Yao Realm Exchange Student - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

As expected of a fierce beast, its flying speed was very fast, and we soon arrived at the Summit of Tianshan-a valley nestled between peaks.

The altitude here was extreme, but likely due to some enchantment, the temperature was pleasant, warm and humid.

The valley was filled with many flowers and plants, and in the center was a steaming hot spring. Beside it stood a small cottage, making the place look like a hidden paradise on earth.

“You’re here.”

I heard a clear, gentle voice behind me, as soothing and melodious as a spring.

Turning around, I saw a young man with refined and elegant features.

He wore a long snow-white robe, his brows and eyes like a painting, his smile warm. His raven-black hair cascaded over his shoulders, giving him an otherworldly, ethereal aura.

Pei Gu bowed. “Principal.”

So this was the Principal?

A little surprised, I clumsily imitated Pei Gu and offered an awkward bow. “Hello, Principal.”

The Principal said warmly, “You came sooner than I expected.” He glanced at Pei Gu. “I originally thought you’d have another student bring her up.”

Afraid the Principal might scold Pei Gu, I nervously explained, “I asked him if he could take me up…”

Pei Gu paused and turned to look at me.

The Principal was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. “It seems you two get along well.”

This reaction was unexpected and surprised me.

The Principal seemed different from the other teachers and students at the academy. There was no avoidance of Pei Gu; if anything, there was a hint of familiarity.

“Actually, the reason I called you here wasn’t for anything else-I just wanted to discuss the matter your family entrusted to me,” the Principal said after a moment of thought. “Xiao Xia…”

Ding-a-ling!

A crisp sound suddenly rang out, interrupting the Principal.

I looked at him in confusion, but he just had an expression of sudden recollection. Then he calmly turned off an alarm clock behind him, and even took out… a thermos.

He opened the thermos, and inside the liquid floated goji berries, red dates, and ginseng slices.

Me: “?”

“It’s twelve o’clock, time for my health regimen. Just a moment,” the Principal said to me with a gentle smile. “I’m getting older, so I tend to forget things and have to remind myself like this.”

The Principal unhurriedly began his health routine. I took two steps back and tugged on Pei Gu’s sleeve, whispering, “Principal, what is his original form? Is it okay to ask?”

Pei Gu was silent for a few seconds. “Tianshan Snow Lotus.”

Ah, that really did suit him.

I wasn’t surprised, but the scene before me still felt a bit absurd. “Then why is it so warm here? Is the Principal afraid of the cold?”

Pei Gu’s silence lasted even longer this time.

After a while, he said, “He learned it in the Human Realm. Greenhouse cultivation.”

Me: “…?”

I thought I’d misheard, but the Principal had already finished his health drink and naturally waved me over. “Come in, Xiao Xia. We’ll talk more in the greenhouse. Pei Gu, thanks for your help again.”

I hadn’t caught on. “Talk where?”

Pei Gu answered quickly this time. “The greenhouse.”

Me: “…”

I looked up at that small cottage, hesitated, but still followed the Principal inside.

This time Pei Gu didn’t come in, but he left the door open. I glanced back and saw him already wandering off to another part of the valley.

“Xiao Xia, aren’t you afraid of Pei Gu?”

The Principal’s thoughtful voice came from behind me.

“I,” I paused, turned around, and honestly said, “I don’t think he’s scary.”

The Principal looked a bit surprised. “That’s not what I expected.”

Me: “Ah… aren’t you not afraid of him either?”

“I’m different,” the Principal said with a grin. “I’m a plant. Pei Gu doesn’t eat plants.”

Me: “…”

Well, that made perfect sense.

“For this visit, you need to sign a Lifelong Contract and deal with all kinds of yao. But after all, this is the Yao Realm, and it’s not entirely safe,” the Principal smoothly changed the subject. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to assign a student to protect you. I originally thought Pei Gu would be suitable, and since you’re not afraid of him, why not choose him?”

I hesitated. “Ah, wouldn’t that be… not so good?”

It wasn’t that I feared Pei Gu would harm me; I just felt that he was a hardworking, ambitious student, and having him spend time protecting me might hold him back.

