It took about two seconds for the blurry scenery to resolve into focus.
Zhang Yuanqing found himself standing in a hall that was neither cramped nor particularly spacious. Straight ahead was a podium, split down the middle by a red-carpeted aisle flanked by wooden benches on either side.
The layout somewhat resembled a church, except there was no Jesus bound to a cross behind the podium.
Standing at the podium was a white-haired elder, backed by a row of instructors.
At that moment, Zhang Yuanqing was standing by the first row of benches on the left, flanked by Commandery Princess Yinyao and Blood Rose.
"Oh, damn it!" A familiar voice came from behind. "Yuanshi Tianzun, you're attending this year's Advanced Seminar too?!"
"Oh, damn it, Yuanshi Tianzun, you're here too?" A crisp, sweet girl's voice chimed in from his left.
Zhang Yuanqing looked left and right. Past Commandery Princess Yinyao stood Sun Miaomiao, past Blood Rose was Zhao Chenghuang, and when he turned around, he saw Yuan Ting, whom he had not seen in over a month.
"Oh, damn it, you three are here too..." Zhang Yuanqing beat them to the punch. "Wherever you guys turn up, trouble always follows."
Yuan Ting, Sun Miaomiao: "..."
The cool, aloof Zhao Chenghuang gave a slight nod. "Long time no see."
Zhang Yuanqing grunted in response, turned around, and swept his gaze over the trainees behind him.
Trainees of the Advanced Seminar filled the space before the benches—twenty-two people in total. Among them, he spotted several familiar faces: World Returns to Fire, Yuan Ting, Crossing-River Pawn, Brother Red Chicken, Xiahou Aotian, Niulanshan Little Fairy, and Peony Fairy.
*Great, familiar faces make up nearly half the class. That said, how did an unofficial member like Brother Red Chicken sneak in?* Zhang Yuanqing muttered inwardly.
"Yo, Yuanshi Tianzun, you're here too!" Brother Red Chicken waved enthusiastically, bellowing in his booming voice.
At the name "Yuanshi Tianzun," nearly everyone—including the male and female instructors on the podium—turned to look in unison.
Amid the converging gazes, Zhang Yuanqing keenly caught subtle glimmers of hostility.
One came from a slick, fair-faced, handsome youth draped in high-end luxury items, wearing three red cords on his wrist, a silver stud in his ear, and a stylish haircut. He was dressed like a fashionable idol trainee.
The other appeared gentle and refined, sporting black-rimmed glasses and single eyelids. At first glance, he seemed scholarly, but a closer look revealed a gloomy, caustic cast to his eyes and brows.
*Don't know them...* Zhang Yuanqing smoothly withdrew his gaze and nodded toward Niulanshan Little Fairy and Peony Fairy, who were smiling brightly. He also exchanged glances with World Returns to Fire, Crossing-River Pawn, and Xiahou Aotian as a silent greeting.
"Ahem!"
On the podium, the white-haired elder cleared his throat and announced in a clear voice:
"Class, I am Li Yanxi, Dean of Qinfeng Academy, and also your instructor for History and Politics. It is a pleasure to gather with all of you at Qinfeng Academy. We will now take roll call to verify attendance and IDs.
"When your name is called, please answer 'here.'"
Pausing, he first looked toward Zhang Yuanqing. "Yuanshi Tianzun!"
"Here!"
"Zhao Chenghuang."
"Here!"
"Sun Miaomiao."
"Three Suns Open Thai Thai."
"Xia Zhaoxue."
Once the roll call concluded and he confirmed the attendees matched his roster, Dean Li Yanxi continued, "Next, our instructors will introduce themselves."
He turned to the first instructor on the left.
She was a voluptuous woman dressed in denim shorts and an off-the-shoulder T-shirt, her legs smooth and slender, her curves striking. She sported glamorous wavy curls, a pointed chin, and fair, tender skin. Her eyes resembled a doe's—limpid, captivating, and brimming with tender allure.
"Hello, trainees. My name is Song Man, the instructor in charge of the academy's infirmary." She gave an enthusiastic, ladylike wave and giggled, "If anyone gets hurt or feels under the weather, make sure to visit me at the infirmary."
As she spoke, she boldly winked at the trainees.
*What a stunning vixen...* Quite a few male trainees felt stirrings of fancy, secretly filled with anticipation.
