Douluo Continent: The creation of Jixia Academy made Bibi Dong drool with envy.

Chapter 65 Zhu Zhuqing wishes to enter Jixia Academy to meet Kongming!
With the successive departures of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Fourth Prince Xue Beng.

The sudden disturbance on the street has finally subsided for the time being.

The crowd gradually dispersed, but as they left, their gazes toward Dongfang Yao, Gongsun Li, Dugu Yan, and Xuan Mo, the students of Jixia Academy, were filled with awe and curiosity.

Of course, many sympathetic glances also fell on Zhu Zhuqing, the girl in the black dress who was surrounded by thugs and almost got caught up in the princes' conflict.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Dongfang Yao came closer, his expression becoming more composed, revealing a touch of youthful, somewhat awkward concern.

Having just chased away the thugs and defied the prince, he felt incredibly heroic.

Zhu Zhuqing raised her cool eyes and glanced at him, then gently shook her head, her voice still carrying an aloof indifference:
"Thank you."

Although she was indeed grateful for the help these Jixia students had given her.

But years of vigilance and loneliness made it difficult for her to easily open up to strangers.

"No need to thank me. It is the true nature of heroes to draw their swords to help those in need!"

Dongfang Yao waved his hand casually, then asked with some curiosity.

"But speaking of which, why are you here all alone?"
And you've been harassed by those clueless bastards. Where are your... um... Shrek companions?

He wanted to say Shrek Academy and his group, but considering the previous conflict between the two sides and Zhu Zhuqing's current destitute and alone state, he swallowed the rest of his sentence.

Upon hearing the name Shrek Academy, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes dimmed instantly, and the chill emanating from her seemed to intensify.

Gongsun Li, who was standing nearby, was very perceptive and immediately noticed the change in her emotions. She quickly nudged the outspoken Dongfang Yao with her elbow, signaling him to stop asking questions.

Then Gongsun Li stepped forward and spoke softly to Zhu Zhuqing in her gentle, spring-like voice:
“Young lady, I see you seem to be injured, and... it seems you've run into some trouble?”
If you don't mind, why don't you come back to the academy with us for a short rest?
Although our Jixia Academy has more rules, we still have a place to entertain friends.

Ah Li is kind-hearted by nature. Although she is a little mischievous, seeing Zhu Zhuqing all alone, with her aloof and stubborn demeanor yet clearly trapped in a predicament, she couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy and... mutual appreciation.

Perhaps he was thinking about his own experience of surviving in Chang'an.

"Go to your... Jixia Academy?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's body stiffened abruptly.

Jixia Academy.

This name evokes complex emotions in her.

On one hand, there was the hostility and conflict between the two sides on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, caused by Yu Xiaogang's instigation!
Shrek Academy suffered a crushing defeat in that battle.

on the other hand…

The formidable strength displayed by Jixia Academy, and the terrifying combat power of its students far exceeding that of their peers!

And... just now, their unwavering willingness to step forward and face the pressure from the prince together... showed their unity and sense of responsibility.

All of this deeply touched Zhu Zhuqing's heart, which yearned for power and true companionship.

She left Shrek Academy and Dai Mubai precisely to escape that suffocating fate.

Go find your own path to becoming a true powerhouse!
And Jixia Academy…

Could this mysterious and powerful place be her new hope?

but…

Will they accept me?

A former enemy?

A fugitive burdened with the cruel destiny of the Star Luo Empire?
Zhu Zhuqing's heart was filled with hesitation and... a hint of barely perceptible timidity.

Seemingly sensing her concerns, Xuan Mo, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke in a deep, resonant voice:

"The college... is very large, and the teachers... are very good."

Although it was just a few simple words, his honest and reliable expression unexpectedly made people feel at ease.

Dugu Yan also spoke calmly:

"Don't worry, although our Jixia Academy has strict rules, it is not unreasonable."

The trouble you're experiencing is not your fault.

and…"

She glanced at Dongfang Yao, who was still somewhat eager to try.

"If you've meddled in other people's business, you should at least... take full responsibility, right?"

"Hey, hey, hey, Sister Yanzi!"

What does it mean to meddle in other people's business?

This is called chivalry, isn't it!

