The Admissions Teacher Was Dumbfounded

Jia Nan Academy.

A force steeped in romantic ideals.

On this continent, where strength reigned supreme and everyone looked out for themselves, a force that charged no tuition, provided resources to train its students, and placed no restrictions whatsoever on its graduates was legendary in its own right.

So when an institution with such a legendary reputation came recruiting, the whole city was naturally thrown into an uproar.

The crowds packed around the registration area alone showed just how popular Jia Nan Academy was.

"Sir! We only accept applicants under eighteen. Could you please stop interfering with our admissions!"

At that moment, the students assigned to handle recruitment could only feel a splitting headache.

Jia Nan Academy was simply too popular. Even middle-aged men and women had come to join the fun.

"Hey, young man, don't put it like that. I'm still a child at heart, so why can't I be under eighteen!"

"That's right, young man. I've always been eighteen—even my husband admits it. How can you deny it..."

One woman's retort left the student dumbfounded all over again.

As for Xiao Lei, Xiao Yu had already dragged him off to pull some strings.

"Come on, you little pervert. The instructor recruiting this time is my teacher. Your big sister will get you in through the back door!"

At the mention of her teacher, Xiao Yu wore a smug look. After all, not every student at Jia Nan Academy managed to find a teacher, and Xiao Yu had succeeded... well, by being sweet-tongued.

"My teacher is a powerful Da Dou Shi... Uh..."

Xiao Yu glanced at Xiao Lei and didn't continue.

Xiao Lei did her the favor of saying nothing, though a smile played on his face.

Xiao Yi Xian was with Xiao Lei as well. She had naturally come to apply, too, and out of consideration for Xiao Lei, Xiao Yu didn't say much.

"Xiao Yu! Xiao Yu! Wait for us!"

A voice from the distance called out to them. Xiao Lei turned around and saw a woman in a tight-fitting pink robe, with a young man in blue following behind her, running toward them.

"Xiao Mei, Xiao Ning? Right, in the original story, Xiao Yu took these two through the back door, too."

Xiao Lei wasn't particularly surprised.

Xiao Ning, on the other hand, was completely dumbfounded.

Which one of you is actually her little brother?!

How could she promise to get him in through the back door, then go looking for Xiao Lei that very day?

Xiao Ning was heartbroken!

"Cousin Xiao Lei! What a coincidence—I didn't expect you to be here, too! Um..."

Xiao Mei hurried over to Xiao Yu, looking surprised. After exchanging a few pleasantries with her, she quickly turned her attention to Xiao Lei.

"Hey, hold on. Let's go inside and register first!"

Xiao Lei didn't give her a chance to say much. What did she mean, "what a coincidence"? He, Xiao Lei, wasn't about to believe that. And whatever she wanted to say, she was obviously just trying to get on his good side.

Xiao Lei didn't care much for Xiao Mei and didn't want to get involved with her.

"Sis, didn't you say you'd wait for me?"

Xiao Ning came to Xiao Yu, panting, and couldn't help complaining.

Then his gaze was drawn to the peerlessly beautiful Xiao Yi Xian beside him, and he was instantly captivated.

Then he noticed that Xiao Yi Xian had merely nodded at him in greeting before paying him no further attention. Instead, she stood to the side, watching Xiao Lei.

Xiao Lei... I hate you. You've already stolen my sister away—why are you going after everyone else, too!

Xiao Ning was overcome with grief!

Xiao Yu didn't answer. She only shot Xiao Ning a couple of meaningful looks.

Xiao Ning seemed to struggle for a moment. Well, just a moment.

"Cousin Xiao Lei—no, Master Xiao Lei. About the Coming-of-Age Ceremony back then, I was rash. I hope..."

Because of that incident, the Grand Elder had nearly beaten Xiao Ning to death, and Xiao Yu had given him a thorough scolding. Xiao Ning had suffered plenty.

At first, Xiao Ning had been somewhat unconvinced. But when Xiao Lei returned to Wutan City, he was convinced!

On the Dou Qi Continent, the strong were respected. Xiao Ning had long since wanted to apologize to Xiao Lei. When Xiao Yu offered to help, he dropped the act.

If there was a ladder, he'd climb down!

"Enough. There's no need to bring up the past. And you don't have to call me Master—just use my name."

