Transmigration: The Peerless Immortal Husband - Chapter 62

The newly recruited students were resentful but dared not complain, forcing them to rein in their tempers. As a result, the atmosphere aboard the ship became significantly more harmonious for the remainder of the journey.

Since the trip would take several days, Gu Yao spent most of his time in the cabin, either cultivating or reading. Occasionally, he stepped out for a bit of relaxation, but he showed little interest in mingling with the other students. Chi Changye was even less inclined to socialize. Officially, he was merely Gu Yao’s attendant, so the other students, unaware of his strength, dismissed him as unimportant.

Tian Feirong and the chubby boy, on the other hand, couldn’t sit still. They often went out, made some new friends, and then returned to share what they’d learned. One day, Tian Feirong said, “Those guys are already forming factions! I did some digging and found out that life at the academy won’t be easy unless you’ve got plenty of spirit stones to buy followers or fists hard enough to knock people into obedience—like Teacher Fang. Gu Yao, Brother Chi, what do you think we should do?”

Chi Changye was busy polishing his sword. Though it wasn’t as good as the one he’d wielded for years, it was still a lower-tier magical weapon he had purchased back in Yuanyang Town. As a sword cultivator, his love for his weapon was unwavering, and he meticulously cared for it.

Without pausing his movements, he glanced up at Tian Feirong briefly before lowering his head again. That one look made Tian Feirong’s heart pound with fear. He had no doubt that if given a choice, Chi Changye would unhesitatingly opt for the second approach—beating others into submission. But Tian Feirong knew he lacked the strength to pull that off. He groaned inwardly in despair.

Gu Yao frowned and said, “I don’t have time for that nonsense. I joined the academy to learn. Joining a faction is a complete waste of time. As long as they don’t provoke me, I’ll leave them alone. But if they do…” Gu Yao pulled out several jade bottles. These contained the poisons he had recently refined during their stop in Shifang City.

Tian Feirong shuddered. He didn’t even need to look to know what was inside those bottles. ‘Oh, dear heavens, these two are brutal.’

He then turned to whisper to the chubby boy, who, initially confused, soon began trembling as well. ‘Brutal! Absolutely brutal!’

Tian Feirong grinned obsequiously and said, “Then the chubby boy and I will stick with you two. You’re focused on cultivating and studying, so you won’t have time to deal with external matters. Leave all that to us, right, chubby boy?” As he spoke, he winked at the chubby boy.

“Yes, yes, Brother Tian is absolutely right,” the chubby boy quickly replied, demonstrating a keen sense of timing.

Tian Feirong shot him an approving look. ‘Not bad, chubby boy. You’re catching on.’

The chubby boy thought to himself, ‘If I weren’t alone and helpless, needing to latch onto someone powerful to survive comfortably, there’s no way I’d stoop to cooperating with this guy.’

Gu Yao patted Tian Feirong on the shoulder appreciatively and said, “Second Brother Tian, you’re so loyal. We’ll leave everything to you and the chubby boy in the future!”

Tian Feirong was flattered and excited. ‘Sticking with Gu Yao is bound to mean plenty of benefits!’

Chi Changye’s lips curled into a faint smile. ‘This setup isn’t so different from how things were back in Yuanyang Town.’ If there was a difference, it was that Tian Feirong’s dependence on him and Gu Yao had grown. After all, there was no Tian family clan to back him up in the academy.

He had to admit this arrangement worked well. Tian Feirong had a knack for handling things. In a short time, he had ingratiated himself with some of the privileged brats aboard the ship and even gleaned useful information about the academy.

Jiang Yan and Zhou Li had been observing everything on the ship. They chose not to intervene or explain, knowing that the Tianfu Academy had its own survival rules.

Hearing Zhou Li report on the antics of the younger disciples, Jiang Yan rested his chin on his hand, smiling in satisfaction. “It seems everyone is full of energy. I’m confident they’ll adapt well once they’re in the academy. There’s no need for us to worry.”

Zhou Li twitched his lips. ‘Adapt well?’ Without Elder Fang keeping them in check, who knows how chaotic things would be by now?

A gentle knock sounded, and Jiang Yan warmly said, “Come in.”

The door opened, revealing Bai Xiu’er, holding a tray in one hand. She smiled sweetly and said, “Senior Brother Jiang, I made some flower cakes for you and Senior Brother Zhou to try. Please let me know what you think.”

Jiang Yan smiled charmingly. “Of course, Junior Sister Xiu’er. Zhou and I will gladly taste your handiwork. Thank you for this.”

Bai Xiu’er handed the tray to Zhou Li and left happily.

Jiang Yan picked up a flower cake with his jade-like fingers, savoring it slowly. A pleasant expression spread across his face.

Zhou Li quickly stuffed a piece into his mouth and exclaimed, his eyes lighting up, “Delicious! I didn’t expect Junior Sister Bai to have such a skill. But Senior Brother, you’re too much—calling her ‘Xiu’er’ so tenderly. She’s practically spellbound by you! Don’t you already have enough admirers in the academy? And isn’t accepting her cakes technically breaking the rules about not interfering?”

Jiang Yan raised an eyebrow. Zhou Li immediately waved his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine! As long as you’re happy, I’ll keep my mouth shut. I’ll just eat.”

“Well, given Junior Sister Bai’s culinary talent, there’s no harm in looking after her a bit more. Especially if it means more flower cakes coming our way.”

Many on the ship noticed Bai Xiu’er’s actions. Seeing her leave empty-handed, they understood it as a signal: Bai Xiu’er had protection. Otherwise, how could she succeed in presenting gifts to Jiang Yan and Zhou Li when others couldn’t even get close? People began speculating about her background.

