The scandal came to light when Tu Xiuyu exposed Tu Xiang. It shocked all of South Winds City. Although most people empathized with Feng Tianlan, some found her actions excessive. They thought that she was too cruel to her kin.
Disregarding the gossip, Feng Tianlan remained in her courtyard, continuing her cultivation with Luo Yunzhu. Si Mobai was also busy. Still, he never failed to check on Feng Tianlan every day. Even if it meant flipping over walls at midnight and admiring her secretly from a distance, he still made the effort.
The day of the Misty Forest expedition finally arrived. Before the Blue Flame Academy stood Feng Tianlan and company, patiently waiting for volunteers to join them on the journey.
“Feng Clan Head, may I come along?”
“Feng Clan Head, my sense of direction will be an asset to your team. You should bring me instead.”
“I can do all of your laundry! Besides, I am a chef!”
“Well, I am as strong as an ox, and I have no trouble carrying heaving loads. Furthermore, I am an expert when it comes to herbs and medicine. Take me!”
Many students crowded around Feng Tianlan, showing off their good points and attempting to convince her why they were the best volunteers. The response was so overwhelming that Luo Zhouquan greened with envy.
Unmoved by their requests, Feng Tianlan turned them all down flatly. “I apologize, but I don’t think I have enough leadership skills to take charge here.”
Taken aback by her blatant refusal without any wiggle room for negotiation, some in the crowd started speaking negatively about Feng Tianlan.
“What’s her deal? She is just a little Spiritual Master. If people didn’t feel sorry for her because her family betrayed her, I don’t think anyone would bother with a nobody like her.”
“I second that! We were kind enough to show her some respect by following her, so how can she not bring us along?”
“Well, even if she refuses to take us, there are still other expeditions we can join with far better leaders. ”
Feng Tianlan’s gaze was icy as she looked at the people who immediately shifted their loyalty the moment she denied them. The air froze, and the crowd fell silent. They had not forgotten how she’d disfigured those people who’d defied her that one time by tearing their lips open. After all, she had never been a kind soul.
Luo Yunzhu glared at the crowd and said, “They loosed their tongues. We have to teach them a lesson.”
“Well, we will never really see an end to gossip, will we? It doesn’t really bother me. Just let them be.” Luo Yunzhu sulked as Feng Tianlan gave her cheeks a little pinch. “Just take their unkind words like a passing fart. If you get so hung up on each one, you’ll be choked to death by the dizzying stench.”
Luo Yunzhu pondered this for a few moments then found herself agreeing. Feng Tianlan had a point. She pulled Feng Tianlan aside and whispered, “If we are in any danger during the expedition, do not save those ungrateful souls. We do not have to risk our lives for them.”
Feng Tianlan smiled faintly, “Sure.”
While the crowd was becoming lost in their conversations, Luo Yuanjie was already at the podium. Alongside him stood a few teachers, Si Mobai, and an elegant young lady of around sixteen or seventeen.
“This is the time of the year when everyone gets a chance to toughen up.” Luo Yuanjie began briefing the crowd on the rules of the expedition as well as the risks. “I’m sure most of you must have heard why the journey has been brought forward this year. A rare herb that can be made into an elixir is growing in the Misty Forest. The Supremacies want to lead ten outstanding youths on this expedition to the Xuantian Continent. ”
Luo Yunzhu’s ears pricked in annoyance at her father’s long-windedness. “What a nagging old log.”
“Who is she?” Feng Tianlan’s attention fell on a young lady beside Si Mobai. She exuded elegance and rose above the other girls. With one look, anyone could tell that she was of noble birth. Unfortunately, she had been raised in an abandoned household. Missing all of the nobles’ banquets had made her a stranger to the other socialites.
Luo Yunzhu was hesitant to speak. After a few moments, she slowly muttered, “Umm. That’s your love rival…”