Chapter 136: The Cheongsam Splits!

Today was a crucial day for his elder brother's examination, and little Fatty was unwilling to even go to class. He wanted to stay behind to cheer his big brother on.

Though it didn't really do much good.

Little Fatty took the initiative to make a video call to Shang Xiulin to ask for leave, and upon learning of his intention, Shang Xiulin readily agreed.

He even asked little Fatty to pass a message to Tang Fei: wish him luck.

Tang Fei was overjoyed upon hearing this; it seemed Shang Xiulin's attitude toward him had improved dramatically. Was he going to accept him as an initiated disciple soon?

This behavior was just like a goddess replying "goodnight" to a simp, after which the simp immediately starts fantasizing about a family of three sitting down for breakfast together...

Led by several ancient martial arts teachers, the group arrived at the entrance of the martial arts arena, only to be blocked.

Because of this new student recruitment examination by Egret Academy, the entire martial arts arena was closed to the public today. Only those candidates who had submitted their information and registered with the school in advance were allowed to enter.

The area outside the martial arts arena was packed with people. Some were there to send off their classmates, friends, or family, but the vast majority were simply there to watch the spectacle.

Since the examination would be broadcast in real-time on the massive screen above the entrance of the martial arts arena, everyone wanted to witness the comprehensive strength of this year's candidates and be the first to know which lucky fellow would make it all the way to the end and claim first place.

"Brother, didn't Phoenix Sister come?" little Fatty asked curiously.

Although the contact between big brother and Phoenix Sister had decreased somewhat recently, that was because big brother had been diligently practicing the Sword Pointing at Egret recently...

At such an important moment, Phoenix Sister should have come over to say a few encouraging words.

Phoenix Sister's words carried much more weight than his own...

Tang Fei glanced at little Fatty and said, "Why would she come? It's just an exam after all."

"Exactly, you can see the examination results right from home..." Ran Ran chimed in to comfort him, worrying that Tang Fei might let this matter affect his state of mind.

While she also disagreed with Tang Fei taking the examination right after enrolling, since he insisted on going through with it, she could only hope that everything went smoothly for him and that he secured a good ranking...

Yes, deep down, she didn't believe Tang Fei could win first place this time and smoothly enter Egret Academy. After all, she knew Tang Fei's strength, and there were countless students in the school stronger than him. If it were just casual sparring between students, maybe not many would step forward.

However, when it came to the recruitment examination of Egret Academy, all those hidden master-level figures would emerge one by one.

One couldn't just focus on the dazzling brilliance of the March Seven Stars; there were many other young people who were equally exceptional.

Because they lacked such powerful family backgrounds and the spotlight, they had remained unknown. Otherwise, they would have long since made a name across Qingyun and become idols chased and adored by countless masses.

Furthermore, there were some individuals of equally extraordinary birth who were simply accustomed to low profiles; they had no desire to expose their strength or live under the constant gaze of others.

Ran Ran felt that letting Tang Fei learn a lesson might not be a bad thing—making him realize that there are mountains beyond mountains and heavens beyond heavens... which would drive him to work even harder in the future.

Though he was already working hard enough, Ran Ran even worried that this level of intense training might harm his body. Success would certainly be wonderful, but even in failure, securing a respectable rank would be fine.

If Tang Fei managed to enter the top ten of this examination as a freshman, it would still be an immensely glorious achievement within the Empire's First Military Academy.

As his teacher, she would share in that glory.

The highest expectation Teacher Ran Ran held for her most favored disciple, Tang Fei, was merely a top-ten finish in this examination.

The so-called top ten simply meant the final ten people who were eliminated.

"Oh," little Fatty acknowledged, his gaze still wandering around. In his view, Phoenix Sister really ought to have come on an occasion like this.

If she didn't show up, not only big brother, but even he himself would feel a sense of loss.

It made him feel as though they were no longer a family, and that Phoenix Sister and big brother were drifting further and further apart...

"Tang Fei." Sheng Xinhua, wearing a red cheongsam and black high heels, walked over with a graceful and seductive sway. Such a garish color was somehow worn by her with an air of breathtaking charm.

The cheongsam was tailored to fit her exceptionally well, but due to her overly voluptuous figure, her chest appeared particularly majestic and her hips especially round and firm. Her curves were exquisite, accentuating an hourglass figure.

Her voice arrived before she did.

Moreover, as she walked toward Tang Fei, the gazes of quite a few male students at the scene were instantly drawn to her.

"Who is this woman? Absolutely stunning! She's totally my dream type."

"You don't even know her? That's Sheng Xinhua... the resident beauty professor of the School of Literature. Whenever she has class, the lecture hall can never hold all the horndogs... I've been pushed right out of the window several times..."

"She's a teacher, what is she doing here? Who is she looking for?"

"I heard she's dating Tang Fei... Look, she's walking right toward him... Don't tell me you don't even know Tang Fei?"

"I know him, isn't that just some pretty boy..."

"Talk about sour grapes. The guy is a powerhouse who took down Shen Qingping... Better watch yourself once you get into the illusion realm later... That kid plays dirty."

