Chapter Sixty-Five: I Look Forward to Your Guidance

Since the monthly exam, Su Bai and Gu Fan Shuang had spoken not a word to each other, each adopting the strategy of treating the other as if invisible. That day, when Xue Jia Huan tried to inquire with Gu Fan Shuang, she was met with a single glance that sent her retreating. Later, when she sought Su Bai for information, he clammed up, sitting there with wide eyes staring into hers, saying nothing.

Watching the icy standoff, Xue Jia Huan and Ba Xia, the onlookers, whispered among themselves. “How did Junior Ming manage to infuriate Senior Gu in just two days? Look at them, neither willing to back down—it’s quite a spectacle.”

“Aren’t you friends with Gu Fan Shuang? How can you enjoy her drama?”

“Mind your own business! Eat your melon and be quiet.”

Shrugging in defeat, Ba Xia continued to observe the pair.

“Teacher’s coming! Teacher’s coming!” Someone announced, and the classroom was instantly awash with the fragrance of books. Everyone began reviewing yesterday’s lesson, though Ba Xia was a beat behind the rest, holding his book upside down.

Sun Xiu Yuan surveyed the studious crowd, nodding with satisfaction before producing a stack of test papers. “Alright, put your books away. The results of the monthly exam are out.”

At that moment, Ba Xia tried to hide his face with his book and whisper to Xue Jia Huan, but his clumsy act was quickly spotted by Sun Xiu Yuan.

“Ba Xia!”

“Ah?!” Hearing his name, Ba Xia jolted upright.

Laughter erupted throughout the room, even Gu Fan Shuang, sitting next to Su Bai, couldn’t help but smile behind her hand. Only Su Bai remained motionless, eyes fixed on Sun Xiu Yuan.

He wasn’t feigning aloofness; his mind was occupied with something else: Xi Meng He, that old fox, would surely not let him off easily. He needed to find a way to deal with him in the future.

Just then, Sun Xiu Yuan noticed Su Bai’s “exemplary” composure.

Pointing at Su Bai, he declared, “Stop laughing like fools! Look at Little Ming here.”

Everyone turned to Su Bai, who, hearing his name, looked back at Sun Xiu Yuan. Sun Xiu Yuan’s gaze was full of approval. “Studying literature should be done with Little Ming’s attitude—don’t let every little distraction drag you away.”

“Hm?” Su Bai mentally raised a giant question mark. “What did I do?”

Feeling the weight of their stares, Su Bai wished he could stand up and clear his name.

Just as the awkwardness was about to pass, Sun Xiu Yuan delivered another blow: “Usually, when I call you, you scatter like frightened rabbits. But the monthly exam shows your true colors. How many times have I told you not to waste your days? Look at Little Ming—just one day’s effort, and he’s only one point behind Ba Xia.”

“I’ll warn you all: if the new student beats you in the next exam, every single one of you will write a reflection for me!”

“Ah—”

The students’ faces lengthened in distress.

“Wipe off those sour expressions, I’m handing back the papers.”

...

As Sun Xiu Yuan walked around, he summarized the results. “Everyone in this class is here because of careful selection. Sitting in this classroom means you’re the best—but talent isn’t an excuse to be lazy.”

Passing by Gu Fan Shuang and Su Bai, he first addressed Gu Fan Shuang kindly. “Fan Shuang is diligent in class, as expected, only two mistakes. The rest of you should learn from her.”

Turning to Su Bai, he made Su Bai tense with anticipation.

Sun Xiu Yuan patted Su Bai’s shoulder with his broad hand. “Looks like Little Ming has a solid foundation. One day isn’t enough to learn all this.”

Su Bai cupped his hands respectfully. “I must thank you, sir, and Gu for her help. Her notes were invaluable—I only just finished reading them and plan to return them tomorrow.”

Gu Fan Shuang glanced at Su Bai in surprise.

“Isn’t this the plot of two stubborn ducks refusing to admit defeat? How come he’s thanking her in public?” Xue Jia Huan and Ba Xia exchanged puzzled looks.

