Chapter 17

"Who’s there?"

It seemed that the light of the sky was already visible not far away, indicating that the passage to the Two Realms Battlefield was coming to an end. At this moment, a cautious and solemn voice came from the direction of the light.

Yuan Zilu, who was sitting in the first carriage of the convoy, suddenly raised his hand, and the convoy behind him came to a halt as if by command.

"Is that the Warden of the Academy Guard, Wu Tinghai, ahead? I am Yuan Zilu, ordered to transport supplies to the Mystic Peak."

As Yuan Zilu spoke, he flicked his sleeve, and a cold-shining token flew toward the light.

"Ah, why is Brother Yuan here in person?"

The solemn voice first expressed surprise, then continued, "Hmm, the pass is verified, Brother Yuan can come in!"

The convoy continued forward, and at some point, the surrounding light became bright, and everyone had arrived in a completely different new world.

Despite being prepared, many of the students in House Bing couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

The convoy was now at the entrance of a canyon, and not far away, a structure resembling a watchtower spanned the canyon’s mouth.

Whether entering or exiting the canyon, this watchtower was a must-pass point.

The gate of the watchtower was now open, and a broad-shouldered, long-armed but not particularly tall, rugged man stood there, who was none other than the Warden of the Academy Guard, Wu Tinghai.

Behind him stood two martial artists dressed in a style similar to Shang Xia and others, but their colors were distinctly different from those of the outer and inner dormitories.

They were upper dormitory students!

Not only Shang Xia, but many other students also looked at the two, and among them, Guo You’s gaze was the most complex.

He had once been just one step away from the upper dormitory!

But thinking of the reason for his ultimate elimination, Guo You couldn’t help but transfer his anger to Shang Xia.

Feeling Guo You’s substantial gaze, Shang Xia felt as if he had been kicked by a dog.

Who the hell squeezed you out, and why are you blaming me?

Hmm, did this really happen through the Shang family’s connections?

Shang Xia himself also felt a bit guilty and simply pretended not to notice Guo You’s gaze.

In front, the two wardens, Wu Tinghai and Yuan Zilu, were already exchanging pleasantries.

Shang Xia noticed that the two upper dormitory students standing behind Wu Tinghai were frequently looking at the outer dormitory students at the end of the convoy.

After the two wardens finished their pleasantries, Warden Wu introduced the two behind him, saying, "Brother Yuan, let me introduce you to two outstanding upper dormitory students, Tian Mengzi from House A and Jin Guanchao from House B."

Yuan Zilu smiled, "I have heard much about the two of you. The upper dormitory instructor speaks highly of you both!"

"Brother Yuan flatters us, it’s all thanks to our teachers!" the two upper dormitory students humbly replied.

Shang Xia observed clearly from behind. Tian Mengzi was dressed simply but exuded a gentle and refined aura.

As for Jin Guanchao, he looked unremarkable, especially when standing next to Tian Mengzi, making it easy to overlook his presence.

Only the occasional flash of sharpness in his eyes revealed that he was far from ordinary.

Shang Xia had been observing the two upper dormitory students, but his attention was distracted, and he didn’t hear what the four were talking about.

Suddenly, he heard Yuan Zilu’s somewhat surprised voice, "Oh? The two of you are also going to Mystic Peak? That’s great, with your help, the journey will be safer."

Shang Xia looked over and saw Warden Wu Tinghai whispering something to Warden Yuan, with a serious expression.

Warden Yuan’s expression also became solemn, and his lips moved as if he was speaking, but no sound was heard.

Clearly, the two were discussing something confidential that shouldn’t be known by others.

But from their expressions, Shang Xia had an uneasy feeling.

He hoped that this trip to the Two Realms Battlefield would not be fraught with complications.

At this moment, the two wardens finished their conversation, and Warden Wu bowed, saying, "Brother Yuan, farewell, be careful on your journey!"

Yuan Zilu nodded and waved to the convoy.

Leaving a cart of supplies as provisions for the watchtower, the students rode the red cloud horses through the watchtower, officially entering the Two Realms Battlefield, and the convoy now included two upper dormitory students.

"Wow, the scenery here is so beautiful!"

As the convoy passed through the watchtower, many of the students who were visiting the Two Realms Battlefield for the first time let out a collective exclamation.

Although they had been warned countless times about the dangers of the Two Realms Battlefield and the need to remain vigilant, the moment they truly stepped into it, they were still overwhelmed by the bizarre and magnificent scenery, momentarily forgetting the warnings.

The more concentrated and turbulent elemental energy that greeted them, being more intense than in the boundary passage, had less impact due to the transitional adaptation phase they had already experienced.

"Everyone, be careful! This is the Two Realms Battlefield!"

