A Minor Incident Entering the City

After hearing Xiao Yu's words, Ruo Lin froze for a moment, then said with a laugh, "You suddenly got so serious that I thought you were going to tell me something important."

Xiao Yu stuck out her pink tongue and pleaded sweetly, "Instructor, just come with me. Grandfather wants to thank you for taking care of me at the academy."

"Taking care of students is a mentor's duty." Ruo Lin wanted to decline.

Over the years, whenever Canaan Academy's recruitment teams came to Wu Tan City, they usually stayed at the reception hall within the city and rarely visited any particular clan.

After all, given Canaan Academy's lofty status, there was no need for it to care about these clans.

Xiao Yu turned to look at her close friends, Xue Ni and the others.

"Instructor, come on. I want to go into the city and look around."

"We've been eating dry rations these past few days. Instructor, look, I'm starving myself thin."

A group of women surrounded Ruo Lin, chattering nonstop and drawing curious looks from the nearby students.

"If you keep this up, I'll get angry." Ruo Lin had no choice but to put on a stern face and raise her voice.

Xue Ni and the others retreated two steps, looking at her pitifully.

A trace of helplessness flashed through Ruo Lin's eyes. Looking at Xiao Yu, she said, "Yu'er, take them yourselves. I still have other matters to handle."

"Instructor, it's just one meal. It won't take much time." Xiao Yu refused to give up.

Although she did not know why Grandfather insisted on inviting the instructor, he had specifically told her that she had to make it happen.

Ruo Lin truly did not want to get involved with the local clans, and an indecisive look appeared on her face.

"Instructor, don't you want to meet an S-rank and an SS-rank student?" Xiao Yu leaned close to Ruo Lin's ear and whispered.

Ruo Lin's eyes widened as she stared at her in disbelief.

Here, S-rank referred to Canaan Academy's system for evaluating a student's potential. From lowest to highest, the ranks were F, E, D, C, B, A, S, SS, and SSS.

The academy used the age of twenty as its cutoff. The higher one's realm before that age, the higher one's evaluation rank.

As for students whose potential could be rated S-rank, Canaan Academy had produced only one in the past decade or so. She was known as the "Little Demoness."

However, her background was completely different from a small place like Wu Tan City.

Could Wu Tan City really produce an S-rank student?

Ruo Lin was intrigued. If I can take in students like that, my status as a Yellow-rank instructor will surely rise.

"Fine, I agree. Just one meal," Ruo Lin emphasized.

Xiao Yu relaxed inwardly and said happily, "Thank you, Instructor."

After spending several minutes giving out instructions, Ruo Lin led a group of female students toward the city gate behind Xiao Yu.

While entering the city, Xue Ni's eyes suddenly lit up, and she shrieked, "Look! What a beautiful woman!"

Following her gaze, Ruo Lin, Xiao Yu, and the others saw a figure escorted by mercenaries.

It was a slender woman wearing a white dress, with a green sash tied around her waist. The striking colors made it impossible not to notice her delicate waist, so narrow it could barely be grasped in one hand.

The woman had a calm, gentle temperament, yet it differed from the soft, water-like gentleness Ruo Lin possessed.

She had a natural air that made people want to draw close to her.

The woman had clearly heard Xue Ni's cry as well. She happened to look over, a gentle smile on her face.

"Ah! Ah! My heart is melting!" Xue Ni clutched her chest with both hands, her eyes intoxicated.

Ah! Why did I agree to bring this lustful woman along?

Xiao Yu felt as though Xue Ni was about to make her lose all face. This was Wu Tan City, and many people here knew her.

"Move!" She dragged Xue Ni along and hurried forward as if fleeing for her life.

"Gulp."

The nearby mercenaries and guards could not help swallowing as they watched the enormous waves rise before Xue Ni's chest.

Ruo Lin's cheeks reddened, and she felt her ears burning. I must have been far too lax with Xue Ni lately.