“What’s not good about it?” the Principal said matter-of-factly. “Are you worried Pei Gu won’t agree? He will.”

I was puzzled. “Why?”

“Pei Gu may look fierce, but he actually has a very good temper,” the Principal praised. “Moreover, the baleful aura around him is remarkably effective at repelling pests. So I have him come over every noon to take a walk here-far more useful than insect repellent.”

Me: “??”

So when the Principal said ‘thanks for your help,’ he meant having Pei Gu stroll around to drive away bugs?

I was still in a daze when the Principal sighed. “Xiao Xia, you know your own situation. You’ve already entered the Awakening Period, and the Seal inside you can’t hold much longer, right?”

I fell silent.

The exchange students coming to the Yao Realm are all chosen from the younger generations of special families-those with unique bloodlines or special abilities. The reason I got this spot is related to a Seal inside my body.

There is a sword sealed within me.

Since birth, this sword has been sealed inside my body. As I grow, the sword’s power also grows stronger and constantly leaks out. If not controlled well, it can harm others.

I’m not sure I can control this sword, so I must come to the Yao Realm to find a contract yao who can lend their power to help me control the Seal-a process that will last a lifetime, which means this yao must stay by my side forever.

Gentle and steady, with protective and soothing power-a loyal and reliable auspicious beast.

-That was the target image my family set for me.

“Actually, your family has been telling me not to let you get close to Pei Gu,” the principal mused. “But I think it’s not as exaggerated as they say. Pei Gu’s bloodline has a remarkable effect on suppressing your power. And you’re not afraid of him, so he’s a very suitable choice.”

I opened my eyes wide: “Suppress?”

I had never seen any bloodline that could suppress the sword inside me, but the principal wouldn’t joke about this.

…So what exactly is Pei Gu’s true form?

“Well,” the principal laughed again, “why don’t you ask him yourself?”

With that, he called out “Pei Gu” toward the door.

A gentle breeze suddenly brushed past me.

I turned my head, looking at the young man who had suddenly appeared before me. He was as upright as bamboo, with sharp, cold features, an indescribable ferocious aura about him, yet his eyes were as clean as frost and snow, black and white clearly distinct.

“Pei Gu,” the principal patted his shoulder, “you can probably feel the aura leaking from her. How about you protect Xiao Xia during her time at school?”

Pei Gu was taken aback.

I was also stunned.

Wait-

Then he looked at me, with a dazed expression. Probably seeing that I was also caught off guard, Pei Gu’s face fell again, and he lowered his head: “I…”

“Child,” the principal seemed to know what he was going to say, his voice kind, “Xiao Xia is willing.”

I wanted to say we hadn’t really discussed it, but seeing Pei Gu’s expression and recalling how everyone avoided him, I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

Although it wasn’t voluntary, but certainly not unwilling…

It felt wrong either way, so I just asked directly: “Are you willing? Would it take up your time?”

He looked down at me, and I looked up at him, hands behind my back, smiling politely with pursed lips, like a child trying to act good in front of an elder, doing my best to show friendliness.

Unfortunately, he only glanced once before turning his face away with a strong reaction, his voice muffled: “It’s fine.”

And so, the matter was hastily settled.

The principal then gave me a few more instructions about what was to come: “The news that you are to enter into a Lifelong Contract has spread, but it’s okay. I’ve had the dean of students inform the auspicious beasts and eligible yao in the academy. They’ll meet you one by one at the Matchmaking Corner starting tomorrow. Just go there every day at noon to check in.”

With that, the principal handed me a few Snow Lotuses: “If you’re satisfied with someone, give them a petal. It’s like the ‘keeping the token’ in your human palace dramas.”

Me: “…?” The principal watches palace dramas?

“We have a New Year’s gala every year at the end of the term. This year, we’ve added a special event for you-a martial contest to seek a spouse…” The principal paused. “I mean, a Martial Contest to Seek Demons, with the petal as the entry requirement.”

Me: “…” Sounds like the principal also watches martial arts romance dramas.

