Chapter 40

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Chapter 40: Cold Beauty

Watching Lou Yun’s back as he strode ahead, Qian Ruming’s eyes narrowed to slits once more. Stroking his goatee, he muttered in an extremely low voice: "Interesting. A beginner two-star magical weapon, yet possessing such formidable strength, and carrying a common weapon on his back. No wonder the Spirit Weapon Sect sent someone to vouch for him. Heh heh, it seems the academy has high hopes of gaining another talent! But before that, I need to take him down a peg first. Otherwise, he’ll be hard to discipline later!"

"Hey, Lou Yun, right? Walking so fast, do you even know where we’re going?"

Lou Yun halted but remained silent. Only after Qian Ruming walked past him did he silently resume following.

Since classes had ended, the number of students in the academy noticeably increased. Naturally, many spotted Qian Ruming leading Lou Yun. Lou Yun was a new face, and coupled with carrying a bundle, everyone quickly deduced this was the new student who should have reported yesterday but was a day late!

Students familiar with Qian Ruming knew that seeing his current, utterly pleased and triumphant expression meant a good show was about to start. So, they began calling to each other and trailed behind.

Qian Ruming was well aware of the crowd following for amusement, yet he made no effort to stop them. Lou Yun, even less so, could say anything. This continued until they reached a large open area. Only then did Qian Ruming stop, turn around, and face Lou Yun.

Lou Yun took the chance to glance around. Apart from the growing crowd encircling them, he saw nothing special about this open space. He couldn’t help but wonder: how exactly was this so-called placement test supposed to work?

The spectators included both new and senior students, even several teachers. Unsurprisingly, Lou Yun spotted Lou Qian. Xia Zhilan and Qin Wufeng were also present. Unexpectedly, however, another familiar figure caught his eye.

Standing in the northeast corner of the clearing was a young woman, stunningly beautiful like a celestial being. Yet, her face was expressionless, radiating an aloofness that kept others at bay. At this moment, she was also sizing up Lou Yun. Remarkably, her clear eyes held a rare trace of curiosity and anticipation.

"Liu Ruyan!"

Lou Yun couldn’t help but exclaim mentally. It was the granddaughter of the Spirit Weapon Sect Leader who had visited the Lou Family for the changing ceremony half a year ago!

Lou Yun truly hadn’t anticipated seeing her here. Clearly, her status must be that of a student as well. He just didn’t know if she had arrived half a year ago with Lou Qian or only yesterday.

He remembered seeing her half a year ago as a primary three-star magical weapons master. Now, however, everyone wore the academy-issued uniforms, making it impossible to tell from appearance how much her cultivation had advanced in those six months.

Just then, a pretty girl standing beside Lou Qian, sporting two braids, pointed at Lou Yun and said, "A-Qian, is that the brother you’re always talking about?"

Uncontainable pride shone on Lou Qian’s face as she nodded triumphantly. "That’s him!"

"He’s quite handsome, but his cultivation is too weak, isn’t it? Only a beginner two-star magical weapons master!"

The events that had happened to Lou Yun couldn’t be explained in a few sentences. Though Lou Qian often mentioned him, she had never shared his experiences with others. Hearing this comment, she couldn’t help rolling her eyes and glaring at the speaker. "Sun Danxue! When it comes to my brother, you can’t just judge by appearances, nor can you just judge by his magical weapon!"

"Ha!" Sun Danxue burst out laughing. "I say, A-Qian! Can’t judge by looks, can’t judge by the magical weapon… then what can I judge? His inner self? I’d like to see that, but it’s not visible! Hahaha!"

Their exchange naturally drew chuckles from those nearby. Clearly, none of them understood the meaning behind Lou Qian’s words.

Xia Zhilan, standing not far away, also overheard the conversation. Her previously somewhat melancholy expression brightened almost instantly, leaving Qin Wufeng, who remained constantly by her side, momentarily stunned.

Biting her lip, Xia Zhilan murmured softly, "So he’s her brother!"

