50. A Leisurely Half-Day

Chapter 50: A Leisurely Half-Day

After half a month of getting to know each other, the fifty people in Jia Academy were now familiar with each other, at least knowing each other's names.

"Yuanzhao, your Divine General's mansion is really impressive. Even as new students, you're almost taking up the top ten spots," Du Yueqiu, a slim girl sitting on the grass, sighed to Li Yuanzhao.

She was an old student, eighteen years old, at the peak of her youth, but already considered a "veteran" in Jia Academy. Before the start of the term, she was in the top ten of the martial arts ranking. Now, she was ranked outside the top fifteen.

It's all because these new students were too fierce. Just from the Divine General's mansion alone, there were seven, and there were also two princes from the royal family, making them incomparable. Additionally, there were children of grandmasters and city lords among the new students, all with intimidating backgrounds, totaling thirteen.

These old students had trained for many years to reach the consummation of the Zhou Tian realm, while these new students had just arrived and were already at the consummation of the Zhou Tian realm or close to it, bringing their deep family foundations into the academy.

Although their realms were the same, the levels of their cultivation techniques and meridian-opening methods varied, resulting in nearly double the power difference. They were no match for these descendants of the highest authorities of Great Yu, feeling a significant blow.

"It's alright, I'm only sixth, just missed it," Li Yuanzhao said, scratching his head.

"..." Du Yueqiu was speechless.

Zheng Bai, a noble son from Liangzhou, smiled wryly beside them. As a new student, he was ranked 38th.

Only those with heavenly backgrounds like these could bully the old students. The rest of the noble children had to follow the rules and accept the teachings of the old students.

In the field, someone was sparring with techniques. Du Yueqiu glanced at the martial arts ranking, her eyes complicated. Currently, only one old student remained in the top five, seemingly representing the last dignity of the old students.

The two princes occupied the first and second places. The royal family's meridian-opening method and breath-cultivation technique were unparalleled, naturally practiced by the princes. In third place was Wang Han from the Tianzhao Divine General's mansion. Seeing this name, Du Yueqiu's eyes flickered. Aside from the princes, the most intimidating person in Jia Academy was Wang Han. Although only fifteen, his moves were ruthless and decisive, with fierce techniques, unlike others who seemed tempered by blood and fire.

It was found out that Wang Han had served in the Perilous River Division for a year. In fourth place was the daughter of a grandmaster, rumored to have comprehended the Sword Heart, her swordsmanship unfathomable. In fifth place was the old student who was once the first in the martial arts ranking, his spear techniques reaching the perfect level of high-grade techniques. He had narrowly defeated Li Yuanzhao yesterday.

Beside her, Li Yuanzhao was ranked sixth, followed by his two cousins, Li Yun and Li Zhining.

"Strange, where is your Brother Hao? Why isn't he here?" Du Yueqiu, scanning the academy, asked curiously.

She was more interested in Li Hao. After all, Li Yuanzhao often mentioned him, and it was clear that Li Yuanzhao deeply respected this peer. It was surprising, but every time classes ended, Li Hao would dash off like he was rushing to the toilet. He never participated in these spontaneous sparring sessions or martial arts ranking challenges. He seemed like an outsider to Jia Academy. Even in class, she noticed he was either napping or sketching in a book.

At first, she admired his diligence but later realized the book contained not a single word but detailed sketches, mostly of ferocious aquatic monsters and even some of Teacher Su Yehua, with added cat ears and tails, making her look like a partially transformed demon.

Despite this, Du Yueqiu recognized his exceptional drawing skills, vividly lifelike, clearly requiring much effort. But as martial artists, who had time for such hobbies?

"Brother Hao is probably off having fun," Li Yuanzhao said nonchalantly.

He was used to Li Hao's ways. Joining them in training? Ridiculous. Even their aunt's pleas couldn't get Brother Hao to set foot in the training ground. Growing up, Brother Hao never mingled with his peers unless they sought him out.

"Having fun..." Du Yueqiu and Zheng Bai were dumbfounded.

From childhood, their parents' strict discipline had engraved the word "effort" into their very bones. Fun? They wished, but dared not. Their fathers often said:

"Playing now wastes time, playing later wastes your life!"

"Without enduring hardship, how can you excel?"

"The family's prosperity depends on you. How can you face the ancestors if you slack off?"

"Fun" was a light, almost forbidden word, far from their reality.

"Isn't he worried about not participating in the martial arts ranking? He'll be challenged by students from Yi Academy and might be demoted," Du Yueqiu said hesitantly.