Leaving the principal’s greenhouse, Pei Gu summoned a cloud for me again and escorted me back to the teaching building.

The journey back was silent. I secretly glanced at him, fretting about how to strike up a conversation.

Actually, the academy is very safe. After all, the Yao Realm has now passed a yao legal code. Randomly harming someone will land you in prison for hard labor.

I knew the principal was worried about my power going out of control, but to have a yao like Pei Gu protect me all day long seemed like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

After much deliberation, I could only ask the most down-to-earth question from the Human Realm: “Um, Pei Gu, have you eaten?”

Pei Gu: “…”

Me: “…”

I immediately realized I had asked a stupid question: “I mean, when I went into the… greenhouse earlier, did you eat anything outside?”

Pei Gu: “…No.”

I quickly caught on: “Oh right, you were driving away insects.”

Pei Gu: “…”

Me: “…”

It seems I’m not very good at conversation.

But unexpectedly, after a moment’s silence, Pei Gu added, “I don’t eat insects.”

Me: “……………..”

I mean, I wasn’t implying that you were snacking while bug-chasing…

I rallied: “Are you hungry then?”

Pei Gu shook his head.

Another awkward silence.

I racked my brain: “What do you usually eat?”

Pei Gu glanced at me: “I don’t eat humans.” He paused, then added hesitantly, “…Don’t be afraid.”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m not afraid,” I quickly explained. “I know you don’t eat humans.”

After all, yao eating humans is now a punishable offense. As far as I know, yao with criminal records can’t attend Four Seas Academy. Rumors say he eats other yao, I might believe that, but eating humans? How could that be possible?

Hearing me say that, Pei Gu gave an “Oh” for some reason and looked a bit at a loss: “Mm.”

The rumored ferocious beast was far from the image I had imagined. After hesitating for a while, I decided to be honest and tell him my situation: “Actually, there’s something sealed inside me. I’m a descendant of an ancient bloodline family.”

“I know,” Pei Gu said. “It’s a sword.”

“Yes,” I became curious again. “You can sense it?”

Pei Gu: “Mm.”

That was not strange. The yao at Four Seas Academy should all know I came from a special family, and they could sense the seal inside me. They just could not identify exactly what was sealed there the way Pei Gu could.

I continued, “Actually, my name is not Xia Ling either. Xia Ling is an alias. My real name is Gongsun Ling.”

Pei Gu paused. Then he seemed to think of something. “Gongsun?”

“Yes, yes.” I nodded, not noticing his slightly strange reaction. “Do you know that old line from the Human Realm? In ancient times…”

“In ancient times there was a beauty, Gongsun by name; with a single sword dance, she stirred all the land.” Pei Gu completed the entire line in his cool, clear voice and looked at me quietly. “Is that the one?”

My whole body tingled, and I stared at him blankly. “You can recite those?”

“Mm, I’m learning the language of the Human Realm,” Pei Gu became a bit more talkative when the subject came up. “And I’ve read some ancient poetry and prose too.”

So that’s why he came to Teacher Qingniao’s class…

I suddenly understood, then grew happy again. “Then I can teach you too, as repayment for protecting me.”

We had already reached the entrance of the teaching building. It was lunch break, and there were very few students around. But all the yao, the moment they saw Pei Gu, simultaneously turned pale with fright and turned to leave.

Some saw me and seemed to struggle, but dared not come over.

Soon, only Pei Gu and I were left in that area.

We were like two grains of sand going against the ocean, with emptiness all around, like silent waves.

Pei Gu lowered his eyes. “You’re not afraid of me.”

I blinked. “Why should I be afraid of you?”

The “aura” they talked about was probably a ferocious power among yao that came from bloodline suppression, but as a human, I couldn’t feel it at all.

I could only see that he looked fierce, but was actually easy to talk to: he showed me his notes, took me flying on clouds, helped the principal expel insects, and agreed to protect me without hesitation.

Even by human standards, Pei Gu was a good person.

So I didn’t understand why my family wanted me to stay away from Pei Gu. With Mom’s insight and Dad’s foresight, they couldn’t possibly believe those strange rumors, let alone describe him as some green-faced, fanged, great beast of ill omen…

“Do you want to know my true form?” I was lost in thought when Pei Gu, after another long silence, asked softly.

