Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 116 - Transfer

Zuo Hong and Li Shengsheng both looked at Song Ling. After all, it was the first time they saw someone joining the Imperial Academy with a cultivation in the Houtian Realm.

“Half a month ago, the Song Clan received a recruitment letter from the Imperial Academy. They were seeking prodigies in the field of spiritual arrays, and I was selected,” Song Ling explained. The Song Clan was renowned for its expertise in spiritual arrays, earning them a reputation in the Imperial Capital. While the Great Yan Dynasty was teeming with talent, blacksmiths, and masters of spiritual arrays were few and far between.

Song Ling’s cultivation might be low, but it could be enhanced after joining the Imperial Academy, which recognized his talent in spiritual array.

Liu Wuxie, Zuo Hong, and Li Shengsheng nodded, finally understanding why Song Ling could join the academy.

“Which class are you in?” Liu Wuxie asked.

“Advanced Class Three!” Song Ling lowered his head. If he knew he would be bullied because of his low cultivation, he wouldn’t have come to the academy and would rather stay in Azure Billow City. After all, he had a carefree life in Azure Billow City as the young master of the Song Clan.

“Senior Brother Li, can we transfer him to our Advanced Class Seven?” Liu Wuxie asked, concerned that leaving Song Ling in Advanced Class Three would expose him to bullying, and Liu Wuxie wouldn’t always be there to shield him.

“It might be a little difficult. Advanced Class Three focuses on spiritual arrays; you know our Advanced Class Seven situation. It will only hinder his progress if he joins our Advanced Class Seven,” Li Shengsheng said with a troubled expression as each class in the academy was tailored for students of different aspects. For example, the Advanced Class Three was meant for spiritual array masters. His talent would be buried if Song Ling were transferred to Advanced Class Seven.

“The standards of the teacher in Advanced Class Three aren’t even comparable to Big Brother Liu. I can learn about future spiritual arrays from Big Brother Liu,” Song Ling stated candidly, leaving Liu Wuxie somewhat taken aback. If others overheard Song Ling’s comment, it could potentially land him in trouble.

However, Song Ling was merely stating a fact and wasn’t trying to belittle the teacher. In the past few days, the knowledge he had gained was nowhere near what he had learned from Liu Wuxie.

“Who dares to say that the teacher of our Advanced Class Three is inferior compared to others?” A cold voice sounded from behind a screen. Someone heard their conversation, and several individuals stepped forward, lifting apart the screen and walking towards them.

“So it’s you!” There were six people in total—four in blue and two in purple robes. The one who spoke was a youth in the center wearing a blue robe.

When Song Ling saw the six people, he trembled as he had suffered bullying from them ever since he had joined the academy.

“Senior Brother Jiang Hua, I didn’t mean that.” Song Ling didn’t want to cause trouble for Liu Wuxie, and he stood up, admitting his slip of the tongue. He didn’t know that someone from Advanced Class Three was dining here, and he also had no intentions of insulting a teacher.

When the six approached Liu Wuxie’s table, the two youths in purple robes noticed Zuo Hong, and they narrowed their eyes.

“It looks like you’ve grown up now. Advanced Class Three is humiliated because we accept you, and you want to change classes?” Jiang Hua’s tone was cold, his murderous intent palpable and directed at Song Ling.

Song Ling couldn’t explain himself and was suppressed by Jiang Hua’s overwhelming aura. No matter what he said, Jiang Hua would use his words to target him.

Throughout the whole conversation, Liu Wuxie remained silent. This was a matter concerning Advanced Class Three, and he didn’t want to get involved. His goal was to keep Song Ling away from Advanced Class Three. As for the path of a spiritual array master, a little guidance from him could allow Song Ling to surpass most students in the academy.

“Song Ling, come to our Advanced Class Seven tomorrow!” Liu Wuxie said, placing his cup of wine down on the table. He didn’t even bat an eye at Jiang Hua, and his tone was calm without any fluctuation. He wasn’t asking for anyone’s opinion but was announcing a decision.

“Brat, who do you think you are? Even if he wants to change classes, he must receive the teacher’s approval!” Jiang Hua looked at Liu Wuxie coldly, his gaze piercing like twin daggers. His voice echoed throughout the second floor, prompting many to exit their screens and investigate the commotion.

Zuo Hong wore a bitter smile. He was well aware of Liu Wuxie’s short temper. However, he understood that Liu Wuxie’s actions were driven by his concern for his friend, Song Ling. It was an unfortunate coincidence that students from Advanced Class Three were present, misinterpreting Song Ling’s words.

“Look for the teacher tomorrow and request a transfer then!” Liu Wuxie said calmly as though he was speaking to Song Ling and Jiang Hua. Given that students from Advanced Class Three were already aware of the situation, there was no need for secrecy.

“Brat, who do you think you are? You think you can join and quit Advanced Class Three whenever you like?!” Requesting a transfer from the original class was humiliating to the students and teacher, which was why transfers were rare. This was also why students of the elite classes targeted Liu Wuxie, thinking he was looking down on the elite classes.

