Chapter 135: The Tenth Beauty

For the next three days, with the academy’s assistance, Zu An was busy taking over the Plum Blossom Gang’s businesses and influence.

Shi Kun observed all this but remained indifferent. He figured Zu An was doomed once he entered the secret realm anyway, so there was no need to interfere now.

Meanwhile, the academy was also selecting candidates to enter the secret realm. Those at Grade 5 and above automatically qualified, while others had to go through multiple rounds of selection. Anyone could sign up, and the selection process combined elements of group stages and elimination rounds. After all, the secret realm was fraught with dangers. If one's strength wasn't sufficient to even protect oneself, entering it would be no different from a suicide mission.

After fierce competition, even the weakest among those who qualified were at Grade 3.

Zu An couldn't help but lament the harshness of the cultivation world. Although the secret realm was dangerous, it also presented opportunities. Those strong enough to enter this time would undoubtedly see their power improve. However, this screening process meant that only the strong could enter. The gap between the strong and the weak was already vast, and this would only widen it further. The strong would become stronger, while the weak would never catch up.

It seemed this was true in any world! Zu An secretly mused that being a "connected person" like himself was the best; he didn't need to participate in the selection at all, as his spot was already internally designated, much to his delight.

On the morning of the third day, the group arrived at the back of Brightmoon Academy, an area normally forbidden to everyone. For many years, the imperial court had been able to control secret realms largely because major academies were often built near them. In Brightmoon Academy's case, the secret realm was even located directly within the academy grounds. Secret realms had existed since ancient times, and the surrounding elemental energy was usually much more abundant than elsewhere. Therefore, building schools nearby allowed even ordinary people to benefit from the realm's presence.

Within the bamboo grove behind Brightmoon Academy, there was a large clearing. Several thatched huts surrounded the clearing, each housing a senior academy teacher, as if they were collectively guarding something important. In the very center of the clearing stood an archway-like structure that also resembled a gate. However, the air and light in its center were subtly distorted, like a small vortex.

"This is the entrance to the secret realm," Chu Chuyan explained to Zu An, who had arrived with her today. Seeing his expression of wide-eyed wonder, she continued, "Normally, this gate looks no different from an ordinary archway on the street. It only appears like this on specific days. It looks like it will be some time before it's fully open."

"You seem very knowledgeable. Have you been inside before?" Zu An asked.

Chu Chuyan shook her head. "No, the secret realm only opens once every few decades, so this is my first time here too. It's a shame Xiao Zhao got injured and missed this opportunity."

Chu Hanzhao had originally wanted to come, but she was badly injured during the family competition, and her own strength wasn't particularly high. Fearing it would be too dangerous for her to enter the secret realm in her condition, the Chu couple simply kept her at home. She had thrown a tantrum for quite some time over this, finally forcing Zu An to promise to bring back some "local specialties" from the secret realm as a gift before she finally smiled again.

"By the way, why are you so determined to enter the secret realm? Do you know it's actually quite dangerous?" Chu Chuyan suddenly asked.

Zu An smiled faintly. "What, are you worried about your husband?"

Chu Chuyan replied coolly, "Just a reminder, lest you foolishly die in there. It would be troublesome for our Chu family to find another suitable son-in-law then."

"Don't worry, your husband here is destined for great fortune and will definitely come out safely," Zu An said with a grin.

Chu Chuyan gave a soft huff and turned her face away.

"Chuyan, your husband is going in today too. Should we look out for him together?" A sweet, charming voice spoke up. Zu An turned his head and was immediately captivated by the sight. Pei Mianman, that woman, paraded her stunning figure around daily. Was she unconcerned about the attention she drew?

"No need," Chu Chuyan replied. "Once inside the secret realm, everyone relies on their own abilities. How can one grow if constantly under someone else's protection? Besides, this fellow is entering as a teacher; it would be improper for students to look after him."

Zu An chuckled. "Oh, so now you remember I'm a teacher? Come on, say 'teacher' for me, good girl."

Chu Chuyan gasped slightly, then walked away, unwilling to bother with him any further.

"What's it like to have such a beautiful wife whom you can only look at but not touch?" Pei Mianman asked playfully, moving closer to Zu An.

"Why don't you let me touch you, and I'll tell you?" Zu An replied with a smile.

"You're so naughty," Pei Mianman said, shaking with laughter.

Not far away, Chu Chuyan couldn't help but frown. "Xiao Man, what are you doing over there?" Although she didn't believe she had fallen for Zu An, he was her nominal husband after all. What did it mean for him to be chatting so happily with another woman right in front of her?

"Coming!" Pei Mianman replied, then winked at Zu An. "Your wife's jealous. That's a good start. Don't forget to help me find the ledger." With a string of charming, alluring laughter, she turned and left.

Many nearby felt their bones turn to jelly upon hearing her laughter. They glared at Zu An, wondering what charm he possessed to win the favor of so many stunning beauties.

From a distance, Shi Kun's pupils contracted slightly. "Will Pei Mianman ruin our plans then?"

Shi Lezhi shook his head. "Probably not. To be safe, we can arrange for someone to lure her away so she won't interfere."

