Dean Ye Sheng

The ancient forest was a dark expanse, the afternoon sun never penetrating the dense canopy of leaves.

Xian Wu and his group of four walked through the dim woods, their formation shifting from a side-by-side line to a single file.

Xian Wu was first, Zhu Jun Xiang second, Nie Li third, and the "bravest" Lu Piao was fourth.

He was only brave around women.

"Xian Wu, that's enough, let's not go any further," Lu Piao said, hiding behind Nie Li and clutching his clothes tightly.

If they encountered a ferocious Demonic Beast like a striped tiger, they wouldn't even have time to fire a signal flare before being wiped out.

Xian Wu shrugged, not expecting Lu Piao to be so timid.

According to the signpost, the area they were currently in was called the Newcomer Apprentice Zone, inhabited by Bronze One Star Demonic Beasts.

Zhu Jun Xiang had said that Bronze One Star Demonic Beasts were the weakest in the Trial Grounds.

Unity is strength; even without the Demon Left Hand, they might be able to hunt one together.

Besides, since the guards let them in, it meant ordinary Demonic Beasts wouldn't pose a threat to them.

As long as they didn't foolishly venture into the deepest parts, they would be safe with signal flares on hand.

After a moment of thought, Xian Wu stopped. "Forget it, there's nothing interesting here anyway. Let's go back!"

Thinking about it, it was indeed difficult to act with several burdens in tow. He'd explore alone another day.

Upon hearing this, the group immediately breathed a sigh of relief. If they had gone any deeper, their hearts would have likely pounded out of their chests.

Pushing open a side door, they exited the Trial Grounds.

The side door opened outwards, with a handle on the inside but none on the outside.

Therefore, it was extremely difficult to open the side door from the outside; one could only enter through the main gate.

However, with the Demon Left Hand, even without using the main gate, he could create a doggy door in the wall and enter freely.

After visiting the bathhouse that Lu Piao had been longing for, they all returned to their respective homes.

"Xian Wu, Vice Principal Ye Sheng wants to see you in his office after you get back."

As soon as he returned to the dormitory, Zhang Ming delivered some unwelcome news to Xian Wu.

"Vice Principal Ye Sheng?" Xian Wu stroked his chin. "Did he say what he wanted?"

Lu Piao had warned him that Vice Principal Ye Sheng was investigating the real culprit behind the commotion in the cafeteria. Could it be about that?

If it was about that, then things were a bit troublesome.

Just crushing a girl's skirt was enough to get him expelled.

"Vice Principal Ye Sheng didn't come, it was the little fatty from the next dorm who informed me. You'll have to ask him about the specifics," Zhang Ming replied lazily from his bed, covered by a blanket, his large eyes peeking out.

He guessed that Vice Principal Ye Sheng might be concerned about the cafeteria fight.

However, he couldn't say it directly, as Xian Wu had stood up for them, the bullied freshmen.

If it were him, facing those fierce senior students, let alone fighting, he wouldn't even dare to fart.

Although Xian Wu's behavior was sometimes perverted, when it came to loyalty, he was probably quite good.

Xian Wu pondered for a moment, then decided not to go to the little fatty next door for confirmation. He set off directly for the vice principal's office.

The academy's office area was near the South Gate, very far from the dormitory area, requiring more than ten minutes of walking.

When soldiers come, block them; when water rises, dam it.

In any case, he had acted out of righteousness to protect his classmates; even if he was punished, he would have something to say.

"Knock, knock, knock..." Anxiously arriving outside the vice principal's office, Xian Wu gathered his courage and knocked on the door.

His Left Hand could destroy Heaven and Earth and everything in between, but it couldn't overcome the dignity of a teacher.

He couldn't help but feel apprehensive when facing a teacher.

"Come in!"

Xian Wu pushed the door open and was greeted by an old man with white hair, a goatee, and a white robe.

Ye Sheng placed his quill on the pen rest and, with eyes as sharp as a hawk's, scrutinized the young man before him.

Sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, rosy lips, and white teeth; a handsome and talented youth.

It would be even better if he didn't stoop and have a shifty, guilty expression.

"Are you the freshman Xian Wu who likes to wear a cloak?" Ye Sheng's voice was soft but carried authority.

Xian Wu respectfully replied, "This student is Xian Wu."

"I've heard a lot about you; your name rings like thunder," Ye Sheng said playfully.

Pulling down pants in front of the heavenly prodigy Xiao Ning'er, beating up senior students in the cafeteria – what else was there that he wouldn't dare to do?

Sacred Orchid Academy was not above the law; all wickedness would be brought to justice.

Xian Wu recognized the sarcasm in Ye Sheng's words and quickly waved his hands. "I don't deserve such praise. May I ask why Vice Principal is looking for this student? Could it be that you see my family is poor and want to give me some scholarship money?"

"Dream on!" Ye Sheng, who had intended to reprimand the young man, was amused by his thick skin.

Ye Sheng suppressed a chuckle, cleared his throat, and asked sternly, "Were you the one fighting in the cafeteria at noon today?"

"It was me!" Xian Wu admitted frankly.

He had expected the kid to deny it outright, but he actually admitted it. He wasn't playing by the usual rules.

Ye Sheng found it a bit hard to figure this kid out.

"However, I had a reason for fighting," Xian Wu changed the subject.

"Those senior students splashed food on people. I could tolerate them splashing my classmates, but they were wasting food. I couldn't stand that!"

"So you beat them up?" The reason this kid fought was truly novel, Ye Sheng thought.

"That's right!" Xian Wu straightened his back, his voice loud and clear. "I've explained my reason. Whether you want to punish me or not, I'll accept whatever you decide."

"Why do you value food so much?" Ye Sheng asked with a smile, guessing there must be a special reason.

Xian Wu replied without blushing or his heart skipping a beat, "I'm an orphan. I never knew where my next meal was coming from since I was little. There were a few times I almost starved to death on the streets."

"That's why I value food so much and hate those who waste it, and those who do such things."

"An orphan?" Ye Sheng was a little surprised. "Then where did you get the more than three thousand Demon Spirit Coins for your tuition fees?"

"I worked at the garbage disposal site in the north of the city, from dawn till dusk. I ate frugally and saved up every single coin," Xian Wu answered truthfully, without any lies.

To become a Spirit Master, to gain the power to protect himself when facing magic-wielding Demonic Beasts, all his efforts were worth it.

Ye Sheng was moved by Xian Wu's words, his nose stinging slightly.

He was born into a prominent family, living a life of luxury and holding a high position. He had never personally experienced the hardships of the common people.

Now, Xian Wu's words struck him like a thunderclap, and Ye Sheng couldn't help but feel ashamed.

Xian Wu was unfortunate, yet also fortunate.

How many homeless orphans in the City of Brilliance could enter Sacred Orchid Academy to study like him?

Ye Sheng picked up his teacup and took a sip. After a moment of thought, he said, "Although there was a reason, you did disrupt the order of the cafeteria."

"The death penalty can be avoided, but punishment is unavoidable. I won't expel you from Sacred Orchid Academy, but I will fine you by making you work in the cafeteria, earning 100 Demon Spirit Coins per month. Are you willing?"

What? Xian Wu didn't quite grasp it at first.

"Are you willing?" Ye Sheng asked again.

"Yes, yes, I'm very willing!" Xian Wu quickly nodded.

Ye Sheng waved his sleeve. "Alright, you may go. I still have things to attend to."

Xian Wu stood in place, seeming like he had something to say.

"Why aren't you leaving yet?" Ye Sheng asked, confused.

Xian Wu swallowed, as if he had made up his mind.

Suddenly, he knelt on one knee, cupped his fists, and bowed, saying, "Xian Wu is untalented, but I wish to take you as my sworn father."