Chapter 50: A Leisurely Half-Day of Life

In Class A Academy, half a month of shared days had already made the fifty students familiar with one another—enough to call each other by name.

"Yuanzhao," said Du Yueqiu, lounging on the grass with a slender frame, "your people from Divine General’s Residence are seriously ruthless. These New Students, barely even in the academy, almost swept the top ten."

She was a Returning Student, eighteen years old—prime age, yet already considered an elder within Class A Academy. Before the term began, she’d ranked among the top ten in Martial Dao Ranking. Now she was stuck outside the top fifteen.

It wasn’t her fault. This batch of New Students was simply too fierce. Seven came from Divine General’s Residence alone, plus two Imperial Princes, and that was before factoring in a Master’s child, a郡主 from a major city—thirteen in total, all with terrifying backgrounds.

The Returning Students had trained relentlessly for years to reach the Peak Zhou Tian Realm. But these New Students arrived already at the same level—some even near Perfection—boasting immense familial wealth and cultivation advantages from day one.

And though their realms were equal, differences in Qi Circulation Techniques and Meridian Opening methods created a power gap nearly double. They were utterly outmatched—crushed under the sheer authority of Emperor Yu’s descendants.

"Still, I’m only sixth," Li Yuanzhao scratched his head, shrugging. "I barely made it."

"...," Du Yueqiu stared, speechless.

Beside her, Zheng Bai, a young master from Liangzhou, let out a bitter chuckle. He was also a New Student, yet ranked only thirty-eighth. Only those with sky-high connections could bully the Returning Students. As for the rest of them—well, they still had to follow the Returning Students’ teachings and stay humble.

In the courtyard, a few were sparring in combat techniques.

Du Yueqiu glanced at the Martial Dao Ranking list, her gaze complex.

Now, among the top five, only one Returning Student remained—struggling to hold on, like a last flicker of dignity for their kind.

The first and second spots belonged to two Princes. The Royal Meridian Opening Scripture and Qi Circulation Technique were unmatched, and naturally, they’d been trained in them since birth.

Third was Wang Han of Heavenly Zhao Divine General’s Residence. Hearing the name, Du Yueqiu’s expression shifted slightly. Aside from the Princes, Wang Han was currently the most feared figure in Class A Academy.

Just fifteen years old, but his movements were ruthless and decisive—fierce, brutal, unlike the others who seemed too polished, too untouched by real battle. Rumor had it he’d served a year at the Meh River Bureau.

Fourth was the daughter of a Master, rumored to have already awakened her Sword Heart. Her swordsmanship was said to be divine—terrifying.

Fifth was the Returning Student, once the top-ranked martial cultivator. His spear art had reached the Upper-Grade Perfect level. He’d barely bested Li Yuanzhao the day before.

Li Yuanzhao himself sat sixth, followed by his two cousins—Li Yun and Li Zhinin.

"Strange," Du Yueqiu shifted her gaze, scanning the courtyard. "Where’s your Hao brother? He’s not here?"

She was especially curious about Li Hao. From Li Yuanzhao’s constant “Hao Ge,” and the way the two acted together, anyone could see Li Yuanzhao held deep respect for the boy—his age-mate, yet clearly someone far beyond the ordinary.

That was what made it so baffling.

Every time class ended, Li Hao would vanish like smoke—racing off as if chasing a toilet. Not a single time had he shown up during spontaneous sparring sessions or ranked challenges. He seemed to exist outside the academy’s rhythm entirely.

Even during lectures, whenever she glanced over, he was either asleep on his desk or scribbling frantically into a book-like notebook.

At first, she’d admired his dedication. But then, one day, she accidentally peeked—and found the pages blank. Not a single character. Only intricate sketches.

Monstrous spirit beasts—mostly aquatic ones—drawn in vivid detail.

And among them, dozens of drawings of Su Yehua, the art teacher. Some showed her with cat ears, tails, even fangs—rendered as if she were a spirit beast still half-transformed.

It was pure nonsense.

Yet, despite the absurdity, Du Yueqiu couldn’t deny the skill. The drawings were lifelike, masterful—certainly not something done casually. This boy had clearly spent years refining his craft.

But still… they were martial cultivators. Who had time for such things?

"Hao Ge’s probably off playing," Li Yuanzhao said nonchalantly. He’d long grown used to Li Hao’s ways. Train with them? Please. Even their mother begged him to join, but not once had he set foot in the training grounds.

From childhood, Hao Ge had never mixed with his peers—unless they sought him out.

"Playing…?" Du Yueqiu and Zheng Bai exchanged stunned looks.

To them, “play” was a foreign word. The whip on their backs and the bamboo rods on their buttocks had already branded the word “diligence” into their bones.

They wanted to play, too—but dared not.

As their fathers would say:

“You’re wasting time now. One day, you’ll be wasting your life.”

“No hardship, no greatness.”

“The family’s future rests on your shoulders. How can you dishonor our ancestors?”

To them, “play” was a forbidden word—taboo, unmentionable.

“He doesn’t participate in the Martial Dao Ranking? If so, someone from Class B Courtyard could challenge him. He’d get demoted.”

