Li Ruoxi seemed at a loss.
A broadsword was thrusting straight toward her.
Suddenly, a black shadow pushed her away from the sword’s tip just in the nick of time.
Shluck—
Blood splattered.
She watched with her own eyes as the broadsword pierced straight into Vivian’s heart.
Instantly, the black flame raging around Vivian began to weaken.
Li Ruoxi hurriedly moved to her side, but the broadsword wobbled and stopped.
She quickly walked over to her.
The massive broadsword left a horrifying wound.
Blood flowed uncontrollably from the gash—as long as a palm and as wide as a finger.
No, no, that’s not right.
Li Ruoxi felt dizzy, and the scene before her changed again.
The broadsword was thrust into her own heart.
The person holding the sword was shrouded in a mist, blurry and indistinct.
The purple Ouroboros bracelet on their wrist stood out, glaringly bright.
This time, Li Ruoxi felt it vividly.
Every muscle in her body stiffened.
Her pounding heart gradually slowed its rhythm.
She placed both hands on the broadsword and slowly, bit by bit, pushed the blade outward.
“Xiao Xi! Why?! Why are you stopping me?!”
Li Ruoxi tried to speak, but her throat turned sweet.
She coughed up a mixture of blood and small, polyp-like fragments of her internal organs.
Blood dripped down the blade onto the ground.
Thump—
Li Ruoxi fell to her knees.
Her once white dress was already tattered, her originally smooth skin stained with streaks of blood.
Cuts of various sizes covered her entire body.
“Why?! Why are you stopping me?!”
“I…”
Li Ruoxi saw tears glistening in the sword-wielder’s eyes, but their face remained a blur, utterly unchanged.
“I… don’t want to…”
Don’t want what?
Don’t want what?!
The sword-wielder seemed to be screaming, but Li Ruoxi had already fallen silent.
The image grew hazier, until Li Ruoxi felt her whole body sinking into an abyss.
Even her loud shouts echoed back with no response.
Ha—
Haah—
Li Ruoxi sat up with a start, looking around.
“What kind of dream was that? Why would I dream something like this…”
That feeling of her whole body stiffening, being stabbed through the heart, unable to even speak.
Li Ruoxi reached out and touched her own chest; the tearing pain was still faintly perceptible.
She realized she must have had a nightmare.
“I’m drenched in sweat. That dream… was too real.”
In it, there were ruins and rubble, thick, choking gray smoke—just like a battlefield ravaged by artillery fire.
What was it?
Li Ruoxi felt weary.
She called a servant in a low voice and told them to prepare her clothes.
She had the maids wait outside while she bathed alone.
Li Ruoxi soaked in the large, bed-sized pool.
Pink petals floated on the water’s surface, and a faint, pleasant floral scent filled the air.
She cupped some water and washed her face.
Water droplets dripped from her chin onto the petals.
Li Ruoxi swept the petals floating on her chest aside.
She looked at her reflection in the water.
She couldn’t see her entire face clearly, but she could tell that the reflection’s eyes revealed a deep exhaustion.
The words echoed in her mind over and over again.
‘Why are you stopping me!’
‘Why!’
Li Ruoxi closed her eyes and once again splashed warm water over her face.
The other person’s heart-wrenching questioning made her inexplicably anxious.
“Who is it?”
She recalled the details of the dream.
Every brick and tile there felt both familiar and strange.
Even that person’s voice felt very familiar to her.
“Could it be someone I’ll meet later? Or someone I’ve already met… Who is it… Why would they stab me with a sword…”
Li Ruoxi’s head hurt.
She thought that by leaving Vivian, she could keep her own life safe, but she never expected to have a dream like this.
“I need to think clearly… think more clearly… Who would want to kill me…”
Li Ruoxi was very confident in her harmless, even endearing appearance.
No one would want to harm her without reason.
“Did I do something that offended heaven and earth?”
Tap tap tap…
Clang…
The bathroom door was pushed open.
