Some people in the folk once specifically counted the criteria for admitting students to the Myriad Phenomena Academy over the years. They considered all aspects such as the disciples' talents, family backgrounds, and appearances. The result they got was that there was simply no unified standard for the Myriad Phenomena Academy to admit students...
If one had to summarize, it would be half luck and half strength.
Despite this, the popularity of the Myriad Phenomena Academy had only increased over the years. As soon as the news that it would start admitting students again came out, thousands of people flocked to Mount Chaoyao from all over!
During the months of enrollment, not only did the transportation fees from various places increase, but the fees of the inns and restaurants at the foot of Mount Chaoyao also tripled!
Therefore, every time the Myriad Phenomena Academy recruited students, the happiest ones were not the disciples of the Xuan sect, but the merchants of various industries...
As a member of the Xuan sect, Shen Cuiyu had naturally heard of the great reputation of the Myriad Phenomena Academy. However, in her previous life, she died too early and didn't even know what the academy was like. Although she was reborn in this life, the timing was not right. The enrollment of the Myriad Phenomena Academy had already ended.
She originally thought that she was fated but had no chance with this top - tier academy. Unexpectedly, her father was so powerful that he managed to arrange things and send her into the Myriad Phenomena Academy at the beginning of the semester!
Shen Cuiyu, who had never studied in a formal academy before, was feeling extremely strange at this moment!
While she was taking a moment to adjust, the entire Shen Mansion was bustling like a spinning top!
Madam Zou personally took charge. She led a group of maids to pack Shen Cuiyu's luggage. Four - season clothes, commonly used pills, exquisite magic tools, etc., were all sorted out in detail. Shen Mu'an rummaged through a pile of things for eating, drinking, and having fun. While Madam Zou wasn't paying attention, he stuffed them into the packages. Sometimes he stuffed a portion of pastries from a time - honored brand in the capital into the pill box, and sometimes he put a Chinese rings puzzle for killing time and a few popular storybooks into the folded clothes...
His speed was so fast that Shen Cuiyu was amazed.
Shen Mu'an raised his eyebrows at her proudly. "The Myriad Phenomena Academy is on Mount Chaoyao, at the peak of the sea of clouds! It's so troublesome to go down the mountain to buy things. Your brother is just planning ahead!"
Before his words faded away, Madam Zou unexpectedly fished out two crystal - clear jade dice from the package...
"SHEN, MU, AN!"
Madam Zou could no longer bear it. Her willow - like eyebrows shot up, and she grabbed the feather duster and chased after him!
Shen Mu'an's face changed. He took off running and howled while running,
"Mother, the old pedants in the Myriad Phenomena Academy talk on and on in class. When little sister gets tired of listening, she can play dice with her classmates to relax—Ah! Dear mother, don't hit my face!!"
Leaning against the veranda pillar, Shen Cuiyu watched the chaotic but warm daily scene in the Shen Mansion and took a deep, comfortable breath.
The warm sunlight stretched her beautiful shadow long and short. Shen Cuiyu relaxed her eyebrows and smiled faintly, her eyes curving.
...
Three days later, Shen Cuiyu said goodbye to her parents and brother, and boarded the sedan - chair carriage with a lot of luggage.
Shen Cuiyu considered herself not a homesick person. However, as the carriage gradually drove away, she finally couldn't help but lift the curtain and look back. She found that the Shen family members were still standing at the door!
"Darling—be careful on the road and take good care of yourself—" Madam Zou's expression on her face was already a bit unclear, but she was still waving in the direction of the carriage.
"Okay—" Shen Cuiyu's nose twitched. She leaned out half of her body and tried her best to respond.
"Little sister, remember to write to your brother often!" Shen Mu'an chased a few steps in the direction of the carriage. He wiped his eyes messily and shouted loudly, "If anyone bullies you, tell your brother. Your brother will beat him up!"
Shen Cuiyu couldn't help but laugh. The melancholy of parting finally faded a bit.
Although Shen Canghai didn't make any big movements, he stood there like a statue, staring without blinking in the direction where the carriage was going away.
Madam Zou took a glance at him. "If you want to cry, just cry. Your eyes are all red."
"What's there to cry about?" Shen Canghai coughed heavily. He blinked nonchalantly, but his voice was not as deep as usual. "There's just some sand in my eyes."
Madam Zou was too lazy to expose him. She watched until the carriage disappeared from sight, and then softly asked,
"If you're so reluctant to part, why did you send our daughter to Mount Chaoyao a hundred miles away?"
Hearing this, Shen Canghai smiled.
"Our daughter has extraordinary talent in metaphysics. Others may not see it, but I know. She is a pearl, and a pearl shouldn't be covered in dust."
Finally, a smile appeared on Madam Zou's face. She naturally understood what Shen Canghai meant—although the Shen Mansion was a support for A Cui, it also restricted her. She should grow in a broader world.
"Alright, children have their own fates."
There are thousands of paths in the great way, but they all lead to the same destination. A Cui has her own path and fortune.
A cool autumn wind blew by. Shen Canghai put his arm around Madam Zou's shoulder and turned around to stroll back into the mansion slowly. "Madam, how about I make steamed hairy crabs for you tonight?"
"Sure. Take out that jar of Jiannanchun buried in the courtyard the year before last. Let's get drunk together."
"Madam has such a good mood..."
With a creak, the big door closed.
Shen Mu'an: ...?
"Father, Mother, have you forgotten something?!"
...
After traveling for several days, the carriage finally stopped at the foot of Mount Chaoyao.
Shen Cuiyu lifted the curtain of the carriage. A clear mountain breeze blew towards her, refreshing her.
Although Shen Cuiyu had heard how magnificent the Myriad Phenomena Academy was before coming, when she saw it with her own eyes, she was still unavoidably shocked!
At the peak of Mount Chaoyao, the sea of clouds was surging. There was an academy rising grandly along the mountain. It was so large that it was like a city within a city.
From afar, one could see the gilded rooftops, overlapping and scattered, red columns and flying eaves reaching into the clouds. The winding mountain - climbing stones were like a spiritual snake, leading all the way from the foot of the mountain to the high place. The mountain gate was half - hidden in the floating clouds, looking like a palace in the sky, extremely mysterious.
The accompanying maid stared with wide eyes and exclaimed, "Miss, is this the place where the immortals live?!"
Shen Cuiyu's heart was also beating a bit fast.
Was she going to study and live in such a fairy - like academy from now on?
"New junior sister?" A clear but distant voice suddenly sounded in her ear.
Shen Cuiyu turned her head and saw a man in a light blue - and - white robe standing beside her at some point. The star - and - moon badge embroidered with gold thread on his cuffs was constantly twinkling in the sunlight, obviously a disciple of the Myriad Phenomena Academy.
The man had a gentle temperament, like a jade stone polished by the mountain stream. Although his manners were polite, the curve of his lips was very shallow, and his smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Hello, senior brother. I'm Shen Cuiyu." Shen Cuiyu got out of the carriage and bowed politely. But she was a bit curious in her heart. How did he recognize her at a glance?
"Xu Qingfeng, an administrative disciple of the academy, specifically responsible for welcoming new students." The young man introduced himself. His eyes swept over Shen Cuiyu, as if seeing through what was on her mind. "There are only two students transferring into the academy today, one male and one female. That male junior brother... has already entered the academy. Naturally, I recognize you."
I don't know if it was Shen Cuiyu's illusion, but when Xu Qingfeng mentioned the words "male junior brother", there seemed to be a hint of gritted - teeth resentment in his tone.