By late evening, the Li household was calm again. The dishes had been cleared, the younger ones had washed up, and the smell of tea drifted from the study.
Li Jian sat behind the low desk, pouring a steaming cup of tea for himself. Liu Xiong lounged by the window, clearly there just to watch the fun.
One by one, the children arrived. Yujian came first, followed by Cheng and Jingsheng, who looked like they'd step out of an ice bag. Yuhan, Zhang and Jingxuan strolled in together, still giggling over some private joke, and Juanxin came in last, padded in with Fluffy trotting at his side, the fox's tail swaying lazily.
Fluffy didn't want to come since Shiny refused to come as well, but Juanxin insisted that partners should stay together.
They sat in a semi-circle, each with cushions that Li Jain set up prior to their arrival. Liu Xiong leaned lazily against the window, observing them with interest.
Once everyone had settled, Li Jian began: "You've all trained well and proven you can handle yourselves. But strength without knowledge is only half the foundation. The next step is schooling. I know we've been talking about this for a long time. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll be schooling by Monday."
The room went quiet. Seven pairs of eyes looked at each other, there was obvious excitement on their faces.
Li Jain continued: "I've visited several schools in Fengwu City with Boss Lan. Each with its own strengths. The results are here, I'm not going to assign you. You can all pick for yourselves where to enroll."
A flicker of surprise passed through the group.
"You mean… we decide?" Li Zhang asked, brows raised.
"Yes, you can." Li Jian said simply: "But I expect you to choose with reason, not based on impulse."
Li Zhang grinned: "So I can go where brother Han's going."
Li Cheng frowned and murmured: "Father just said choose with reasons not impulse."
Li Zhang smirks: "And how do you know I don't have my reasons?"
Li Jingxuan leaned forward, resting his chin in his hands: "Then I'm going with you two. You're the fun ones."
Li Yujian shot him a look: "Fun? School is not supposed to be fun. It's about cultivating properly, having discipline, and…"
"Being boring," Li Yuhan cut in flatly.
"He's not boring." Li Jingsheng said in defense.
"Yes he is." Three voices chimed at once, which included Yuhan, Zhang, and Jingxuan.
...
Li Jain laid out three scrolls on the desk, each bearing the seal of a school. The children lend over, reading each scroll.
School options:
First School: Azure Cloud Academy; Renowned for its strict discipline, scholarly cultivation, and elite swordsmanship program. For those who value discipline, theory, and structured combat progression. Strict instructors, daily assessments, and high academic standards. They specialize in poisonous art and swordsmanship.
Second School: Vermillion Sword Hall;
Known for its healing arts, plant and beast cultivation, and supportive environment. Their main battle focus is archery. Flexible classes, individualized training. A place for developing unique abilities without constant competition.
Third School: Moonstone Scholars' Institute;
A balance of martial and spiritual cultivation with emphasis on agility, team tactics, and exploration. A more relaxing environment, they're known for outdoor training. They produce unconventional fighters and tacticians with less rules, and more freedom.
…
Once they finished reading the information, Li Zhang spoke up first: "It would've been good if Vermillion Sword Hall had beast taming. Who wouldn't want beast-riding?"
"Those who prefer actual study over chasing spirit deer in the forest," Li Cheng answered flatly.
Li Zhang smirked. "I can study while riding a spirit deer."
"No, you can't," Li Jingsheng replied.
"Yes I can, I just haven't tried yet. And I'll be glad to take you along." Li Zhang pulled him in his arms.
"No Thank you." Jingsheng struggled to get away.
Jingxuan pointed his chopsticks like a sword. "Vermillion Sword Hall is the only Academy with outdoor training. Also, their dining hall has fried mooncakes."
Yuhan nodded approvingly. "See, a man of priorities."
"Fried mooncakes aren't a priority. And how do you know they even have it?!!" Jingsheng muttered.
"It's called instant," Li Jingxuan teasingly.
Li Jian coughed lightly to bring the room back under control. "Let's go by order. Yujian, you start. Which school are you interested in?"
Li Yujian straightened his back and said seriously: "The Azure Cloud Academy. Their discipline system is strict. They have the most rigorous curriculum by far, and the best instructors. Also, their advanced poison cultivation library has more techniques than anywhere else in Fengwu City. It suits my needs."
Li Jingsheng immediately said: "I also choose the Azure Cloud Academy."
Li Jingxuan gaped: "You? Why do you want to enroll in the strictest school? You'd freeze into a block of ice."
"I already have an ice root." Jingsheng said with a snort: "And I learn best under structure. Not like you."
Li Jingxuan stuck out his tongue and ignored him.
Li Yujian blinked: "Are you certain?"
Li Jingsheng nodded seriously: "You're my role model. If I want to surpass you, I should train where you train."
