Chapter 6

Qinglong City was originally a palace from the previous dynasty that had been renovated, divided into inner and outer cities.

Xun Yi’s academy was located in the inner city, transformed from a palace within the former palace complex. The reason Xun Yi did not live in his hometown but bought a house in the inner city was for the convenience of attending school.

Dressed in a white scholar’s robe with a wooden sword at his waist, he walked slowly down the street, occasionally seeing young boys and girls dressed similarly heading to the academy.

The academy had two schools, one for boys and one for girls, with separate lecture halls. The entrance to Lingfeng Academy was on the east side of the academy, while the entrance to Meihai Academy was on the west side, keeping the two groups from seeing each other.

"Although women in our dynasty can appear in public, they still place great importance on their reputation." Suddenly, a writing brush jumped out of the book box, and Xun Yi quickly tucked it into his sleeve.

"How did you come out! What if someone sees you?" Xun Yi put away the writing brush and looked around. It was early in the morning, with only a few vegetable vendors, and the crowd had not yet started.

"It’s fine, I used an invisibility spell, so outsiders can’t see me." Bai Fu, using his possession technique, was attached to the writing brush. "In recent days, due to the City God Seal, Master will face many inconveniences in the Yang World. I can help you a bit."

Putting the writing brush in his sleeve, Xun Yi thought about the previous dynasty and asked the old ghost: "I know the previous dynasty was often taboo, but how did the previous dynasty defeat the ancient Zhao?"

"By relying on foreign enemies. At that time, ancient Zhao was fighting the barbarians across the sea. The previous dynasty secretly colluded with the foreign enemies to exterminate the ancient Zhao royal family, cutting off many secret traditions. Then, the previous dynasty recognized the Doran Empire across the sea as its parent country, and the eight emperors of the previous dynasty all called themselves 'son emperors' to the Doran emperor, causing heavenly and human anger, and the wrath of ghosts and gods. Later, the High Ancestor led a rebellion, reestablished the foundation of our dynasty, broke the laws of the previous dynasty, and continued the system of ancient Zhao."

Walking past the market, a cold wind blew, and Xun Yi shivered, catching a glimpse of some faint figures inside the market.

Many people with bloodstained faces stood at the market entrance, looking out.

"Innocent!"

"Sir, spare me, I am innocent!"

Many people shouted out, and seeing this, Xun Yi was about to go over to ask, but Bai Fu quickly pulled him back.

"Master, don’t look! Those are ghostly spirits!" Bai Fu said, "This market was a place for executions a few decades ago, so the ghostly energy has gathered and hasn’t dissipated. It’s also the entrance to the City God’s domain. Master, carrying the City God Seal, can see this entrance. Don’t go over, you still have to go to school, right?"

Hearing it was related to the dead, Xun Yi, out of superstition, quickly left the market and hurried to the academy.

But along the way, Xun Yi saw many things he had never seen before. By a large mansion, there were a few red tigers lying around. On the other side, there were a few broom spirits resting under a big tree. Xun Yi even saw a demonic bird land next to a small vendor, staring at the river fish being sold, drooling.

The bird looked like an owl, with four eyes and a human face, its saliva continuously dripping, unnoticed by the vendor.

Xun Yi was horrified, and looking around, he saw at least dozens of demons playing among the people. Strangely, the people did not notice, and even when the demons touched them, they felt nothing.

"Master, look at your feet." Bai Fu, seeing Xun Yi’s shock, pointed to his feet. There were golden and silver lights under his feet: "The silver light where the demons are is the dark side of Qinglong City, while we are on the bright side. Although they are similar, they do not intersect, so Master doesn’t need to worry."

"Man has his path, and gods have theirs. The City God’s divine power perfectly blends the two worlds. They are distinguished by their different boundaries when active."

Xun Yi nodded silently. Ignorance is indeed a blessing. Seeing these demons walking around was indeed scary. But the ordinary people, unaware, should be living their own lives.

Lowering his head, he quickened his pace and rushed to the academy.

The inner city was transformed from a palace, and in many places, traces of the previous dynasty’s red pillars and golden tiles could be seen. Especially the academy, which was almost entirely preserved. The only change was the sign from "Danyang Hall" to "Qinglong Academy."

Entering from the eastern gate, he saw a dozen people gathered in the courtyard arguing, with many others watching the commotion.

These people were all dressed in white, clearly students of the academy. Upon closer inspection, Xun Yi immediately got angry.

These idiots are courting death!

