Ye Lanshan let out a cold laugh. "I just found her adorable and wanted to get closer to her. As for using her, Brother Xuan, do you really see me, Ye Lanshan, as such a despicable and shameless person?" With that, she pushed the now-comforted Xuan Hui toward him and walked away without another word.
Xuan Hui timidly glanced at her brother. "Sister Ye Lanshan wouldn't use me."
Xuan Feng replayed his own words in his mind and realized they were indeed a bit inappropriate. But they had only met once, so a bit of caution was only natural.
For now, the priority was to take Xuan Hui home. It was too dangerous for her to stay outside. As for Ye Lanshan, if fate allowed them to meet again, he would apologize to her then.
As Xuan Feng prepared to take Xuan Hui home, Ye Lanshan was equally frustrated. She had rarely shown kindness, only to be accused of ulterior motives.
Just as Ye Lanshan shook her head, she suddenly froze. She had always acted on impulse, never harming others but rarely helping them either. Yet since arriving on this continent, her heart seemed to have grown softer. Was it the influence of the original owner?
This wouldn't do. Soft-heartedness would only harm her. She could never repeat past mistakes.
And so, the Ye Lanshan who had briefly shown a hint of warmth reverted to the seemingly carefree yet cold and detached version of herself.
Two days later, Ye Lanshan stood before the Xuanling Academy, gazing at its ancient and solemn architecture, a sense of reverence rising within her.
"The enrollment competition is already over. You should go back," said an old gatekeeper, Xue Yonghui, shaking his head. Every year at this time, a flood of people rushed to the academy, only to realize they'd missed the competition and leave in disappointment. He figured this girl was no different.
Ye Lanshan pulled out a letter of recommendation. "I'm not here for the enrollment competition. I'm here to attend Xuanling Academy directly."
Xue Yonghui's gaze turned scrutinizing. "Our Xuanling Academy isn't for just anyone. Even with a recommendation letter, we need to test your talent."
Ye Lanshan shrugged. "Fine, go ahead."
Xue Yonghui produced a crystal ball and instructed her to place her hand on it.
Ye Lanshan did so, and a dazzling red light filled the entire crystal ball.
Xue Yonghui nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad, decent aptitude."
Then the crystal ball began to display blue, gold, green, yellow, purple, and cyan in succession, until it cracked as if unable to bear the strain.
Xue Yonghui's satisfaction turned to shock. His eyes widened, and his mouth hung open, as if witnessing something impossible.
"This... how is this possible?" On this continent, someone with five types of mystic power was a rarity once in ten thousand years, let alone seven.
Seeing his astonishment, Ye Lanshan asked, "What? Is there a problem?"
Xue Yonghui snapped back to reality. "Of course there's a problem—a huge one. Come, follow me to see the dean immediately."
Ye Lanshan pursed her lips. "It's just a broken crystal ball. No need to make such a fuss."
"It's not about the crystal ball." Xue Yonghui grabbed her arm and pulled her along. Ye Lanshan let him drag her to the dean's office.
Dean Su Zhanyang was startled to see Xue Yonghui rushing in with a young girl. He had never seen Xue Yonghui so flustered.
"Dean, our academy has produced a once-in-a-millennium prodigy. She possesses seven types of mystic power." Xue Yonghui immediately pushed Ye Lanshan forward.
Su Zhanyang had been puzzled by Xue Yonghui's behavior, but now he was the one stunned. "You're saying she has seven types of mystic power?" He stared at Ye Lanshan excitedly.
"Yes. If you don't believe me, have her test again." Xue Yonghui produced another crystal ball and handed it to Ye Lanshan.
Ye Lanshan sighed helplessly and channeled her mystic power into the crystal ball. It flashed red, blue, gold, green, yellow, purple, and cyan in sequence before cracking with a snap, meeting the same fate as the first.
Su Zhanyang took a moment to compose himself before speaking to Ye Lanshan. "Child, before you become strong, never reveal that you have seven types of mystic power."
Ye Lanshan could tell he genuinely meant well, with no intention of exploiting her.
She felt a fondness for the dean and nodded. "I understand."
Su Zhanyang nodded approvingly. This girl not only had extraordinary talent but was also sensible—far better than those arrogant students in the academy who thought their minor talents made them superior. She had potential.
Wait, wasn't the enrollment competition already over?
"Xue Yonghui, where did you find such a genius?"
Xue Yonghui quickly replied, "This young lady arrived today with a letter of recommendation."
Su Zhanyang nodded. So that was it.
"Just put me in an ordinary class. I don't want to attract attention." Ye Lanshan placed the recommendation letter on the desk, her expression calm as she looked at the dean.
"Are you sure? Ordinary classes don't have the same benefits as the Platinum Class." The dean frowned, clearly reluctant to place her there.
Ye Lanshan said, "Since I entered through a recommendation, being placed in the Platinum Class would be too conspicuous. An ordinary class is better."
"Very well. If you have any difficulties, just tell Xue Yonghui. Xue Yonghui, take her to the Scarlet Courtyard."
Xue Yonghui led Ye Lanshan toward the Scarlet Courtyard, explaining the various factions within Xuanling Academy along the way. When they arrived, he specifically instructed the teacher to treat Ye Lanshan well.
But it backfired. The teacher, already displeased with the transfer student, grew even more resentful.
The teacher brought Ye Lanshan to the classroom. The male students gasped at her striking appearance and ethereal aura, marveling that such a beautiful woman existed in the world.
The female students, however, glared at her as if she were their mortal enemy. Anyone watching might think Ye Lanshan had done them great harm.
"Ahem." The teacher coughed to draw everyone's attention. "This is a new student. Introduce yourself."
"Ye Lanshan." Her cool, detached voice reached every student's ears, followed by silence.