Chapter 27: Preparations at the Hanlin Academy

After Boka, An, Jinqian, and Yaoshe returned to the school, everyone went about their respective business and plans. As for the other side, the teachers and students of Hanlin Academy were shaken by the massive shockwave at the exact moment Han Tianyue and Shaxing dueled. The Dean raised his head and looked up toward the skies above the Women's Kingdom. Because the Spirit-Devouring Beast had reappeared within the Purple Bamboo Forest, the Hanlin Academy had long since lost contact with the Women's Kingdom. Seeing such a tremendous wave of force erupting over the Women's Kingdom and wondering which two powerful beings had caused it, the Dean ordered, "Teacher Xia Zhi, take a few students and go check out the Women's Kingdom!"

Having received her orders, Teacher Xia Zhi took four students and bypassed the Purple Bamboo Forest, heading toward the Women's Kingdom.

Though their pace was not slow, by the time Teacher Xia Zhi and her group arrived within the borders of the Women's Kingdom, the people had long since fled, leaving behind nothing but ruins. Teacher Xia Zhi said in astonishment, "Why has the Women's Kingdom been reduced to this?"

Looking closely, it was clear this destruction was not the work of today; the place must have been reduced to ruins several days prior. Teacher Xia Zhi sighed, "I have not visited in just a few days, yet the Women's Kingdom has been destroyed!"

At that moment, a student exclaimed, "Teacher Xia Zhi, look over there!"

Teacher Xia Zhi gazed toward the east and saw the colossal Spirit-Devouring Beast heading eastward, accompanied by a pterosaur in the sky. "Why would the Spirit-Devouring Beast leave the Purple Bamboo Forest? And what on earth is that pterosaur?" Because Teacher Xia Zhi and her group stood in the open while the Spirit-Devouring Beast and its companion remained hidden in the shadows, she failed to notice anything else. Watching the creature abandon its natural habitat and depart left her filled with perplexity and doubt.

"Shall we go forward and take a look?" asked a student.

Teacher Xia Zhi shook her head and replied, "The Spirit-Devouring Beast is inherently ferocious, and all attacks against it are futile. It is best that we provoke it as little as possible. Now that we know what has happened to the Women's Kingdom, let us quickly return and report to the Dean!"

The group passed straight through the Purple Bamboo Forest on their way back to Hanlin Academy. Arriving before the Dean, Teacher Xia Zhi reported, "Dean, when we reached the Women's Kingdom, we found it reduced to ruins!"

Upon hearing this, the Dean asked in shock, "What?"

Teacher Xia Zhi continued, "We also discovered that the Spirit-Devouring Beast has departed. Where it has gone, we do not know."

Although they had indeed seen the beast, Teacher Xia Zhi chose not to tell the whole truth. If the Dean learned they had laid eyes on the creature yet failed to pursue its whereabouts, his fury would surely be boundless.

"Whom could the Women's Kingdom have provoked to suffer such complete destruction, and why would the Spirit-Devouring Beast abandon the Purple Bamboo Forest?" Despite pondering deeply, the Dean could reach no conclusion. With a wave of his hand, he said, "Very well, you are dismissed, Teacher Xia Zhi."

Teacher Xia Zhi withdrew.

Just as she stepped back, Teacher Dan approached from the opposite direction. After exchanging brief pleasantries, Teacher Dan entered the Dean's office.

Teacher Xia Zhi had no way of knowing what passed between the Dean and Teacher Dan. By the time she returned to her quarters, Zhuang Xiaotong walked in and asked, "Teacher Xia Zhi, may I ask you a question?"

Raising her eyes to look at Zhuang Xiaotong, Teacher Xia Zhi replied, "Xiaotong, ask whatever is on your mind. Naturally, your teacher will help you find the answers!"

"Teacher Xia Zhi, I just wanted to ask—" Zhuang Xiaotong seated herself close by, but the words faltered on her lips and she swallowed them back.

Looking at Zhuang Xiaotong, who sat mere inches away, Teacher Xia Zhi felt her heart skip a beat the moment their gazes locked.

Zhuang Xiaotong blushed deeply and asked, "Teacher Xia Zhi, I want to ask—do you actually like me?"

Hearing these words, Teacher Xia Zhi's heart hammered violently. Suddenly, she swept Zhuang Xiaotong up in her arms, tossed her onto the bed, and cried out, "Xiaotong, your teacher has always liked you very much!"

"Really?" Zhuang Xiaotong surrendered herself as Teacher Xia Zhi unfastened her garments.

Stripping away Zhuang Xiaotong's clothes, Teacher Xia Zhi pressed onward toward her most forbidden depths.

Gazing at the teacher before her, Zhuang Xiaotong surrendered entirely to this sanctuary of tenderness—*Bang, bang, bang!* Just as they reached the peak of passion, a knock sounded at the door. Zhuang Xiaotong instantly held her breath, while Teacher Xia Zhi, ignoring the interruption and remaining entwined with her, called out, "Who is there?"

"It is me!" Judging by the voice, it was Teacher Dan.

Leaving Zhuang Xiaotong's embrace and not even bothering to dress, Teacher Xia Zhi opened the door. As Teacher Dan stepped inside, Zhuang Xiaotong hurriedly curled herself into a tight ball in the corner of the bed.