"That's… logical," Yujian admitted, consideredly.
Li Yujian didn't think there's a need for Jingsheng to compete with him. Their situations are very opposite. But Azure Cloud Academy has a high priority for Swordsmanship and Jingsheng life is devoted to the sword. After all, he awakened a sword spirit. Thinking this way, Azure Cloud Academy is the best place for him to study.
Li Jain nodded in approval and the matter between the two was settled.
Li Cheng adjusted his sleeves and spoke up: "I chose Moonstone Scholars' Institute. Their Archery cultivation methods are ranked second in the entire province. They also have a specialized sensory training hall. That matches my abilities. I also plan on learning the art of talisman."
Li Juanxin thought for a moment and raised his hand. "Daddy, does Moonstone Scholars' Institute also have a healing division?"
"They do. They are the only Academy with a wide range of healers." Li Jian confirmed.
"Then… I'll go there too." Juanxin said with a smile: "They have a beast taming category for healers which means I can carry Fluffy with me."
"Yeah, just great." Fluffy sighs at his fate.
"If enrolled in the Academy, that means you have to face blood every now and then; are you sure you're ready?" Li Jain asked with concern.
Juanxin lifted his chin proudly: "I have already overcome my fear of blood. Besides, I want to grow stronger in my healing ability."
Liu Xiong's eyes softened, but he said nothing.
Cheng gave a nod of approval and patted Juanxin's hair: "Don't worry, Father. I'll make sure no one dares to bully him."
Another group was settled, which left the last group. They could either choose the last school or join their brothers.
Li Yuhan was expecting Yujian to choose Azure Cloud Academy and if things were as usual, he'll definitely go with Yujian. But now that the option was given, he wanted to go where he feels comfortable. Being apart doesn't mean they won't look out for each other. This will actually broaden their horizon. And if something did happen, Li Yujian's telepathic ability can travel a long distance.
"I'm going to Vermillion Sword Hall." Li Yuhan announced after much thought: "They focus on day to day combat, movement arts, and adaptability. Plus, their training ground is built on a cliff, it's exciting."
"No surprise there." Yujian murmured as it was expected.
"Then I'm going with you." Li Zhang said without hesitation. "I like cliffs. Besides, the less work the better."
"More freedom doesn't mean less work." Li Cheng said coldly.
"Don't read in-between the lines." Li Zhang glazed at his brother annoyingly. In every large family, there's always that one person that likes to pour cold water on others' backs.
Li Jingxuan clapped his hands: "I'm in too! Their dining hall has to serve spiritual beast meat once a week. And I heard that their students are allowed to wander into the market during school hours."
Li Jain was speechless by this logic. 'Should I be worried?'
"Of course you picked based on food," Jingsheng muttered.
"And you pick a school based on brother Jian." Li Jingxuan shot back.
The room dissolved into overlapping chatter again.
They split into three groups:
Yujian and Jingsheng ➡️ Azure Cloud Academy
Li Cheng and Juanxin ➡️ Moonstone Scholars' Institute
Yuhan, Li Zhang, Jingxuan ➡️ Vermillion Sword Hall
"You three in the same school is like asking for trouble. Aren't you afraid of making Father worry?" Yujian said flatly.
"And you think he won't worry about you? I've seen how you can get when your button is pushed. Besides, we are people with similar visions." Li Yuhan shot back.
"More like people with bad visions." Li Cheng muttered.
"And you two think going to the same rigid academies makes you better than us?" Li Zhang sneered.
"It makes us more disciplined." Jingsheng replied.
"It makes you more boring than you already are." Jingxuan said with a sly grin.
Li Jian raised a hand, cutting through the rising volume. He didn't mind them going on and on… in fact, it's like an entertainment for him. But now is not the time, he needs to wrap things up quickly. There's still so much to do.
"Each of you has chosen for your own reasons. I trust you to make the most of your choice. Schools are only there to shape you, but they don't define you."
The room went quiet down immediately and all eyes were turned to him.
"It's decided," Li Jian concluded. "Prepare yourselves. We'll go for the entrance exam in the morning and register once you pass the exam. If any of you have a change of mind, you can stay and I will home school you."
The children glanced at one another: "Don't worry father, we all will go to school."
"Ok then." Li Jain looked at his children that were growing too fast, reluctantly. He was still worried though.
Liu Xiong chuckled from the window seat. "Three schools, Seven of Li Jain's precious children. Fengwu City won't know what hit it."
"Xiao Xuan, come see me before going to bed." Li Jain said suddenly before leaving the study.
"Yes, Father." Li Jingxuan answered excitedly while enjoying the envious glance from his brothers.
To them, their father is a Devin being, and one private section with him would solve the problem one didn't even know they had.
...