Liu Zhenying was pulling Li Junde: "Stop it, stop it, the teachers will come soon. If they see you fighting with Yang Xuan, you’ll be in trouble."

"I’m not doing it for myself. I clearly saw this guy steal from Zhang Yuqi."

"I didn’t!" Yang Xuan stood on the other side, with a few people holding him back. He shook off those who tried to get close and faced Li Junde: "Who else saw it besides you?"

"Enough, enough!" Zhang Yuqi quickly came to mediate: "It’s just a writing brush. It might have fallen somewhere else. We’ll look for it later. Junde, let’s go to class first, and we can look for it after class."

The two groups were still bickering and entangled.

Bai Fu whispered, "Master, are these your classmates?"

"Just a bunch of troublemakers." Xun Yi rubbed his forehead, feeling embarrassed!

Taking a deep breath, Xun Yi took off the wooden sword from his waist: "The second move of Maolin Sword Technique — Peach Blossom in Bloom!"

Instantly, light rained down, and the scholars fighting saw pink petals falling, their faces changing.

"Bad, it’s Xun Yi!" Without hesitation, they all acted. Some grabbed brooms to resist, some used book boxes to shield themselves, and others dodged left and right. They scattered, and the onlookers were also affected. After the sword rain, everyone was covered in dust and looked disheveled.

"Everyone, such a lively morning, why not include me?" Xun Yi stuck the wooden sword into the ground and leaned on it, smiling at everyone. "Why not let Class A have a good time and show Class B a good show?" He glanced at the students of Class B, who either looked up at the sky or down at the ground, avoiding his gaze.

Liu Zhenying looked at his broken broom and laughed bitterly: "Xun Yi, you’re too harsh!" Looking around, except for a few who used martial arts to dodge, most were knocked down by Xun Yi’s sword.

Yang Xuan ran fast and stood far away, glaring at Xun Yi. Although he quickly escaped Xun Yi’s attack range, he was still hit twice by the wooden sword.

Li Junde and Zhang Yuqi were directly knocked to the ground. They slowly got up, and Zhang Yuqi looked up helplessly: "I’m the victim here! Why did you hit me too?"

Li Junde got up reluctantly and stood next to Liu Zhenying.

Xun Yi smiled brightly at everyone: "I think I held back. Otherwise, it would have been withered plum or old pine. Tell me, what’s going on today?"

"Nothing, just a misunderstanding, it’s already resolved." Liu Zhenying quickly spoke, giving signals to the others.

"Right, right, it’s already resolved." Everyone put their arms around each other, acting like good friends.

"Does that mean I, as the class president, didn’t overreact?" He raised the wooden sword, pointing at everyone, his presence intimidating.

"No, no! The class president is just training our dodging skills." Zhang Yuqi flattered: "We’re grateful."

"Right, right." Everyone nodded: "The class president is doing us a favor, training our physical skills." Too harsh, even their sword skills might not be as good as his family’s sword techniques.

"Good, we’ve been classmates for five years, and we’ll graduate next year. I don’t want any unpleasantness before graduation. Understand?"

Everyone nodded obediently.

Then, turning to the students of Class B watching, Xun Yi said: "You’ve seen enough, can you go back to class now?"

The students of Class B looked at Liu Zhenying, who nodded, and they returned to their classroom.

Li Junde clapped his hands: "Alright, everyone, disperse!" Seeing Xun Yi arrive, no one dared to argue. They lined up and entered the classroom, leaving Liu Zhenying standing with the broken broom.

"Is it your turn to sweep today?" Xun Yi put away the wooden sword and asked Liu Zhenying. Liu Zhenying and Xun Yi were childhood friends, close and familiar, and knew his situation: "I don’t think it should be. What about that guy from Class B, Yan Bao?"

"He didn’t come to class today, said he was on leave." Liu Zhenying complained: "You’re too harsh! Using Maolin Sword right away, if I hadn’t reacted quickly, I would have been hurt too. Leave some face for my class, okay?" He threw the broken broom to Xun Yi.

"Don’t worry, I know my limits. It’s just a fall." Xun Yi took the broom, joined the broken parts, and lightly touched it, a faint green light flashing, and the broom was restored.

"No matter how many times I see it, the Xun family’s bloodline talent is so convenient." Liu Zhenying looked envious.

In ancient times, humans and gods lived together, and divine blood was passed down through generations, awakening bloodline talents in various families. The Xun family’s talent was controlling wood, manipulating wood energy.

Of course, Xun Yi was young, and his talent was limited to repairing wooden items like chairs and brooms. He could also enhance his sword techniques with wood spirit energy, like Xun Kun.

