At the moment, Luan Ling felt an intense pressure—as though she were standing in the middle of a hunting ground.

 

Only she wasn’t the hunter.

 

She was the animal being watched.

 

“Sir, should we continue? Maybe we should have Junior Sister stop playing for now?”
Li Xiao flew over from a distance. Seeing immortals gathering from both sky and ground to watch, he couldn’t help but feel his scalp tingle.

 

There were far more people in this world who loved a spectacle than he’d ever imagined. Just try shouting downstairs in the dormitory if you didn’t believe it.

 

“Your junior sister still lacks finesse when it comes to controlling outward divine power. That music has likely spread across the entire academy by now. Still, it’s nothing a simple soundproofing spell can’t fix. Since they’ve already come, it’s probably with permission from other instructors. We’ll just focus on our own work.”

 

Dugou had seen far grander scenes than this. Such a situation wasn’t enough to disturb him.

 

“Sir, since that’s the case, I have a somewhat underdeveloped suggestion…” Li Xiao added carefully.

 

Dugou considered it for a moment, then nodded. “That could work. Go discuss it with them.”

 

Receiving the order, Li Xiao flew off cheerfully.

 

This lesson turning into a public lecture was something Dugou had never anticipated.

 

He quickly flew over to several senior figures and leaders in the sky and greeted them.
“You didn’t notify us in advance of your visit. We’re in the middle of class—our students are just a bit too enthusiastic.”

 

Immortal Tianxiu cleared his throat, pretending not to hear the bragging hidden in those words.

 

“You’re quite capable—to actually keep that Dragon Clan brat obediently attending the academy. That’s no small feat.”

 

“Rumors really are unreliable,” Dugou replied instinctively. “My third disciple looks so well-behaved and sensible. How could he be as terrible as people say—”

 

He stopped mid-sentence.

 

The faces of several leaders simultaneously darkened.

 

Oh no. He’d said the wrong thing.

 

“The Four Peaks Tea I painstakingly acquired was burned by that kid, and you’re telling me he’s well-behaved?!”
“All the exam papers I graded were gone!”
“That’s nothing! Even my wig got burned!”

 

Kirin Hall was located far away, and the fire hadn’t reached it that day. Dugou had only heard rumors—he hadn’t realized things were this severe.

 

Thinking back on Luan Ling’s friendly smile, he suddenly gained a new understanding of the phrase a dagger hidden behind a smile.

 

“Everyone, please calm down,” Dugou said quickly. “He’s actually performed quite well at the academy. You see, this garden here was built through the joint efforts of him and my fourth disciple.”

 

He turned around and flicked his sleeve, adding several weather effects to the garden.

 

The grandeur of the Heavenly Realm lay precisely in these excessive visual effects—something Dugou deeply understood.

 

Sure enough, once mist rolled in, the already elegant garden instantly transformed into something resembling a celestial palace.

 

“Sigh. Such extravagance is hardly advisable,” Immortal Zhenxiang said with a sigh, then added, “So—can we go in and take a look now?”

 

Dugou was momentarily thrown off by her effortless change in attitude, then quickly smiled.
“Of course. It’s just that our students spent a great deal of time and effort building this garden. So, the visit might—”

 

“You’re not thinking of charging us, are you?” Immortal Luren snorted.

 

“No, no, not at all! It’s just that with so many visitors, and with students and outside immortals mixed in—”

 

“Enough. This land was allocated to you by Wen Yuan. If there’s an issue, take it up with him,” Immortal Tianxiu said impatiently. He was far more interested in the mystery of the music than in restricting Dugou’s plans.

 

“Thank you, Immortal,” Dugou said happily, leading the way.

 

His research funding was finally secured!

 

---

 

“What?!”
Luan Ling received Li Xiao’s divine transmission and exclaimed in disbelief. “My processor is about to explode, and you’re telling me we need to speed things up?!”

 

“We mainly need to finish the Four Seasons gardens first,” Li Xiao replied. “The administrative office wants promotion materials. Without some flashy selling points, how are we supposed to sell anything?”

