Seeing Yu Juechen's mischievous smile, Tang Yan couldn't help but shiver. Just as he was about to decline, a sarcastic voice sneered from the side.

"Oh, isn't this the number one genius of the East Zone? As the glorious top cultivator, surely he won't be staying in a One-Star Dormitory?"

Tang Yan and his group turned around. A team of new students stood nearby, though it was unclear which zone they belonged to. Several of them were snickering.

"Come on, Han Ping, why look down on him like that? Maybe if he grits his teeth, he can manage a Two-Star Dormitory."

"I heard the top rankers from the South, West, and North Zones are all staying in Three-Star Dormitories. I wonder if someone with only Seventh Grade Black Rank strength even has a thousand Star Values?"

"If I'd known the East Zone was this weak, I would have joined them. Maybe I could have taken the top spot myself," the youth named Han Ping mocked, his tone sharp and bitter.

They spoke loudly, intentionally letting everyone around hear them clearly. The surrounding crowd watched with keen interest, waiting to see how Tang Yan would handle the humiliation.

"With your meager strength, forget about the top spot-you wouldn't even make the top ten." Tang Yan stared at Han Ping. A mere Eighth Grade Black Rank cultivator was not enough to catch his eye.

"Do you actually think you're stronger than me?" Mockery flared in Han Ping's eyes. Each grade within a cultivation realm was a massive gulf; he fundamentally did not take Tang Yan seriously.

"Noisy!" Tang Yan spat out in annoyance.

"Hahaha! Han Ping, that kid looks down on you!" someone nearby immediately instigated.

Du Xin stood at a distance, silently observing Tang Yan's reaction. She was highly curious about what kind of ability this youth possessed to make the entire East Zone willingly acknowledge him as their leader.

"Kid, if you don't apologize properly right now, I can't guarantee you won't get beaten into a dog!" Han Ping pointed at Tang Yan, his aura erupting as the force of an Eighth Grade Black Rank cultivator pressed down.

Slap!

A crisp slapping sound rang out. The crowd only saw a dark blur flash before their eyes, and Han Ping's body staggered backward.

A vivid, red palm print instantly appeared on his fair cheek.

What terrifying speed!

The gazes of the onlookers turned serious as they looked at Tang Yan with newfound dread.

Du Xin's beautiful eyes lit up. This youth indeed possessed extraordinary qualities.

"You dare strike me!" Han Ping finally reacted, roaring in fury as he lunged toward Tang Yan.

"Get the hell back!"

A clear, cold voice echoed through the air. Before anyone could see what happened, Han Ping was struck by an immense, invisible force and sent flying backward.

What was going on? Just as the crowd murmured in confusion, an ethereal figure stepped into view.

She wore a flowing purple dress draped in light gauze, her robes fluttering like a celestial maiden descending from the heavens.

Her features were like a flawless painting, a masterpiece of nature that instantly stunned everyone who looked upon her.

Tang Yan stared at the woman, momentarily dazed. Months had passed since they last met; her severe injuries had clearly healed completely, and her presence had become even more elegant and profoundly spiritual.

"Miss Zi Yun, matters between students are not for instructors to interfere with lightly." Seeing the newcomer, Du Xin was momentarily startled but quickly spoke up to remind her.

The Azure Dragon Academy maintained strict rules: unless it was a life-or-death duel, instructors were forbidden from intervening in student disputes.

"Zi Yun? The First Purple of Tingxiang?" Exclamations of shock erupted from the crowd upon hearing Du Xin's words.

"Sigh, she truly is as powerful as the legends say. When will I ever be able to match her!" Looking at that purple-clad figure, Yu Juechen lamented inwardly.

"Miss Zi Yun, may I ask if you are an instructor of the Azure Dragon Academy? Instructors cannot interfere in private disputes among students. You are violating the rules!" another student stepped forward to accuse.

Zi Yun completely ignored the clamor. She walked straight to Tang Yan's side and said softly, "You kept your word and came."

