Section 16: First Meeting with Ning Yiyi
2013-02-09 Author: Gu Zhenren
The palm-sized identity Jade Pendant was oval and emerald green, with a translucent appearance. From the front, streams of light circulated within, forming Chu Yun’s name. When viewed from the back, the light would shift, forming a ‘ten’ – representing the academic credits.
The Jade Pendant was not heavy, comparable to an egg. Holding it in one’s palm sent a cool sensation.
This slight coolness was spiritual energy, a kind of spiritual energy from an immature Lesser Demon. However, for Chu Yun’s body, it was too insignificant to be worth mentioning.
As soon as class ended, Chu Yun, holding this Jade Pendant, went to the Hall of Academic Affairs to choose his cultivation courses.
The Hall of Academic Affairs was the headquarters of the Academic Affairs Council. The main hall was spacious, with its walls made of small Demon Soldier-like jade carvings. To Chu Yun, it felt like an upgraded version of the identity Jade Pendant.
On the jade walls, streams of light circulated, forming various texts and conveying information.
The information displayed was about the courses offered at Tiange Academy.
At first glance, Chu Yun’s eyes widened in astonishment. There were too many courses, far beyond his imagination, all sorts of them, a dazzling array, some even bizarre.
However, for ease of selection, they were roughly divided into four major categories.
The first category covered Demonic Beasts, including egg identification, hatching, raising, cultivation, basic command instructions, general theories of Five Elements Dao Method,
low-level verbal spellcasting, advanced verbal spellcasting, basic hand-casting, and so on.
The second category was about Demon Soldiers, including soldier identification, Weapon Forging, soldier rearing, Dao Methods for swordsmanship, sabersmanship, spear techniques, cauldron techniques, bell techniques, zither techniques, fan techniques, and so on.
The third category was about Demonic Plants, including seed identification, cultivation, harvesting, weeding, fertilization, Demonic Plant formations, Vine Dao Methods, Poison Dao Methods, and more.
The fourth category was miscellaneous studies, concerning Heaven and Earth, the sun and moon, and various schools of thought. These included history, arithmetic, military strategy, public welfare, and even techniques for theft, peeping, reconnaissance, and how to get close to people.
“Are you dazzled? To be honest, Yiyi, the first time I saw this, my expression was exactly the same as yours, Young Master Chu Yun.”
Chu Yun stood before the jade wall, somewhat dazed. Suddenly, a soft female voice came from beside him. He turned to see Ning Yiyi standing gracefully before him, her attire making her appear charming and radiant, smiling sweetly.
“It’s senior Ning,” Chu Yun narrowed his eyes slightly. He thought to himself: No wonder she’s so famous, she’s truly enchanting, and only 14 years old. It seems her development is due to spiritual energy modifications. She looks like a vibrant peach blossom, soft and delicate.
He felt wary, his past life’s memories giving him a clear understanding of the Ning family’s profit-driven nature. They were thorough merchants, their actions driven by profit, lacking basic conscience and human decency.
“Oh, what a beautiful little fox! Such smooth fur, it looks like silk!” Ning Yiyi’s gaze suddenly shifted to the Sky Fox at Chu Yun’s feet. She chuckled, her eyes rippling invitingly, bending her knees and body as if to reach out and pet it.
She lowered her head, revealing a tender, jade-like neck. Against the backdrop of her thick dark hair, her skin appeared even more lustrous and smooth. As she bent over, her elegant back formed a seductive curve. Her graceful, willow-like waist and plump, charming hips could captivate any man’s heart.
At that moment, at least several audible gulps could be heard from within the Hall of Academic Affairs.
The little Sky Fox, however, bared its teeth at Ning Yiyi, letting out a threatening growl. Its black pearl-like eyes were filled with apprehension. Ning Yiyi carried the aura of a Great Demon, and its lower rank caused the little fox distress.
Chu Yun couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. His seasoned experience had seen through Ning Yiyi’s ploy. He had to admit, this woman was born knowing how to wield the greatest weapon against the opposite sex. Her actions displayed a beauty that made even Chu Yun’s heart flutter.
This was a subtle and implicit seduction technique. Clearly, she had been trained by a high-class courtesan instructor; every move displayed her beauty to its utmost. Combined with her natural physique and good looks, almost no Young Man could resist.
Unfortunately for her, Chu Yun was the exception.
