Transmigration:The Villain Wants A Happy End Without His BeastHusbands-Chapter 73: Official Tests

Now that Ningyan had met Shenzhen, he found himself noticing him more often.

Shenzhen looked beautiful in his sky-blue robes, blue flower ornaments tucked into his hair, an elegant fan twirling effortlessly between his fingers as he laughed with the girls gathered around him.

Ningyan tried not to stare.

He sat beside Rong Chao, who was deep in meditation, while Ningyan absently twirled his flute between his fingers. Despite himself, his gaze drifted back to Shenzhen.

Why did he dress like a girl? He really seemed comfortable...

Ningyan was actually envious of that comfort and confidence.

Rong Chao cracked one eye open, giving Ningyan a curious look.

He opened his mouth, clearly about to ask why Ningyan was staring but the doors to the hall opened.

The teacher entered, flanked by two imposing guards. The room immediately drew its attention toward them, though not its silence. And then, behind the guards, Lan Meishan stepped inside.

The hall erupted.

Lan Meishan looked every bit the elegant scholar-prince, composed, refined, untouchable. The excitement among the students spiked instantly, whispers layering over one another as Rong Chao sat up straight and excitedly tapped Ningyan’s shoulder.

"Look.. look! It’s Lan Meishan!"

"I have eyes," Ningyan muttered.

"It’s Lan Meishan!"

"Oh, he’s unreal."

"He’s so gentle."

"I’ve never heard him speak. I heard his voice is hypnotizing."

"I want to touch him."

Ningyan made a face at the chorus of admiration but kept his gaze on Lan Meishan, unease settling in his chest.

What was he doing in Lotus Hall?

It had been days since Ningyan last saw him. More than four days since Mei Ren’s arrows had rained down while he was with Yan Wuhen.

Ningyan wished he could tell if Yan Wuhen had scared her off... or killed her.

But Wuhen hadn’t shown him her heart like he said he would.

Did he even want to see it?

The thought made Ningyan’s stomach churn. He was certain he’d throw up if Wuhen actually did that.

Suddenly, Lan Meishan’s glowing emerald serpent eyes met his.

They widened, just slightly, before narrowing again as Meishan looked away.

A sharp pang hit Ningyan’s chest.

He had not gone to speak to Lan Meishan. To apologize on Wuhen’s behalf.

He bit down on his lower lip, setting his flute gently on the table as the teacher, Lan Meishan, and the guards took their place at the front of the hall.

"Silence!" the teacher suddenly barked.

The hall went quiet at once.

He cleared his throat, visibly pleased with himself, then continued. "The official tests are approaching. These tests will require you to ascend to a higher cultivation stage. The majority of you here are already at Stage Five. Many of you reached that stage within the Celestial Beast Academy and have therefore been granted an automatic pass."

Excited murmurs rippled through the hall.

Ningyan noticed it was mostly those with visible, pure beast traits who whispered among themselves. Even Rong Chao, seated beside him, released a heavy sigh of relief.

"No test for me," he muttered.

Ningyan wasn’t surprised. Rong Chao was strong and a beast prince. Even if he wasn’t an heir, strength was still a requirement.

The teacher raised his hand for silence once more.

"Now," he said, voice firm, "Lan Meishan has been appointed to oversee those still stuck in the Fourth Stage. His task is to ensure that you ascend to the fifth Stage before the end of the first year."

Ningyan’s heart skipped. What?

"If you perform well," the teacher continued, "you will automatically pass the official test. If you fail—" his gaze sharpened, "—you will be expelled from the Celestial Beast Academy."

A chill ran through Ningyan.

Surprised murmurs filled the hall. He glanced toward Lan Meishan instinctively.

Did Meishan ask to do this?

The teacher scanned the room before clearing his throat again. "Those still at Spirit Mastery, on your feet."

For a moment, no one moved.

Then slowly, a girl stood.

She was dressed elegantly in yellow and white, her appearance gentle until a student beside her laughed. She snapped a furious glare in his direction, shutting him up instantly.

Fierce.

Then Shenzhen rose as well.

Ningyan raised a brow.

Shenzhen was clearly not in the Fourth Stage. His horns were visible, his silver reptilian eyes fully revealed.

"Jun Shenzhen, you—" the teacher began.

Shenzhen cut him off smoothly. "Is it wrong to want to learn more, Teacher?"

The room stilled.

"You are willing," a serpent-beast boy scoffed from across the hall, "to stay with the weak ones of this hall just to learn more?"

Shenzhen didn’t reply.

Instead, Ningyan slowly rose to his feet.

The movement drew everyone’s attention including Lan Meishan’s. Ningyan deliberately avoided looking at him.

"What is this joke?" one student burst out laughing.

Others snickered. A few simply stared. Those already standing included. Even Rong Chao frowned at the sound of the laughter.

Ningyan picked up his flute but said nothing.

The teacher narrowed his eyes at him, curiosity sharpening his gaze. "Su Ningyan. You should meet the Headmaster, considering your—"

"There is no reason for me to meet the Headmaster, Teacher," Ningyan cut in calmly.

"I understand that your core has been repaired," the teacher said slowly, "but you are not in the Fourth Stage."

Ningyan frowned. "I am."

"How can you be?" Mingze scoffed. "In such a short period of time? Who are you trying to deceive?"

"It is possible," Shenzhen spoke up smoothly, "if one is talented."

Ningyan almost smiled.

He and Shenzhen had grown closer than he expected. He had visited the dragon manor twice already after he first met Yunyi.

Mingze shot him a glare. "Regardless of talent, it’s impossible to heal a broken core and suddenly reach the Fourth Stage. You expect us to—"

Meishan flicked his fingers toward Mingze. An emerald glow flashed through the air, striking the fire-serpent’s forehead.

Mingze collapsed instantly.

Silence swallowed the hall. Shock, mostly.

Then Ningyan burst out laughing.

Shenzhen joined him, lifting his fan to shield his mouth as his shoulders shook. Rong Chao, meanwhile, stared in disbelief at Lan Meishan who stood there calm and composed, as if he hadn’t just knocked someone unconscious without blinking.

The teacher cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well... if that is all—"

"Me!" Rong Chao suddenly jumped to his feet, arm raised high. "I want to join."

The teacher looked genuinely confused now. "This... isn’t how the program is supposed to go."

"It’s fine," Meishan’s deep, gentle voice sent a ripple through the hall. Beasts blushing, others gaping openly.

Hands shot up immediately.

"I want to join!"

"Me too!"

"Please!"

"Only the four who stood first are allowed," the teacher said quickly.

Disappointment filled the room.

Meishan nodded once, then turned and began walking out.

Ningyan, Shenzhen, the girl who had stood earlier, and Rong Chao, followed after him without hesitation.