Dongfang Yao protested in dissatisfaction.

Although the people in front of me had different personalities, they all showed kind eyes.

The ice in Zhu Zhuqing's heart seemed to have melted a little.

She thought of Dai Mubai's hypocritical promises and repeated indulgences. She thought of the subtle exclusion and infighting within Shrek Academy.

Then look at these students in front of her, who, though not exactly familiar, were willing to stand up for her, an outsider, and even invited her to the academy…

She knew she couldn't hesitate any longer.

Dai Mubai is completely unreliable.

She absolutely did not want to return to that cruel cage of the Star Luo Empire if she didn't seize this opportunity...

What awaits her is likely only death, or... becoming an appendage of her sister Zhu Zhuyun, living a life worse than death.

"it is good…"

Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath and finally made a decision. Her voice was still cold, but it had become more resolute.

“I…I’ll go with you.”

……

Half an hour later.

When Zhu Zhuqing followed Dongfang Yao and the others through the dense vegetation of Sunset Forest and arrived at a valley that opened up like a paradise, she was completely shocked by the scene before her.

Amidst the swirling clouds and mist ahead, a magnificent and ancient-looking complex of buildings stands, nestled against the mountainside in a harmonious and orderly fashion.

Flying eaves, brackets, carved beams and painted buildings.

Pavilions and towers are nestled among the evergreen pines and cypresses.

The air was filled with a dense, almost tangible, spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

It was even several times more concentrated than the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy she had previously attended.

Faintly, one can still hear the melodious tolling of bells, and... the sound of students reading aloud?
This... is the Jixia Academy?
This doesn't look like an academy at all; it's clearly a... legendary holy site.

Thinking back to those dilapidated wooden huts at Shrek Academy and later, to Blue Tyrant Academy where we lived as guests…

High judgment.

It's like comparing mud to clouds, or the difference between a firefly and the bright moon.

Zhu Zhuqing was filled with shock and even more apprehensive.

Will this fairy-tale academy really accept me?
Especially when she thought of the previous conflict between Shrek Academy and Jixia Academy, and of the dean who could annihilate a Title Douluo with a single finger, a deity like a god…

She couldn't help but feel a sense of fear, afraid that she would be ruthlessly driven out at any moment.

But she also knew in her heart that she had no way out now.

This is the only hope she can see right now, and her last chance!

"Come on, little sister, I'll take you to meet our team leader, Mr. Zhuge Liang."

Gongsun Li noticed her nervousness, gently took her hand, and comforted her.

"Teacher Zhuge is a very good person. He is knowledgeable, talented, and gentle. He will definitely help you."

Led by Gongsun Li, Zhu Zhuqing entered the legendary Jixia Academy with a mix of trepidation and excitement.

Soon they met their mentor, Zhuge Liang, a man of refined manners, with a feather fan and silk turban, in an elegant bamboo pavilion.

"Oh? And this is…"

Zhuge Liang saw that Gongsun Li had brought a strange young girl, and a hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes.

Gongsun Li quickly gave Zhuge Liang a brief account of the whole story, as well as Zhu Zhuqing's background and predicament.

Zhuge Liang listened quietly. His wise eyes, which seemed to see through everything, lingered on Zhu Zhuqing for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in them before turning into understanding.

"So it was internal strife within the Star Luo royal family... Heh, it's even more brutal and direct than I imagined."

Zhuge Liang stroked his beard and chuckled, seemingly already accustomed to such power struggles.

"Families killing each other, the strong preying on the weak, is in line with the jungle law of this world."

He was somewhat surprised by Zhu Zhuqing's experience.

They even felt that this cruel method of inheritance was somewhat backward and barbaric, but they didn't show much sympathy.

After all, there are so many suffering people in the world, and Zhuge Liang was not a savior.

but…

He glanced at Gongsun Li beside him, whose eyes held a pleading look, and then at Zhu Zhuqing, who, though trying to remain calm, still harbored a hint of unease and longing deep within her eyes…

In the end, he smiled and nodded.

"Well, since it was you who brought this person back, Ali, and it just so happens that we met, it can be considered a kind of fate."

"I will personally report this matter to the dean."

"As for whether the dean will agree to take you in... that depends on your fate."

(End of this chapter)