"Mm. It's truly a surprise to see you here," Tang Yan replied, a smile gracing his face. "Though, you should have left that annoying fly for me to swat."

"It was my mistake. Let me make it up to you, then. My residence happens to be a Four-Star Dormitory. Come and live with me." Zi Yun looked at Tang Yan, her words immediately turning the world upside down.

"Instructor Du, I will be taking Tang Yan with me." Offering a slight smile to Du Xin, Zi Yun turned around. "Follow me."

Tang Yan knew that moving into her quarters would inevitably stir up gossip and harm her reputation. However, refusing her here would openly hurt her pride. It was better to accompany her for now, explain his concerns in private, and then move back to the standard dorms.

With his mind made up, Tang Yan cupped his fists toward Du Xin and his friends to bid farewell, then followed closely behind Zi Yun.

Even after Tang Yan's figure completely vanished, the crowd remained frozen in absolute shock.

Lin Dongxue stood dazed. No wonder that woman looked so familiar. After racking her brains, she realized she had seen her during the Mid-Autumn Conference in Yun City.

She hadn't paid close attention back then, but seeing her clearly today, Lin Dongxue couldn't help but feel a deep sense of inferiority.

So this was the peerless genius known as the First Purple of Tingxiang. Perhaps only a woman of such absolute brilliance was truly worthy of standing beside Tang Yan.

Yu Juechen was utterly dumbfounded. Did this guy really share such a deep bond with Zi Yun? No wonder Tang Yan hadn't blinked an eye upon learning he was the young master of the Rakshasa Sect.

The surrounding students could find no words to express the sheer shock in their hearts.

A completely unknown cultivator had somehow gained the absolute favor of the First Purple of Tingxiang?

And he was invited to a Four-Star Dormitory?

Wait, living in the same residence as Zi Yun? What exactly was the relationship between them?

After a brief, suffocating silence, the entire area exploded into a frenzied uproar.

---

Tang Yan followed Zi Yun for a while before entering the elite Four-Star residential area.

Unlike the row houses of the lower tiers, this place consisted of independent, beautifully arranged courtyards, most of which were elegant two-story structures.

As they stepped into Zi Yun's private courtyard, a dense, rich wave of Spiritual Qi washed over him, instantly making his entire body feel comfortable and refreshed.

His original intention to politely decline and leave immediately began to waver.

"Though it costs a fortune, this level of Spiritual Qi is truly no joke." Tang Yan felt as though every breath he took was filled with liquid spiritual essence.

"This place easily accommodates two people, so I brought you along. See how well your older sister treats you?" Zi Yun teased playfully.

"Thank you for your immense kindness, Miss Zi." Tang Yan smiled, cupping his fists before asking, "Has your strength fully recovered?"

"Mm, not only has it recovered, but I also managed to turn misfortune into a blessing and broke through by one grade."

"Your current realm is..."

"Fourth Grade Heaven Rank. Why? Do you wish to spar?" Zi Yun arched a brow playfully.

"No, no, no." Tang Yan waved his hands frantically. What a joke. Even if he could fight those above his rank, the gap between a Black Rank and a Fourth Grade Heaven Rank master was like the distance between the mud and the heavens. He quickly shifted the topic. "What brought you to the Azure Dragon Academy?"

Zi Yun gave him a complicated look and murmured softly, "To temper myself through experience. However, I won't be staying at the Azure Dragon Academy for very long."

Tang Yan nodded understandingly. Since she had already reached the Heaven Rank, the academy's resources offered limited room for her growth.

"The speed of your advancement is indeed astonishing," Zi Yun noted, her expression turning serious. "However, no matter how great your talent is, it doesn't mean you can match an Earth Rank expert right now. Stepping onto that stage today was far too reckless."

Tang Yan knew she was speaking the truth. But things had already reached this point, and there was no turning back. He smiled freely and said, "There are still fifteen days left. I will give it everything I have and see if I can push my cultivation further."