This cultivation speed could be said to be unprecedented!
The news of Yan Jiaojiao's internal dan being destroyed had already spread. Now that everyone knew Yan Jiaojiao had advanced a level in just a few months, they merely attributed it to the talent of a "genius girl," thinking that if Yan Jiaojiao hadn't had to re-cultivate, her current cultivation might have even reached the Yellow or Green level.
For a time, countless people blamed themselves for underestimating Yan Jiaojiao back then.
Among them, of course, was Xu Yantao.
Xu Yantao now not only no longer disliked Yan Jiaojiao but also regretted that Shangguan Yuan, with his discerning eye, had gotten his hands on such a treasure first. It was no wonder Shangguan Yuan had to use his authority to change the academy rules; he truly favored Yan Jiaojiao and intended to select her as the successor of the Water Faction.
It was just that judging by Yan Jiaojiao's demeanor, she probably didn't yet know that Shangguan Yuan had used his one-time authority to choose her as his successor.
While he was sighing, Luo Guiyuan sneered disdainfully at Yan Jiaojiao, "Attention-seeking!"
As for the three from the Yan family, they were even more astonished. Their faces turned from green to red, and they looked at Yan Jiaojiao with eyes as if they were filled with poison. They never expected Yan Jiaojiao to improve her cultivation so rapidly. If this continued, wouldn't it be even more troublesome for them to deal with Yan Jiaojiao in the future!
And right at the entrance of the Gold Faction, Wen Jinshu had just emerged. She had naturally overheard the conversation between Yan Jiaojiao and Xu Yantao. Her gaze towards Yan Jiaojiao grew even more complex. Thinking of Yan Jiaojiao's firm refusal to associate with them, Wen Jinshu tightened her fingers.
Conversely, Yan Jiaojiao, the focus of everyone's attention, didn't pause any longer. Under everyone's gaze, she calmly walked further and further away.
Where there are many people, there is trouble.
Yan Jiaojiao had just defeated Yan Ruxue, and the news had already spread throughout Gunan Academy.
When Yan Jiaojiao returned to her room, Wei Congling was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing her, she eagerly stepped forward, "You're already at Orange Rank Level Three?"
Wei Congling, who had entered the academy at Red Rank Level Eight, had only advanced to Orange Rank Level Six after three years of cultivation at Gunan Academy. It could be said that most of her peers were at this level, and some even hadn't reached the threshold of Orange Rank.
Yet, Yan Jiaojiao had advanced a level in just a few months, which was astonishing.
"Yes."
"I heard you beat Yan Ruxue badly?"
"Yes."
"I heard your father came and wanted to discipline you?"
Yan Jiaojiao finally stopped responding to Wei Congling. She glanced at her and said, "Yan Zhengfeng is Yan Zhengfeng. He has nothing to do with me. However, his attempt to discipline me ultimately failed, which is true."
Wei Congling couldn't help but chuckle, "Yes, yes, you never let yourself be at a disadvantage in any argument. Do you dislike Yan Zhengfeng that much?"
After all, he's your father, Wei Congling didn't say the last part aloud.
Yan Jiaojiao was not the original owner and had no good feelings towards hypocritical people like Yan Zhengfeng. Moreover, since meeting him, Yan Zhengfeng hadn't done a single thing that pleased her. How could Yan Jiaojiao like him?
Yan Jiaojiao retorted, "If Tang Xiye came, would you greet her enthusiastically?"
Wei Congling immediately fell silent and snorted, going back to organize her books, no longer paying attention to Yan Jiaojiao.
The two had gotten along well over the past few months. Wei Congling had become much more cheerful and had reached a level of playful banter with Yan Jiaojiao. Even when Tang Xiye was mentioned, Wei Congling wouldn't get angry.
However, Tang Xiye hadn't appeared recently. It seemed that after Xuan Chen appeared last time, he had taken Tang Xiye away.
Yan Jiaojiao sat cross-legged on the couch, pondering the token on Tang Xiye's person. If Tang Xiye returned, how could she obtain the token from her?
"Yan Jiaojiao, someone is looking for you at the courtyard entrance."
Wang Jingshuang's voice came from outside the door, her tone laced with amusement. She wouldn't be so kind to deliver a message if she didn't have malicious intent.
Yan Jiaojiao frowned, got up, and opened the door. As expected, Wang Jingshuang's face had a cunning expression of gloating, which was disgusting.
Yan Jiaojiao felt impatient. For the past three months, she had only moved between Lianyuntang and her room, and had no interest in other matters. It was only then that she realized she hadn't been bothered by these people for a long time.
So, today must be a bad day for all these annoying people to show up.
"Aren't you going to say thank you?" Seeing Yan Jiaojiao walk past her, Wang Jingshuang immediately turned around and chased after her, blocking her path.
Yan Jiaojiao's brow furrowed slightly. She perfunctorily said, "Thank you."
After speaking, she didn't bother with Wang Jingshuang any longer. To her surprise, Wang Jingshuang was stunned, staring blankly at Yan Jiaojiao's retreating figure, not understanding why Yan Jiaojiao had suddenly become so polite.
She didn't know that after carelessly revealing her Orange Rank Level Three cultivation just now, Yan Jiaojiao had deeply ingrained the concept of "hiding one's strength" in her mind. Naturally, she didn't want to get entangled with low-level amateurs like Wang Jingshuang, finding it a waste of time.
A simple thank you could dismiss an annoyance; why not do it? A great woman knows when to bend and when to stand tall.
Upon reaching the courtyard entrance, Yan Jiaojiao actually saw Xu Changzong.
Xu Changzong was now wearing the uniform of the Wood Faction. His light yellow robe made him appear gentle and refined, but his straight young back still exuded a stubborn aura.
Since entering the academy, Yan Jiaojiao hadn't seen Xu Changzong up close. She had only received a bottle of medicine from Xu Changzong to treat her internal injuries at the beginning. Unfortunately, it had been laced with laxatives by that childish and incompetent Wang Jingshuang. Although it didn't cause much harm, Yan Jiaojiao had already discarded the bottle. Seeing Xu Changzong now, her first thought was that he had come to ask for the empty bottle.
"I'm sorry, I lost that bottle." Yan Jiaojiao said apologetically.
"What bottle?" Xu Changzong's eyes were blank. After a moment, he remembered and chuckled, "What are you thinking? I already gave you the spirit medicine; would I ask you back for an empty bottle?"
That was true. Yan Jiaojiao smiled sheepishly, suspecting that her earlier act of thanking someone might have lowered her IQ.
It seemed that life at the academy was more relaxed, and Xu Changzong's disposition had also eased considerably. He smiled back at Yan Jiaojiao, "You treated me to wontons back then, and I haven't thanked you yet, so I brought you a letter."
"A letter?"
It was Yan Jiaojiao's turn to be bewildered. She was practically alone in this world. Even if the General's mansion, the deceased Song Zhi, were to send a letter, it wouldn't be through Xu Changzong, would it?
Xu Changzong said no more. He took out a brown envelope from his embrace, on which was written a line of powerful characters: For Yan Jiaojiao's eyes only.
Yan Jiaojiao was completely clueless, so she had to ask Xu Changzong, "Who wrote this for me?"
Seeing that Yan Jiaojiao truly couldn't remember, Xu Changzong gave another mysterious smile, "Pu Zhi."