She is Jianxiu

Chapter 1466, Grade 263 Scholar

Hearing Zhao Chun address him as "Master" and specifically point out the monopoly of education by aristocratic families, Yi Ling felt somewhat at a loss and could only awkwardly say, "If that's the case, after you enter the academy, you can find a mentor to plead your case. After all, you have merits and achievements, and I won't use your status as a study companion to humiliate you."

Zhao Chun smiled without saying a word, then shifted her gaze to Yin Shu and the others. After a moment's consideration, she said, "What the master said makes sense. It was indeed something I hadn't thought through thoroughly enough."

She glanced at the two people standing beside her with their sleeves folded, recalling what Si Que Dan Yun had once said: there were also students from Lesser Heavens within the Gu She Academy. As long as they were of good aptitude and had no evil intentions, they could still study in the world without having to suffer scorn. Back then, even people like Huan Yuan could study at the Gu She Academy, which proved that his words were true.

Zhao Chun thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "However, I am not a person from the Qianming Realm. I came from a small realm in haste, so I inevitably had some concerns. Now that I have been enrolled for several days, I have learned that there are also many people from outside the heavens in the academy. Only then did I feel it was appropriate to compete for the title of a formal student."

Upon hearing that they were from outer space, Yi Ling was slightly surprised, but then nodded, thinking to herself that this was exactly how it should be.

As a realm ruled by a sage, the Qianming Realm has long attracted countless realms seeking to submit to it. Besides these, there are also many transcendent beings from smaller realms who, unable to withstand the chaos of the cosmic currents, have chosen to serve under the sage. It is said that within the Shaoshi lineage, there is an exceptionally powerful being from beyond the heavens, whose strength far surpasses that of a first-rank scholar. Therefore, he is highly respected by the sage, and the Shaoshi lineage has risen in status as a result.

Yi Ling thought that these people from the small world were barbarians and lacked knowledge. Since they had fought their way out of that dog-eat-dog world, it was reasonable for them to be good at martial arts. It was just a pity that the Gu She Academy valued literature over martial arts. In order to pursue higher learning, there were many people from the small world who entered the martial arts department and then transferred to the literature department. It was unknown how Zhao Chun would choose.

She nodded slightly and said softly, "So you are a visitor from outer space. It's not surprising that you have such concerns. But don't worry, my Gushe Academy is by no means a place that excludes those who are different. If you are determined to learn, the academy will open its doors to you."

After saying this, Yi Ling's face showed a hint of joy. She thought that although Zhao Chun came from another world, her skills were no less than her own. If she could recruit this person for the Martial Arts Sect, it would be a great achievement for her.

Zhao Chun nodded and smiled. Yi Ling's words were exactly what she wanted to hear. The martial arts sect was now weak and its influence waning. If she went in, how could she not have a chance to rise to prominence?

She added that Suotu Yi was now in the lead, and if she wanted to kill him, she would first have to bring him down. If Suotu Yi could attend such a grand event as the Danqiu Gathering, then Zhao Chun could too!
Unlike Zhao Chun, who was completely at ease, Si Queyi and the others waited outside the small gate, their hearts pounding like hot oil.

She said that Zhao Chun was exceptionally skilled and could easily become a formal disciple. Her only concern was her identity as someone who had secretly crossed over to the upper realm. Although she didn't necessarily have malicious intentions, if one examined her previous words, it would not be difficult to discover that Zhao Chun's purpose in entering the academy was not merely to gain admission.

Si Queyi stood outside the door in a heavy mood, not saying a word. Suddenly, he heard a strange noise, looked up, and saw that it was Master Yi Lingyi who pushed open the small door.

The people outside the door were startled and quickly stepped forward to pay their respects, not daring to be negligent.

Yi Ling also stopped, curiously scanning the crowd, and asked, "Which one of you is the Master of Ceremonies?"

When his master suddenly called out his name, Si Queyi's breath hitched, and he immediately raised his sleeves and replied, "Student Si Queyi greets Master."

She stepped closer, her gaze shifting slightly, and saw Zhao Chun standing next to Yi Ling. The latter nodded and smiled at her, instantly dispelling the panic hidden in Si Queyi's heart.

