Rascal, hooligan, scum. Who would want to become a Tao Companion with this kind of person?
Lin Yuexin could hardly believe her own ears; the Headmaster had actually said these words to her.
"You, don’t you want to take revenge anymore?" the Headmaster asked again.
At these words, a shock went through Lin Yuexin’s heart, and her eyes instantly reddened.
That word was too heavy. She thought about it all the time, but with her own strength, she simply couldn’t achieve it.
"From the day you set foot in the academy, hatred has blinded the depths of your heart. Even though you possess extraordinary talent and have Reincarnation within you, you still can’t obtain it. You can’t remain steadfast in your Taoist heart. How can you become a strong person?" the Headmaster sighed softly. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs ⓝovelFire.net
"I..." Her voice trembled. She bit her lips tightly, looking quite desolate.
"Do you still remember the Tao I told you about before?" the Headmaster continued.
"Hmm?" Lin Yuexin looked up.
"Cultivating the Six Tao, cultivating Reincarnation—only then can you awaken the Reincarnation within you. This is your only chance," the Headmaster said. "And he is that person."
The two girls waited a long time before they saw Chen Pingping come out.
Lan Xiuzhi stepped forward immediately, asking, "How did it go?"
"SIGH!" Chen Pingping felt depressed and relayed the agreement he had reached with the Headmaster.
The two girls were immediately astonished.
The academy disciples nearby stared, their eyes wide. What did he say? The Headmaster actually arranged for him to become Tao Companions with Lin Yuexin?
No way? That was preposterous! The two had never met before; wasn’t today supposed to be their first encounter? The Headmaster’s decision seemed too hasty.
But from another perspective, it was a good thing. Finally, someone had taken on the ’Extermination’ Eldest Senior Sister.
Lan Xiuzhi beamed. "I knew Pingping was the most impressive, even managing to win over the Eldest Senior Sister." As for staying at the academy to cultivate for a year, that was also her desire. If the Headmaster had not brought up this requirement, she might have proposed it herself.
There was also the investigation of the Undying Furnace that Chen Pingping mentioned.
With a giggle, Lan Xiuzhi said, "This Princess will go pack her luggage right now. Oh, no, let Lu pack it."
She was getting excited. Staying at the academy to cultivate for a year was much better than learning etiquette in the depths of the palace. She would be free, with no one to control her.
When the news of the two becoming Tao Companions spread, the entire imperial city was shocked. Most people were saying, "Really? In this world, there’s actually someone who dares to become Tao Companions with Lin Yuexin?"
"What’s Chen Pingping’s background?"
"Not sure. But this matter was decided by the Headmaster. Even if the two wanted to object, I guess they were powerless to do so."
Some were anxious, others melancholic. Though Lin Yuexin had a difficult temper, she was still a beauty. Combined with her strength, many young talents secretly admired her and had long harbored the desire to get to know her. Unexpectedly, Chen Pingping had beaten them to it. Such a pity!
「The first day at the academy.」
Lan Xiuzhi wandered the academy with great interest, looking for a place to cultivate, but she only ended up walking around until afternoon.
When she returned to her residence, she saw the Saintess with closed eyes in contemplation. Tilting her head, she asked, "Cultivating?"
"Not really!" The Saintess opened her eyes. "How about you? Did you make any gains today?"
Lan Xiuzhi’s face turned red with embarrassment. "No, I walked around a lot, but no one paid any attention to me. I don’t even know how to cultivate."
Your master is the State Preceptor! What could the academy possibly teach you? Even if they could, would they dare?
Those high-ranking teachers saw Lan Xiuzhi, but they dared not speak much. Lan Xiuzhi could cultivate in the academy if she wished. She was free to move about and practice as she pleased. If she had questions, she could ask, and they would be answered.
"Where’s Pingping?" Lan Xiuzhi asked.
"There..." the Saintess pointed at the roof.
"He hasn’t gone to cultivate?" Lan Xiuzhi’s eyes widened as she shouted, "Pingping, hurry up and cultivate! You still have to defeat Golden Cicada!"
The latter moved his head slightly, his peripheral vision sweeping below, unconcerned. Defeat Golden Cicada? Did he even need to cultivate for that? Besides, his way of cultivating wasn’t here.
「Deep within the academy...」
The Headmaster asked three questions in a row: "Has Chen Pingping cultivated? Did Chen Pingping go to find Yuexin? What is Chen Pingping doing now?"
He had been busy all day and only now had time to check on Chen Pingping’s cultivation progress, see his plans, and decide where to start.
Had he comprehended the Emperor Tao Principles yet? If not, he needed to work hard immediately. If Pingping had any confusion about his cultivation, the Headmaster could also offer some guidance.
"No," the middle-aged teacher below replied, his face dark.
"Hmm?" The Headmaster frowned. "What do you mean, ’no’?"
"Chen Pingping has been lying on the roof all day. He hasn’t cultivated, nor has he gone to find Yuexin," the middle-aged teacher said helplessly.
All three great empires were watching this battle, yet the person in question was not the least bit anxious.
Is one year a long time? No, it’s very short. So why isn’t he seizing the time to improve himself? The young prodigies of the Purple Gold Divine Clan are not to be trifled with!
The Headmaster’s anger flared, and he strode away. Not long after, he arrived at the three’s residence. Upon seeing Chen Pingping still lying on the roof, he scolded, "You brat, do you think you’re invincible? That you don’t need to cultivate?"
Chen Pingping yawned and looked over lazily. "Senior, I am cultivating!"
"Cultivating what? Sleeping?" the Headmaster glared at him.
He had forcibly kept Chen Pingping at the academy for a year; the significance of this was immense. If Pingping couldn’t defeat Golden Cicada, what was the use of staying at the academy?
"Cultivating the spirit," Chen Pingping said in a low, ethereal tone.
"Get down here," the Headmaster commanded, his face stern.
"Are you forcing me to take action?"
That was too much. Not even his master had treated him . Wen Yuqing often said, "You don’t need to cultivate; just be as beautiful as a flower. If anyone bothers you, I’ll chop them down." And here, this old man was actually forcing him to cultivate? Unreasonable.
Chen Pingping, worried the Headmaster would resort to violence, reluctantly came down from the roof. "I really am cultivating."
"Go to the Taoist Platform and comprehend the Tao there," the Headmaster ordered.
"I won’t!" Chen Pingping refused. "The Tao of the Taoist Platform isn’t suitable for me."
"I won’t go." He refused again, thinking, Inside Hei, there are innumerable Abyss Sword Daos, dense and complex. Do I need to go cultivate some Sword Array? Absurd!
The Headmaster, unable to contain his fury, slapped a hand down.
The latter exclaimed, "Murder!"
A group of teachers spectating the scene was dumbfounded. They had never seen the Headmaster treat anyone before; not even Lin Yuexin had received such treatment.
Could it be that this Chen Pingping is the Headmaster’s illegitimate son?
After a severe beating, Chen Pingping cried out in pain. It felt as if not a single bone in his body was intact. His face was pale, and his body trembled. He continuously cursed the "old man" under his breath.
The Headmaster sighed helplessly. "Go find Yuexin later! Have a good chat with her; perhaps you can comprehend the Emperor Tao Principles from her."
"I won’t!" Chen Pingping was stubborn.
This time, the Headmaster drew his sword, and its power flared immediately.
*(The Headmaster has a crucial identity, so I’m writing a bit more about him now to lay the groundwork for his role!)*