49: My brother is a disciple of the errand school, Chu Feng

Lin Yao paused slightly at the words.

She looked at the splendidly dressed young man staring intently at her, then glanced at Tian Linger's displeased face beside her, understanding dawned on her.

Although she had barely left Furong Town, ever since losing her parents, she had long learned to read people's expressions.

Those eyes, though restrained, were full of desire.

Lin Yao, remembering Chu Shanhe's instructions, did not want to cause trouble.

Despite her inner dislike, she still bowed slightly to Xu Aotian, her voice clear and calm, neither humble nor arrogant.

“Lin Yao greets Young Master Xu.”

Her reaction was very plain, without surprise, without being flattered, and certainly without Tian Linger’s deliberate fawning; it was as if she had just met an ordinary stranger.

This indifference, instead, made Xu Aotian, who was accustomed to flattery, find her even more novel.

Xu Aotian showed a smile he thought was dashing, trying to make his tone sound gentle.

“Miss Lin, there’s no need for such formality. From a distance just now, I felt your unique temperament. Are you also heading to the capital to participate in Tiansheng Academy’s new recruitment?”

“Yes.”

Lin Yao's answer was concise, with no intention of continuing the conversation.

Xu Aotian, however, didn't mind and continued to ask.

“We will travel together on the road; it will be good for us to look out for each other.”

Tian Linger, listening nearby, felt a surge of anger, her face growing even more unpleasant, but she could only endure it.

Lin Yao, however, merely smiled politely, then turned to look at the Second Elder.

“Thank you for Young Master Xu’s kind intentions, but we are traveling with our family elder, and everything is already arranged. We dare not trouble you.”

Tian Linger watched Lin Yao's calm demeanor, her lips twitching slightly.

The person she had painstakingly tried to curry favor with, Lin Yao couldn't even be bothered to give him a proper look; this b*tch was clearly doing it on purpose.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze for a moment, and then whispers, like a tide, surged from all directions.

“Hmph, this girl has such airs!”

“Young Master Xu took the initiative to speak, yet she’s so unresponsive?”

“She looks like she’s from a small place; she probably doesn’t know Young Master Xu’s identity.”

“She has a good appearance, but unfortunately, her mind isn't very bright. She doesn't know how to seize an opportunity to climb high?”

“She’s just playing hard to get. I’ve seen this kind of trick many times.”

“Shh—be quieter, didn’t you see Young Master Xu’s face is looking a bit displeased?”

Just then, among the onlookers, a young man who seemed to know something about the Chu family suddenly interjected loudly.

“I remember now, they seem to be from the Chu family in Furong Town. I heard someone from their family also joined Tiansheng Academy a few years ago.”

Hearing this, Xu Aotian's expression shifted slightly.

Tiansheng Academy was full of hidden talents and intricate connections; if the other party truly had a strong background, he couldn't underestimate them too much.

The arrogance on his face slightly receded, replaced by a touch of solemnity.

“May I ask who in Miss Lin’s family is cultivating in Tiansheng Academy? Could it be an inner disciple?”

If it really was an inner disciple or even a direct disciple, then this woman's coldness might indeed have some basis.

This question instantly captured everyone's attention. They all looked at Lin Yao curiously, wanting to hear what she was relying on.

Before Lin Yao could speak, Tian Linger, unable to hold back any longer, burst out laughing.

“Young Master Xu, you’re giving their Chu family too much credit!”

Tian Linger's voice was raised high, as if afraid someone wouldn't hear her.

“Her Senior Brother Chu Feng has been at Tiansheng Academy for five whole years, and he’s still a Utility Disciple.”

As soon as these words came out, it immediately caused a burst of laughter.

“A Utility Disciple, a good-for-nothing who can’t even get into the outer sect!”

“A family of a Utility Disciple dares to give Young Master Xu attitude? Who gave them the courage?”

“This is hilarious; I thought they had some incredible background. Turns out he’s just a handyman!”

The solemnity in Xu Aotian's eyes instantly vanished without a trace, and his face became somewhat gloomy.

