Star Martial Soaring Cloud

There must be a scheme involved.

Wang Xiaoli stood on the bluestone steps outside the Jixia Academy, watching the bustling crowds on Changqian Street, reviewing the events of the day in his mind.

The Dean's sudden appearance, the unusual rankings in the Divine Consciousness Boat assessment, and the successive withdrawals caused by the substitute rule...

Each link is perfectly connected, resembling a meticulously planned game of chess.

The Ye family will definitely be involved.

Otherwise, the appearance of those three "unexpected candidates" cannot be explained at all, especially Ye Xin being one of them.

If the Ye family hadn't been secretly pushing things along, how could a young master from a prominent family have just happened to get the "persistent" spot?

How could it just happen to become the focus of this storm?

The Jixia Academy must also be involved.

All indications suggest that it is the Jixia Academy that has put the Ye family in the spotlight.

New rules for substitutes, public exhibition matches, allowing students who pass the assessment to provide on-site support...

Every rule was designed to amplify Ye Xin's presence, drawing all eyes to him.

Therefore, it seems that the Jixia Academy is not a monolithic entity.

As for whether there are other players involved, Wang Xiao has no way of knowing.

But from the dean's remark, "Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut?", it's clear that this old man had already planned everything meticulously.

The old man in the green robe with a red face and an unkempt appearance must have joined the game halfway through. He seemed casual and carefree, but in fact, he stepped precisely on the key points with every move.

This incident will inevitably draw much criticism to the Jixia Academy's assessment system.

The dean decided to go with the flow and make everything public, holding a public exhibition match directly in Chengzheng Square.

Instead of blocking, it's better to guide. Opening the door to let everyone judge and discuss is precisely the best way to prove one's innocence.

Doesn't this further demonstrate the fairness and impartiality of the Jixia Academy?

Besides, Jiang Feng's decision to stop the Yun and Ye families from competing in wealth was a good thing for the Daqian court and the country, but it might not be so for the people of the capital.

Without such a lively and exciting scene that captivated the entire city, the people inevitably harbored resentment.

The human heart is a complex and ever-changing entity, and its true nature is the most difficult to fathom.

The timely launch of a grand public performance competition by Jixia Academy perfectly appeased public grievances and won over the hearts of the people.

What a deep scheme!

As for Wang Xiao's extra question earlier, it was because he vaguely sensed that once this game of chess was made public, neither the Ye family nor the Jixia Academy could fully control the situation.

"I think it's highly likely." Ling Cheng stroked his chin, looking like he knew everything. "That kid is definitely plotting something behind the scenes again."

"Aren't we also students who passed the assessment?" Yuan Kong slapped his forehead, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Looking at it this way, it seems we can give everyone a big surprise!"

As everyone was chatting and laughing, three figures slowly walked over.

Two men and one woman, all dressed in the attire of newly enrolled students of Jixia Academy, with brand-new identity jade pendants hanging from their waists.

The man at the head of the group was tall and imposing, with striking eyebrows and bright eyes. He was exceptionally handsome and exuded an innate arrogance. His gaze was sharp and piercing.

"Junior Sister Qinhe, it really is you! I knew you would be here!" The man stepped forward quickly, his tone warm, his eyes full of genuine surprise.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhao." Su Qinhe smiled faintly, her expression calm.

This person's name is Zhao Huaijin, he is about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, and he ranked tenth in this assessment.

His gaze was fixed on Su Qinhe, and he couldn't look away.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhao, on achieving tenth place!" Yan Zixi greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Junior Sister Yan is here too." Zhao Huaijin smiled shyly before glancing at the rest of the group. When he saw the men accompanying her, a scrutinizing look flashed in his eyes. "And who are these gentlemen?"

"Friends," Su Qinhe said succinctly, without going into further details.

The two people accompanying Zhao Huaijin were a man named Ma Yan, who ranked sixty-fifth in the assessment, and a woman named Lin Yutang, who ranked eighty-fifth in the assessment.

The group greeted each other with clasped hands, creating a polite and harmonious atmosphere.

"I've long admired your name!"

Please continue to take care of me in the future!

On the surface, things were all amicable, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that Zhao Huaijin's enthusiasm and closeness towards Su Qinhe was far beyond what he showed to others.

The affectionate "Junior Sister Qinhe" versus the plain "Junior Sister Yan" speak volumes about the difference in their titles.

"Fairy Su, Miss Yan, since you're catching up with your fellow disciples, we'll take our leave first," Xiao He said, intending to defuse the situation and depart.

"No need." Su Qinhe shook her head slightly. "I'll go with you. I'm sorry, Senior Brother Zhao, we'll talk another day."

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

As Zhao Huaijin stared at Su Qinhe's departing figure, the smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by a chilling aura. Ma Yan and Lin Yutang beside him couldn't help but shiver.

He clearly sensed a strong sense of alienation; Su Qinhe was deliberately avoiding him.

As a seasoned veteran of the world of pleasure, he immediately sensed something was amiss.