Not only Jiang Yan’s group, but even Gu Yao’s group of four received flower cakes from Bai Xiu’er. When Gu Yao took a bite, he felt a warm spiritual energy spread through his mouth, making every pore in his body feel delightfully relaxed. He glanced at Bai Xiu’er in surprise. The cakes weren’t just delicious; the spiritual energy within them was gentle and easy to absorb.

No, it was even more remarkable. When he tried a green flower cake, a refreshing energy surged to his head, clearing his mind and brightening his eyes. “Junior Sister Bai, you’ve got impressive skills!” he praised.

Chi Changye paused slightly while holding a piece of cake but soon resumed eating nonchalantly. However, he seemed to have lost some of his appetite.

Meanwhile, Tian Feirong and the chubby boy were too busy devouring the cakes to speak, nodding enthusiastically to show their agreement.

Bai Xiu’er’s smile was radiant as she said, “I’m glad you all like them. Making flower cakes is my only talent. I managed to gather some spiritual flower ingredients in Shifang City. Once we enter the academy, I hope my senior brothers will take care of me.”

“Of course!” Gu Yao agreed without hesitation.

Seeing her efforts were well-received, Bai Xiu’er tactfully excused herself and left.

“Junior Sister Bai is really virtuous. I didn’t expect her to have such remarkable skills,” Tian Feirong praised.

Curious, Gu Yao asked Chi Changye, “Brother Ye, are all spiritual chefs this talented?”

Chi Changye took the question seriously despite the flower cake tasting like wax to him. He replied, “It seems there’s something more to it—perhaps a different method of handling ingredients.”

He didn’t have much experience with spiritual chefs. Back in Yuanyang Town, living with Gu Yao, he’d only learned how to cook food properly. Tasty wasn’t in his repertoire, let alone skills comparable to a spiritual chef.

“I think I might have an idea,” a voice echoed in Gu Yao’s mind. It was Xu Chen.

Gu Yao’s brow twitched as he hurriedly asked, “Senior, what do you think?”

Xu Chen replied, “It’s very likely this female cultivator isn’t fully human. She may have bloodlines from another race. If it can be proven that her talent lies solely in crafting flower-based delicacies while her other cooking skills are mediocre, that would strongly support this theory.”

Gu Yao’s pupils shrank slightly. Perhaps Xu Chen was right.

Chi Changye noticed the subtle changes in Gu Yao’s expression but didn’t comment. The two were traveling companions brought together by fate, yet neither had fully shared their pasts or secrets.

—

After five days and nights of non-stop flying, they finally arrived at their destination on the sixth day: the Tianfu Academy.

Notified in advance, Gu Yao and his group emerged early, standing on the flying artifact to overlook the academy’s full view.

Tianfu Academy was built upon an expanse of mountain ranges. From above, the landscape was shrouded in mist, with occasional glimpses of birds weaving through the clouds. Hidden among the peaks were elegant pavilions, terraces, and waterside structures, creating a breathtaking scene. The stunning beauty left Gu Yao, who hailed from a backwater in the Star Alliance, utterly mesmerized.

He thought to himself, ‘If a place like this were transported to the interstellar world, it would cause a sensation across the entire alliance. Just selling tickets for entry could generate enough wealth to live lavishly forever.’

“That over there is the Qianxue Sect,” Senior Brother Zhou pointed out, directing their gaze. “It’s named for the snowy peaks in that area. The land between our academy and Qianxue Sect serves as a shared trial ground for both disciples and students. So, you know what that means.”

Tian Feirong nodded repeatedly. Of course, he knew. Back in Shifang City, they’d already discussed this. His plan? Avoid going there if possible. If necessary, he’d make enough spirit stones to hire experts and crush the disciples of Qianxue Sect decisively.

Senior Brother Zhou chuckled and continued, “The central region has a place called the Qiuqu Mountain Range. It contains many dangerous zones but is rich in resources, making it a long-contested area between our two factions. Once you enter the academy, you can buy a map. The more spirit stones you spend, the more detailed the map will be.”

Tian Feirong’s mouth twitched as he stared speechlessly at the crafty Senior Brother Zhou. Without thinking, he asked, “Senior Brother Zhou, don’t tell me you’re the one in charge of selling those maps?”

Otherwise, why would he be so enthusiastic about promoting the maps before they even entered the academy? Suspicious—highly suspicious!

Senior Brother Zhou beamed brightly. “Junior Brother Tian, you have an excellent eye. Indeed, this business is managed by our Star-Moon Chamber of Commerce. So, once you all enter the academy, make sure to support us generously. I’ll even arrange for you to get a discount.”

“How much of a discount?” Tian Feirong’s mouth twitched. He had just made a random guess, and it turned out to be true? Unbelievable!

“Ninety-eight percent of the original price—how about that? Generous enough, right?” Senior Brother Zhou burst into hearty laughter.

‘Ridiculous!’ Tian Feirong ground his teeth. *This shameless profiteer!*

The flying artifact plunged into the mountain range below, parting the mist on either side. A flock of birds was startled and flew away in a flurry. The previously serene scenery was interrupted when the artifact’s protective barrier suddenly disappeared.

Black specks began falling.

When the passengers realized what they were, the artifact erupted in chaos.

“Ahhhh!!!”

Why was the first “gift” they received upon arriving at Tianfu Academy… bird poop?

Whoever deactivated the barrier must have had a truly twisted sense of humor!