Chapter Thirty-Six: The Grand Luo Academy

"Such ignorance!" Liuyan, standing nearby, rolled her eyes, extinguishing the flames in them. Though she didn’t know what a 'shar-pei' was, she could understand the word 'dog', so she sneered, "This is the Ink-Jade Qilin, your second brother’s mount. It’s a spirit beast, highly intelligent and extremely vengeful!"

"My second brother’s mount?" Zhou Tian looked at the wrinkled, snorting, eye-rolling creature nestled in Tianling’s arms—no, not a shar-pei, but the Ink-Jade Qilin—and was momentarily stunned. He vaguely recalled that a gigantic Ink-Jade Qilin, nearly a thousand feet tall, had leaped out from the formation earlier. So this was the same being.

He turned to glance at the Nine-Dragon carriage ahead. Zhou Yu and Zhou Ying nodded at him, but Zhou Tian saw nothing. The distance was too great, coupled with the dazzling effects of the Nine-Dragon chariot; as a mere mortal, Zhou Tian could only make out a cluster of black dots. Who was who, or whether anyone nodded, was utterly beyond him.

"This little qilin is so adorable!" Tianling’s eyes shone with a motherly glow as she hugged the Ink-Jade Qilin, rubbing against it vigorously. The qilin let out a contented whimper, tossing its head in delight.

This reminded Zhou Tian of an animal from his previous life—one that could tear apart tigers and leopards, yet survived by appearing cute. Equally shameless!

But knowing now that it was his second brother’s mount, Zhou Tian held his tongue, only watching on with envy and longing, imagining the black qilin’s head as his own and breaking into inexplicable laughter.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ying stretched lazily, clasping her hands behind her head. Her blue robes fluttered, her nonchalant demeanor drawing squeals of infatuation from the watching girls. She drawled, "There’s no need to worry. Few people can get so close to the Ink-Jade Qilin. The Saintess of the Southern Sea is one of them."

"Indeed," Zhou Yu nodded, saying no more.

So the journey went on, and before long, they arrived at the palace’s banquet hall.

The banquet was held in the Palace of Harmonious Music, a hall Emperor Qin used to receive guests and host feasts. Though it looked modest from the outside, inside it was expanded by spatial arrays, opulently decorated—resplendent with gold and jade, dragon-carved columns, glass goblets. Rather than a seated feast, it resembled a modern cocktail party.

Food and wine were already laid out, all made from the rarest ingredients—genuine luminous delicacies brimming with energy, wine as creamy as jade imbued with a subtle glow, fragrant and extraordinary.

When they arrived, one person was already waiting.

"Zhou Zui!" Liuyan called out. Though Zhou Zui was crouched in a far corner, he was spotted at once.

At her exclamation, all eyes turned toward him—Emperor Qin, the Prince of Qin, his father the Duke of Leisure, several princes and marquises, the Imperial Preceptor, Prime Minister, Censor-in-Chief, and General. Under their stares, Zhou Zui’s scalp tingled as he stepped forward awkwardly and said, "Your Majesty."

"Haha…" Emperor Qin laughed, teasing, "Young man, show some restraint!"

He’d heard stories of this nephew—far more notorious than the Duke of Leisure in his youth.

"Heh…hehe…" Zhou Zui smiled awkwardly, eyeing his father’s dark expression and wondering where he might hide tonight.

Emperor Qin said nothing more; this wasn’t a matter worth pursuing. He waved Zhou Zui away, telling him to enjoy himself.

Zhou Zui gratefully bolted over to Zhou Tian, forcing a bitter smile. "Brother, you’ve really gotten me into trouble."

Zhou Tian feigned innocence. "I didn’t call you over. Why come to me? Go after Liuyan!"

"Come on, you know that’s not what I mean," Zhou Zui muttered helplessly, not daring to speak plainly. He wasn’t sure if Zhou Tian wanted his abilities revealed; if he spoke out and Zhou Tian denied it, what would he do if Zhou Tian cursed him with impotence three times? He’d have nowhere to cry.

"Well, well, Young Master Zui finally tears himself away from his harem!" Liuyan teased, sidling up.

Zhou Zui was at his wit’s end, his grievances unspeakable.

At that moment, a herald’s cry came from outside the hall: "The Great Luo Academy… arrives!"

Everyone turned to look, giving Zhou Zui a temporary reprieve.

A group entered, led by an old man with snow-white hair and beard, his face deeply lined but radiating uprightness and dignity.

Behind him followed a contingent of young men and women, vibrant and proud, all dressed in white robes, white coronets on their heads, with a complex pale-gold cloud pattern embroidered on their chests—a school uniform, presumably, the emblem indicating their academy.

"Scholar Li, it’s been a long time!" Chancellor Liu stepped forward to greet him. Emperor Qin’s rank was too high; Chancellor Liu’s own status was more appropriate, and he was an old acquaintance of Scholar Li.

"Chancellor Liu, your cultivation has advanced yet again," Scholar Li flattered him in return, showing he was no pedant.

He then bowed to Emperor Qin: "Your Majesty."

His manner was neither servile nor arrogant, befitting his station.

"Mm," Emperor Qin replied with a nod, saying no more. This was not an official diplomatic delegation, and Scholar Li’s rank did not warrant further attention.

Scholar Li showed no sign of displeasure; he understood the protocol. Some in his entourage, however, seemed somewhat slighted, feeling overlooked.

"Why do these people seem so full of themselves?" Zhou Tian muttered. Did they not know their own place? What were they dissatisfied about?

Though he spoke softly, everyone present had cultivation. Many turned to look at him; the students from Great Luo Academy frowned, their faces darkening.

Casually, Zhou Zui formed a soundproofing array and explained, "Great Luo Academy practices universal education. In the region of Great Luo, the academy holds supreme authority—there are no other major powers, at most a few local tycoons. One day, these nobodies are suddenly chosen by the academy, rising above millions; naturally, their egos inflate. They think the academy is first, and they are second, with few able to restrain themselves. Those who can are the real elites—and they rarely come here."

Zhou Tian nodded in understanding. So, they were simply arrogant.

Inside the soundproof array, Zhou Zui and Zhou Tian whispered to each other, watched by the academy students, who, though unable to hear, were sure no good was being said.

Zhou Tian didn’t care. Let them look—it cost him nothing.

Scholar Li and Chancellor Liu exchanged more pleasantries, easing the awkward atmosphere. Great Luo Academy had arrived early to discuss matters with Emperor Qin; the other major powers had not yet come.