“Very well, Teacher, give him a chance. If he’s willing to join Divine Phoenix Academy, let today’s events be forgotten. After all, a youth with such talent is truly rare.”
The speaker was a woman.
Older than Feng Mingyu, about the same age as Feng Yanran.
Her voice was soft and calm, devoid of any emotion, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
Her face was veiled, obscuring her features, but her eyes were captivating, exuding an otherworldly charm.
Her figure was one that many women envied.
She was Feng Ming Piaoxue.
A mysterious woman.
Though part of the Ice Phoenix Clan, she rarely appeared in public.
Yet, within the clan, she held significant influence.
Her appearance and plea on behalf of Ling Xiao stunned countless onlookers, sparking speculation about Ling Xiao’s identity.
If Ling Xiao were merely the Chosen One of the Tianlong Continent, Feng Ming Piaoxue likely would not have intervened.
The teacher could dismiss Feng Yanran, but faced with Feng Ming Piaoxue, he dared not.
“Since Miss Piaoxue has spoken, I have no issue. Young man, what do you say?”
The teacher’s tone reminded Ling Xiao of his days as a beggar, when richly dressed nobles tossed leftover food, summoning them like dogs.
Back then, he had no choice. As a beggar, refusing charity meant death.
He had no power to choose.
But now, he did.
He trained in martial arts to escape that beggar’s life.
He found the teacher’s patronising tone utterly disdainful.
Others might see Feng Ming Piaoxue as an unquestionable figure, but Ling Xiao did not even know her.
Nor did he intend to join Divine Phoenix Academy.
“Sorry, I have no interest whatsoever in joining Divine Phoenix Academy!”
His voice was neither humble nor arrogant.
The world was vast; there was always a place for Ling Xiao. Even if the entire Divine Phoenix Continent rejected him, he could move on to the next destination.
It was no big deal.
“What!”
The teacher’s brows furrowed at these words, a chilling aura surging toward Ling Xiao. “You fool, rejecting a generous offer! You’re given a chance to join Divine Phoenix Academy without signing a slave contract, and you refuse? Do you want to die?”
“Teacher, why get angry? Let it be his choice. Let me have a word with him!”
Feng Ming Piaoxue’s pristine figure glided forward, each step drawing countless eyes.
“Ling Xiao, you’ve surely heard of Divine Phoenix Academy’s prestige. If you truly wish to grow stronger, joining here is undoubtedly the right choice! Also, understand this: I’m not begging you to join. I’m only offering you this chance because I’d hate to see such talent perish. Don’t miss it!”
“No need.”
Had it been just her earlier words, Ling Xiao might have been tempted. After all, he knew his perspective might not encompass the full scope of Divine Phoenix Academy. If someone sincerely invited him, he would not refuse.
But her latter words were off-putting.
That lofty arrogance reminded him of Ji Mingkong from his past.
Having risen from the bottom, Ling Xiao despised such condescending tones and attitudes.
As a former beggar, he loathed being treated as one offered charity.
What was the point of his year-long arduous training otherwise?
A glint of killing intent flashed across the teacher’s face. This boy was truly ungrateful. But this worked in his favour—offending Miss Piaoxue gave him less reason to hold back.
“You dare reject my kindness?”
Feng Ming Piaoxue seemed surprised. Few in this world dared refuse her goodwill.
“I can’t measure up to your kindness, Miss. May I leave now?”
The more he spoke with this woman, the more Ling Xiao disliked her. He just wanted to leave this wretched place.
Everyone here seemed to carry themselves with such superiority, looking down their noses. It was deeply uncomfortable.
“Brother Ling, listen to me. Miss Piaoxue doesn’t often help others. She only aids those she deems worthy!”
Another figure emerged from the academy—Bai Qianjiao.
With her was Hong Li.
It had not been long, yet both had made remarkable progress in their cultivation.
“Senior Sister, why bother persuading him? You know how stubborn he is,” Hong Li grumbled beside her.
“No matter what, I don’t want to see a rare genius like Brother Ling perish,” Bai Qianjiao sighed.
“Don’t worry, he won’t perish!”
Suddenly, a voice came from afar, followed by someone soaring through the air.
A youthful face with white hair—likely the epitome of such a description.
The newcomer appeared young, but his hair was entirely white.
Dressed in white robes, he exuded a refined elegance, with a hint of otherworldly grace.
“Hey, isn’t that the Vice Dean of Qingxu Academy?”
“Indeed, it’s him. What’s going on? Ling Xiao’s just a human. Why would he draw the Vice Dean out?”
“No idea. I’m completely lost!”
The onlookers were bewildered, and even Ling Xiao himself was confused.
He was merely an ordinary martial artist who came to Divine Phoenix Continent to study, with no prior ties to it.
Though he had shown some talent, it should not have warranted the Vice Dean of Qingxu Academy intervening on his behalf.
Upon seeing this man, both Feng Ming Piaoxue and the Divine Phoenix Academy teacher bowed respectfully.
Though he was the Vice Dean of Qingxu Academy, not Divine Phoenix Academy, his strength and status were far beyond their ability to challenge.
“Everyone, though Ling Xiao injured a Divine Phoenix Academy disciple, there was a reason. Digging deeper would benefit no one.”
The Vice Dean landed, nodding and smiling at Ling Xiao in greeting before addressing the Divine Phoenix Academy group. “Here’s a proposal: Qingxu Academy will restore Leng Chan’s cultivation. As for Feng Mingbo, we’ll offer a set of rare jade-grade martial arts as compensation. What do you think?”
This approach already gave Divine Phoenix Academy considerable face. If pursued further and brought before the Emperor, by reason, Divine Phoenix Academy would likely lose out.
They might gain no compensation and suffer losses instead.
Hearing this, the Divine Phoenix Academy teacher grew nervous. The situation had escalated beyond his ability to handle.
