245: Dad, Mom, I'm back

Along the long corridor paved with obsidian.

The breeze was gentle, and the morning sun was just right.

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of high heels tapping on the ground was crisp.

A young woman with slender legs outlined by tight retro jeans, wearing a white crop top and a loose coat, walked towards the principal's office with her hands in her pockets, yawning.

She looked as if she hadn't slept for several days, utterly exhausted.

“That ancient text has finally been deciphered. I’m so tired. If the principal doesn’t give me more funding, it really won’t be right.”

The young woman, named Li Songge, was a professor of ancient literature at Shenwu Academy, and also worked at the Imperial City Institute of Ancient Text Research.

“Professor Li,”

“Hmm?”

Li Songge turned her head.

A round-faced girl with fluffy brown curly hair and a satchel on her back looked at her with sparkling eyes.

“Um… who are you?” Li Songge asked.

“I’m Chen Chai! Don’t you remember me? I audited your class before.”

“Oh… it’s you.” Li Songge said, though she had no real impression of her. “Is there something you need?”

“Actually… I don’t have much talent for Cultivation. After listening to your class last time, I became very interested in ancient text research. I want to apply to be your graduate student. I’ve been waiting for you for many days. Here are my academic records and application form.” Chen Chai was very excited.

“I see.”

Li Songge took the application form and looked at her bright, sparkling eyes, thinking to herself, for no particular reason: She looks like a puppy… But then again.

She should only be in her twenties, and she’s already a Fourth-Stage Martial Artist, yet she says she has no talent for Cultivation… If that got out, countless people would surely feel ashamed.

But Li Songge knew that she was speaking her true thoughts, not being humble in a showy way. She genuinely felt that her talent for the path of Cultivation was insufficient, and it would be better to change paths early and turn towards research.

After all.

This was Shenwu Academy.

The Great Xia’s premier Martial Dao academy.

The one thing they were never short of here was Genius.

“I’ll take the application form. Once you pass the test, report to my research institute.”

“Okay! Thank you!”

The round-faced girl was excited and thrilled, bowing deeply to her.

Li Songge wanted to say something.

For example, that ancient text research isn’t as simple as you think, don’t get too happy too soon, you might not pass the test, don’t thank me yet, and so on.

But just as the words reached her lips.

Suddenly.

Whoosh—

A gentle breeze, carrying the sweet scent of fresh grass, softly blew past.

Li Songge’s heart stirred, and she looked up.

A handsome young man in black, with a black saber in a purple sheath at his waist, walked towards them, his clothes fluttering in the wind.

He was over 1.9 meters tall, extremely well-built, and his dark hair, both at his forehead and the back of his head, fluttered, revealing one red and one gold eye beneath, incredibly mystical.

“Is he… a student here?”

As Li Songge was inwardly surprised and curious about his identity.

The other person also glanced at her.

The young man’s gaze was like clear yet fervent crystal, and also like an incredibly dark ancient well.

Calm, indifferent. Mysterious, dangerous.

Dangerous?

A young man who looked like a student, yet he could make her feel a hint of invisible danger?!

Jiang Yuan saw the professor’s badge on Li Songge’s chest.

He nodded kindly to this Eighth-Stage Grandmaster colleague, who was no more than 30 years old, and then leisurely walked away from the two of them.

Li Songge was unable to recover for a long time, and asked Chen Chai, “Which department is he from? Do you know him?”

Chen Chai, who had long been staring blankly, looked up and shook her head dazedly.

“I’ve never seen him before.”

Some busybodies in the academy, using their extraordinary computational and intelligence capabilities, had compiled lists of the top ten strongest in each grade, and the top ten overall combatants in the academy.

Of course, there were also top ten lists based on appearance.

And even Zi Yanchen, who was voted by countless girls as the most handsome male student in the entire school, didn't seem to be as good-looking as the young man just now… Jiang Yuan walked along the campus corridor.

Under the effect of the divine moon heavenly garment, his entire Aura was extremely restrained, to avoid triggering the anti-enemy and alarm Restrictions within the teaching building.

He walked and observed.

The most common facilities in the academy were combat rooms and Cultivation rooms.

Inside each Cultivation room, people were honing themselves, either Cultivating Martial Skills, or carrying heavy objects and sweating profusely to train their bodies, or sitting cross-legged to Cultivate visualization techniques with specks of spiritual light around them, or refining their innate talents, engaging in deeper excavation and utilization.

The laughter of passing girls was as melodious as bells, their arms and legs as white as lotus roots, and their skirts swayed in the wind.

“Last time in the Secret Realm, I met a guy who was so silly, he was chased by a group of Third-Stage swamp venomous frogs.”

“A freshman, right? How’s his talent, and what does he look like?”

“Not bad, but not as handsome as Senior Hu.”

“Hey, did you know? The pastry chef at the Fifth Cafeteria advanced, and he’s released a lot of new pastries. Not only do they taste great, but they also give buffs.”

“Really? Shall we go try them tonight? Huang Ying, what about you?”

“I’ll pass. I’ve arranged to go to a Secret Realm with someone. I need to farm more Materials recently to reforge my weapon, otherwise I’ll be finished for the midterm test.”

...“This is the youthful atmosphere of the school…”

Jiang Yuan sighed from the bottom of his heart.

It hadn't even been a year since he left school, yet it felt as if an eternity had passed.

And as Jiang Yuan walked around, observing others and the scenery of Shenwu Academy, little did he know that he himself had become a sight in the eyes of others.

Many female students saw him, discussing and whispering amongst themselves, their beautiful eyes sparkling.

“We have such a handsome guy in our school?”

“He must be a freshman.”

“I haven't heard of him.”

“Who dares to go strike up a conversation?”

“You go.”

“No way, I won’t go. Liu Shuang, you go. If you help me get his contact information, I’ll give you that Moonlight Iron you wanted last time.”

“Really?” The girl named Liu Shuang was a bit tempted.

“Of course, I keep my word.”

“Then, I’ll try?”

“Hurry, hurry!”

But before she could muster the courage and take action.

The young man in black had already disappeared… The staff building.

Inside a standalone building, Tao Chunru and Jiang Damu had just returned from grocery shopping when they saw a young man standing in the small courtyard, facing the doorway.

A gentle breeze blew, his black hair fluttered, his eyes were tender, and his smile was radiant.

“Clatter.”

The spiritual vegetables and fruits in Jiang Damu’s hand dropped.

Tao Chunru covered her mouth, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.

The young man smiled and said, “Dad, Mom, I’m home.”