*Tch, turns out she's a reproduction-type Beast King...* Niulanshan Little Fairy, belonging to the same class, identified Song Man's affinity at a glance and curled her lip.
Xiahou Aotian frowned slightly. He felt this seductive, alluring teacher was a bit too provocative, making her unfit to join the protagonist's harem.
Zhang Yuanqing noticed Song Man's gaze lingered on him the longest, but he paid it no mind. What occupied his thoughts were the two trainees who harbored hostility toward him.
He already knew their Spirit Realm IDs: Zhu Mingxu and Zhao Feiwen.
People from the Zhu family and the Zhao family.
That explained it. The Zhu family's Zhu Rong was under house arrest because of him and had her facial skin torn off by the Palace Mistress of Halting Slaughter, leaving a massive grudge between them. The Zhao family's Zhao Feichen and his father had been gravely injured by him, an even deeper blood feud. It was only natural for these two to view him with hostility.
"Instructor Song Man, I've got a question!" Brother Red Chicken, whose height was entirely unremarkable, raised his hand high.
Song Man's gaze drifted toward him with charming grace, and she smiled sweetly. "What would this student like to ask?"
Brother Red Chicken called out loudly, "I heard the instructors at Qinfeng Academy were all demoted to teach here because they committed blunders. Instructor Song Man, you're so pretty—what blunder did you commit?"
The room fell abruptly silent.
The instructors on the podium more or less wore awkward expressions.
The trainees nearby stared at Brother Red Chicken in disbelief, as if asking: *Are you insane? Is that something you can ask?*
Song Man's expression froze. She probed, "Are you a Fire Specialist?"
"Huh, how'd you know?" Brother Red Chicken blinked in surprise.
*No wonder! Vulgar Fire Specialist...* Song Man spat inwardly.
Just then, Yuan Ting, standing behind Yuanshi Tianzun, raised his hand. "Um, Instructor, if you don't mind, I'd like to know too..."
The instructors all looked over. Song Man frowned. "Are you a Fire Specialist too?"
"I'm a Starlord. Just curious..."
Song Man forced a tight smile and stepped back into line.
*There are quite a few troublemakers in this batch of trainees...* the instructors thought to themselves.
The middle-aged man beside Song Man stepped forward. He possessed a mysterious, wickedly charming aura and nodded to the crowd. "I am Starlit Sky Observer, the instructor responsible for teaching astrology and Yin-Yang arts. If there are Starlords among the trainees, you may purchase private lessons from me. I will teach you the combat techniques of Starlords and Night Walkers, as well as derivative knowledge not provided by character cards."
As he said this, his gaze turned directly toward the first and second rows on the left.
"Mo Pan, artifact-refining instructor." Instructor Mo Pan had a mild demeanor and kept his introduction brief, clearly a quiet and good-tempered type.
"Lin Su, alchemy instructor. I mainly teach pharmacology and simple alchemy techniques, enabling you to refine basic pills for hemostasis, detoxification, and toxin warding using your own abilities. Naturally, I can also teach you how to refine poison pills—that falls under private tutoring. Interested trainees can approach me privately." This was a young woman dressed in a white midi skirt and a black long-sleeved top.
"I'm your combat instructor, Luo Lesheng. Haha, don't worry, everyone—though I'm a Fire Fiend, I have a great temper. I won't throw random fits or beat people up."
Trainees: "..."
Once the instructors finished introducing themselves, Dean Li Yanxi said, "There are several other instructors responsible for guarding hazardous zones who could not attend due to their duties. I will introduce them when we take you on a tour of the academy later.
"Now, I will appoint the class monitor for this Advanced Seminar. If there are no objections, Yuanshi Tianzun will take the role..."
*Me as class monitor? I'm here on vacation, not to do chores...* Zhang Yuanqing instinctively recoiled. Just as he was about to decline, a ringing voice rang out:
"I object!"
Teachers and students turned toward the voice and saw a speaker with handsome features, an extraordinary bearing, and an arrogant pride between his brows that seemed to vie with the heavens themselves. He declared, "I believe that in terms of seniority, experience, and level, Yuanshi Tianzun is not qualified to serve as class monitor. The position of monitor must be held by a person of destiny who possesses both virtue and talent."