Although Su Qinhe had always been aloof and polite in the past, she had never been so deliberately distant.

For a woman, this sense of alienation can only mean one thing—that she has someone else in her heart.

"Who exactly were they?" Zhao Huaijin's gaze turned icy as he swept his eyes over the departing men, a dark glint of malice rising in his eyes. "They dared to steal my woman?"

As night fell, the scene in the private room of that secluded restaurant in the southern part of the city remained exactly the same as it had been a few days earlier.

The formation flowed, isolating all external sounds and prying eyes.

Two figures sat upright at the table.

The man in black robes remained veiled, shrouded in mystery, while the person opposite him finally revealed his true face.

Because there is only one chief examiner at Jixia Academy.

Vice Dean, Gong Zheng.

Gong Zheng spoke first, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Your actions are going too far."

"It's alright." The man in black robes spoke in a hoarse voice, his pace unhurried. "Everything is within the rules and reasonable. You were not the one who made the suggestion, nor were you the one who made the final decision. You are still the impartial and fair examiner."

The private room fell silent for a long time before a long sigh was heard.

In the western part of Beijing, where land is incredibly valuable, the magnificent Ye family mansion is located.

The fact that the Ye family owns such a large manor in Xicheng demonstrates the depth of their family's wealth and influence.

The mansion's main hall was brightly lit, and Ye Jingxing, the head of the Ye family who had just arrived in the capital, sat upright in the central armchair.

His features were naturally noble, and although his temples were slightly gray, he still had an extraordinary bearing, suggesting that he must have been a dashing and romantic figure in his youth.

At this moment, he lowered his eyes to look at the petition in his hand, his brows furrowed slightly, and an invisible pressure quietly spread around him, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

"Such behavior—does it truly mean the Ye family has no one to rely on?"

"Master, I will immediately proceed to Jixia Academy to investigate who is behind this!"

Although the hall was completely empty, a low, cold voice rang out, as if seeping out from the cracks in the shadows.

"No need." Ye Jingxing raised his hand to stop him, his gaze deep and calm. "This little storm is nothing to worry about. But Ye Xin cannot lose. This matter concerns the reputation of the Ye family, and we cannot afford to lose it."

"Yes," the voice replied, and then fell silent.

Ye Jingxing rose, put his hands behind his back, and slowly walked to the window. Gazing at the deep night outside, he sighed, "Is the waxing and waning of the moon truly impossible to achieve perfectly?"

Deep within the Jixia Academy, in a secluded waterside pavilion, Su Qinhe, Ling Cheng, Yuan Kong, Xiao He, and Yan Zixi sat together.

"The situation in the Southern Frontier and the Northern Plains is special. There's no need to trouble Brother Ye and Yun Qingyao with the follow-up matters. What do you all think?" Xiao He suggested.

The others nodded in agreement.

"Qinhe, you must seize this opportunity and take the initiative!" Yan Zixi suddenly changed the subject, looking at Su Qinhe with a mischievous smile.

"Why do you say that, Sister Yan?" Su Qinhe was slightly taken aback, her face showing confusion.

"As the saying goes, 'A woman pursuing a man is like piercing a thin veil,'" Yan Zixi said earnestly, resting her chin on her hand. "That Lu Yang is such a blockhead. By the time he realizes it himself, it'll be too late. If you don't believe me, ask Master Yuankong and Ling Cheng. Look at Ling Cheng these days, all smiles and radiant with joy—isn't it all because Miss Yun took the initiative to pursue him?"

"Ahem." Ling Cheng scratched his nose and chuckled twice, then nodded frankly, "I agree with that, it makes sense."

"This... is chasing after someone the same as chasing them?" Su Qinhe glanced at Ling Cheng, somewhat amused and exasperated.

"Hitting is a sign of affection, scolding is a sign of love; it would be strange if you didn't hit or scold!" Yuan Kong said jokingly, his hands clasped together.

"Even if it's not for your own sake, you can't let Miss Lin down," Yan Zixi added, her smile widening.

Lin Yueyao's entrustment on the Demon Island suddenly surged into Su Qinhe's heart.

She seemed to hear those gentle words again: "Sister Su, you like him too, right? Could you help me, and take care of my feelings as well?"

Su Qinhe's cheeks flushed slightly, her mind in turmoil.

"That's right! Fairy Su and Brother Lu are a perfect match, a match made in heaven!" Xiao He didn't expect the topic to change so suddenly, but he still laughed and joined in the banter.

"Take the initiative and capture Lu Yang!" Ling Cheng clenched his fist and waved his hand, leading the chorus.

"Take down Lu Yang! Take down Lu Yang!" Yuan Kong shouted a Buddhist chant, speaking the most unorthodox words with the most devout attitude.

Su Qinhe's mind went blank. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to explain, but something seemed to be blocking her throat, and she couldn't utter a single word.

A blush spread from her cheeks to her ears, and even her fair neck was tinged with a light pink.

Her heart was churning, and she felt panicked and helpless—

Is that really the case?

"So how exactly do I take the initiative? I don't know how!"