Xiao Lei raised a hand and cut him off. The Coming-of-Age Ceremony had been the main "reason" he left the Xiao Clan—at least, that was what Xiao Zhan and the others thought.

It had served its purpose, and Xiao Ning was Xiao Yu's younger brother. Xiao Lei couldn't very well do anything to him, so he decided to let the matter go.

"Thank you for understanding, Big Brother Xiao Lei!"

Xiao Ning didn't care in the slightest whether he was being obsequious. He immediately laid it on thick.

"Cousin Xiao Lei, I..."

Xiao Mei glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, then compared herself to her. Her voice grew softer, but she still tried to say something. Xiao Lei hurriedly pulled Xiao Yu toward the admissions area, cutting off her attempt before she could get started.

A good while later, Xiao Yan arrived, looking completely bewildered.

"Didn't Father say Cousin Xiao Yu would take me to register? Where is she?"

Though they weren't close, they were still members of the same clan. Xiao Zhan had already spoken to Xiao Yu and asked her to take Xiao Yan to register, but she seemed to have forgotten all about it after seeing Xiao Lei.

After searching for a long time and still failing to find anyone, Xiao Yan could only turn his gaze to the long queue in front of him. Then he sank into deep thought...

Meanwhile, Xiao Lei and the others had made their way to a courtyard without a hitch.

A man sat at the entrance, leaning against the doorframe with his eyes closed, seemingly dozing.

But with his powerful soul force, Xiao Lei immediately sensed the oppressive Dou Qi the man had released around himself. At once, he understood.

"Luo Bu, stop blocking the way. Move aside. I'm going in to see my instructor."

Xiao Yu had the same short temper with outsiders as ever. She went straight for the man's face with a kick, but the one called Luo Bu didn't even dodge.

"Hey, hey, wait! Don't let that guy get a free feel!"

Xiao Lei grinned and grabbed Xiao Yu's kicking leg. Otherwise, Luo Bu might really have enjoyed himself.

At his words, Luo Bu's brows twitched, but he kept his eyes closed, as if he were some mysterious master. In reality, he was Jia Hao from next door!

"Big Sis, Big Brother Xiao Lei, why are you just standing there? Just go in. Don't mind him!"

Xiao Ning didn't care in the slightest and walked straight inside. Seeing this, Xiao Lei could only wish him luck.

"Ugh—!"

Just as expected, the moment Xiao Ning tried to step over the threshold, a powerful pressure hit him. His knees buckled, and he nearly fell to his knees.

Seeing this, Xiao Yu was about to start cursing again, but Xiao Lei stopped her.

As for Luo Bu, he slowly opened his eyes and spoke lazily.

"Xiao Yu, you know how those so-called geniuses from backwater places can be full of themselves. The Academy has always had a rule of taking new students down a peg or two. Surely you don't..."

"Heh, playing tricks and putting on airs. What a clown!"

Before Luo Bu could finish, Xiao Lei cut him off.

Taking the edge off new students' pride—what a self-righteous excuse. It sounded just like claiming that military training in his previous life was meant to teach students perseverance.

Xiao Lei had no interest in arguing with him. The man had clearly had no intention of reasoning with anyone when he used his Dou Qi, so Xiao Lei planned to let his fists do the talking.

Xiao Lei blurred out of sight, appearing in front of Luo Bu the next instant. At the same time, a long flame-coated spear condensed out of thin air in his hand.

He raised his hand and thrust. The movement flowed like water.

"Dou Qi made manifest! A Dou Ling powerhouse!"

Luo Bu's pupils shrank sharply, but he had no time to react.

"Ah!"

The next moment, a scream like a slaughtered pig rang through the entire registration area.

The spear plunged straight into Luo Bu's body without the slightest restraint, but Xiao Lei still didn't want things to get out of hand. He held back the energy and spared Luo Bu's life.

"Big Brother, nicely done! Beat the hell out of him!"

With Luo Bu gravely wounded, Xiao Ning naturally escaped the pressure and immediately jeered at him, gloating.

At the same time, the aura of a Da Dou Shi rapidly drew near.

"Who are you, sir, and why are you attacking a student of Jia Nan Academy?"

Though Ruo Lin challenged him, her voice was weak. As a Da Dou Shi, she could immediately sense Xiao Lei's true strength: a Dou Ling—and not a newly advanced one, either!