“Why aren’t you laughing now? Don’t you like to smile?”
Under the old dean’s gentle persuasion, the Royal Princess lowered her head and covered her face, successfully shifting the laughter onto everyone else.
Only Qin Xiu looked a bit awkward.
Just now…
Had he offended Her Highness the Royal Princess?
But really, it wasn’t his fault.
Just human instinct.
The old dean’s gaze fell on Qin Xiu, and the face that was usually stern now revealed a rare smile. He praised sincerely, “As expected of a divine body—dignified presence and outstanding appearance!”
“I’ll skip the formalities. In short, I give you my word: you won’t regret choosing our Great Li Royal Academy.”
“Within the borders of Great Li, no matter how rare or precious the spirit herbs or treasures, if you need it, you will have it.”
“Thank you, Dean!”
Qin Xiu bowed humbly, showing no trace of arrogance despite being a divine body.
He had to.
Otherwise… his robe would lift too high—it would be indecent.
This modesty made the old dean even more satisfied. He had led the academy for many years and seen countless prodigies, many of them dazzling for a time.
He had personally cultivated several spirit body talents, but those geniuses often looked down on others, arrogant and difficult. He had seen it all.
In contrast, Qin Xiu, though a divine body, was neither overbearing nor servile. This character alone showed the potential for greatness.
“I will report this to His Majesty. In just a few days, the court will hold a grand banquet in your honor.”
A divine body—first of its kind in the history of Great Li. Having the emperor raise a cup for him was no exaggeration.
Qin Xiu didn’t care much for such honors but responded with appropriate humility. “Everything will be as you arrange, Dean.”
“Good. Come with me. I’ll first show you around the academy.”
“Suohe, go prepare a residence for Qin Xiu.”
After speaking, the old dean glared at the Royal Princess. “And you, go inform His Majesty.”
“Alright.”
The Royal Princess’s smile finally softened. She wasn’t so smug anymore. Just before leaving, she sneaked a glance at Qin Xiu.
One moment of pride… and that happened…
She stomped her foot and hurried off.
Along the way, Qin Xiu and Yun Nishang took in the majesty and grandeur of the Royal Academy.
Every instructor they passed had the presence of a city lord, yet each one paused to greet the old dean respectfully.
At the same time, many of them looked curiously at Qin Xiu, wondering about his identity. They noticed the dean was deliberately walking in step with the young man.
Usually, even the Royal Princess had to follow behind the dean to receive instruction.
In all of Great Li, no one had ever seen such a thing.
At the entrance to the dean’s residence hung a grand plaque inscribed by a past emperor: “Fortify and Bless Great Li,” in bold and dignified gold characters that had inspired countless generations of elites.
Qin Xiu also learned that the old dean’s surname was Mo. If he wished, he could address him as Elder Mo.
The main hall where the dean handled affairs was not lavish, but elegant and steeped in tradition.
“Qin Xiu, since this is your first time here, if you have any requests, just speak freely.”
Elder Mo personally poured tea for Qin Xiu and Yun Nishang. Qin Xiu replied, “The request I made earlier has already been granted by Her Highness the Royal Princess.”
“Besides that, I do have one more thing I’d like to ask… It’s about my father.”
“Oh? May I ask his full name?”
Though Lingqu City was a small place compared to the capital, Elder Mo still took the matter seriously.
“My father is Qin Wentian. We don’t know our ancestral roots. Ever since I can remember, I’ve lived with him in Lingqu City. Seven years ago, he left without a word, and I haven’t heard from him since.”
“Qin Wentian?”
Qin Xiu nodded, eyes filled with hope. Elder Mo had vast connections—surely one of the most likely people in the entire empire to know something.
But Elder Mo muttered the name and found it unfamiliar. Not only was there no Qin Wentian—he didn’t even recall any major family in the capital with the Qin surname.
Still, he found it hard to believe that the father of someone who awakened a divine body was just an ordinary man in a tiny town like Lingqu.
“I must apologize. I honestly have no clue at the moment. But don’t worry—I will personally report this to His Majesty in full detail.”
“Once the imperial household registry is mobilized, if any trace of your father is found, I will send word to you immediately.”
“I truly appreciate your efforts, Dean.”
Elder Mo stroked his white beard, and suddenly his expression softened into a kindly smile.
“Qin Xiu, I should remind you—Zhijou, that is, the girl I scolded just now, might be a bit headstrong, but deep down she’s a refined and gentle girl.”
“She must have just been too excited upon meeting you, which caused her to lose her composure. Don’t take it to heart…”
Qin Xiu was stunned by the grandfatherly tone.
Whether the Royal Princess was arrogant or spoiled, he hadn’t cared much. Why bring this up now?
But Elder Mo thought differently.
He had noticed the earlier… incident between them, though he hadn’t said anything. Instead, he found them rather well-matched.
To truly win over Qin Xiu, resources alone weren’t enough.
But if the royal Royal Princess and Qin Xiu could form a bond through marriage—wouldn’t that seal the deal?
“Spend some time together first…”
Qin Xiu suddenly realized something and quickly clarified, “Ahem, Dean, I already have a wife.”
As he spoke, he held Yun Nishang’s hand firmly.
“Ah…”
Elder Mo also realized he’d gone too far. While it was normal for powerful men to have multiple wives, to poach someone’s woman right in front of them—that was a bit shameless.
Embarrassed, he quickly changed the subject. “Take a few days to settle in. Later I’ll…”
Originally, he had planned to assign Qin Xiu a suitable instructor.
But then it hit him—this was a divine body. The first in the empire, possibly the only one ever.
Forget the others—he had never taught a divine body either!
Elder Mo wisely chose not to finish the sentence. Me? Guide a divine body? One must know one’s limits.
“How about this—for now, go to the Scripture Pavilion and choose any cultivation technique or martial skill you like. If you have questions, you can come to me at any time.”
Not just the Royal Academy—even the Heavenly Profound Sect had no experience with divine bodies.
Elder Mo was deeply curious what kind of heaven-defying talents a divine body might possess. Without delay, he led Qin Xiu straight to the Scripture Pavilion.
The Scripture Pavilion was heavily guarded, one of the most secure areas in the Academy.
An old man sat cross-legged at the entrance. His aura was no weaker than that of the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Profound Sect. Inside, many experts kept watch in secret.
Many of the Academy’s disciples were members of the royal family or sons of nobility. The empire placed great importance on this place. The pavilion even housed the empire’s highest-tier cultivation techniques.
When the old man saw Elder Mo arrive, he stood up at once. But as his gaze landed on Qin Xiu, surprise flickered in his eyes. “Dean, this is…?”
Elder Mo was clearly close to this guardian. Suddenly, a flash of sorrow passed through his eyes.
“Ah, don’t even ask. Zhijou failed to bring back that top-tier spirit body this time.”
“What?”
The guardian’s face filled with regret. “Where did it go? Don’t tell me the Heavenly Profound Sect took it again?”
“That they didn’t. The spirit body wasn’t found. But as of today, our Royal Academy has gained… a divine body!”
As Elder Mo solemnly introduced Qin Xiu, the boy could only stare blankly.
Like master, like disciple, he thought.