From Master Qi, she learned that the Headmaster had not visited the Qiming Academy for many years, as if something had held him back.
Xu Yi could only sigh in disappointment.
She had planned to ask the Headmaster a few things, but it seemed she would not have the opportunity.
Xu Yi handed Zhang Nannan and Wang Yao over to the Masters of Qiming Academy for their disposition, and then stayed there, waiting for Xiong Zhuangzhuang and the others to return.
The happiest of the three was Zuo You.
He had long admired the founder of Qiming Academy, True Man Dan Zhai.
He was overjoyed to have the chance to admire the calligraphy left behind by the founder up close.
His love for literature also earned him the appreciation of Master Qi and others.
Master Qi specially called Zuo You over, presented him with a set of True Man Dan Zhai's poetry, and told Zuo You that he could ask him anything he didn't understand. This made Zuo You feel even more at home in Qiming Academy.
Yin Li had initially found academy life somewhat dull, but she soon found a good way to spend her time productively.
"Senior Sister Xu, please guide me."
"Please."
Yin Li exhaled softly, took out her pipa from her storage bag, and her slender fingers gently plucked the strings. A melodious tune immediately spread outwards.
Xu Yi nodded slightly, appreciating Yin Li's pipa skills. However, while her technique was strong, her power was insufficient.
Xu Yi drew out her disciplinary ruler and, instead of using the ruler's sharpness to counter the opponent's sound waves as she usually did, she flicked her finger lightly against the ruler.
Buzz!
It sounded like the sharp ring of a sword being drawn, or the clash of swords.
But this brief strike was like an invisible arrow shot out, creating ripples, and finally striking heavily against the gentler sound waves.
Bang!
Yin Li's movements faltered. Affected by the air current generated by the collision, she was unable to control herself and was forced back several steps.
When she stabilized herself and looked up again, her face was filled with shock.
With just one strike, she was completely defeated by Xu Yi. Although she had anticipated this outcome, she was still shocked.
More importantly, she could clearly feel that Xu Yi had not even used thirty percent of her strength in this strike, and Xu Yi's movements were so effortless and natural.
"Senior Sister Xu, how did you do that?"
Yin Li, holding her pipa, ran up to Xu Yi with sparkling eyes.
Who wouldn't admire strength?
At least Yin Li did.
After witnessing Xu Yi's several displays of skill, she was now completely convinced.
Xu Yi smiled slightly, "It's very simple, using a point to break a surface."
"Using a point to break a surface?" Yin Li blinked, a look of confusion on her face.
"That's right."
Xu Yi led Yin Li to a pavilion nearby, picked up the teapot on the table, poured a cup of tea, and pushed it towards Yin Li.
Yin Li did not understand.
"Look, this cup of tea is your attack. It seems impregnable, perfect in its measure. But in reality, all I need to do is add another drop of water to its surface."
As Xu Yi spoke, she dripped a drop of water onto the surface of the cup as described.
The water in the teacup rippled, and more tea spilled outwards.
"Ah, I understand!" Yin Li exclaimed in realization. "My attack is this water surface, and your attack is this single drop of water. It looks effortless, but it perfectly breaks through the situation I meticulously designed. So that's how it works."
"Yes, in any confrontation, restraint is paramount. Whoever can restrain the other will be the ultimate victor."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister Xu."
Yin Li knew that Xu Yi could have dispelled her attack in the simplest and most brutal way, but she chose a more subtle method, specifically to guide her.
Seeing that Yin Li had understood her meaning, Xu Yi couldn't help but sigh that it was so much easier to talk to smart people; they understood with just a hint.
Afterward, Xu Yi pointed out Yin Li's weaknesses in her attacks and proposed methods for improvement, which Yin Li found immensely beneficial.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang and Fei Hua arrived at Qiming Academy three days later.
Following the instructions of the treasure-hunting rat, they each found three members of the Holy Maiden Cult and, without alerting them, left soul imprints on different parts of their bodies.
Now, all they had to do was wait for the day the Holy Maiden descended.
With Xiong Zhuangzhuang's return, Xu Yi and Yin Li's daily discussions gained another participant.
On this day, the three of them were gathered in the pavilion again.
Someone started the conversation, and it eventually turned to Xiong Zhuangzhuang and Yu Xiaoyu, who was studying at Kunlun Academy.
When Xiong Zhuangzhuang mentioned Yu Xiaoyu, his eyes sparkled with unconcealable joy, and he grinned broadly, as if afraid others wouldn't know about the "thing" between him and Yu Xiaoyu.
"Tell us, Xiong Zhuangzhuang, when did you and..." Xu Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, teasingly.
She had noticed something amiss when she spoke with Yu Xiaoyu after coming out of seclusion.
Yu Xiaoyu had initially been concerned about Xu Yi's condition, but gradually, she began mentioning Xiong Zhuangzhuang more and more often. Furthermore, she knew that Xiong Zhuangzhuang had not been at the Beast Taming Sect during this period but was investigating the Holy Maiden Cult in Rongzhou, and her tone conveyed worry.
All these clues indicated that the relationship between Xiong Zhuangzhuang and Yu Xiaoyu was more than just ordinary friendship.
"You all know, haha, I didn't intend to hide it from you," Xiong Zhuangzhuang said with a hearty laugh. "Xiao Yu and I have already discussed it. Once we both graduate from Kunlun Academy, we will inform our respective sects and make our relationship official. Xu Yi, in a way, you are our matchmaker. We will definitely toast you with many more drinks then."
Xu Yi smiled, "Oh, I don't recall doing anything significant."
"You don't know how much of a role you played. If you hadn't encouraged Xiao Yu before, she wouldn't have been able to let go of her burdens so quickly, and she wouldn't have... hehe! Anyway, no matter what, we owe you a lot for bringing us together."
Xiong Zhuangzhuang became vague towards the end, likely referring to something that only he and Yu Xiaoyu knew, and which had pushed them to the next level.
This clearly involved their privacy, so Yin Li and Xu Yi tactfully did not inquire further. After raising their cups to congratulate Xiong Zhuangzhuang, they steered the conversation back to cultivation.
The three of them exchanged ideas and knowledge, which gave them different insights into their recent cultivation, leading to rapid progress.
That night, Xu Yi's spiritual energy surged, and she advanced from the early stage of Body Integration to the middle stage.
When she emerged from her room, another month had passed.
Seeing Xu Yi, Xiong Zhuangzhuang couldn't help but step forward and say, "Good thing you're out of seclusion. I was afraid you'd miss the Holy Maiden's descent."
"Is there news from the Holy Maiden Cult?" Xu Yi's eyes lit up.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang nodded. "Two days ago, one of the three cult members suddenly left his residence and headed southwest. Yesterday, the remaining two also set off. It seems the time has come."
Xiong Zhuangzhuang had been thinking that if Xu Yi hadn't come out of seclusion by tomorrow, he would have taken his junior brothers and sisters and left first.
"That's perfect, let's set off immediately."