Dean Li Yanxi was stunned for several seconds, likely having never expected anyone to object. At Qinfeng Academy's Advanced Seminar, studying was secondary; socializing was paramount. Trainees in every cohort were polite and courteous, putting effort into networking and expanding their connections. Someone clashing head-on so aggressively was truly rare.
*During roll call just now, his name was Xiahou Aotian, wasn't it? Someone from the Xiahou family. No wonder he's targeting Yuanshi Tianzun...* The official Saints had all more or less heard about the grudges between the two parties.
*Not bad, not bad. The Xiahou family's ethos is fierce as ever. It's great to have this guy leading the charge...* Zhu Mingxu and Zhao Feiwen exchanged a knowing smile.
*This guy's brain is acting up again...* Brother Red Chicken muttered inwardly.
Seeing that Yuanshi Tianzun did not respond, the dean had no choice but to ask amiably, "Then, Trainee Xiahou Aotian, who do you believe is more qualified to be class monitor?"
As if waiting for that very question, Xiahou Aotian lifted his haughty head, looked down his nose at everyone present, and declared loudly, "Among everyone seated here, besides me, Xiahou Aotian, the protagonist of destiny, who else could possibly be class monitor?!"
The hall fell quiet once more. Everyone stared at Xiahou Aotian with bizarre looks.
*So arrogant?*
*There really are quite a few troublemakers in this batch...* the instructors thought yet again.
Zhang Yuanqing chimed in loudly, "Dean, I believe Xiahou Aotian possesses both great learning and exemplary virtue. He is fully qualified for the post of class monitor."
Dean Li Yanxi pondered for a moment before saying, "Fine, then it is settled. The class monitor for this Advanced Seminar will be Xiahou Aotian. Does anyone have any objections?"
With Yuanshi Tianzun yielding on his own accord, the others naturally had none.
The title of class monitor was essentially meaningless anyway, with even less authority than a middle-school class monitor. At least a wretched middle-school class monitor could tattle to the teacher.
Next, infirmary instructor Song Man handed out maps of Qinfeng Academy to every trainee, saying in her sultry voice, "The class schedule will be distributed to you shortly. There are no classes today. I will be giving you a tour of Qinfeng Academy, so everyone please assemble outside."
The other instructors followed the dean out through a side door.
The crowd filed out in an orderly fashion while studying the maps.
The Qinfeng Academy instance covered a total area of seven square kilometers, seventy percent of which was submerged under lake water. The academy grounds occupied only 0.5 square kilometers, making it the largest island in the instance.
The layout of the entire island was clear at a glance. The hall they were currently in was also called Linlang Library, situated right at the academy's center. Surrounding the library were a cafeteria, teahouse, café, and screening room, outside of which lay parks and flower beds. The male and female dormitories were located on the east and west sides of the island, respectively. The faculty dormitories occupied the area behind the library. The "Alchemy Chambers" and "Refining Rooms" were built along the lakeside at the island's outermost edge.
Beyond that, numerous small islands dotted the vast expanse of Jiaoren Lake. According to the map markers, they were Chicken Heart Island, Spirit Flora Island, Hundred Beasts Island, and Lava Island.
Song Man led the way with a sinuous sway, guiding the trainees through the academy's facilities as she introduced, "At Qinfeng Academy, standard meals are free, but everything else comes at a cost. There's a bakery, a teahouse, a massage parlor, a café... The staff running these shops are civilian personnel, so please treat them courteously and do not cause trouble."
Next, they visited the academy dormitories.
The male dormitory was a three-story building where each unit was a fully furnished two-bedroom suite, move-in ready.
"The daily necessities in the rooms are free. The academy has prepared three sets of uniforms for each of you, which should suffice for your seven-day stay. If you accidentally damage a uniform, you must pay compensation: twenty thousand yuan per set."
As soon as Song Man finished speaking, Brother Red Chicken flew into a rage: "Those uniforms are basic work and cheap cloth—street-stall junk no one would buy for two hundred yuan! Charging twenty grand, aren't you running a daylight robbery?!"
Song Man ignored him and led the group away from the male dorm toward the pier at the island's edge.
A white cruise boat was moored at the pier. A gloomy middle-aged man sat smoking at the bow. He glanced up at the trainees, then lowered his head and continued smoking in silence.
Song Man walked over, spoke with him for a moment, and turned back to announce, "Now, I will take you on a lake tour to visit the surrounding islands. The boat fare is one thousand yuan per person, put on tab. After you leave Qinfeng Academy, the organization will deduct it from next month's salary."
