Chapter 75: Yun Ranran of the Jiuzhou Academy

Over here, Yun Ranyan sneezed two or three times in succession. One of the earnest students poured her a cup of water. “Elder, perhaps you should rest for a while. We can handle these matters ourselves!”

Yun Ranyan felt grateful—children as conscientious as this were becoming rare. More and more were like reeds swaying with the wind, losing their true selves, much to her headache.

“No need. It's just that my nose is tickled by the dust, nothing serious. Thank you,” she replied.

But sensing that her words might not fully express her gratitude, she added, “What is your name?”

The boy blushed, his voice muffled and shy. “My name is Lin Fugui. My father hopes I’ll live a rich and prosperous life…”

Yun Ranyan found nothing amiss with the name. “What a wonderful name. Your father must treat you well.”

Mentioning his father, Lin Fugui grew excited. “My father is a great man! He’s a butcher, but his steamed buns are unmatched. If you have time, Elder, when you leave the mountain, I’ll invite you to my home for buns—my father’s own handiwork! And…”

Someone nearby tugged at Lin Fugui’s sleeve. Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and stammered, “Elder, they say the window up there can’t be reached. I’ll go help!”

With that, he slipped away.

[Master is nowhere near as frightening as they imagine. Besides, how could mentioning Lin Fugui’s father send her into a frenzy over her own parents? Utter nonsense!]

Yun Ranyan’s temperament had been unpredictable in the past, perhaps leaving some students with less than favorable impressions. This was normal.

If someone had lost both parents, hearing their companions speak joyfully of their own family could easily evoke memories of one’s loss. Yun Ranyan simply wished to uphold her parents’ honor; her intentions were not malicious.

[Also, after you left, Master, they gathered and discussed things, led by two in particular—I’ve memorized their faces! The academy is so negligent in moral education; the children aren’t even adults, yet learn to gossip behind others’ backs! Even if Yun Ranyan’s cultivation is low, she’s still an Elder! And that Jade—just stood there watching, didn’t even try to stop them. Hardly deserving the title of teacher!]

Little Rascal rattled off a tirade, collapsing in exhaustion.

Next to him, the Bone Blossom rooted itself in the earth, two tendrils moving nimbly, pressing a dewdrop to Little Rascal’s lips.

Revived, Little Rascal was about to launch into another monologue when Yun Ranyan quickly intervened:

“Oh, they’re just unruly kids. At my age, over two hundred years, what face could I show them? Those who speak ill of others will suffer for it eventually. Best not to pay them any mind.”

Yun Ranyan’s low cultivation was simply fact; the strong were revered here, and this was only natural. Little Rascal was too naïve—she’d have to find him some storybooks to broaden his outlook.

Yun Ranyan mused that if she involved herself in every matter under the sun, she’d already be worn out beyond measure.

Upon hearing his master speak thus, Little Rascal’s indignation diminished considerably, though he still felt uneasy, wanting to say more but unable to recall his prepared words.

“Huh? Xiaoyan, you can walk on the ground now?”

She glanced into her inner space and found the Bone Grass had emerged from the soil, its two tendrils moving like legs, walking steadily.

The Bone Grass seemed to have grown eyes and a mouth; even though it remained a plant, Yun Ranyan could see its joy.

“Yes, I’ve been able to leave the earth for a while now. But you’ve been so busy, Master, you never had time to visit me~”

The words were full of plaintive longing. Yun Ranyan, at a loss, consoled, “When I’m less busy, I’ll come keep you company. If I meet any other sentient beings, I’ll bring them to stay with you!”

They chatted a little more, and Yun Ranyan glanced at Lin Fugui and the others—working efficiently.

After finishing her assigned chores, Yun Ranyan shut herself in her room for two days, training tirelessly.

Her foundation was solid; in just two days, she advanced two levels. At this rate, earning her students’ respect would be no problem.

Today was the day the Nine Provinces Academy held its admissions. Yun Ranyan had planned to continue her seclusion, but was swayed by Zitan’s enthusiastic invitation:

“Ranyan, you should come too. Maybe you’ll recruit a couple of students. That way, you won’t be so isolated at the academy, and with less free time, you won’t brood over other things.”

Yun Ranyan understood Zitan’s meaning, so she accompanied him to the admissions ceremony.

The vast martial arena was packed with thousands of students, though only five hundred would be admitted—such was the academy’s rule: merit-based selection, accepting only those with extraordinary talent.

Testing each student one by one would take three days. Anyone not tested within this period would lose their chance to enter the academy.

Many had queued for a day and night, relying on others to hold their place for meals and necessities, fearful of being cut in line.

When Yun Ranyan and Zitan arrived at the arena, the queue extended beyond the academy gates, stretching far down the road—endlessly long.

There were three lines, relatives standing along each side.

With so many students to test over three days, the instructors rotated shifts, Yun Ranyan among them.

The weather was scorching, the sun blazing overhead, teachers and students conducting tests beneath its glare. Those at the front held onto hope, while those at the back trembled nervously.

Jade had been assigned a spot directly under the sun. In the blink of an eye, she produced an oil-paper umbrella from who knows where, but it barely helped against the relentless heat. She was at risk of being roasted alive.

Yun Ranyan felt that at this rate, not only Jade, but she herself would soon turn into dried meat, the smell of burning flesh already wafting in the air.

[For trouble, call on me, Little Rascal! Master, here—take this!]

A dewdrop appeared in Yun Ranyan’s palm, unaffected by the blazing sun, never evaporating.

Holding it, she felt cool all over, free of any heat or discomfort. Puzzled, she listened as Little Rascal explained:

[This is from Sister Yan. The dew from her fallen leaves wards off the heat!]

So that was it. Yun Ranyan used her spiritual power to raise a barrier, shielding herself not only from the sunlight that could burn and scar her skin, but also maintaining her fair complexion.

The other instructors quickly followed suit. Being men, they cared little for umbrellas, but Yun Ranyan’s spiritual barrier struck them as both practical and dignified.

However, while the barrier blocked the light, it couldn’t keep out the heat, so many still relied on drinking water.

Jade, needing to preserve her beauty, held her umbrella in the stifling shade. Seeing Yun Ranyan leisurely eating grapes nearby, she grew irritated, excused herself, and temporarily left the arena.