Riding Crane

Riding Crane

Mo Qingcheng held a unique position within the Emperor Star Academy, setting her apart from the other students. Despite not passing the required entrance examination, she frequently graced the academy with her presence.

Notably, she possessed an Emperor Jade Medallion, granting her access to the academy's resources and privileges. It was rumored that many of the academy's esteemed elders were well-acquainted with her.

In recent years, Mo Qingcheng's presence within the academy had waned, perhaps due to her increasing strength. Her true cultivation level remained shrouded in mystery, but speculations abounded that she could easily earn a place among the 10 prodigies if she unveiled her full power.

Mo Qingcheng was also the object of affection for numerous males in the Royal Capital. The news of several members of the 10 prodigies attempting to court her was an open secret, though she paid little attention to their advances.

As Mo Qingcheng casually ignored Qiu Mo and affectionately referred to Qin Wentian as a "dumbo," the crowd stiffened and stood like statues. "Dumbo" sounded like a term of endearment, implying an extraordinarily close relationship between the two.

Even Nolan couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy towards Qin Wentian. His luck seemed almost too good. From the moment Mo Qingcheng first encountered the unconscious Qin Wentian, she had never treated any male with such warmth. It was as if destiny or some past connection between the Mo Clan and the Qin Clan played a role.

"Miss Mo, what brings you here?" Qin Wentian asked with a smile.

Mo Qingcheng returned his smile, her expression adorable and captivating. "Why wouldn't I be here?"

"Then, just calling me Qingcheng will do," she added with a gentle smile.

The crowd's gazes were now filled with intense envy and jealousy. If only Mo Qingcheng spoke to them in such a way, they couldn't help but wonder how fantastic that would be.

Qiu Mo's warm smile vanished instantly, replaced by a hideous expression. When he had uttered the word "Qingcheng," it had been ignored. Worse, Nolan had advised him to show respect. Yet, moments later, Mo Qingcheng personally invited Qin Wentian to call her Qingcheng?

The discrepancy in treatment felt like a slap to Qiu Mo's face.

"Qin Wentian," he gritted his teeth. Unable to direct his frustrations toward Mo Qingcheng, he redirected them at Qin Wentian. What right did Qin Wentian have? Not only was he favored by the Emperor Star Academy and sheltered under their protection, but he also had Mo Qingcheng's favor.

"Qingcheng," Qin Wentian smiled, calling her name. A radiant smile bloomed on Mo Qingcheng's face, causing his heart to race. Nervous flutters danced in his stomach, and he scolded himself inwardly for his lack of self-control. How could he lose his composure around an attractive girl?

Unbeknownst to him, many males in the crowd wished to be in his shoes right now.

"Little brat, you toss your senior aside the moment your sweetheart appears," a voice chimed in, diverting Qin Wentian's attention. He turned to find that the duel between Luo Huan and Jiang Xiu had paused.

Luo Huan laughed heartily, her gaze shifting between Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng, warmth evident in her eyes. Her words left Qin Wentian feeling utterly embarrassed.

A faint blush adorned Mo Qingcheng's face, a beauty capable of toppling empires displaying an expression of shyness. The sight stunned the onlookers, their dream goddess revealing a side they hadn't imagined. Yet, what saddened them was that Mo Qingcheng wore that blush only after Luo Huan's words, not refuting them.

"It's over. Mo Qingcheng must not be interested in Qin Wentian, right?" The crowd was flabbergasted, jealousy towards Qin Wentian growing stronger.

"Senior Sister, what are you doing?" Qin Wentian muttered, at a loss for words. Luo Huan's words were misleading, to say the least, and much too direct.

Sneaking a glance at Mo Qingcheng, he noticed the shy expression on her face, causing his heartbeat to quicken once more.

"Is there something wrong with what I said? The number one beauty of Chu—wouldn't you two be perfect together? Are you not trying to win her over? Or are you already together?" Luo Huan blinked her captivating eyes, deepening Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng's embarrassment.

"Ugh, ugh, ugh. How could he even compare to Mo Qingcheng?" Nolan exclaimed, walking over to Mo Qingcheng's side with a displeased tone. In a lineup of suitors for Mo Qingcheng, it would stretch far beyond the Royal Capital's limits. They wouldn't allow this young man to succeed. Absolutely not.