"Yes, truly a prodigy. You should study diligently and strive for excellence in the future." Yi Ling was in a good mood and didn't hesitate to praise Zhao Chun in front of Si Queyi, giving her plenty of face. "As for your companion..." Yi Ling smiled, her tone carrying a hint of teasing reproach, and said, "Your skills are still shallow, and you can't see through many things. You've accidentally ended up having a third-rank scholar as your companion. It's truly a twist of fate."

A scholar of the third rank!

Si Queyi felt a chill in his heart. Although he had known for a long time that Zhao Chun had profound merits and that his rank might not be lower than that of the old ancestor Si Que Danyun, it was only today that someone from the academy finally came forward to confirm Zhao Chun's status as a third-rank scholar.

The third rank! This is the third rank! The Suotu family, with Suotu Yi as their backer, can act arrogantly and domineeringly in Mianzhou City, suppressing all the other aristocratic families. And Suotu Yi is only a third-rank official!

In the Nine Ranks of the Mind School, the third rank is already a position in Jinlai Kingdom that deserves the title of "wielding power and influence." Without the Grand Master of Ceremonies, who can challenge and kill a third-rank scholar?

She sighed inwardly, remembering the old grudge between Zhao Chun and Suo Tu Yi. Now that she had entered the Martial Arts Department, she was afraid that Zhao Chun would really have to point her sword at Suo Tu Yi. Thinking of this, her blood suddenly turned cold, and she dared not feel any excitement at all.

Si Queyi was somewhat aware of the inside story, and was only surprised for a moment after hearing about it. The two people behind him knew nothing about it, and were still completely confused when Yiling first mentioned the third-rank scholar.

After regaining my senses and fully understanding the meaning of those words, it was truly a bolt from the blue, leaving me unable to accept it for a long time.

Recalling the past few days when she had subtly inquired about the other party's background from Si Queyi, and how she had considered starting with Zhao Chun regarding the matter of becoming a study companion, Si Que Deyin's face paled. She was already seething with anger and wished she could immediately send a letter to her father, urging him to carefully consider whether she had offended the other party in the mansion, lest she bring trouble upon herself.

In addition, Si Que Yujin kept his head down and remained silent, thinking to himself that he had done a bad job. He had been blinded by the prospect of a companion's place and had not cultivated a good relationship with Zhao Chun, so that Si Que Yi had benefited from it all.

Yi Ling was quick-witted and discerning. Just by looking at the appearance and demeanor of these people, she could tell who Zhao Chun was close to. She chuckled inwardly, but didn't care much about the scheming among these students. She simply turned around and walked with Zhao Chun, saying, "According to the old rules of the academy, a third-rank scholar is enough to be a tutor in both the inner and upper dormitories. Now that Master Suotu is in charge of the upper dormitories, there is only one tutor missing in the inner dormitories. What do you think of this arrangement, senior?"

Zhao Chun shook her head and did not agree. "I have not been enrolled for a month yet, and my knowledge is still lacking. How can I convince others if I am already teaching them? I still need to concentrate on my studies and see how things go in a while."

These words came from the bottom of her heart and were truly sincere. After all, her swordsmanship came from Taoist cultivation, which was different from the Xin Xue school. She was unwilling to pass it on to her disciples for two reasons: first, she was afraid of misleading them, and second, being in the Qianming Realm, she could not casually pass on Taoist techniques.

Upon hearing this excuse, Yi Ling, being quite understanding, immediately smiled and said, "What you say is quite right, senior. I was too worried and too hasty in my decision about teaching and further studies. The academy has its own rules and regulations. If someone from outside the heavens comes, they must report to the Chancellor and undergo investigation."

"However, given your merits, if you can keep them within the Martial Arts Department, I think the Chancellor will not make things too difficult for you. It will surely be arranged in a day or two or three days."

His words were clearly meant to persuade Zhao Chun to stay in the martial arts path, which shows how anxious he was.

I'll update two chapters tomorrow: one 21-word chapter at 2 PM and another 23-word chapter at 3 PM. (bowing in respect)