 

Luan Ling hadn’t expected him to have such a business-savvy mind. Unfortunately, the ones suffering were still the technical staff.

 

“I’ll do my best.”

 

Staring at the hot spring before her, Luan Ling resigned herself to another round of construction.

 

“Spring and Autumn Gardens haven’t been planted yet. I’ll take you all to the Summer Garden first,” Li Xiao said, guiding the students who were supposedly there to tour—but actually just wanted to skip class—along with a few curious immortals passing by.

 

They walked through winding corridors toward the Summer Garden built beside the lake.

 

Along the way, Li Xiao introduced the pavilions and towers with ornate yet tasteful descriptions. Since the furniture hadn’t been moved in yet, they could only admire the exteriors.

 

Listening through her divine perception, Luan Ling felt Li Xiao looked exactly like a top-tier real estate salesman.

 

“This is the Summer Garden.”

 

Standing in a waterside pavilion, Li Xiao addressed the immortals behind him.
“The lotus pond of the Summer Garden is built along the lake. Besides sightseeing, you can rent a boat to drift across the water, compose poetry, drink wine, pick lotus pods and seeds—or, if you’re interested, even dig lotus roots in the mud.”

 

“Can’t you do all of that in other gardens?” an immortal pointed out.

 

“It’s different,” Li Xiao replied calmly.
“Our lotus seeds come from Penglai Immortal Island in the Eastern Sea—guaranteed by true dragons. Top-tier quality. On top of that, a qilin has bestowed auspicious blessings upon them, helping your cultivation achieve twice the result with half the effort.”

 

That sounded exactly like selling lucky bracelets! And anything blessed by Instructor Dugou sounded even more dangerous!

 

Luan Ling was impressed by her senior brother’s ability to make things up.

 

This was obviously fake—who would actually pay for this?

 

“I’ll take a boat. Does renting one mean I can pick lotus seeds?”
“I want to dig lotus roots.”
“There’s still class today—when do you close? I want to bring someone later.”

 

Luck was intangible and unpredictable—but there would always be people chasing it.

 

Luan Ling chose silence.

 

“Of course. Please take your time,” Li Xiao said, dazzled by the glittering spirit stones, yet still managing everyone’s requests in an orderly fashion.

 

Once those boating and digging had left, he looked at the remaining crowd and smiled.
“Next, we’ll head to the Winter Garden. It’s a bit special—you’ll need to go up the mountain. Immortals who haven’t mastered teleportation or ascension techniques should come back after learning them.”

 

“Special reminder: students who haven’t graduated yet can enjoy a twenty-percent discount when using teleportation.”

 

This was a condition Dugou had set. To gain pleasure, one must not only pay money—but also put in effort.

 

The closer they got to the Winter Garden, the clearer the music became.

 

Not louder—but clearer.

 

Most students across the academy had heard the music and come because of it. This clarity wasn’t about volume—it was emotional perception. The performer’s divine power was unusual; with every step closer, a different feeling stirred in the heart.

 

A feeling of wanting to spend money.

 

“There’s something wrong with this music,” one immortal said irritably, on the verge of losing control. “The more I listen, the more it feels like demonic sound.”

 

“Exactly! The instructor said it was supreme celestial music—looks more like mind-control magic to me!”
“I don’t mind the ticket fee, but I won’t fall for scams!”

 

Li Xiao watched as the crowd turned hostile without warning, completely unable to grasp their psychology. Other immortals who’d planned to visit the Winter Garden began hesitating as well.

 

“What are you all arguing about?”

 

Amid the chaos, Luan Ling yawned as she sat on the railing of a covered walkway and looked at them.

 

Few people in the academy failed to recognize that face.

 

The grudge of destroyed homework would never be forgotten.

 

“The Eastern Sea brat is here?!”
The crowd took two steps back. Those who’d witnessed the cafeteria incident suddenly realized why Li Xiao looked familiar.

 

“Anything else?” Luan Ling said lazily. “If not, I’m going back to sleep.”