The middle-aged man stubbed out his cigarette, started the engine, and steered the boat out into the sparkling lake.
A cool lake breeze blew against their faces under brilliant sunshine and mild temperatures. Inside the cabin, the trainees chatted and exchanged pleasantries.
Brother Red Chicken scrutinized World Returns to Fire: "I've heard of you. You're that disgrace of the Fire Specialists."
World Returns to Fire replied coldly, "I just know how to use my brain better than the rest of you."
Brother Red Chicken scoffed in disdain, "Truly the disgrace of Fire Specialists—you didn't even get mad."
Yuan Ting huddled into the cluster of female trainees and said, "Ladies, care to share some gossip? I know plenty of secrets about the official Four Young Masters..."
The female trainees' eyes lit up as they began whispering back and forth with him.
Xiahou Aotian quietly rose, walked to the stern, and stood with his hands behind his back, presenting everyone with a proud, transcendent silhouette aloof from the mortal world. He probably thought it looked immensely cool.
Zhang Yuanqing pulled Zhao Chenghuang and Sun Miaomiao aside, offering a friendly greeting: "Hey, how come neither of you brought a yin corpse? Zhao Chenghuang, where's your Level 4 yin corpse?"
Sun Miaomiao blinked her large, dark eyes. "Why would anyone bring a yin corpse on vacation?"
Zhang Yuanqing had been waiting for that exact line. He slapped his thigh: "Well, I brought mine!"
He promptly summoned Commandery Princess Yinyao and Blood Rose, introducing them loudly: "Blood Rose—an old friend. After leaving the killing trial, I upgraded her to Level 4. And this is my newly refined yin corpse, nicknamed the Princess. Peak Level 5! Zhao Chenghuang, peak Level 5! Sun Miaomiao, want to pet her? Hahaha!"
Zhao Chenghuang, Sun Miaomiao: "..."
At that moment, the seductive Song Man brushed aside the stray hairs blown loose by the lake breeze, tucking them behind her ear, and spoke up, "Quiet down, everyone, and listen to me."
Once everyone quieted down, she said loudly, "Jiaoren live within Jiaoren Lake. They are ancient creatures, fiercely territorial and hostile toward strangers. You must remember: do not dive into Jiaoren Lake without permission.
"Violators will receive a major demerit, forfeit a month's salary, and be fined one hundred thousand yuan.
"If you find yourself besieged by jiaoren, remember to ask the warden for help."
She glanced toward the middle-aged man at the helm.
"Furthermore, jiaoren excel at using song to lure prey to the lake's edge. If you hear singing, under no circumstances should you approach Jiaoren Lake." As she spoke, Song Man flashed a teasing smile, her gaze roving over the male trainees. "Though jiaoren possess flower-like beauty, their anatomy differs from humans; they are hardly ideal partners for romantic trysts. What's more, they have sharp little canines."
The inexperienced young female trainees didn't grasp the meaning, but the male trainees immediately understood.
Fangs hurt the ding-dong!
Realizing how experienced this female instructor seemed, Zhang Yuanqing immediately asked, "Instructor Song Man, do you know Lingjun?"
Song Man chuckled. "The warning I just gave was actually inspired by him. Back when Lingjun studied at Qinfeng Academy, he once snuck into Jiaoren Lake at night and offended the Jiaoren Queen, nearly getting killed by the jiaoren. It was the warden who saved him."
"The young master did something so absurd back then?" A female trainee felt her illusions shatter.
Song Man changed the subject. "There's a fish in the lake called the moonlight fish. Its flesh is tender, delicious, and exquisite in flavor. If you wish to taste it, you can pay the warden to net some for you, though the price is rather steep—five thousand yuan per jin."
The moment the words left her mouth, Brother Red Chicken leaped up: "Me! I want to order ten jin! It has to be fresh!"
Song Man was taken aback. This man had just flown into a fury over a twenty-thousand-yuan uniform, yet here he was, clamoring impatiently without a second thought to order ten jin of expensive moonlight fish.
Zhang Yuanqing explained in a low voice, "This guy is from Du."
Song Man murmured an "Oh," suddenly understanding.
Right at that moment, melodious, enchanting singing drifted into everyone's ears.
Chapter 418