Chapter 1: The Twin Stars of St. Sea International Academy

On the shimmering, mysterious, and sacred waters of the St. Sea, a dreamlike academy, St. Sea International Academy, stood proudly.

This co-educational academy provided boarding for its numerous students.

Spanning an immense area of over ten thousand mu (TL Note: A traditional Chinese unit of land area, approximately 667 square meters or 0.165 acres), its grand scale resembled a boundless ocean of knowledge, inspiring awe.

The academy, like a dazzling pearl, housed the world’s most advanced teaching equipment, its cutting-edge facilities seemingly narrating the fusion of technology and wisdom.

Furthermore, it boasted a formidable faculty, who, like guiding beacons, illuminated the students’ paths forward.

A stroll through the academy revealed an pervasive atmosphere of elegance and sanctity.

From the academy’s highest vantage point, one could gaze upon the endless, flowing expanse of the ocean, its waves crashing against the reefs, composing a symphony of stirring melodies.

While St. Sea International Academy ostensibly accepted students from the public, gaining entry through its gates of knowledge demanded adherence to three stringent criteria: wealth, talent, and influence.

It was, without a doubt, a true aristocratic academy.

An annual tuition fee of a hundred thousand gold coins acted as an insurmountable barrier, deterring countless aspiring students.

Moreover, its entrance examination surpassed the difficulty of all other renowned academies on the continent, solidifying its undisputed status as the continent’s foremost institution.

If other academies taught students merely to survive in a dog-eat-dog world, St. Sea International Academy, building upon that foundation, guided them to higher pinnacles, transforming them into paragons of high society.

It was universally acknowledged that every graduate from St. Sea emerged as a top powerhouse and a luminary of their era on the continent.

The moment one stepped into St. Sea, its noble and sacred campus atmosphere would embrace them like a spring breeze, inspiring everyone.

****

At this moment, two gracefully composed and refined young men leisurely emerged from St. Sea’s challenge arena, strolling along while chatting pleasantly.

“How about that? I told you listening to me was always the right move! We made a killing today, it was absolutely exhilarating!” one of the young men exclaimed, his brows dancing with excitement.

“Indeed, I honestly thought that girl was nothing more than a pretty face, a mere vase, but I never imagined she possessed such astonishing strength! It truly left me speechless!” the other young man replied, his face alight with wonder.

“Right? And get this, from what I hear, that girl just now actually shares a dorm with Lady Xiyue.”

“No wonder! She must have received diligent guidance from Lady Xiyue on a daily basis; otherwise, how could she be so exceptionally outstanding?”

Just as their conversation reached its height, a fleeting silver silhouette streaked past their eyes like a meteor.

“Heavens! Look, it’s Lady Xiyue!”

“Wow, speak of the devil! No matter when or where, Lady Xiyue is always the most beautiful, like the brightest star in the night sky!”

Upon seeing that figure, the two students immediately ceased their conversation, their gazes filled with admiration and reverence as they stared wistfully at the young woman.

It turned out to be a young woman with a cascade of silver hair, gracefully passing before them.

Her figure was slender and lithe, like a willow swaying in the wind; her face, moreover, possessed a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, as if a meticulously crafted masterpiece from the heavens.

“Greetings, Lady Xiyue!” Passing students, both male and female, enthusiastically greeted her.

“Greetings,” the silver-haired maiden replied with a polite and gentle smile, acknowledging her classmates’ salutations.

“Huh? Who is that? She’s absolutely divine!” Suddenly, a student, his face brimming with curiosity, asked those around him.

“No way? You’re at St. Sea, and you don’t know Lady Xiyue?” The student beside him stared with an expression of exaggerated astonishment.

“Uh… ahem, my apologies, I just transferred here today.”

“Ah, I see, then it’s understandable.

Let me tell you, Lady Xiyue is the pride of our academy!

Ever since she enrolled, in every magic test, combat drill, and all other assessments, she has consistently held the second-place spot on the rankings, never once wavering.

Moreover, she excels in everything; skills like swordsmanship, archery, and magic casting, she has mastered them all to a pinnacle of perfection.

What’s most astonishing, however, is her exceptional attainment in perception.”

“Perception? How formidable is it, specifically?”

“Ever since she joined our academy, all competitions involving perception have seen her represent the school.

Furthermore, no matter the type of competition, as soon as she makes an appearance, the champion’s throne is undeniably hers, just as a brilliant star is destined to illuminate the night sky.”

