"Disciple respectfully listens to Teacher's guidance! I will strictly abide by the school rules!"
"Student Hu Liena, greets Teacher!"
A gentle breeze swept by, and light pink cherry blossoms drifted down, landing on the hair of two women, their lips like budding flowers, ready to bloom.
Qian Renxue and Hu Liena both performed the Disciple-acknowledging bow to Xin.
A cherry blossom badge fell before Hu Liena, and Xin said indifferently:
"Even if you wish to stay, according to school rules, you are currently only a Named Disciple. However, soon, the academy will hold a competition for Core Disciple slots. If you study hard during this period and surpass your other Senior Sisters to obtain a Core Disciple slot, I will dedicate more time to teaching you. Do you understand?"
Hu Liena nodded, decisively picking up the cherry blossom badge. Although it was only a single cherry blossom pattern, being able to stay and study at Heart of Fire Academy was already very rare. She nodded and said:
"Teacher, I will definitely work hard!"
"Teacher, do I need to participate in this Core Disciple competition?" Qian Renxue asked.
"You don't need to, but since you brought it up, you can go and gain some experience as well."
Xin smiled faintly.
Qian Renxue was bewildered.
The calmness in Xin's tone made it seem as though the matter held little importance for her, yet for the students, it represented a decisive turning point in their cultivation journey. Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly, her golden hair catching the drifting cherry blossoms as she tried to understand the reasoning behind the arrangement.
To avoid misunderstanding from these two Disciples, Xin explained:
"Do you have questions?"
"Actually, there is no distinction of seniority between Core Disciples and Named Disciples. It's just that as a Teacher, I have insufficient teaching time and cannot attend to so many students. Therefore, Core Disciples receive primary instruction, while Named Disciples are given slightly less attention."
"Xue'er, you became a Disciple during the Soul Master Competition, and at that time, you also enlightened Teacher. So, Teacher should consider you a primary Disciple."
"As for Nana, she is only formally becoming a Disciple now. Even though her talent is outstanding, if she were to be made a Core Disciple, it would be unfair to the other Named Disciples. Hence, she is a Named Disciple."
Xin's voice remained calm and steady, yet each word carried an unquestionable weight of authority. The structure of Heart of Fire Academy was not based purely on talent alone, but also on fairness and order. Even geniuses had to walk the same path of evaluation if they wished to rise.
After hearing the explanation, Hu Liena lowered her gaze slightly, gripping the cherry blossom badge more firmly. She understood that this was not rejection, but rather a challenge placed before her. In the Spirit Master world, strength always determined one's standing, and she had no intention of falling behind anyone.
Qian Renxue, on the other hand, crossed her arms lightly, her expression thoughtful. The mention of the Soul Master Competition brought back fragments of her past encounter with Xin. At that time, she had indeed experienced a breakthrough in understanding under his guidance, something she still remembered vividly. Compared to Hu Liena, her position was different, yet the academy rules still applied equally in structure.
"So that's how it is."
After listening to Xin's explanation, Qian Renxue and Hu Liena were deep in thought.
Both of them were Heaven's Chosen Geniuses; one was surrounded by stars in the Supreme Pontiff Palace, and the other was a great treasure of the Offering Hall. They were both extremely arrogant in their bones and were not afraid of competing with others:
In the distance, other academy students could be faintly seen practicing under the falling cherry blossoms, their movements synchronized with elemental energy fluctuations. The Heart of Fire Academy was not a place of comfort, but one of constant refinement, where every disciple was forced to sharpen their abilities through relentless cultivation and competition.
"Since it's Teacher's rule, and we've agreed to abide by the school rules, we won't violate them. If we have to compete with Named Disciples, then we will. I believe I can win!"
Qian Renxue and Hu Liena said in unison.
Their voices overlapped briefly, carrying the same unwavering confidence. Yet beneath that confidence lay different motivations—Qian Renxue's pride as a divine inheritor and Hu Liena's determination to prove herself in a new environment. Neither was willing to yield easily.
Hearing this, Xin was quite pleased, but regarding their confidence, a hint of a smile was hidden in Xin's eyes.
These two girls, confidence is a good thing, but it seems they still don't know how formidable his other Disciples are.
Even the Holy Maiden of Angels and the Heavenly Fox herself would find it difficult to stand out from those Named Disciples who had already studied for several years and mastered the fundamental unique skills.
Xin did not elaborate further. Some truths could only be understood through experience rather than explanation. The upcoming Core Disciple competition would naturally reveal the gap between raw talent and accumulated foundation. He simply turned slightly, his gaze drifting across the academy grounds as more cherry blossoms fell, signaling the passage of time.
"I hope so."
"Rongrong, take your two new Junior Sisters to arrange their accommodation."
"Okay, Teacher, I'm coming."
...
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