Li Yuanzhao's small eyes widened with anger: "Who dares! If anyone challenges Brother Hao, I'll downgrade to Yi Academy and challenge them back!"

Du Yueqiu: "..."

Zheng Bai: "..."

That's quite domineering.

"Your Divine General's mansion might deter challengers, but the Perilous River Battlefield test in a year will be a solo task. Outside demon-slaying missions might have secret family protection, but the Perilous River Battlefield is a solo, one-time entrance," Du Yueqiu said reluctantly.

"True," Li Yuanzhao frowned. "I'll talk to Brother Hao about it."

Du Yueqiu was speechless. It seemed this Divine General's mansion's young master hadn't taken this matter seriously at all?

...

...

On a cliff above a waterfall behind Jia Academy, two figures sat drinking and playing chess, chatting and laughing. Suddenly, a figure leapt up from the base of the waterfall, soaring tens of zhang without a drop touching him, landing before the two with two roasted wild rabbits in hand.

"You brat..." The two elders playing chess laughed, sniffing the air. "Smells delicious!"

Li Hao handed the roasted rabbits to the elders, smiling. "Have a taste."

The chess-playing elders were Zhao Zongyuan and Shen Yunqing, both teachers in Jia Academy. Over the past half month, they had been thoroughly won over by Li Hao's cooking.

"Your cooking skills are truly remarkable," Shen Yunqing said, biting into the rabbit. "Delicious!"

Despite their cheerful demeanor now, they maintained a strict and authoritative presence while teaching. Even the two princes had to be respectful and obedient in front of them. The princes might be noble, but those sent to Tan Palace Academy were not the most favored. They might not even live as long as the teachers, so there was no need to be overly deferential.

"Today you've already beaten me twice. Shouldn't you go back to training?" Zhao Zongyuan said while eating the rabbit.

He loved playing chess but didn't love constantly losing.

"Training is boring. It's not like it's the martial arts of the Black and White Hall," Li Hao said.

"You think you can get ultimate techniques right off the bat?" The two elders shook their heads helplessly. When Li Hao first sought them out to play chess, they had tested his martial skills. He was far from being a spoiled noble and was more capable than most in Jia Academy. But he showed no interest in martial arts. Even when they tried to secretly teach him while playing chess, he would reprimand them:

"If you're losing, how do you have time to talk about other things?"

"Can you take this seriously? Pick up the pieces, pick up the pieces!"

"Shall I let you off five moves?"

The two elders were exasperated, both loving and hating Li Hao.

"Old Shen, the wine," Li Hao nudged Shen Yunqing's waist. "You owe me two sips for losing today."

Shen Yunqing's mouth twitched. Originally, he only shared with Zhao Zongyuan, but now there was another mouth to feed. His Drunken Wind Brew was running low. But a bet was a bet. He grumbled and tossed the wine gourd to Li Hao. "Take it easy, you're still young."

Li Hao laughed, opened the cap, and took two big swigs, wiping his mouth contentedly. "It tastes great."

Cooking skills encompass a wide range, and he could brew wine himself. But it was too time-consuming, so he couldn't be bothered. Seeing Li Hao's carefree demeanor, the two elders sighed and continued gnawing on the rabbits.

Li Hao handed the gourd back to Shen Yunqing and patted his pants. "I'll be back tomorrow."

He then leapt off, his figure like the wind, landing on a white rock outside the waterfall. He strolled away, humming a tune. He had only climbed the waterfall for the wine and to reward the elders with the rabbits.

"That boy..." Watching him leave, the two elders smiled wryly. They had never met such an unusual young man.

"By the way, the body technique he just used—isn't that the high-grade 'White Phoenix Art' you teach?" Zhao Zongyuan asked.

Shen Yunqing chewed on the rabbit, nodding. "Yes, and he seems to have reached the perfect level. I really wonder if he truly mastered the Wind Cleaving Fist on the day he saw it..."

"Mastered to perfection in half a month..."

Zhao Zongyuan pondered, muttering, "Could the rumors about the Li family be a cover? The Wuhou family has been stationed at the border for years, with both parents away..."

Before he could finish, the implications were clear.

Shen Yunqing swallowed the rabbit and took a sip of wine, sighing contentedly. "The noble families' secrets are deep. Who knows? But this boy is definitely a prodigy. In the Perilous River test next year, he might just surprise everyone."

Zhao Zongyuan nodded slightly. He didn't deny it. It all depended on whether Li Hao was willing.

Suddenly, he noticed Li Hao's figure disappearing around a corner and raised an eyebrow. "Did he take the wrong path?"

"Didn't you tell him that way leads to the Perilous River?"