Chapter 52

After Zhou Qingxue gave the earring to Wei Zhao, her mood improved significantly. Even when she returned to her mother Yao Xintong, the smile on her face did not diminish at all. 

Although Yao Xintong was her mother, cultivators were not worried about the passage of time. Yao Xintong looked extremely young and seemed more like Zhou Qingxue's sister. 

Seeing her two children safely return, Yao Xintong's joy was evident. "Qingxue, what happy event did you encounter? Tell your mother about it." 

"Oh, it's nothing happy, just met an annoying girl who turned out to be quite interesting." Zhou Qingxue leaned on Yao Xintong's arm, thinking of the expression Wei Zhao had when she lost. It made her want to laugh. 

"Chengwen, you also went to the Secret Realm. Tell me about it," Yao Xintong smiled and asked Zhou Chengwen. 

Zhou Qingxue immediately got anxious, "Brother, you're not allowed to talk nonsense, or I won't talk to you." 

"Okay, I don't know anything then," Zhou Chengwen had no choice against his sister. 

"Oh, by the way, Qingxue, why do you only have one earring on your usual days?" Zhou Chengwen looked at his sister's empty left ear with confusion. 

Zhou Qingxue's face turned slightly unnatural, and a faint blush appeared at the earlobe. "Um, I don't know. Maybe it was taken away by passing cats and dogs. Ah, never mind, brother, just don't worry about it." 

"Okay, okay, my mistake, I won't ask anymore." 

Yao Xintong looked at her two playful children, her eyes filled with a sincere smile. Only when she was with her two children could Yao Xintong genuinely smile from the heart. 

Early the next morning, looking at the girl sleeping soundly in her arms, Song Weizhi felt reluctant to wake her up. She gently caressed the girl's face, and the girl, still half-asleep, nuzzled against Song Weizhi's shoulder, without opening her eyes. 

Song Weizhi could only leave a series of gentle kisses on the girl's forehead, and cheeks, and finally landed on the corner of the girl's lips. Under Song Weizhi's teasing, the girl finally opened her eyes. 

Her voice was still hoarse from just waking up, and she complained in a whisper, "Senior Sister, what are you doing?" 

Song Weizhi chuckled softly, extending her hand to stroke the girl's back. "Wake Xia Xia up; today we start our morning class. We'll get changed and go together later." 

The girl murmured, "Hmm, Senior Sister is bad, bullying me early in the morning." 

Song Weizhi smiled gently, ruffling the girl's hair. "Does Xia Xia not like it?" 

The girl's teeth, visible through the thin inner garment, lightly bit onto Song Weizhi's shoulder. Song Weizhi laughed softly, allowing the girl to nibble on her. Eventually, the girl, reluctant to let go, gently traced a couple of times before releasing her hold. 

Song Weizhi hugged and comforted the girl for a while. Afterward, the two got up, changed into the pale white attire of inner disciples, and went outside. 

Arriving at Wei Zhao's door, Song Weizhi knocked, reminding her to remember to change into the disciple's attire. After a moment, Wei Zhao came out of her room. 

Wei Zhao, naturally cold and stern, usually wore black clothes. However, she looked refreshing in the pale white disciple's attire. What caught everyone's attention was the azure earring on her left ear, making her even more charming and radiant. 

Song Weizhi gave Wei Zhao a puzzled look and couldn't help but ask, "Wei Zhao, that earring looks nice. Why haven't I seen you wear it before?" 

"I just got it yesterday. I hadn't worn it before. Yesterday, Zhou Qingxue brought it to me. I didn't want it, but she insisted, so I reluctantly put it on," Wei Zhao said, a bit awkwardly touching the earring on her left ear. 

Song Weizhi and Song Zhixia glanced at each other and couldn't help but burst into laughter. 

Wei Zhao, bewildered, asked, "Mistress? What's going on with you two?" 

Song Weizhi reached out to embrace Song Zhixia's waist, chuckling, "Nothing much, it looks good. Just wear it nicely." 

The three of them arrived at the academy, attracting the attention of many inner disciples with their good looks and high cultivation. Before Song Weizhi and the others came, many male disciples were surrounding Mengxing. However, as soon as Song Weizhi and the others arrived, these male disciples were drawn towards them. 

"Tsk, what's so special? Just because they look a bit better? Cousin, don't pay attention to them. Don't forget how they treated us at the inn," Mengxing said indignantly. 

Liu Zhiyun's face didn't look good. He glared at Mengxing and said, "Okay, let's find a place to sit." 

Song Weizhi and Song Zhixia sat in a row, with Wei Zhao and Zhao Xuankun sitting behind them. Soon, the Third Elder, who was responsible for teaching, arrived. Since Song Weizhi and the others had just joined, the class was about the historical background of the Cold Mountain Sword Sect. Song Weizhi was bored, so she simply started meditating in place. After all, she didn't join the Cold Mountain Sword Sect to become a disciple. 

