Chapter 5334 Entry Exam
Feng Xinyue remained as peerlessly beautiful as ever, her face untouched by the passage of time. Despite her many years, she looked no older than thirty. Her golden robes lent her an air of nobility and majesty, like a wise empress. She looked both graceful and approachable.
Even someone like Long Chen couldn’t help but feel naturally inferior in her presence. She exuded a certain grandness that others could only look up to.
Feng Xinyue’s grandeur came from the depths of her soul, not like the fake one put on by the likes of Qian Renxue. Feng Xinyue’s grace came from within, as naturally as if she stood in the heavens, while others remained grounded.
What shocked Long Chen most was his inability to sense any aura fluctuations from her. Even the formidable Silver Hair Void Crusher was someone whose energy he could detect, but Feng Xinyue’s presence was utterly elusive.
Is she even stronger than the Silver Hair Void Crusher? wondered Long Chen.
“Long Chen, shouldn't you greet my master?” Tang Wan-er’s voice snapped him out of his daze. She scolded him gently, noticing his absentminded staring without a greeting.
Realizing his rudeness, Long Chen was then conflicted. Feng Xinyue was Tang Wan-er’s master, so by protocol, he should address her as his own master too. But Long Chen had never kowtowed to anyone except his parents, and he wasn’t about to start now. His knees refused to bend.
“It’s fine. Cultivators need not worry about such formalities,” said Feng Xinyue, her tone gentle yet commanding. “Long Chen is the dean of the High Firmament Academy. He is qualified to stand as my equal.”
“Senior lifts me up too high. Junior Long Chen greets senior,” Long Chen replied, a bit embarrassed by that. Though he wouldn’t kneel, he bowed respectfully as a junior would to a senior.
“Wan-er, leave us for a moment. I have some words for Long Chen,” Feng Xinyue instructed.
Tang Wan-er, though puzzled, obediently left as directed.
“You crossed the Endless Desolation, correct?” asked Feng Xinyue.
“Yes.”
“You fought with someone from Brahma’s line, right? Why do I sense Lord Brahma’s energy on you?” Feng Xinyue eyed Long Chen closed. She was a bit surprised.
Long Chen was taken aback. It had been some time since his battle with the Silver Hair Void Crusher, and his wounds had long healed. How could Lord Brahma’s power still be on him?
“My brothers and I encountered one of Lord Brahma’s eight great divine commanders on the way. I almost lost my life to him,” Long Chen explained.
“A real divine commander or one of their descendants?” Feng Xinyue inquired further.
Long Chen gave a simple explanation of how they had encountered the Silver Hair Void Crusher. In truth, his memories were blurry due to his heart-devil taking control of his body. He only saw himself in white robes, as well as his heart-devil’s bone-chilling aura. But that was all.
“The Silver Hair Void Crusher? He is skilled, but his character is flawed,” Feng Xinyue said with a knowing nod. “He’s still celebrating his recent promotion, but his intelligence is lacking. No wonder you managed to escape from his hands.”
From Feng Xingyue’s tone, she seemed to have a great understanding of the Silver Hair Void Crusher. She continued, “He is the first addition to the eight divine commanders. His promotion means that one of the original commanders has died.”
Amazed by her knowledge, Long Chen replied, “Yes, that’s exactly what he said. One of them participated in the battle against the Nine Star Master and was heavily wounded. Even after spending so many years recovering, he still died.”
Feng Xingyue remarked, “In truth, he didn’t have to die. If Lord Brahma had been willing to split a portion of his energy, the commander could have been saved—though he would have been crippled. However, Lord Brahma is also in recovery and wouldn’t sacrifice his own energy for a cripple. It’s also why Lord Brahma hasn’t shown much favor toward the Silver Hair Void Crusher. If he had, the Crusher would have become a central figure among the eight commanders long ago.”
“Why doesn’t Lord Brahma favor him?” Long Chen asked.
“It is his character,” Feng Xingyue explained. “Mountains and rivers change, but people don’t. Even the strongest god cannot change a person’s nature. The Silver Hair Void Crusher’s character is flawed, so he’s always been overlooked. He was only promoted because of the death of the previous commander. His power far exceeded yours, but his arrogance and underestimation of you allowed you to escape. His own character was his downfall, and that’s exactly why Lord Brahma doesn’t value him.”
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing it was him and not another commander,” Long Chen said with a bitter smile. “If it had been one of the others, I wouldn’t have survived.”
Feng Xinyue replied, “He’s eager to prove himself after his promotion. By all rights, someone of his rank shouldn’t be dealing with a nine star heir. You were unlucky to encounter him. But at the same time, he was just as unlucky to meet you. He thought that he could easily capture you, only to be caught off-guard again and again. He did every stupid thing possible, and that’s why you managed to escape.”
Feng Xinyue smiled at the end, knowing clearly how vast the power gap between Long Chen and the Silver Hair Void Crusher was.
Feng Xinyue then reassured Long Chen, “Now that you’re here, you don’t need to worry about him. He wouldn’t dare to act impudently in the Wind God Sea Pavilion. Other than that, he values his face too much to openly attack you, but he may try something in the shadows. Well, as long as you stay here, you’ll be safe. By the way, did Bai Letian give you any instructions before you came?”
“No,” Long Chen answered, confused. He tried to recall any specific instructions but came up blank.
Feng Xinyue pondered for a moment before nodding. "Since he didn’t say anything, staying here to focus on cultivating is a wise choice. Helping Wan-er with her problem shouldn’t be an issue for you, right?"
Feng Xinyue pondered for a moment before nodding. “Since he didn’t say anything, staying here to focus on cultivating is a wise choice. Helping Wan-er with her problem shouldn’t be an issue for you, right?”
“Of course not,” Long Chen quickly replied.
“Good. Then go take the entry exam,” Feng Xinyue said, catching him off guard.
“Eh?” Long Chen’s jaw dropped.
“What? Are you unwilling to let go of your status as a dean? Do you know how many years Wan-er has shed tears for you?” Feng Xinyue’s expression darkened.
“No, no, not at all!” Long Chen hastily assured her. “For Wan-er, I’d give up my life, let alone a title. I'll listen to you.”
Satisfied with his response, Feng Xinyue nodded. “Go. You won’t be treated unfairly.”
When Long Chen came out, Tang Wan-er was already anxious from waiting. To her, even a short time apart from Long Chen seemed like days.
“What did my master say?” asked Tang Wan-er, grabbing Long Chen’s arm.
Long Chen smiled wryly and replied, “She told me I need to be your attendant and take the entry exam.”
“Hehe, don’t worry, being my attendant is a good thing!” Tang Wan-er laughed, her eyes sparkling as she excitedly pulled Long Chen along.