Beauties in Simulation Cross over into Reality

”Three years ago in this very courtyard, her face and the peach blossoms glowed side by side.”

”Today her face is nowhere to be seen, yet the peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze.”

In the room, Cun Caiguang, the Academy Director of Cold Mountain Academy, stroked his beard, reciting word by word the poem that had recently become widely popular within the academy.

The more he recited, the more pleased the old Academy Director became.

”Xichun, what do you think of this poem?”

Cun Caiguang turned his head and asked the student beside him.

”A poem like this... unless I was in a moment of supreme feeling and scenery, I could never write it.” Xian Xichun smiled. For one of his own students to be able to write such a fine poem, he, as their teacher, naturally shared in the glory.

”Hahaha... Even if you were in such a moment, you still couldn’t write it.” Cun Caiguang waved his hand, teasing with a hearty laugh. ”Your Sword Technique is passable, boy, but when it comes to poetry, you really have no talent.”

He carefully put away the poem as if it were a priceless treasure.

”This poem... I must find a few colleagues to appreciate it with. It would be best if we could send it to the World of Ten Thousand Laws.”

He paused, a glint of amusement in his eyes. ”Those old fools in the World of Ten Thousand Laws are always saying that we of the Demon Race who study are nothing but beasts in scholars’ robes. I’d like to see if anyone in their younger generation can produce a poem like this!”

”Hehehe...” Xian Xichun chuckled and unhurriedly replied, ”Actually, Director, they’re not wrong. We are the Demon Race, so we are, by definition, beasts in fine clothes.”

”Hey! You!” Hearing this, Cun Caiguang grabbed his ruler and was about to smack Xian Xichun on the head with it.

Xian Xichun quickly tried to dodge, but just then, a woman’s voice, as crisp and clear as a silver bell, came from outside the courtyard—

”Student Tushan Jing Ci requests an audience with the Academy Director.”

”I’ll spare you the embarrassment. Wouldn’t want you to lose face in front of your own student.” Cun Caiguang’s ruler hovered in mid-air but ultimately didn’t fall. He straightened his green robes, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked out of the room.

”Ah, Jing Ci, you’re here.” Cun Caiguang opened the wicker gate, his tone amiable as he smiled and asked.

”Greetings, Academy Director. Greetings, Mr. Xian.” Tushan Jing Ci performed a graceful bow.

Cun Caiguang nodded and led Tushan Jing Ci and Xiao Mo inside. ”Come in for a cup of tea first.”

”Yes, Director.” Tushan Jing Ci and Xiao Mo walked into the courtyard together.

”If I’m not mistaken...” Cun Caiguang sat down with a smile, his gaze gentle as he looked at the two of them. ”Jing Ci, you’ve come this time to say goodbye, haven’t you?”

Tushan Jing Ci was slightly startled and a little surprised. ’The Director knows?’

”Of course, I know. Your mother has already told me everything.” Cun Caiguang picked up the teapot, about to pour them some tea.

Tushan Jing Ci quickly stood up and took the teapot from him, first filling the cups of the two teachers, then pouring one for Xiao Mo, and finally, adding some for herself.

Cun Caiguang took the cup, sipped from it, his smile tinged with emotion. ”From now on, I’m afraid we old folks will no longer have an outstanding Female Virtuous Person like Jing Ci to pour us tea. But perhaps it’s for the best. After you all leave, this old man will actually feel a bit more at ease.”

Tushan Jing Ci lowered her head, a hint of barely perceptible gravity in her voice. ”Director, is something... going to happen to Cold Mountain Academy?”

’Mother told me to return to Tushan, saying it was to do my part in protecting our clan, but I always felt there was more to it than that.’

”Hehehe... What could possibly happen to our Cold Mountain Academy?”

Cun Caiguang stroked his beard and said with a hearty laugh, his tone light and confident.

”Don’t you know how strong your old Director is? I’m a Saint presiding over this land. Even your own grandfather would have to show me some deference.”

He paused, his tone softening. ”It’s just that the Demon Race’s World is about to fall into chaos. It’s not just you; many other students will be leaving as well. This old man is simply reluctant to see you all go.”

”But Jing Ci...”

Cun Caiguang’s gaze grew serious, and he instructed her in a heartfelt tone.

”Even after you leave Cold Mountain Academy, you must continue to study and write diligently. Live and learn. Remember, you must never neglect your studies, do you understand?”

”I understand, Director.” Tushan Jing Ci nodded earnestly.

”Alright, that will be all.”

Cun Caiguang waved his hand.

”Xichun, take Jing Ci and the others to the Steward Hall to handle the formalities. And Jing Ci, you all should have a few drinks with your teacher. You won’t have many more chances in the future.”

”Yes, Director.”

The group bowed respectfully to Cun Caiguang, then turned and left the courtyard.

The moment Xiao Mo and the other two left the main peak of Cold Mountain Academy, Cun Caiguang took out a new teacup, slowly filled it, and said languidly, ”Old friend, since you’re here, stop hiding. You’re making it seem like we’re having a secret affair.”

”Pah, pah, pah! Who would have an affair with an old coot like you! Don’t you dare ruin my good name.”

As the voice faded, an old man materialized out of thin air in the courtyard.

The old man limped over and sat down beside Cun Caiguang.

”You have a very outstanding granddaughter.” Cun Caiguang turned his head to look at the man before him—the most renowned elder in the Demon Race’s World, Gui Ning.

”That goes without saying. She is my granddaughter, after all.” There was a hint of pride in the limping old man’s voice.

”Tch. As if you ever taught her yourself.” Cun Caiguang shot him a look and cut straight to the chase. ”Alright, spit it out. Why are you here today?”

”What else could it be? I’m here to convince you to leave, and quickly!” Gui Ning gathered his sleeves, his expression gradually turning serious.

”You know it yourself. Right now, there are four major factions in the Demon Race’s World. The Demon Race holds three, the Human Race holds one. And your Cold Mountain Academy? You’re not affiliated with any power, nor do you lean on any faction.”

”Furthermore, your Cold Mountain Academy has been drawing upon the Qi Fortune of the Demon Race’s World for years, bestowing it upon your students. You’ve long since become a thorn in the side of countless people.”

”So, you need to leave. Now. Get as far away as you can!”

”Leave?” Cun Caiguang laughed, a bitter edge to his smile. ”And where would I go? Tell me, you old fool, is there any place left for us scholars in this Demon Race’s World?”

”Hey, old man, has all that reading made you stupid?” Gui Ning shook his head helplessly. ”The entire world isn’t just our Demon Race’s World.”

”What? Where would I go? The World of Ten Thousand Laws?” Cun Caiguang laughed, exasperated.

”No!” Gui Ning smiled faintly, a profound look in his eyes. ”To the Four Seas!”

”The Four Seas?” Cun Caiguang froze, clearly not expecting that answer.

”You know of the Lord of the Four Seas, don’t you?”

Gui Ning let out a breath, his gaze distant.

”I made a deal with that young lady. In thirty days, she will arrive.”