My spirits lifted. “May I?”

Pei Gu nodded, then slowly removed the ribbon from his head.

My gaze fixed on a strange mark on his forehead-a jet-black giant beast, majestic and imposing, holding a blood-red pearl in its mouth, exuding an indescribably fierce and ominous aura.

“…Qilin?” I said.

Pei Gu hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

I couldn’t even speak clearly. “Then you… aren’t you an auspicious beast?”

The rumors are way too ridiculous!

“My father is a Black Qilin. He was abducted to the Demon Realm as a child and had to feed on malice and baleful energy, causing a mutation,” Pei Gu said. “So, like him, I unconsciously absorb some of this ferocious energy…”

Now the Six Realms are basically harmonious and unified. I heard the Demon Realm has also started establishing schools, though they haven’t had time to send exchange students yet. But I imagine it’s the most underdeveloped and the conditions must be very harsh.

The story was unbelievable, but hearing it made my heart ache a little. “Then your dad and you have it so rough…” Not even enough to eat.

Pei Gu continued, “He ate up all those things in the Demon Realm, and thus purified it. The demons were very happy and elected him as the Lord of the Demon Realm.”

I was speechless.

Pardon me. So he wasn’t a pitiful little thing; it was a power-fantasy leveling-up plot.

“I can’t digest that much, so those things condensed into this pearl,” Pei Gu pointed to the deep red pearl in the Qilin’s mouth on his forehead. “Even when I wear the ribbon, it still emits an aura, so they’re afraid.”

It’s like in the darkness, there’s actually nothing, but facing the darkness itself is a kind of fear.

The reason I can block out this aura, I suspect, has to do with the sword inside me.

Hearing this, I started to ache for him again. “It must be very unpleasant to eat those things, right?”

I suddenly recalled the warm feeling when I had held his hand not long ago and instantly understood something. The principal said his bloodline had a special effect on suppressing my Seal. This isn’t suppression; it’s absorbing the violent power leaking from my body!

I was immediately filled with guilt and was about to apologize, but Pei Gu shook his head. “I haven’t finished digesting them yet, but they’re very delicious.” After saying that, he even tried to describe: “Some are like the braised pork in the cafeteria, some like blanched…”

I was at a loss for words.

“Then what about the ones inside me…”

“Sorry, those were too fragrant, I couldn’t resist digesting them first,” Pei Gu seemed a bit flustered when he mentioned this, but quickly calmed down. “Do you need me to return them?”

My eyes widened, and I quickly waved my hands. “No, no, no!”

But I was still curious, so I looked at him and asked softly, “What did that aura taste like?”

“Vanilla ice cream,” Pei Gu said without hesitation. “My mother brought it for me once.”

Vanilla ice cream? That’s food from the Human Realm. The opening of the Six Realms is a recent thing. The Demon Realm and Yao Realm used to be connected, but the Human Realm was always closed. How could Pei Gu’s mother have brought him human food?

I was baffled. “Is your mother human?”

But even if she were human, it’d be impossible to casually travel between the Human Realm and Yao Realm, right?

“No,” Pei Gu shook his head. “She’s an ordinary yao.”

“Ordinary yao?”

Pei Gu nodded, unusually calm. “She is an Iron-Eating Beast.”

I was stunned.

I thought to myself, do you have a misunderstanding of the word ‘ordinary’…?

The Iron-Eating Beast, also known as the giant panda, is a national treasure-level animal. After cultivating into a yao, it becomes a national treasure-level yao.

This kind of yao likes to eat iron and has such a noble status. No wonder they can travel between the Human Realm and Yao Realm-they have their own VIP channel.

I suddenly thought again: the sword inside me had long since merged with me. In another sense, I was also very delicious, akin to the ‘iron’ in vanilla ice cream. If Pei Gu swallowed me, perhaps the Human Realm wouldn’t even hold him accountable…

-So this must be the reason my parents vehemently urged me to stay away from Pei Gu!