Sun Xiu Yuan immediately spotted this and strode over to them.

---

Feeling a wave of murderous intent, the two quickly picked up their papers, hoping to hide their embarrassment.

“Ba Xia, you spend your days causing trouble with Xue Jia Huan. And in the class rankings, you’re nearly last. Don’t you get it? Some students review daily—that’s why they succeed. You clown around, and when the results come out, your face looks as wilted as an eggplant. Yet you never reflect on why, just whisper and gossip. Aren’t you ashamed?”

“And you, Ni Han Yan,” Sun Xiu Yuan went to a beautiful young woman and slapped her paper onto her desk, “I just taught this material before the exam—were you daydreaming? And you keep making the same mistakes—how many times have I said it?”

...

“Alright, I’ve finished discussing the papers. If you still don’t understand anything, ask Gu for help. Stop wasting your days—learn something. Even I have been through it. You will go further someday; if your mind is empty, how can you ‘read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles’?”

Seeing his students grow weary, Sun Xiu Yuan waved them off. “Class dismissed. Remember to study.”

He added, “Ming Li, stay behind.”

Su Bai had nothing urgent and was unconcerned, but the others cast him curious glances.

Ba Xia nudged Xue Jia Huan. “Is Ming Li Sun’s secret son? Is he getting special treatment?”

Xue Jia Huan nodded in agreement. “Seems likely. I’m starting to suspect too.”

She hadn’t expected Su Bai to achieve such a decent score in just one night, nor could she tell if his gratitude had been genuine.

When the classroom finally emptied, only Su Bai and Sun Xiu Yuan remained.

“Is there anything you need me to do, sir?” Su Bai spoke first.

Sun Xiu Yuan, reading his book, replied, “No, not really. I just want you to be mindful.”

“Please go on,” Su Bai said, bowing slightly.

Sun Xiu Yuan stood, walked over, and tidied Su Bai’s collar. “Nothing major—you perform well in class, but I worry you’re too shy to get along with classmates. Our sect requires more than literature; in three years, you’ll face martial arts, and within your group... Right, have you found teammates?”

“Not yet. I don’t think it’s urgent,” Su Bai replied.

“That won’t do!” Sun Xiu Yuan was more anxious than he. “I recall Gu Fan Shuang is also without teammates. She’s often cold, and many classmates have gotten beaten up by her. Maybe you two, opposites, could balance each other. Ba Xia and Xue Jia Huan are already partners; you four could team up.”

Su Bai was rendered speechless by Sun Xiu Yuan’s enthusiasm, but didn’t refuse. “I’ll discuss it with them. If it works out, we’ll follow your suggestion.”

“Good.” Sun Xiu Yuan nodded in relief. He’d worried Su Bai might politely decline, but now it seemed he was simply adjusting to a new environment.

“Then... may I go now?” Su Bai asked tentatively.

“Yes, yes, go on.” Sun Xiu Yuan watched Su Bai hurry out.

As Su Bai left the classroom, heading for his quarters, he found Gu Fan Shuang waiting at the door...

---

The two walked side by side near the training grounds, pausing to watch the disciples practicing.

Gu Fan Shuang spoke first. “When will you return my notes?”

Su Bai replied awkwardly, “Ah, I meant to thank you in class. As for the notes... I didn’t bring them today. Tomorrow! I’ll definitely return them tomorrow.”

He added cautiously, “About that day—I spoke thoughtlessly, and failed to clear up the misunderstanding immediately. Please don’t take it to heart. I apologize, sincerely.”

He bowed deeply to her.

Gu Fan Shuang, amused, coughed lightly. “It’s not that I don’t want to forgive you. What happened did affect me—made me forget my exam number, and left Xue Jia Huan teasing me. Even if I wanted to let it go, I’m not sure I could truly forgive you.”

“Er, you’re right. I came in a hurry and brought nothing of value...” Su Bai hadn’t expected Gu Fan Shuang to be so hard to appease, as if she meant to extort him.