“That formidable! Wait! Is she that Ouyang Xiyue, the Ice Queen, known as ‘one kill in ten steps’?

I once saw a news report about her competition; she was called the Ice Queen, and it truly lives up to her reputation!”

“She’s simply an unbelievably powerful genius!

So she’s Ouyang Xiyue, the one hailed as the continent’s foremost talented woman!”

“Exactly!”

“Ever since I saw her news report, I became her devoted fan.

To think I’d be studying in the same academy as her today—it’s truly a blessing I earned over three lifetimes!”

“If you call this lucky now, it’s still too early.

Do you know, the sword instructor acquired a top-grade sword today and invited Lady Xiyue to test it!

Let’s hurry and follow them to watch!”

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

By this time, the sword combat hall was already teeming with people, students surging in like a tide, completely filling the space.

Many, excitedly, pulled out their phones to record this thrilling moment.

“Lady Xiyue truly is even more popular than the rumors suggest!” a student exclaimed with emotion.

“Shh, stop talking, she’s about to begin!”

Ouyang Xiyue was seen slowly raising the sword in her hand; its blade was incredibly sharp, glinting with a cold light, as if winter’s ice and snow, emanating a chilling aura.

She skillfully wielded the sword, each move as fluid as flowing clouds and water, sword-flowers blooming in her grasp like blossoming petals.

“Wow! Look, that’s actually the Sacred Dragon Sword Art, a technique only usable after reaching the sixth cultivation stage!” Some students with higher cultivation immediately recognized it, their eyes wide with shock and reverence.

“This is a sword art even the sword instructor struggles to master, yet Student Ouyang can execute it with such effortless grace! Truly incredible!”

Throughout her sword demonstration, Ouyang Xiyue was like a peerless master performing a breathtaking wuxia legend.

Her posture was nimble, sword shadows flickered, and every movement was imbued with both power and aesthetic grace.

“‘Once there was a beauty, Lady Gongsun, whose sword dance captivated all four directions.

Spectators watched, their faces crestfallen like mountains, as heaven and earth rose and fell with her.’ Ouyang Xiyue truly is a talented woman of her generation; her swordsmanship is absolutely peerless!”

Just then, from a dark corner of the sword hall, a low voice, filled with admiration, resounded.

However, no sooner had the words faded than the mysterious figure vanished like a phantom, leaving no trace, as if they had never been there at all.

“Truly Xiyue, this set of sword techniques is rendered with such divine skill by her, it’s absolutely breathtaking!” After the sword art demonstration was complete, the sword instructor showered Ouyang Xiyue with praise.

“Teacher, you flatter me.”

Ouyang Xiyue smiled humbly, and after politely bidding farewell to the sword instructor, she gracefully departed the sword combat hall under the ardent gazes of her classmates.

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the academy, an outrageous farce was unfolding.

A burly young man, his face arrogant, relentlessly cornered a delicate young woman, his eyes brimming with greed and desire.

“Run, little beauty, let’s see where you can escape to!”

This young man was none other than Yin Lishuai, the second young master of the Yin family.

Ever since enrolling, he had relied on his family’s background, acting arrogant and overbearing, frequently bullying his classmates.

“Hahaha, your frail, weak boyfriend dares to oppose me? Utterly overestimating himself!

Come now, little beauty, come obediently to my side and serve this young master, and I’ll ensure you enjoy endless glory and riches!” Yin Lishuai sneered, extending a hand to caress the young woman’s face.

“Look, Yin Lishuai is harassing a girl again!” Several passing students pointed at Yin Lishuai, their faces etched with anger.

“Hmph! Mind your own business, or I’ll deal with all of you too!

If you know what’s good for you, scram!” Yin Lishuai snarled, glaring fiercely at the students, his eyes flashing with menace.

Although these students were filled with a sense of justice and desperately wanted to help the young woman, Yin Lishuai was not only the second young master of the influential Yin family but also a key player in the Fire Element Department.

Both his strength and family background far surpassed theirs, leaving them daring only to be angry but not to speak.

“Hmph, in this academy, I’m the boss!

If you dare to disobey me, you’re just asking for death!”

With these words, Yin Lishuai strode towards the young woman, who had already collapsed onto the ground, trembling with fear.

Just as Yin Lishuai’s hand was about to touch the young woman’s face, suddenly, his hand was halted mid-air, as if frozen by an unseen force.

