The three recruitment teachers watched Xuxu with looks of profound, heartbreaking disappointment.
"Student Guan, choosing a university is a decision that concerns your entire future. You must be cautious!"
The teacher from Hua University looked like he was witnessing someone refuse to be refined into gold. Why would she ignore three of the best universities in the country and choose such a bizarre school?
Even picking Hai University would be better than that!
The teacher from Jing University was less judgmental. He knew his school collaborated with the Jing Taoist Academy, so he didn't share the same misconceptions as the others. On the contrary, he had a vague idea of what the only three Taoist academies in the country actually represented.
Those were not places just anyone could enter.
"Student Guan, are you simply interested in Taoism? Actually, Jing University has a dedicated department for religious studies..."
The teacher from Hai University wasn't about to be outdone. "We might not have that major yet, but we can establish it right now!"
The Jiang family members were equally disapproving, and they all began to chime in with their advice.
"Xuxu, you need to think this over carefully. Don't make such a hasty decision."
"What kind of future is there in a Taoist academy?"
"Maybe don't decide today. I'm sure these teachers can give you a little more time to consider."
"Yes, exactly!"
The room was a cacophony of voices. Even Jiang Han couldn't help but clench his fists, wanting to step forward and say a few words.
This Jiang Xuxu was the provincial Gaokao top scorer, yet she was choosing some 'pheasant school.' It was a slap in the face to every candidate she had beatenespecially him!
Xuxu remained entirely unmoved by their persuasion. Her eyes were clear and steady.
"I have already made my choice," she said calmly. Her almond-shaped eyes turned toward Old Master Jiang and Jiang Yucheng, the two patriarchs of the family. "I hope you can respect my decision."
She paused, then added, "If you don't, that's fine too."
She wasn't going to change it either way.
Old Master Jiang's lips twitched slightly; he clearly heard the underlying meaning in his granddaughter's words.
Jiang Yucheng felt his daughter was being impulsive, but since she had chosen it, he wouldn't force her to change.
"Since you've decided, we will do as you wish."
As her father, his words carried the weight of a final verdict. The three academic teachers looked crushed.
The teacher from the Taoist academy, however, beamed with satisfaction. He reached into his backpack and pulled out an exquisite wooden box, handing it to Xuxu.
"Young friend Guan, Haishi Taoist Academy welcomes you. This is an enrollment gift from the academy. Inside, you will also find an invitation with your name on it."
The other recruiters watched with complex expressions. They hadn't expected the Taoist teacher to be so sly as to bring the enrollment gift with him! Did he actually expect her to choose them?
It seemed impossible. Any sane person who wasn't blind wouldn't abandon three prestigious universities for a Taoist academy. They couldn't understand it. They really couldn't.
Where exactly had they lost?
But no matter how much they struggled to make sense of it, reality was reality. Though they failed to recruit the student, Old Master Jiang still gave each of them a red envelope as they left, thanking them for coming to deliver the good news personally.
Yucheng and Xuxu personally saw the recruiters to the door. As they left, Xuxu pulled Teacher Yan aside. "Teacher, may I ask if the academy has a lecturer named Wenren Qiqi?"
Yan Fang was in a great mood after successful recruitment. He looked at her curiously. "I haven't heard that name before. It's such a unique name that I'm sure I'd remember if I had. Is she someone you know?"
"She is my master," Xuxu replied, not hiding the truth.
Yan Fang wasn't surprised. Many students had masters before entering the academy; it wasn't strange in their circles. "I'll ask around for you. If such a person exists, she can definitely be found within the academy."
"Thank you, Teacher."
After the teachers left, Xuxu saw Yucheng waiting for her, so she walked back with him.
Yucheng still had some concerns. "Xuxu, have you really considered this? Are you sure you want to walk this path in the future?"
He wasn't like Jiang Yumin, who thought having a daughter as a Taoist nun was embarrassing. He was simply worried she would be subject to doubt and slander in such a profession.
Xuxu didn't quite understand his question. "I am already on my way."
It had begun the moment she started learning Xuanmen Talisman Arts from her master. Or perhaps even earlierfrom the moment the Guan family designed the scheme to swap her fate. Her destiny was already inseparable from the occult.
Regardless of which university she chose, she would eventually follow the direction her master had once pointed out. Of course, the prerequisite was finding her master first. The Haishi Taoist Academy was currently her only clue.
Yucheng looked into his daughter's clear eyes for a long moment before deciding not to say anything more. Ever since she had helped the Song family resolve their daughter's issue, he had realized Xuxu was not an ordinary person. She had her own opinions. Moreover, she possessed a strength that didn't lose to anyone else in the Jiang family.
Ultimately, he was more concerned that the path Xuxu had chosen was a domain where he could not intervene or offer help. After all, he was just a regular rich person.
After thinking it over, Yucheng decided that the only way he could support his daughter was with money. He pulled out his phone and immediately transferred 8,888,888.88 RMB to her account. Well, his daughter was the top scorer in the province; the reward was mandatory.
Looking at the notification on her phone, Xuxu was speechless. Her father's habit of throwing money at problems was actually... quite nice.
The two walked back inside to find the rest of the Jiang family still discussing the children's Gaokao results. They couldn't control Xuxu, but they could still try to manage the other two.
Jiang Su wasn't interested in those topics. He was staring intently at the wooden box engraved with the words 'Taoist Academy.' When he saw Xuxu return, he waved her over immediately.
"Sis! Come here! Open it and see what that Taoist academy gave you as a gift!"
The rest of the family in the living room also looked over with interest. Even Jiang Han's eyes drifted toward the box as if he were waiting to see what was inside.
Xuxu didn't hesitate. She stepped forward and opened the simple, ancient-looking wooden box. As the lid lifted, a restrained scent of agarwood wafted out.
Everyone leaned in to look. Neatly arranged inside the small box were six items:
A Bagua Compass,
A Small Peach Wood Sword,
A Safety Talisman,
A Cinnabar Pen,
A wooden plaque engraved with an 'Academy Pass,'
And aside from those, the only normal-looking itemthe admission invitation written on gold paper.
Xuxu raised an eyebrow slightly. The rest of the Jiang family fell into a stunned silence.
After a long while, Jiang Huai was the first to speak. "Well... as expected of a Taoist academy. Their gifts certainly have a lot of 'school character.'"
The others: "...Heh."
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