“What did you say?” Jiang Hetian’s face turned cold. “No matter how angry you are, it has already been so long. Hasn’t your anger disappeared? Previously, I had already asked you a few times, but you kept saying that you didn’t want to go back. If you continue on like this, do you plan on never returning again in the future?!”

When he asked the last question, his voice had already become very stern.

Jiang Zhiyuan’s heart trembled. She knew that he was about to truly rage, and she couldn’t help but feel scared. But at the same time, the heretical fire in her heart rose. “I just don’t want to go back! If you ask me again, I’ll still have the same answer!”

She just had to think to know that what awaited her after she went back was definitely endless mockery and laughter!

Jiang Hetian took a deep breath in. “Zhiyuan, don’t be willful. I’ll still look after the things here closely. You should go back to the academy first and not let Elder Dan Qing worry about you.”

Jiang Zhiyuan didn’t speak and clearly rejected him.

Jiang Hetian’s patience began to wear off slowly. I don’t understand. In the past, my precious daughter was clearly understanding, smart, and generous. Therefore, why did she suddenly become like this in the blink of an eye? 

“Zhiyuan, I’m asking you for the last time. Have you already decided that you’re not going back anymore?” Jiang Hetian’s tone was dark.

Jiang Zhiyuan was still scared, so she eased her attitude and couldn’t help but tear up with grievances. “Father, it’s not that I don’t want to go back, but… They’re really bullies!”

Following this, Jiang Zhiyuan cried as she told Jiang Hetian everything that happened in the academy. Of course, she had exaggerated some details in between and twisted the truth.

Thus, when Jiang Hetian heard it, he felt that the entire world was targeting his daughter.

His heart ached. The anger that just accumulated couldn’t be unleashed no matter what.

After keeping quiet for a while, he said, “Zhiyuan, I know that you feel wronged, but you managed to get into Ling Xiao Academy with much difficulty, and it’s one of your strengths. If you just leave Ling Xiao Academy for good, how will they talk about you? Have you thought about that?”

Jiang Zhiyuan’s expression froze.

“Someone else is already the Sky-Cloud Empire’s Princess Consort. You don’t have many advantages now, do you still not understand?” Seeing that Jiang Zhiyuan finally started to waver, Jiang Hetian softened his tone. “It was my fault just now. I shouldn’t have gotten angry at you, but I did all of this for your own good. You know that very clearly, right? If you can get everything you had before by just going back, why do other people talking a bit about you behind your back matter?”

The final sentence eventually changed Jiang Zhiyuan’s mind. She wiped her tears, and her eyes still had anger burning in them. “Father, you’re right. I was too short-sighted.”

“It’s best that you can think through this.” Jiang Hetian heaved a sigh of relief and said, “Besides, if you go back now, you can still rush to the Flood-Desert Northern Region.”

“Flood-Desert Northern Region?”

“That’s right. I’ve been busy handling the matters in the residence, and I didn’t have the time to tell you about it…”

Following this, Jiang Hetian told the relevant news to Jiang Zhiyuan in detail. “…It’s a pity that our Fairy Water Mound isn’t a top-tier aristocratic family, and we don’t have the right to go there. But as long as you return to Ling Xiao Academy, you can go with the elders!”

Jiang Hetian’s eyes seemed to glow with excitement. “Zhiyuan, that’s… one of the top ten holy weapons!”

It would be extremely beneficial if they could get some advantages from it!

Jiang Zhiyuan was tempted as well. After slight hesitation, she finally nodded as if she had made up her mind. “I’ll go back right away!”

…

Ling Xiao Academy.

Chu Liuyue watched as the last tiny Xuan formation got slowly swallowed by the light on the large Xuan formation, and her lips curled up into a satisfied smile.

Over the past ten days, she had solved half of the Xuan formation. The further she got, the smoother her progress.

I should be able to solve it completely in no time. Even though solving the Xuan formation doesn’t mean that I can unleash a Xuan formation of the same level, it is still a good start. This proves that the cultivator has the corresponding potential. 

This was the case now. As a ninth-grade Xuan Master, after Chu Liuyue solved this Xuan formation, she would be a step closer to breaking through to the next level.

She closed her eyes and recalled the previous scene in her mind. After confirming that every step was correct and flawless, she stood up and walked outside.

Reaching the door, she habitually glanced to the side.

Rong Xiu hadn’t returned yet.

Doubts flashed across her eyes. Dugu Mobao previously said that Rong Xiu needed another half a month before he came back. But time is almost up now, yet Rong Xiu is nowhere to be seen. 

For some reason, she felt uneasy. But this feeling quickly dissipated and wasn’t caught by Chu Liuyue.

“Chu Yue!” Zhuo Sheng, Luo Yanming, and Luo Shishi were already waiting for her outside the barrier.

Chu Liuyue retracted her thoughts and walked outside.

Seeing that the three of them looked ready to take action at any moment, Chu Liuyue couldn’t help but laugh. “Today is just a contest to choose who can participate in the mission. Why are you so nervous?”

Zhuo Sheng couldn’t help saying,

“Of course, I’m nervous! Are you not scared that you’ll be eliminated at all? If you miss this chance, you might not be able to see a holy weapon for the rest of your life!”

I might not get others, but I still have a chance for this one, Chu Liuyue silently thought. “Later, we just need to showcase ourselves properly. This is much more useful than scratching your ears and heads.”

Luo Yanming and Luo Shishi couldn’t help but laugh. The originally tense atmosphere became much more relaxed.

Luo Shishi smiled gently and said, “Chu Yue is right. Shall we go now?”

Chu Liuyue nodded, and the four of them headed toward Dong Huang Clock Tower together.

After flying a distance, Chu Liuyue instinctively turned around and looked at Million Wine Mountain.

“Chu Yue, what are you looking at?” Zhuo Sheng followed her vision, and the corner of his lips couldn’t help but twitch. “Y-you’re not thinking of going to Million Wine Mountain again, right?”

This kid always gets into trouble when he goes there, causing us to have some lingering fears now. 

Chu Liuyue narrowed her eyes. “Not really. I was just wondering why Million Wine Mountain hasn’t opened yet after so long…”

“Oh, you’re talking about this?” Zhuo Sheng instantly understood and was interested. “Actually, everyone has their own guesses! Didn’t Elder Bo Yan previously say that it’ll be closed for a month? It’s going to be one and a half months soon, yet nothing has changed. Many people are curious…”

“Million Wine Mountain is one of the most important places in the academy. This should be the reason why the elders have so many considerations, right?” guessed Luo Shishi. “But this doesn’t affect us much anyway. We don’t have to care too much about it and just need to wait patiently. Perhaps it’ll be opened real soon.”

Chu Liuyue paused for a moment and smiled slightly. “That’s true.”

…

Quite a few students had gathered below Dong Huang Clock Tower. At first glance, they looked like a black patch.

Once Chu Liuyue and the rest came, the crowd instantly quietened down. Quite a few people looked over with enthusiastic gazes.

Chu Liuyue’s heart skipped a beat.