The Scripture Pavilion in the Outer Academy consisted of only two levels. The lower level remained open around the clock, closing only at the end of each month for cleaning. The books there could be borrowed freely, but access to the upper level required meeting certain conditions.
For instance, ranking in the top ten of the Monthly Assessment.
Or, upon reaching the Mystic Master Realm, one earned a single opportunity to enter the upper level and select a secret manual.
Xiao Xinyan still lacked the qualifications to enter the upper level. At that moment, she sat in a quiet corner of the lower level, intently flipping through a slim booklet.
《Wonderful Uses of Protective Mystic Power》
The book explained how to cleverly employ protective mystic power in combat to secure victory with minimal harm.
Xiao Xinyan read with utmost concentration. She even occasionally circulated her energy to test the techniques, faint arcs of electricity flickering across her body from time to time.
Nearby male students stole glances at her.
It had to be said that ever since Xiao Xinyan had toned down her eldest miss temperament, her proud yet unarrogant aura only enhanced her beauty. Sitting there so quietly with a book, occasionally brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear—it exuded an artistic charm. Add a pair of simple glasses, and it would be perfection.
Girls like her were the ultimate magnets for players.
Soon enough, a tall, slender youth with a refined, scholarly appearance approached through the hostile glares of the other boys. He sat down across from Xiao Xinyan and greeted her warmly.
“May I sit here, Junior Sister?”
Xiao Xinyan didn’t respond, continuing to turn the pages of her booklet.
The young man didn’t mind. He casually opened a book in front of himself, then stared fixedly at Xiao Xinyan.
From his experience, it wouldn’t be long before this pure-tempered top-tier junior sister couldn’t resist looking up.
But Xiao Xinyan remained utterly still, absorbed in her booklet. Instead, the young man couldn’t hold back and struck up a conversation again.
“What’s your name, Junior Sister? Let’s get acquainted. I’m Han XX, the third young master of the direct line from the Han Family. I’m already a One-Star Mystic Master. If you have any questions about cultivation, feel free to ask me.”
Xiao Xinyan let out a soft sigh, closed her booklet, and said helplessly, “The Scripture Pavilion strictly forbids noise. Could you speak a little less, Senior Brother?”
The scholarly youth smiled faintly. “If Junior Sister is willing to talk to me, I naturally won’t need to keep chattering. Let’s get to know each other.”
He extended his hand, intending to shake hers.
“No need.”
Xiao Xinyan stood up, gathered her things from the table, and prepared to leave.
“You’re leaving?” The scholarly youth rose as well. “Perfect timing. I was just about to go too. Let’s walk together.”
Hearing this, Xiao Xinyan sat back down. “Please, go ahead.”
The young man’s expression stiffened. He then plopped back down with a cheeky grin and said roguishly, “Oh, I’ve suddenly changed my mind. I don’t want to leave anymore.”
“—No, you do.”
A hand suddenly reached out from the side, clamping down fiercely on his shoulder. An immense force followed, yanking him up by the roots like a weed and hurling him away like trash. He crashed heavily to the ground.
“Ow!”
The commotion rang out clearly in the quiet Scripture Pavilion, drawing the attention of every student there. They turned to look, some curious, some annoyed.
The scholarly youth quickly regained his senses and focused his gaze. He saw that his seat had been taken by a handsome young man. Fury welled up in him, but before he could erupt, he heard the top-tier junior sister exclaim in delight.
“Junior Brother Yan Zhen, you’re back!”
Yan Zhen smiled faintly. “I said last night that it’d be two days just to surprise you all.”
“You’re so naughty.”
“Not that naughty, right?”
“Very naughty—but the kind of naughty people love.”
“Since Senior Sister Xinyan says so, I guess I’ll have to keep being naughty.”
The scholarly youth watched the top-tier junior sister chat and laugh with the handsome young man, a surge of unwillingness and jealousy boiling inside him. He pointed at Yan Zhen and bellowed, “How dare you fight in the Scripture Pavilion! You’re dead, kid!”
Yan Zhen’s figure blurred, and he appeared before the scholarly youth in an instant. Without a word, he delivered a resounding slap that sent the young man spinning through the air. He slammed into a pillar, his refined face now grotesquely swollen, as if stung by a hornet.
The scholarly youth had become the Swollen-Faced Youth. Clutching his puffed-up cheek, he stammered in shock and fear, “You madman—”
Yan Zhen sneered. “Still need another beating?”
“Stop!” Hearing the noise, the guarding elder of the lower level strode over and barked, “Fighting is strictly forbidden in the Scripture Pavilion! Who gave you the guts to cause trouble right under my nose?”
The Swollen-Faced Youth immediately lodged his complaint. “Elder, please investigate! I was sitting there minding my own business when this guy suddenly grabbed my shoulder and threw me out. He’s a lunatic!”
The guarding elder fixed his gaze on Yan Zhen, then paused in surprise. “You’re an Inner Academy student?”
Yan Zhen had assumed no one in the Outer Academy had seen Inner Academy uniforms before. Finally, someone with an eye for quality.
“That’s right.”
The words sent a ripple through the Scripture Pavilion. The students’ gazes toward Yan Zhen shifted to ones of awe and admiration.
The Swollen-Faced Youth’s heart sank. He never imagined this baby-faced kid could be an Inner Academy student!
Only the guarding elder showed no deference—he intended to back the Han Family’s young master.
“An Inner Academy student, yet you come to the Outer Academy to throw your weight around?”
Yan Zhen replied calmly, “The Scripture Pavilion is a place for reading and study, not for certain people to hunt for flings… Elder, you must have seen how he was acting like a sleazy rogue just now. Why didn’t you step in to stop or warn him?”
The guarding elder stroked his beard. “I enforce the Scripture Pavilion’s rules, not personal conduct. That’s the Discipline Director’s duty.”
“Rules are dead, but people are alive.” Yan Zhen countered, “As an Outer Academy elder, beyond your direct responsibilities, you should uphold professional ethics. A simple word of caution to these types would make them rein in their behavior and improve the atmosphere here. Why not do it? Don’t abstain from small acts of kindness, and don’t indulge small evils. Surely you understand that, Elder. Yet you choose to turn a blind eye, then deflect with ‘not my responsibility’ when questioned—and now you interrogate me? I’m not throwing my weight around. I’m fixing the discipline issues you neglect.”
“Insolent!” The guarding elder flew into a rage. “Don’t think being an Inner Academy student lets you run wild in the Outer Academy! The Scripture Pavilion has its rules, which even Inner Academy students must obey! You started a fight and disrespected the guarding elder—double the offense! I’ll take you down now as an example!”
With that, the guarding elder thrust out a claw. Mystic power formed a massive hand that seized at Yan Zhen—only to grasp empty air.
“?”
The guarding elder’s eyes widened in shock. His attack had passed straight through Yan Zhen’s body, inflicting no harm whatsoever.
“You—you… what sorcery is this?”
“A mighty Mystic King powerhouse who can’t even recognize Spatial Power.” Yan Zhen mocked, tossing something over casually. “Take a good look. Do you know who I am now!”
The guarding elder caught the small object and examined it in his palm. It was a Spirit Wood Token engraved with an ancient-style “Yu” character. His face drained of color, his hand holding the token trembling.
