Dangerous Orchon

Dangerous Orchon

Outside the Astral River Hall, a substantial crowd had already gathered. Among them were students with remarkable talents who had received approval from the elders and were now waiting patiently.

News of the opening had spread like wildfire throughout the Emperor Star Academy, reaching every nook and cranny. Soon, every student was aware of the event.

A magnificent white crane descended gracefully from the heavens, its wings fluttering gently as it surveyed the entirety of the Emperor Star Academy before landing.

Perched atop the white crane were two figures. The young man was handsome, and the woman exuded a beauty that could topple empires. The onlookers couldn't help but admire them as a perfect couple.

Yet, mixed with admiration were negative emotions - envy, jealousy, malice, and resentment.

The gathered crowd immediately recognized the two individuals on the white crane: Qin Wentian and Chu's number one beauty, Mo Qingcheng.

It seemed the rumors of Mo Qingcheng's close relationship with Qin Wentian were true. Seeing them together on her white crane, Qin Wentian once again became the center of attention. But this time, he was right in the eye of the storm, feeling the weight of all the stares and glares.

Amid the scrutiny, Qin Wentian couldn't help but smile as he glanced at Mo Qingcheng beside him. "I might really meet my end because of you this time."

Mo Qingcheng returned his gaze with an endearing smile. She rested her chin in one hand and chuckled, "Why? Are you saying you don't want to sit here with me?"

"How could it be? With such a beautiful lady as my companion, my heart is all warmed up. Plus, you're a feast for the eyes," Qin Wentian replied with a smile.

Mo Qingcheng chuckled, her radiant smile almost making Qin Wentian lose his focus. Silently, he couldn't help but think to himself, "Femme fatale."

Throughout history, beautiful women had always been highly sought after. Naturally, conflicts and competitions arose among those vying for their affections, hence the term "femme fatale."

Only now did Qin Wentian fully grasp the meaning behind those two words. He hadn't even officially claimed Mo Qingcheng, but just their closer relationship had already garnered him an immense amount of jealousy and hatred.

"Have you ever entered the Astral River Hall before?" Mo Qingcheng asked softly as they stood before the grand hall.

"No, but I've heard that the Astral River Hall can simulate the astral pressure of the Nine Heavenly Layers. It's used for cultivating cultivators aiming to condense Astral Souls from higher Heavenly Layers. So, I haven't had a reason to enter," Qin Wentian explained.

"You're not very modest, are you, Dumbo?" Mo Qingcheng smiled, noting that Qin Wentian implied he didn't need to use the Astral River Hall to condense higher-level Astral Souls for the time being.

"I have a name, you know?" Qin Wentian looked at Mo Qingcheng, wondering when he had become known as "Dumbo."

"I'll still call you Dumbo. Any objections?" Mo Qingcheng planted her hands on her hips, glaring at Qin Wentian with mock anger. Her expression contained mischief, making Qin Wentian's heart race. When a woman's beauty reached a certain level, every move she made had the power to set hearts pounding wildly.

"You win," Qin Wentian conceded with a shrug, admitting defeat.

Mo Qingcheng smiled victoriously. "Not only does the Astral River Hall simulate the pressure of the Nine Heavenly Layers, but it also hides a profound and mysterious theory that few can decipher."

Qin Wentian's eyes gleamed with curiosity. This was new information to him. But since Mo Qingcheng's maternal grandfather was his Grand Teacher, her words had to be reliable. The Astral River Hall was likely not just about simulating the pressure of the higher Heavenly Layers.

More people gathered outside the Astral River Hall, including many academy teachers who stood in front, observing the assembled students.

It was uncertain if any talents would manage to reach the higher levels of the Astral River Hall this time.

Qiu Mo, Jiang Xiu, Luo Huan, Luo Cheng, and the others arrived as well. They stood outside the hall, watching the white crane soaring above.

Qiu Mo's once amiable and friendly demeanor had vanished entirely, replaced by intense jealousy, rage, and a burning desire for revenge. His attempt to humiliate Qin Wentian at the Emperor Star Monuments had backfired, leading to his humiliation by a junior.

Even more infuriating was the indifference Mo Qingcheng showed him compared to the attention she lavished on Qin Wentian. This stark difference had utterly stripped him of his pride.

Jiang Xiu felt just as miserable.

Yet, the two figures on the white crane didn't spare them a glance. Mo Qingcheng barely even knew of their existence. Despite being part of the 10 prodigies, Qin Wentian didn't hold them in high regard at all.

"Idiotic girl, you actually chose him over me!" Nolan stood below with her hands on her hips, shouting at the white crane hovering above.

Mo Qingcheng had a mischievous expression as she looked down at Nolan. "Nolan, watch your words, or I might not send you back later."

"If you won't send me, then don't! How dare you threaten me!" Nolan retorted, furious that Mo Qingcheng had chosen Qin Wentian over her.