Glancing over, Teacher Dan chuckled and said, "Teacher Xia Zhi, you even prey on someone this young!"

Smiling, Teacher Xia Zhi pulled on his clothes and replied, "She threw herself into my arms willingly; you cannot blame me. If you wish, you may try it as well!"

"I will pass!" Teacher Dan stated flatly, then added, "Hurry up and get dressed and come outside."

Hearing Teacher Dan and Teacher Xia Zhi speaking and laughing so casually, Zhuang Xiaotong's fragile heart was instantly dealt a grievous blow. Hurriedly putting on her clothes, she wept and bolted out of the room, shouting, "I hate you! I hate you!"

"Teacher Xia Zhi, refrain from preying on these pitiful female students in the future. It damages the school's reputation," Teacher Dan advised while nudging him. Then he continued, "The Dean mentioned today that he wishes to dispatch four people to assist a few students from Botai School in capturing some fugitive students from their institution. Do you remember those four young brothers from that day?"

By the time Teacher Dan finished speaking, Teacher Xia Zhi had already dressed and groomed himself into the picture of a refined and courteous gentleman. Hearing this news, he remarked, "I never expected those young brothers to flee. They certainly are no ordinary individuals."

"Although I do not know why, it appears the Dean and the headmaster of Botai School have a common enemy who is approaching. Those four young brothers are meant to be their scapegoats, which is why people are being sent to hunt them down. Teacher Xia Zhi, it is highly likely you will be chosen for this mission," Teacher Dan revealed.

"Naturally!" Given Teacher Xia Zhi's close relationship with the Dean, every important task fell to him, prompting his confident response.

For several days, the Dean summoned neither Teacher Xia Zhi nor Teacher Dan. Instead, Zhuang Xiaotong, Jiaozhi, Shang, and Kongcheng were the only ones seen entering the Dean's office.

"Zhuang Xiaotong, Jiaozhi, Shang, Kongcheng, the four of you shall represent our Hanlin Academy. In a few days, you will join four students arriving from Botai School to track down four individuals. Zhuang Xiaotong, you should have met them before!"

"It is them?" Zhuang Xiaotong muttered thoughtfully.

"Very well, you are dismissed!"

As Zhuang Xiaotong, Jiaozhi, Shang, and Kongcheng departed, Teacher Xia Zhi burst into the room.

Zhuang Xiaotong cast a chilling glance his way; toward Teacher Xia Zhi, she harbored nothing but hatred.

Teacher Xia Zhi glanced at the hatred brimming in Zhuang Xiaotong's eyes, utterly dismayed that the Dean had actually selected her for the mission. He protested, "This will not do, Dean! You may send anyone, but you cannot send Zhuang Xiaotong!"

Hearing this, Zhuang Xiaotong's hatred deepened further. *Teacher Xia Zhi, you have gone too far. One day, I will make you pay back everything you owe me!*

"This matter has already been decided. Teacher Xia Zhi, you should step outside and properly manage the academy!"

Zhuang Xiaotong was chosen with the Dean's explicit approval. While she might not be the strongest, she had met and conversed with Han Tianyue and the others; as for her capabilities, the Dean naturally possessed methods to enhance her strength within a short period.

Jiaozhi, Shang, and Kongcheng were carefully cultivated disciples of the Dean, in whom he placed great trust.

As for Zhuang Xiaotong, her hatred for Teacher Xia Zhi was beyond words, and because the Dean valued him so, such a scoundrel deserved to be expelled to prevent him from ruining other female students. Yet the Dean had done no such thing, causing Zhuang Xiaotong to despise the Dean as well.

Though hatred burned in her heart, Zhuang Xiaotong kept her expression composed, knowing she was still far too weak. Since this opportunity had presented itself, she would use it to better herself. Thus, she still knelt submissively to pay her respects to the Dean.

Looking down at her, the Dean said, "Zhuang Xiaotong, you originally possessed a Heavenly Eye, but due to your limited power, you were unable to open it. Now, I will lend you a hand to unlock your Heavenly Eye, but the path forward you must walk alone."

The Dean channeled a surge of true qi into Zhuang Xiaotong's body. Her entire frame seemed to inflate like a balloon until a split suddenly tore open across her forehead. All the true qi was swallowed into the fissure, and Zhuang Xiaotong's Heavenly Eye burst open.

Observing her, the Dean smiled and said, "Now that the Heavenly Eye is unlocked, I can only help you this much!"

Zhuang Xiaotong expressed her deepest gratitude. Though she could not yet control the Heavenly Eye freely, it was nonetheless the most formidable among the kaleidoscopic ocular arts of the Zhuang family lineage.

Nearly a month later, Boka, An, Jinqian, and Yaoshe reappeared at Hanlin Academy in an entirely brand-new demeanor.

Representing the Hanlin Academy faction were Zhuang Xiaotong, Jiaozhi, Shang, and Kongcheng.

Not far behind Boka, Boxin led his own team—Hadang, Youzan, and Wuduo—gazing toward them with a malicious, sneering smile plastered across his face.

Seeking gold medals, seeking collections, seeking recommendations, seeking clicks, seeking comments, seeking red envelopes, seeking gifts—everything is welcome, hurl them all this way!