In all realm, only Human Realm on Mt. Gaoshan has an academy for all humans, gods, and demons. It was quite a rare site. The academy was prestigious and does not take any sides of any realm due to an agreement made many years ago to keep peace and to keep out of all troubles in all realms. The sole purpose of that academy is to teach knowledge and not to interfere with outside situation. Before one signed up with the academy, one must know the rules and abide all rules. If anyone is caught lying or causing havoc, they will be expelled according to the rule by crippling their skills and thrown to jail for a long time.

The next morning, Xiaolian left early to Mt. Gaoshan Academy. To her surprised, the place she used to call home is now a lavish relishing place. It is bigger than a century ago but what’s weird is her little house is still there. Next to her old home is the academy. It was a huge academy palace 5 stories tall with red brick raindrop rooftop. It has a huge field at the back of the academy for practicing and dueling or for when there is a competition. All the hallways are tall and is covered by so many paper sliding doors and openable windows especially round windows with nothing covering in some rooms.

Students dorms were also beside the academy. The academy is in the middle between her old yard and the dorms. In front of the academy is a waterfall. The place was still as beautiful and enchanting, but there were changes to it now with additional of an academy and dorms.

Xiaolian wore white celestial robe with a silver mask covering half of her face leaving her lips, chin, and jawline visible to the outside. She had her hair up in a prestigious style of a man leaving no hair down. Her hair was held up by a silver crown matching color to her silver mask leaving just her side burns on the side loosely.

She reaches the doorstep of Mt. Gaoshan Academy and was greeted by a student. The student saw the mysterious figure and he was quite surprised to see a handsome young man coming there to teach. As soon as he led her to the fifth floor, he started gossiping to other students about the mysterious masked man he encountered.

Xiaolian reported to Hai Gao, “Venerable Hai Gao, I am here on behalf of Zhan Ziyuan to be his temporary replacement. I was instructed to report directly to you.”

Venerable Hai Gao take a good glance at her and slowly nods, “Yes I’ve heard from Zhan Ziyuan that he has some other things to do for the time being and that I should replace him for the time being.” He had long mustache he talks as he stroke his mustache a few times. He looks at Xiaolian and give her the word, “Follow me, there is a meeting this morning regarding this matter. I will have to introduce you to the other instructors and students.”

He led her to the fifth floor pavilion, the highest floor, stood before everyone whose on the ground level in the field behind the academy. He ask her to come forth and introduces, “Mr. Shen will be one of your new instructor in Mt. Gaoshan Academy. I hope that everyone can treat him well.”

Xiaolian bows her head in respect in front of the crowd, “Please take care of me,” she said it cooly, firmly, and calmly. The students started murmuring with gossips as the instructors study the new instructor. Commotions of comments, gossips, and chit chatting was heard throughout the ground. Venerable Hai Gao raises his hand to silence the crowd. As the crowd quiets down, he added, “Mr. Shen will be in charge of lower first stage students whom haven’t made any breakthroughs yet. He will help you with your studies, learning, and educate you if your instructors failed to help you advance. End of announcement!” Then he turn to walk Xiaolian away explaining to her, “You’re in charge of all the students in the ground level. I can have one of the other instructor to show you around.” He walks her to the other instructors whom sat nearby explaining, “There are instructors, basically you’re just supervising them and help them with questions and training if they run to you for directions.”

There, she saw Lord Bai waving at her. She just ignore him. On the other hand, there was a female instructor in purple robes smiling at her. She half smile back and nod to her as a greeting. Hai Gao turn to the instructors, “Everyone this is Mr. Shen. He will be the temporary headmaster that’s in charge of first stage students,” then he turn to Xiaolian and pointed, “Mr. Shen, this is Bai Huli whose in charge of the third stage while Cai Ningyue is in charge of the second stage students,” he introduces, “Bai Huli please show Mr. Shen around I have other things to tend to, I shall get going.” With that, Venerable Hai Gao left the hall.

