Return to the Academy

Two more days passed, and the tense atmosphere from the previous days had vanished from the courtyard of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. In truth, Wang Chuan had met with his parents the day before and carefully told them about his condition after waking up. Once he had reassured them of his safety, he had planned to pack his things and return to the academy. But Ning Rongrong would not let him go, alternately pulling him aside to tell him amusing stories from the academy and pestering him to accompany her around the sect's gardens. Unable to refuse her, Wang Chuan could only stay another day.

That morning, just as sunlight spilled into the courtyard, Wang Chuan was already standing at the gate. Ning Rongrong, however, clung to his side, her little face scrunched up in grievance. "Brother Chuan is leaving again. Rong Rong is so sad." As she spoke, she gently shook Wang Chuan's arm and coquettishly pleaded, "Can't you stay with Rong Rong a little longer? And you promised before that every time you came back, you'd bring me candied hawthorns and Osmanthus Cake from the street. You didn't bring any this time either!"

After saying that, Ning Rongrong deliberately huffed, turned around, and sat on a nearby stone bench. With her arms crossed over her chest and her head turned aside, she showed Wang Chuan nothing but her sulky back. She was clearly waiting for him to coax her.

Seeing her act so contrary to her true feelings, Wang Chuan felt both helpless and amused. He walked over, crouched before her, and gently explained, "Come on, Rong Rong, wasn't this time a special situation? I was unconscious for so long, and after waking up, I was busy dealing with the assassins. When would I have had time to buy them? How can you blame me for that?" When Ning Rongrong still refused to turn around, he quickly added, "How about I bring you double next time I come back? Candied hawthorns covered in sesame, and Osmanthus Cake fresh out of the oven."

"I don't want that!" Ning Rongrong finally turned her head, though the anger in her eyes was gone, leaving only a trace of barely perceptible anticipation. "Brother Chuan never keeps his promises. What if you forget again next time? Wouldn't Rong Rong just be fooled again? I don't want snacks anymore. When Brother Chuan comes back next time, I want you to stay with me for two more days, okay?" Her voice softened again as she spoke, and she lightly tugged at Wang Chuan's sleeve. No one could possibly refuse that look.

Seeing her sparkling eyes, Wang Chuan's heart softened. He reached out and rubbed her hair, smiling as he agreed. "All right, all right, I promise you, Rong Rong. When I come back next time, I'll definitely stay two extra days. I won't go back on my word. Our Rong Rong is so adorable—how could I bear to disappoint you?"

"Yay! Brother Chuan is the best!" Ning Rongrong immediately beamed, all her earlier grievance swept away. She even hugged Wang Chuan's arm. The two talked for a while longer in the courtyard. Ning Rongrong carefully reminded him to be safe on the road and to remember to send her a message once he reached the academy, and Wang Chuan agreed to every request.

Only when the sun had risen higher did Wang Chuan shoulder his pack again and wave to Ning Rongrong. "Rong Rong, I'm leaving. See you next time." Ning Rongrong stood at the gate and nodded hard. She watched Wang Chuan's figure gradually disappear into the distance before reluctantly turning back into the sect—she had already begun looking forward to the day she would see Brother Chuan again.

Wang Chuan had just reached the academy gates and had not even had time to greet the senior student on guard when his attention was caught by a figure in the distance. The man wore a moon-white brocade robe with a jade belt at his waist. His features were refined and gentle. It was none other than Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Two guards stood beside him beneath the shade of a tree, and bits of grass clung to the hem of his robe, making it clear that he had been waiting for quite some time.

The surrounding students could not help slowing their steps when they saw the Crown Prince, whispering among themselves.

"Isn't that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe? Why would he come to our academy?"

"Could he be here to see one of the teachers?"

"From the looks of it, he seems to be waiting for someone..."

Amid the murmurs, Xue Qinghe had already spotted Wang Chuan. He walked over with a smile, his tone familiar and concerned. "Junior Disciple Brother, I specifically came to the academy to see you a few days ago, only to learn from Master that you had been attacked. If you run into this kind of trouble again, don't carry it alone. Tell Brother Xue directly, and I'll settle it for you."

His words sounded sincere, but he had long since made his calculations. Qian Renxue's identity had already allowed her to learn the full story. Not only had she secretly dealt with the troublemaking Caspar, she had deliberately directed the clues toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. That both cleared herself of suspicion and allowed her to use the situation to tighten Wang Chuan's ties with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Yet on the surface, not a bit of this "brotherly concern" could be lacking.

Wang Chuan knew nothing of the schemes behind it. Seeing that the Crown Prince had come specifically to wait for him and cared for him so much, he felt a measure of warmth in his heart. Smiling, he replied, "Don't worry, Brother Xue. Aren't I fine? Thanks to Master, Uncle Ning, and the others, I've fully recovered."

"This time, you were strong, and your luck was good as well." Xue Qinghe's tone shifted, and his gaze darkened slightly, clearly referring to the assassins' ambush. "If you encounter such suicidal fools again, don't get tangled up with them. Tell me directly. I'd like to meet them and see who is so bold as to lay a hand on Xue Qinghe's friend."

His words rang with force, and the students listening closely nearby could not help changing expressions—so the Crown Prince was this close to Wang Chuan?

Wang Chuan's heart warmed at his words, and he took the opportunity to share some good news. "Oh, right, Brother Xue. Not only did I wake up after returning this time, I also broke through level twenty. I'm now a level twenty-two Soul Grandmaster!" His eyes shone with the spirited pride of youth as he spoke.

"Oh? So quickly?" A flicker of surprise passed through Xue Qinghe's eyes, followed by a smile as he patted Wang Chuan on the shoulder. "Good lad. Your talent truly is extraordinary! You'll certainly achieve great things in the future."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Xue Qinghe glanced at the sky and said apologetically, "I still have state affairs to attend to, so I won't stay any longer. Cultivate well at the academy. If anything happens, send someone to the palace to find me at any time." With that, he turned and left with his guards, his retreating figure calm and unhurried.

Wang Chuan stood where he was and watched him leave, unaware that the students around him now looked at him with a little more awe. Xue Qinghe's earlier words, along with the fact that he had specifically waited at the academy gates, had made one thing perfectly clear to everyone: the current Crown Prince stood behind Wang Chuan. From now on, probably no one at the academy would dare provoke him so casually again.