Chapter 143 - 140: Li Heng’s Courtyard

Chapter 143: Chapter 140: Li Heng’s Courtyard

The Xisha Area housed the single-room dormitories for the top students. While each building wasn’t as luxurious as the courtyard residences, they were plenty refined.

Wen Ruyan led Li Heng on a slow walk through the Xisha Area, eventually stopping in front of a quaint, traditional-style wooden house that had its own small courtyard.

"This will be your private dorm for the next few years. If you ever want to buy it, you’ll get a discount. You’re also permitted to use Alliance Coins instead of academic credits. Here’s the key. As long as you try not to wreck the place, you can do whatever you want. It’s fine to bring back as many female classmates as you want for the night! Soul Energy University encourages its capable, outstanding students to marry and start families early!"

The first part of what Wen Ruyan said was normal enough, but her last sentence caught Li Heng completely off guard. He froze for a moment before simply offering a smile in response, not saying a word.

"Oh, right, bringing female teachers back is fine, too! However, the female teachers with the lowest realm here are at least Soul Energy Grandmasters. If you’re interested, Student Li Heng, you’d better work hard!"

"You’re joking, Teacher Wen. I think I’ll just focus on working hard by myself for now."

’Setting aside the other implications of her words,’ Li Heng thought, ’I get it. She’s indirectly telling me that her own power surpasses that of a Soul Energy Grandmaster!’

Hearing Li Heng’s reply, Wen Ruyan simply smiled and handed him the key.

"Student Li Heng, get some rest for the next few days. I’ll come find you when it’s time for military training. When you have free time, you should take a walk around the Xisha Area; the upperclassmen are quite friendly. Your credits will be transferred to you soon. Oh, and if anything important comes up, you can look for Senior Gu Qingwu. She’s the current student representative for the Xisha Area and can help answer any routine questions you might have."

After explaining everything, Wen Ruyan departed, leaving Li Heng standing alone in front of the house and its courtyard.

There were identical houses on either side, though a quick glance told Li Heng that neither their courtyards nor the wooden houses themselves were as large as his.

Li Heng took a breath and used the key to open the gate. The courtyard was about forty square meters, with a cobblestone path running down the middle, flanked by lawns on either side.

The short weeds dotting the lawn suggested the house had been vacant for some time, and the air carried a faint, earthy smell.

In a corner of the courtyard stood a brand-new wooden dummy, likely placed there recently for him to practice with. However, Li Heng’s training didn’t rely on wooden dummies, so he simply noted Meteor University’s thoughtfulness before turning his gaze to the wooden house at the center of the property.

Unlike the unkempt courtyard, the wooden house itself seemed to have been recently cleaned. There were no cobwebs or dust, and a faint hint of moisture hung in the air.

The house wasn’t locked, and the door swung open with a gentle push. The interior was spacious, furnished with a round wooden table, a wooden bed, a clothes rack, and a dressing table.

On the round wooden table sat some pastries, a box of tea leaves, and a tea set, filling the air with a faint, pleasant aroma.

’It really feels like I’m living in ancient times.’

The room had definitely been cleaned—there wasn’t a speck of dust, and the mattress and duvet cover were brand new. As far as accommodations went, this was pretty good.

After confirming that the place was more than adequate, Li Heng thought for a moment, then walked to the courtyard gate and shut it. He drew his Empty Cicada Longsword and carved five words directly onto the wooden surface: "In Seclusion. Do Not Disturb."

After engraving the words with his Empty Cicada Longsword, Li Heng looked at the gate with satisfaction. He nodded, walked back into the courtyard, and locked the gate from the inside.

His reason for carving the five words was simple: Li Heng didn’t want to be disturbed while he was running a Dungeon. He could hardly wait to enter the Ancient Dust Continent Dungeon and see what it was like.

But after a moment’s thought, Li Heng felt that just carving five words wasn’t secure enough. ’What if some brute just barges in, wanting to make friends or something? If they open the door and I’m not here, that’ll be difficult to explain.’

’Maybe... I should come up with an excuse to find that senior, Gu Qingwu, the one Teacher Wen mentioned, and let her know beforehand?’

Li Heng mulled it over. He figured using his "rudimentary Sword Intent" as an excuse would work. After all, something like Sword Intent was pretty esoteric; almost any explanation would sound plausible.

Besides, Meteor University was probably quite lenient in this regard and would likely encourage students to pursue breakthroughs in their power.

After thinking it over, Li Heng decided the plan was viable and felt much more relieved. At the very least, it was better to give someone a heads-up.

As for where to find Senior Gu Qingwu, Li Heng wasn’t too worried. He figured he could find out easily enough by asking around the Xisha Area.

After tucking the key into his Space Stone, Li Heng headed back toward the entrance he’d come through. There were many upperclassmen there, and he figured he could surely find either Senior Gu Qingwu herself or some information about her.

The buildings throughout the Xisha Area were all basically detached wooden houses with courtyards. Along his way, Li Heng saw several houses with low-walled courtyards where trees had been planted.

Many were flowers he had never seen in the real world. Their fragrance wasn’t overpowering, carrying an understated elegance that was subtly refreshing.

In addition to the flowering trees, there were also some fruit-bearing ones he didn’t recognize. However, thanks to his system, he knew what they were, so he just glanced at them as he passed by.

’Wait a minute,’ he realized. ’These courtyards with the trees are obviously occupied. Why don’t I just knock on one of their doors?’

He stopped in his tracks, suddenly realizing how foolish he was being. He had been so focused on heading back to the entrance that he’d completely forgotten that these well-tended courtyards must belong to occupied houses.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

...

"Excuse me? Is an upperclassman home?"

Li Heng knocked on the gates of several houses that looked occupied, but the first five went unanswered. He finally got a response at the sixth house, which had a tree called a "Purple Cinnabar Flower" growing in its courtyard.

"Who is it?! Didn’t I say I wasn’t seeing anyone today— Huh? Who are you...?"

CREAK...

After Li Heng knocked, a slightly irritated voice called out from inside, and then the wooden door creaked open.

Li Heng found himself face-to-face with a man with shoulder-length hair.

He was certain the person was male because of his Adam’s apple and the distinctly masculine tone of his voice, so Li Heng proactively greeted him, "Hello, Senior! I’m Li Heng, a first-year who just enrolled today."

Upon hearing Li Heng call him "Senior," the man’s face brightened. He looked Li Heng up and down before replying, "Junior Li Heng, you just got here today? Excellent, excellent! I can tell just by looking at you that you’re a man of rare talent with an exceptional air about you. I bet you’ll reach the Soul Warrior realm in less than a year."

Li Heng froze when he heard that, then squeezed out a smile, deciding to get straight to the point. "You’re too kind, Senior! Actually, I was hoping to ask... if you know where I can find Senior Gu Qingwu. Teacher Wen Ruyan told me I should look for her if I have any issues."

"Gu Qingwu? You’ve got some good fortune with the ladies, Junior Brother!"

A flicker of confusion crossed the senior’s face when he heard Li Heng’s question. Then, his gaze softened with a look of "concern," tinged with a hint of pity. He clapped Li Heng on the shoulder.