Gong Xue and Mu Xian had the most satisfying meal they had had in months, thanks to everyone’s warm hospitality.

After the meal, the group got to know each other better.

Bing Duoduo made the introductions.

“Today, we have two new junior disciples, Ren Yue and Gong Xue. Let me introduce them.”

The two greeted everyone warmly.

“This is your Eldest Senior brother. No need for much introduction since you’ve already met him. I am your Second senior sister, Bing Duoduo, and I am married to your Eldest Senior brother.”

Bing Duoduo clasped Shu Ran’s hand, showing their affection openly.

“This is your Third senior sister, Yuan Na. You’ve just met her.”

Bing Duoduo pointed to the woman in red who was coming out of the kitchen with a spatula.

Yuan Na gave a gentle smile to everyone and continued to tidy up the table.

Bing Duoduo leaned close to Gong Xue and said with a smile, “Your Third senior sister is a master chef, responsible for our meals. If you want to eat anything, just let her know. There’s nothing she can’t make.”

Thinking back to the delicious meal, Gong Xue felt a deep admiration for Yuan Na.

“This is your fourth Senior brother, Xin Shu.”

Bing Duoduo pointed to a scholar-like figure in grey, silently walking away with a sword in his arms.

His eyes were filled with melancholy, and his face looked stern, as if he bore many sorrows.

Bing Duoduo reminded them, “He doesn’t talk much, but he is very diligent in his cultivation, second only to your Eldest Senior brother.”

Speaking of Shu Ran, Bing Duoduo’s face lit up with pride and delight.

Finally, Bing Duoduo introduced the blue-haired youth.

“This guy is Ning Chifeng, your fifth Senior brother.”

Gong Xue greeted Ning Chifeng, and he responded cheerfully, “Hello, from now on I’m your fifth Senior brother. If you need anything, just come to me. I’ll teach you everything I know!”

Bing Duoduo playfully tugged Ning Chifeng’s ear and reminded him, “Tonight your Third senior sister wants to cook chicken. Go catch some wild chickens!”

Ning Chifeng covered his reddened ear, seeking help from Shu Ran, but Shu Ran turned away, pretending not to see.

Ning Chifeng had no choice but to accept his fate.

Gong Xue pushed Mu Xian toward Ning Chifeng. “Perfect timing, Chifeng. Take Ren Yue with you; he’s really good at catching wild chickens.”

Taken by surprise, Mu Xian opened his mouth to protest, but Ning Chifeng cheerfully dragged him away.

Mu Xian threw an annoyed glance at Gong Xue, who innocently shrugged.

Bing Duoduo gave Gong Xue a tour around the thatched cottage. The treatment of the Dean’s personal disciples was…hard to describe.

Inside the cottage, everything had to be done by oneself: growing vegetables, cooking, raising pigs and ducks. It was all part of the deal.

In the end, the two walked into the kitchen, where Yuan Na spent most of her time, tirelessly enjoying her culinary tasks.

Seeing steam rising from the pot, Bing Duoduo knew Yuan Na had cooked something again. She stared with wide, hopeful eyes at Yuan Na.

Yuan Na understood Bing Duoduo’s little cravings and, with a fond smile, scooped some food from the pot and handed it to her. “Here, just a little taste.”

With a grateful smile, Bing Duoduo held the delicious dish and pulled Gong Xue into the yard to feast on it.

Yuan Na’s cooking was akin to that of imperial chefs, leaving a lingering taste.

Gong Xue settled down at Cloud Academy and now began her quest to find the “Soul Reviving Spell” to resurrect a deity soul.

The next day.

Gong Xue couldn’t wait to visit River Moon.

News quickly spread throughout Cloud Academy that the Dean had taken in two new disciples. Everyone was curious and wanted to know who these two disciples were and what made them special.

The moment Gong Xue stepped into the library, she drew attention. Her clothing color was different from the standard disciple uniform. Regular disciples all wore simple green robes, while only the Dean’s disciples could wear other colors.

In all of Cloud Academy, there were only five disciples of the Dean, most of whom were well-known. Since Gong Xue was a new face, it was easy for everyone to guess that she was one of the Dean’s newly accepted disciples.

Under the scrutinizing gazes and whispered discussions, Gong Xue felt uncomfortable.

“Is that one of the Dean’s new disciples?”

“She looks pretty ordinary!”

“Yeah, exactly…”

The voices grew louder and woke up an old man sleeping in the corner.

“Quiet down!”

With a shout from the old man, the area fell silent.

The old man was dressed rather amusingly, with a small braid on top of his head and a pair of cymbals hanging from his shoulders.

The old man, with a scowl on his face, walked to the center of the library. The crowd respectfully greeted him, “Greetings, Elder Xu.”

Elder Xu?

Gong Xue speculated that this must be Elder Xu Tao, the one in charge of the entire library.

Elder Xu Tao scanned the disciples, his gaze finally settling on Gong Xue. For a moment, there was a look of surprise on his face, but he quickly returned to his stern demeanor.

“What are you all doing here? This is a library, not a place for idle chatter. Disperse!” Elder Xu Tao barked.

The disciples scattered like they had seen a pack of wolves, running off as if their feet were greased.

Elder Xu Tao didn’t spare another glance at Gong Xue. He returned to his cozy corner and continued his nap.

Gong Xue cautiously approached him.

“Elder Xu,” she called softly.

No response.

Gong Xue gently poked him, and Elder Xu Tao shot up angrily. “What do you want?”

Despite his harsh tone, Gong Xue sensed a certain childlike quality, as if he was cranky and upset from being disturbed in his sleep.

“Adorable old man,” Gong Xue muttered under her breath.

“What was that?”

Elder Xu Tao didn’t quite catch what she said, so Gong Xue quickly got to the point. “Elder Xu, you have been here for a long time, right?”

“Not too long, just a few hundred years,” he replied impatiently, lying back down and closing his eyes.

Gong Xue persisted with her questioning, “Elder Xu, do you know where all the books in this library are located?”

“Ask your question already!” Elder Xu Tao was visibly irritated.

Without beating around the bush, Gong Xue asked directly, “Do you know if the book ‘Soul Reviving Spell’ is here?”

At the mention of “Soul Reviving Spell,” Elder Xu Tao sat up, scrutinizing Gong Xue carefully.

“Why are you looking for the ‘Soul Reviving Spell’?” His voice was calmer now, but tinged with caution.

Seeing Elder Xu Tao’s reaction, Gong Xue pressed on, “So, you do know about it, right?”

Elder Xu Tao pondered for a long time, his eyes turning shifty. Finally, he said, “I don’t know! Go away, stop disturbing my sleep!”

He issued a direct order for Gong Xue to leave. She tried probing further, but Elder Xu Tao was resolute, covering his ears and pretending to sleep.

Feeling frustrated, Gong Xue resigned herself to searching the library on her own.