Though her voice was low, Qin Wufeng heard it clearly. His face instantly turned livid, his hawkish eyes locking fiercely onto Lou Yun in the center. This person… could very well become a formidable rival in his pursuit of Xia Zhilan!

At this moment, Qian Ruming finally spoke: "Lou Yun, the academy’s placement test normally involves us simply examining your magical weapons. However, you are an exception. I won’t elaborate on the reasons. Therefore, your test content is to fight me. If you can withstand five moves, D-level. Withstand ten moves, C-level. Fifteen moves, B-level. Twenty moves, A-level! Understood?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention. I am a mystery rank three-star magical weapons master!"

Hearing the nature of this test, Lou Yun immediately felt like cursing inwardly. This was blatantly deliberate persecution!

But then, a sudden realization flashed through Lou Yun’s mind!

Wait! Qian Ruming’s proposed test didn’t seem like persecution at all. On the contrary, it seemed like he was helping him!

Based purely on his current magical weapon level, he would undoubtedly be placed in D-level, the lowest possible rank. That wouldn’t require any strenuous test. However, if he could withstand ten moves against Qian Ruming, he could enter C-level. The more moves he withstood, the higher his placement would be. It meant Qian Ruming was giving him a chance to bypass the standard magical weapon level assessment and instead have his true strength determine his placement!

Though Lou Yun had never attended school before, he understood that a higher initial placement naturally meant better cultivation conditions. So… was Qian Ruming actually deliberately helping him?

The surrounding spectators were also shocked upon hearing Qian Ruming’s proposed test. Apart from a very few individuals, the vast majority similarly believed this was Qian Ruming deliberately making things difficult for Lou Yun.

The lowest cultivation level among the onlookers was beginner two-star magical weapon. They could all discern Lou Yun’s current magical weapon level. Qian Ruming, as a mystery rank three-star magical weapons master, possessed strength at least ten times greater than Lou Yun’s. Making Lou Yun exchange blows with him? That was practically asking for death!

"Not even five moves—he probably couldn’t withstand even a single move!" Sun Danxue shook her head regretfully and sighed, "Ah, your brother truly suffered! Ghost Bane was definitely seizing this chance to thoroughly teach him a lesson, punishing him for being late yesterday!"

Lou Qian was one of the few exceptions. Hearing Sun Danxue’s words, she merely snickered without offering any explanation, her face instead revealing an expectant expression. It had already been half a year since she last saw Lou Yun. And considering that terrifying cultivation speed of his, his strength should have made significant progress in these six months, right?

Qin Wufeng was undoubtedly the most delighted person regarding this particular test content. With a face full of malicious glee, he eagerly awaited Lou Yun’s utter humiliation!

Lou Yun stared intently at Qian Ruming’s face for a long moment. His previously expressionless face suddenly broke into a smile. He formally bent into a deep bow towards Qian Ruming. "Thank you, Teacher Qian! In that case, I humbly ask for your guidance!"

Qian Ruming remained impassive outwardly at Lou Yun’s sudden respectful gesture, but inwardly, she couldn’t help but greatly admire him. So this kid did understand my intention… Well, I definitely can’t let him slip away easily now. Students with high strength and quick wits are hard to find these days!

"Let me tell you, I won’t hold back just because you only possess a beginner two-star magical weapon! So you unleash everything you’ve got without any restraint! The higher your grade upon entering the class, the greater the benefits for your future!"

And fight you, a Mystery Rank three-star magical weapons master, while holding back? Lou Yun nodded. He was just about to draw his sword when he suddenly thought of something. "My apologies, Teacher Qian, please wait one more moment for me."

After saying this, Lou Yun pulled out Xiao Huo from inside his robe. He dashed over to Lou Qian and stuffed the little creature into her arms. "Sis, keep an eye on him for me. Don’t let him run around."

Xiao Huo was clearly displeased with being handed over to Lou Qian, but he didn’t dare disobey Lou Yun. He could only let out a few disgruntled "Chirps" as a form of protest.