Seeing Su Bai’s embarrassment, Gu Fan Shuang smiled. “I want to team up with you. Am I qualified?”

“Hm?” Su Bai was momentarily stunned, thinking, “That was a quick change of face!” He guessed she’d overheard Sun Xiu Yuan outside, but her initiative surprised him.

---

Gu Fan Shuang folded her arms across her chest. “What? Afraid I’ll drag you down?”

Su Bai shook his head. “Not at all. I just wonder why you agreed so readily. There are plenty more talented than me—why join my team?”

“That’s none of your concern.” Gu Fan Shuang watched two sparring disciples in the arena.

Following her gaze, Su Bai frowned at the scene: the two exchanged fierce blows, each strike aimed to maim, with no mercy shown.

Gu Fan Shuang’s tone suddenly lowered. “People get hurt here every day, and the trial seven years from now has a fifty percent mortality rate.”

She turned to Su Bai. “Yet there’s a way to avoid the trial.”

Su Bai’s interest was piqued. The higher one’s status, the more insider information they had. “Please, enlighten me.”

“Many know already—just watch them and you’ll understand.” Gu Fan Shuang calmly observed the arena, saying nothing more.

The two combatants were nearly exhausted, but glared at each other with unyielding resolve.

“Admit defeat. I don’t want to kill you myself,” said the man in yellow, his tone relaxed.

“Hahaha!” The man in white laughed wildly. “Qu Jia Xi, do you think I don’t know you after all these years? Your secret technique only lasts half an incense stick. You’re clearly at your limit—why pretend?”

The yellow-clad Qu Jia Xi’s face darkened, teeth clenched. “If you’re so eager to die, don’t blame me.”

The white-robed man wiped blood from his lips, grinning wickedly. “We’ll see whose deer falls.”

Their swords collided, ringing sharply. The white-robed man, tiring fast, was losing ground, his wounds multiplying. Qu Jia Xi showed no relief, his contorted face betraying pain.

With a mighty swing, Qu Jia Xi’s blade bore down. The white-robed man made no attempt to dodge, blocking with his sword.

But he couldn’t withstand Qu Jia Xi’s force—the blade pressed inexorably against his right shoulder, slicing into flesh. Blood quickly soaked his shoulder.

Just as everyone thought the outcome settled, the white-robed man suddenly dropped his sword, letting Qu Jia Xi’s blade fall.

His left hand shot out, wrist twisting. With a sharp hiss, a hidden dart struck Qu Jia Xi between the eyes.

“Ah!” The white-robed man screamed, clutching his bleeding arm.

“Ruined,” came a calm voice beside Gu Fan Shuang. “Even if he wins, the sect won’t waste resources on him anymore.”

Gu Fan Shuang looked at Su Bai, surprised by his placid tone. She nodded in agreement. “Exactly. If our team skips the trial in seven years, we’ll have to fight for our place with our lives. Those chosen cannot refuse to compete, but they can choose to surrender.”

Su Bai closed his eyes, calculating silently. “Forcing teammates who’ve spent years together to battle each other reveals all their cards and ensures a fifty percent or higher elimination rate. Most challengers are confident in victory, so weaker ones are filtered out. And with surrender allowed, you keep your reputation intact.”

Opening his eyes, he met Gu Fan Shuang’s gaze. “Do you think you’ll challenge me then, Senior?”

“Think what you like. Even if you swear today never to face me in the arena, I wouldn’t believe it.” Gu Fan Shuang sighed, her manner more like a woman in her forties than a girl of eleven or twelve. “Seven years of effort—who could easily let go? Not you, not even Xue Jia Huan. I can’t be sure she wouldn’t fight me.”

She turned to Su Bai. “I’ve been clear. Your answer...?”

“Yes!” Su Bai replied before she could finish. “No matter what happens seven years from now, I won’t regret today’s decision. For the next seven years, I hope you’ll guide me.”

The two young people faced each other silently, understanding already reached.

They smiled, bowed together. “Let’s look after each other!”