Chapter 821: That Bastard
Today, the sun was shining brightly while the sky was blue and clear. Clouds drifted about, with a gentle breeze in the air. The weather was calm and pleasant.
The Dragon Phoenix Academy was fully prepared to welcome the honored guest. The numerous disciples stood in a tidy formation, separated into two sides. The men were heroic, the women were charming. Each disciple shone like the brightest sun, full of youthful vigor.
Not all disciples were a part of the welcoming group. Only about 1,000 of them were selected to be in the formation. That was enough to express the importance they were attaching to this guest. If all disciples were utilized, it would seem like the academy was trying to fawn on the Holy Earth Hall. They had to exercise moderation in this welcoming ceremony.
The 1,000 disciples were all picked from the Overlord Legion, once again demonstrating their current status in the academy.
Of course, they were the ones picked mainly because Zhuge Zhantian was the main commander for this exercise. Since he was an Overlord Legion member, he had long developed good teamwork with his fellow members. Thus, they were the perfect choice.
The academy gave Zhuge Zhantian full control in the arrangements, ignoring what the other disciples had to say.
Of the disciples, some were envious while some viewed them with disdain. The envy was due to the opportunity for the Overlord Legion members to show up, gaining a chance to win the holy maiden's favor. As for the disdain, it originated from the fact that they did not need to keep rehearsing the welcoming ceremony like what the Overlord Legion members had been made to do.
Whatever the disciples thought, the Overlord Legion members fully cooperated with Zhuge Zhantian. Although rehearsing the welcoming formation was boring, it also had strict requirements on position, movement, and presence. Every practice they went through deepened their understanding of formations, allowing them to quickly understand the war formations utilized during wartime. Even when faced with different formations in the future, they wouldn't be going in completely blind either.
Only the Overlord Legion members understood the benefits of participation. Furthermore, Zhuge Zhantian was most likely a successor of the legendary Zhuge Clan. Befriending him was the equivalent of befriending a future formation grandmaster.
Atop the jade steps at the academy's entrance, a group led by an elder stood waiting for the holy maiden's arrival. The observing disciples in the area started engaging in curious discussions.
"Even an elder is here. Which organization is this holy maiden from to be worthy of such respect?"
"Yeah, they wouldn't even welcome my sect master in this fashion if he visited personally."
"Perhaps this organization is related to the academy. The academy won't do all this otherwise."
"We'll know soon. I hope she doesn't disappoint."
...
Soon, a group appeared at the teleportation before the entrance. The first thing everyone saw was a shabby carriage pulled by an old donkey and a sloppy old man seated lazily on it while humming a song. He looked like someone from the countryside who had just arrived at a big city, appearing completely disharmonious with his surroundings.
The disciples nearly broke out in laughter. If it wasn't for the impressive group that appeared immediately after the carriage, they would have definitely left and not bothered to continue watching. This impressive group was most definitely the visitors from the Holy Earth Hall.
The commander leading the group was mounted on a handsome steed. Facing the academy's elders, he announced loudly, "The Holy Hall's holy maiden is here to visit the Dragon Phoenix Academy."
"Welcome, holy maiden. Please enter. The welcoming banquet is ready," said an elder.
The Holy Hall people naturally weren't arrogant enough to enter immediately. They all dismounted, and even Tuoba Wan'er, the main character of this visit, got off the carriage. It would seem too disrespectful otherwise.
"Holy son-in-law, shall we go together?" said Tuoba Wan'er.
Xiang Shaoyun quickly used voice transmission, "You can get off alone. I'll stay here, or the academy fellows will recognize me, and it won't be good."
"What's not good about it? I will declare that you're my husband!" said Tuoba Wan'er with a trace of smugness on her face before pulling Xiang Shaoyun off the carriage.
Xiang Shaoyun was left with no choice. He couldn't exactly twist his hand free, or he would hurt her heart. He could only brace himself as he thought, Screw it. I shall bravely face my death.
The only thing he feared was Yu Caidie finding out about him becoming the holy son-in-law. He did not know how to explain himself to her.
First, Qiu Yue and Qiu Shui got off the carriage. They stood there, attending to Tuoba Wan'er and Xiang Shaoyun as they alighted the carriage.
The disciples were completely dazed at the sight of Tuoba Wan'er. They had been wondering how the holy maiden would look, and her beauty surpassed all their imaginations. She was simply a flawless woman.
Her face was enchanting, her hourglass figure was perfect, and her temperament was filled with grace. It was as if the world lost all splendor in her presence. The male disciples were fully focused on her and completely disregarded everyone else.
After a long while, they finally woke up from their daze. They then saw Tuoba Wan'er holding the hand of a man. The sight caused them to start wailing.
"Gods, how can such a beautiful woman exist? In our academy, only Yu Caidie is comparable to her."
"What is her name? I must know her name! I must obtain her! She is mine! She's too beautiful!"
"Hey, who's that man she's holding hands with? He seems familiar?"
"Isn't he the dead Xiang Shaoyun? Why is he with the holy maiden? Had he stolen her before any of us? That bastard! He's unforgivable!"
"That is definitely the case. Look how intimately they are holding hands. The holy maiden is even leaning on him. This is not fair!"
...
The disciples grew restless. It wasn't easy for people like them to take a liking to a woman, but they found that she already had a lover. They couldn't accept that. More importantly, that man was actually someone from their academy, and he was rumored to be in a relationship with Yu Caidie!
How could that fellow be allowed to own two perfect beauties?
Excitement filled the Overlord Legion members among the welcoming group. They had the urge to rush forward and greet Xiang Shaoyun, but Zhuge Zhantian's voice rang out, "Welcome to the Dragon Phoenix Academy, holy maiden!"
Along with his shout, the entire disciple formation instantly turned solemn. They raised their swords uniformly and sent an outburst of sword energy into the sky. The scene was gorgeous, as though a flower was blooming right before their eyes.
The rain of swords consisted of non-destructive sword energies mainly used for ceremonial purposes, and it served as a demonstration of the Dragon Phoenix Academy's splendor.
While Xiang Shaoyun and Tuoba Wan'er were walking toward the jade stairs, a lithe figure suddenly appeared in their path.