Suddenly, the inner door was pushed open, and the black-veiled woman appeared ghost-like at the entrance. She spoke coldly, “What’s all this commotion about?”
The courtyard fell silent, with only the faint sounds of crying and whimpering from the boys in the pavilion. Xiao Bang Chui took a deep breath—she had hit someone, would she be disqualified?
Although completely shrouded in black veils, the children felt as if the woman slowly surveyed the courtyard, pausing briefly at the pavilion and on Xiao Bang Chui. Then she spoke again, “There’s still half an hour until the initial selection ends. If I hear any more noise within this time, regardless of who it is, you can go home immediately.”
The children didn’t dare to breathe, watching wide-eyed as the black-veiled woman walked out and closed the door.
Xiao Bang Chui sighed in relief. Great, she could still stay for the second selection. She turned to look at the bloodied boy, who was still crying, his shoulders shaking as he tried to suppress his sobs. He looked both pathetic and pitiful.
“When someone hits you, either hit back or run away quickly. Why are you crying? Do you think they’ll stop hitting you if you cry your throat raw?” she questioned, not waiting for an answer as she dragged him by his clothes back to where they came from.
Ye Ye and the other two were still standing in the same spot, dumbfounded. Seeing Xiao Bang Chui return, Bai Li Gelin couldn’t help but whistle at her, “Xiao Bang Chui, you’re so brave!”
Not only brave but also formidable, single-handedly beating up all those annoying rich boys until they cried. She grabbed Xiao Bang Chui’s hand, her face full of admiration and worship. Beside her, Ye Ye also smiled and said, “Well done. You beat me to it, or I would have rushed over to stop them too.”
Noticing the boy behind Xiao Bang Chui covered in blood and shaking with sobs, Ye Ye spoke gently, “How are you? Let’s clean up the blood first. I have some medicine here for external use.”
The child thanked him between sobs, “Th-thank you, great hero…”
“What a great hero,” Xiao Bang Chui sat on the ground, frowning. “You’re useless, all you do is cry.”
The child’s lips quivered, on the verge of crying again. Ye Ye quickly pulled him aside, “Come, let’s clean your wounds first.”
Bai Li Gelin quietly tugged at Xiao Bang Chui’s sleeve, whispering, “You scared me just now. None of us expected you to rush out like that.”
Their first impression of Xiao Bang Chui was that she was quite cold and didn’t care about others’ business. If Ye Ye or Sister Chang Yue had jumped out when the boy was being beaten, she wouldn’t have been surprised. Ye Ye had a strong sense of justice, and although Sister appeared quiet, she had a fiery temper. They both couldn’t stand bullying. But the first one to run out was Xiao Bang Chui.
Bai Li Gelin tilted her head, examining her. At first, she thought Xiao Bang Chui wasn’t much to look at, too thin and weak for a boy. Ye Ye was only a year older but half a head taller and much better-looking. Xiao Bang Chui had a dark complexion with thick eyebrows, but her features were plain, nothing outstanding. However, her recent heroic behavior made Bai Li Gelin see her differently now, even finding her dark skin particularly attractive.
Could this be the legendary male charm? Bai Li Gelin’s young maiden heart fluttered.
“I just couldn’t stand it,” Xiao Bang Chui wiped her hand, stained with the boy’s blood, on her clothes.
When she rushed out, she was surprised herself. Normally, she wouldn’t even glance at such matters. Bullying happens countless times every day, and if she tried to intervene in each case, she’d never finish until her dying day.
Perhaps she saw a reflection of her future self in that boy. If she didn’t pass the second selection, she would wander alone, helpless and vulnerable, possibly ending up like him one day. This was what she feared most, and instinct drove her to protect him. By the time she realized it, it was too late.
Ye Ye returned with the boy, whose wounds had been cleaned and treated. He had finally stopped crying, and his once dirty face was now clean, revealing delicate features despite the bruises and cuts. He timidly approached Xiao Bang Chui and bowed, “Th-thank you for saving me.”
Xiao Bang Chui turned away, her voice cold, “It’s because you’re useless. Don’t thank me.”
The boy’s eyes reddened, but this time he held back his tears and said softly, “Yes… I’m too useless.”
