Everyone had some idea of the dangers that they were going to face in the dungeon, but subconsciously, they were still more focused on the possible gains rather than the risks. However, having someone of Principal Jiang’s standing emphasizing this issue forced them to take the risks seriously.

“It’s not too late to back out now. Once you enter the dungeon, you’ll have to last till the tenth day, when the dungeon finally closes, in order to be teleported out. Once you pass through the portal, there’s no way for you to leave before that.” Jiang Luofu scanned the crowd as she calmly pointed out the risks. “All of you have signed the liability waiver beforehand, so you should know that the academy will not be responsible for anything that happens to you inside the dungeon.”

The students glanced at one another in uncertainty, but none of them were willing to back down. It had been difficult for them to even make it this far, and no one could bring themselves to back out just like that.

“The layout of the Ursae Dungeon randomizes itself each time we enter it. Even with teachers guiding the way, it won’t make too much of a difference,” said Jiang Luofu. “All fourth rank and fifth rank cultivators will roam around on their own inside the dungeon. Given your cultivation rank, you should be able to protect yourself. If you really wish to put your abilities to the test and sharpen your edge, it would be best for you to move independently. As for the rest of you, you’ll be following a teacher and exploring the dungeon in a group.”

At this point, Jiang Luofu paused for a brief moment before continuing on, “In previous years, if an individual wished to roam independently, we would allow them to do as they pleased. However, there seems to be something unusual about this dungeon this time around, and we have decided that it would be better to tread carefully. If you haven’t reached fourth rank yet, I’d recommend you to stay close to a teacher.”

The crowd was a little disappointed to hear those words. They knew that it would be safer being by a teacher’s side, but that also meant that they would get less out of the dungeon as well. Any fortuitous encounters they stumbled upon along the way would have to be shared with everyone else.

At that moment, a voice suddenly called out a question. “Principal Jiang, are there any rules as to which students are paired up with which teacher? After all, there are some teachers whose levels of strength are a little concerning to us. Wouldn’t it be unfair if we are forcefully assigned to their groups?”

It was from Shi Kun.

If they wanted to deal with Zu An, it would be best if there were fewer people by his side.

As he said those words, he pointedly turned to look at Zu An, and laughter broke out amidst the crowd. It was indeed true that Zu An’s cultivation rank was lower than many of the students present, so how could they count on him when danger struck?

Jiang Luofu naturally knew whom Shi Kun was referring to, so she replied calmly, “Since this involves the safety of our students, we won’t be enforcing students to join any specific group. The students are free to choose which teacher they wish to accompany.”

As soon as those words were spoken, the students immediately rushed over toward some of the teachers, as if fearing that the academy would somehow walk back this statement.

“I choose Teacher Bai!”

“I choose Discipline Master Lu!”

“I choose Uncle Wang!”

… 

It didn’t take long for the students to finish choosing. Many of them picked Bai Susu and Lu De, which wasn’t surprising since they were the strongest teachers in the academy. Most teachers also had a couple of students around them too.

There was just one glaring exception—Zu An. There wasn’t a single person by his side at all.

Laughter rang out around the clearing. Most students still tried to hold back a little, but Shi Kun didn’t even bother concealing his ridicule at all.

Chu Chuyan frowned. Zu An was still her husband, at least in name, so it made her feel uncomfortable to see him being publicly humiliated. She instinctively wanted to group up with him, but she suddenly thought about the earlier piece of advice for fifth rank cultivators, encouraging them to move independently. If she were to go to his side now, it would only make others think that she was trying to protect them, thus embarrassing him even further.

Qiao Xueying hesitated a little as well. She was thinking of joining Zu An’s group, and she was free to do so since her fifth rank cultivation hadn’t been revealed yet. Being in the same group would make it much easier for her to make a move on him.

In the end, however, she decided against it. It was simply too jarring for her to join Zu An’s group right in front of everyone. Besides, if she was the only one to return from the dungeon despite being paired with him, she would surely come under scrutiny as well. It wouldn’t be wise for her to draw attention to herself right now.

It was then that a timid voice spoke up. “I’ll… join your group.”

Ji Xiaoxi shuffled shyly to Zu An’s side. Just saying these words aloud had sapped her courage dry, leaving her small face completely reddened.

Zu An was moved by her gesture. She sure is kind. It was obvious that she had intended to choose Bai Susu earlier, but now that she’s seen that there’s no one by my side, she chose to come over here instead.

He was intending to reject her—just her goodwill would be enough for him—but he then remembered that his objective in the dungeon was to look for the Evanescent Lotus. Ji Xiaoxi was well-versed in all sorts of medicine, so she might be able to offer him substantial help regarding that. Thus, he decided to accept her in the end.

“Miss Ji, you must reconsider! It’s too dangerous being by his side!”

“Indeed! He’s only a third rank cultivator. You should come with us instead.”

… 

Ji Xiaoxi’s popularity was really shining through right now. A throng of people came forward to advise her to change her mind.

“It’s all right. Teacher Zu is actually quite formidable as well,” Ji Xiaoxi replied in a soft tone as she shook her head gently.

Pei Mianman secretly poked the cold beauty standing next to her and said, “Hey, it looks like your husband is quite popular with women.”

Chu Chuyan was surprised by what Ji Xiaoxi had done as well. She had heard that Ji Xiaoxi had stood up for him once in the academy, but still, the fact that she was choosing him under such circumstances showed that they were really quite close to one another.

“Tsk, yet another one has stepped forward.” Pei Mianman nudged Chu Chuyan and gestured forward. 

