In the afternoon in Falling Moon Valley, sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, casting a cool glow across the snow-covered valley.
Inside the wooden cabin, a copper hot pot bubbled and steamed, the rich aroma of meat mingling with the freshness of various vegetables and mushrooms, filling the small space.
Su Yu, Song Qiongyao, and Li Ningzhuang sat around the hot pot, the bubbling red broth reflecting the smiles on their faces.
"Phew... this weather is perfect for hot pot!" Su Yu sighed contentedly, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
Song Qiongyao elegantly wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, smiling as she said, "Yes, the snow in Falling Moon Valley, paired with this hot pot, has a unique charm. But this place, though lovely, is not a place to stay for long."
Her tone carried a hint of melancholy; her father had already issued an ultimatum, ordering her to return.
Li Ningzhuang remained relatively quiet, simply nodding silently, her eyes thoughtful.
Just then, a small badge on Su Yu's arm suddenly vibrated slightly, emitting a faint blue glow.
This badge was a magical communicator given to him by Cheng Shenxing, and it rarely made any noise.
Su Yu paused, picked up the badge, and infused it with some magic.
The blue light on the badge suddenly brightened, and a slightly serious yet gentle voice came from it. It was Cheng Shenxing: "Su Yu, it's me."
"Mr. Cheng," Su Yu responded, while gesturing for Song and Li to calm down: "What is it?"
Cheng Shenxing's voice, transmitted through magic, carried a slight distance, yet remained clear: "The academy has made arrangements and hopes you can return to Green Vine Academy in Blackshire as soon as possible."
Su Yu raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
"Back to the academy? Is something important?"
"We'll discuss the details when you return." Cheng Shenxing paused, seemingly considering his words, before adding with certainty, "Also, there's something I need to tell you. Regarding the previous mandatory conscription order... you don't need to worry about it anymore."
Hearing the words "mandatory conscription," Su Yu's grip on his chopsticks tightened.
"Don't need to worry about it anymore?" Su Yu asked thoughtfully, wondering if, with his growing influence, Qing Teng would have managed to quell the backlash from Blackshire?
"Yes," Cheng Shenxing's voice carried a reassuring quality, "I've already taken care of all the necessary procedures and documentation for you, and the academy has coordinated things. You are now a key talent the academy is focusing on, and you no longer need to undergo mandatory conscription."
Without coercion, the previous conflicts would naturally disappear.
Su Yu understood.
Since Cheng Shenxing had said so, the matter should be settled.
"If only I had come earlier, now it's not really necessary!"
"Anyway, this is good news,"
Su Yu thought.
"Thank you so much, Uncle Cheng," Su Yu said sincerely.
"You're welcome. You are a talent of the academy, and protecting talents is the academy's responsibility." Cheng Shenxing's tone sounded very calm: "So, when do you plan to set off?"
Su Yu glanced at the gradually calming soup in the pot, then looked at Song Qiongyao and Li Ningzhuang opposite him, thought for a moment, and said, "I'll pack up and set off now. I should be able to arrive at the academy within a few days."
"Okay, I'll wait for you." After Cheng Shenxing finished speaking, the light of the communication badge dimmed, and the communication ended.
Su Yu put down the badge and breathed a sigh of relief.
"It seems we should also say goodbye," Song Qiongyao spoke up at the right time, breaking the brief silence after the communication ended.
"Since you're going back to Blackshire, perfect timing. I can book you the fastest ferry ticket. There's one this afternoon, and if all goes well, you should be able to arrive at the college within three days."
"Well... thank you very much." Three days
in Blackshire
passed quickly during the journey. At this moment, the city was shrouded in a vast snowstorm.
Large, fluffy snowflakes drifted down from the sky, adorning the streets, houses, and trees in a silvery-white hue, leaving only the soft sound of falling snowflakes and the clatter of horses' hooves.
At Green Vine College, from afar, the pointed towers were covered in snow, and ivy climbed the stone walls. Even in winter, the dark brown vines stubbornly clung to the walls, awaiting the revival of spring.
All of this exuded a strong academic and historical atmosphere.
