Chapter 134

Good-looking?

That’s all?

The academy disciples in the square grew bewildered.

Senior Sister Li liked someone merely for their appearance?

Such a shallow reason?

But the Four Academies overflowed with handsome youths!

Even the leading senior brothers possessed both looks and bearing, refined as the full moon hanging in the sky.

How extraordinary must this person be to eclipse every disciple in Senior Sister Li’s eyes?

"Good-looking."

Near TengTian Pavilion, white-robed senior brother Shen Yue murmured the words Li Qingwan had spoken.

As a leader among the Four Academies, Shen Yue never lacked suitors.

Noble families from Chongtian City had sent matchmakers.

Yet he’d always refused, devoted to his cultivation path.

He believed his resolve immune to romantic distractions.

This conviction shattered when he first met Li Qingwan.

Shen Yue remembered clearly:

Rainy weather. A white paper umbrella. Mist-cloaked mountain path.

Their accidental gaze met, and his gray world suddenly brightened.

"Senior Brother, is this the way to ChengTian Academy?"

Her first words to him.

Since that day, her green-robed figure haunted Shen Yue’s thoughts.

After joining Chess Academy, Li Qingwan displayed remarkable talent.

Shen Yue publicly praised her multiple times.

She returned courtesy gifts, their interactions growing frequent.

Believing their bond strengthened, Shen Yue invited her to view spring blossoms.

She coldly refused:

"Your kindness is appreciated, but I’d rather cultivate than admire flowers."

Her rejection echoed in his ears.

That day, Shen Yue tasted heartache for the first time.

He concluded she possessed natural aloofness, disinterested in romantic ties.

Yet this very detachment ensnared him deeper.

But out of politeness and respect, Shen Yue didn’t bother Li Qingwan excessively.

Yet today, when he heard Li Qingwan utter those words herself, another sharp pang pierced his chest.

It turned out Li Qingwan wasn’t born this way – she didn’t actually dislike flowers and plants, nor was she the aloof person others assumed.

She’d simply given her heart to someone long ago, leaving no room in her eyes for other scenery or people.

Unconsciously, Shen Yue’s sleeves concealed tightening fists.

Bitter reluctance welled up from his core, churning his stomach unpleasantly.

Looking back now, Li Qingwan’s previous courtesy visits were merely debt repayments, silently declaring her wish to avoid deeper connections.

How laughable that he’d imagined she sought closer ties through those meetings!

At this realization, Shen Yue chuckled mockingly and shook his head.

"Ha! Overestimated her – all just an act!"

The white-robed girl beside him noticed his gloomy expression and protested, "Senior Brother! That shallow girl’s unworthy of you! Don’t waste thoughts on her!"

"Xiao Man," Shen Yue said flatly, "cease such talk. Li Qingwan’s talents are academy-famous. Her chosen one surely isn’t merely ‘handsome’ – deeper reasons exist beyond our outsider understanding."

"But Senior Brother-"

"The list’s posting soon. Focus."

"Yes."

Shen Yue deliberately turned from Li Qingwan with feigned indifference.

One thought echoed privately in his mind:

"If chance arises, I must see this man myself!"

Clang-gong!

Clang-gong!

Clang-gong!

Three bronze strikes snapped attention to TengTian Pavilion.

"List’s up!"

Academy disciples watched as four glowing boards unfurled from the tower.

"Fifty…no…hundred…I’m out!"

"Ninety-seven! Phew! Try harder this year!"

"Forty-five! Made top fifty!"

…

Cheers and groans erupted as rankings displayed. Some grinned; others clutched their heads.

Feng Linghua squinted until spotting herself at Painting Academy’s 21st position, smiling despite her sixth-level Gathering Qi cultivation – remarkable for her stage.

Li Qingwan scanned Chess Academy’s board impassively. Fifth meant nothing; she awaited the golden list.

Boom!

A bell’s resonance shook the air as golden light descended from TengTian Pavilion’s peak.

Li Qingwan stared unblinking until her name appeared, tension melting away.

"Elder…Brother…I succeeded!"

Traditionally, the golden list honored excellence and motivated disciples. But this year held special meaning – qualifiers would witness Chongtian Palace’s Gathering Qi to Condensing Essence ceremony.

Four years of relentless cultivation culminated here. As Li Family’s descendant, she must attend her Elder’s final journey.

Thirty names blazed on the golden list. Shen Yue’s expression remained calm as he maintained first place, followed by leaders of Chess, Painting, and Music Academies.

"One…two…three…four! Complete!"

A disciple’s shout drew attention: "First time all Four Great Beauties made the golden list!"

All saw the truth – four names combining beauty and power shone brightly:

Music Academy: Su Lixue (tenth-level Gathering Qi, perfect realm) – 9th

Chess Academy: Li Qingwan (eighth-level Gathering Qi, late stage) – 20th

Academy: Murong Qiuhan (tenth-level Gathering Qi, perfect realm) – 10th

Painting Academy: Ye Lan (ninth-level Gathering Qi, late stage) – 18th