Chu Chuyan raised her head and saw Zheng Dan walking toward Zu An’s side as well.

“What’s going on?”

The crowd was bewildered. They had never known Zheng Dan to be on good terms with Zu An.

Seeing this, Zu An found himself unable to stifle his smile. “Is Miss Zheng intending to join my group too?”

Zheng Dan shook her head and said, “That’s not it. There’s just one thing I would like to inform you of.”

“Oh? What is it?” Zu An was perplexed.

Zheng Dan leaned closer to him and whispered softly, “You need to be careful. Someone is intending to take your life in the dungeon.”

With those words, she flashed him a ravishing smile before returning to her group.

The crowd exhaled deeply in relief upon seeing Zheng Dan’s departure. It would be insane if even Zheng Dan chooses Zu An too. There’s just no way a man can be that popular.

Zu An, on the other hand, fell into deep thought. Someone is intending to kill me? Is it Shi Kun and his group? Since even Snow is here today, it’s likely that they’re trying to pull something.

Zheng Dan noticed the grave expression on Zu An’s face, and her lips curved upwards slightly. 

If Zu An was too weak to escape Shi Kun’s scheme, it wouldn’t change the outcome at all, and Shi Kun wouldn’t blame her for anything. However, if Zu An managed to get away, he would remember this debt and bear some goodwill toward her.

This was a sure-win situation for her no matter what happened.

It’s just a pity that Shi Kun is planning to have him assassinated in the dungeon. It would have been a good opportunity to get close to him by joining his group. But now, I should probably keep my distance to avoid getting implicated.

Jiang Luofu frowned a little when she saw Ji Xiaoxi choose to go with Zu An, but she decided to refrain from commenting on the matter. With the group selection completed, she began wrapping up her speech. “The deeper you proceed into the dungeon, the greater the degree of danger you’ll face. Know your own limits and don’t charge ahead blindly. Ultimately, your rewards from the dungeon will depend on your luck—there’s no need to force it.” 

“Yes, Principal Jiang!” the students answered in unison.

Just as she finished her speech, the portal behind Jiang Luofu suddenly began to distort further, and circular ripples began to spread out across its surface. It took a while before the ripples finally subsided, revealing a translucent, light-blue gateway. Concentrated ki could be sensed coming from the other side of the gateway.

The crowd grew excited. If the concentration of ki was already so dense that they could sense it even while they were at the entrance of the portal, wouldn't it be even more amazing once they were inside?

“The portal into the dungeon has fully opened. I wish all of you the best of luck,” said Jiang Luofu.

With Lu De and Bai Susu leading the crowd, the students began making their way through the portal and into the dungeon. Shi Kun paused at the entrance for a brief moment, turning around to look at Zu An. There was a hint of glee on his face.

A sudden thought struck Zu An. Since that fellow is planning to make use of the secrecy of the dungeon halls to assassinate me, can’t I do the same as well?

Chu Chuyan walked over to Zu An’s side and warned him softly, “There’s something wrong with the way Shi Kun is looking at you. You should follow me once we’re in the dungeon later on, just to be safe.”

However, Zu An shook his head. “I’m one of the teachers leading a group after all. How could I let a student protect me?”

Chu Chuyan frowned. “Look at the occasion. You shouldn’t be bothered about such stuff at a time like this.”

“If you really want to help me, help me keep a lookout for the Evanescent Lotus,” said Zu An.

The more hands he had to help him, the better it would be. At least it would be much better than him fumbling around all alone.

“Evanescent Lotus?” Chu Chuyan was surprised. “What do you need it for? It’s a legendary treasure known to be able to raise a person’s cultivation. Even if I manage to find it, I don’t think that I’ll be willing to give it to anyone else.”

“That’s pretty frank of you. Oh well, treat it as though I didn’t mention that then.” Zu An shrugged, not thinking too much about it.

However, Ji Xiaoxi spoke up in agitation, “Big sister Chu, my father prescribed some medicine for him that lacks the Evanescent Lotus as a final ingredient. He needs it in order to cure his… trauma.”

The embarrassed look on Ji Xiaoxi’s face was more than enough to tell Chu Chuyan what she was referring to. Chu Chuyan shot an awkward glance at Zu An’s crotch, and her face reddened as well. “All right, I’ll help you keep a lookout for it, then. However, you shouldn’t expect too much. It’s an elusive treasure that has mostly only been documented in stories.”

Feeling too embarrassed talking about such a topic, Chu Chuyan quickly turned her head away and walked off.

“Oh? What did you say to your wife for her to walk away so embarrassed?” Pei Mianman walked over and asked curiously.

“It’s a secret. Haven’t you heard of the saying ‘A secret makes a man, man’?” Zu An shook his finger at her.

“Your mouth sure spouts interesting stuff.” Pei Mianman chuckled softly. “All right, you should take care of yourself. Don’t get killed in there.”

After saying those words, she made her way into the dungeon.

Soon, the only ones left in the clearing were Zu An and Ji Xiaoxi. Just as they were about to head into the portal, Jiang Luofu suddenly stopped the two of them. “Take good care of her. If she loses even a strand of hair, you need not bother coming out of the dungeon anymore.”

Zu An burst into laughter. “Principal Jiang, you’re too kind! I don’t need Miss Ji to take care of me. Besides, you’re asking too much of her.”

Jiang Luofu snorted coldly. “Are you an idiot? I said to take care of her! You better make sure that not the slightest harm comes to her!”

Zu An stared at her in bewilderment.