Ji Mo, upon noticing something amiss with the proprietress, had also made inquiries about her background from others.
After hearing about her terrifying past deeds, he felt no fear whatsoever.
Rumors of her being a jinx, cursed to bring misfortune to husbands and entire families, were undoubtedly baseless nonsense with no evidence.
Based on his understanding of the five arts of metaphysics, the proprietress was not only not a jinx but was actually auspicious for her husband. Anyone who could marry her would undoubtedly rise to prominence through his wife and soar to great heights.
However, the proprietress's destiny was extraordinary, and ordinary people might not be able to bear it.
Ji Mo was worried that Xuanyang would not be able to handle it and would be undeserving of her blessings. As a teacher, it was his duty to protect his student from disaster and to stop the proprietress.
The proprietress gazed at Ji Mo, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Her hand, holding the fan, glowed with dark energy. The seemingly ordinary fan revealed special patterns, with runes dancing and emitting a terrifying power.
"Who?"
A shout of surprise came from Xuanyang inside the room.
He had clearly sensed the energy fluctuations outside and had become vigilant.
"It's me, go back to sleep."
Ji Mo cleared his throat, and silence was restored in the room.
Creak!
Song Weixi pushed open the door and window, only to find Ji Mo and the proprietress together late at night. She felt an inexplicable anger and cursed, "Shameless!"
Then, she huffily closed the window, unable to bear the sight.
Some other guests heard the commotion and secretly checked the situation.
Upon seeing Ji Mo daring to stay with the proprietress, they lamented that another unfortunate soul was seeking beauty at the cost of his life.
They decided to distance themselves from Ji Mo for a while, not wanting to associate with someone who was about to die, lest they also be tainted by ill fortune.
Ultimately, the proprietress did not dare to act rashly because she could not see through Ji Mo's background. Moreover, he had Song Weixi and a睚眦 with him. If a fight were to break out, she would not have much of a chance.
Furthermore, if her identity were accidentally revealed, the trouble would be immense.
"What do you want?"
The proprietress was full of caution.
"Proprietress, please stop having designs on my students in the future."
Ji Mo did not want the proprietress to continue pestering Xuanyang and Wang Wenjian.
If she had any intentions, she should direct them at him, his teacher. He was confident in his self-control and believed he could handle it.
"Alright, we'll mind our own business."
The proprietress agreed immediately, truly not wanting to clash with Ji Mo.
At least, until she understood Ji Mo's background, it was not advisable to provoke him.
Indeed, the proprietress became more restrained afterward, no longer casting covetous glances at Wang Wenjian and Xuanyang. Instead, she became interested in Ji Mo.
However, she could never find any useful information about Ji Mo, which only piqued her curiosity further.
Three days passed in a flash.
The Southern Domain Academy Ranking Competition had arrived.
In the central plaza of Chizhang City stood over a dozen ancient battle stages, which served as the venue for the competition throughout the years.
The Southern Domain Academy Ranking Competition was a grand event held every five years in the Southern Domain, attracting much attention and numerous cultivators to watch.
Compared to previous years, this year's event was even more magnificent.
This was because the competition had attracted the attention of major powers from other domains of the Xuanling Realm, who had sent significant representatives to observe.
These included Holy Sons and Holy Daughters from top Holy Lands, renowned figures from influential families, and masters of various professions.
The Southern Domain was barren and weak, often looked down upon by cultivators from other regions, who disparagingly called it the "uncivilized land of the Southern Barbarians."
The fact that representatives were sent to observe the competition made the cultivators of the Southern Domain greatly excited and feel honored.
The Tang family, in particular, attached great importance to the event, hosting these guests with the highest level of hospitality.
On the viewing platform in the central plaza, the cultivators of the Southern Domain were like stars surrounding the representatives from other domains.
Amidst the crowd, Ji Mo saw the Tang family steward who had looked down on Langya. In front of these representatives from other domains, he was fawning and servile, like a lapdog.
There were many others like the Tang family steward, making Ji Mo shake his head and sigh repeatedly.
It seemed that their disdain for the Southern Domain was justified. Without backbone or integrity, who would respect a group of spineless individuals?
Many academy deans and elders went up to greet these foreign representatives, but most of them were met with cold shoulders and were not well-received.
Those who managed to exchange a few words with the representatives from other domains were beaming with pride, as if they had achieved something great.
"No wonder the Tang family steward said a few days ago that they had no guest rooms for us and wouldn't even let us in. It turns out they were busy being sycophants."
Song Weixi snorted, unable to stand the Tang family's behavior.
Such actions not only disgraced the Tang family but also the entire Southern Domain.
Ji Mo was accustomed to such behavior. No matter the world, sycophants were everywhere, and people who flattered the powerful and trampled on the weak were common.
To earn the respect of others, one had to rely on their own strength.
"Miss Song, why don't you go and pay your respects to those important figures? If you can establish a connection with them, perhaps your Langya Academy can turn your fortunes around and flourish."
A cultivator familiar with Song Weixi kindly reminded her.
Song Weixi smiled and shook her head. She was not that kind of person and would not curry favor.
Nearby, some cultivators mockingly sneered, "Langya Academy, what qualifications do you have to meet these important figures? You're not even presentable and will only embarrass our Southern Domain."
This statement was met with agreement from many around them, as Langya had consistently ranked last for years, and no one held them in high regard.
"You shameless people are the ones truly disgracing our Southern Domain. With your servile and shameless nature, you only bring shame upon yourselves."
Wang Wenjian, with his hot temper, retorted to these people without hesitation.
The saber was the embodiment of courage, and after achieving mastery in swordsmanship, Wang Wenjian's temperament had also undergone a subtle transformation, becoming domineering and fierce, utterly fearless.
Even though the people around him were all Emperor Realm powerhouses, deans and elders of various academies.
"You impudent brat, how dare you speak so arrogantly and slander us."
"A junior who shows such disrespect for elders, do you not wish to live?"
...
These people felt as if their sore spots had been stepped on, and they became enraged. They immediately unleashed their Emperor might, intending to teach Wang Wenjian a lesson.
Song Weixi showed no weakness, unleashing her peak Spirit Emperor aura without reservation, and said coldly, "You cannot point fingers at the students of my Langya Academy. If you are not satisfied, then according to the rules of the competition, settle your grievances on the battle stage."
"Heh, how laughable. Your Langya Academy was eliminated in the first round last time. You'll be sent back home after the first match. What qualifications do you have to meet us on the stage?"
"Exactly, what level is Langya at? Are they worthy of being our opponents?"
These people continued to bluster, but they restrained their auras, a hint of apprehension in their eyes.
This was because no one had expected Song Weixi to have already reached the peak of the Emperor Realm. Reaching this stage at her age meant that the Mortal Immortal Realm was not out of reach for her.
This made them hesitant to act rashly, fearing Song Weixi's retribution.