It was a pity…
Yan Jiaojiao announced loudly, "There's no need to say more, I have decided not to join Ge Nan Academy."
"Just because of what you said earlier?"
Seeing Shangguan Yuan smile sincerely, Yan Jiaojiao said, "Shouldn't we give an explanation to those unfortunate students? Even if they didn't officially become students of Ge Nan Academy, they were harmed within your territory, and that life-and-death agreement…"
Shangguan Yuan raised a hand, stopping Yan Jiaojiao's words, and nodded seriously, "I understand what you mean. How about this, if I agree to your request, you will stop talking about withdrawing from Ge Nan Academy and continue to cultivate under my tutelage."
Yan Jiaojiao pondered for a moment and agreed with a nod.
Shangguan Yuan then said, "I will have someone arrange condolences and compensation for the students who were injured or met with misfortune. Are you satisfied with this?"
Yan Jiaojiao replied noncommittally, "It is only right."
"Yes, hehe." Shangguan Yuan seemed amused by Yan Jiaojiao's serious demeanor again. Seeing Yan Jiaojiao frown, he coughed and resumed a serious tone, "Furthermore, we will thoroughly investigate why demonic creatures from the Demon Realm appeared. This is indeed a major loophole."
"It's not just that," Yan Jiaojiao remained unyielding.
Shangguan Yuan smiled and glanced back at his colleagues. Although the other sect leaders wore displeased expressions, none opposed what Shangguan Yuan had said. Even Luo Guiyuan merely huffed angrily and turned his head away.
Shangguan Yuan turned back to Yan Jiaojiao and said, "Finally, Ge Nan Academy will no longer require a life-and-death agreement for future assessments. We will improve the assessment process and guarantee the students' safety throughout. With this, you have no reason to refuse, right?"
This was a groundbreaking reform!
The life-and-death agreement had been part of Ge Nan Academy's assessments for a thousand years, and to guarantee full protection was an improvement that could not be accomplished overnight.
However, Shangguan Yuan did not seem to be faking. The other sect leaders were about to speak when Shangguan Yuan calmly turned back and said, "I will use my authority to change the academy's rules."
Luo Guiyuan was most shocked, staring at Shangguan Yuan angrily, "Are you opposing me?"
"Not at all, there is no need for that. Don't you think she is very outstanding?" Shangguan Yuan remained nonchalant, his response deflecting Luo Guiyuan's anger as if hitting cotton.
He Baifeng stroked his beard and smoothed things over, "Sect Leader Luo, please desist. Since Sect Leader Shangguan has made his decision, it is not for us to interfere in other sects' affairs. Let us go along with his wishes."
Luo Guiyuan let out a heavy snort and finally fell silent. The other sect leaders naturally did not say anything further.
With the other sect leaders pacified, Shangguan Yuan looked expectantly at Yan Jiaojiao again.
Yan Jiaojiao did not understand what authority Shangguan Yuan had exercised, but it seemed to bind all the sect leaders.
Since Shangguan Yuan had shown such sincerity, what reason did Yan Jiaojiao have to refuse?
She turned around and, this time facing all the students of Ge Nan Academy, her voice was clear and loud, "From now on, there will be no more life-and-death agreements in the assessments of Ge Nan Academy!"
The crowd fell silent for a moment, then erupted into cheers.
Merely by entering the academy, Yan Jiaojiao, on her own, had changed a thousand-year tradition of Ge Nan Academy, marking her first grand achievement in the academy's history!
Yan Ruxue, hidden amongst the crowd of students, was probably the most unhappy person present. She gazed at Yan Jiaojiao on the stage, her eyes filled with venom. Coupled with the blood on her face and her disheveled state, she looked increasingly like a vengeful spirit crawling out of hell, chillingly eerie.
Because Yan Jiaojiao had caused such a commotion, the subsequent entrance ceremony was rather rushed. Aside from Shangguan Yuan happily taking his prized disciple, the other sect leaders were somewhat distracted. After perfunctorily meeting and receiving gifts from their new disciples, they concluded the entrance ceremony.
Shangguan Yuan then led Yan Jiaojiao and another new disciple back to the Water Sect's branch division.
The other disciple was named Zhou Sizer.
He was a young man slightly older than Yan Jiaojiao, appearing very docile. He followed silently behind Shangguan Yuan. Even though Yan Jiaojiao had stolen the spotlight earlier, it had not elicited any curiosity from him. He remained silent throughout.
However, Zhou Sizer's quiet demeanor made Yan Jiaojiao feel more at ease.
Shangguan Yuan led the two of them to two courtyards facing each other. He told them, "The left side is for male students, and the right side is for female students. You will reside here from now on. Your senior brothers and sisters will guide you. Rest well, you may go out freely for the first three days. After three days of acclimatization, you will officially enter the training phase."
"Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader," Zhou Sizer was the first to bow to Shangguan Yuan.
Yan Jiaojiao hesitated for a moment, then decided to follow suit. As she raised her hand, Shangguan Yuan laughed and gestured to support Yan Jiaojiao, "It's fine if you're not used to it. Forcing yourself to do it looks quite odd."
Yan Jiaojiao felt a flush of embarrassment. She was a venerable ancestor in her previous life; she had never needed to bow to anyone. He was actually finding fault! How ungrateful!
Shangguan Yuan, unaware of Yan Jiaojiao's inner thoughts, gave a few more instructions and then turned to leave.
Zhou Sizer remained as usual, showing no unusual emotions due to Shangguan Yuan's special treatment of Yan Jiaojiao. He even politely gave Yan Jiaojiao a slight bow before bidding farewell and turning to enter the male courtyard.
Yan Jiaojiao tilted her head, watching the direction Zhou Sizer had left, and finally shook her head before returning to her own courtyard.
The students' courtyards were rows of two-story buildings, each containing individual rooms. Two people shared each room, and the conditions were quite adequate.
As soon as Yan Jiaojiao entered, a shift sister at the door greeted her, looking her up and down. "You're Yan Jiaojiao? What you did just now has already spread throughout Ge Nan Academy."
This seemed to be the normal reaction. Someone like Zhou Sizer, who was so tranquil, was indeed a minority.
Yan Jiaojiao was mentally prepared. She rolled her eyes slightly, nodded, and imitated Zhou Sizer's tone, "I am Yan Jiaojiao. It was merely the Sect Leader's magnanimity that he didn't hold it against me. I would trouble the sister to lead me to my residence to rest."
The sister's attitude indeed softened considerably. As she led Yan Jiaojiao inside, she said, "You don't seem that out of line. However, I advise you not to be too arrogant in the academy, or you will regret it."
Yan Jiaojiao raised an eyebrow slightly. The sister no longer spoke to her, leading her to the innermost courtyard on the first floor. She pointed at Yan Jiaojiao and said, "You will stay here," and left without looking back.
Yan Jiaojiao looked at the closed door before her, a hint of confusion in her heart. The sister seemed somewhat afraid.
It was as if the person living behind this door was not a senior sister, but a monster.
However, Yan Jiaojiao was not afraid. As she pushed the door open, a cold gust of wind instantly assailed her!