291: The branch ceremony begins, and old friends gather.

The Myriad Dao Academy's entrance ceremony was held in the main plaza, which was already packed with people.

In the center of the plaza, a massive nine-story platform stood majestically, and below it, Magical Artifacts projected three enormous light screens, corresponding to the Xuan Yi Academy, the Divine Martial Academy, and the Lingyun Sword Academy (Lingyun Sword Academy) respectively.

On the high platform, the dean of Myriad Dao Academy and several core Elders sat upright.

When Qin Wangchuan and Qin Zhaoer arrived, the atmosphere in the plaza had already reached its peak.

All Disciples who had passed the heavenly road trial were gathered here, awaiting the start of the grand ceremony.

Not only people from the Ten Directions Immortal Court, but also many Prodigies from the Lower, Middle, and Upper Three Thousand Continents passed the selection and were able to come to the Immortal Court to Cultivate.

Although their range of activities was strictly limited to within the academy, this place was still a cultivation Holy Land that countless people dreamed of.

Qin Wangchuan's mere appearance caused quite a stir.

"Look, it's Qin Wangchuan!"

"Is he the monster who was the first to step into the Tianren Realm and walk the true heavenly road?"

"I've learned his Dao!"

"Who is that woman next to him? So beautiful!"

Beside Qin Wangchuan, a faint smile unconsciously curled at the corner of Qin Zhaoer's originally indifferent expression.

She appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, she was listening with perked ears, quite pleased with what she heard.

A Cultivator nearby, who prided himself on being well-informed, immediately chimed in, his tone carrying a hint of certainty and envy:

"You don't even know this?"

"To stand shoulder to shoulder with him, with peerless grace and a temperament as cool as the moon, such a match made in heaven must undoubtedly be the legendary Li Qingluan!"

"Li Qingluan?!"

How could it be Li Qingluan!

Qin Zhaoer suddenly turned her head to look at the Prodigy who spoke, her small face instantly flushed red, her anger level maxed out.

"You blind idiot! Who are you calling Li Qingluan?!" she shrieked, like an enraged little beast, baring her fangs and claws as she charged towards the person, letting out a threatening growl:

"If you dare to spout nonsense again, I'll skin you alive!"

"This Young Miss is Qin Zhaoer—Qin! Zhao! Er! You remember that clearly!"

The Disciple was startled by her sudden outburst and retreated several steps, while those around them also turned their heads.

Qin Wangchuan was quick-eyed and quick-handed, stepping forward and scooping up Qin Zhaoer with a large hand, thus preventing a pet-harming incident.

Qin Zhaoer struggled fiercely as she was pulled along, her small fists flailing wildly, continuously cursing:

"You just wait, don't let me run into you, I'll pull out your tongue and feed it to the dogs!"

Seeing that she was still unruly, Qin Wangchuan sighed helplessly and simply hoisted the girl onto his shoulder.

This time, Qin Zhaoer was dumbfounded.

"Wait! My skirt! Put me down!" she gasped, her voice tinged with panic and indignation.

Her exquisite immortal dress was being carried like this, it was simply a complete loss of face.

"It's too embarrassing, quickly put me down!" Qin Zhaoer's struggling instantly lessened a lot, leaving only a resentful growl.

Qin Wangchuan ignored her, merely gathering the girl's skirt with his arm to ensure nothing was revealed.

Then, with steady steps, he walked straight towards the queue waiting for the branch academy assignments.

Chu Wujiu and the others had already saved a spot for Qin Wangchuan at the very front, and seeing this scene, they burst into low laughter.

"Haha, is Young Master Qin taming a wild cat?" Chu Wujiu said, crossing his arms and laughing in a rather obnoxious way, his tone full of relaxed amusement at the spectacle.

Yan Wujin, on the other hand, stroked his chin, looking like an expert giving advice: "From my experience in taming birds, to deal with such a fiery temper, you must first establish dominance. If it were me, I'd beat her up first to make her understand what obedience means."

As soon as these words came out, all of Qin Zhaoer's anger immediately shifted its target.

She suddenly turned her head, her eyes spitting fire, staring intently at Yan Wujin.

"Obey your head! Believe it or not, I'll tear out your tongue too!" Qin Zhaoer's voice carried an uncontrollable rage, as if she was about to pounce at any second.

Yan Wujin showed no fear, instead provocatively raising his chin: "Oh, quite the temper. But you'll have to be able to touch me first—"

Before he finished speaking, the corner of his eye caught sight of Qin Wangchuan gently putting Qin Zhaoer down.

Yan Wujin's expression instantly changed, his previous arrogance completely gone.

He almost instinctively turned sharply and ran!

"Damn it! You set me up!" Yan Wujin ran, not forgetting to turn back and give a disappointed look, his voice filled with accusations of being "betrayed."

Qin Wangchuan didn't answer, because Qin Zhaoer had already chased after him like an enraged little leopard, swift as the wind.

"You stand still! If I don't kick your ass today, I'm not Qin Zhaoer!"

Seeing this, Yan Wujin let out a strange cry and bolted: "Hey, hey, hey! A gentleman uses his words, not his fists! Qin Wangchuan, your little wildcat is biting people!"

Qin Zhaoer's speed was extremely fast. Although Yan Wujin's Realm was higher, he didn't fight back at this moment, only dodging awkwardly in the plaza.

Everyone watching this scene had an amused expression on their faces.

But just then, Qin Wangchuan felt several gazes.

He turned his head and found several familiar faces standing in the crowd.

In the Upper Thousand Provinces' contingent, Xie Qingshang and another man looked over, their eyes burning with fervor.

Xie Qingshang stared intently at Qin Wangchuan, an uncontrollable excitement welling up in her heart.

For this moment, she had put in too much effort and endured too many hardships.

The trials that were effortless for Prodigies like Qin Wangchuan were a one-in-ten-thousand selection for the thousands of people from the Upper Thousand Provinces.

But fortunately, effort always pays off.

When Qin Wangchuan's gaze finally pierced through the crowd and met hers in the air, Xie Qingshang felt her heart skip a beat—

All the hardships, all the perseverance, seemed to be rewarded at this moment.

A thousand words instantly rushed to her throat, she was almost about to blurt them out.

However, just as her lips parted slightly, that gaze had already moved away without the slightest reluctance, like brushing away a speck of dust.

A sharp sense of loss pierced Xie Qingshang's heart, but then, a stronger power rose from within—

That's right.

This was just the beginning, how could she expect him to gaze at her for ten thousand years?

The journey to the academy was still very long.

And the man beside her was Xie Nian.

Xie Nian, who was defeated by Qin Wangchuan in one move on the Upper Thousand Provinces' arena due to fear, still remembered that shame and shock vividly.

At this moment, he clenched his fists, muttering to himself in a low voice, filled with an uncontrollable yearning: "Qin Wangchuan... let's fight again!"

An invisible Battle Intent permeated the air.

Qin Wangchuan looked over as if sensing something, although he didn't know who it was, he guessed it must be some former defeated opponent.

He gave a calm glance, which served as a response to this obsession.

Then his gaze continued to scan, finally stopping on an unexpected person.

"Oh."

In the Middle Thousand Province team, Gu Tianye stood alone, his palm raised, waving at Qin Wangchuan.

This former Sacred Body, former Barbecue Bro.

Now, he had shed some of his youthful naivety, his eyes were steady and dangerous, facing everyone's gazes with composure and fearlessness.

Looking closer.

It turned out that beside him, a petite girl was tightly hidden by his side, only revealing a pair of bright eyes, curiously observing Qin Wangchuan.