Chapter Twenty-Six: A Brief Conversation in the Teahouse

On the third floor of the Redleaf Academy dining hall, a secluded tea room held a handful of guests, idly sipping their tea as they waited. Unlike the first two floors, this tea room was not open to the public; only the academy's elders held the privilege to enter.

For Wang Li and Lin Yuan, it was their first time in this refined space. Though both hailed from well-bred noble families, they could not help but glance around in curiosity. The tea room, with its minimalist decor and unique charm, felt somehow distinct from any they had known.

“Mmm, the aroma of this tea is exquisite,” Wang Li remarked, lifting his cup and inhaling the soothing fragrance that seemed to seep deep into his bones.

Lin Yuan echoed his praise. His family possessed many fine teas, yet rarely had he tasted one so fragrant upon entry, with such lingering complexity.

Opposite them sat an elder, renowned for his “Crown Body” title, stroking his beard with a satisfied grin. “Of course. This tea is brewed with morning dew, prepared by a true master of the tea arts. If not for me, you two lads would never have the pleasure,” he said, taking another sip and wearing an expression of smug pride.

Wang Li offered a humble thanks, while Lin Yuan laughed, “Grandpa Lu, Wang Li and I are your students now. We’ll be relying on you for guidance.”

Lu Yanhe, the elder of Redleaf Academy, was a name known far and wide. In his youth, he claimed six consecutive championships in martial arts tournaments. Many believed that, had the tournaments not been abolished, he would have owned the laurels forevermore.

Later, he served as chief instructor of the Demon Hunter Legion for a decade, training one hundred and twenty thousand battle-hardened elites before retiring to Redleaf Academy for a quieter life.

Judging by appearance alone, few would suspect the short, elderly man was the famous Lu Yanhe.

“Haha, clever girl, always looking for an advantage,” Lu Yanhe chuckled, neither accepting nor rejecting her words, and stroked his beard.

Strong footsteps echoed from below. Lu Yanhe cleared his throat and assumed the pose of a sage, while the old lady beside him, Gao Taiqing, likewise straightened herself.

A voice sounded at the door, then a rabbitfolk attendant ushered in three young men, sliding open the tea room’s partition.

“Grandma Gao, Grandpa Lu,” Wang Li and Lin Yuan glanced at the trio from the Temple. The one on the left was tall, clad in silver armor, his broad face stern and somber.

He hailed from the Sixth Temple, where women were the majority; he was one of the few men, exuding masculinity. Naturally, to be assigned to Redleaf Academy, his prowess was unquestionable.

The youth in the center wore a blue robe, tall and handsome, though marred by three ferocious claw scars across his face, the torn flesh striking to behold.

He was Yu Bo of Martial Hero Hall. The scars were left by a terrifying demon, but he bore no baleful air; instead, his presence was gentle, like a jade.

The youth on the far right was exceptionally robust, clad in heavy black armor, standing tall like a black iron tower, his square face radiating strength and integrity.

Without needing introduction, he was Samo Bhikkhu of the Thunder Temple.

They appraised the three from the Temple, while the Temple’s rising stars sized them up in turn.

The names atop the Martial Rankings were well-known to them.

Lu Yanhe chuckled, “Come in, have a seat, order whatever you like,” stroking his beard and clearing his throat.

Everyone knew that whenever he cleared his throat, he intended to regale the younger generation with tales of his own exploits. Unless his stories of former glory were told, tea would never be complete.

As expected, he glanced at Yu Bo’s scars and sighed, “Judging by those wounds, the demon’s claws were formidable. Even my top disciple, Qianlong, might not match him. Seems only old fellows like us can...”

“And still end up battered and bruised,” Gao Taiqing interjected bluntly.

Lu Yanhe shot her a disgruntled look but dared not retort, settling instead to drink his tea in silence.

Gao Taiqing eyed the newcomer and said, “I heard you made quite a name for yourself with some heroic rescue upon arrival.”

“Why hasn’t your Temple’s ‘Ice Goddess’ come? She’s certainly putting on airs,” she continued.

The youth, perusing the tea menu, blushed. He knew Gao Taiqing referred to yesterday’s incident with Ye Ran. Truth be told, it was hardly a heroic rescue—he’d been self-deluded from start to finish. Her tone was unmistakably mocking, and he felt a bit stung, muttering, “She said she wasn’t feeling well,” before burying himself in the tea list.

This remark piqued Wang Li’s interest.

“I’ve heard about it too. That person’s name is Ye Ran—I’ve faced him before.”

“You’ve faced him?” This caught the Temple trio’s attention. They knew a little of the incident between the youth and Ye Ran, but nothing of Wang Li’s encounter.

From Wang Li’s demeanor, he seemed to savor the memory. For the top name on the Martial Rankings to be so intrigued, who was this Ye Ran?

The youth sensed that Ye Ran might not be as simple as he appeared.

Lin Yuan snorted, “That was hardly a real match. That rascal just relied on tricks.”

She was rather annoyed with Ye Ran, who, using the Dragon-Serpent Step, had borrowed Wang Li’s force to spar with her—a truly cunning move.

After the exchange, though clearly injured, he insisted on putting up a brave front. If not for Gao Taiqing, the Martial Rankings’ reputation might have fallen to that boy.

Wang Li shook his head, “It’s not that simple. Though we didn’t face off directly, his Dragon-Serpent Step is truly mastered. Even Grandpa Lu says his martial arts surpass ours by a margin.”

Lu Yanhe nodded in confirmation.

“His inner force is a bit weak, though,” he added.

“If Grandpa Lu values him, he must be capable,” Yu Bo remarked.

Samo Bhikkhu added, “He may have some skill, but he shouldn’t be participating in this exam. A warrior must have dignity.”

His words caused the group to bristle, though Gao Taiqing and Lu Yanhe remained unfazed. With their status, they occasionally had to hear a bit of truth.

To ease the awkwardness, the youth said, “He may not be an outstanding warrior, just adept at martial arts. The gap in inner force is too great; even if he takes the martial exam, he may not pass.”

Gao Taiqing gave him a meaningful look. “Young man, there’s something you should know: Ye Ran and the ‘Ice Goddess’ you’re so eager to pursue were childhood sweethearts. If not for interference, you’d have had no chance at all.”

“What?” The youth’s expression changed.

“Some things must be let go at the right time. One is ice, the other is purple sun—opposites by nature. Besides, her heart has never been yours.

“That young man may be down on his luck now, but fate will turn. Those who dare to defy the heavens will surely have their day.”