“You really think further ahead than I do,” Ji Mingkong said, stunned for a moment before giving a wry smile.
She had always thought Ling Xiao was a reckless fool, bold and impulsive, but now it seemed she had misjudged him.
To seek revenge without creating a blood feud, and to consider so much in that situation, was no small feat.
“Impressive, she can afford a phoenix bird. That girl’s got some background,” people in the crowd said, eyeing Feng Mingyu with envy and jealousy.
“Jade, I heard you’re fine now. That’s great! Who bullied you? Tell me, I’ll deal with them!” As Feng Mingyu stowed her phoenix bird, a youth arrived on a golden eagle.
“That must be a phoenix-tailed golden eagle, a hybrid with the phoenix bird. It’s just as expensive, not something ordinary people can afford. This youth isn’t simple either,” someone remarked.
“Isn’t that obvious? A hundred years ago, the Divine Phoenix Academy only admitted royal offspring. Later, they expanded to include any young martial artist with exceptional talent,” another said. “The Royal Academy is extraordinary. Those who qualify are either royals or prodigious geniuses. Even if your cultivation doesn’t improve, making a few connections here is worthwhile.”
Amid the chatter, Ling Xiao just smiled faintly. “Ji Mingkong, I used to think you were nothing special, but compared to these people, you’re actually pretty good.”
“Ling Xiao, can you stop mocking me? You’ve been teasing me the whole way,” Ji Mingkong said, wanting to be angry but unable to muster it in front of him.
She owed Ling Xiao too much.
Though her personality was domineering and proud, she wasn’t ungrateful.
Ling Xiao had saved her life, her brother Ji Mingfeng, the Supreme Saint Emperor, and even the recently deceased Saint Emperor.
So, she always felt a special guilt towards him.
“Alright, I’ll stop teasing,” Ling Xiao said with a slight smile. “I’m just saying, when you’re here, put your status aside and focus on cultivating. If your strength is great enough, no one will dare look down on you, even if you’re not a Saint Son.”
He spoke from experience.
Once, he was the one despised and looked down upon, but now, at least on the Heavenly Dragon Continent, few dared to underestimate him.
“Thanks,” Ji Mingkong said, nodding with a faint smile.
“Smiling for what? A bunch of refugees from the Heavenly Dragon Continent, overestimating yourselves, daring to show up at the Divine Phoenix Academy,” a voice sneered, wiping the smile off Ji Mingkong’s face and sparking a cold killing intent.
It was the youth on the phoenix-tailed golden eagle.
“Care to say that again?” Ji Mingkong’s temper was even more extreme than Ling Xiao’s, shaped by her upbringing.
In the past, anyone who dared talk back to her would be dead in a flash.
Though she’d tempered herself somewhat with Ling Xiao, old habits died hard, and changing completely was no easy task.
Right now, she felt a strong urge to kill the youth.
“Ji Mingkong, his words won’t make us lose a hair. As long as he doesn’t act, ignore him. Treat it like a dog barking,” Ling Xiao said, patting her shoulder lightly.
“True. Killing a dog might dirty my sword,” Ji Mingkong said, taking a deep breath. She understood Ling Xiao’s intent. They were at the Divine Phoenix Academy’s gates, aiming to enroll. It was best to hold back for now and deal with these people later, once admitted.
Ling Xiao’s words made the youth’s face darken.
Feng Mingyu froze, clearly recognizing Ling Xiao, her eyes showing a hint of fear. She turned to the youth. “Leng Chan, registration is important. Why waste words on them?”
The youth, called Leng Chan, glared at Ji Mingkong and Ling Xiao, gritting his teeth. “If it weren’t registration day at the Divine Phoenix Academy, you two wouldn’t live!”
After speaking, he noticed Ling Xiao and Ji Mingkong had already moved to the other side, not even listening to him.
“I’m furious! Feng Mingyu, what’s wrong with you? Usually, you’d torment any trash from the Heavenly Dragon Continent. Why so calm today?” Leng Chan asked, turning to her.
“Though I’m royalty in the Phoenix Clan, I don’t want to cause trouble outside the Divine Phoenix Academy. You know the academy’s dean is also the empire’s state preceptor. Who dares offend him?” Feng Mingyu said, brushing it off with an excuse.
She had two real reasons for not provoking Ling Xiao.
First, the soul mark in her body couldn’t be removed, even by clan experts. She feared that angering him further could lead to her death.
Second, Heir-Apparent Feng Yinshan had sent word not to provoke Ling Xiao, without specifying why, but the tone was grave.
Though she was royalty, her father was merely a powerless prince. Crossing either heir-apparent would be troublesome.
“Makes sense. Let’s go register. These nobodies ruined my mood,” Leng Chan said, convinced by her reasoning. He shrugged and followed Feng Mingyu to the stone table to register.
Beside the table was a testing pillar, similar to the one used at the Holy Dynasty Martial Arts Festival, designed to measure potential.
The test was simple: strike the pillar, and the academy’s teachers would assess your potential based on your cultivation level.
A positive score meant your potential exceeded your current strength, with a score of one marking you as a genius, qualifying for the Divine Phoenix Academy.
A zero or negative score meant you didn’t make the cut.
Those with recommendation or introduction letters only needed a non-negative score to pass.
Feng Mingyu tested and scored two levels, meaning her potential was two levels above her current strength, easily qualifying, especially with her recommendation letter.
Leng Chan’s test showed similar potential, and he too was admitted.
“Your turn!” the testing teacher said, looking at Ling Xiao’s group.
Leng Chan noticed them and sneered, “Trash from the Heavenly Dragon Continent, what makes you think you’re worthy of our Divine Phoenix Academy? Don’t you know the rules?”
His voice dripped with disdain and mockery, clearly trying to provoke them.
