Chapter 155: Not Just a Pretty Face
The South Garden was filled with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, artificial rock formations, and tranquil ponds. A cozy pavilion stood amidst it all, offering a peaceful resting spot.
At this moment, Ning Rongrong sat idly in the pavilion, absentmindedly tossing small handfuls of fish food into the pond below. The water rippled as colorful fish swarmed to snatch up the floating morsels, creating a lively scene.
"Rongrong, you're here."
A calm and clear voice rang out as Ye Cheng, dressed in elegant white robes, approached at a leisurely pace.
"Brother!"
Hearing his voice, Ning Rongrong immediately put down the bowl of fish food and almost ran up to hug him but at the last second, she paused, as if reconsidering.
"Why did you come to see me today?" Ye Cheng asked, sitting down at the pavilion's stone table, which was adorned with delicate pastries and fragrant tea.
"Hehe, Brother, have some tea first." Ning Rongrong put on her sweetest, most flattering smile, diligently pouring him a cup and handing it over.
Ye Cheng glanced at her but didn't refuse, finishing the tea in one gulp.
"You're not one to visit without a reason. Just say what's on your mind." He set the teacup down and gave her a knowing look.
"Well… it's just…"
Ning Rongrong hesitated, her expression conflicted. After a brief moment, she shook her head and said, "No, it's nothing. I just haven't seen you in a while and missed you, that's all."
"Oh? And here I thought you came to ask me for a few teaching positions at White Cloud Academy." Ye Cheng's tone carried a hint of amusement.
"You already knew?" Ning Rongrong's act fell apart instantly. She sighed and nodded, admitting, "The elders in the sect noticed how well we've been getting along lately, so they sent me to see if I could… you know, pull some strings and get a few people in as teachers."
"Then why did you back out just now?" Ye Cheng asked with interest. "What if acting spoiled actually worked?"
"Brother, do you take me for some brainless, empty headed vase?" Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes and snorted in frustration. "You're really underestimating me."
She might have been pampered since childhood, but as the heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she was raised with a sharp mind and high emotional intelligence.
She had long understood that, although Ye Cheng treated her well, it wasn't because of her noble status or even their shared bloodline it was simply because he liked her as a person.
If anyone thought they could manipulate him using family ties or emotional guilt, they were deluding themselves.
That was precisely why she had been reluctant to come in the first place.
She knew that if she blatantly asked him to bend the rules, their relationship would inevitably be affected, regardless of whether he agreed or refused.
So in the end, she chose not to ask at all a clever strategy of retreating in order to advance.
She knew Ye Cheng wasn't a fool; he had already guessed why she came. But by choosing not to voice the request, she subtly expressed her stance she valued their bond more than favoritism.
Ye Cheng saw through her strategy, but he had to admit it was a refreshing approach.
Some things, when phrased differently, felt less annoying and easier to accept.
Ultimately, the two of them chatted casually, as if nothing had happened.
When it was time to leave, Ning Rongrong stood up and bid him farewell.
Ye Cheng never explicitly stated whether he would grant her request, but his silence was the answer it wasn't happening.
With that subtle rejection, Ning Rongrong could return to the sect and report back.
Watching her departing figure, Ye Cheng turned his attention to more pressing matters.
"Now that the teacher recruitment is complete, it's time to prepare for the academy's opening."
"Wait not yet."
He suddenly shook his head, realizing that even though the teachers met the hiring criteria, they hadn't undergone formal training.
They might not be fully equipped to educate students properly.
Additionally, he needed to prepare specialized textbooks to better convey his ideals.
White Cloud Academy wasn't just about training powerful soul masters it was about teaching students proper values and perspectives.
This world was twisted it desperately needed a surge of positive influence to counteract its corruption.
So creating custom textbooks was essential.
By subtly weaving his own philosophies into the curriculum, he could shape students' beliefs over time.
This way, when they graduated, they wouldn't just be beasts with power they would be true warriors with strength and wisdom.
Meanwhile…
After traveling from the ocean to the mainland, Neptune and Xiao Bai continued their leisurely journey.
After some time without even rushing the two finally arrived at the Heaven Dou Empire's capital, Heaven Dou City.
From afar, the grand city walls loomed, banners fluttering in the wind.
As one of the three largest and most prosperous cities on the continent alongside White Cloud City and Star Luo City Heaven Dou City was a fortress of unparalleled scale.
The 100 meter high walls were constructed entirely from granite, standing as an impenetrable defense.
Above and below the walls, armored soldiers patrolled with piercing vigilance.
Each one was fully equipped with spears and steel, radiating aurae of discipline and lethality.
The main city gate stood 10 meters tall and 10 meters wide, large enough for six horsemen to ride abreast.
Beside it were two smaller gates, each five meters high and wide, designated for pedestrians and merchants.
The central gate remained tightly shut.
The moment Neptune and Xiao Bai stepped inside, their distinctive foreign appearance immediately caught the attention of several informants.
These spies, trained to memorize key individuals, instantly recognized Neptune's identity.
Within moments, his arrival was reported up the chain until finally, the intelligence landed on Emperor Xue Ye's desk.
Reading the report, Emperor Xue Ye furrowed his brows and muttered, "Strange… why would he come to the mainland? Is he here for the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud? But if he's the future Sea God, shouldn't he be able to summon it directly? Is this another test from the Sea God?"
The lack of information left Emperor Xue Ye uncertain about Neptune's intentions.
However, he knew one thing for certain the Heaven Dou Empire couldn't afford to provoke him.
After all, this was the future Sea God.
And from the sheer power he displayed on Sea God Island, even the Spirit Hall wouldn't dare mess with him so what chance did the Heaven Dou Empire have?
"Good thing I had the foresight to get rid of that troublesome artifact early on."
Remembering that he had already given away the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, Emperor Xue Ye sighed in relief.
That thing was no longer his problem.
No matter what Neptune wanted, it had nothing to do with him anymore.
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