This shameless old man

Early the next morning.

After washing his face with the water the maid Lan'er brought and drying it with the towel Ling'er handed him, Xia Yi pushed open the bedroom door and watched Zhou Xiaoxian practice her sword in the courtyard.

"Teacher, you're awake? Did I disturb you?" Zhou Xiaoxian sheathed her sword and apologized.

"Not at all." Xia Yi shook his head. "You're attending the Divine Bestowal Ceremony at noon. Instead of resting up, you're working this hard first thing in the morning?"

Zhou Xiaoxian murmured an assent. "Teacher, once I advance to the Intermediate Class, I want to compete for a place among the Heaven-Given Four Great Talented Women. When I advance to the Advanced Class, I want to compete for the Heaven-Given Eight Beauties too. I have to work harder."

"Oh, my girl is getting ambitious." Xia Yi teased her, then added pointedly, "What Sun Xin said yesterday might not have been entirely true. Don't take it too much to heart."

"...Teacher, you heard?"

"Yes. Jealousy really is one of humanity's most frightening emotions. She comes from a powerful family, while you're a commoner, yet your cultivation once threatened hers and even showed signs of overtaking her. It would make sense for jealousy to turn to hatred and lead her to harm you in secret, but there should be more to it."

"That girl seemed well brought up to me, not someone wicked by nature, and her remorse when she spoke to you was genuine." Xia Yi continued, "Jealousy of your talent alone probably wasn't enough to send her astray and make her hurt you."

"Then Eldest Senior Sister might have..."

Xia Yi smiled. "Romantic love is what most easily turns jealousy into hatred. Perhaps the boy she likes likes you?"

"Huh?" Zhou Xiaoxian was stunned.

Xia Yi said no more and pointed at the row of scallions beside the Rain Corridor. "When you practice your sword, you can use these scallions to train your accuracy. Don't worry about cutting them down. I'll have Wu Jing plant more."

"Yes, Teacher."

And so breakfast gained an extra dish of scallions with dipping sauce.

Much to the gardener Wu Jing's distress.

After breakfast, Zhou Xiaoxian let Lan'er and Ling'er help her bathe and change, feeling rather unaccustomed to it.

They then took a Railway Carriage to the Holy Academy. When Xia Yi and she reached the summit of Second Peak, it was still nearly two hours before noon.

But quite a few Holy Academy students had already arrived. Shi Lai, in particular, had come early. Though he had been skipping classes lately, yesterday's performance had instantly brought him into the first-year circle, and his identity meant that he was extremely enthusiastic and very good at making friends.

"There's really nothing you need me to do? Don't be shy! Whether it's sparring, pointers, running errands, or even beating someone up, leave it all to me!"

Luo Ti and two teachers had also arrived. After greeting Xia Yi, they continued setting out incense burners and lighting incense at the Central Altar, preparing for the Divine Bestowal Ceremony.

As noon approached, Feng Mo finally arrived, having left in a daze after yesterday's defeat. He seemed to have adjusted his mindset, and his expression was normal, but he was far colder than usual when responding to his classmates' greetings.

Not only that, an iron-tower-like man stood beside him, his formidable aura keeping the surrounding students from approaching.

[Name: Xu Zhou]

[Age: 58]

[Level: 258 (five-star jade balance)]

[Affiliation: Human Race]

[Saint Soul: ???]

[???]

[Threat level: Low]

Closing the light screen, Xia Yi narrowed his eyes.

Luo Ti, who was preparing the ceremony, saw him and came down to greet him as well. "Deputy Commander Xu."

Xu Zhou replied in a deep voice, "Deputy Dean Luo, the Jiedushi is injured, and Ma Zhihuishi was also wounded in a villain's treacherous attack, so I could only accompany my worthy nephew Feng Mo to this Divine Bestowal Ceremony myself."

Accompany Feng Mo? The Xiyuan Marquis hadn't come, nor had Prefect Sun Sheng. Yet Feng Mo, who hadn't won a place among the Four Little Talented Scholars, needed you to accompany him?

Luo Ti sensed something amiss, but only when noon arrived and he heard several startled cries from the students did alarm strike him!

"Hey, isn't Da Neng here yet?"

"Has anyone seen him? That damn bear couldn't have overslept even today, could he?"

They... dared go this far?! This was the Divine Bestowal Ceremony! They dared play such underhanded tricks right under Father God's eyes?! Luo Ti could hardly believe it and still clung to hope as he forced himself to remain calm.

"Since Guo Da Neng has yet to arrive, we'll start with the Four Little Talented Women this year and wait for him."

Xia Yi gently nudged Zhou Xiaoxian's shoulder.

"Go on."

"Yes." Zhou Xiaoxian and the others had watched the ceremony last year and knew the procedure. The four girls lined up before the incense burner on the altar and stood with their eyes closed.

Lü Ying searched the crowd below for Guo Da Neng. After Luo Ti reminded her, she hurriedly composed herself, not daring to let her mind wander again.

At that same moment, the summit of Second Peak fell utterly silent, solemn and reverent. Even Shi Lai could feel that weighty sense of solemnity!

Luo Ti lit three sticks of incense and placed them in the burner.

Clasping his hands, he bowed to the sky, his voice ringing out.

"Of the Human Race! Of Zhi Prefecture, Great Zheng! I, Luo Ti, Deputy Dean of Lieyang City's Holy Academy! Humbly beseech Father God to bestow his blessing!"

"Here stands a student! Named Zhou Xiaoxian! Accomplished in letters and arms! Worthy to rank! First among the Four Little Talented Women!"

First... first... first...