"Got it, just hope I don't run into him..."

Sheng Xinhua ignored the predatory gazes and less-than-friendly murmurs of the crowd, swaying her waist as she hurried right up to Tang Fei. With affection in her eyes and a smile on her lips, she said, "I heard you're taking the Egret Academy examination today, so I specially came to give you—"

Tang Fei looked at this wildly enchanting woman, understanding the reason for her hurried arrival, and spoke up, "Thank you, Teacher Sheng."

Sheng Xinhua gestured to the red cheongsam she was wearing and said, "Look, isn't this red exceptionally festive?"

"Indeed," Tang Fei nodded.

"And look at these legs..." She stepped her right leg slightly outward, revealing a large expanse of fair, tender flesh, and pointed at the slit of the cheongsam, saying, "This is what they call winning the battle upon the very first strike..."

Seeing the burning gazes of the surrounding young men, which felt hot enough to raise the ambient temperature, Tang Fei smiled and said, "Teacher Sheng has made quite a considerable sacrifice."

"As long as it helps you secure first place, what does a little sacrifice like this matter?" Sheng Xinhua said offhandedly.

"I'll do my best," Tang Fei replied.

Little Fatty stood nearby, feeling utterly distressed and conflicted.

He was very grateful that Teacher Sheng was willing to step forward and support his big brother at a time like this, even wearing a cheongsam to wish him "immediate victory," whereas he could only eat a cucumber and a few eggs for his big brother...

However, he was a hardcore loyalist of the Phoenix faction.

In his heart, he supported Phoenix Sister, but at such an important moment, Phoenix Sister hadn't come... What if these two ended up together? Wouldn't Phoenix Sister be left in tears?

He wanted to help but had no idea what he should do.

At that moment, a mechanical female voice echoed from the loudspeaker: "Will all examination candidates please enter the arena, will all examination candidates please enter the arena..."

"I'm going in," Tang Fei said.

"Big brother, go for it. You can definitely do it," little Fatty said, clenching his fists.

Tang Fei patted his shoulder; the kid was getting sturdier by the day.

"Tang Fei, good luck. I believe in you," Teacher Ran Ran said, speaking utter nonsense with a straight face. She firmly believed Tang Fei had zero chance of getting in, with a top-ten finish being the absolute limit...

Sheng Xinhua, however, directly opened her arms to embrace Tang Fei's shoulders, whispering into his ear, "Good luck, Phoenix has a surprise for you too..."

"Woah!" the crowd gasped in unison.

"Did you see that? Did you see that? Those two just hugged..."

"Sheng Xinhua is a professor at the School of Literature, and she took the initiative to hug a male student..."

"That scoundrel Tang Fei... Draw your swords..."

"This isn't showing affection, this is forcing me to drink poison..."

"What?" Tang Fei asked.

Didn't Phoenix not come? What kind of surprise could she possibly have for me?

However, he had to admit, this woman's body was truly soft; he had almost been bounced right off her.

Sheng Xinhua had already released him, reaching out to straighten his collar as she urged, "Hurry on in, don't keep people waiting."

Filled with doubt, Tang Fei knew this wasn't the time to probe for answers.

He waved goodbye to the group and followed the tail end of the procession into the martial arts arena. Inside, everyone was organized into neat columns.

Having entered late, Tang Fei consciously took his place at the very back of the line.

Sui Yinchuan, the vice president of Egret Academy, was a genial, grandfatherly old man. Accompanied by Chen Bing, the director of the martial arts arena, he walked out and stood facing the rows of candidates.

Sui Yinchuan glanced around the room, then nodded at Chen Bing, looking thoroughly pleased with the overall appearance of this year's candidates. With a smile, he said, "Not bad, all the young men look spirited, and the young ladies are lovely. While our Egret Academy does not judge talent solely by appearance, if the students who get in happen to be good-looking... this old man's heart is still quite pleased. Old fogies like us love hanging around energetic young folks like you."

Everyone chuckled, finding the little old man quite humorous and witty.

Tang Fei, however, immediately thought of another possibility: what if by "hanging around," he meant a different kind of "hanging around"?

He had heard that nobles in ancient times loved engaging in that sort of thing, and powerful people on the New Star loved retro trends... Tang Fei couldn't help but involuntarily contract his pelvic floor muscles a few times.

As a refugee from the Old Soil, he lacked any sense of security deep down in his bones.

"Thank you all for choosing Egret Academy. This old man can say without exaggeration that Egret Academy is well worth your anticipation. I believe anyone who steps inside will benefit for a lifetime."

"However, Egret Academy's recruitment is exceptionally strict. We are not looking for mere talent; we are looking for geniuses. Only those favored by the heavens can earn admission into Egret Academy."

"You already know our examination rules for this year, don't you? Use the brain-computer interface to enter the virtual world, break through layers of obstacles, and finally retrieve the Heart of the Reaper... Congratulations, that student will officially become a student of Egret Academy."

"I know it won't be easy. But I believe you will all give it your absolute all. Best of luck to every single student present."

Warm applause erupted across the venue.

"Oh, and I must add a few pieces of proper nonsense: friendship first, competition second."