Posting the List

"Good-looking?"

"Just that?"

The academy disciples in the square were utterly bewildered.

Senior Sister Li, she favors someone, and it is merely because he is good-looking?

Such a simple, shallow reason?

But when it comes to appearance, the four academies are filled with handsome men of outstanding looks!

Especially the leading Senior Brothers; they possess both elegance and cultivation, each one a graceful gentleman like a bright moon hung in the sky.

Just how good-looking could this person be, to the point where he could overshadow every disciple in the entire academy?

"Good... looking."

Positioned closest to the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion, the academy's Senior Brother Shen Yue, dressed in pristine white robes, softly repeated these words after hearing Li Qingwan.

As a leader among the four academies, Shen Yue had never lacked admirers. Even noble houses in Chongtian City had sent intermediaries to propose alliances.

But because his heart was set solely upon the Dao, he had never entertained anyone.

He had once believed his Dao Heart was firm, beyond the reach of such trivial matters of romance.

Yet, that notion had quietly crumbled the day he first saw Li Qingwan.

Shen Yue still remembered the scene of their meeting.

A rainy day, a white paper umbrella, and a path obscured by gray mist.

An inadvertent glance back, and when their eyes met, he felt the bleak, dark world before him instantly illuminated.

"Excuse me, Senior Brother, is this the path up to Chengtian Academy?"

These were the first words Li Qingwan had spoken to him.

From then on, whenever he lost himself in thought, that blue-clad silhouette would appear in his mind.

After Li Qingwan joined the Chess Academy, she displayed exceptional talent.

Shen Yue had publicly expressed his admiration for her on many occasions, praising her skill highly.

Li Qingwan had even visited him a few times to return the courtesy.

Through these interactions, Shen Yue's resolve only deepened.

He felt their connection had grown familiar, so he eventually invited her on an outing.

But unexpectedly, she had flatly refused him.

"I appreciate your kindness, Senior Brother, but I have no interest in admiring flowers and plants. It is better to return to my cave dwelling and focus on cultivation."

Those cold words still echoed in his ears.

That day, for the first time in his life, Shen Yue felt the sharp sting of rejection.

Since then, he had always believed Li Qingwan was naturally aloof, unskilled and uninterested in intimacy with the opposite sex.

It was this very distance that had deeply attracted him, pulling him further into his infatuation.

Yet, out of propriety and respect, Shen Yue had not bothered her excessively.

But today, hearing her speak those words, a familiar pang of pain struck his heart once more.

So, Li Qingwan was not born indifferent. She did not dislike the flowers and the scenery, nor was she as proud as everyone assumed.

She had simply already given her heart to another; in her eyes, there was no room left for anyone else.

Unconsciously, Shen Yue's hands, hidden within his sleeves, clenched tightly.

A bitter, hollow feeling surged from the depths of his heart.

Reflecting now, those times Li Qingwan had come to return favors were merely matters of etiquette, implying she desired no deep connection with him.

How laughable that he had flattered himself, thinking she was trying to draw closer to him.

With that thought, Shen Yue gave a self-deprecating smile and slowly shook his head.

"Heh, I overestimated her. It was all a facade!"

Beside him, a woman in white robes saw his gloomy expression and said indignantly, "Senior Brother, such a shallow woman is not worthy of your attention! Do not trouble yourself over her!"

"Xiao Man, speak no more of such disparaging words."

Shen Yue's tone was level. "Li Qingwan's talent and skill are evident to all in the academy. The person she holds in her heart cannot be merely 'good-looking.' There must be a deeper reason, one that outsiders like us cannot fathom."

"But, Senior Brother..."

"The list is about to be posted. Compose yourself."

"Yes."

Shen Yue turned his back to Li Qingwan, masking his emotions.

But a single thought lingered only in his heart, never spoken aloud.

If I have the chance, I must see this person for myself!

Clang-crash!

Clang-crash!

Clang-crash!

As the three bronze gongs rang out, the crowd's focus snapped back to reality.

"The list is up!"

The disciples turned toward the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion. Four radiant, spirit-imbued scrolls unfurled simultaneously with a resonant hum.

"Fifty... no, one hundred... it is over, I have fallen out of the top hundred!"

"Ninety-seven! Not bad. I shall work twice as hard this year!"

"Forty-five! Wonderful! I have finally entered the top fifty!"

The air filled with mixed emotions as the rankings were revealed; some disciples beamed with joy, while others beat their chests in frustration.

Feng Linghua squinted, finally locating her name in twenty-first place for the Painting Academy. A bright smile spread across her face.

For a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Gathering, this result was already quite remarkable.

Li Qingwan scanned the Chess Academy list, her expression unchanged.

Her fifth-place ranking in her department meant little to her. She had come today solely for the Gold Roll that was about to be released.

Dong-

The heavy tone of a great bell echoed through the academy.

Amidst the low vibrations, a golden light descended from the apex of the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion.

Li Qingwan held her breath, staring intently at the scroll until she saw her own name appear, then she let out a long, relieved sigh.

"Ancestor, Brother, I did it!"

In years past, the Gold Roll served as a reward for excellence and a spur for others to strive for greater heights.

But this year, the Gold Roll carried a far more solemn and significant meaning.

Those disciples who made it onto the list would have the opportunity to enter Chongtian Palace and witness the Qi-Fall Condensed Origin ceremony.

This was the reason Li Qingwan had been cultivating night and day for the past four years.

As a descendant of the Li family, she had to witness her ancestor's final journey and bid him farewell!

On the Gold Roll, thirty names shone with a dazzling, brilliant light.

Shen Yue looked at the list without a change in expression; his name remained firmly in the first position, followed by the leaders of the Chess, Painting, and Qin Academies.

"One... two... three... four! All of them!"

A disciple counted the entries and exclaimed in surprise, "This is the first time! All four of our academy's beauties have made the Gold Roll!"

The crowd looked on and realized it was true. Four names, representing both peerless beauty and strength, shimmered upon the list.

Qin Academy: Su Lixue, Qi Gathering Tenth Level, Perfection Realm, ninth on the Gold Roll.

Chess Academy: Li Qingwan, Qi Gathering Eighth Level, Late Stage, twentieth on the Gold Roll.

Academy: Murong Qiuhan, Qi Gathering Tenth Level, Perfection Realm, tenth on the Gold Roll.

Painting Academy: Ye Lan, Qi Gathering Ninth Level, Late Stage, eighteenth on the Gold Roll.

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