Li Ruoxi turned around and saw Nangong Li walking in step by step.
“Miss, don’t hide your illness from me.”
Nangong Li walked up to her and looked at her seriously.
“The more you try not to trouble me, the more trouble you’ll cause me in the end. Do you understand?”
“Th… that… Sister Li… I…”
“If you have any problems, just say them directly. Don’t bottle them up alone. No one here will plot against you. Even if they do, you can tell me privately. Don’t keep things so secretive.”
Nangong Li said, holding back her anger.
“Did someone sneak into your room last night?”
Nangong Li straightened her expression.
“The three-layer surveillance net of our estate wasn’t triggered… But during my training today, I felt a surge of energy in the estate. Miss, have you seen that person…”
Energy?
Li Ruoxi’s face flushed red. She stammered, “No… no… What person? I just didn’t rest well last night. Sister Li, what’s wrong with you?”
“It’s fine as long as you’re okay, miss.”
Li Ruoxi’s evasive words clearly meant she didn’t want to say.
But Nangong Li was certain that someone had come to the estate.
And that person was no ordinary.
“But I need to make sure your body is fine, miss.”
Nangong Li stared at Li Ruoxi. “Miss, alright?”
“O… okay, I’m fine.”
Li Ruoxi replied weakly.
Nangong Li kept staring.
“Th… then fine, let’s just have a check-up.”
Li Ruoxi said softly.
A cold smile appeared on Nangong Li’s face.
She clapped her hands.
A large group of people filed in, all dressed in white medical gowns, carrying various stethoscopes and equipment.
Then another group filed in, carrying Chinese medicine jars that emitted faint wisps of steam.
The bitter, heavy scent of Chinese herbs mixed with the floral fragrance, creating a unique aroma.
“Si… Sister Li… can I finish my bath first?”
Nangong Li smiled and clapped her hands again.
“Miss, let the professionals help you with your bath.”
Li Ruoxi’s smile froze.
A huge group of people watching her bathe was bad enough.
But another group helping her bathe?
“Sister Li!”
Li Ruoxi said indignantly, “I want to be alone… alone for a while!”
“Alright.”
Nangong Li ordered, “Everyone turn around.”
Then she pointed at the girls who were to help with the bath, and said to the two in front, “You two come help miss bathe.”
The others turned around.
The two girls placed towels on their shoulders and came over.
Li Ruoxi “…”
The rising sun shrouded the vast forest.
Through the lush greenery and dense branches, an ancient castle could be seen standing amidst thorns and roses.
The castle’s expanse was like a small town.
A river over ten kilometers long encircled the entire castle.
The castle seemed ancient; the high gray walls were covered in dark green vines, so many that they nearly enveloped the windows, some even creeping inside, giving it a gloomy air.
Yet in front of this gloomy castle, white roses were in full bloom.
The roses in the wind carried a clear smile, pure and enchanting.
The delicate, silk-like white petals were so light.
The morning dew on the petals was like crystal, refracting colorful light under the bright morning sun.
Whether under the scorching sun or in the bitter cold, these white roses bloomed eternal, never fading.
At night, the castle seemed to awaken from its silence.
This was Lilith Academy.
Lilith Academy had stood here for over three hundred years.
It started as a private school for the wealthy, then gradually evolved into a world-class noble academy.
Half of the academy’s students were nobles, and the other half were either elite class students with excellent grades or contract students who had signed agreements to work at the academy for five years after graduation.
In short, to study at this academy, one needed either excellent grades or a wealthy family.
But now, with the global economy in decline, the academy only had one-tenth nobles, seven-tenths children from elite families, and the remaining two-tenths were contract students.
The contract students ensured the teaching staff, the elite families supported the academy’s backbone, and the academy’s funding came from these people.
As for the remaining one-tenth, the nobles, they were for the elite children to interact with.
Most elite families relied on their children’s romantic stories with noble sons and daughters at the academy to help their families become nobles.
