"It’s pollen."

When a fierce flame ignited on the Magic Stage, an elder wizard from the O’Brien family on Centimeter Mountain nodded appreciatively: "From the start, Tushan Chujiu didn’t plan to escape. She used blossoming peach flowers to conceal her true methods, indeed in line with the Tu Shan Clan’s usual style..."

"Behind beauty often lies unknown risks," another elder from the Black family shook his head slightly: "Just like the thorns beneath a rose, or the turbulent tide beneath the waves."

A plump-looking elder woman from the Sima family next door focused her attention on another young witch on the Magic Stage: "The little girl from the Jiang family is quite well-mannered, using only the ’Binding Spell’ from start to finish, not violating any spellcasting requirements... even though she only received a ’Half Proposition’ bamboo slip."

"Indeed, from a prominent family." Someone nearby echoed.

At this moment.

A vivid red light rose from the edge of everyone’s view, crossed the narrow, tranquil Crescent Lake, and landed on the Magic Stage. A young warlock dressed in a red robe emerged from the red light, supporting Miss Jiang as she took a step back.

The lively discussions on Centimeter Mountain suddenly fell into silence.

The atmosphere seemed somewhat stagnant.

...

...

The commotion on the Magic Stage immediately drew the attention of the judges, and soon startled the elders and guests on Centimeter Mountain, even attracting the notice of the guardians beyond the clouds above this Spring Hunt.

The notable figures beyond the clouds glanced down slightly, but quickly withdrew their gaze. Compared to ordinary wizards, their perspective was broader and further-reaching, thus they saw more.

The more one knows, the more one tends to hold awe; this truth is likely universal in any world.

The elders on Centimeter Mountain exchanged strange glances.

The guests from outside, however, watched with relish.

"Who is this person?"

The Three-Eyed race counsellor removed his jade-embedded forehead band, revealing his gleaming third eye, observing the venue: "Wearing a red robe, likely not a wizard responsible for venue security?"

As guests of the entire Alliance, these external envoys had a very distinct boundary with the wizard families on Centimeter Mountain, and thus, they didn’t immediately hear about the gossip between the Qingqiu Su Family and the Zhongshan Jiang Family.

"As far as I recall, only Jiuyou Academy’s robes at First University are red." The representative of the Duo Nuo Clan tapped the auxiliary brain by his cheek, seemingly in thought.

"Looking at the reactions of those young wizards by the lake, he’s probably quite a figure in the school?"

The councilor from the Multi-arm race held a cup of tea in one hand, a nut in another, rubbed his chin with another hand, while an arm leaned on the armrest, fingers idly tapping the wooden armrest: "...Is he that Miss Jiang’s boyfriend? Isn’t this somewhat against the rules?"

To the outsiders, the Alliance only has one university.

So when they discussed the school, they never added any additional descriptors.

The spectators from other families on Centimeter Mountain also gradually caught on.

As they shot strange glances at the wizards from the Su Family, Jiang Family, and even the Tu Shan Clan, they lowered their voices and whispered to each other.

"That little girl from the Jiang family might win, but the Tu Shan Clan never suffers losses."

The young representative from the Cotai Family popped an apricot into his mouth, smiling as he watched the interesting scene below the mountain: "The moment that young man stepped in, it signified Su Councilor being at a subtle disadvantage... This scene alone is enough to make the Qingqiu family furious."

"Silence, silence!" Someone nearby immediately urged restraint against such inflammatory remarks.

...

...

The witches from the Qingqiu Su Family looked at the Magic Stage with somewhat unsightly expressions.

But a few from the Tu Shan Clan watched with eager interest, paying no heed to the interruption of their own younger generation’s challenge, and some of the big foxes were even in the mood to discuss which new conditioners from Fizer Company were better for tails.

It was the old men from the Jiang family, who had been wearing grim expressions throughout, finally relaxed their brows and eyes seeing this scene.

"At least he has some responsibility."

A Jiang family elder sitting on the very edge nodded, then shook his head, chuckling: "Just not very perceptive... Not knowing who wins or loses, why meddle in the commotion?"

...

...

The young wizards by the lake, not knowing what happened on stage, appeared slightly restless.

However, Zhang Ji Xin’s brother instantly recognized the warlock on stage—of course, this was also because the wind and fire on the Magic Stage lifted Zheng Qing’s hood, revealing most of the young teaching assistant’s face.

But before he could speak, a voice from Deng Xiaojian of the Judgement Hunting Team piped up: "This unlucky kid again? Why is he everywhere!"

At First University, the Jiu You Hunting Team and the Judgement Hunting Team always had a good relationship, hence during the Spring Hunt, they all gathered together. Hearing Deng Xiaojian’s voice, the current captain of the Jiu You Hunting Team, Zhao Qiao, squinted his eyes.

"Who?" He wasn’t very familiar with Zheng Qing, and thus didn’t immediately recognize the young teaching assistant’s identity.

"The absolution team’s captain, that ’little teaching assistant’ from the Edge Academy, Su Councilor’s husband." Zhan Yuchen rubbed his nose, muttering: "When he entrusted his little fox to our Pet Garden, I never thought that little creature was Su Councilor’s child... Such a thing, I never dared imagine!"

"Why is Su Councilor’s husband supporting that young lady from the Jiang family?" Deng Xiaojian asked, finally catching up.

The few warlocks immediately fell silent.

By Crescent Lake.

More and more young wizards from First University recognized the boy who suddenly ascended the Magic Stage, their whisperings accompanied by rumors surged like waves spreading around. The young wizards who came to the Shanglin Garden Spring Hunt naturally knew what kind of place this was and understood the true purpose of this hunting party.

Thus, when they saw amongst them a ’non-famous married man’ blending in, the shock was imaginable.

Because the speculation was so far-fetched, no one dared to believe it was true.

Uncle Zhang Zhi, currently the Sacred Will Lei Zhe, sighed heavily and jokingly said to his companions: "This reminds me of a story, about a hunter who went into the forest to gather mushrooms, and forgot to lock his door when he left..."

"Why would a hunter gather mushrooms?" Deng Xiaojian asked, clearly intrigued.

Lei Zhe glanced at him.

"Hmm, perhaps for making potions, or soup."

He casually explained, then emphasized: "That’s not the point. The point is, when the hunter returned at night, he found the house empty, completely different from his memory..."

"Of course it’s different!" Deng Xiaojian couldn’t help but retort once more: "If you go out and forget to lock the door, of course, someone would steal from her house!"

Lei Zhe sighed wistfully: "Indeed, it was someone who stole from her house."