In the library
, a student council member said, a hint of amazement in his eyes, "Professor, the paper has been registered."
Cheng Shenxing rubbed his temples, his gaze sweeping over the snow-covered campus.
In his article, "On the Application of Spirit Tide Avoidance and Cooling Cycle in the Extermination of Evil Spirits,"
Cheng Shenxing's eyes flashed with admiration.
Su Yu always manages to offer refreshing insights.
His previous paper, "Decoy Magic Array," had already caused quite a stir in the kingdom, reportedly with remarkable effects.
This one, however, goes even further.
Cheng Shenxing had carefully read the contents. According to the academy's regulations, such valuable research results needed to be formally registered and archived at the academy's central library so that other qualified teachers and students could access and study them.
The registration was now complete. He straightened his robes, picked up his briefcase, and carefully placed the parchment inside.
Just as he was about to leave, a small badge on his chest suddenly lit up, emitting a soft glow.
Cheng Shenxing was somewhat surprised; this magical communication wasn't cheap. He pressed a button, and a slightly aged voice came through: "Cheng Shenxing, come to me immediately. Bring Su Yu's paper on the extermination of evil spirits and the avoidance of spiritual tides."
It was Dean Lü Ziming's voice.
Cheng Shenxing's heart skipped a beat.
The dean was personally summoning him, and he wanted Su Yu's paper?
It seemed that Su Yu's paper was valued even more than he had anticipated.
"Yes, Dean, I'll be right there." Cheng Shenxing replied, deactivated the communication array, pushed open the door, and stepped into the snowstorm.
Dean Lü Ziming's office was located in the academy's tallest tower—offering a panoramic view overlooking the entire academy and even a large part of Blackshire's snowscape.
Reaching the top floor, Cheng Shenxing stopped before an oak door and gently knocked.
"Come in," came Dean Lü Ziming's voice from inside.
Cheng Shenxing pushed the door open and entered.
The office was much larger than his own, but simply decorated.
A huge floor-to-ceiling window occupied an entire wall, revealing a view of the swirling snow outside.
In the center of the room stood a large desk, behind which sat an elderly man—the Dean of Qing Teng Academy, Lü Ziming.
"Dean," Cheng Shenxing bowed respectfully.
Lü Ziming nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the briefcase in Cheng Shenxing's hand: "Did you bring the thesis?"
"Yes, Dean." Cheng Shenxing stepped forward, placed the briefcase on the desk, then opened it, took out the parchment containing Su Yu's thesis, and handed it to him with both hands.
Lü Ziming took the parchment and slowly unfolded it.
He didn't speak immediately, but began to read carefully.
He read quickly, his eyes scanning every rune and character on the parchment, his expression gradually shifting from calm to serious, then to somewhat surprised.
The office was silent, save for the howling wind and snow outside the window, and the soft rustling of Lü Ziming turning the parchment.
Cheng Shenxing stood quietly to the side, not daring to disturb him.
After a long while, Lü Ziming finally finished reading the last word.
He gently placed the parchment on the table, looked up at Cheng Shenxing, and said, "He is indeed a rare talent."
He made no attempt to hide his attitude: "His previous work, 'The Decoy Formation,' was novel in its perspective and pioneered a new approach. This paper, 'On the Application of Spirit Tide Avoidance and Cooling Cycle in the Extermination of Evil Spirits,' can be considered a deeper and more comprehensive development of 'The Decoy Formation,' possessing considerable practical value, especially in the current situation of rampant evil spirits and increasingly severe spiritual tide fluctuations on the front lines—it's a perfect remedy!"
Cheng Shenxing smiled and echoed, "Su Yu indeed possesses a talent and insight far exceeding his peers in the research of formations and evil spirits."
Lü Ziming nodded, his gaze profound: "Such talent must be given special attention by the academy; we cannot let him go to waste."
He paused, then said to Cheng Shenxing, "Wait here for a moment. Judging by the time, Su Yu... should be arriving at the academy soon."
Cheng Shenxing understood and respectfully replied, "Yes, Dean."
He then retreated to the sofa and sat down quietly, his gaze fixed on the snowstorm outside the window.