Residential Area

Xu Kong led the group to the entrance of a dense courtyard area and smiled, saying, "This is the residential area of Blue Flame Royal Academy."

His authority was extremely high, so much so that even the teachers handling affairs at the residential area stood up to salute him.

Xu Kong politely returned the gesture, "Teacher Liu, could you please arrange accommodations for these students? They are exchange students from the Imperial Academy of the Tianxuan Empire."

The teacher Xu Kong referred to as Teacher Liu was a kind-looking middle-aged woman with a cultivation level seemingly higher than that of a Grandmaster.

Upon hearing Xu Kong introduce Mo Qingkuang and the others as exchange students from the Imperial Academy, a strange look flashed in Teacher Liu's eyes. She quickly glanced over Mo Qingkuang and Chen Kong, who was on his back.

"Got into a fight with Ling Chen?" Unlike others at Blue Flame Royal Academy, Teacher Liu's eyes held no hostility, only a hint of teasing.

Xu Kong nodded with a smile, "Indeed, it's hard to hide anything from you. They had a fight at the academy gate, and Ling Chen didn't gain the upper hand."

A trace of surprise flashed across Teacher Liu's face again as she said, "Finally, someone has come to put that brat Ling Chen in his place?"

"He's damaged so many things in the academy over the past two years, especially in the residential area. He's ruined three courtyards by himself. This time, he better behave."

Xu Kong didn't respond to this, instead smiling and saying, "Yes, thank you for your help."

Teacher Liu went inside, rummaged around for a while, and came back with five keys, which she handed to Xu Kong. "The academy has already made arrangements. Two students per room, with all living necessities provided. The keys are marked with the numbers."

She then turned to Mo Qingkuang and the others, "You students from elsewhere, the brats here will surely give you some trouble. I won't intervene much, but if anyone in the residential area gives you a hard time, come to me."

Mo Qingkuang was taken aback by this. This Teacher Liu was so kind? It would have been enough if she didn't cause trouble with their accommodations, but she even offered to protect them.

This naturally increased her likability in their eyes.

Noticing Mo Qingkuang's surprise, Xu Kong explained with a smile, "Teacher Liu has managed the residential area for decades. Even the principal listens to her here! Aren't you going to thank Teacher Liu?"

"Thank you, Teacher Liu," Mo Qingkuang and the others promptly nodded in gratitude.

Expressing thanks for a promise of protection was a good trade. If Xu Kong's words were true, it would save them a lot of trouble in the residential area.

A slight blush appeared on Teacher Liu's face as she softly scolded Xu Kong, "Stop talking nonsense and go on in."

Xu Kong nodded, bowed again, and then led Mo Qingkuang and the others into the residential area.

The residential area of Blue Flame Royal Academy consisted of these courtyards, with each courtyard typically housing two students.

To have a separate house with its own courtyard required one to rely on their strength. Only the top ten seats of the upper academy had the right to such accommodations, which were also the best in terms of conditions and environment.

Following Xu Kong through quite a distance, Mo Qingkuang and his group finally arrived at the accommodation prepared for them by Blue Flame Royal Academy.

It was a cluster of five interconnected small courtyards, slightly set apart from the surrounding ones, forming a semi-independent architectural complex.

"Divide yourselves as you see fit. If there's anything you're not satisfied with, let me know, and I will report it to the academy," Xu Kong said, handing the keys to Mo Qingkuang.

"Thank you," Mo Qingkuang replied, taking the keys and starting to discuss the room assignments with the group.

Ultimately, Chen Kong chose to share a room with Han Shu, as Chen Kong had been injured defending him.

No one objected, and the others quickly paired up, leaving only the newcomer Mo Qingkuang and the usually unpopular Li Sheng staring at each other.

Mo Qingkuang was a newcomer who had risen to prominence too quickly. Apart from Chen Kong and Han Shu, none of the other students were familiar with him and were reluctant to share a room with him.

Li Sheng, on the other hand, had a poor reputation within the inner academy. He was known for his self-centeredness and often engaged in activities that benefited himself at the expense of others, making him unpopular.

Thus, the last room was left for Mo Qingkuang and Li Sheng.

Li Sheng felt awkward and a bit scared. He was the first one in the inner court to trouble Mo Qingkuang, trying to make a name for himself by stepping on Mo Qingkuang, creating a bit of a grudge between them.

Now, Mo Qingkuang's strength far surpassed his, and his status was also incomparable. If Mo Qingkuang wanted to settle old scores...

In short, Li Sheng felt uneasy. Just as he was about to say something, Mo Qingkuang raised his hand to stop him. "Alright, let's leave it at that."

He didn't want Xu Kong to see that there were still isolated members among the ten from the Imperial Academy. Moreover, an opponent like Li Sheng wasn't worth considering.

Mo Qingkuang didn't hold a grudge against him since he didn't suffer any losses back then; rather, it was Li Sheng who ended up losing.

"Alright, your meals will be delivered by a designated person. The sign on your door—if the green side is up, the person will knock to give you your food. If the red side is up, it means you don't need food, and they won't disturb you," Xu Kong explained, flipping a sign on the door.

The sign, as Xu Kong described, had red and green sides. The entire residential area had dedicated personnel responsible for delivering meals, who would decide whether to deliver based on the sign.

Mo Qingkuang and the others nodded. This aspect of Blue Flame Royal Academy was very considerate. They could suggest this to Dean Zheng back home—students here had their meals delivered and didn't need to go to the cafeteria.

"Thank you, Brother Xu," Mo Qingkuang said, cupping his hands in gratitude.

Regardless of Xu Kong's motives for being so friendly, his actions made them feel as if they were basking in spring sunshine—comfortable and unassailable.

Everyone felt a natural inclination to like him. No wonder he was the idol of the entire Blue Flame Empire.

Xu Kong smiled and shook his head. "It's just a small matter. If you are interested, I can take you to visit our Blue Flame Royal Academy's Spirit Ascension Formation. The academy students spend most of their time there when they're not on missions. You will also spend a lot of time there in the coming year."

Everyone was intrigued by this. The academy had a special place for cultivation, and the name suggested it was a huge spiritual formation.

How much effort and resources would it take to build a formation that could support thousands of people in cultivation?

In this aspect, the Imperial Academy paled in comparison to Blue Flame Royal Academy.

Curious, everyone nodded. Mo Qingkuang arranged for the group to settle their luggage, while he took Chen Kong to lie down on a bed in their small courtyard.

Everyone checked their living quarters inside and out and found nothing amiss.

Fifteen minutes later, they gathered at the previous meeting spot.

Chen Kong was unconscious and needed care, and Han Shu, who had no cultivation ability, was the best person to stay behind and look after him.

Thus, only Mo Qingkuang and the remaining eight students followed Xu Kong to visit the Spirit Ascension Formation.