Chapter 572: Chapter 572: It’s okay, I’m pretty amazing too

When Gregory Xander returned to the villa, Scarlett Jennings and her group were just arranging dinner.

Seeing Gregory back, everyone seemed a bit surprised.

Although he said he’d be back soon, no one expected he’d be back “soon” for real.

After all, he was going back to his own home.

Even if not staying overnight, a dinner would be expected, right?

Did they send him back without even having dinner?

Gregory met the complicated and odd looks from everyone, and then glanced at the table full of sumptuous dishes, remembering it was dinner time. However, he wasn’t in the mood to eat and simply said,

“You guys eat.”

After speaking, he went straight upstairs to his chosen room.

Ashton Todd and the others exchanged fearful looks,

“Did Senior Brother Xander actually get bullied?”

Stella Gibson whispered, “That’s impossible, right? He looks pretty normal.”

“You don’t understand men.”

Ashton Todd said, “Especially men like Senior Brother Xander who are so rigid and prideful.”

Nathan White also whispered, “He, he seems a bit down emotionally.”

Lower than usual.

Scarlett Jennings thought for a moment, then decisively got up and went upstairs.

Ashton and the others quickly followed her like little tails.

On the second floor, Scarlett knocked on Gregory’s door, bluntly asking,

“Were you bullied?”

The small tails behind her were speechless: …

No, who taught you to ask like that?

Sure enough, Gregory was first stunned, then rolled his eyes fiercely at her, “Do you think that’s possible?”

“Not very likely.” Scarlett said, “Since it didn’t happen, come down and eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

Gregory said, attempting to retreat back into his room.

The little tails behind Scarlett immediately stepped forward, Ashton grabbed Gregory’s arm,

“You’re not fasting, how could you not be hungry? Come on, come on, come on.”

Stella also chimed in, “Yeah, Senior Brother, come on, the food is really fragrant tonight.”

Nathan cautiously approached, not daring to grab him like Ashton, but simply tugged at his coat corner,

“Come, come.”

Gregory was then dragged by the group back to the dining room downstairs, while the two mentors smiled without saying anything.

Once everyone was seated again, Gregory still felt a bit awkward, “I really am not hungry.”

Ashton said, “We know, then just watch us eat.”

Gregory: …

That night’s dinner, the not-hungry Gregory Xander ate two big bowls.

The small frustration from going home inexplicably vanished during this meal.

…

The next day, the academy competition officially began.

The competition was held at the Capital Taoist Academy, unlike Sea City’s academy hidden in the mountains, the Capital Taoist Academy was situated in the city center, with its teaching buildings and facilities having a very modern technological vibe.

Since it was away from home, Scarlett and her group just arrived under the guidance of their mentors and received quite a few looks from the students within the academy.

Most of those gazes fell on Scarlett and Gregory, occasionally accompanied by whispered discussions.

Regarding Scarlett, it was mainly due to the nationwide awareness sparked by the popular live broadcasts of “Inspiration” acknowledging the existence of the mystical realm.

And regarding Gregory, naturally it was because he was the heir of the Xander Family.

Clearly from the Capital, yet he went to Sea City Taoist Academy for studies; how could that not pique curiosity?

Gregory paid no attention to the curious eyes around him, leading the group as the senior brother towards the Sea City Taoist Academy’s seating.

Coincidentally, their seating was arranged next to North City Taoist Academy, and as soon as the six sat down, they saw a familiar face.

It was indeed yesterday’s annoying Cedric Wilder.

Cedric’s challenging gaze swept over the group and locked onto Scarlett, as if forgetting yesterday’s lesson, winked at her, and only held back inappropriate remarks due to being in front of their mentors.

Scarlett ignored him, anyway, once the competition started, she could respond however she wanted, no rush.

The girl sitting next to Scarlett excitedly leaned in towards her.

“Scarlett Jennings! Scarlett, I knew I’d see you at this competition. I’m a fan of yours, I’ve watched every one of your live broadcasts!”

The girl said, extending her hand to her, very confident and poised,

“I’m Violet Allen, can I shake your hand?”

Upon hearing her name, Scarlett slightly turned her head to look at her.

Violet, around twenty years old, was very youthful and attractive, even the academy Taoist robe couldn’t hide her brightness.

Though her appearance was sunny and energetic, she was enveloped by a faint layer of shadow energy.

Unlike common shadow energy affliction, her shadow energy seemed innate, even carrying a hint of dark glow.

This dark glow, she had seen before on the guides responsible for Spiritual Affairs.

If she was correct, the girl in front of her—

Was a Walking Impermanence.

Walking Impermanence, also known folk-wise as “Walking into Darkness.”

Simply put, it’s recruiting living souls from the human world to perform duties for the Underworld, borrowing Impermanence status to escort new deceased souls, and returning them when done.

Similar to a temporary worker in the Underworld, essentially still a living person, hence they are also called “Life Impermanence.”

Life Impermanence possesses the same authority as normal Impermanence.

For example, capturing souls with chains, and passing through Underworld pathways.

Whether in the past or now, Mystical Sect practitioners have high regard for Life Impermanence.

Firstly, because they can communicate with the Underworld, secondly, in some aspects, they are considered connected to the Underworld.

Scarlett Jennings had never encountered an actual Walking Impermanence before.

Well, the previous Spiritual Affairs guides were dead.

Thinking about this, Scarlett didn’t avoid and directly shook hands with her, and Violet was delighted, leaning in eloquently,

“Just now I saw our academy’s Cedric Wilder wink at you, do you know him?”

Scarlett hesitated, only replied,

“We have a bit of a grudge.”

Next to her, Stella heard the conversation, immediately chimed in, and rattled off about Cedric’s tasteless remarks yesterday and their near complaint against him.

Hearing this, Violet wasn’t angry, rather felt a bit regretful,

“Why didn’t you just report him…”

Seeing them looking at her, Violet boldly said, “Not just you guys, even us from the same academy, whenever we chat with him, we want to complain against him eight hundred times a day.”

Taking herself as an example, she’d wanted to capture Cedric’s soul more than once or twice.

Cedric Wilder’s gossip level was where even passing cats get a comment from him.

The senior brothers and sisters in the academy didn’t like him either.

Had it not been for this trip to the Capital, Cedric wouldn’t have traveled alone.

Hearing complaints about Cedric, Ashton’s ears perked up and he didn’t hesitate to join the chat.

Violet saw Scarlett hardly participating in the conversation, thought for a moment, and decided to warn her.

Despite Cedric’s annoying chatter and arrogant personality, he being selected as a freshman to participate in this academy competition wasn’t without reason.

“Scarlett, although we’re not on the same team, I still want to remind you, be cautious if you face Cedric Wilder.”

Violet said with concern,

“Cedric is very formidable.”

Not him personally, but the Immortal Family backing him, not only numerous but more powerful than ordinary Immortal Family.

This is Cedric Wilder’s reliance on belittling others.

Upon hearing this, Scarlett merely gave Violet a faint look,

“It’s alright.”

She said,

“I’m pretty formidable myself.”