Chapter 4794 — Xiangyun Academy
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
Pavilions and towers stood in clusters, imposing and solemn. Though Xiangyun Academy was but one of many Yellow-Rank academies, its scale and layout were hardly inferior to the Sandie Pavilion of North Isle or the West Isle traveling palace. Above all, any young disciple here, chosen at random, was at least a skilled hand above the Golden Core stage—a sight to make one quietly uneasy.
East Isle's academies were indeed a gathering place of geniuses; that saying was no lie. If one spoke of average strength, the other Cloud-Rank isles could not hold a candle to this place, try as they might. Of course, not all the disciples here were natives of East Isle; many were elites from the other isles. Otherwise, the place could never have brimmed with talent to such a spectacular degree.
Liu Ziqi led Wei Zhao and the other two slowly to the academy's front hall. By then the academy's higher-ups, having received word, had long been waiting there. The scene, however, was not as grand as Wei Zhao had imagined. Given Ning Xuefei's status as Princess of West Isle, he had expected the academy's leadership to turn out in full; yet the only one waiting for them was a single gentle, scholarly woman.
This was not the Xiangyun higher-ups putting on airs, but the minimum reserve befitting a Yellow-Rank academy in East Isle. Whoever the newcomer might be, in the end they were only a disciple. If the first visit were made so ceremonious, then every disciple of special status would soon think themselves above all law, and disciplining them afterward would be impossible.
"Xingmo, it has been a long time." Liu Ziqi walked over with a smile, and turning to the others, introduced: "This is Chen Xinglan, Vice Principal of Xiangyun Academy. This is Ning Xuefei, Princess of West Isle, and this is her consort, Wei Zhao."
"Greetings, Vice Principal Chen," Wei Zhao and Ning Xuefei said hurriedly, bowing in salute.
"Auntie Chen." Huo Yudie went up with a smile and took the woman's arm. Judging by such familiarity, they must know each other well.
"Welcome, all of you. The principal has already told me. From now on, Feifei will cultivate under me first—is that all right?" Chen Xinglan nodded slightly with a smile. As for Wei Zhao, she did not mention him at all, plainly knowing that he had only come to escort Ning Xuefei and did not intend to enter the academy for training.
"Yes, yes. Feifei greets her master." Ning Xuefei dutifully performed the disciple's salute anew. Even if she was only to cultivate under her for the time being, she was still a proper master, and the rites could not be set aside.
"Good." The corners of Chen Xinglan's mouth curved into a lovely arc. She was already scholarly and beautiful, and now she seemed all the more gentle and agreeable, like a warm spring breeze.
Wei Zhao praised her inwardly; his first impression of Ning Xuefei's new master was highly favorable. Though both were vice principals of an academy, this Chen Xinglan's temperament was utterly different from Liu Ziqi's. Liu Ziqi was blunt and direct, with a strong air of the chivalrous wanderer, while this woman spoke softly and gently, refined and urbane—two entirely different sorts of people.
True, a person of such temperament was not as forceful as Liu Ziqi, but given Ning Xuefei's status, ordinarily no one would dare provoke her anyway. Forcefulness hardly mattered; all that was needed was that she be carefully looked after. In this respect alone, Chen Xinglan was perhaps even more suitable than Liu Ziqi.
After the greetings, Chen Xinglan sent someone to arrange their rooms while personally leading the group on a tour of Xiangyun Academy.
Xiangyun Academy covered an immense area and even had a rear mountain all its own. At each place they passed, Chen Xinglan offered a brief comment or two, though her perspective in these remarks bore a distinctly personal style. To be continued...