Seeing Xiao Huo, this utterly adorable little demon beast, instantly provoked small bursts of delighted screams from numerous female students in their surroundings!

"Wow! What is that? It’s so cute!"

"It looks like a little mouse, but way prettier!"

"Completely red—it’s so beautiful! I really want to hold it!"

Lou Qian, the one holding Xiao Huo, however, wore a completely dazed expression. It couldn’t be helped; she was a natural tomboy and had never had much interest in such small animals.

The fact that Lou Yun actually carried such an adorable little demon beast around with him struck everyone present as a bit… eccentric.

Qian Ruming was also momentarily taken aback. But being worldly-wise, her thoughts naturally differed from others’. A demon beast valuable enough for Lou Yun to carry constantly and afraid might get injured in battle… it must possess special abilities. Still, she didn’t recognize what kind of demon beast Xiao Huo was either.

"Alright!" Lou Yun drew the Stone Sword from his back. Naturally, seeing him eschew a magical weapon entirely to fight with a common weapon provoked another wave of murmurs amongst the onlookers.

Qin Wufeng’s voice rang out the loudest: "Haha, is this kid cracked? He doesn’t use his own magical weapon but pulls out some common weapon instead! Does he not want to be a magical weapons master anymore, aspiring to cultivate common weapons now?"

His voice was so loud, almost everyone heard it. Lou Qian immediately leapt to her brother’s defense: "What do you know? A common weapon can sometimes be more powerful than a magical weapon!"

Qin Wufeng was precisely worried about lacking opportunities to disparage Lou Yun. Hearing this, he instantly retorted, "Oh? Are you implying your precious baby brother is more skilled with a common weapon than with a magical one? If that’s truly the case, then he really shouldn’t be at our academy! This Ancient Weapon Academy wouldn’t possibly accommodate such a ‘common weapon master’!"

The phrase "common weapon master" triggered an eruption of mockery. Every student admitted into the Ancient Weapon Academy was considered an elite among magical weapons masters from various schools and clans. In their minds, someone wielding a common weapon didn’t deserve the title "master," perhaps even unworthy of their friendship!

However, at that exact moment, a cold, sharp voice sliced through the waves of laughter, reaching every single ear: "If someone like you can be accommodated here, how could the academy not accommodate him?!"

The words were plainly sardonic, and their target was unmistakably Qin Wufeng himself.

Qin Wufeng was considered a top student in the Ancient Weapon Academy. Combined with his influential family background, people usually curried his favor—there was simply no one who dared provoke him.

Everyone immediately became intensely curious: Who has such nerve to dare insult Qin Wufeng like that?

Turning their heads towards the sound, they all froze momentarily upon seeing the speaker. One thought surfaced in everyone’s mind simultaneously: No wonder she dares mock Qin Wufeng like that—it’s actually Her.

Qin Wufeng had initially bristled with anger, ready to explode. But as soon as he saw who the speaker was, he was forced to swallow his rage completely. Simply put, this was someone he truly could not afford to offend.

A flicker of astonishment passed through Lou Qian’s eyes. This famously proud, icy beauty actually stands up for my brother? This is truly bizarre!

The speaker was none other than Liu Ruyan, the granddaughter of the current Spirit Weapon Sect’s Sect Leader, standing in the northeast corner of the clearing.

That Liu Ruyan would speak in his defense was something Lou Yun himself hadn’t anticipated. He gave Liu Ruyan a slight, respectful nod to express his gratitude. However, she remained expressionless, showing no reaction whatsoever, as if those words hadn’t come from her.

Qian Ruming had been closely watching Lou Yun throughout this, observing his reactions. Especially when Qin Wufeng hurled his mocking taunts, Lou Yun didn’t react with anger. Instead, he smiled. This display of forbearance naturally won him several bonus points in Qian Ruming’s estimation.

However, Qian Ruming herself was intensely curious. Why would Lou Yun abandon the magical weapon, which is easier to wield and amplifies his power, choosing instead to fight with a common one?

"Whenever you are ready, you may begin now!" Qian Ruming called out. "Remember: spare no effort!"