Chapter 37: Senior Brothers and Sisters Here

A great master produces outstanding students. Compared to typical beginners in archery, Lin Xi and Bian Linghan had made remarkable progress.

Before they stepped out of the rainbow-like valley under the sunset's glow, they loosed ten arrows each — at least six or seven of which struck near the bullseye. However, for someone aiming to be a Wind Strider, this was still far from enough.

As they neared the Warfare Freshman Hall and saw unfamiliar faces gathering in threes and fives in the courtyard ahead, Lin Xi and Bian Linghan, their bodies weary but minds still replaying the sensation of bowstrings trembling, suddenly remembered: this was the academy's club recruitment day. Those unfamiliar faces... were probably their senior brothers and sisters here.

Back in his former world, Lin Xi had little fondness for university seniors.

Most of the senior boys organized events just to chase after junior girls, while the senior girls were busy socializing and rarely interacted with the junior boys.

Now, with the rigorous curriculum and the special Wind Strider training, he barely had any spare time. So he wasn't particularly interested in Qingluan Academy's clubs. Even after realizing what was going on, he simply walked forward slowly, observing with curiosity.

As they got closer to the senior students, he noticed they all looked more upright and seasoned than he and Bian Linghan — even the way they stood held a natural presence. Compared to the clubs he knew from his past life, recruitment here was extremely simple — each group merely used sticks to draw rough words on the ground, indicating which club they represented.

While Lin Xi curiously surveyed these unfamiliar senior students, someone else took notice of them — Chen Mu, standing by the edge of the square, spotted Lin Xi and Bian Linghan approaching under the twilight.

Unlike the other freshmen, Lin Xi and Bian Linghan looked thoroughly exhausted, their steps heavy and unsteady.

As they exchanged glances, Lin Xi politely nodded and smiled slightly before turning to examine the rest of the people around.

Though Chen Mu didn't know who Lin Xi was, the pure curiosity and calm in the boy's eyes gave him a momentary pause. Somehow, he felt this War Department freshman was different from the others.

"Hm?" At that moment, Chen Mu's brows twitched. He noticed Zhou Yongxian, along with two other members of the Poetry and Painting Club, heading toward the tired-looking duo.

"You're Lin Xi?" Zhou Yongxian politely greeted him.

"So he's the one chosen by the heavens from the Warfare Department?" Upon hearing Zhou Yongxian speak, many people on the square who hadn't recognized Lin Xi now looked at him with surprise.

"I'm Lin Xi." Lin Xi studied the three young men who had stopped him. All three were slightly taller than him, wearing cyan robes — clearly from the Civil Studies Department. The youth who addressed him seemed a bit older, with a square face and a natural air of authority despite his polite demeanor.

"I'm Zhou Yongxian, president of the Poetry and Painting Club, third-year Civil Studies student." Without waiting for Lin Xi to ask, the youth in cyan robes calmly introduced himself.

Lin Xi returned the greeting and asked, "What guidance does Senior Zhou have for me?"

"I've already heard of you, Lin Xi. Anyone chosen by the heavens surely must have talent in poetry and painting too," Zhou Yongxian said warmly. "So, I wanted to invite you to join our Poetry and Painting Club."

"Join the Poetry and Painting Club?" Lin Xi rubbed his fingers, silently deliberating.

Seeing Lin Xi's hesitation, a taller senior beside Zhou Yongxian smiled and offered a gentle reminder: "Senior Zhou's father is the head of the Bureau of Appointments. If you join us, we'll become closer after graduating from Qingluan Academy. That means we can help each other in the future. You probably understand this — despite being classmates here, we're usually too busy training or out on missions to build connections otherwise."

Lin Xi sighed inwardly.

That implication wasn't lost on him. Over the past few days, he had already figured out that the Bureau of Appointments was one of the eight major government offices, responsible for promotions and assignments of civil officials. Its leader would naturally be one of the most powerful figures in the Yunqin Empire. Aligning with the Zhou family would obviously bring many benefits.

