Chapter 5, Imperial Academy

Conversations like this are everywhere on campus, all revolving around the controversial figure of Ling Xiao

These two gentlemen left, their faces flushed with embarrassment from what this person said, yet deep down, they remained unconvinced. After all, it was indeed the case; when a son commits such disgraceful acts, is it not tantamount to tarnishing his father's reputation? And isn't it bound to be talked about?

Ling Xiao ignored all the gazes of surprise, disdain, anger, and mockery. He was in a hurry to get to the academy because he wanted to go to the library. In his memory, the academy's library housed a vast collection of books, including those that recorded various precious medicinal materials on the continent. Ling Xiao urgently needed to find the materials required for foundation building.

In my memory, going to the library requires bringing an identification card, but Ling Xiao's identification card was left in the dormitory

Another person sneered: "Miss Xie is magnanimous and does not stoop to the level of Ling Xiao. I heard that he went to visit after being injured; how broad-minded that is! Miss Xie is truly kind! Who would have thought that Ling Xiao... sigh, this is truly an insult to General Ling's family values!"

Another person scoffed disdainfully: "What do you know? I heard that Miss Xie Xiaoyan personally visited Ling Xian at the Ling residence yesterday!"

Wiping the sweat from his forehead with a towel, Ling Xiao couldn't help but smile bitterly. He knew that swordsmanship was exceedingly rare on the Canglan Continent. Individuals like his father, Ling Tianxiao, who possessed mid-level heavenly techniques, were already considered to be at the pinnacle of the hierarchy. As for divine and sacred techniques, they were merely legendary, with very few people ever seen to possess them

The person who spoke earlier exclaimed in surprise: "No way, they are not..."

Welcome, young master! The two young women gently bowed and then greeted him in a soft manner

Ling Xiao appeared unfazed, allowing others to point and gossip about him as if they were mere air. He continued on his way to his dormitory, rendering any words spoken at that moment meaningless. Should Ling Xiao stoop to exchanging insults with them?

As Ling Xiao reached the doorway, he saw two tall girls with bright eyes and white teeth standing at the entrance to welcome him. Ling Xiao was momentarily taken aback, but then remembered that these two girls were his maids. He had not seen them during the initial days after his incident, and he did not expect them to be assigned here.

After Ling Xiao returned to the room, Chun Lan and Qiu Yue had prepared tea for him. The two exchanged a glance, and there was a hint of shyness in each other's eyes. Then, with a flushed face, Qiu Yue said: "Young Master... Madam mentioned that..."

With his memories in mind, Ling Xiao calmly walked back to his dormitory—a beautifully exquisite small villa. Although Ling Xiao could not inherit his father's marquis title, as a noble, the place he resided in was still quite luxurious. It is not to say that the Ling family was particularly wealthy; in fact, while the Ling family appeared large, they were not affluent in terms of finances, falling far short compared to the financial standing of the Xie family, which belonged to Xie Xiaoyan. Although Ling Xiao could not inherit his father's marquis title, as a noble, the place he resided in was still quite luxurious. It is not to say that the Ling family was particularly wealthy; in fact, while the Ling family appeared large, they were not affluent in terms of finances, falling far short compared to the financial standing of the Xie family, which belonged to Xie Xiaoyan.

Ling Xiao was well aware that, regardless of the location, the principle remained the same: strength is paramount. Just like when he encountered several direct disciples of the sect leader in Shushan, the indifference reflected in their eyes towards others was, in fact, a manifestation of their power. If he, Ling Xiao, were not a Celestial Pulse user and was merely a swordsman today, setting aside the question of whether Xie Xiaoyan would like him, it is certain that no one would dare to employ such underhanded tactics to frame him. Even if someone did, no one would care; it is the nature of the nobility. At most, someone might comment, 'Ling Xiao is a bit too impatient.' If he, Ling Xiao, were not a Celestial Pulse user and was merely a swordsman today, setting aside the question of whether Xie Xiaoyan would like him, it is certain that no one would dare to employ such underhanded tactics to frame him. Even if someone did, no one would care; it is the nature of the nobility. At most, someone might comment, 'Ling Xiao is a bit too impatient.'