The three Elders were all in the Harmony realm, two realms higher than Song Weizhi. They could see everything in the academy, including Song Weizhi meditating. One of the Elders, after observing her direction, instantly appeared in front of her and knocked on the wooden table, saying, "What's your name? Just arrived at the academy today, and you're behaving like this. If you want to meditate, do it in your room. Who told you to meditate during the class?" 

Song Weizhi opened her eyes and stood up to answer, "I am Song Weizhi. What guidance does Elder have?" 

"If you don't want to listen, you can leave. Don't disturb other disciples from entering the school. If you're complacent just because your cultivation is slightly higher, you won't have any great opportunities in the future." The elder scolded Song Weizhi angrily. 

Song Weizhi, sensing the elder's combined stage cultivation, realized that this place was not as easygoing as Linhai City. Even an ordinary elder had a combined stage cultivation. She decided to be cautious. 

She respectfully performed a disciple's salute, saying, "Disciple remembers Elder's teachings. I won't do it again in the future." 

The Elder glanced at Song Weizhi, finding her response sincere, and said, "Sit down." 

With Song Weizhi's example, no one dared to do anything else during this morning's class until it ended, and the disciples relaxed. 

"Cousin, see? Even the Third Elder doesn't approve of her. What future can she have?" Mengxing's words, though not loud, were heard by everyone present. 

Where there are people, there are small groups. This is also true in the Cold Mountain Sword Sect, where Mengxing has formed her small group. 

"Exactly. Isn't it just looking a bit better? On the first day, she offended someone. What's so special?" Next to Mengxing, Wen Ying expressed her displeasure. Knowing Mengxing was Liu Zhiyun's cousin, she tried to climb up the social ladder. 

"I think Mengxing is still the best, with a noble background. How can someone like Song Weizhi compare?" Sun K'er, fearing that she would be compared to Wen Ying, immediately spoke. 

Mengxing felt satisfied, looking disdainfully at Song Weizhi, who didn't even spare a glance and walked away with Song Zhixia. 

"Tsk, what's there to be proud of? She just joined, and the Elder scolded her. Who does Song Weizhi think she is?" Mengxing said indignantly. 

The little girl, seeing her senior sister scolded by the third elder, felt a bit unhappy. Song Weizhi found it amusing and reached out to rub the little girl's head. "It's okay. Those three Elders are in the Harmony realm. This place is full of hidden talents. The priority is to quickly improve our cultivation. Other things don't matter." 

"Okay, I'll listen to Senior Sister." 

"I'll listen to Mistress too." Wei Zhao squeezed in and added a word, making Song Weizhi and Song Zhixia burst into laughter. 

After resting for a while, they began the swordsmanship class on the Martial Arts Field. This class had no limit on the number of participants, allowing both new and old disciples to practice. Since Head Disciple Qi Yingzhe was teaching, many disciples who had already learned swordsmanship wanted to watch him. 

Soon, the Martial Arts Field was filled with disciples. Qi Yingzhe arrived, landing steadily among them, exuding an elegant demeanor. 

Qi Yingzhe spoke to the disciples, "Cold Mountain Sword Sect regards the sword as supreme. Although the Cold Mountain Sword Technique is the basic sword technique, it encompasses all the sword techniques in the sect. The Great Dao is one. I hope everyone can comprehend it well." 

Qi Yingzhe then began demonstrating a set of seemingly uncomplicated sword moves, but under his skillful control, they flowed like running water, displaying tremendous power. It soon attracted discussions among the disciples. 

"Mengxing, look at Senior Brother Qi. He has such an elegant temperament. I want to go and talk to Senior Brother Qi." Wen Ying whispered to Mengxing. 

Mengxing glanced at Qi Yingzhe and snorted. In her view, what's the use of higher cultivation? It's better to have a good family background like her cousin Liu Zhiyun. "It's just that. My cousin is the best. Don't you think so, cousin?" Mengxing said, pulling Liu Zhiyun's sleeve. 

Liu Zhiyun smiled slightly upon hearing this. He still appreciated words of praise. 

Then, Qi Yingzhe addressed the crowd, "Any new disciples willing to come forward and give it a try?" 

The disciples pushed and shoved, but in the end, no one dared to step forward. 

Qi Yingzhe's gaze swept over the new disciples and eventually stopped at Song Weizhi. "Junior Sister Song, the top scorer in the secret realm. Would you like to come up and demonstrate?" 

Song Weizhi looked at Qi Yingzhe, mounted her sword onto the high platform, and pointed the sword forward. Astonishingly, she executed the same set of sword moves Qi Yingzhe had just demonstrated, displaying no apparent inferiority. 

"Ah, that's the new disciple who ranked first in the secret realm, Song Weizhi. Her talent is comparable to Senior Brother Qi's. She already reached the Perfection-Golden Core realm upon arriving at our Cold Mountain Sword Sect. Senior Brother Li Qingyuan worked hard for over a decade to achieve the same." 

"I agree. Moreover, I heard that Song Weizhi has already reached the Perfection-Golden Core realm. She achieved this soon after arriving at our Cold Mountain Sword Sect. Senior Brother Li Qingyuan practiced for more than ten years to reach the same level." 

"I think these are just competitions among genius disciples. It has nothing to do with us."