“Excuse me, senior Ning. You’ve startled my Demonic Beast,” Chu Yun said calmly.
Ning Yiyi looked up and was taken aback when she saw Chu Yun’s clear, calm eyes, as unruffled as a deep pool. She thought incredulously, “Is there anyone who sees me as nothing?”
“Didn’t you get an eyeful of that beautiful scene just now, from your vantage point? Not even a flicker of emotion?” She desperately wanted to ask him directly.
Hearing Chu Yun’s words again, she felt a surge of annoyance.
“Startled my Demonic Beast”? Was her appearance that of a monster? Capable of startling a Demonic Beast?!
Though indignant, her lips curved into a captivating smile. Her lips were full and had been touched with lip gloss, appearing dewy and tender. As her pearly white teeth parted, even her voice seemed to carry a fragrance, “Yiyi saw that junior seemed hesitant and wanted to help you. Is junior trying to push me away?”
As she spoke, she put on a pitiable act. The scholars around her watched, panting and flushed, wishing they could embrace Ning Yiyi and cherish her tenderly at that very moment.
Chu Yun, however, took a small step back, creating distance between himself and Ning Yiyi. Seeing the situation, he couldn’t help but think of a Supreme grade Demonic Plant called ‘Beauty’s Tomb’.
Beauty’s Tomb resembled a verdant willow, its branches swaying softly in the wind, emitting a visible, rich fragrance. Anyone who inhaled this fragrance would experience hallucinatory beautiful scenes. All sorts of stunning beauties would flock to them, some with seductive gazes, others cold and aloof. Immersed in this illusion, their Souls would be drawn out and completely consumed by the Beauty’s Tomb.
In this world, there were too many things where the more beautiful they were, the more dangerous they became. A viper’s patterns were always vibrant, and a poisonous flower’s colors were always striking. Having explored many secrets in his previous life, Chu Yun naturally remembered these simple truths and never dared to forget them.
Moreover, Sky Foxes possessed exceptional spiritual sensitivity and were extremely perceptive. The fox baring its teeth and growling at Ning Yiyi was a clear warning.
Having lived two lives, Chu Yun had a discerning eye. He could see that while Ning Yiyi appeared gentle and approachable on the surface, she harbored significant hostility towards him in her heart.
Recalling his past life’s memories, Ning Yiyi had remarried five times. Each time, her husband’s family had fallen into ruin and bankruptcy, and the Ning family’s influence had greatly expanded. Only when she finally married her cousin, Ning Tianwang, did this pattern cease. Her true nature was evident.
Chu Yun was not adept at insincere pleasantries. He directly told Ning Yiyi, “I am not interested in you, senior Ning. I hope you will not be interested in me either. Besides, I haven’t settled the score about the dormitory with you yet.”
“Dormitory? Junior’s words are strange. There must be some misunderstanding,” Ning Yiyi had never been treated like this before. Chu Yun mentioning the dormitory made her feel uneasy, and her smile was forced.
“I, Chu Yun, don’t bother with misunderstandings. It doesn’t matter if you schemed against me regarding the dormitory or not. According to the academy rules, students can challenge each other to spar. You’d better be a bit stronger than Yan Que, because I will challenge you soon.” Chu Yun’s expression was extremely cold, and his gaze towards Ning Yiyi carried a deep chill.
Ning Yiyi stood frozen, momentarily flustered. She had never encountered such a situation in her life!
“Did I hear that correctly? Chu Yun wants to challenge Ning Yiyi?”
“My heavens! Little Tiger is too fierce, he’s crushing flowers!”
“Senior Yiyi tried to be friendly, but Chu Yun is hard-hearted. Not only did he reject her kindness, but he also wants to challenge her to arms. Poor Senior Yiyi…”
“It won’t be that easy. Senior has so many admirers. Chu Yun is asking for trouble.”
Chu Yun’s words caused a stir. Many students who had come to the Hall of Academic Affairs to view elective courses began to discuss and exclaim excitedly.
It was truly one incident after another.
The recent excitement hadn’t even died down, and it seemed another good show was about to begin?
(PS: We’ve broken into the top ten! How long has it taken to reach this goal? You guys are amazing! The iron fans are no joke. It’s not easy to get this far with just one or two recommendations. Zhenren is already satisfied. Now, let’s try to see our limits! Starting now, 7 days! How far can we progress?)