He had thought the other party had some backing, but he didn't expect them to be utterly ignorant of their place.

Countless women had thrown themselves at him, yet he wouldn't even spare them a glance.

In front of everyone, he took the initiative to socialize, but the other party remained aloof.

As the dignified Young Master of Qingyun City, a pre-determined Academy disciple, when had he ever suffered such contempt?

He coldly glanced at Lin Yao, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance.

“Miss Lin, Tiansheng Academy is not as simple as you think. Without someone to look after you, it will probably be very difficult for you to pass the assessment with your cultivation.”

With that, he no longer gave Lin Yao any chance to respond, flicked his sleeve, and turned around, proudly boarding the spirit boat amidst the crowd's escort.

The moment he turned, a hint of gloom flashed in Xu Aotian's eyes.

How dare a mere country girl make him lose face in public?

When they arrived at Tiansheng Academy, he would have plenty of ways to deal with her.

By then, he would make this arrogant woman kneel and lick his boots in front of everyone.

Tian Linger watched Xu Aotian's indifferent retreating figure, her lips instantly curling up.

“Lin Yao, I gave you a chance, but you’re useless!”

With that, she scurried after Xu Aotian like a fawning pug... Tiansheng Academy.

Amidst the swirling clouds, magnificent buildings stood in endless rows, and a grand, majestic aura enveloped them, inspiring awe.

The enormous mountain gate seemed to lead to a fairyland, with the four ancient characters “Tiansheng Academy” flowing with Dao charm and spiritual light, exuding a heavy pressure.

In front of the mountain gate, Academy disciples in uniform robes stood solemnly.

The spirit boat slowly descended onto the designated parking plaza outside the Academy, and young prodigies from various prefectures and cities disembarked one after another.

Xu Aotian tidied his luxurious brocade robe, his gaze sweeping over the somewhat restrained fellow passengers. A sense of superiority instantly arose in his heart.

Without the slightest hesitation, he walked directly towards a gatekeeper disciple who seemed to be in charge at the mountain gate.

He directly took out a gilded name card and handed it over.

“Senior Brother, I am Xu Aotian from Qingyun City. I have come specifically to see Outer Elder Xu. Please inform him.”

The gatekeeper disciple's face was originally calm, but upon hearing the three words “Elder Xu” and then looking at the name card, his face immediately broke into a warm, almost fawning smile.

“Ah, so it’s Junior Brother Xu. Elder Xu already instructed me to lead you directly to him.”

The gatekeeper disciple instinctively bent his back a little, and his tone became extremely cordial.

“Junior Brother, follow me.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Xu Aotian felt even more triumphant. Before stepping into the mountain gate, he deliberately paused and glanced at Lin Yao, who was looking around somewhat bewildered.

Do you see?

This is the difference in identity and status!

I, Xu Aotian, can directly enter the inner halls, while you can only wander here.

Led by the gatekeeper disciple, he entered Tiansheng Academy unimpeded, his figure disappearing into the swirling clouds.

This scene drew envious glances from many other young people who had just disembarked from the spirit boat.

“As expected of an Outer Elder’s nephew, he can enter the Academy directly.”

Lin Yao saw Xu Aotian’s triumphant gaze and couldn't help but feel a little more uneasy.

After all, her Senior Brother Chu Feng was only a Utility Disciple of the Servant Yard, and she didn't know if she would be able to see him smoothly.

Lin Yao took a deep breath, her gaze scanning the several gatekeeper disciples, finally landing on a female disciple who looked relatively kind-faced.

She mustered her courage, walked forward, first bowed respectfully, then took out an embroidered money purse from her bosom, containing dozens of low-grade spirit stones she had saved for a long time.

She handed over the money purse with both hands and tentatively spoke.

“Senior Sister, I apologize for the disturbance.

I am Lin Yao, from Furong Town, Qingzhou, and I wish to find my elder brother.

May I ask if it would be convenient for Senior Sister to relay a message for me?”