"If you don’t want to die without knowing how, you’d better stay alert. This is not a place for sightseeing!"

Warden Yuan’s voice came from the front, sounding somewhat exasperated.

"You’d better follow Brother Yuan’s advice!"

A gentle voice reached the ears of all the outer dormitory students in House Bing, immediately capturing everyone’s attention, including Shang Xia’s.

In fact, even Shang Xia himself had been momentarily stunned by the true face of the Two Realms Battlefield.

Shang Xia was startled and looked over to see that the upper dormitory student named Tian Mengzi had somehow already moved to the rear of the convoy where the outer dormitory students were.

The other upper dormitory student, Jin Guanchao, was also with him.

However, everyone’s attention was drawn to Tian Mengzi, and they inadvertently overlooked Jin Guanchao, even Shang Xia.

But at this moment, Tian Mengzi’s gaze was scanning the crowd, and after a moment, he said somewhat disappointedly, "You are from the outer dormitory House Bing? Then why isn’t your instructor here?"

Instructor? Sun Haiwei?

Was he familiar with Sun Haiwei, or was he specifically looking for her?

According to the rules of Mystic Peak Academy, upper dormitory students were eligible to serve as instructors for the outer dormitories.

Of course, only the most outstanding upper dormitory students had this qualification.

And Instructor Sun Haiwei had indeed been the instructor for the outer dormitory House Bing in her first year.

So, it seemed that...

There were no shortage of perceptive people present. Not only Shang Xia, but the other students also had a glint in their eyes, clearly intrigued by the gossip.

Tian Mengzi, with his sharp senses, could not be fooled by their reactions.

"You are really... mischievous!"

Tian Mengzi seemed somewhat amused and exasperated.

He appeared to be only a few years older than Shang Xia and the others, but his refined demeanor and gentle, unhurried speech gave the impression of maturity and stability, making him seem like a kind elder.

The students chuckled softly, and even Shang Xia smiled.

Tian Mengzi shook his head with a bitter smile and asked, "Do you know why?"

At this, everyone’s gaze focused on Shang Xia, the chief of the outer dormitory.

Tian Mengzi’s gaze also fell on Shang Xia, and he said with a slightly enlightened expression, "I know you, you are Shang Xia, the chief of the outer dormitory!"

The title of outer dormitory chief, in the eyes of these upper dormitory students, was probably less famous than his identity as the grandson of Deputy Chancellor Shang.

Shang Xia quickly humbly replied, "Brother Tian flatters me. The title of outer dormitory chief is just a playful name, not to be taken seriously!"

Tian Mengzi smiled, but his tone was very serious, "Why not take it seriously? To deduce a martial arts technique in your first year in the outer dormitory, and one of the most dangerous and difficult to master, the lightning technique, is something even we admired when we were in your position."

Shang Xia politely responded and then recounted the process of encountering Instructor Sun Haiwei, who had rushed to brief him on the matter.

Tian Mengzi was surprised, "So, she changed her plans at the last minute and asked you to come in her place?"

As he spoke, he turned to look at Jin Guanchao beside him.

It was only then that Shang Xia noticed that Brother Jin Guanchao had also come over.

When Brother Tian had arrived, he hadn’t noticed Brother Jin following!

Shang Xia noticed that not only he, but many of his classmates also looked surprised.

They, too, had only noticed Brother Jin’s presence when Brother Tian turned his head.

Jin Guanchao also seemed surprised, but it was because of Sun Haiwei’s absence.

Clearly, the three had made prior arrangements, at least Sun Haiwei and Tian Mengzi had planned to meet and pass through the watchtower at the boundary passage.

"Was she in a hurry at the time?"

Tian Mengzi asked Shang Xia again, seemingly to confirm something.

After receiving Shang Xia’s affirmative response, Tian Mengzi was half pleased and half envious, and said with a bitter smile, "Yes, her cultivation reached the Great Perfection of the Martial Extreme Realm a year ago. She deliberately took on the role of an outer dormitory instructor to consolidate her gains and prepare for the Martial Intent Realm. Now it seems she has made a breakthrough and is ahead of us again."

He then looked at Shang Xia and explained to all the outer dormitory students, "Earlier, I was invited by your Instructor Sun to escort you to Mystic Peak. Although she couldn’t make it, Brother Jin is also going to Mystic Peak and will ensure your safety."

As he spoke, Tian Mengzi glanced at Jin Guanchao.

Shang Xia realized that he had once again overlooked Brother Jin’s presence.

At this moment, Tian Mengzi suddenly realized he had missed someone and quickly apologized, "Of course, there is also your chief, Shang Xia."

"Be careful!" At this moment, Yuan Zilu suddenly called out from the front as a warning.

———

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