Shi Kun grunted. "It's a pity you, Sir, cannot enter the secret realm. Otherwise, killing Zu An wouldn't be this troublesome."

Shi Lezhi looked at the teachers guarding the entrance and said solemnly, "During the secret realm's opening, Jiang Luofu herself will lead people to guard the entrance to ensure safety. There's no way I can sneak in. However, the forces we've planted inside are enough to kill that Zu fellow ten times over, Young Master can rest assured."

Shi Kun nodded slightly. "Fortunately, we put in a great effort to plant Xue'er in the academy. I never expected today to be the season of reaping rewards."

Shi Lezhi couldn't help but say, "Speaking of which, the cultivation technique that girl Xue'er practices is quite peculiar. She managed to hide from so many people's eyes and ears in the academy."

"It seems to be a special ability of her clan," Shi Kun said, gazing at a slender figure in the distance with a satisfied smile. "I'll ask her more about it if I get the chance later."

By then, more people were arriving continuously, each with an excited expression, clearly anticipating all sorts of fortuitous encounters and reaching the pinnacle of their lives once inside.

Zu An noticed many familiar faces, including academy teachers like Bai Susu and Lu De. Among the students were Xie Xiu, Wu Qing, Zheng Dan, Ji Xiaoxi, and a large number of others he didn't recognize, most likely from the Heaven and Earth classes.

Speaking of Zheng Dan, why hadn't that girl tried her honey trap these past few days? It was well-known that Mei Chaofeng was dead. Was she no longer interested in the Plum Blossom Gang's businesses? Or did she think the 7.5 million silver taels in banknotes had become worthless?

Ji Xiaoxi still looked as cute as ever, but unfortunately, her entire body was poisonous, meaning hugs and kisses were out of the question.

As his gaze shifted, he suddenly noticed a slender, graceful figure in a light green dress. Although her face was veiled, her picturesque features, fair skin, and dark brows indicated she was an extremely beautiful woman.

"Who is this beauty?" he wondered. "I don't think I've seen her at the academy before. She's really pretty. Hmm, why do her features look a bit familiar?"

At that moment, whispers spread among other students nearby:"Wow, isn't that the mysterious tenth beauty from the Registry of Beauties?""She's rarely seen at the academy. She's finally appeared for this secret realm expedition.""Huh, what's her name? Why can't I suddenly remember it?""I think it's Qiao Xue something?""I remember it as something Xueying.""I thought it was Qiao something Ying."

Hearing their discussion, Zu An couldn't help but chuckle. "Are these people idiots? Isn't her name Qiao Xueying?"

"Huh, why does that name sound so familiar? Wait, what was her name? Why can't I suddenly recall it?" His mind felt like a jumbled mess. Many names surfaced at once, each seemingly plausible, yet none felt entirely certain.

"Rage points from Qiao Xueying +233!"

"Nani?" That message from the system instantly cleared Zu An's mind. Xue'er!

"Is she here too?" He had just noticed Shi Kun and specifically checked beside him but hadn't seen Xue'er. How had she appeared now? He scanned the crowd for anyone who might be Xue'er, finally locking his gaze on the mysterious tenth beauty from the Registry of Beauties. The woman's gaze had been filled with anger a moment ago, but she quickly averted her eyes when she saw him looking.

He recalled when Wei Suo first introduced him to the academy's top ten beauties; there was one whose name he simply couldn't remember, no matter how hard he tried. Given Wei Suo's encyclopedic knowledge of all academy gossip, forgetting a beauty's name seemed truly inconceivable. The students' discussion just now had almost pieced together her name, yet they couldn't quite get it right. He himself had experienced a moment of confusion just now, forgetting her name as soon as he looked away. If not for the true name identification feature provided by the Rage points system, he probably would have been just like everyone else.

The academy's most mysterious and elusive tenth beauty was actually Xue'er? No matter how wild his imagination, he never would have guessed this situation. How was she managing to be both an academy student and a maid for the Chu family? Someone as meticulous as Chu Chuyan hadn't even recognized her own maid as a fellow student at the academy!

As he stood there in bewildered surprise, Jiang Luofu slowly approached. Her beautiful, stocking-clad legs, as always, drew countless eager gazes. Today, she deliberately wore tortoiseshell glasses, which softened the sharp authority in her brows and added an air of intellectual elegance. With her appearance, the entire area instantly fell silent. After all, few dared to be frivolous with Principal Jiang, given her usual dignified aura, except for eccentrics like Zu An.

Jiang Luofu stood before the crowd, her gaze sweeping over everyone. She then said in a deep voice, "In half an hour, the Yaoguang Secret Realm will fully open. Before that, I have a few things to emphasize to all of you. You have all been selected through rigorous rounds, the elite of the academy's elite. You are usually proud and arrogant, and I'm sure you're all thinking of seeking various fortuitous encounters and inheritances once inside the secret realm. Indeed, there are many rare treasures and even potential inheritances within the realm. However, besides these, there are also various dangers. Every time the secret realm opens, despite the academy's repeated warnings, quite a few people still die. You will be no exception; some of you will surely perish inside forever!"

Upon hearing her words, the expressions of those in the crowd changed, and many couldn't help but begin whispering and discussing among themselves.