Chapter 88: An Honored Guest

Seeing Ji Tianxin enjoying herself, Su Qing happily helped her by placing the pastries into her bowl. She thought to herself: That young gentleman is truly considerate, able to grasp the master's preferences. He must have anticipated that the master would not be accustomed to the flavors of the palace, which is why he sent someone to deliver these treats. If only that gentleman were the master’s brother—he’s far more attentive than the young master of the Ji family.

Ji Tianxin reached out, picked up a piece of pastry, and began to chew slowly, eating it with relish.

At this moment, all eyes turned to the guests arriving outside the hall.

Upon seeing the newcomers, the Emperor immediately stood up. As he rose, everyone else followed suit—even Ji Huali stood up.

Those who entered were two elders appearing just past fifty, with white hair and youthful faces. Behind them followed two young men and three teenagers.

As soon as this group entered, an air of authority surrounded them—without anger, they commanded respect. Even their mere presence felt as if they brought the might of a thousand armies.

This sensation—these were martial artists!

All of them were martial artists, and moreover, masters of the martial way!

Emperor Duan Qing stood and spoke in a clear voice, “Honored guests from the Windborne Academy, your esteemed presence is truly a privilege for the royal house of Yu. You have traveled far and endured much; please, be seated.”

Though he welcomed them personally, his words struck a balance between humility and dignity, his tone that of a host, expressing both respect for the guests and the majesty of an emperor.

Windborne Academy! It was Windborne Academy?

Everyone present was unsettled; no wonder His Majesty had personally arranged the banquet and repeatedly warned them not to offend these distinguished guests.

So it was the people from Windborne Academy!

Windborne Academy was less an academy and more a neutral force on the Martial Sky Continent. Within its ranks, nearly all the geniuses from the various powers were gathered.

It was also the only faction on the continent to exist as an academy.

While the Martial Sky Continent had sects, not everyone could enter them. The sects had withdrawn from the mundane world, devoting themselves to martial cultivation and paying little heed to worldly affairs. They pursued the martial way, the path of heaven.

The academy, on the other hand, existed within the secular world. Though martial training remained its core, it also encompassed many other disciplines.

To be admitted to Windborne Academy, one must either be a noble from a kingdom or faction, or a talented individual selected from among ordinary people.

Those who graduated from Windborne Academy were destined to become outstanding figures.

Windborne Academy resembled a traditional academy, yet far surpassed any ordinary institution.

It was said that many of the academy’s guest instructors were elders from the great sects. Occasionally, they would visit the secular world for amusement or to earn some pocket money, and offer guidance at Windborne Academy.

While everyone else was absorbed in their own thoughts, Su Qing used a silent transmission to inform Ji Tianxin.

Ji Tianxin, chewing her pastry and sipping fruit tea, finally murmured, “So you can have a side job here...”

A side job? Su Qing had never heard the term, but she understood its meaning and nodded. “Yes, exactly—a side job.”

Holding another position alongside their main one was indeed a side job.

Ji Huali had no idea what the two were whispering about, but seeing that only they remained seated in the grand hall, his expression darkened.

He quietly said, “You two, stand up.”