Chapter 24: Yaoxing Academy 24 Part 1

“Dear alumni, welcome to the annual Yaoxing Academy ‘Star-Plucking Championship!’” the host announced loudly. “Nearly a hundred enthusiastic teams are participating in this competition. Which team will have the honor of climbing the Bell Tower and claiming the Star Crown? Let’s wait and see!”

Thunderous applause and whistles erupted from the audience below the stage. The host raised a bulky bear paw to signal for quiet.

“Without further ado, let’s begin the first stage—Literature Sea Scavenging!”

As soon as the words fell, the massive holographic projection of the Star Crown in mid-air shattered into a shower of starlight, then rearranged itself into a segment of text.

[Literature Sea Scavenging Rules: Answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the questions posed by the host. There are 10 questions in total. Answer all correctly to proceed to the next stage. If you answer incorrectly midway, the entire team must retreat outside the Library and wait for the winning teams to depart before participating in the second round of questions.]

At the same time, the Library floor suddenly lit up with red and blue lights on either side of the circular platform where the host stood. Above the red area hovered a holographic “×”, while above the blue area loomed a large “○”.

The host added, “After each question is read, teams answering ‘yes’ should stand in the ‘○’ area; those answering ‘no’ should go to the ‘×’ area. Please note: You have only thirty seconds to think and move after each question. Teams that exceed the time or fail to have all members in position will be eliminated immediately!”

“Everyone, stand closer together so we don’t get separated into different areas,” Luo Xunan quickly gathered the five of them.

“Clang clang clang!”

The gong sounded, and the host began asking questions.

“First question: In the E Country classic Thunder Capital Orphan, did the protagonist steal a lady’s wallet that smelled of a fragrance blending velvet rose and ebony? Yes or no, please choose!”

The projected rules text shattered into starlight again, reforming into a massive countdown timer starting at 30, ticking down second by second.

The crowd buzzed with discussion, bodies weaving chaotically between the red and blue areas, shoulder to shoulder.

“What fragrance? What wallet? Was there a scene like that?” Luo Xunan asked blankly.

Xun Ji: “…” Don’t ask me; I just transmigrated into this book.

Lu Zhou and Yu Fangbai remained silent as well.

Yan Qian frowned in thought for a moment, then punched his palm.

“Wrong—it’s gardenia mixed with ebony.”

Luo Xunan gaped at him. “You remember that?”

“No mistake,” Yan Qian said confidently, leading the way to the red area. The others hurried after him.

Thirty seconds passed quickly. Teams still dithering were mercilessly escorted out by the on-site judges. Xun Ji glanced around; half the remaining crowd stood in red, half in blue.

“Clang clang clang!”

The gong rang again, and the host revealed the answer.

“The answer is: Incorrect! In the original text, the wallet carried the scent of gardenia mixed with ebony. Did you get it right?”

Cheers erupted from half the crowd while the other half groaned and stomped in regret, ushered out of the Library by judges.

“Not bad!” Luo Xunan slapped Yan Qian excitedly on the back.

Yan Qian’s cheeks flushed slightly as he stole a glance at Xun Ji.

Xun Ji praised him too. “The strawberries were delicious, and so are you—smart, I mean.”

Yan Qian’s face reddened further, leaving him floating on air, oblivious to the cold, piercing gaze fixed on his back.

The following questions were equally tricky, but thanks to Yan Qian’s literary knowledge, Xun Ji’s team answered them all correctly without major mishaps. After nine questions, fewer than one-tenth of the teams remained.

Finally, the last question arrived. The host cleared his throat and read it out.

“Tenth question: In Que Ding’s Divine Tune, did the Pope endure exactly 18 different tortures on the seventh layer of hell? Yes or no, please choose!”

Yan Qian hesitated for a long time, sweat beading on his forehead. “I don’t read much of Que Ding. This one seems correct, but…”

“No time left—let’s gamble!” Luo Xunan glanced at the countdown under 10 seconds and charged toward the blue area with a shout.

Yan Qian gritted his teeth and followed. The other three naturally kept up.

The floor felt vast now, with teams darting back and forth between the red and blue zones in tense final adjustments.

With less than 5 seconds left, a team in the red area suddenly changed their minds and bolted toward blue.

The five barreled forward aggressively. Lu Zhou, trailing at the rear, was caught off guard and knocked to the ground—just one step from the blue area.

Countdown: 3 seconds.

“Junior Lu!”

“Lu Zhou!”

Yan Qian and Luo Xunan, already in the blue area, cried out in alarm.

Countdown: 2 seconds.

Xun Ji spun around, dashed out of the blue area, scooped Lu Zhou up by the waist with one arm, and slung him over his shoulder.

Countdown: 1 second.

Xun Ji’s leg muscles tensed. He kicked off the ground and leaped forward a step.

“Clang clang clang!”

The gong sounded. Time was up. Xun Ji landed steadily in the blue area.

Silence hung for a beat, then small gasps of surprise burst around them.

“Young Master Xun was so cool just now!”

“Who was the one being carried? I want Young Master Xun to carry me like that too, boo hoo.”

“Carried? That was more like fireman’s carry.”

“It’s that Poor Student, the second-year Lu Zhou!”

“Him? Rumor has it he’s Young Master Xun’s pet little dog—that’s why he’s so favored.”

“To be petted by Young Master Xun, I’d be his little dog too!”

…

Xun Ji set the person down, his brows furrowing slightly. “Lu Zhou, are you…”

Lu Zhou’s leg muscles twitched imperceptibly. He straightened up, stepped back, and murmured lowly, “Thank you, Young Master Xun.”

Yu Fangbai said displeased, “How do you even trip while walking? You nearly got us eliminated.”

“It wasn’t on purpose,” Luo Xunan retorted snidely. “Besides, teammates should help each other. Look at Young Master Xun. No wonder he’s the real deal.”

“You!”

“Enough, everyone—results are coming,” Yan Qian hurriedly mediated.

“Clang clang clang!”

The gong rang, and the host announced the final answer.

“The answer is: Correct!”

Cheers and sighs mingled below the stage. Yan Qian and Luo Xunan crowded over excitedly. “Young Master Xun, we won!”

Xun Ji withdrew his gaze from Lu Zhou and flashed them a brilliant smile. “Well done.”

The host, in his black-and-white bear costume, bobbed his head and clapped clumsily with his paws. “Congratulations to the winning teams! Come on stage to receive your Star Medals and proceed to the next stage!”