Chapter Twenty-Three: Dormitory Dispute

Jiang Wangshu didn’t take it. “I don’t want to join the Sword Cultivator Division. If I can’t get into the Spell Cultivator Division, I’ll go to either the Alchemy or Herb Cultivator Divisions.”

She had done her research beforehand.

The Sword Cultivator Division sounded impressive and boasted immense power. But in these times, with monsters running rampant within and celestial fiends lurking outside, individual attack power wasn’t valued. Moreover, with so many sword cultivation methods lost, there was no future in that path—graduates couldn’t even find decent jobs, let alone earn enough for cars or houses.

Besides, her wood spiritual root lacked the sharpness required for sword cultivation. Herb or alchemy cultivation would suit her much better.

Ji Mingliang’s eyes darkened slightly, a faint smile curling at his lips as he spoke gently, “Child, do you know your entrance examination scores?”

“Control ability test: absent. Arena: 10 points. Speed test: 200 points… Altogether, four hundred. That’s two hundred short of the six-hundred-point cutoff.”

Jiang Wangshu retorted, “That was an issue with the test itself, not—”

Ji Mingliang smiled, cutting her off, “I know. But should students nationwide make exceptions for you? You’re lucky to have been admitted at all. If you keep choosing, you might end up with nothing.”

Jiang Wangshu relented, taking the jade pendant. “Alright.” At worst, she’d just audit classes in other divisions later.

Yu Jianyi led Jiang Wangshu toward the dormitory building. Seeing her downcast expression, he comforted her, “Don’t worry. As long as you earn two hundred credits this semester and rank first in the finals, you can apply to transfer divisions.”

Her spine straightened, eyes brightening. “Really? Teacher, how do I earn credits?”

Yu Jianyi gestured, and the jade pendant at her waist, carved in the shape of a small sword, floated before them. He infused it with spiritual power, and five miniature swords appeared on its surface, each inscribed with tiny words: Academy Forum, Required Courses, Electives, Sword Cultivator Training Grounds, Credit Earning.

He tapped the last sword, and its contents instantly unfolded before Jiang Wangshu’s eyes. “Once you reach Foundation Establishment and develop spiritual awareness, you’ll be able to enter it directly, so others won’t see what you’re looking at.”

She nodded, her gaze drifting over Seaside Patrol Teams, Team Championships, Monster Hunting Squads, and the Credit Hall. She took back the jade pendant. “Thank you, Teacher.”

She’d study the rest later.

“Oh, by the way, Teacher, this is the reward for Senior Brother. Please pass it on to him!” With the dormitory building just ahead, Jiang Wangshu handed Yu Jianyi a spirit stone, smiled, and went to complete her check-in.

Yu Jianyi’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He hurriedly pocketed the top-grade spirit stone, anxiously glancing around. Only after confirming no one had noticed did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Where did this god of wealth come from? No wonder Yang Xia was so eager to help her!

Clutching the spirit stone, Yu Jianyi strode off quickly—his sword had never tasted anything so fine. He couldn’t wait to let his Blade of Forgotten Dust savor it.

On the first floor of the dormitory building.

“Hello, Teacher, I’d like to apply for a single room,” Jiang Wangshu had just begun.

A passing girl sneered, “A pauper from the Sword Cultivator Division dares ask for a single room? Don’t pretend to be something you’re not.”

She turned to the dorm manager, smiling. “Teacher Jin, I’m Zhang Lingyin, a sophomore in the Spell Cultivator Division. I’ll take the last single room.”

Arms crossed, she gave Jiang Wangshu and the nearby Xiao Hei a disdainful glance, fanning herself arrogantly. “Pauper, this is the girls’ dorm. What are you doing with a man in tow?”

“If you can’t go without a man, at least don’t be so desperate. Disgusting and ugly.”

At her words, passing girls cast judgmental looks, most tinted with prejudice and hostility.

Even the dorm manager frowned. “Student, tell your boyfriend to leave. It’s not appropriate for him to be here.”

Jiang Wangshu turned to look behind her.

Xiao Hei was squatting outside by the wall, avoiding the sunlight, his messy black curls covering his back—at a distance, he looked like a lump of shadow. Only his golden eyes shone with delight, shimmering even in the shade. He was happily chewing on a spirit stone, perfectly content.

She thought he’d followed her inside!

Here? She raised an eyebrow in surprise. “He’s four or five meters away, still outside the door. How is that inappropriate?”

“Is the girls’ dorm completely off-limits to men?”

There were several boys under the tree two meters from the entrance. The logic didn’t add up.

Teacher Jin’s frown deepened. She quickly stamped the single-room assignment for Zhang Lingyin. “Alright, the single rooms are gone. Only four-person rooms left—take it or leave it.”

Zhang Lingyin snatched up her check-in slip, waving it triumphantly as she headed out. “Ah, I need to leave! The air here is polluted by paupers! Ugh—”

Whoosh!

A green vine twined around her wrist, yanking her back with surprising force.

She struggled to steady herself, glaring furiously back. “You wretch, if you know what’s good for you, let go now.”

Jiang Wangshu held onto the vine, smiling. “Sorry, it seems someone’s polluted the air, and my spiritual power went out of control.”

The fragile spell cultivator Zhang Lingyin stared at the red mark rising on her delicate wrist, her eyes welling with tears. “Damn you!”

Scarlet spiritual power burst from her, flames instantly engulfing everything nearby.

Teacher Jin quickly summoned a barrier, enclosing the flames and shielding the two girls.

“All other students, back away to avoid injury.”

Xiao Hei immediately looked up, frowning at the unpleasant heat.

Inside the barrier.

The vine turned to ash under the blaze. Zhang Lingyin sneered, “A mere wood element dares provoke me? If you want to die, just say so—I’ll oblige you.”

Behind her, dozens of fireballs rapidly formed, growing larger and hotter.

The searing air made Jiang Wangshu’s nose itch and burn. She rubbed her nose. “When faced with unreasonable people, I don’t bother with reason.”

Threads of green wood spiritual power rose from the ground, like dead wood in spring coming to life—remaining vibrant even amid the flames.

Soon, green became more and more prominent amidst the fire.

Zhang Lingyin scoffed, waving her hand.

Blazing fireballs roared forth, their fierce flames intent on devouring any obstacle in their path.

Gasps rang out among the watching girls.

“Oh my god!”

“Will the new student survive?”

“So pitiful.”

Teacher Jin watched coldly, expression calm, fingers poised with a healing spell—ready to intervene the moment Jiang Wangshu screamed. After all, arrogant, disrespectful students deserved a little punishment to learn their place.

In the midst of the flames, a green light flared. A massive vine soared up like a python, rearing its head and charging at Zhang Lingyin.

Panicking, Zhang Lingyin unleashed even more spiritual power, summoning greater flames.

But neither fire arrows nor walls could halt the vine’s advance.

Sweat beaded on her forehead, her hand seals growing erratic. “Impossible! Fire should dominate wood. There’s no way I could lose!”