"What do you mean he can't match up? A 17-year-old, 3rd level divine inscriptionist, the first in Chu's history! And my junior brother is not only talented but handsome too. He'll definitely surpass those 10 prodigies in the future. Mo Qingcheng and he are a match made in heaven," Luo Huan playfully declared, as if she were actively playing matchmaker, chuckling at her own words.

"Impossible," Nolan retorted, her anger flaring. The verbal sparring between these two beauties left Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng bewildered.

Had they just witnessed the world turned upside down?

"What are you two talking about?" Mo Qingcheng sighed, slightly exasperated. She looked at Qin Wentian and suggested, "Grandpa mentioned that Astral River Hall will be open to students today. Let's go together and leave these two to their bickering."

"Astral River Hall?"

The expressions of those present froze. The Emperor Star Academy had three significant places for cultivation.

First, the Heavenly Star Pavilion.

Second, the Astral River Hall.

Third, the Dreamsky Forest.

Both the Heavenly Star Pavilion and the Astral River Hall required an upgraded Emperor Jade Medallion for access. The Heavenly Star Pavilion, in particular, was tightly controlled as it held countless innate techniques and cultivation arts.

The Astral River Hall also had medallion-based access, but it had one key difference from the Heavenly Star Pavilion. The Astral River Hall allowed student access only once a year, depending on the level of their medallion. A 3rd level medallion granted access to the 3rd level, provided the student had the strength to endure it.

However, there was an essential distinction between the Astral River Hall and the Heavenly Star Pavilion. The Astral River Hall was open to all students on this occasion. It was a rare opportunity for students with talent but a shortage of Yuan Meteor Stones.

"Astral River Hall?" Qin Wentian had heard of it before. Due to his innate affinity, he could already access up to the 5th Heavenly Layer. That's why he hadn't visited in the past year. But since the opportunity had presented itself, he might as well seize it.

"Okay," he agreed.

Qin Wentian nodded, joining Mo Qingcheng as they mounted the white crane. With a powerful sweep of its wings, the majestic bird soared into the sky.

Watching her friend fly away with a guy, Nolan couldn't contain her frustration. She stamped her foot in anger and muttered, "That silly girl, choosing a guy over her friend. I'll have words with her when I see her again."

On the other hand, Luo Huan was gleefully amused.

"Boss, why didn't you take me too?" Fan Le playfully stretched his arms out, looking a bit downcast. After all, weren't they supposed to be brothers, sharing both the good and bad times together?

But that little guy seemed to have an uncanny knack for attracting beautiful women. Qin Wentian had already explained the earlier misunderstanding in the Dark Forest, and Mo Qingcheng had even apologized during Chu Tianjiao's banquet. Fan Le harbored no ill will toward Mo Qingcheng for what happened back then.

Qiu Mo wore a scowling expression, his eyes fixed on the retreating crane.

Mo Qingcheng had invited Qin Wentian to fly on her mount with her. What kind of special treatment was this? No male had ever received such favor from Mo Qingcheng before.

"I knew you targeted Junior Brother Qin because of Mo Qingcheng," Luo Huan sneered, "but how ridiculous is it that Mo Qingcheng doesn't even know who you are? And have you seen the kind of relationship she has with Junior Brother Qin? I honestly don't understand what you find so praiseworthy about reaching the Yuanfu Realm. Even if you become a Yuanfu cultivator, Mo Qingcheng won't give you a second glance."

Luo Huan didn't miss the chance to take Qiu Mo down a peg. His earlier arrogance still rankled with her, and now that she had an opportunity to deflate his ego, she wasn't going to hold back.

"And you," she turned to Jiang Xiu, "ranked 10th among the 10 prodigies? After this banquet, your name won't appear in the rankings of the 10 prodigies ever again."

Their duel earlier had ended inconclusively.

"We'll meet at the Astral River Hall," Jiang Xiu retorted, his tone icy, before he headed in that direction.

Qiu Mo huffed and followed suit, flying toward the Astral River Hall.

The elites on the stage also dispersed, making their way to the Astral River Hall.

Elites were inherently competitive. With the Astral River Hall opening today, those with exceptional talents wanted to see who could reach the highest levels.

As the crowd cleared out, Qin Wentian, who had been completely ignored, had gained the favor of Mo Qingcheng. Qiu Mo couldn't simply let this humiliation slide; he was determined to make Qin Wentian pay if they crossed paths again in the Astral River Hall.