Huang Quan nodded in a good mood.
Seeing her so happy, Nangong Min was curious. “Quan Quan, what did Di Qin say to you that has you in such a good mood?”
Huang Quan recounted the conversation she had just had with Di Qin.
After listening, Nangong Min wasn’t just curious but also puzzled. “Quan Quan, Di Qin clearly said he wouldn’t go with you. Why are you still so happy?”
Huang Quan smiled and explained, “Di Qin did indeed say he wouldn’t go with me, but he didn’t say ‘he wouldn’t go’.”
Nangong Min was momentarily surprised by this realization.
“Di Qin will definitely go,” Huang Quan continued. “We should be able to see him when we get there.”
Nangong Min paused. He had thought Di Qin really wouldn’t go, so his initial happiness was misplaced.
But if Di Qin isn’t going with the High Priest, he should be going with other members of the royal family, right?
—
The next day at sunrise.
At the entrance of the Imperial Academy.
The Flying Wing Snow Lion carriage stopped at the entrance. The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Huang Quan stepped out first, followed by Nangong Min.
Seeing the two of them, several people waiting outside the academy were surprised.
Lin Xu, who ranked fifth, asked, “Why are you all here?”
Nangong Min looked at Lin Xu and replied, “I’m also going on this trip to the ruins.”
Feng Jiuyuan’s smile deepened at these words, even Jing Chen was surprised, but Nangong Qingle did not react.
Since Huang Quan appeared, Nangong Qingle had kept her head down, looking very fearful of Huang Quan.
Upon hearing Nangong Min’s words, Lin Xu frowned unhappily. “You didn’t even place in the rankings, why should you be allowed to go?”
“You behaving like this makes others wonder what the ranking even means anymore. How do you think others feel?” Lin Xu was clearly displeased with this situation. “Just because you have connections with Prince Di Qin doesn’t mean you get to tag along like this.”
“It is I who will take him there.”
A cold voice cut through the conversation. All eyes turned to see the High Priest emerging from the academy, accompanied by the dean of the Imperial Academy.
Approaching Nangong Min, the High Priest glanced towards Lin Xu. “I did indeed promise to take the top five from the competition, but I did not say others could not come. It is my decision to bring him. What does this have to do with His Royal Highness?”
Lin Xu hadn’t expected his words to be overheard by the High Priest. After hearing his response, Lin Xu felt a bit apprehensive but didn’t back down. “If it’s not because of His Royal Highness taking him, then why?”
“Someone of his cultivation level would only drag us down by joining us.”
“Drag us down?”
Huang Quan chuckled. “We haven’t even left yet, and you’re already calling my brother a drag? Are you clairvoyant now?”
The High Priest stood firm, speaking coldly. “Nangong Min is my disciple. There is nothing inappropriate about me taking my own disciple with me.”
“Disciple?”
This statement surprised everyone present except Huang Quan, who already knew. Feng Jiuyuan raised an eyebrow at Jing Chen. “Hey, did you know about this?”
Jing Chen flicked Feng Jiuyuan’s hand away with a cold tone. “No, and don’t fidget.”
“Oh…”
Feng Jiuyuan didn’t seem to take this seriously, exclaiming, “I never expected him to take Nangong Min as his disciple…”
Jing Chen remained silent, only glancing at Nangong Min and the High Priest.
The High Priest, known for his ability to foresee events, had countless people wanting to become his disciples over the years, yet he had never taken on a disciple before. No one expected him to accept Nangong Min.
Becoming a disciple of the High Priest meant that Nangong Min would eventually succeed him as the High Priest. However, to assume this role, he would need to learn the High Priest’s abilities, especially the skill of foreseeing events.
Upon hearing that Nangong Min had become the High Priest’s disciple, everyone present was shocked to the core. Among them, Lin Xu was the most astonished, staring at the two in disbelief, unable to utter a word.
After a long pause, Lin Xu finally asked, “Why?”
“Why would the High Priest accept him as a disciple? What extraordinary qualities does he possess that make you willing to accept him and not others?” Lin Xu demanded, his voice filled with confusion.
The High Priest responded indifferently, “When I take a disciple, I do not owe anyone an explanation.”
Faced with the High Priest’s cold gaze, Lin Xu quickly shook his head and said, “No, there’s no need…”
The High Priest withdrew his gaze, saying calmly, “Since there’s no need, then do not ask again.”
With that, the High Priest turned to the dean of the Imperial Academy and bid farewell. “Excuse me.”
The dean smiled and nodded respectfully, “Safe travels, High Priest.”
The High Priest said no more, taking a few steps forward before halting. Suddenly, a powerful spiritual fluctuation emanated from him, causing a strong wind to rise up. The wind whipped around, lifting everyone’s hair and fluttering their clothes.
As the wind intensified, a formation appeared beneath the High Priest’s feet. At the moment the formation fully manifested, a loud cry echoed through the air.
A pure white bird appeared in the sky above the High Priest. It spread its wings majestically, casting a large shadow with its beautiful and splendid feathers.
Huang Quan looked up and knew that this bird was the High Priest’s contracted beast.
“It’s a Bai Luan.”
Nangong Min observed Huang Quan’s continued gaze at Bai Luan and remarked, “Legend has it that this beast possesses the bloodline of the phoenix, extremely rare.”
“Then its speed must be very fast, right?”
Nangong Min nodded, “Very fast.”
After hearing Nangong Min’s words, Huang Quan fell silent.
With Bai Luan’s incredible speed, their journey would still take half a month. That meant others who wanted to come would need even longer. It seemed unlikely they would be able to meet Qinqin…
The High Priest leaped onto Bai Luan’s back and looked down at the people below with indifference. “Come up, it’s time to leave.”
Lin Xu was the first to ascend, followed by Mirror and Nangong Qingle.
“Huang Quan,” Feng Jiuyuan grinned at her, “you’re so tall. Need help getting up without using your spiritual power?”
Huang Quan looked at him sharply. “Who told you I can’t get up without spiritual power?”
With that, Huang Quan ignored him, grabbed Nangong Min, and with a single leap, they landed directly on Bai Luan’s back.
Feng Jiuyuan muttered to himself, “Really ruthless, not even giving me a chance.”
No matter, Di Qin didn’t go this time. He has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. With that thought, Feng Jiuyuan flew onto Bai Luan’s back.
Once everyone was aboard, Bai Luan let out a high cry, flapped its magnificent wings, and soared towards the distant horizon.
—
Half a month later.
An endless wasteland stretched out before them.
The scorching sun beat down from above, and before them lay an expansive wasteland where the ground beneath their feet was scorching hot, as if standing on a fire.
As far as the eye could see, there were only weeds and beasts that thrived on the barren land. There was nothing here that indicated it was the location of an ancient site.
Feng Jiuyuan began to question life itself and looked at the High Priest, who stood calmly. “Are you sure the site is in this place?”