"How did you two come here?" In Ling Xiao's memory, the two personal maids were not serving him at school; otherwise, Xie Xiaoyan's clumsy plan would have been even less likely to succeed

What are the divine-level sword techniques and the sacred-level sword techniques like? Ling Xiao has never seen them, so he is unclear. However, in his memory, his father's heavenly-level sword technique seems to him to be nothing more than a lower-level skill from the outer sect of Mount Shu.

Oh," Ling Xiao replied lightly. Seeing that the two women showed no signs of disdain or mockery towards him, he felt somewhat reassured. In fact, Ling Xiao was overthinking; in any country on the Canglan Continent, the servants in noble families were considered the private property of the nobles, holding the power of life and death over them. There is a saying, "When the master is humiliated, the servant dies." Such situations are extremely common in noble families.

Early the next morning, Ling Xiao got up early and took out his long sword to practice the introductory sword techniques of Mount Shu in the courtyard. However, the body of this fifth-tier sword servant was unable to fully unleash the power of the Mount Shu introductory sword techniques, leaving Ling Xiao drenched in sweat.

As a disciple of the inner sect, Ling Xiao had been too lazy to practice even the advanced sword techniques of the outer sect in his previous life, opting instead to directly learn the sword techniques of the Shushan inner sect. Just by casually taking out a volume of the Shushan sword techniques from his mind, even the introductory sword and * diagram * techniques he was currently practicing would likely astonish a large number of masters from the Canglan Continent. Ling Xiao thought with a certain wicked amusement, feeling even more confident in himself. Although his current strength was lacking, he possessed various sword skills that no one else had, which could be considered a unique talent.

At this moment, a passerby unwilling to listen to such words retorted: "Ling Xiao is Ling Xiao; what does it have to do with General Ling? Are you suggesting that any mistakes made by Ling Xiao should be borne by General Ling? Do not forget that your current ability to eat well and dress warmly, as well as your education at the Imperial Academy, is all thanks to generals like Ling stationed at the borders"

Chunlan is somewhat taller, with a slightly plump figure, and her large eyes seem to speak as they move around. Qiuyue, on the other hand, appears to be more delicate, with her pair of eyes looking particularly enchanting.

A boy who saw Ling Xiao said to his friend beside him: "I never expected that Ling Xiao would actually have the audacity to return to the academy for classes. My goodness, I truly admire his courage"

Moreover, Chunlan and Qiuyue have been in the General's residence since childhood, having long been indoctrinated to believe that they belong to Young Master Ling Xiao. In their hearts, they now harbor a deep hatred for that woman, Xie Xiaoyan, resenting her for bringing shame upon their young master

In summary, these are two young and beautiful girls

The dormitory of this villa, however, does not require any payment; it is provided free of charge by the Empire to noble offspring from families with merit, like Ling Xiao. This serves as a symbol of identity and status, as well as a form of recognition and support from the Empire for the nobility. It is not merely a matter of wealth that allows one to reside here

"Young Master," Chunlan, who was clearly more lively in temperament, said quickly, "It is Madam who asked us to come and take care of you, saying that your health has not yet recovered..."

It seems that no matter what, I should strive to reach the sixth rank of swordsman as soon as possible. For Ling Xiao, anything below the rank of swordsman poses no significant challenge; with diligent practice, it won't be long before he achieves it. If this were to be overheard by others, they would likely be so shocked that they would faint! ... From high-ranking sword attendant to high-ranking swordsman ...? ... It won't be long? Then what of Xie Xiaoyan and Ling Zhi? Are they still considered geniuses? If this were to be overheard by others, they would likely be so shocked that they would faint! ... From high-ranking sword attendant to high-ranking swordsman ...? ... It won't be long? Then what of Xie Xiaoyan and Ling Zhi? Are they still considered geniuses?

When Ling Xiao stepped through the gates of the Imperial Academy, nearly everyone who saw him was inexplicably astonished, and they quickly moved aside, keeping their distance from Ling Xiao as if afraid of being infected by him. Looking at this handsome young man with an expression of calm indifference, those people could not comprehend how thick-skinned one must be to act as Ling Xiao did, coming to school as if nothing had happened after inappropriately touching a female classmate

In the end, no matter how much is said, it still comes down to Ling Xiao's own lack of strength