Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Each squad had about fifty people and was led by four teachers. Shangguan Yutong was one, and the other three were Tier Four Great Sword Master Su Xiu, Tier Four Great Sword Master Long Xiang, and Tier Six Great Sword Master Xiao Lin.

Su Xiu, Long Xiang, and Shangguan Yutong were all teachers for the junior classes and looked quite young. Tier Six Great Sword Master Xiao Lin, on the other hand, was in his forties and had a calm, capable air about him. It was said he was on the verge of breaking through to the rank of Demon Swordsmen within two years. He was currently stuck at a cultivation bottleneck and hoped to gain new insights during this expedition to help him overcome it. He spoke very little, but he left a good impression on others.

More senior students had signed up for the expedition than junior students. In Ling Xiao’s group, for example, there were only about a dozen junior students. The strongest among them was merely a Tier Nine Sword Attendant, because according to the rules, once a student became a Sword Master, they were promoted to the senior class.

This was why someone like Ling Xiao, despite being a Tier Five Sword Attendant on the surface, had caused such a stir. Just a few days ago, he had effortlessly defeated a Tier Six Sword Master in front of a huge crowd. That single battle made his name echo throughout the Imperial Academy, and no one dared to look down on the "Celestial Vein Master" anymore.

Such were the benefits of strength. If Ling Xiao were still his old self, these people would have surely considered it a disgrace to be on the same team as such a loser. They would have mocked him and rolled their eyes right to his face.

Yisha got her wish and was assigned to Ling Xiao’s group, and Mary naturally followed. However, it was clear that Mary still held a deep prejudice against Ling Xiao. Though she knew from the rumors that he was no longer the loser he once was, she still thought to herself, ’So what if he’s strong now? He can only beat a Sword Master. The moment a real Great Sword Master—one whose Inner Strength flows freely—shows up, he won’t stand a chance, no matter how brilliant his sword techniques are.’

’Besides, almost everyone who gets into the Imperial Academy can reach the level of a Great Sword Master. It’s just a matter of time!’

So, even if Ling Xiao was enjoying the limelight for now, Mary was convinced that once they all became adults and reached the Great Sword Master realm, he would still be no match for them. She believed Yisha had made a colossal mistake by giving up on Young Master Qin.

But regardless of what Mary thought, it couldn’t change Yisha’s feelings for Ling Xiao. So while Mary didn’t actively approach him, she also stopped running over to say discouraging things like before, which granted Ling Xiao a great deal of peace and quiet.

The thousand-plus students were split into over twenty squads, each seemingly operating independently. The teachers had agreed to travel separately and rendezvous once they reached the Mesopotamia Grassland. An expedition, after all, wasn’t just about hunting Magical Beasts.

Letting the students experience the local cultures and customs across the Empire was also a form of training!

As the saying goes, "It is better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books." Whether for an Adventurer or an academy student, this kind of journey was an essential part of their growth.

"Brother Ling Xiao, have you noticed? I think Teacher Long Xiang likes Teacher Shangguan," Yisha whispered to Ling Xiao as they walked side by side. Her fair, rosy cheeks were flushed from the scorching sun, and a fine layer of sweat beaded on her smooth forehead. Many of the other girls in the group carried parasols to protect their delicate skin, but Yisha believed that if you were going to act like a pampered lady during an expedition, you might as well have stayed at the academy. This wasn’t a vacation! So, she insisted on walking directly under the blazing sun. Fortunately, she was naturally beautiful, and her skin showed no signs of tanning despite the exposure.

Ling Xiao gave a faint smile. He’d noticed it that very morning, before the group had even departed. Teacher Long Xiang was tall and dashing, with a physique that was powerful yet graceful. His broad shoulders seemed to offer a great sense of security. Coupled with his handsome face, his status as a Tier Four Great Sword Master before the age of twenty-five made him quite a prominent figure among the younger generation of teachers at the Imperial Academy.

Countless teachers and students at the Imperial Academy admired Shangguan Yutong. But while she was always gentle and graceful, she remained aloof with every man. No one had ever managed to get close to her. It would have been strange if Long Xiang *didn’t* use this expedition as an opportunity to lavish her with attention.

Shangguan Yutong, however, was only half-heartedly responding to Long Xiang. In truth, she would have much rather walked with Ling Xiao. There was so much about him that piqued her curiosity. She felt he had undergone some kind of change, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was.

However, seeing Yisha glued to Ling Xiao’s side, Shangguan Yutong had no choice but to suppress her curiosity for the time being. She was a teacher, after all, and had to be mindful of appearances. Walking with Ling Xiao the day before had already set tongues wagging. Fortunately, her reputation at the Imperial Academy had always been impeccable, so no one dared to spread malicious rumors.

Long Xiang came from a minor, somewhat declining noble family. Though his father was only a Viscount, they were the most prominent nobles in their hometown and possessed considerable wealth. As a result, Long Xiang had always been a generous spender—and even more so with the woman he admired by his side. "Teacher Shangguan, what do you think of this necklace?" he asked.

Shangguan Yutong glanced impassively at the necklace on the street stall. It was crystal-clear and looked rather nice, but she had no intention of accepting gifts from others.

The street vendor saw the large group of young men and women passing by, led by a few older individuals. He figured they must be from an academy out on an expedition. From their clothes, he could tell they were either rich or noble. He’d been getting anxious because his selection was small and nothing had caught anyone’s eye, but now, finally, he had a customer.

His face instantly lit up. He beamed at Long Xiang and said, "Buying something for your girlfriend? My, you have excellent taste, sir! This necklace, they say, is made from the Crystal Core of a Tier One Magical Beast! Keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer! It’s true! Why don’t you take a closer look?"

Long Xiang knew the part about it being a Tier One Crystal Core was nonsense. No matter how worthless a Tier One Crystal Core might be, nobody would be wasteful enough to turn it into a cheap necklace. Still, the vendor’s "girlfriend" comment made him secretly gleeful. He glanced at Shangguan Yutong, who remained expressionless; she certainly wasn’t going to correct a street vendor.

Long Xiang said cheerfully, "How much is it? I’ll take it!"

Seeing their teacher stop, most of the students paused as well, gazing around with curiosity. For many of the children from noble families, the outside world was a fascinating place. Even a plain, gray sparrow seemed more beautiful than the caged canaries back home.

Su Xiu was around twenty-five or twenty-six. Her features were ordinary, but her skin was exceptionally fair and smooth. Thanks to her gentle and kind nature, she was well-loved by teachers and students alike.

Xiao Lin, however, was a man of few words. When the group stopped, he showed no impatience, simply standing there quietly with his brow furrowed, as if perpetually lost in thought.

Just then, a coarse male voice suddenly cut in from the side. "Well now, look at that tender little thing! A night with her would be absolute heaven!"