Chapter 70: Holding Your Hand to the Corners of the Universe
The faint moonlight illuminated the familiar features of the man standing beside Ling Chuxi’s bed in a pearly radiance. The man’s silvery hair gleamed in the light, making it appear all the more enchanting. His violet eyes twinkled like a deep and starry sky, just a glance would leave one unable to forget the sight of them. A charming smile hung gently upon the man’s peerless face. He bent and leaned his head forward ever so slightly to plant a soft kiss upon Ling Chuxi’s forehead just as she had done to Little White earlier.
Just as he did so, time seemed to have frozen. It was as though everything would remain as it was forever.
“Why, Little White?” whined Ling Chuxi as she rolled over to where Little White was supposed to be lying. The man hovered over Ling Chuxi, uncertain and a little stunned. After a beat, he realized with relief that she was merely talking in her sleep and proceeded to gather his wits about him.
“Why don’t you try unbinding my seal, my dear?” The man’s handsome face broke out into a stunning smile as he ventured to brush a finger lightly over Ling Chuxi’s scarlet lips. “If you do, I promise to hold your hand for as long as we live and follow you to the ends of the earth, should you have me. Remember me, my name is Huangfu Qingjue.”
“Huh? What’s all this noise…” Ling Chuxi opened her eyes blurrily and caught a vague glimpse of a face so handsome, one’s breath could catch at the sight. Silver hair and purple eyes? Who was this person with such an enchanting aura? Perhaps her mind was playing tricks on her. Ling Chuxi blinked, trying to stir herself awake as she looked around her room to see if anyone was there, but no one else was.
“What was that? Some kind of illusion?” Ling Chuxi bolted upright in bed and scanned the room doubtfully. She scratched her head in confusion. Had a handsome man randomly appeared in front of her just now? If so, then how was it possible that he suddenly disappeared into thin air? She must have been seeing things in her sleep.
Just to be sure, Ling Chuxi studied the surroundings of her room cautiously again and saw that nothing was out of the ordinary. She laid down upon her bed to go back to sleep. Seeing Little White curled up by her pillow, she gently brought the fox into an embrace and drifted off into a deep slumber once more.
The next morning, Ling Chuxi awoke in a huff with her eyes wide open. Was last night really an illusion? Could the man she saw with silver hair and purple eyes been a dream? The sight of him had seemed so real. Hadn’t he even said that his name was Huangpu… something? She couldn’t remember. Anyway, it couldn’t have been real.
Once Ling Chuxi reached the conclusion that the sighting of a man in her room last night was just a weird dream, she stretched and let out a yawn. Then, she washed up, got dressed and left her room with Little White in tow.
Today, Ling Chuxi and the rest of the candidates who had passed the entrance examination would undergo an orientation of sorts. They would all need to take their turns viewing the issued list and listen to the principal deliver his opening, motivational speech. The teachers who would be teaching them were introduced in turn and there were instructions given as to how to arrange one’s lessons and other practical matters related to being a student at White Stone Academy. The training Ling Yichen had talked about was due to begin three days later. Why so soon? The reason was simple. The entrance examination was for new students to gain admission to the academy, but the training would be undergone by both new and existing students alike! Once it was completed, all results across the board would be tabulated together to determine which students could go forward from there.
Some might point out that this was unfair. Regardless of cultivation talents, theoretical knowledge or practical experience, it was a given that new students were at a disadvantage compared to existing students. How would the results accurately reflect this distinction between the two groups? The answer was that it wouldn’t. It was indeed unfair and White Stone Academy’s reply to this indignity was to say that the world was never fair to begin with. Why were they expected to make an effort to ensure treatment of the strong and weak would be the same across the board? If one felt the brunt of unfair treatment, then one should fight for equity for oneself.
Tsk, what a cruel reality this realm had. Ling Chuxi half-heartedly listened to the principal droning on during his supposedly motivational speech and began to feel sleepy. This greatly reminded her of all the school opening ceremonies she had attended back in her previous realm. Ling Yichen couldn’t help but notice Ling Chuxi yawning repeatedly and dozing off as he was standing next to her. Even as he shook his head incredulously, there was a hint of a gentle smile contained in his eyes.
Finally, the principal finished speaking.
There were no classes arranged in the upcoming three days leading up to the training. This time was to be spent by students to figure out their groups and preparing for the training. The grouping methods students were allowed to choose from for the training would leave an observer even more speechless. A student could choose to go solo or form groups ranging from two to ten to twenty or even a hundred people. As long as any one student had pulling power, he or she could join up with any group they so desired. Specific rules for each group based on their size would only be announced later, once all students had finished sifting themselves into groups based on their preferred grouping method.
Ling Chuxi and Ling Yichen naturally decided to form a group of two. Once the crowd dispersed, Ling Chuxi and Ling Yichen thought they should head into town to shop around for whatever they felt was needed. They had just begun to walk away when someone blocked their paths.