Inside the tent.
Ruolin looked Xiao Ze up and down as if he were some priceless treasure!
"Genius" was no longer enough to describe him.
She had just recruited a future top-tier powerhouse!
In the entire history of Jia Nan Academy, not a single twelve-year-old student had ever reached the level of a Da Dou Shi!
Other geniuses might become powerful one day.
But Xiao Ze, standing before her, was certain to become a powerhouse!
His talent was so enviable it drove people mad, and it was more than enough to carry him all the way to the summit!
Ruolin changed the way she addressed him, too.
Xiao Ze was clearly a cultivator on the same level as her. Calling him "little guy" now would practically be a provocation.
Xiao Ze smiled without saying a word. Ruolin understood what he meant and turned to the others.
"Have the rest of the new students register. Keep things orderly and don't cause me any trouble."
After giving her students their instructions, Ruolin looked at Xiao Ze.
"Come on, Xiao Ze. Let's find somewhere private to talk."
Xiao Ze gestured to Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, reassuring them not to worry.
Amid the crowd's envious, jealous stares, Xiao Ze hurried after Instructor Ruolin.
He followed one step behind her as they left.
As soon as Ruolin and Xiao Ze disappeared from view, the tent erupted!
Gasps and excited discussions filled the tent!
Everyone wanted to know one thing: just how strong was Xiao Ze, exactly?!
Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, who had stayed behind, also became the focus of everyone's attention.
Xiao Yu's close friends swarmed around the two girls, pestering them for details about Xiao Ze's strength.
But the two of them kept their lips sealed. No matter how much the girls cajoled and sweet-talked them, they only answered with smiles.
In the end, Xiao Yu rushed in to rescue Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, physically wedging herself between them and the crowd.
Once they reached a corner, Xiao Yu couldn't hold back her curiosity.
"Cousin Xun'er, just how strong is Xiao Ze? Why did Instructor Ruolin lose her composure like that?"
Xiao Xun'er wore a proud smile, then shook her head as Xiao Yu watched expectantly.
"Cousin Xiao Yu, you should ask Brother Xiao Ze yourself. Wouldn't it mean more if he told you personally?"
Xiao Yu rolled her eyes. She knew she wouldn't get Xiao Ze's strength out of this girl.
But if she went to ask Xiao Ze, he would probably just brush her off again.
The commotion in the tent had even left some of the new arrivals feeling a little nervous.
Was this tent really where they were supposed to register for the recruitment?
But once they learned what had happened inside, they were stunned, too.
Xiao Xun'er, in particular, drew the most attention.
The mysterious Xiao Ze was no longer in the tent.
And the most outstanding person after Xiao Ze, Xiao Xun'er, had become the center of everyone's attention.
After all, she was a genius whose potential exceeded S rank!
But since Xiao Xun'er was surrounded by girls, no one dared approach her to strike up a conversation.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ze followed Ruolin to a secluded spot.
Ruolin folded her arms and continued to size him up.
How in the world had this guy cultivated?
A twelve-year-old Da Dou Shi!
Ruolin felt as if all her years of cultivation had been a joke!
"Instructor Ruolin, could you stop looking at me like that? I didn't come here so you could stare at me like I'm some kind of monster."
"Heh, it's only because I haven't told anyone. Otherwise, everyone would be looking at you like you're a monster!"
Ruolin spoke with exaggerated amazement. "Good grief, a twelve-year-old Da Dou Shi. I still can't believe it!"
"That's exactly why I don't want to reveal my true strength."
Xiao Ze shrugged. "Please don't let my real strength slip, Instructor Ruolin."
"I can promise not to tell anyone who doesn't need to know, but I absolutely have to inform the academy's dean."
Ruolin paused, then offered an explanation.
"After all, you're the most talented student Jia Nan Academy has ever had. The dean has to decide how best to cultivate you."
Xiao Ze nodded in understanding and smiled. "I know that, of course. I just don't want to attract too much attention. I'm very interested in what the academy can offer me."
"I've figured you out, little guy. You want the academy's highest level of support, but you don't want to get dragged into too much trouble."
Ruolin had seen right through him.
Otherwise, Xiao Ze could've simply claimed to be a Three-Star Dou Zhe.
She wouldn't have bothered to check.
But Xiao Ze had deliberately let her know he was a Da Dou Shi because he wanted Jia Nan Academy to invest heavily in him!
They chatted a while longer, and their relationship grew noticeably warmer.
Ruolin even went back to calling him "little guy," her eyes full of affection whenever she looked at him.
It was almost too much for Xiao Ze to bear.
"Ahem. Instructor Ruolin, I have one more request before we part. I hope you'll agree."
"Oh? What could a little guy like you possibly want? Go ahead and ask!"
Ruolin replied boldly. This was a genius who had made history.
Just recruiting him would be a major achievement!
It would clear the way for her promotion to Mystic Grade Instructor!
Seeing how readily Ruolin agreed, Xiao Ze quickly made his request.
"I'd like Instructor Ruolin to—"
"Hey! Little guy, how old are you? And you already want me?!"
Instructor Ruolin interrupted him in astonishment.
She stared at Xiao Ze in disbelief, then pretended to cover her chest with both hands in alarm.
Xiao Ze rolled his eyes and said helplessly, "Instructor Ruolin, could you let me finish?"
"Haha, I was just teasing. Go on."
Ruolin giggled. She couldn't help teasing a student who was so talented and fun.
"I'd like to ask you to stay at the Xiao Clan while you're recruiting students. Before you leave, I want to secure a little benefit for my clan."
Xiao Ze had made his meaning so clear that Ruolin understood at once.
As a transcendent power independent of the three great empires, Jia Nan Academy generally avoided ties with the local powers in the places where it recruited.
Besides, as an instructor in charge of recruitment, Ruolin was someone countless people would scramble to curry favor with!
Many powers hoped to get their children into Jia Nan Academy with the help of an instructor like her.
Ruolin glanced at Xiao Ze and, without much hesitation, nodded.
She would simply stay at the Xiao Clan for seven days and send a signal to the outside world.
It wasn't as if she were actually going to abuse her position and do favors for other powers.
"Fine, but I won't meet with any other powers. I'll only be staying at a student's home. Do you understand?"
Xiao Ze nodded. That was more than enough!
The mere fact that Ruolin was staying at the Xiao Clan would be enough to make many of Wutan City's powers flock to curry favor with the Xiao Clan!
"Then I'll take my leave, Instructor Ruolin. I'll prepare your lodgings!"
Xiao Ze gave a polite bow, then backed away to leave.
Ruolin watched him go with a smile.
Not only was this student peerless in talent and intelligence, he was impeccable in the way he treated people, too.
Xiao Ze returned to the tent and left with Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian.
He also reminded Xiao Yu to remember to escort Instructor Ruolin back to the Xiao Clan.
Once the clan's higher-ups heard the news, they set about arranging lodgings in a flurry of activity.
They were determined to make Instructor Ruolin feel right at home!
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