"Mmm... such a fragrant scent."
Su Ziyan, smelling the faint fragrance wafting through the air, felt a flicker of doubt. The scent seemed eerily familiar.
Suddenly, Su Ziyan stopped running. She slowly raised her head and looked up at a towering ancient tree, where a blooming red lotus was hanging.
Su Ziyan's pupils constricted sharply, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears. The color of the red petals was her mother's favorite.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Su Ziyan rushed forward, plucked the delicate and dewy red lotus, and held it to her chest, tears streaming down her face.
"Mother, I finally got your favorite red lotus. With this, I can save you," Su Ziyan murmured softly.
"Huh, the red lotus? Isn't that my sister-in-law?" A voice chimed in at that moment. Su Ziyan looked up and saw Qin Muchen standing in a pavilion not far away.
Behind him stood several young men in green robes of different ages.
"How do you know the red lotus?" Su Ziyan asked, surprised. In her memory, the red lotus was the only thing her mother had left her, and she never allowed anyone else to touch it.
Qin Muchen walked over with a smile. "I am an alchemist. My grandfather is an expert at the peak of the Emperor realm, and my father is an early-stage Saint King."
"Oh... I see." Su Ziyan suddenly understood. No wonder he knew this flower was called the red lotus.
"How did you recognize it?" Qin Muchen inquired curiously.
"I found it in the forest. You know my mother is very ill and needs the red lotus for treatment," Su Ziyan explained in a low voice. "Only I know about the red lotus; even my mother doesn't know."
"In that case, I won't ask further. If you need money, feel free to come to me. I can lend you some." Qin Muchen said, handing her a silver card with a series of numbers on it.
Su Ziyan shook her head. "I don't lack money, and you've helped me so much. I can't take your money."
"This isn't ordinary money; it's an exclusive silver card from the Sacred Light Merchant Guild," Qin Muchen said. "Please accept it. I don't have a habit of taking back what I give away."
"Thank you." Su Ziyan nodded and then tucked the card into her pocket. "I'll take my leave now."
After speaking, Su Ziyan walked away. Qin Muchen stared in amazement at Su Ziyan's elegant departing figure. "This woman is truly interesting. We should also set off for the assessment location. Let's go."
"Yes, boss." The other youths immediately responded and followed him.
Su Ziyan arrived at the back mountain of the Imperial Academy. Not far away, she saw a simple yet elegant mansion, the plaque above the door bearing four large characters: 'Imperial Academy.'
"Imperial Academy. I hope this place will bring me surprises," Su Ziyan clenched her fist and muttered.
The Imperial Academy, as its name suggested, was a place dedicated to cultivating practitioners. It gathered the most outstanding geniuses from the entire Emperor Moon Continent.
Su Ziyan walked inside with excitement. As soon as she pushed open the main gate, an icy voice suddenly rang out, "Where did this wild girl come from? Get out of here at once."
Su Ziyan frowned. The voice sounded so familiar! She turned around and looked at a man in white. "Who are you? Why should I leave?"
"You, a country bumpkin, dare to dream of joining the Imperial Academy? What a fool's errand. Get out of here," the man said mockingly.
"Who are you? Why can't I come here? This is the Imperial Academy. Is it your family's establishment?" Su Ziyan retorted.
"This is not a place for you. Get out, this young master commands you," the man said condescendingly to Su Ziyan. He was Su Haoyu, the sixth-ranked student here, and also an alchemist.
"Hmph, although this is not our family's establishment, I'm simply not leaving," Su Ziyan snorted. This person clearly looked down on her, and she wasn't stupid enough to endure his insults.
Su Haoyu's face darkened. "Since you refuse the toast and prefer to be forced, this young master will oblige you and let you know what a gap is!"
With that, Su Haoyu charged at Su Ziyan, his palm striking viciously towards her.
Su Ziyan narrowed her eyes and quickly dodged.
"Oh ho, you've got some skills. Take this!" Su Haoyu sneered and swiftly swung his fists at Su Ziyan.
Su Ziyan evaded his attacks with a quick dodge and quickly grabbed a pebble from the ground, throwing it fiercely at Su Haoyu's leg.