Bicycles slowly rode across the arched bridge into the castle.
“Miss, why did you choose this academy?”
Nangong Li looked at the ancient surroundings.
If someone said this was a Western magical academy or a filming location for Harry Potter, people would probably believe it.
“Hehe… maybe the scenery here…”
Li Ruoxi was just about to praise the scenery when she saw half-green fallen leaves all over the summer campus.
Passing through the castle gate, one might think they were in the countryside.
Before them was a lush forest, and in front of them, a wide avenue cut through the woods.
Weeping willows on both sides intertwined in the air, the entire road bathed in endless greenery.
The intense morning sunlight slanted in, casting mottled shadows of green leaves on the red brick ground.
“The scenery here… is decent.”
“’Decent’? How could the master invest in an academy like this? The environment is inferior to other places. Do they think the teaching quality is good?”
Nangong Li looked at the wild forest scene.
Even though many people were quietly reading on the benches on both sides of the road, it didn’t change her doubts about the teaching quality.
The entire ancient castle lacked any sign of modernity.
In Nangong Li’s view, even drinking water probably had to be fetched manually.
“Miss, although the master’s business doesn’t require you to study inheritance, you should at least choose one…”
Nangong Li looked around, “…that’s a bit more modern than this.”
“It’s fine, Sister Li. Noah Academy requires taking a helicopter every day, which is too troublesome. But at Lilith Academy, didn’t Father say he bought a standalone castle here?”
Li Ruoxi comforted Nangong Li, as she herself looked around.
The architectural style here, though not very academy-like, was at least quite nice.
This academy wasn’t Li Ruoxi’s own choice, but…
“Hello, are you Miss Li Ruoxi?”
The dean of academic affairs curiously observed the newly risen noble lady.
What made Ouyang Xue curious was that this Li family miss, a newly risen noble class, didn’t show any noble bearing at all.
Li Ruoxi gave her the feeling of the heroine in a melodramatic drama.
She wore a white floral dress, her hair cascading like a waterfall, simply held up by barely visible black hairpins on both sides, revealing her shy little face.
Ouyang Xue suddenly had a thought: it might be fun to bully her.
Being suddenly addressed, Li Ruoxi saw the woman in a professional black jacket and short skirt, with gold-rimmed glasses, walking gracefully toward her.
“It’s me.” Li Ruoxi curiously observed the other.
“I am the dean of the junior class at Lilith Academy. My name is Ouyang Xue. Nice to meet you.”
Ouyang Xue said politely.
Li Ruoxi was a great benefactor to Lilith Academy.
Li Wentian’s contribution wasn’t just funding.
Now, looking at Li Ruoxi, she saw a huge opportunity.
Thinking of Li Ruoxi’s value, Ouyang Xue’s face lit up with a brighter smile than usual.
“Mr. Li, your father, has already informed me. Let me take you to the small castle he purchased here.”
Nangong Li nodded and said, “Miss, go with her. If anything happens, contact me.”
“Sister Li, are you leaving now?”
Li Ruoxi asked weakly.
Being left alone to suddenly adapt to a new environment…
Although she had to adapt to sudden changes before, constantly changing environments still made her uncomfortable.
“Miss, I’ll come stay with you after I finish handling my work handover. About half a month, and I’ll be here. Take care of yourself until then.”
Nangong Li said to Li Ruoxi in a coaxing, childlike tone.
“Th… then… fine, I’ll manage. Don’t worry.”
Li Ruoxi stammered, unsure herself.
How could she take good care of herself?
“Don’t worry. Mr. Li’s previous residence has always been cleaned and managed by servants.”
Ouyang Xue suddenly saw a blinking message on her phone and smiled, saying to Li Ruoxi and Nangong Li, “It’s ready now. Let’s go over first.”
“Go ahead, miss.”
Nangong Li said reassuringly.
“…”
Li Ruoxi hesitated for a moment.
“Then Sister Li, be careful when you fly the helicopter.”