“Hmph, who permitted you to act so wildly on my territory!” A cold, imposing voice resounded from behind Yin Lishuai.

“Ye Xuehui!”

Yin Lishuai immediately recognized the young man before him, who had long hair tied in a small braid, a delicate yet strikingly handsome face.

“Boss, maybe we should retreat.

This guy is the eldest young master of the Ye family from Yaoyue Continent.

He defeated the top expert at the time in his first year, dominating the number one spot on the rankings—he’s St. Sea’s strongest!” Yin Lishuai’s subordinate advised nervously.

“Hmph! Ridiculous! So what?

When has my Yin family ever feared their Ye family?

He’s just someone people exaggerate about; I don’t believe this ‘sissy’ is really that formidable!” Yin Lishuai scoffed dismissively, and with that, he immediately unleashed his magic.

However, the instant he began to channel his magic, Ye Xuehui appeared before him like a phantom.

Ye Xuehui’s figure flickered, and a fierce, heavy punch landed squarely on Yin Lishuai’s body.

Instantly, Yin Lishuai was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, then crashed heavily onto the ground, sprawling on his back, and passed out.

“Hmph, with just this much ability, you dare call others trash? Are you even worthy?” Ye Xuehui said coldly, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

“Wow! It’s Ye Xuehui, she’s so amazing! So handsome!” The passing girls were instantly captivated by Ye Xuehui’s heroic demeanor, their eyes sparkling like stars.

“Not only is Ye Xuehui handsome, but her strength is also immense—she’s simply the embodiment of perfection!”

“Yes, yes, and her eyes, which seem to have already seen through the world’s mortal dust, are so deep and captivating, one can’t help but fall for them!”

“Indeed, she’s unanimously voted by all the girls as the number one person they want as their girlfriend!”

“Hmph, you’d best understand clearly whose territory St. Sea truly is!”

Ye Xuehui gazed at the unconscious Yin Lishuai on the ground, let out a cold snort, then, amidst the girls’ excited screams, elegantly walked back towards the academic building.

At this very moment, Ouyang Xiyue also gracefully emerged from the sword combat hall, the two of them meeting face-to-face.

“Quick, look! It’s our academy’s Twin Stars, Lady Ouyang Xiyue and Lady Ye Xuehui!” someone in the crowd exclaimed excitedly.

“Wow! The two of them standing together are just too perfect a match!

Do you think they’ll get together?” a gossipy girl exclaimed excitedly.

“I think it’s highly possible.

After all, there’s no one else in this academy who can even compare to them.”

“And have you noticed recently that Lady Xiyue and Lady Ye Xuehui have been getting closer?

It feels like their relationship is quite extraordinary.”

“Yes, I even saw them together last time, doing something or other; they looked extremely intimate.”

Just as everyone was chattering, Ye Xuehui and Ouyang Xiyue simultaneously halted their steps.

Their gazes met, and then they spoke in unison.

“Greetings.”

Following this, the two brushed past each other… Yet, their seemingly ordinary greeting was like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand ripples in the crowd.

“No way, could there really be something going on between those two?”

“Exactly, to greet each other in front of so many people!

Our St. Sea students are all incredibly keen on gossip, you know.”

“Just look at that genuine smile on both their faces just now—there’s definitely something happening!”

“Everyone, stop gossiping!

Have you forgotten that Lady Xiyue has a fiancé?” a sensible student interjected.

“That’s true, but perhaps Lady Ye Xuehui will sweep in and steal her away.

Just imagining that scene is incredibly dashing!”

Elsewhere…

“Ugh, I’m utterly exhausted.” The moment Ouyang Xiyue returned to her dorm, one second she exuded elegance, the next she collapsed onto her bed in a starfish pose, like a lazy cat.

“That’s not very ladylike, Lady Xiyue.”

At this moment, Shangguan Yun, Ouyang Xiyue’s dormmate, sat on her own bed, teasing her with a mischievous grin.

“Ugh, honestly, since we’re in the dorm, just let me have some peace and quiet for a bit.

It’s too tiring to keep up appearances outside every day,” Ouyang Xiyue said, utterly weary.

“But you can’t relax too much, either.

Otherwise, if your true identity is exposed, your reputation could…”

“I know.”

Ouyang Xiyue lay on the bed, slowly opening her eyes, gazing at the ceiling above.

A hint of hesitation flickered in her eyes.

Before long, she was lost in her memories…