Chapter 375: Tearing Off the Facade
"Nan Yun Commandery Martial Market Academy, He Yun Lou, leading thirty-one students to participate in the Saint Academy examination."
He Yun Lou presented the token, quickly completed the registration, and obtained a temporary residence permit for the Eastern Domain Sacred City, allowing them to board the White Dragon Sacred Ship at any time.
Although the Eastern Domain Sacred City was vast and expansive, it was now overcrowded. Ordinary people had no right to reside there long-term.
The temporary residence permit He Yun Lou received only allowed them to stay in the Eastern Domain Sacred City for three months.
After three months, they would be expelled.
If they wished to continue living and cultivating in the Eastern Domain Sacred City, they would have to pay a high price to renew the permit.
Thus, in the Eastern Domain Sacred City, those with permanent residency were no ordinary individuals—either they possessed formidable strength or had extraordinary backgrounds.
Having obtained the permit, He Yun Lou did not rush to leave. Instead, he stood aside, smiled at Lei Jing, and made a gesture of invitation.
After all, they had come to Tian Kun Ferry together, so naturally, they should head to the Sacred City together.
Moreover, He Yun Lou was somewhat curious about Lei Jing's background.
Could it really be, as he had guessed, that Lei Jing was a major figure from some prefecture's Martial Market Academy?
If so, once they reached the Eastern Domain Sacred City, he would definitely have to build a good relationship with them.
Lei Jing also smiled at He Yun Lou, walked over directly, took out his token, and handed it to the Martial Market Academy registration officer. "Tian Mo Ling Martial Market Academy, Lei Jing, leading four students to participate in the Saint Academy examination."
"Oh, so it's from Tian Mo Ling Martial Market Academy..."
He Yun Lou nodded lightly, then suddenly froze, momentarily stunned.
What?
How could it be someone from a remote, barren place like Tian Mo Ling?
He Yun Lou's eyes nearly bulged out. After a moment, he withdrew his smile, and even his gaze toward Lei Jing became tinged with disdain.
A bumpkin from a backwater like Tian Mo Ling dared to claim he was a saint disciple of the Saint Academy? Wasn't he afraid of blowing his own horn?
Not just He Yun Lou—the genius students from Nan Yun Commandery Martial Market Academy were also dumbfounded, never dreaming that these people came from such a small place as Tian Mo Ling.
By the way, where exactly was Tian Mo Ling?
He Yun Lou, having cultivated for nearly a hundred years, had heard of Tian Mo Ling at least in passing. But for those young students, the name was completely unfamiliar.
From this, one could imagine how desolate, remote, and barbaric a place it was.
Xue Ying Rou's beautiful eyes widened as if struck by lightning. Her mind went blank, unable to believe her ears.
After a long while, she turned her gaze and cast a glance at Zhang Ruochen not far away.
Her look seemed to ask: You... are you really from Tian Mo Ling?
Duanmu Xingling stood beside Zhang Ruochen, a playful, charming smile on her face. She gave Xue Ying Rou a confirming nod and said half-jokingly, "Senior Sister Xue, our Tian Mo Ling is actually a beautiful place with lush mountains and clear waters. Since you like Junior Brother Zhang so much, if you marry him in the future, he'll surely treat you well."
"How despicable! He's just a poor kid from Tian Mo Ling. And here I thought he was the heir of some saintly clan."
Thinking back to that night when she had voluntarily kissed Zhang Ruochen, Xue Ying Rou felt nauseated, as if she had been defiled. It was like a white swan kissing a toad.
Hearing Duanmu Xingling's words, Xue Ying Rou grew even more furious. Her gaze turned cold, and when she looked at Zhang Ruochen, it was filled with contempt. "Who said I like him? We only sparred in swordsmanship. Don't talk nonsense and tarnish my reputation."
These words were utterly merciless, effectively tearing off the facade.
Anyone could hear the disdain in Xue Ying Rou's tone toward Zhang Ruochen. She felt that being linked to him in rumors was a stain on her, leaving an ugly scar on her otherwise flawless image.
At the same time, Xue Ying Rou no longer considered Zhang Ruochen any kind of remarkable genius. What kind of genius could come out of Tian Mo Ling?
Being able to produce a Four-Absolute Genius was already quite impressive.
She figured that his victory over Zi Han Sha was likely due to his profound martial arts cultivation.
In her view, Zhang Ruochen's cultivation had probably reached the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Extreme Realm. Otherwise, how could he have defeated a peerless prodigy like Zi Han Sha?
As for Zhang Ruochen's youthful appearance, that meant nothing.
With enough spirit crystals, one could buy anti-aging pills. Zhang Ruochen had probably taken such pills. His real age was definitely over forty.
Thinking of all this, Xue Ying Rou grew even more furious, ashamed, and regretful. How could she have given her first kiss to such trash?
She clenched her fingers tightly. After a long time, she calmed down and thought to herself, "Well, he did save me once. That kiss was repayment for his kindness. From now on, it's best not to associate with him, so I don't lower my own status."
Zhang Ruochen naturally didn't take Xue Ying Rou's contemptuous words to heart.
But Duanmu Xingling was furious upon hearing them. Her eyes turned cold, and she said in a deep voice, "Apologize to Zhang Ruochen immediately, or there will be serious consequences."
At this moment, Duanmu Xingling had no trace of a smile. Her gaze was filled with killing intent, as if it could pierce Xue Ying Rou's heart.
Even with Xue Ying Rou's cultivation, she was momentarily intimidated by Duanmu Xingling's stare.
How could this be? Why was her gaze so terrifying?
Who did she think she was? Just a martial artist from a backwater like Tian Mo Ling. Why should I be afraid of her?
Xue Ying Rou immediately circulated her true qi, mustered her courage, straightened her chest, and lifted her chin. "Apologize? Why should I apologize to him? Did I say something wrong? You're the one talking nonsense. How could I possibly like him? You should be the one apologizing to me, right?"
Duanmu Xingling laughed in anger and stepped forward. "Fine! I'll apologize to you! I'll apologize right now!"
Zhang Ruochen immediately grabbed Duanmu Xingling's arm and pulled her back, shaking his head gently. "Senior Sister Duanmu, Miss Xue is right. We only sparred in swordsmanship. Our relationship isn't as good as you think."
Hearing this, Xue Ying Rou nodded slightly, thinking that Zhang Ruochen was sensible enough not to mention what had happened.
But Duanmu Xingling was already pouting with rage. If Zhang Ruochen hadn't held her back, she would have charged forward to teach Xue Ying Rou a harsh lesson.
Lei Jing had already received the temporary residence permit, acting as if he hadn't noticed the earlier commotion. He looked at He Yun Lou and smiled. "Brother He, care to board the White Dragon Sacred Ship together?"
He Yun Lou chuckled. "I suddenly remembered I have some business to take care of at Tian Kun Ferry. It might take a while. You go ahead to the Eastern Domain Sacred City first. We'll meet again at the Saint Academy examination, won't we?"
"Haha! Very well!"
Lei Jing naturally understood the thoughts of these people. They simply looked down on martial artists from Tian Mo Ling.
Even if you had saved someone's life, in their eyes, you were still beneath them. Having experienced this at the Saint Academy before, Lei Jing was long accustomed to it and not surprised.
He didn't expose their hypocrisy. With a laugh, he led Zhang Ruochen, Duanmu Xingling, Chang Qiqi, and the others to board the White Dragon Sacred Ship and head to the Eastern Domain Sacred City.