Chapter 637 518: Xiao Mo! Hurry and Look

「Early morning.」

As a long, drawn-out bell chime echoed, all the scholars of Cold Mountain Academy stirred from their courtyards.

Today was the day of the Cold Mountain Academy scholars' study tour.

Though they had no idea where they were headed, they followed the Academy Director's instructions, rising early, packing their bags, and making their way to Orchid Peak.

It was not yet the appointed hour, but all of Cold Mountain Academy's remaining scholars had already assembled in neat formation on Orchid Peak.

Each wore a long, green robe and carried a book box on their back.

They stood in twos and threes, whispering with their friends, secretly speculating where such a grand procession was taking them.

But a few scholars, who had an inkling of the inside story, wore heavy expressions.

「The moment the appointed hour arrived.」

Cun Caiguang, the Academy Director of Cold Mountain Academy, along with several of the academy's Elders and Deacons, landed promptly before the crowd.

"Greetings, Academy Director."

Upon the Academy Director's arrival, the crowd ceased their whispers and offered Cun Caiguang a respectful bow.

Cun Caiguang returned the bow, then spoke. "Today is the day for Cold Mountain Academy's study tour. However, I will not be accompanying you on this journey."

"But a Mr. Chao will be traveling with you. In the future, if any issues arise, you may speak with him."

"Furthermore, during your studies, you must all follow Senior Bai's arrangements without question."

As soon as Cun Caiguang finished speaking, a woman in a white dress floated down from the heavens.

The moment they saw her, the crowd was struck by her peerless beauty, yet also faintly intimidated by the aura she exuded.

In fact, the moment the woman in white set foot on the summit of Orchid Peak, an irrepressible urge to kneel in submission rose within everyone present.

"From this day forward, my sister will arrange your entire itinerary. Until you leave the Demon Race's World, no one is to ask questions or speak out of turn!" Xiao Qing took a step forward, her gaze sweeping across the crowd, her tone sharp and decisive. "Is that understood?"

"This…" The Cold Mountain Academy scholars exchanged uncertain glances, all feeling an unnegotiable, domineering air in the woman's words.

"Do not forget what I said just now." Cun Caiguang's voice rang out at the opportune moment, steady and powerful, echoing across Orchid Peak.

"Yes! We understand." Hearing the Academy Director's reinforcement, the crowd dared not object further and replied in unison.

"In that case, come aboard." With a grand wave of her hand, Xiao Qing released a small fish from her sleeve.

The small fish grew as it met the wind, expanding rapidly. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a whale as massive as a mountain, hovering silently above their heads.

...

"Alright, I'll see you off here."

At the foot of Shallow Study Peak, Xian Xichun looked at the young pair before him and said with a smile.

"Your people from Tushan are waiting outside the academy gates. You'll see them when you go out."

"I'm sure someone has already told you, but the days ahead in the Demon Race's World will not be peaceful. No matter what, your first priority must be to protect your own lives. Remember, don't be reckless or try to show off."

"As long as you're alive, you can always start over."

"But if you die, you lose everything."

"Do you understand?"

"We understand, Teacher," Xiao Mo and Tushan Jing Ci replied in unison.

"Go on, go on." Xian Xichun gazed at the two young people he admired most, his eyes full of hope. "I believe that in the near future, I will see the day your names shake the world."

"Take care, Teacher." Tushan Jing Ci and Xiao Mo took a step back and gave Xian Xichun a solemn bow.

"The road ahead is long. May we meet again if fate allows."

Xian Xichun bowed in return, watching the two young figures retreat into the distance until they vanished at the end of the mountain path.

Just as Xiao Mo and his companion vanished from Xian Xichun's sight, an old man appeared beside him.

"Have the two little rascals left?" Cun Caiguang asked, gathering his sleeves as he gazed in the direction they had gone.

"There's not a single person left at Cold Mountain Academy, so what use would there be in them staying?" Xian Xichun turned to the Academy Director. "How are things… on your end, Director?"

"It's all been handled. Our academy's scholars are registering on the roster and will be departing shortly. There's nothing left for an old man like me to do, so I thought I'd come see you. And see you off." Cun Caiguang turned to Xian Xichun and sighed. "Do you really have to go?"

"Heh heh, I owe her an answer, after all." Xian Xichun shook his head.

"She's already dead. If she's watching from the great beyond, she wouldn't want you to go throw your life away," Cun Caiguang urged.

"That may be true. But I never listened to her when she was alive. Now that she's gone, why should I start?"

With that, Xian Xichun turned and walked off in another direction.

"I'm off, old man. Don't you go dying too quickly. Otherwise, who will be left to collect my corpse!"

"Xichun!" Cun Caiguang shouted after the scholar's retreating back.

The scholar paused for a moment, then waved to the old man without turning around. His figure gradually vanished from sight.

At that same moment, a fierce gust of wind suddenly swept up from Cold Mountain Academy.

"HROOOOOOO!!!"

Immediately after, a sky-shattering, earth-shaking cry from the whale echoed across the heavens.

The shadow cast by the great whale blotted out the sun, blanketing the earth as if it carried the very sky upon its back.

Cun Caiguang, Xian Xichun, and the residents of Cold Mountain City all raised their heads, gazing at the behemoth as it flew higher and higher.

"Xiao Mo! Quick, look!"

Tushan Jing Ci, who was walking away from Cold Mountain Academy, suddenly raised her hand and pointed toward the sky.

"What an enormous whale!"

"It certainly is."

Xiao Mo looked up, his gaze slowly following the great whale as it flew off into the distance.

...

On the back of the Great Whale, the 1,225 scholars from Cold Mountain Academy gazed about, their hearts filled with awe.

And at the very front of the whale's head, the woman in white stood silently, her hands folded before her, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

Gusts of wind at that high altitude pressed her long dress against her graceful figure, the hem fluttering endlessly behind her.

Suddenly, the woman tilted her head slightly, her gaze turning toward the direction of Cold Mountain Academy.

"Sister, is something wrong?" Xiao Qing approached and asked softly.

"It's nothing."

Bai Ruxue shook her head gently, withdrew her gaze, and looked forward once more.

"Let's go."

Her voice was calm and cool.

"From this day forward, the Demon Race's World enters an age of chaos."