C7 Teacher Who Plays with Fish

"Achoo!"

Faang Wei paused mid-step to sneeze, feeling a tickle in his nose.

He rubbed his nose and glanced around. It appeared he was still within the bounds of Everdawn Academy.

Jumpy had mentioned that despite its many shortcomings, the academy's grounds were expansive, with numerous areas yet to be developed.

They simply lacked funds; otherwise, it might rival the opulence of the nine great academies!

In the distance, the sound of flowing water reached his ears, and Faang Wei sensed the presence of a cultivator nearby.

Surprised, he thought, weren't the inhabitants here either Cyborgs or those without any innate talent for cultivation?

Why would there be a cultivator here?

And it certainly couldn't be Faang Zhengyi.

"How many cultivators are at this school?" Faang Wei wondered aloud.

It seemed too good to be true that he would stumble upon a spy so soon after his arrival.

"…"

Jumpy pondered for a moment.

"Besides my dad, there are a few teachers who are cultivators. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

Faang Wei dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand.

"I sensed a cultivator's presence over there. Probably just one of the teachers slacking off!"

He was about to head off when Jumpy abruptly caught hold of his ear. Suppressing the impulse to swat him away, Faang Wei was at a loss for words.

"What's your point?"

As Faang Wei bristled with frustration, Jumpy spoke with earnest gravity.

"At this hour, all the teachers should be at the training ground. Plus, this is an undeveloped area; it's unlikely anyone would be here."

"Unless they're not from Everdawn Academy."

After the incident with Cai Qitian earlier that day, Jumpy was acutely aware that the threat to Everdawn Academy extended beyond Wyvernwood Academy.

He suspected the other academies harbored similar intentions, aiming to undermine Everdawn Academy from within and orchestrate a defeat without a battle.

"It's outrageous!"

With a clenched fist like a tiny hamster, Jumpy leaped down.

"I'm going to see who dares to mess with Everdawn Academy!"

"…"

Watching Jumpy stumble over a branch and get tangled in the underbrush, Faang Wei sighed, hoisted him up, and together they ventured deeper into the woods.

The presence he detected was in the same direction as the sound of flowing water he had heard. Although the other party's level seemed low, Faang Wei didn't discount the possibility that they were concealing their true strength.

As a result, Faang Wei refrained from using his Divine Sense to probe the area, to avoid startling the unknown presence.

He lightened his footsteps, moving toward his destination. With the sound of the water growing louder, his surroundings became increasingly visible.

What a great spot!

It was likely a mountain spring that had flowed into a pond below. The pond sloped down about two to three meters, creating a small waterfall.

A clear stream flowed from beneath the waterfall, where he could even make out Little Fish darting about.

They probably tasted as good as they looked.

Pushing his thoughts aside, Faang Wei focused and confirmed that the aura was not in the stream, but rather in the pond above.

This was a surprise. Could there be a spirit animal here?

Was he that fortunate?

Rubbing his hands together, Faang Wei grinned.

"If all goes well, Everdawn Academy is in for a treat!"

"?"

Jumpy looked utterly confused, meeting Faang Wei's aunt-like smile with a sense of déjà vu; he really did seem like his father's own son.

Aside from their appearance, their personalities also seemed oddly similar at times.

Why the celebration?

He hadn't even lost his temper yet.

"There might be a spirit animal here, hiding in the pond," Faang Wei explained to Jumpy.

"Seriously!"

Jumpy bounced excitedly, living up to his name.

Faang Wei quickly pulled him back. If he ran off like that, he'd be serving himself up on a platter.

The pond wouldn't discriminate; it would treat him like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Faang Wei pushed Jumpy back onto his shoulder, cautioning him to stay put, and then he slowly made his way to the pond.

He could easily disturb the entire pond with a mere gesture, but this was Everdawn Academy, and there was no need for such a commotion.

Drawing closer, Faang Wei glimpsed something white moving in the water.

It must be the creature he was searching for.

At the very moment Faang Wei was poised to make his move, the water in the pond stirred abruptly.

"Huh!"

A strong gust of wind rushed towards Faang Wei, but with a swift sidestep, he easily dodged it. Narrowing his eyes, he took in the sight of the beautiful girl before him. She was undeniably attractive, albeit rather icy.

"You are..."

"Don't, she's with Everdawn Academy."

Jumpy interjected just as Faang Wei was about to reveal too much.

This big brother had already earned a reputation as a genius; it wouldn't do to stir up more trouble now.

What would he do if their bodies were swapped in the future? How could he deal with such a bizarre turn of events?

"?"

Someone from Everdawn Academy?

Faang Wei was mildly puzzled. Given that she appeared to be about his age, it seemed unlikely that she was a teacher.

But if she was a student, what would bring a cultivator to enroll at Everdawn Academy?

After listening to Jumpy's explanation for a moment, Faang Wei learned her identity—

Tung Xiaoxiao.

She was indeed a cultivator, and she was at Everdawn Academy because she had been raised by one of the teachers.

At eighteen years old, she had reached the ninth level of Alpha Dawn—a ninth-level cultivator. Such talent was recognized as prodigious even among the nine great academies.

Regrettably, here at Everdawn Academy, it was somewhat out of place for a cultivator.

"I merely met with someone from the nine great academies. Why would you attack me? You're the only one who believes that Everdawn Academy still has a chance!"

Tung Xiaoxiao's voice was frosty as she wrapped her clothes tighter around her. She glared at Faang Wei, clearly frustrated. He seemed utterly oblivious to the current predicament.

The nine great academies were openly preparing to move against Everdawn Academy, and not even Faang Zhengyi could safeguard it.

Faang Wei's efforts were futile, akin to trying to extinguish a fire with a cup of water.

What chance did Everdawn Academy have against the collective might of the nine great academies?

They were deluding themselves!

Wouldn't it be wiser to disband sooner rather than later? Especially since the nine great academies were ready to welcome the Cyborgs. What could possibly be wrong with that?

"What's she getting at? Does she intend to join the nine great academies? Is she considering leaving Everdawn Academy behind?"

Listening to Tung Xiaoxiao's words, Jumpy was momentarily baffled, clearly not anticipating this turn of events.

In the Cloud Realm, individuals typically began their formal training at 16, and the Academy Grand Tournament was an event exclusively for 18-year-old students from the nine great academies. Tung Xiaoxiao was considered the premier talent among the new recruits at Everdawn Academy.

Despite being a cultivator and representing Everdawn Academy, if even she...

Then...

!!!

Jumpy's eyes widened in disbelief, while Faang Wei remained utterly composed. He gave Tung Xiaoxiao a nonchalant look and shrugged.

"I simply took a wrong turn; I had no intention of ambushing you."

"Whether you choose to stay at Everdawn Academy is your business, not mine."

"Bye!"

With that, Faang Wei turned and walked away. Didn't he realize that a melon plucked by force would never be sweet? Why try to pull someone back to a narrow path when they're set on a broader one?

But ultimately, whether Everdawn Academy is a narrow path isn't for Tung Xiaoxiao to determine.