"Don’t lose heart. In the divine world, the Yanhuang race has ancient bloodline legacies. My ancestor was just a commoner, who created his own sword techniques, awakened his talent, and passed it down. If your family hasn’t awakened their bloodline, it doesn’t mean it can’t start with you." Xun Yi comforted his childhood friend: "Alright, go inside first, I’ll help you sweep."

Hearing this, Liu Zhenying immediately became alert: "What do you want? Tell me, I won’t do anything illegal!"

Xun Yi looked hurt: "What are you talking about! As a childhood friend, can’t I help you sweep? Do I need something in return?"

"Come on, I know you." Liu Zhenying was very cautious, looking at Xun Yi with disdain. "What do you want me to do?"

Xun Yi pretended to be helpless: "Alright, since you’re so eager to help, I’ll be merciful and give you a task. I have a ledger in my book box, help me check the accounts."

"Who said I want to help you?" Although he said this, Liu Zhenying took the book box and asked: "Your family’s ledger?"

"Right, you’re good at math, help me check the accounts." Urging Liu Zhenying into the classroom, Xun Yi slowly swept the yard. Without looking up, he said: "Tell me, what were they arguing about?"

A cool whistle sounded from the roof, and a young man sat there: "How did you notice me?" Gu Yang had been on the roof for a while, and no one below had seen him. This was his family’s bloodline talent, the Turtle Breath technique, which concealed his presence.

Pointing at the young man on the roof with the broom, Xun Yi tilted his head, considering whether to use Peach Blossom or Withered Plum.

Although Xun Yi wasn’t short, he was a head shorter than Li Zhenying and Gu Yang, and he hated being looked down upon.

Secretly preparing to use his sword, sword energy gradually wrapped around the broom.

Thinking of his class president’s temper, Gu Yang shivered and quickly jumped down next to Xun Yi. The elegant young man circled Xun Yi: "I thought your eyesight was bad."

Xun Yi pretended to pat Gu Yang’s head: "Even if my eyesight is bad, I can still see someone this big."

Gu Yang backed away, dodging Xun Yi’s hand: "So, you saw me here before?"

"What do you think?" Xun Yi asked, inwardly surprised. He noticed Gu Yang today because of the City God Seal.

"Tell me, what happened just now."

"Nothing much." Gu Yang shrugged: "Zhang Yuqi’s writing brush was lost, and your childhood friend Li Junde said Yang Xuan stole it, but Yang Xuan denied it, so they started arguing. Liu Zhenying was sweeping and helped mediate."

Hearing this, Xun Yi felt a headache: "The conflict in Class A is exposed in front of Class B, how embarrassing! And, be nicer to Yang Xuan! He’s a transfer student, only here for half a year, don’t bully him."

"Hey, class president, be fair." Gu Yang raised his hands: "It’s not my fault. I’ve spoken to Yang Xuan less than ten times since he transferred. And isn’t there someone who gets along with him? It’s just that he always targets you and speaks harshly, so people can’t stand it."

"Thanks a lot, everyone." Xun Yi said helplessly: "Alright, go in and prepare for class."

After everyone went in, Xun Yi counted the number of people.

The academy had six grades, and they were in the fifth grade, divided into two classes. There were fifty students in the fifth grade, twenty-five in each class.

Counting the numbers, everyone except him was inside.

Helping Liu Zhenying sweep the yard, the teacher arrived just in time.

"Xun Yi, get ready for class." Han Feng snapped his fingers, calling Xun Yi inside. Han Feng was only a few years older than Xun Yi, only twenty-three, and was hired as a lecturer due to his outstanding talent. He was also being tutored by the dean to prepare for the imperial exams.

"Why are you sweeping today? Shouldn’t it be Class B’s turn?" Han Feng looked up at the sky: "Is the sun rising in the west? Our great Xun Yi is actually doing manual labor?"

"Like I’m that lazy!"

"You’ve been in school for five years, how many times have you done your duty? Not more than fifty times." Han Feng spat: "You must be up to no good today, planning to trick someone!"

Xun Yi remained calm, bowing to Han Feng: "Yesterday, your lecture was enlightening. I had a great epiphany and felt like a bell ringing in the morning and a drum in the evening. So, I got up early today to clean the yard, to provide a clean and tidy environment for your lecture."

"You’re just talking nonsense!" Han Feng knew his student’s temperament and didn’t bother to argue, saying: "It’s time to go in and study. Otherwise, the dean will check, and we’ll both be in trouble."

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