Ouyang Xue was used to this.
After giving Ouyang Xue some instructions, Nangong Li took a campus tourist car to the outside airport.
Li Ruoxi followed Ouyang Xue to the basement level.
“Will this… collapse?”
The entire basement level, aside from buildings no taller than three stories, looked like a small town.
“Many people are surprised the first time they come. It’s just an ordinary underground level. The ancient castle is the academy’s landmark. We only repair and patch up; there’s no talk of demolishing and rebuilding.”
Ouyang Xue explained to Li Ruoxi as she led her to the parking area.
“The entire basement level is basically a small town. It provides all the daily necessities and three meals for Lilith Academy’s students.”
They stopped by the roadside.
Ouyang Xue said to a middle-aged man in casual clothes at the security booth, in a language that sounded like English, “Kasipai, I need to take the principal’s car.”
The bald middle-aged man squinted, “Another new noble miss?”
The Lilith principal’s car only picked up nobles or families about to become nobles.
“Why do you ask so much? Trying to set up a blind date for your son again? Stop daydreaming.”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Fine.”
Ouyang Xue had already entered the garage-like parking lot, where a car shaped like a beetle was parked.
“Don’t even think about this one. Even the principal’s son has no chance.”
“Hahaha.”
Li Ruoxi observed the conversation awkwardly.
She could communicate with anyone without language barriers, but she could tell which language they were using.
Maybe this was a cheat of being a transmigrator, she thought helplessly.
After a while, Ouyang Xue drove over in the little beetle.
It only had two seats, but in the entire ancient castle where most people could only ride bicycles, this little beetle was quite special.
The little beetle drove at a steady pace.
Li Ruoxi looked curiously through the windshield at the basement level’s architecture.
Most of the area used light wells for lighting and ventilation, supplemented by some ventilation pipes and lighting fixtures.
So the entire basement level, even if it looked like a town, only had the dim atmosphere of a town near dusk or night.
“Dean Ouyang, is it okay if I call you that?” Li Ruoxi.
“Actually, I’d prefer it if you called me Ouyang Xue, or Xiao Xue.”
Ouyang Xue replied, a youthful smile on her face.
“I’ve only been working at the academy for three years. Calling me ‘Dean’ makes me sound too old.”
“Then… I’ll call you Sister Xue.”
Li Ruoxi said.
Calling Ouyang Xue “Xiao Xue” would feel awkward.
Ouyang Xue was wearing a black short skirt work outfit with thin black stockings and heels.
Watching her drive the little beetle in such an unskilled manner made Li Ruoxi nervous.
“Ah!!!”
Ouyang Xue slammed on the brakes, nearly hitting the steering wheel.
A bicycle whizzed past in front of the little beetle.
If Ouyang Xue hadn’t stopped in time, they might have hit it.
She rolled down the window.
“Watch where you’re going!
I’ve increased the number of safety education sessions, but these young masters still haven’t changed a bit.”
Li Ruoxi helplessly pinched the acupoint between her eyes to relieve her headache.
Just now, Ouyang Xue had actually stepped on the accelerator before decelerating… then pulled the handbrake to stop…
Luckily, the speed was slow, so they stopped in time.
“Sister Xue, I wanted to ask, what’s daily life like at the academy?”
Li Ruoxi asked curiously.
“Daily life?”
Ouyang Xue restarted the car and drove slowly.
“Miss Li, you’re a noble. You can choose any subject you want to study. Passing or failing doesn’t matter. Your main purpose is to experience the campus atmosphere.”
Ouyang Xue said somewhat enviously.
She herself was a contract student graduate of Lilith Academy, so she envied the rich kids.
“By the way, Sister Xue, is there a new student named Vivian recently?”
Li Ruoxi asked casually, feigning indifference.
“Vivian? The one who doesn’t talk much, the aloof Vivian?”
Ouyang Xue said in surprise.
“Do you know her? Or are you friends with her?”