In fact, if not for this final comment, he might have accepted. The Poetry and Painting Club didn't seem physically demanding, unlike some clubs that focused on tough training — which his current schedule wouldn't allow. But after what Instructor Tong said today still echoed in his ears, and with his ankle still sore… that one remark made him lose interest.

"Senior brothers," Lin Xi offered a polite refusal, "I don't have much knowledge or interest in poetry and painting. I appreciate the offer, but I must decline."

The tall senior looked surprised. Was I not clear enough? he wondered.

Zhou Yongxian looked at Lin Xi again, still smiling warmly. "Won't you reconsider? Many of our club members have gone on to success after graduation."

Lin Xi responded with the same warm smile and shook his head again. "Thank you, senior."

Zhou Yongxian fell silent for a moment. But the third member of their group — a handsome, pale-skinned youth — stared coldly at Lin Xi. "Lin Xi, think carefully. Even if you were chosen by the heavens, your soul cultivation talent is ordinary. Becoming a civil official may be your best path."

Lin Xi gave a wry smile and simply shook his head, not bothering to reply.

"I stayed here especially to meet you," Zhou Yongxian added gently. "Our club doesn't have any strict rules. If you change your mind someday, just come find me." With that, he bid farewell and left.

"The Zhou family holds immense power in court," Bian Linghan whispered with concern. "His father Zhou Youjian is likely to enter the Council of Elders. He waited for you in person, and you still turned him down. That might not go well. I tried to tug your sleeve to warn you, but you didn't even react. Why?"

"I didn't expect you'd actually refuse him." Suddenly, a new voice interrupted them. Lin Xi looked up and saw a senior brother with a sword on his back walking over alongside a short, slightly chubby senior sister. Both wore the blue robes of the Stop-War Department — Lin Xi and Bian Linghan had already exchanged glances with them earlier.

The two quickly straightened and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, senior brother and sister."

"I'm Chen Mu, and this is Du Zhanye. We're both third-year students from the Warfare Department." Chen Mu observed the clearly worn-out Lin Xi and Bian Linghan and asked seriously, "From what I know, you come from a humble background, with no influence at court. Why did you turn down Zhou Yongxian?"

Chen Mu had a plain appearance, but his straightforwardness was not unpleasant. Lin Xi, liking his honesty, smiled and replied, "Because I didn't want to."

Chen Mu looked at him and said plainly, "So it's because you don't want to grovel to the powerful? If Zhou Yongxian gains power one day, and you end up needing his help, it could get tricky."

Lin Xi smiled again. "Isn't Yunqin a nation that values the military more than civil officials?"

"Then you've already decided to join the frontier army in the future?" Chen Mu and Du Zhanye looked at him with new respect.

"Maybe." Lin Xi chuckled inwardly. The real reason, of course, I can't say… I'm from the same place as Director Zhang and have the same abilities. Why should I serve under the Zhou family's son?

"I'm the vice president of the Sword Club," Chen Mu added. "But like you, I have no powerful background. So if you're interested, you don't need to worry about being tied to anyone. I'll be graduating soon anyway, so we wouldn't see each other much even if you joined. Sword Club mostly consists of Stop-War students. You're always welcome to come by."

"You can call me Sister Yezi — everyone in Sword Club does," Du Zhanye said kindly. "You're welcome anytime."

"With seniors like you, I'll definitely visit when I get the chance to learn from you." Lin Xi nodded sincerely.

…

…

As night fell, lights sparkled from the buildings nestled among the mountains of Qingluan Academy, scattered like a city in the sky.

Chen Mu and Du Zhanye walked along a gravel path toward a mountain deep in the range.

Though Du Zhanye still appeared mild and good-natured, as they walked alone, she now looked at Chen Mu with clear respect.

Once the path grew quiet and secluded, she asked softly, "Your Highness, are you particularly interested in Lin Xi?"

Chen Mu, still looking ordinary, replied calmly, "Those who don't cling to power often have clarity and pride. They are exactly the kind of talents Yunqin needs most. But he's still young. Who knows if he'll change over time… Don't interfere. Let's just observe him for now."