Faint discussions drifted into her ears. Hu Liena, holding a few plums, leaned by the window and curiously asked Bibi Dong inside the hall:
"Teacher, do you think I have a good chance of being promoted?"
At this moment, Red Maple Hall was unusually quiet.
Outside, the maple leaves rustled softly in the wind while groups of disciples discussed tomorrow's promotion results. Inside the hall, however, only the sound of papers being sorted could be heard.
Bibi Dong continued organizing the assessment documents on the podium.
After carefully placing another archive bag aside, she finally glanced at Hu Liena.
"Didn't you say that no matter whether you become a Core Disciple or not, Teacher Xin will teach you a very powerful cultivation technique?"
Her tone was indifferent as always.
Yet compared to the cold and distant Bibi Dong of the past, the current one had become noticeably more approachable.
"That's true."
Hu Liena nodded immediately.
"Although there's no distinction in status between Named Disciples and Core Disciples, becoming a Core Disciple allows me to move to Heart of Fire Campus. It's closer to Teacher and allows me to receive more guidance from him."
The moment she mentioned Xin, her fox-like eyes brightened.
That was her real motivation.
Titles and privileges were secondary.
Being able to stay closer to Teacher was what mattered most.
Especially now that she also held the position of Judge of Slaughter City.
After several discussions with Ning Rongrong, Ye Lingling, and Xiao Wu, a long-term management plan had finally been established for Slaughter City.
Every month, at least one Slaughter King and two Judges had to remain stationed there.
This arrangement ensured stability while preventing any resurgence of chaos.
Unfortunately, the new system also greatly reduced Hu Liena's free time.
As one of the academy's important personnel, she was often required to travel between Slaughter City and the academy.
Senior Sister Zhuqing was currently occupied with family affairs.
Senior Sister Lingling needed to remain stationed in Slaughter City for extended periods.
As a result, Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu had departed for Slaughter City nearly twenty days ago to take over the rotation.
Thinking about it made Hu Liena feel slightly depressed.
This meant her study time at the academy was at most half that of the other Named Disciples.
More importantly...
The number of opportunities she had to see Teacher was pitifully few.
Just thinking about it made her sigh.
Seeing her disappointed expression, a faint smile appeared on Bibi Dong's exquisitely charming face.
"Whether you can be promoted or not is up to Teacher Xin to decide."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"But I can tell you that your results should be among the top."
Hu Liena's eyes immediately widened.
"That's great!"
She nearly jumped in excitement.
"Being among the top means there's a chance, and having a chance is good!"
Her mood instantly improved.
In her excitement, she casually tossed a plum into her mouth.
"Ah~ So sour!"
The moment she bit down, green juice burst across her tongue.
An overwhelming sourness exploded in her mouth.
Her eyes immediately squinted shut.
Saliva rapidly filled her mouth and nearly spilled from the corner of her lips.
The expression was so exaggerated that it looked almost comical.
"Nana, what are you eating?"
Seeing this reaction, Bibi Dong inexplicably swallowed.
For some reason, the sight made her curious rather than repulsed.
Unable to resist, she asked the question.
Hu Liena extended her hand.
Several greenish-yellow plums rested in her palm.
"They're Sky Blue Smoked Plums from the flower garden."
"Poison Guardian said that if nobody picked them soon, they'd become overripe within another month."
"Teacher told Poison Guardian to knock down all the ripe ones for everyone to eat."
As she spoke, she stuffed another plum into her mouth.
Immediately afterward, her face twisted again from the sourness.
"But they're really sour. Nobody can eat too many."
Bibi Dong glanced at the plums.
They looked perfectly ordinary.
Hu Liena then added:
"Teacher, do you want to try one?"
"Teacher said this kind of Sky Blue Smoked Plum can smooth the skin, invigorate blood circulation, and help cleanse impurities from the body."
She patted the pouch tied around her waist.
The small bag was completely stuffed with plums.
"I took a whole bag, but they're too sour. There's no way I can finish them all."
A helpless expression appeared on her face.
Bibi Dong looked at the plums silently.
In truth, she had never liked sour things.
Her previous life had already been bitter enough.
There was no reason to deliberately seek out more bitterness and sourness.
Normally, she would have refused immediately.
Yet for some unknown reason, she suddenly felt an urge to try one.
Perhaps it was because Xin had recommended them.
Perhaps it was simple curiosity.
Or perhaps it was because Hu Liena's reaction had been too entertaining.
Whatever the reason, she reached out.
"I don't like sour things."
"I'll try one."
She picked up a plum and gently bit into it.
The moment the skin broke, juice filled her mouth.
A sweet and refreshing flavor mixed with a light sourness instantly spread across her tongue.
Bibi Dong's eyes brightened slightly.
The taste was unexpectedly pleasant.
Without realizing it, she picked up another one and took another bite.
This time, her eyes narrowed comfortably.
Unlike Hu Liena, whose eyes squeezed shut from sourness, Bibi Dong's half-closed eyes resembled elegant crescent moons.
Hu Liena stared in disbelief.
"Teacher, aren't they sour?"
Bibi Dong calmly swallowed another bite.
"Nana, is there something wrong with your taste buds?"
Her expression remained perfectly composed.
"Teacher thinks these green plums are sweet and sour."
"They're nowhere near as sour as you claim."
Hu Liena immediately looked suspicious.
Impossible!
These things were obviously so sour that they could make a person's soul leave their body.
How could they only be sweet and sour?
"Really?"
She quickly picked up another plum and held it out.
"Teacher, try again!"