After Venerable Hai Gao left, instructors, headmasters, and students exclaims in relief. Mr. Bai head over to Mr. Shen and greeted, “We meet again,” he raise an eyebrow up mischievously. He led her down the stairs to ground level where the students are. She saw a few instructors but also a whole tons of students. If you were to compare students, first stage has more instructors and students. The bottom floor has three instructors and a total of 300 students, the second stage has 2 instructors and a total of 100 students, while the third stage has a total of 1 instructor and 30 students.

All the students look at Mr. Shen. The girls drool over how handsome he looks and how mysterious he is especially with that silver mask of his covering half of his face. The girls all blushes and kept quiet. Male students started being envious of Xiaolian. Some even hated her right on the spot because the girls they liked did not like them but are now staring passionately at Mr. Shen.

After a whole day of touring, he led Xiaolian to her dormitory which is on the fifth floor, but as soon as they arrive, the place was a mess. Seems like people have messed up the place intentionally. The tables looked as if someone have just finished smashing them, the bed was in disarray, the windows were broken, the walls were filled with paint, and the decorations were all smashed, and the doors were all broken.

Mr. Bai was stunned to see such a scene. He commanded on of the guards nearby, “Guards! Find out who is the bastard behind this mess.” He commanded not with rage but in a quite calm tone.

Xiaolian looks at the scene and smirks. She turn to Mr. Bai and asks, “May I be bold enough to ask to stay at the residence next to the academy?”

Mr. Bai thinks for a while and sigh, “If you can convince the person whom lived there then you can. As for now, why don’t you stay at my quarter?”

“No need, I will set off right away to the residence,” Xiaolian ignores him and walks off out of the academy in front of so many eyes. Some are even shocked to see Mr. Bai being treated coldly. No one have ever dare to offend him, ignore, or talk down to him. Mr. Bai didn’t think much of it and he trailed after her trying to reason out with her, but he failed in all attempts. He ended up tagging along with her. This scene really open the students eyes of the other side of Mr. Bai is like.

Stood outside of the residence, she looks up at the plate outside of her old home and it now stated, Dream Residence. She pauses as she looks around and see that everything is still so similar to a hundred years ago. She hesitated as she reaches for the door. Mr. Bai saw her hesitance and he decided to open the door for her. The door was unlocked. He pushes the door open for her and invited, “Go in,” he stepped inside leading her in.

There was a figure whom was sitting under the pavilion rain drop roof. His back was facing them. He was playing a tune of music on the qin as they interrupted. He had long black hair in white sheer robes. He didn’t stop his music even after they walked in interrupting his peace.

“Mister Lan, there was trouble…” Mr. Bai’s serious tone can be heard. As soon as the figure heard his voice, he slowly stop his music and question, “What is the trouble? What brings you here?”

Mr. Bai remain silence for a while and continue, “Students caused havoc and ruined the new instructor’s berthing and so the instructor request to rest in this residence.” He pauses and added, “So we are here to ask for permission.” Xiaolian can hear and can tell Mr. Bai respected Mr. Lan a lot. He did not dare to act ruefully in front of him. He almost seem as if he is afraid he might offend Mr. Lan somehow, someway.

There was a long silence. Mr. Lan nor Xiaolian spoke a word. They stood in silence. The tension grew and makes Mr. Bai feel extremely uncomfortable for some odd reason. Xiaolian sigh and turn to Mr. Bai, “Mr. Bai, I’ve changed my mi-“

“You can stay,” Mr. Lan interrupted her and stand up, “You can go back Mr. Bai,” that was a cue for Mr. Bai to leave.

Mr. Bai turn to Mr. Lan and whispers, “He had on a mask as well so ya’ll will definitely get along,” he left in a hurry to escape the awkwardness.

Xiaolian ignores Mr. Lan and walks to her old room and saw only one bed. She set her stuff down and decided she should sleep on the ground instead so she set her stuff on the opposite of the room.

As night approaches, Mr. Lan never came back and left the room to her. She sleep on the ground peacefully with a dagger hiding under her pillow in case of emergency. She was used to sleeping on the ground as Yuehua Palace she too sleep on hard platforms.

She found the room to be the same as everything before she left. She wander why nobody changes her residence outlook. She thought the person must like the same outlook as her. She did not think much of the day. It was a promise so she must accomplished this task of hers before she is debt free of Zhan Ziyuan.