 

She wasn’t good at playing the villain. After a few lines, she already wanted to exit.

 

Just as everyone was debating whether to flee, another figure appeared.

 

“Cough—cough, cough…”

 

Si Zhuo emerged, coughing as he lifted his gaze to the crowd.

 

He had contributed the most to the construction. His divine body was already weak, and under such intense workload, his complexion had worsened.

 

Seeing him cough, people instinctively backed away. Some even hunched their shoulders and pulled their heads in.

 

“Isn’t that the one from the Heavenly Emperor’s family…? Wasn’t he supposed to be powerful?”
“Don’t mention it. Even sick, he’s stronger than the legitimate one. Just yesterday, he beat Luan Yu so badly he still can’t get out of bed.”
“It’s just a pity the Heavenly Empress doesn’t favor her. In the end, she’ll probably only amount to a wandering immortal.”

 

The noise gave Si Zhuo a headache. He frowned and said coldly, “Are you done?”

 

He looked at the silent Luan Ling.
“You’ve been quiet—are you preparing to breathe fire?”

 

Luan Ling nearly choked.

 

They were talking about her. What was she supposed to say?

 

Suddenly, she seemed to understand Si Zhuo’s real meaning.

 

He wanted her to speak using this identity?

 

She hesitated and looked at him. He impatiently rubbed his forehead, clearly uncomfortable.

 

Luan Ling stood up and addressed the crowd.
“If you’re capable, go up the mountain. If you’re not, go back to class. And if you keep causing trouble—”

 

She raised her hand, gathering a cluster of colorless power that subtly distorted the air.

 

“My enhanced dragon flame won’t be so polite!”

 

Enhanced dragon flame? That was downright insulting.

 

Si Zhuo watched the blazing divine power in her hand with amusement. In fact, the night before, he’d tried using divine power to dry his wet clothes—only to reduce them to ashes due to his lack of sensitivity to heat.

 

Because it was awkward, he hadn’t explained the situation to Luan Ling.

 

These students were all proud and arrogant. Reasoning gently wouldn’t keep them—but provoking them by calling them useless would.

 

Even if they had to crawl, they’d go up!

 

After all, not everyone happily volunteered, “I’m useless,” like a certain someone.

 

In their hearts, they swore this would be the last time they ever spent money here. Once they went up, they’d never return to this cursed place!

 

With that mindset, many flew up the mountain in a huff.

 

They wanted to see what made the Winter Garden so special.

 

---

 

The Winter Garden lived up to its name.

 

The moment one entered the mountain, snow began to fall softly from the sky. Cold air poured in from all directions, making unprepared immortals shiver.

 

The beauty of snow had no warmth. Immortal plants on the mountain wore thick white cloaks, yet the sight only made one feel colder—lonelier.

 

Then, from somewhere in the mountains, came a crisp sound—like a startled deer in the forest encountering unexpected guests.

 

Interest stirred among the immortals. In such a silent mountain, nothing was more beautiful than signs of life.

 

Passing through clouds, over immortal trees, along paths trodden by others, they finally parted mist and fog to behold the truth.

 

An exquisite immortal woman sat in a pavilion at the center of the lake, holding a zither. She wore moon-white feathered robes and gently plucked the strings of her konghou.

 

Each string she touched sent ripples across the lake—layer upon layer, distinct and flowing.

 

Suddenly, the music surged. The once-gentle water rose into walls of waves, droplets splashing onto the surrounding immortals—who felt warmth first, not cold.

 

“A hot spring…”
A delicately built young immortal dipped her hand into the water and exclaimed excitedly to her senior brother.
“Senior Brother! This lake is actually a hot spring!”

 

“That’s right! This is the Winter Garden’s main attraction—mountain hot springs. One dream, one year,” Li Xiao said, extending his hand toward the lake.

 

But more than the hot spring, many immortals were curious about something else.

 

“What’s the name of that immortal lady?”

 

Li Xiao smiled knowingly.

 

“Kirin Hall—Zhu Yin.”