7:00 AM.

The Martial Arts Arena at Tianyi Academy was already filled with students who were about to head out for training.

When Shen Han and the other three from his academy arrived at the arena,

Zhong Nan, their tutor, was surprisingly already waiting there.

Seeing this, Chai Haifu and the other two felt a mix of discomfort and unintentional gratitude.

In the past, regardless of the occasion, Dugu Tian would always arrive later than the students.

Noticing the three looked a bit nervous, Mr. Zhong Nan approached to ease their anxiety.

Unlike Dugu Tian's belief of "teaching the world's finest talents,"

Zhong Nan understood there are not as many geniuses in the world.

He also knew his limitations; he couldn't turn a mere mortal into a worldly prodigy.

But as a teacher honored with the title "teacher," he felt a responsibility to fulfill.

Moreover, the four in front of him were not lacking in Zhong Nan's eyes.

Once everyone was gathered, the students of Tianyi Academy set off.

In the Capital City, there were a total of four academies.

The Mountain Sea Academy, Jade Dragon Academy, Qiling Academy, and the Tianyi Academy, which was less than a century old.

Apart from Mountain Sea Academy, the other two also had substantial foundations.

The Jade Dragon Academy was formerly known as the Dragon-Controlling Academy, but due to taboos, it was renamed Jade Dragon Academy.

After the renaming, it seemed as if their luck changed as well, and they've produced no talents over the past century.

In the eyes of the Great Wei people, Jade Dragon Academy has a foundation.

But it truly lacks the fortune to produce talents.

Qiling Academy was somewhat specialized, excelling in scholars and the study of literature and art, matching the strength of Mountain Sea Academy.

Yet in other unfamiliar cultivation methods, Qiling Academy was nearly a blank slate.

Overall, the four academies in the Capital City stand as follows.

Mountain Sea Academy leads, followed by Qiling Academy, with Jade Dragon and Tianyi Academies lagging far behind.

Following the crowd, they headed to the east side of the Capital City.

After exiting the city gates, they waited a while on the vast open ground.

Soon, students from the other three academies also arrived.

Shen Han looked around and, from the faces of his peers, seemingly discerned which academy each belonged to.

The students from Mountain Sea Academy wore the proudest expressions.

Standing on the open ground, they would perhaps glance around.

After their glance, they would look straight ahead, without further regard.

Their faces naturally lift with pride, not even attempting to hide it.

Students from other academies seemed to accept the superiority of Mountain Sea Academy students and would even make way for them without challenge.

Lacking even the pride to compete.

Shen Han glanced at Chai Haifu and the other two beside him, whose eyes were fixed on the students from Mountain Sea Academy.

However, following their gaze, it seemed they were admiring the ladies from other academies.

Noticing Shen Han's gaze, Chai Haifu returned to his senses, awkwardly cleared his throat twice.

"A fair lady, a gentleman's desire, a common human sentiment."

Shen Han's words eased Chai Haifu's awkwardness slightly.

Beside him, Wu Jiahuan couldn't resist teasing, "What kind of lady does Brother Shen admire?

After all, Brother Shen only gave the fairy-like ladies of Mountain Sea Academy a glance..."

Hearing this question, Tang Xuhe quickly nudged him with his elbow.

Then whispered, "Haven't you heard of Su Jinyu...?"

Wu Jiahuan realized his slip as Shen Han once had a marriage agreement with the Su Family's Pride.

After climbing high mountains, lesser hills seem insignificant in comparison.

Outside the city, once the four academies gathered, they officially set off.

Along the way, many people glanced towards the students of Mountain Sea Academy.

Watching while whispering softly.

"Who do you think is Shen Ye?

Is it the one leading the Mountain Sea Academy procession?"

"Perhaps, he seems quite imposing..."

On the Tianyi Academy side, many were discussing this topic too.

The one leading always easily draws attention.

Especially since recent days have brought news of Shen Ye advancing to the Fifth Grade Half-Step Realm.

At just twenty-something, reaching the Sixth Grade is already considered excellent.

Shen Ye's achievements aren't merely excellent; calling them extraordinary would be an understatement.

Amidst the discussions within Tianyi Academy, Qiu Shuyin found it unbearable to listen any longer.

"Do any of you think before speaking?

For a secret realm trial like this, there's no way Shen Ye would participate.

If he were to explore a secret realm, it would surely be those unexplored places of mystery.

Why would he waste time in such a secret realm?"

After his words, Qiu Shuyin's eyes were full of exasperation.

These people simply do not understand how exceptional Shen Ye is; they speak nonsense.

Qiu Shuyin shook his head slightly in disbelief, then walked towards the crowd of Mountain Sea Academy.

Seeing her approach, several Mountain Sea Academy students greeted Qiu Shuyin with smiles.

"Shuyin, perhaps you should return to Mountain Sea Academy after all.

At Tianyi Academy, it's hard to find someone to converse with, and staying there is just a waste of your time."

Her former classmates' advice genuinely wavered Qiu Shuyin.

Leaving Mountain Sea Academy was truly out of spite for her.

She clearly showed her feelings to Shen Ye first, yet Shen Ye chose Su Jinyu.

To want her to return, unless Shen Ye himself persuades her...

"Shuyin, things between Shen Ye and Su Jinyu are set in stone now; don't push it..."

Hearing this, Qiu Shuyin's resolve only grew stronger.

"Why shouldn't I push it? I'll push it; how am I, Qiu Shuyin, any less than Su Jinyu?

Why choose her over me?

Moreover, the Imperial Family has betrothed her to Shen Han already, yet she's shamelessly seeking His Holiness to dissolve the engagement..."

In front of her former classmates, Qiu Shuyin made no attempt to hide her conflicts with Su Jinyu.

Seeing her steadfastness, the crowd couldn't help but sigh.

"Honestly, Su Jinyu isn't entirely sincere towards Shen Ye.

Have you heard that during Stepping into the Thousand Autumns, Su Jinyu once protected Shen Han?

Rumor has it that the situation was quite intimate."

Before Qiu Shuyin could finish speaking, her intentions were already clear to the Mountain Sea Academy alumni.

She was merely trying to start gossip about Su Jinyu and Shen Han.

To create mistrust between Shen Ye and Su Jinyu, leading them to part ways.

"Shuyin, do you really think anyone would believe this?

"It is true; why wouldn't anyone believe it?"

Hearing her insistence, a fellow alumnus stepped forward, looking at Qiu Shuyin.

"Shuyin, let me ask you, do you have any interest in that Shen Han?"

Hearing the question, Qiu Shuyin was momentarily taken aback before she replied, "Don't underestimate Shen Han; he's quite handsome and his skills are impressive.

He even defeated Dugu Tian in the recent monthly assessment."

The alumnus in front seemed uninterested in Qiu Shuyin's response.

He pressed again with another question.

"Shuyin, I just want to know, would you be willing to marry that Shen Han?"

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