Du Yueqiu hesitated.

Li Yuanzhao narrowed his eyes, almost scowling.

“Who dares? If anyone challenges Hao Ge, I’ll drop to Class B Courtyard myself—then challenge them back!”

Du Yueqiu: "..."

Zheng Bai: "..."

Damn, that’s bold.

"You’ve got Divine General’s Residence behind you—no one’d dare challenge you. But the Meh River Battle Realm Trial next year? That’ll be on your own."

Du Yueqiu sighed. "Outside, you can rely on family to secretly send strong protectors on spirit beast hunts. But in the Battle Realm? You go alone. No companions. And the trial river only allows one person at a time."

"True," Li Yuanzhao frowned, thinking. "I’ll tell Hao Ge about it later."

Du Yueqiu said nothing. The young master from Divine General’s Residence—was he really this careless?

...

...

In the back mountains of Class A Academy, atop a cliff beside a waterfall.

Two figures sat, sipping wine and playing a leisurely game of Go, laughing and chatting like old friends.

Suddenly, from below the falls, a figure leapt upward—clearing the sheer drop of dozens of zhang in one bound, landing perfectly dry before them, holding two skewered wild rabbits.

"You little rascal..." the older man playing Go chuckled, then sniffed. "Smells delicious!"

Li Hao handed the roasted rabbits over. "Try it."

The two players were Zhao Zongyuan and Shen Yunqing—senior instructors at Class A Academy. For the past half month, they’d been completely conquered by Li Hao’s cooking.

"Damn, kid," Shen Yunqing munched, eyes lighting up. "Your skills are seriously fierce."

Though now grinning and relaxed, the two men were stern and imposing in class—so much so that even the Princes had to sit up straight and behave.

Princes were noble, but those who came to Tan Palace Academy weren’t always the most favored. Maybe one day, they’d outlive these royal heirs. So no need to grovel for the golden seal on their waist.

"Lost two games already today," Zhao Zongyuan said, chewing, eyeing Li Hao’s eager expression. "Time to go back and train, huh?"

He loved chess—but not when he kept losing.

"Training’s boring," Li Hao said. "Not like the martial arts of Black and White Hall."

"Wanting secret techniques the moment you arrive? Dream on."

The two elders shook their heads, helpless. They’d tested Li Hao’s combat prowess when he first challenged them—far from a spoiled brat. In fact, he was stronger than most students in Class A.

But the boy didn’t care about cultivation at all.

When they tried to give him a few pointers mid-game, he snapped back:

"You’re about to lose—can’t you focus? Pick up the pieces!"

"What, shall I give you five stones?"

The elders were both annoyed and fond. They hated him for his attitude, yet admired him for his talent.

"Shen Lao," Li Hao pointed at Shen Yunqing’s waist. "Today’s two drinks are still owed. Where’s my share?"

Shen Yunqing’s lips twitched. He’d been giving Zhao Zongyuan a drink after every loss—now there was another mouth to feed. His Drunk Wind Brew was running dangerously low.

Fine. Let’s accept the bet. He grunted, tossing the wine gourd to Li Hao.

"Take it easy. You’re still young."

Li Hao grinned, popped the cork, and took two long swallows. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, sighing contentedly. "Taste is real good."

The Six Arts of Cooking covered a vast range—Li Hao could even brew his own wine. But it took too long. He wasn’t patient enough.

Seeing Li Hao so carefree, the two elders gave up. They resumed eating their wild rabbit.

Li Hao handed the gourd back, patted his butt, and said, "I’ll be back tomorrow."

With a graceful leap, he vanished like the wind—landing softly on the white stones beyond the waterfall.

Then, strolling slowly, humming a tune, he strolled off, leisurely and unhurried.

He hadn’t come up the waterfall for training. Just for a drink and to bring a gift to the elders.

"...That kid," the two elders watched his fading figure, shaking their heads. Never seen such a strange boy.

"By the way," Zhao Zongyuan said, "was that the Upper-Grade White Phoenix Technique he just used?"

Shen Yunqing chewed thoughtfully. "Yeah. And he’s already mastered it—perfect level. I’m starting to wonder if he really did learn Cleaving Wind Fist that same day..."

"Mastered it in half a month..." Zhao Zongyuan murmured, thoughtful. "Could it be the Li Clan’s earlier announcement was just a cover-up? Xing Wuhou’s been on the frontier for years—both parents absent..."

He didn’t finish. No need to.

Shen Yunqing swallowed the last bite, downed another gulp of wine, and sighed in bliss—his eyebrows nearly melting off.

"Palace gates are deep and dark," he said. "Who knows what secrets lie within? But one thing’s certain—this kid’s a genius. Next year’s Meh River Trial? He’ll make a name for himself."

Zhao Zongyuan nodded, not denying it. It all depended on whether Li Hao wanted to step forward.

Then, suddenly, Zhao Zongyuan frowned, eyes narrowing as Li Hao’s silhouette vanished around a corner.

"Wait… did he just take the wrong path?"

"Uh?" Shen Yunqing paused. "Didn’t you tell him? That way leads straight to the Meh River."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end