Ye Ye came to smooth things over with a smile, “Alright, now those bullies won’t dare to bother you again. Don’t be afraid. I’m Ye Ye, this is Bai Li Gelin, Bai Li Chang Yue, and the one who saved you is Xiao Bang Chui. What’s your name?”
“My name is Lei Xiuyuan,” the boy replied, blushing shyly. “Thank you all for helping me. I’m eternally grateful for your kindness.”
His manner of speaking was quite refined, with a scholarly air, though his appearance was shabby. He likely came from a once-prosperous but now fallen literary family.
“What great kindness are you talking about!” Bai Li Gelin laughed. “Xiuyuan, did you also come along for the initial selection?”
Lei Xiuyuan nodded.
“Then we can keep each other company.” The friendly girl smiled and pulled him closer. Something occurred to her, and she asked, “By the way, why were you pointing and shouting at that girl earlier?”
Lei Xiuyuan’s face immediately darkened, tears welling up in his eyes again. He spoke with a trembling voice, “I recognized her… Half a year ago, when Brother Lu and I were begging on the streets, he accidentally startled her dog. She ordered her servants to beat Brother Lu half to death. That night, Brother Lu passed away!”
Everyone could only respond with silent sighs. These children had all tasted the bitterness of life, and faced with Lei Xiuyuan’s tears, any consolation seemed futile.
But his crying grew more intense as if it would never stop, drawing curious glances from other children in the courtyard. Bai Li Gelin sighed, “Um… Xiuyuan, please don’t cry…”
Lei Xiuyuan sobbed, choking on his words, “I… I can’t help it…”
Xiao Bang Chui, extremely impatient, said coldly, “Are you made of water? Crying at the drop of a hat. Are you even a man?”
Lei Xiuyuan froze for a moment, then vigorously rubbed his eyes. His face was still tear-stained, but no more tears fell. He said in a low voice, “Brother Lu used to say the same thing… I’m sorry, Big Brother Xiao Bang Chui, I won’t cry anymore.”
Big… Brother… Xiao… Bang… Chui…
Xiao Bang Chui almost burst out laughing. It was the first time someone had called her that! She desperately tried to hold back her laughter, while Bai Li Gelin beside her laughed uncontrollably, rolling on the ground. Ye Ye couldn’t hold it in either and started laughing. As they laughed, even Lei Xiuyuan himself began to smile.
Soon, the initial selection at the Fledgling Phoenix Academy came to an end. A total of fifty-six children passed in Luogong Town, including some in elegant attire and of noble bearing, as well as ordinary farm boys. However, those as ragged as beggars, like Xiao Bang Chui and her group, were rarely seen.
The black-veiled woman stood next to the rainbow deer. Although her voice was sweet and pleasant, her tone remained icy cold.
“Those whose numbers are called, get on the carriage, one by one.”
Xiao Bang Chui saw that there were fifty-six children in the courtyard, a sea of black, but only four carriages. Although they were quite large, how could one carriage fit more than a dozen people? How would they arrange the numbers?
The black-veiled woman called out numbers rapidly. Soon, more than a dozen people had boarded the first carriage, yet there was no sound from inside. The children were both nervous and expectant. Bai Li Gelin whispered in Xiao Bang Chui’s ear, “Do you think some kind of magical art has been used on the carriage? How can it fit so many people…”
Xiao Bang Chui shook her head; she didn’t know either.
Soon, the black-veiled woman called her number, “Three five nine.”
Xiao Bang Chui quickly walked to the second carriage and gently lifted the curtain. Inside, it was pitch black with a faint glimmer of light and a sweet, flower-like fragrance. She stepped into the carriage and took a step forward. Suddenly, the scene changed. The light before her eyes became bright yet soft, revealing an extremely large courtyard with pavilions and towers. In the distance, mountains and waters appeared tranquil, as if in a painting. She stood in a sea of snow-white pear blossoms, taking a deep breath in disbelief. The sweet fragrance of flowers permeated her lungs, filling her with a sense of peace and joy.
Was this a dream? She looked around clumsily and bewilderedly. Hadn’t she just boarded a carriage? But why were there pavilions, towers, and a sea of pear blossoms inside the carriage?
“Three five nine, please follow me.”
Suddenly, a figure appeared from under the dazzling pear blossom trees. It was a young woman who appeared to be in her early twenties, but she didn’t look quite human. Her long hair was green, and from her shoulders to her arms, large patches of skin were exposed, covered in green scales.
