offended the Nine Mystical Palace and basically didn’t have any more chance to be recruited in. Xiao Lan was giving Qin Wentian an opportunity, and he hoped that Qin Wentian would be intelligent enough to grab it!
“You have no need to know. What you need to do now is to go over there,” Ye Wuque indifferently said. Qin Wentian had a faint speculation—to be able to cause Chu Tianjiao to show such degree of respect, as well as to be able to defeat Xanxus, the leader of the Heavenly Demon a.s.sociation, this person most likely originated from the same place as Luo Qianqiu, the Nine Mystical Palace.
Mo Qingcheng frowned. This kind att.i.tude really caused people to be p.i.s.sed off.
“If he has something he wishes to say, he can come find me himself.” Qin Wentian’s reply caused Ye Wuque to be stunned. An extremely sharp glint of light flashed in his eyes as Ye Wuque let out a cold laugh. Qin Wentian truly wished to court death.
Ye Wuque returned to the area of the Royal Academy when Xiao Lan asked, “Why is he not here?”
“He said that if you have something to say to him, you can go find him yourself.” Ye Wuque repeated Qin Wentian’s words. Upon hearing that, a terrifying light flickered in Xiao Lan’s eyes. In an instant, his previously tranquil expression disappeared, leaving behind smouldering anger.
Xiao Lan slightly raised his head as he casted his gaze once again over to the direction of the Emperor Star Academy, locking his gaze with Qin Wentian. Qin Wentian could clearly feel the cold and disdainful arrogance in Xiao Lan’s eyes.
“I would never have thought that in a place such as Chu, I would still encounter such a matter,” Xiao Lan thought in his heart. If it weren’t for the fact that he received an unexpected piece of news—that the Azure Emperor left behind a terrifying secret within the Emperor Star Academy—he wouldn’t have travelled thousand of miles over from the Nine Mystical Palace to such a small place like Chu.
“Handle the matter of the Emperor Star Academy quickly, I don’t have much time.” Xiao Lan stated to Chu Tianjiao. After which, he turned and departed. Even his back emanated pride and arrogance. Despite of this, however, he also kept a low profile. There was almost no one outside of this group who knew of the fact that he and a few other elites were from the Nine Mystical Palace. Perhaps this kind of inconspicuousness was already a very good indicator of his pride. He was Xiao Lan of the Nine Mystical Palace. There was no need to exhibit his status out here in such a small speck of country that was Chu.