“Get lost while I’m still talking nicely. I will bring Song Ling to request a transfer tomorrow.” Liu Wuxie raised his head and looked at Jiang Hua with a suffocating aura sweeping out from him. The aura he gave off made Jiang Hua take a step back in fright because Liu Wuxie’s gaze was too terrifying.

Li Shengsheng lowered his head, at the loss of words. Liu Wuxie hadn’t even participated in a lesson in Advanced Class Seven and had already caused so much trouble.

“Zuo Hong, is this arrogant person a friend of yours?” One of the two purple-robed youths who came with Jiang Hua spoke out, ignoring Liu Wuxie.

“He’s my brother!” Zuo Hong’s reply surprised everyone. After all, there was a huge difference between a friend and a brother. There were many types of friends: those you could give your back to and those who were just friends on the surface. But a brother was different because they were close companions, like a family.

“You guys are arrogant too!” This response was unexpected from Zuo Hong. It was unlike him as the Zuo Hong that Liu Wuxie knew was elegant, refined, and polite. But today, he showed anger twice because of Liu Wuxie.

“Are you sure you want to interfere in this matter?” the purple-robed youth asked, seeking a definitive answer from Zuo Hong.

“My brother has made his intentions clear. He will request a transfer tomorrow. If there’s nothing else, please don’t disrupt our meal.” Zuo Hong waved his hand, signaling them to leave and not wanting to engage in further conversation to ruin his appetite.

As Liu Wuxie’s group continued to drink wine, the six onlookers could only grit their teeth in frustration.

“We will meet tomorrow then!” The purple-robed youth left with Jiang Hua and the remaining four. With Zuo Hong present, it was hard for them to fight. This meant that they would have to wait till tomorrow, and he wanted to see what Liu Wuxie would do when the teacher of Advanced Class Three refused the transfer.

The six went down the stairs, and everyone in the surroundings began to disperse.

“Senior Brother Sun, why don’t we just cripple them directly?” Jiang Hua was baffled and turned to the purple-robed youth who spoke earlier. After all, Liu Wuxie had provoked the advanced class three’s prestige, disregarding them.

“There’s no hurry. Zuo Hong will interfere since he’s present. You all go back and prepare, ensuring that they won’t be able to leave tomorrow.” The purple-robed youth wore a cruel smile. He, too, came from Advanced Class Three before he was promoted, thus having a special connection with the class. He had been promoted last year, and today marked a reunion with students from Advanced Class Three. However, he didn’t expect to encounter such an incident today, which he naturally couldn’t let slide as a former student of Advanced Class Three.

It was already midnight after Liu Wuxie’s group finished their meal, and Zuo Hong personally sent Liu Wuxie back.

“I won’t send you off then,” Liu Wuxie cupped his fists together as he entered his courtyard. Zuo Hong was more familiar with the Imperial Academy than him, and there was no need for him to send Zuo Hong off. He did not need to thank Zuo Hong as that would feel pretentious, but he had remembered this favor in his heart.

“Do you need me to come tomorrow?” Zuo Hong asked before he left. Every man had their dignity, especially someone like Liu Wuxie. Zuo Hong knew about that, which was why he asked.

“No need. Thank you for your goodwill.” Liu Wuxie knew that Zuo Hong asked out of goodwill, fearing that he might be too embarrassed to seek help from him. He was more than enough to deal with something like this.

“Alright. I’ll look for you in a few days!” Zuo Hong nodded and left. He believed that Liu Wuxie could deal with the situation the next day and wanted to know how many secrets Liu Wuxie was hiding.

Song Ling’s words didn’t sound fake. Did that mean Liu Wuxie also had a strong talent in the path of a spiritual array master?

As Zuo Hong departed, Li Shengsheng lingered, his face etched with worry. His legs started to quiver as he pondered the events of the forthcoming day. After all, the reputation of advanced class three for causing trouble was well-known.

“Senior Brother Li, you can go back and rest. I still have some matters to attend to.” Liu Wuxie didn’t want to drag Li Shengsheng into this matter, and he couldn’t leave Song Ling by himself since the latter had considered him a big brother.

Li Shengsheng wanted to say something, but Liu Wuxie stopped him. There was no need for words as they both understood each other. Thus, Li Shengsheng left with a sigh.

If Song Ling returned, he would definitely be bullied, so he stayed with Liu Wuxie that night.

“What did you learn in Advanced Class Three?” Liu Wuxie, aware of the challenging day ahead, sought more insight into Advanced Class Three. He wanted to resolve Song Ling’s issue quickly so that he could receive his rewards and enter the Flame Sun Cave.

He had encountered difficulties during his initial two days at the Imperial Academy, and it was starting to get on his nerves. He wanted to increase his strength quickly, especially knowing that Xue Pingzhi would try to target him, not to mention the presence of another individual, Bai Qiong.

Song Ling had joined the Imperial Academy for five days and shared everything he had learned with Liu Wuxie.

“That’s all?” Liu Wuxie frowned after hearing what Song Ling said. Those were only bits and pieces of spiritual arrays. Was the Imperial Academy lagging in terms of spiritual arrays? The arrays in the ten-mile-long path and Profound Gate Pass weren’t insignificant. So, there must be something more advanced in the Imperial Academy.

But it also made sense to teach the superficial stuff to the Earth Grade students.