Standing at the entrance of Heart of Fire Academy, Qian Renxue's golden-glowing eyes were filled with anticipation.
In the past two years, she had successfully resolved the matters between Spirit Hall and the Tian Dou Royal Family.
She had orchestrated a fake death incident for Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, extricating herself from the Tian Dou Royal Family and returning to her status as a free person, no longer restricted by disguise.
She could finally report to Heart of Fire Academy and wholeheartedly Cultivate with Teacher Xin!
During those two years of concealment, every step she took in the imperial court had been calculated with precision. Living under the identity of Xue Qinghe had required constant vigilance, careful manipulation of alliances, and the steady concealment of her true aura. Now that the burden had been lifted, even the air she breathed felt lighter. The golden light in her eyes carried not only anticipation, but also a rare sense of personal freedom she had not experienced for years.
Her gaze lingered on the academy's entrance, where cherry blossoms drifted like soft snow. Somewhere beyond those gates, the person she had chosen to follow in cultivation awaited.
"Young lady, are you here to become a Disciple at Heart of Fire Academy?"
"Yes."
"How about buying two jars of cherry blossom honey as a Disciple initiation gift? It's carefully brewed from cherry blossom nectar. Long-term consumption can make your body bloom like a flower bud, pink and tender, sweet and delightful. I see you have an extraordinary demeanor and are a fated person. One jar is only five gold coin. How about it?"
While waiting outside the academy, Flender furtively approached with two palm-sized jars of cherry blossom honey, starting his sales pitch.
The jars he held were carefully polished and sealed, clearly intended to appear valuable, but the overly enthusiastic introduction betrayed a certain lack of credibility. His eyes darted between Qian Renxue and the entrance of the academy, as if gauging whether there were more potential customers nearby.
The price of five gold coin was completely affordable for Qian Renxue, but having money didn't mean being foolish. She scrutinized Flender, then asked suspiciously:
"Are you from the academy?"
Her tone was calm, but her eyes sharpened slightly. Even though she had just returned to a more peaceful identity, her instincts—honed through years of political scheming—had not faded.
Flender chuckled, pointing to one side of Heart of Fire Academy and saying, "I used to live inside."
"And now?"
"Now we're also loyal fans of Teacher Xin, hehe."
Qian Renxue gave Flender a strange look: "You're a swindler, aren't you? If this cherry blossom honey really had the effect you claim, it would have been in short supply long ago. Would you still need to go door-to-door to sell it?"
Her words were direct, leaving little room for Flender to defend himself. The logic was simple enough that even a casual observer would find it difficult to refute. The surrounding cherry blossoms swayed gently as if silently agreeing with her judgment.
"Scram, scram! What kind of stray cat or dog dares to come out and extort? Are you looking for a beating?"
As soon as Demon Subduing Douluo heard the word 'swindler,' a powerful Qi immediately emanated from him.
The sudden surge of oppressive energy felt like a heavy tide crashing forward. The air around him visibly distorted for a moment, and the drifting cherry blossoms were pushed aside by the invisible force. His voice carried clear irritation, as though even the idea of deception within the academy's grounds was an insult to his dignity.
This instantly scared Flender so much that he scrambled away in a panic.
He stumbled backward, nearly dropping both jars of honey in his haste, before disappearing toward the side path of the academy grounds. His earlier confidence evaporated entirely under the overwhelming pressure of a Super Douluo.
It was at this moment that Heart of Fire Academy's gate-keeping Disciples—Bell and Xiao Chenyu—finally emerged from deep within the cherry forest. Upon seeing who was waiting, they were first struck by the woman's stunning beauty, but still slightly cupped their hands:
"Senior Sister, are you Qian Renxue?"
There was a brief pause as both of them took in her appearance more carefully. The golden hair, the noble aura, and the faint divine mark on her brow made her presence difficult to ignore. Even among countless talented disciples, she stood out in a way that felt almost unreal.
"You know me?"
Qian Renxue was about to take out her cherry blossom token to prove her identity, but she hadn't expected Bell to already state her name.
"Teacher Xin instructed two years ago that if a golden-haired, golden-eyed, exceptionally beautiful angel came to report, she could pass through, as she is a Core Disciple."
Bell replied, then performed a gentleman's gesture of leading the way: "Since you are Senior Sister, please come in."
His tone was respectful, but also carried a faint pride—pride in being part of an academy where even such figures were anticipated and acknowledged in advance.
Upon hearing Bell's words, a sweet smile appeared on Qian Renxue's exquisite, cold Face, and she couldn't suppress the corners of her mouth.
The usually composed expression she wore in court or battlefield settings softened almost imperceptibly. The phrase "exceptionally beautiful angel" echoed in her mind, repeated with a warmth she had not expected to feel from simple words.
It wasn't that Bell's words were sweet, but rather that Teacher Xin had actually told this 'Junior Brother' that she was an exceptionally beautiful angel~
What did this indicate?
This indicated that Teacher Xin recognized Xue'er's appearance as beautiful~
And he definitely liked Xue'er!
If a boy didn't like a girl, would he praise her as an exceptionally beautiful angel?