New Classmate

In the early summer afternoon, the weather was warm and flowers were in bloom. The sun was like a yolk hidden within a layer of cicada-wing-like clouds, appearing and disappearing, giving a warm feeling.

In the beginner Warrior class, the chubby old instructor was lecturing the students, explaining the basic Soul Force cultivation technique of Sacred Orchid Academy – the Seven Star Divine Curse.

"Sunrise in the East, the sun rises from the east, the yang energy between heaven and earth revives, the essence of the sun shines upon the land, all things grow, and our Soul Force grows with it. The essence of the sun at sunrise is the purest, and the cultivation effect is better..."

The old instructor spoke with spittle flying everywhere. The students below the podium listened very attentively. The vast majority of students did not want to be Warriors; they aspired to be the highly revered Spirit Masters.

Spirit Masters were a very noble profession. Families with Gold Spirit Masters were called noble families, families with Black Gold Spirit Masters were called prominent families, and families with three Black Gold Spirit Masters or one Legendary Spirit Master were called Peak Families.

Spirit Masters were linked to the power of the City of Brilliance. Becoming a Spirit Master was no different than entering the civil service. Even if one couldn't become a high-ranking official, they could at least secure a minor position. Throughout history, no one had not been eager to become an official.

Xian Wu was extremely eager. If he could become the City Lord of the City of Brilliance one day, he would definitely marry thirteen concubines, live in a palace-like mansion, drive a carriage pulled by a nine-headed dragon-blood Demonic Beast, and... eat the most delicious meals every day!

Just as Xian Wu was taking notes and daydreaming, two people walked into the classroom from outside: an old man and a young girl.

The old man was full of vigor. He coughed lightly, reminding the old instructor, who was concentrating on his lecture, that someone was at the door.

Hearing the cough, the old instructor turned around angrily.

Who is it? Can't they see I'm lecturing the students? Have they no sense?

Upon seeing the newcomers, the old instructor's pupils suddenly dilated.

He rubbed his eyes, adjusted his reading glasses, and opened them again. The two people were still standing at the door.

The old instructor, who had been scowling moments before, then put on a performance for the students, demonstrating how quickly one could change their expression.

"Dean? Why are you here, Dean?" The old instructor excitedly ran to the door. Dean Gao Yuan was rarely seen, always engaged in research within the Trial Grounds. Normally, the academy's affairs were handled by Vice Dean Ye Sheng. Why was he here today...?

Gao Yuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back and gestured to the girl beside him, "This is Ye Ziyun. Please arrange a seat for her."

"Of course, no problem! Leave it to me, Dean!" The old instructor readily agreed. He dared not neglect anyone brought by Dean Gao Yuan; this person was likely a direct descendant of some Peak Family.

Forget "some." Her surname is Ye, so she's clearly a direct descendant of the Wind Snow Family. I've heard that Lord City Lord Ye Zong has only one daughter; this must be her.

The old instructor smiled and said softly to Ye Ziyun, "Ziyun'er, come with me."

"Arrange it well!" Gao Yuan patted the old instructor on the shoulder and did not enter the room, merely watching from the doorway.

The classroom had 5 columns and 8 rows of seats, with a column by the window, a column by the wall, and three columns in the middle.

Currently, there were only thirty-six students in the beginner Warrior class, leaving four empty seats in the classroom.

The old instructor pointed to a young nobleman sitting to the left of Xiao Ning'er and said, "You move to the back row for now. I'll help you switch seats another day."

With the Dean watching from outside, the male student, though unwilling, had no choice but to comply.

"Thank you!" Ye Ziyun bowed to the male student, her voice like heavenly music.

Seeing Ye Ziyun's stunning beauty and the glimpse of fair skin at her neckline, the male student's face flushed crimson.

"Y-you're welcome. It's my pleasure."

Ye Ziyun possessed a flawless, beautiful face. Although she looked only thirteen or fourteen years old, she was already gracefully poised.

A cascade of purple hair fell to her waist. Her curved eyebrows and luminous eyes held a spark of wisdom. When she smiled, a pair of deep dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth.

She wore a pure white silk dress, exuding an indescribable tranquility and elegance. Many boys fell for her the moment they saw her, unable to extricate themselves.

But this did not include Xian Wu. He admitted Ye Ziyun was beautiful and her hair was soft and flowing.

However, he didn't like girls with dimples because they always reminded him of Teacher Guo Donglin.

After arranging Ye Ziyun's seat, Dean Gao Yuan did not linger and left in a hurry, returning to the Trial Grounds for his research.

"Ning'er..." Ye Ziyun sat beside Xiao Ning'er and called out softly. They were old acquaintances.

Xiao Ning'er said coldly, "Classmate Ye Ziyun, please do not speak to me! We are in class, and you are disturbing my listening."

Xian Wu had initially thought she only acted that way towards boys. To his surprise, she was the same towards a beautiful girl's voice, which made him feel a sense of psychological balance.

Ye Ziyun stood awkwardly in place, unsure of what to do.

In childhood, she and Xiao Ning'er were very close friends. Later, as Xiao Ning'er's family declined, they stopped interacting due to their families' circumstances.

But after that, she never made another true friend. All she encountered were people with ulterior motives, coveting her family background.

The monotonous and boring cultivation almost drove her to despair. She increasingly missed the times when she played with Xiao Ning'er.

Back then, they were carefree, innocent, and unrestrained, like two lively fawns.

When she heard that Xiao Ning'er was coming to study at Sacred Orchid Academy, she immediately begged her father to arrange for her to enter Sacred Orchid Academy as well.

What she never expected was to be met with such a cold shoulder.

Little did Ye Ziyun know that a certain boy in the back row had a similar experience.

Xian Wu wished he could hold Ye Ziyun's small hand and exclaim loudly, "Comrade, I've finally found my people!"

"Quiet down, let's continue the lesson." The old instructor interrupted the murmuring from below. Considering Ye Ziyun was new to the class, he began explaining the Seven Star Divine Curse from the beginning.

Xian Wu was so angry he wanted to stand up and curse. He was only a few sentences away from finishing, and this old geezer was starting over. Was he deliberately trying to inflate his teaching hours? I'm going to complain to the Vice Dean!

However... what was the background of that purple-haired girl? She had actually managed to get the academy's highest leader to arrange her admission.

She must be a direct descendant of some Peak Family. The Sacred Family's surname is Shen, the Sacred Nether Family's surname is Chen, and the Wind Snow Family's surname is Ye. This girl is likely from the Wind Snow Family.

If I can get on good terms with her, maybe she can help me get the City Lord to be my godfather.

Having a godfather who is the City Lord... the thought alone is too wonderful.

During the class, Ye Ziyun occasionally stole glances at Xiao Ning'er, wanting to talk to her. However, she was always scared away by Xiao Ning'er's cold expression.

Xiao Ning'er crossed her arms, staring intently at the blackboard, projecting an aura of "keep out" to strangers and acquaintances alike.