His voice echoed through the air!

Roughly three seconds later, a majestic pillar of light suddenly descended from the sky directly above!

It enveloped Zhou Xiaoxian completely!

"Wow..."

"Silence!"

At the older students' signals, the first-years hastily suppressed their excitement and surprise, bowing with lowered heads. Even Xia Yi narrowed his eyes slightly rather than look directly at the pillar of light. Only Shi Lai kept peering upward curiously, shading his eyes with his hand, though he could make nothing of it.

"Where... did that come from?"

"You can experience it yourself in a moment." Xia Yi spoke quietly, sounding almost as though he were joking. "If you figure out where it comes from, don't forget to tell me."

"Oh..."

"Here stands a student! Named Sun Xin..."

As the pillar of light around Zhou Xiaoxian gradually faded, Luo Ti loudly recited the second name, followed by Lü Ying and Zi Yao, completing the divine bestowal for the Four Little Talented Women!

A lengthy prayer of thanks followed. The four girls bowed and paid homage, then stepped down from the altar.

The Divine Bestowal Ceremony for the Four Little Talented Women was complete!

But now Luo Ti could barely keep his expression under control, because Guo Da Neng still hadn't arrived!

"What, that child still isn't here? The Divine Bestowal Ceremony cannot be postponed. If we run past noon, Father God may rebuke us, and the other three will lose this year's divine bestowal too."

Xu Zhou declared loudly, "Being late on such an important day shows that the child has no respect for Father God at all. I suggest... having the lower four of yesterday's top eight compete again to select someone!"

None who entered the Holy Academy were fools.

At these words, countless incredulous gazes turned toward Feng Mo!

Feng Mo remained expressionless and said nothing.

Lü Ying's hand went to the hilt of her greatsword. Several times she nearly drew it, but in the end, she turned and raced down the mountain!

Luo Ti's expression was equally ugly. How am I supposed to explain this to the dean?! Bastards! Utterly brazen, doing whatever they please!

But seeing the coldness in Xu Zhou's eyes sent another chill through his heart. Feng Shuhu was expressing his displeasure with him this way! As the distinguished Deputy Dean of the Holy Academy, he did not fear a Jiedushi, but he could not help fearing Feng Shuhu's father-in-law, the Chancellor!

"Deputy Commander Xu... has a point!"

Xia Yi chuckled and shook his head. "Interesting."

"Grandpa, you're still laughing? I think... could that bastard have..." Even Shi Lai had begun to understand. Zhou Xiaoxian was even more shocked. "Second Senior Brother really would do something like this?"

"Girl, this morning I said Sun Xin didn't seem wicked by nature, but this Second Senior Brother of yours certainly is." Xia Yi nodded.

Unsurprisingly, Feng Mo won the additional contest!

And so the list of the Four Little Talented Scholars changed to Song Ziyu, Shi Lai, Third Senior Brother, and Feng Mo.

Seeing the doubt on the students' faces, Luo Ti cursed furiously inwardly. After shamelessly seizing a place among the Four Little Talented Scholars, Feng Mo could leave the Holy Academy and join the Military!

Where could he go?!

Forget it. They're only children, after all.

Exhaling softly, he called out, "Candidates for the Four Little Talented Scholars, ascend the altar!"

Xia Yi gently patted Shi Lai, who was rubbing his fists and flexing his hands, on the shoulder. "Don't do anything. Just receive your Saint Soul. I'll deal with him!"

Shi Lai's eyes lit up. "Heh heh, I knew you were a good-guy NPC, Grandpa... yes!"

The four boys lined up on the altar.

Luo Ti performed the ritual as before.

Pillars of light enveloped Song Ziyu, Third Senior Brother, and Shi Lai in turn!

Luo Ti paused briefly, then continued.

"Here stands a student! Named Feng Mo..."

As he chanted,

young faces filled with indignation!

Xu Zhou held the hilt of his saber to intimidate everyone, and most importantly, to guard against Xia Yi intervening!

Feng Mo couldn't keep a smile from curling his lips!

Xia Yi lowered his gaze.

[You have explored the two-star Saint Soul: Four Little Talented Scholars. Current exploration: 150%. You may choose to synthesize the two-star Saint Soul Four Little Talented Scholars, or sacrifice your exploration to convert it into 3 Saint Soul Experience points.]

Hum!

A vast pillar of light descended straight from the heavens!

Feng Mo, who had been waiting with closed eyes, frowned and opened them blankly! Luo Ti, his expression strained, froze and looked over in astonishment! Xu Zhou, holding his saber in his right hand, froze at a loss! The boys and girls all gaped as well!

Why had this pillar of light descended in the wrong place?!

"T-Teacher?!"

Amid Zhou Xiaoxian's startled cry, Xia Yi walked up onto the altar step by step, enveloped in that majestic pillar of light, and bodily squeezed Feng Mo aside!

Clasping his hands, he declared loudly,

"By Father God's grace! This shameless old man has the undeserved honor of ranking last among Lieyang City's Four Little Talented Scholars!"

Scholars... last... last...

His voice echoed through the air. The wind lifted Xia Yi's white hair, brushing it across the dumbfounded Shi Lai's face.

Three boys and one old man.

Together, they were Lieyang City's Four "Little" Talented Scholars!

The scene was absurd and laughable! Yet not a single person present dared laugh!

PS: (With the special circumstances, my contract spent half a month in transit, but it finally arrived, and my status has changed to contracted author. Anyone want to send me a tip? You can also tip the characters and send Xia Yi some hearts, hahahahaha... sigh, if not, I'll ask again tomorrow.)