"You should stop yelling. Mo Qingcheng will be my junior brother Qin's wife sooner or later. By then, you'll be an outsider," Luo Huan chimed in with laughter, seeming to relish the idea of causing chaos. Flames seemed to shoot from Nolan's eyes as she glared at Luo Huan. "A mere smelly little brat wants to marry Qingcheng? No way!"

"As long as they both want it, that's all that matters. After all, you're not the one he's marrying," Luo Huan replied with a smirk.

Nolan was left speechless in the battle of words with Luo Huan. After just a few exchanges, her face had turned red from suppressed anger. Meanwhile, the crowd was stunned by Luo Huan's words. The number one beauty of Chu and Qin Wentian were actually in love? When did this happen?

"Your senior sister's words are a bit..." Mo Qingcheng glanced at Qin Wentian from atop the white crane, not sure whether to laugh or be offended. While she treated Qin Wentian as a good friend, their relationship hadn't reached a romantic level.

"You know Luo Huan's personality. This is typical of her," Qin Wentian replied, equally flabbergasted. He could feel the crowd's icy stares below.

However, Luo Huan didn't seem to mind. She smiled at Qin Wentian on the white crane, thinking, "You better appreciate my help in staking your claim on her, smelly brat."

Janus, standing at the entrance to the Astral River Hall, noticed the white crane in the sky. A cold glint appeared in his eyes.

"The dog-sh*t luck of that little bastard," he muttered, harboring strong animosity toward Qin Wentian. Their grudge dated back to before Qin Wentian even joined the academy. Despite Janus's attempts to pressure him, Qin Wentian's situation had only improved, earning him recognition from the Emperor Academy. Janus had become a laughingstock among the Elders.

Janus hadn't forgotten the threat Qin Wentian had made. "Since today I can kill him, similarly, I can kill you in just a few years. If you have the guts, either you kill me right now, or f*ck off and stop bothering me."

"Teacher," a figure approached Janus and addressed him.

"Orchon, work hard. Maybe you'll step into Yuanfu in the coming year. Take the Astral River Hall entry seriously; it'll prepare you for condensing your 3rd Astral Soul in the future," Janus advised.

"Understood," Orchon replied, his eyes now colder and sharper than before. Compared to the past, he exuded a more dangerous aura, catching the attention of those around him.

"Not bad, you're nearly ready to attempt your breakthrough to Yuanfu," another Elder, who had a good relationship with Janus, praised Orchon with a nod.

Those in the crowd paid close attention to Orchon. He had disappeared from the Emperor Star Academy for a while, supposedly training intensively for the upcoming Jun Lin Banquet and aiming to break through to Yuanfu.

Orchon turned and walked toward the crowd, directing a sharp gaze filled with killing intent at the white crane in the air, which meant Qin Wentian. Despite the distance, Qin Wentian keenly felt the coldness of Orchon's murderous intent within that piercing look.

Mo Qingcheng's expression shifted slightly as she whispered to Qin Wentian, "Dumbo, Orchon has become much more dangerous than before. You need to be careful around him."

"I know," Qin Wentian nodded. He understood that the hatred Orchon harbored for him ran deep, and it was mutual.

"Mustang, today I want to see how high this student of yours can climb in the Astral River Hall," Janus coldly remarked to Mustang, who stood nearby.

"Don't forget, his 2nd Astral Soul comes from the 4th Heavenly Layer. How can Orchon compare to him?" Mustang remained composed. He had just as much confidence in Qin Wentian as Janus did in Orchon.

"Okay, you all can enter the Astral River Hall now. Those with jade medallions at the 4th level and above will be the first batch of students to enter." The gates of the Astral River Hall opened, and a figure emerged, giving instructions to the students.

While the Astral River Hall was spacious, it couldn't accommodate all the students at once. They had to enter in batches, with those holding higher-level medallions going in first.

"Let's go in," the white crane descended, and the surrounding students automatically made way for Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng. Nolan ran up, scolding, "You foolish girl."

Mo Qingcheng made a comical face and smiled. "Don't be so petty."

"Qin Wentian, I heard your 2nd Astral Soul came from the 4th Heavenly Layer. I hope you won't disappoint us later," Qiu Mo's voice came from the side as he entered the Astral River Hall.

"Too bad you probably won't dare to participate in the Jun Lin Banquet at the end of the year," Jiang Xiu added, following Qiu Mo into the hall.

"How troublesome," Qin Wentian murmured, glancing around. He then smiled and said, "Beautiful Qingcheng, shall we enter?"

"Beautiful Qingcheng?" Nolan and Mo Qingcheng stared at Qin Wentian, bewildered.

"Er..." Qin Wentian blinked rapidly and then laughed awkwardly. "Just a slip of the tongue, a natural reaction."

Ignoring the slip-up, Qin Wentian continued walking toward the entrance of the Astral River Hall. Mo Qingcheng's eyes sparkled as she burst into laughter, her crescent moon-shaped brows making her look exceptionally beautiful.