The disciple named Liu Ping glanced at the money purse Lin Yao handed over, then appraised Lin Yao's appearance, which, though outstanding, carried a clear sense of shyness. She already roughly guessed that this was another person from some small place trying to curry favor.

Her face was expressionless as she casually took the bag of spirit stones and weighed it.

“What is your brother’s name, and in which hall of the Academy does he cultivate?”

Seeing that the other party had accepted the spirit stones, Lin Yao felt a glimmer of hope and quickly replied.

“My elder brother is in the Servant Yard, his name is Chu Feng.”

“Servant Yard, Chu—”

Senior Sister Liu Ping’s initially indifferent expression grew more disappointed upon hearing “Servant Yard,” and she subconsciously wanted to say she didn't know him.

There were hundreds, even thousands, of Servant Disciples; how could she know every single one?

However, just as the word “Feng” was about to escape her lips, her brain felt as if it had been struck by a bolt of lightning.

Chu Feng!

That name, which was all over Tiansheng Academy, exploded in her mind like a thunderclap.

The peerless prodigy who had been dormant in the Servant Yard for five years, yet had burst forth during the entrance examination, punching a Foundation Establishment deacon, kicking a Golden Core Saint Son, and even triggering the Ten Saints Inheritance, being vied for as a direct disciple by the Hall Masters of Jade Balance Hall and Hundred Herbs Courtyard – wasn't his name Chu Feng?

Liu Ping’s disappointment instantly froze, replaced by shock.

Her eyes widened abruptly, staring intently at Lin Yao, her voice suddenly rising.

“You, you just said… what is Chu Feng to you?”

Lin Yao was startled by the other party's sudden reaction and subconsciously took half a step back.

She looked at the horrified expression in the other's eyes, her heart sinking.

Her peripheral vision caught sight of the bag of spirit stones clutched in the other's hand; that was all her savings for a long time… But, looking at this Senior Sister’s reaction, could it be… could it be that Senior Brother Chu Feng had run into some trouble in the Academy?

She was flustered but forced herself to calm down, carefully repeating.

“Chu Feng is my elder brother. He has been in the Servant Yard for five years. Senior Sister… do you know him?”

The next second, a scene that left Lin Yao dumbfounded occurred.

Senior Sister Liu Ping, as if burned, quickly stuffed the bag of spirit stones back into Lin Yao's hand, her movements so fast they almost left afterimages.

This wasn't all. Her face instantly broke into a smile ten times more enthusiastic than the disciple who had treated Xu Aotian earlier, even carrying a hint of panic and fawning.

She swiftly removed the seemingly valuable storage ring from her finger and, without explanation, pushed it into Lin Yao's hand.

“Oh, Junior Sister Lin, please take back these spirit stones; you absolutely must not use them.

There are some trinkets in this storage ring; consider it a welcome gift from your Senior Sister.”

This abrupt change in her attitude, from cold to overly solicitous, left Lin Yao gaping.

Liu Ping, however, completely disregarded the gazes of those around her. Her heart was now filled with both lingering fear and excitement.

She grabbed Lin Yao’s still-dazed wrist, her tone incredibly warm.

“Who doesn’t know Senior Brother Chu Feng? Junior Sister Lin, please don’t stand here any longer. I, your Senior Sister, will take you in to see Senior Brother Chu Feng right now.

He must be in Jade Balance Hall at this moment. I’ll personally take you there!”

Saying this, she practically half-pulled, half-invited the bewildered Lin Yao, hurrying towards the mountain gate of Tiansheng Academy.

Her eagerness was even greater than that of the disciple who had just led Xu Aotian inside.

Lin Yao, fearing the other party had mistaken him for someone else, quickly explained.

“Senior Sister, have you perhaps mistaken him for someone else? My elder brother is a Utility Disciple and is not in Jade Balance Hall.”

“No mistake, absolutely no mistake!”

Having been in the Servant Yard for five years, how could there be a second person named Chu Feng?

The more Liu Ping looked at Lin Yao, the more she liked her. If not for her, how could she have the opportunity to get close to the chief of Jade Balance Hall, whose brilliance overshadowed even the Saint Sons?