Su Haoyu cried out in pain, clutching his calf. He gasped, "You b*tch, this young master will cripple you!"
Saying that, he charged forward again.
The two began to brawl. Su Ziyan, without any defense, was hit by Su Haoyu no less than five times.
"Slap!"
A crisp slapping sound suddenly rang out. Su Haoyu was stunned. Five bright red finger marks quickly appeared on his handsome face.
"You... you actually hit me!" Su Haoyu roared in fury. "Guards! Someone has trespassed into the Imperial Academy. Seize her!"
Su Ziyan looked at the dense crowd surrounding them, her expression darkening. This Imperial Academy was indeed not simple. She had to be more careful.
"Are you sure you want to oppose me?" Su Ziyan stared at Su Haoyu and said coldly.
"Hmph, you lowly creature, daring to hit me? I'll kill you today!" Su Haoyu sneered and then ordered the surrounding guards, "What are you waiting for? Kill this b*tch for me!"
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..." Instantly, more than a dozen guards emerged from their hiding places, charging at Su Ziyan with murderous intent.
"This is bad..." Su Ziyan's pretty face changed slightly. How could a weak woman like her resist these guards?
Just as Su Ziyan was in a perilous situation, a long sword suddenly cut through the air, heading straight for one of the guards' chests.
"Puchi." The sword pierced through his chest.
Su Ziyan took the opportunity to retreat to safety. She turned her head and saw a man in white descending from the sky. Flames burned beneath his feet, making him appear like an immortal, exuding extraordinary presence.
"Brother Lingyun!" Su Ziyan exclaimed joyfully.
The newcomer was none other than Feng Lingyun from Fengyang City.
"Brother Lingyun, you've arrived." Su Ziyan quickly walked to meet him.
"Little Ziyan, are you alright?" Feng Lingyun asked with concern.
Su Ziyan shook her head and smiled playfully, "I'm fine."
"How dare these scoundrels bully you? They must be tired of living!" Feng Lingyun's gaze swept across the area, and seeing the corpses on the ground, he said with burning rage.
"Who do you think you are?" Su Haoyu roared angrily.
"Say that again," Feng Lingyun's eyes turned cold, staring icily at Su Haoyu.
"I..." Feeling Feng Lingyun's murderous intent, Su Haoyu trembled all over and involuntarily took two steps back. "I warn you, my father is the vice-dean. If you dare to touch me even a little, I guarantee you'll regret it."
"Don't worry, you won't die." A cruel smile spread across Feng Lingyun's lips. His right hand turned into a claw and fiercely grasped Su Haoyu's throat.
"Crack..." The sound of bone cracking echoed.
"Ah... my... my throat, help me... help me..." Su Haoyu's tragic screams lingered in the night.
Feng Lingyun's arm exerted a little force, and he threw the now unconscious Su Haoyu to the ground.
"Bang."
Su Haoyu hit the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and fainted.
"Su Ziyan, how dare you injure the young master? You must leave here tonight, or don't blame us for being harsh." The leading man glared sinisterly at Su Ziyan and threatened her.
Su Ziyan met his gaze fearlessly and said coldly, "It won't be easy for you to stop me. If you want to fight, then fight!"
With that, Su Ziyan made the first move.
Su Ziyan's strength was very low, so every move was extremely clumsy, and she was even hit by her opponent.
"Why aren't you stopping this b*tch yet? She dares to provoke the young master," one of Su Haoyu's attendants said anxiously.
The others exchanged glances and then attacked together. They absolutely could not let Su Ziyan remain here!
At this critical juncture, a roar was heard: "You're courting death!"
A terrifying aura instantly permeated the air. Powerful pressure descended like a vast net, and those who were about to sneak attack Su Ziyan were sent flying several meters back.
"Hiss..." Looking at Feng Lingyun's enraged face, everyone gasped. This was a Spirit King!
"How dare you privately mobilize troops and violate school rules!" Feng Lingyun roared angrily. "Considering this is your first offense, I will spare your lives. If there is a next time, I will not be lenient."
After speaking, Feng Lingyun scooped up Su Ziyan and quickly disappeared into the night.