"Little Fairy Doctor, are you all right?" Beside the woman in white, the young man finally came back to his senses after the group of women disappeared from view and asked with concern.

Little Fairy Doctor smiled and gently shook her head. "It's all right, Young Master Mu Li. I thought it was rather interesting."

"As long as you're happy." Mu Li felt that Little Fairy Doctor probably had not noticed his earlier lapse, and he quietly sighed in relief.

I just had a touch of megalophobia, something every man gets.

The little incident at the city gate was left behind after Ruo Lin and Xiao Yu repeatedly scolded Xue Ni.

The group entered the Xiao Clan.

"This is my younger brother, Xiao Ning." Xiao Yu pointed at a youth as she introduced him.

Xue Ni and the others could tell at a glance that the tall, sturdy youth before them was not a Dou Practitioner, so they merely exchanged simple greetings.

Xiao Mei, who arrived later, interested Xue Ni and the others more. They surrounded her and teased her for quite a while.

When Xun'er appeared, they immediately shifted their target.

The commotion only gradually died down when it was time to eat.

Everyone enjoyed the meal at the dinner table.

Xue Ni glanced around and asked Xiao Yu, "Your family is having an alchemy competition tomorrow. Why haven't we seen that alchemist?"

Alchemists usually wore robes, or at the very least a badge. They should have been easy to identify.

"Don't mention it. I haven't seen him either, even after being home for so many days." Xiao Yu was equally curious.

"So mysterious?" Xue Ni asked in surprise. "How did you manage to invite him?"

Xiao Yu gestured with her chin toward Xiao Yan. "It was all thanks to that guy."

"He's Xiao Yan?" Xue Ni was very close to Xiao Yu and knew her well. Seeing her expression, she immediately guessed.

When Xiao Yu nodded, Xue Ni asked in confusion, "Didn't you always say he was a good-for-noth—"

Suddenly, an icy feeling descended, and the words on Xue Ni's lips stopped short.

She saw Xun'er, the strikingly beautiful and ethereal girl seated beside Xiao Yan, staring at her with cold eyes.

"So much delicious food still can't shut that foul mouth of yours, huh?" Xiao Yu grabbed a chunk of meat and stuffed it into Xue Ni's mouth.

Then she smiled apologetically at Xun'er. "She was just curious."

Xun'er said nothing. When Xiao Yan brought her some food, she immediately returned to wearing a sweet, harmless smile.

After the meal, Ruo Lin followed Xiao Yu to the Xiao Clan's rear courtyard.

"Yu'er, why did your grandfather suddenly ask to see me?" Ruo Lin asked doubtfully. "I have always respected Canaan Academy's rules the most."

Xiao Yu replied, "If Grandfather wants Instructor to violate her principles, then you don't need to consider my feelings. I will firmly stand with Instructor."

Ruo Lin relaxed slightly.

The two arrived before a room. After Xiao Yu knocked and received a response, she pushed the door open and entered.

Only the First Elder was inside.

"First Elder," Ruo Lin said politely.

The First Elder smiled. "I've troubled Instructor Ruo Lin to make this trip. There is something I'd like to ask you to help with."

"First Elder, Canaan Academy's recruitment rules have never changed over the years," Ruo Lin said gravely.

"You misunderstand." The First Elder shook his head. "I want to ask you to favor the Xiao Clan a little in tomorrow's alchemy contest between the Xiao Clan and the Jia Lie Clan."

He clasped his fists toward Ruo Lin. "The outcome of the competition concerns the fate of my Xiao Clan. I hope Instructor Ruo Lin can lend us a hand. This is a small token of my appreciation."

The First Elder held a card between his fingers.

It was clearly an anonymous card that could be used to withdraw five thousand gold coins.

"I'm sorry, but I know nothing about it, nor do I wish to serve as any competition judge." Without even making a motion to accept it, Ruo Lin spoke coldly and turned to leave.

She moved so quickly that Xiao Yu, waiting outside, did not even have time to react.