"What is special about this gate?" Nicholas led the group of newcomers to an archway at the side of the hall and grandly patted the head of the stone lion crouching beside it.
The stone lion tilted its head aside, refusing to let Nicholas mess up its mane.
Then it raised its enormous paw and sent the unruly fellow flying with a single slap.
The newcomers cried out in shock.
Inside the hall, the older students watched the scene with grins, quietly saying something to the newcomers they were guiding.
Without the slightest concern, Nicholas climbed to his feet, brushed off dust that did not exist, and flashed the lion a fawning smile. "I was only teaching these tender little newcomers a lesson. Please don't mind it, sir."
The stone lion closed its eyes solemnly, one paw resting on a stone ball as it sat there in silence. It was as though that earlier slap had nothing whatsoever to do with it.
Nicholas shrugged boredly and turned back to his newcomers.
"What is special about this gate?"
"There are two, um, guardian sentries at the entrance," Zheng Qing said quietly.
"There are nine ancient talismans on the lintel."
"And Jiuyou Academy's ring emblem," the others added all at once.
"Mm, very good. That's about it." Nicholas sighed, glanced at the stone lions guarding the gate, then said with a miserable expression, "Now, go in."
The newcomers carefully passed by the stone lions, stealing reverent glances at the guards.
The stone lions sat silently, as though the earlier slap had merely been an illusion.
Walking through the archway felt entirely ordinary.
There was nothing unusual at all.
Zheng Qing only felt his eyes suddenly brighten, and then he found himself in a lush, verdant setting. Directly ahead stood an enormous blue-black