Chapter 4794 — Xiangyun Academy

"Then what are we supposed to do?" Ning Xuefei was every bit as overwhelmed.

"As things stand, the only way is for you to spend a year or two at some other academy nearby, and then come back to our Chenjiao side afterward." Liu Ziqi offered a solution that was no solution at all. She had given Ning Shanghe her word that she would look after Ning Xuefei properly; if they were too far apart, it would be hard to keep that watch over her, and her promise would be broken.

"Are there any good academies nearby?" Ning Xuefei asked.

"Xiangyun Academy. Its strength ranks among the first tier of Yellow-Rank academies, it is not far from our Chenjiao Academy, and we have always enjoyed good relations with them. A word from us and you can enroll. What do you think, Feifei?" Liu Ziqi suggested.

"Xiangyun? Isn't that the academy of that Ren Sucker and his lot?" Ning Xuefei could not help but pout at the name. Ever since Kang Jingming had been dubbed a sucker by Huo Yudie, the word had become their collective term for all those irritating fellows—Kang Jingming was Kang Sucker, and Ren Zhongyuan was Ren Sucker.

Wei Zhao and Huo Yudie likewise frowned slightly. To be sure, it was a little one-sided to look down on Xiangyun Academy just because of Ren Zhongyuan and his crowd, but their impression of the place was hardly any better. Above all, once one went to Xiangyun Academy, one would inevitably be pestered endlessly by Ren Zhongyuan and his ilk, and on their home ground at that. It would be a death by annoyance.

Liu Ziqi saw their misgivings and explained with a smile: "There is no need to worry about that. With Feifei's status as Princess of West Isle, she will be the most valued disciple at Xiangyun Academy the moment she arrives. Ren Zhongyuan would not dare act out of line, however bold he is. Even if he were unwilling to accept it, his father would hold him back. I will make a point of stating this explicitly to the academy's higher-ups."

"This..." Ning Xuefei hesitated, turning to look at Wei Zhao, hoping he would make the decision for her.

"In that case, let us follow Vice Principal Liu's advice and go to Xiangyun Academy. That way, Feifei, you can still see Yudie often. Otherwise, with the distance between you, you might be lucky to meet once in a whole year—that would be far too lonely and dull." Wei Zhao nodded at once.

It was also for the sake of making it convenient for Liu Ziqi to come and look after her. As for Ren Zhongyuan and those jumping clowns, they would be a bit of a nuisance, but a good hard lesson and a stern warning should settle the matter. Wei Zhao's horizons were not so low as to regard such people as worth a thought.

"All right, I'll go to Xiangyun Academy." Ning Xuefei nodded in agreement. Whatever Wei Zhao said, she did; she would not trouble herself over such matters at all.

"Good. There is no time to lose—let us set off at once." Liu Ziqi glanced at Wei Zhao approvingly, rather in the manner of a mother-in-law sizing up her prospective son-in-law, and the more she looked, the more pleasing he seemed. This young man was not only powerful and resourceful, but—rarer still—so thoroughly reasonable. He was simply the one and only choice for her disciple's husband. What a pity that Ning Shanghe had snapped him up first. Alas!

Huo Yudie was quite pleased as well. This way she could not only see Ning Xuefei often, but also take the opportunity to spend a few more days with Wei Zhao. After all, she had been to Xiangyun Academy many times before and knew the place like the back of her hand.

The four set off at once. Both Chenjiao Academy and Xiangyun Academy lay a thousand li from the harbor, but flying spirit beasts were easy to rent here, and such a distance was a mere hour's journey. Soaring over the vast forests and the villages and strongholds of every size scattered among them, the four soon flew down onto the plaza of Xiangyun Academy.

Pavilions and towers stood in clusters, imposing and solemn. Though Xiangyun Academy was but one of many Yellow-Rank academies, its scale and layout were hardly inferior to the Sandie Pavilion of North Isle or the West Isle traveling palace. Above all, any young disciple here, chosen at random, was at least a skilled hand above the Golden Core stage—a sight to make one quietly uneasy.

East Isle's academies were indeed a gathering place of geniuses; that saying was no lie. If one spoke of average strength, the other Cloud-Rank isles could not hold a candle to this place, try as they might. Of course, not all the disciples here were natives of East Isle; many were elites from the other isles. Otherwise, the place could never have brimmed with talent to such a spectacular degree.

Liu Ziqi led Wei Zhao and the other two slowly to the academy's front hall. By then the academy's higher-ups, having received word, had long been waiting there. The scene, however, was not as grand as Wei Zhao had imagined. Given Ning Xuefei's status as Princess of West Isle, he had expected the academy's leadership to turn out in full; yet the only one waiting for them was a single gentle, scholarly woman.

This was not the Xiangyun higher-ups putting on airs, but the minimum reserve befitting a Yellow-Rank academy in East Isle. Whoever the newcomer might be, in the end they were only a disciple. If the first visit were made so ceremonious, then every disciple of special status would soon think themselves above all law, and disciplining them afterward would be impossible.

"Xingmo, it has been a long time." Liu Ziqi walked over with a smile, and turning to the others, introduced: "This is Chen Xinglan, Vice Principal of Xiangyun Academy. This is Ning Xuefei, Princess of West Isle, and this is her consort, Wei Zhao."

"Greetings, Vice Principal Chen," Wei Zhao and Ning Xuefei said hurriedly, bowing in salute.

"Auntie Chen." Huo Yudie went up with a smile and took the woman's arm. Judging by such familiarity, they must know each other well.

"Welcome, all of you. The principal has already told me. From now on, Feifei will cultivate under me first—is that all right?" Chen Xinglan nodded slightly with a smile. As for Wei Zhao, she did not mention him at all, plainly knowing that he had only come to escort Ning Xuefei and did not intend to enter the academy for training.

"Yes, yes. Feifei greets her master." Ning Xuefei dutifully performed the disciple's salute anew. Even if she was only to cultivate under her for the time being, she was still a proper master, and the rites could not be set aside.

"Good." The corners of Chen Xinglan's mouth curved into a lovely arc. She was already scholarly and beautiful, and now she seemed all the more gentle and agreeable, like a warm spring breeze.

Wei Zhao praised her inwardly; his first impression of Ning Xuefei's new master was highly favorable. Though both were vice principals of an academy, this Chen Xinglan's temperament was utterly different from Liu Ziqi's. Liu Ziqi was blunt and direct, with a strong air of the chivalrous wanderer, while this woman spoke softly and gently, refined and urbane—two entirely different sorts of people.

True, a person of such temperament was not as forceful as Liu Ziqi, but given Ning Xuefei's status, ordinarily no one would dare provoke her anyway. Forcefulness hardly mattered; all that was needed was that she be carefully looked after. In this respect alone, Chen Xinglan was perhaps even more suitable than Liu Ziqi.

After the greetings, Chen Xinglan sent someone to arrange their rooms while personally leading the group on a tour of Xiangyun Academy.

Xiangyun Academy covered an immense area and even had a rear mountain all its own. At each place they passed, Chen Xinglan offered a brief comment or two, though her perspective in these remarks bore a distinctly personal style. To be continued...