In the distance, the sound of a flute rang out.
Yan Ruyu let go of Zhao Shuning's hand. "The matter here doesn't require our presence for the time being. Do you want to go back to Ruoqiang or return to Changkong Academy with me?"
"Back to Changkong Academy?"
"Yes. You promised me before that you would give lectures to the students there."
"Me? Can I do it?"
"Yes."
"But if I go, I'll probably have to go as your disciple, right?"
Yan Ruyu thought for a while. "If you don't want to go, I won't force you. It's up to you."
"I'll go." Zhao Shuning gave a sweet smile. Then she said again, "I'll go. I want to stay with you."
Yan Ruyu smiled gently.
The two held hands and left the inn together.
A month later, their figures appeared at Changkong Academy simultaneously.
"Xia Qingyan's investigation will probably take some time. During this period, you can stay at Changkong Academy and teach well. Staying by my side, I can take good care of you."
"Okay."
Zhao Shuning never expected that with just this one "okay", she would stay at Changkong Academy for three years.
During these three years, she became the youngest elder at Changkong Academy. Even Ling Ruo would address her as senior when they met.
What was even more gratifying was that although Zhao Shuning still suffered from occasional chest tightness during these three years, she never spat blood again.
Moreover, her spiritual power was now approaching the ninth rank. As for her spiritual energy, she was on the verge of breaking through the bottleneck of the eighth phase.
In the eighth - phase realm, there were four levels from top to bottom: first - class, second - class, third - class, and fourth - class.
Three years ago, Zhao Shuning was at the fourth - class of the eighth phase. Now, she had reached the first - class of the eighth phase, only one step away from the ninth level.
Of course, the phrase "one step away" was what Zhao Shuning said. But only God knew how difficult it was to take that step.
During this period, since Zhao Shuning had always been by Yan Ruyu's side, her toxicity was well - suppressed.
Yan Ruyu was always very busy, but he would always find time to boil medicine for Zhao Shuning.
The elders in the academy all said that Elder Luo and the academy master had an unusual relationship.
This year, it was time for the new students to enroll again.
It was also in this year that Zhao Shuning saw an extremely special name.
The person was also a very special existence.
He came from the Eastern Swamp Wilderness and had grown up in a beast - hunting family. Normally, with the decline of the Eastern Swamp Wilderness, it was very difficult for it to get a quota for Changkong Academy's enrollment each year. But this person not only got a quota but also entered Changkong Academy as the first - ranked student in the final exam.
What was even more peculiar was that this person also had the surname Ye.
Zhao Shuning wondered if this person would be one of her ancestors in the future.
However, when she saw the person, Zhao Shuning completely dispelled her doubts.
It was a young man. He looked a bit rough - featured, with a dark complexion. When he smiled, he looked a bit cute with two little tiger teeth.
Some classmates called him Ye Xuan.
Zhao Shuning thought for a moment. Did any of her ancestors have the name Ye Xuan? But she had never had much memory of her ancestors. Later, she heard from the teacher who taught the new students that the young man was illiterate and had others fill in his name when he registered. His surname was Ye (Night), not Ye (Leaf).
Hearing this, Zhao Shuning paused slightly in her actions.
It seemed that she had overthought.
However, since Ye Xuan was the first person from the Eastern Swamp Wilderness, Zhao Shuning paid extra attention to him.
Ye Xuan was an extremely cheerful young man.
He was born into a beast - hunting family in the Eastern Swamp Wilderness. He had never been exposed to any private schools since childhood, nor had he studied or practiced calligraphy.
In his opinion, to deal with bad people and fierce beasts, one needed practical combat ability, which had little to do with the knowledge in books.
So, he always looked down on the students who graduated from Changkong Academy.
However, in recent years, an elder from Changkong Academy had gained great fame. The disciples trained by her had made a name for themselves on the Nine - Continent.
During a beast - hunting, Ye Xuan was defeated by a student who had graduated from Changkong Academy.
According to that student, he was just an inner - sect disciple of Changkong Academy and was still far from being a personal - transmitted disciple.
Since then, Ye Xuan had taken an interest in Changkong Academy. He thought that one day, he must go to Changkong Academy in person to meet that old woman.
By the way, that old woman was Elder Luo that the others were talking about.
Everyone said that the woman was so powerful. Presumably, she must have lived for quite a few years.
Ye Xuan thought that when he got to Changkong Academy, he must find Elder Luo and have a good competition with her.
But who would have known that since they entered the academy, he never had the chance.
The teacher who taught him was only a seventh - realm spiritual pharmacist. Ye Xuan, with his high talent, was naturally dissatisfied.
As the punishment elder, Zhao Shuning received Ye Xuan in her room two months after his enrollment.
At that time, Zhao Shuning had her back to Ye Xuan.
She was studying a game of chess in front of her.
Her master liked playing chess. When she was free, she would also study a few games in order to impress her master one day.
After sending Ye Xuan to Zhao Shuning's room, Zhao Shuning waved her hand.
Those people bowed and left the room after performing the courtesy.
Seeing them leave, Ye Xuan became more presumptuous.
"Hey—Are you Elder Luo that they're talking about?"
"I'm Ye Xuan. I came to Changkong Academy just to find you. I'd like to see if you really have the skills that others have exaggerated about you."
"Hey, I'm talking to you. Don't you even know how to respond?"
Seeing that the "old woman" in front of him didn't respond, Ye Xuan quickened his steps and was about to call out to Zhao Shuning who was playing chess alone.
However, when he was about seven feet away from Zhao Shuning, his body froze in place.
No matter how much he struggled, he couldn't move an inch.
Zhao Shuning never showed any intention of turning back.
Ye Xuan was not convinced and shouted a few more times. This time, it was even worse. Zhao Shuning sealed his mouth, and he couldn't make a sound at all.
Time passed by minute by minute.
Ye Xuan could only stand there stiffly.
His feet were already extremely sore. It was already late outside, but the "old woman" in front of him seemed to have no intention of ending.
Finally, late at night, into the early morning.
Zhao Shuning stretched lazily.
"I finally finished the game."
"I finally solved the chess game left by my master."
When her master came back, she could play another game with him.
Zhao Shuning waved her hand casually. Only then could Ye Xuan behind her move.
He was furious and wanted to step forward to argue, but as soon as he took the first step, his whole body went numb as if in a spasm.
He could only curse, "Old woman, is this how an elder and a teacher should act?"