Xiao Bang Chui was slightly shocked. Was she a demon? Why would there be a demon here?
No one answered her questions as she followed the female demon through the flowers and willows. They soon entered a spacious courtyard with small buildings on the east and west sides. The western side seemed to already have occupants. The female demon led her to the eastern side and said, “Three five nine, please enter this room.”
Xiao Bang Chui gently pushed open the door of one of the rooms on the eastern side. Inside, there was a complete set of furniture, including a very large bed with snow-white, clean bedding. There was also a bamboo curtain in the room. Walking through it, she found a small bathing pool with clear, blue water. Beside it were combs, soap beans, eggs, bath beans, and wooden basins, all ready for use.
Was this where she was to stay? She had never lived in such a nice room before.
As Xiao Bang Chui stood there in a daze, the female demon behind her spoke again, “Please rest here for the night. Tomorrow, the second selection will take place at the Ruixue Pavilion. I will call for you when it’s time.”
With that, she quickly left. Xiao Bang Chui looked around, honestly speaking, she had never used luxurious items like eggs and bath beans before, and it was her first time seeing a bathing pool. She couldn’t help but stare for a long time. The bedding on the bed was as clean as white clouds. She wanted to lie down and feel it but was afraid of dirtying it with her clothes. She could only gently touch it with her hand. The fabric was soft and smooth, with a faint pine forest fragrance.
If this was truly a dream, she never wanted to wake up.
Soon, voices could be heard in the courtyard again, sounding somewhat familiar. Xiao Bang Chui opened the door to see Bai Li Gelin following another female demon. She seemed to be on familiar terms with the demon, chattering non-stop along the way. Spotting Xiao Bang Chui from afar, she immediately waved, running over excitedly and shouting, “Xiao Bang Chui! Great! We’re living so close to each other!”
“Is this inside the carriage?” Xiao Bang Chui couldn’t help but voice her question.
Bai Li Gelin shook her head, “I don’t know either, but Ye Ye guessed earlier that the carriage might have been enchanted with a magical art called ‘Pocket Dimension,’ creating a separate world inside.”
This Ye Ye seemed to know a lot; his background before falling on hard times must have been extraordinary.
As if reading her thoughts, Bai Li Gelin smiled and said, “Ye Ye is amazing. He knows so many things. It might look like my sister and I are taking care of him, but actually, he’s the one taking care of us.”
The girl before her was also much more perceptive than imagined. Children who have tasted the bitterness of life are never truly naive.
Soon, a few more people were led into the courtyard—Ye Ye, Bai Li Chang Yue, and Lei Xiuyuan. It was unclear whether this was a coincidence or intentionally arranged by the black-veiled woman.
Ye Ye said, “This should indeed be the ‘Pocket Dimension’ magical art, though I didn’t expect it to be on such a grand scale. I guess this is also a way for the Fledgling Phoenix Academy to spread its reputation. Everyone who passes the initial selection gets to come to this otherworldly realm, full of wonders and grandeur. Even if they don’t pass the second selection, when they go back, they’ll tell others about all this. Word will spread that entering the academy to cultivate means living like immortals, and more people will come.”
So that was it. Thinking carefully, it indeed made a lot of sense. Originally, the concept of immortals was quite ethereal, but the initial selection of the Fledgling Phoenix Academy was so grand and lively. Many people without spiritual roots would want to try their luck. The more people who came, the higher the chance of finding those with superior aptitude. It was indeed a good strategy.
The children were chattering away in the courtyard, creating quite a commotion. Suddenly, a door on the western building burst open, and a boy in white clothes stood at the doorway, shouting angrily, “You bunch of lowborns have been yapping non-stop since earlier! It’s driving me crazy! All of you, shut up!”
Everyone looked over to see that this boy was the rich young master whom Xiao Bang Chui had slapped with a silver ingot earlier. He was quite handsome, but half of his face was now swollen, looking quite comical. It was hard to believe that the person staying in the western building was him; no one would believe it wasn’t intentionally arranged.
Xiao Bang Chui turned to look at him and said calmly, “What did you say?”
The boy in white clothes, upon seeing her, immediately turned red as a pig’s liver. He pointed at her, about to curse, but quickly swallowed his words. He snorted and slammed the door shut as he went back inside.