Three days after participating in the White Deer Academy selection, Xiao Mo received the admission letter from White Deer Academy.
Three months later, Xiao Mo would need to report to White Deer Academy.
Xiao Mo and Bai Ruxue were in no hurry.
The two traveled leisurely while making their way to White Deer Academy.
Xiao Mo took Bai Ruxue to see hundreds of temples in Great Chu, climbed green mountains together with her, and crossed rivers with her.
Along the way, the two walked and stopped as they pleased, not seeming like they were going to study at all.
When Xiao Mo and Bai Ruxue arrived at White Deer Academy, it happened to be exactly the day of registration, neither early nor late.
"Junior Brother Xiao, we meet again."
Just as Xiao Mo stepped through the mountain gate, he heard a woman's cheerful voice.
Shang Jiuli walked toward Xiao Mo with a smile, her face full of warmth."Greetings, Miss Shang." Xiao Mo bowed respectfully.
"From now on, you must call me Senior Sister." Shang Jiuli said happily, "I've always wanted a little junior brother, and it seems my wish has finally come true."
"What does Senior Sister Shang mean?" Hearing her words, Xiao Mo vaguely guessed who his teacher would be.
"From now on, you'll be Teacher Qi's disciple." Shang Jiuli said with a smile, "Including you, Teacher Qi has three disciples in total. One is me, one is our cold-faced senior brother whom you also met during the assessment."
"From now on, we three will study together." Shang Jiuli quite unrestrainedly reached out her delicate hand and patted Xiao Mo's shoulder, "Don't worry, don't worry. This senior sister will definitely take good care of you."
Just as Shang Jiuli was about to step closer, Bai Ruxue pulled Xiao Mo behind herself.
Bai Ruxue blocked in front of Xiao Mo, her peach blossom eyes warily watching this beautiful woman who was being extremely friendly toward Xiao Mo.
"Eh?" Shang Jiuli looked at the white-dressed woman with silver-white long hair, blinking, "Xiao Mo, is this your family member? To think there's such a beautiful woman."
"Thank you!" Being complimented by the other party, Bai Ruxue wasn't happy at all. Instead, she protectively prevented Shang Jiuli from getting close to Xiao Mo, "I'm Xiao Mo's childhood sweetheart, we grew up together! Xiao Mo came to White Deer Academy to study, and I came to take care of him!"
Shang Jiuli looked up at Xiao Mo, as if asking whether what this woman said was true.
"Indeed."
Xiao Mo smiled and nodded. Before coming to White Deer Academy, Bai Ruxue had suggested that their relationship be defined as "childhood sweethearts," and Xiao Mo hadn't refused.
"Senior Sister Shang, let me introduce you. This is my childhood sweetheart, named Bai Ruxue. We're from the same fishing village. Ruxue, this is Teacher Qi's disciple whom I met once during my assessment."
"Hmph!" Bai Ruxue straightened up, puffed out her chest that couldn't be seen when looking down at her toes, looking like she was declaring her territory.
"Greetings, Miss Bai."
Shang Jiuli bowed respectfully in greeting.
As a woman herself, how could Shang Jiuli not understand the thoughts of Xiao Mo's childhood sweetheart?
But Shang Jiuli didn't mind, as she wasn't trying to steal her man anyway.
"Ruxue, Senior Sister is greeting you." Xiao Mo gently patted Ruxue's head.
"Greetings, Senior Sister Shang."
Though somewhat reluctant, Bai Ruxue still curtsied in return.
"Let's go." Shang Jiuli said with a smile, "I'll take you to your residence first."
"Then I'll trouble Senior Sister to lead the way." Xiao Mo nodded, then glanced at Bai Ruxue.
"It's fine, you go ahead. I'll wait here and tidy up the courtyard." Bai Ruxue said understandingly.
Although she was still somewhat worried about Xiao Mo being alone with Shang Jiuli, Bai Ruxue also understood propriety and boundaries. If she followed along, it would indeed be somewhat improper.
"Mm." Xiao Mo looked directly at Ruxue, "I'll return as soon as possible."
"It's fine, don't rush." Bai Ruxue smiled, "In this academy, am I worried you'll go and never return?"
Xiao Mo smiled and said nothing more, following Senior Sister Shang up the mountain.
At the peak of Feather Ink Peak, Xiao Mo met Teacher Qi and his senior brother.
Under the gaze of his senior brother and sister, Xiao Mo offered tea to Teacher Qi and formally became a disciple of Teacher Qi's lineage.
Teacher Qi didn't say much to Xiao Mo either. After instructing Xiao Mo to study diligently and not slack off in the future, he let Xiao Mo go rest first, with classes beginning the day after tomorrow.
Afterward, Senior Sister Shang took Xiao Mo to register at White Deer Academy, receive his academy badge, and explained the academy's rules to him.
Xiao Mo kept everything in mind.
"Regarding what I've told you, Junior Brother, is there anything you don't understand? Or if Junior Brother has anything you want to ask, you can ask me anything."
Before Xiao Mo returned to his courtyard, Shang Jiuli asked.
Xiao Mo thought for a moment and bowed respectfully, "Indeed, there is one matter I'm curious about and would like to ask Senior Sister."
"Junior Brother, just speak directly." Shang Jiuli wasn't afraid of her junior brother having questions, but afraid of him having no questions.
If Junior Brother had no questions, how could she show her usefulness as a senior sister?
"I won't hide it from Senior Sister. I grew up in a fishing village and once witnessed a flood dragon attempting tribulation but ultimately perishing, which deeply shocked me. I wonder if the academy has any books about flood dragons and their tribulations? I'd like to read them in my spare time to ease my mind." Xiao Mo spoke slowly and sincerely.
"You've asked the right person." Shang Jiuli smiled, "Go to the third floor of the library, the leftmost bookshelf. That's where books about flood dragons and snake clans are kept. Moreover, Senior Sister can secretly tell you a little secret about flood dragons and their kind."
"A little secret?" Xiao Mo asked curiously.
Shang Jiuli's lips curved up, "Junior Brother, do you know why it's so difficult for flood dragons and their kind to undergo tribulation nowadays?"