Cultivation Daddy

Chapter 151 - 150: Li Cheng is Missing (3)

As they walked, Xu Tao brought up a conversation when he felt the silence was too intense.

Xu Tao: "Sir must not be from this country, right? People here usually know Bright Stone Academy because they’re one of the top schools in this area. Along with White River Academy, Golden Bell and Red Flame, the rest are not worth mentioning."

Li Jain listened without interrupting.

"Xu Tao glanced back at him: "Sir, are you going to register? Although the semester has already begun, I heard they’re still accepting disciples."

Li Jain shook his head: "No, I’m looking for someone."

"Oh? Someone from the secret realm?" Xu Tao slows down his pace

Li Jain looked at him silently.

Xu Tao was embarrassed and immediately raised both hands: "I’m not prying. I just heard people talking earlier. The four Academies sent students into the realm this time after a year of not using and there were some problems with the trails."

Li Jain’s gaze narrowed slightly: "What problems?"

"It’s not a big problem, but it’s quite serious. They met random people from other places. The main issue is..." Xu Tao lowers his voice: "This secret realm is rather private and shouldn’t have appear anywhere else."

Li Jain paused, if this was the case then they were the ones intruding. Even so, it’s not like he stole the secret realm. After all, it just happens to be in the house he bought.

Xu Tao led him through a side road. At the end of the path, they passed a breakfast stall and returned to a broader road.

Soon, a large gate appeared ahead. Two stone Eagles stood on either side, both carved with spared wings, open mouths and fierce eyes. Above the gate hung a plaque with bold characters: Bright Stone Martial Academy.

Students in gray and yellow uniforms moved in and out. Li Jain was surprised that the school was still in section, because it was really late.

What Li Jain didn’t know is that those students are the ones that lived on campus.

Xu Tao stopped a few steps away and pointed at the gate: "That’s it.

Li Jain took out a small pouch and handed it to him. Xu Tao accepted it excitedly, then paused when he felt the weight. His eyes widened slightly: "Sir, this is too much."

"Keep it." Li Jain said and looked up at the sky: "It’s very late. If I don’t return soon, leave without me. If fate has it, we might meet again."

Xu Tao tightened his grip on the pouch. He wanted to escort this man to the places he wanted to go, but it was really late. He hesitated for a moment, then he nodded seriously: "I understand."

Li Jain walked toward the gate. Xu Tao stood where he was, he looked at the pouch again, then at Li Jain’s back.

He didn’t even ask the man what his name was.

This was the second time that someone looked at Li Jain’s back in a new light.

....

The security guard at the gate immediately stepped forward when he saw Li Jain approaching.

"Stopped! What business do you have here?"

Li Jain: "I need to speak to your school headmaster, principal, or elders. Whichever one is available."

"At this hour? It’s past visitor hours. Do you have an appointment?" The guard crossed his arms: "Otherwise, you cannot enter."

Li Jain: "I have urgent matters to discuss. It concerns your Academy. A missing child from the secret realm."

The guard’s expression changed when the secret realm was mentioned, he hesitated for a moment: "Wait here. I’ll report it."

After a short while, the guard who left returned from inside, and waved his hand reluctantly: "Come in. the elder will see you, but only you. He can’t enter."

Xu Tao immediately lowered his head.

The guard pointed at him: "Dirty Street boy like him has no business here. When they come through this gate, they always give trouble, not wanting to come out."

Li Jain turned slightly and looked at Xu Tao. Xu Tao looked embarrassed but not surprised. Clearly, this wasn’t the first time he had heard such words.

Li Jain didn’t say anything. The person that was being targeted wasn’t offended, so why should he be? Besides, the two were only doing business, there’s not much to talk about. He was more worried about his son.

He nodded at Xu Tao and walked in, following the guard across the courtyard. His expression was still calm, most of the children he saw inside were in normal clothing. Li Jain realizes then that the ones he saw at the gate might have been returning from a trip.

The guard led through and until they reached a small courtyard.

Three stone benches surrounded a square table. Tea steamed in a clay pot at the center. Three elderly men were sitting around the table.

The old man in the center wore plain white robes, but the quality of the cloth was of the best. The old man to the left was thin, with a narrowed face and sharp brows. The one at the right has a long and well-kept beard.

"Headmaster, Elders, the person has arrived" The guard stopped at the entrance of the courtyard and spoke.

The headmaster nodded and the guard bowed and withdrew, closing the courtyard gate behind him.

"Please, sit." The headmaster lifted his hand and gestured to an empty stone bench.

Li Jain walked forward and sat across from them. They were surprised at his attitude of not being overly humble, nor overly familiar.

The elder on the right pours him a cup of tea: "You asked to meet us, speak."

Li Jain received the cup: "My name is Li Jain. I am Li Cheng’s father, the kid that was mistakenly bought out of the secret realm."

"Oh? So, you’re the father of that little brat? He spoke so hardly of you." The elder on the left said with a meaningful smile.

"How did your son end up inside that secret realm?" The headmaster asked calmly.

Li Jain answered truthfully, not hiding any detail: "The secret realm entrance happened to be in the house I bought almost a year ago. It was hidden by a level six concealing formation, which I broke. It was a low-level realm only allowing the first level of Spiritual Sea and below, so I didn’t think it’ll be a problem to let the children to enter and gain experience."

The thin elder leaned forward: "You broke a level six concealing formation? Then you must be at least a level six formation master."

Li Jain lifted the teacup and took a sip; it was a good tea. He was no longer in a hurry, but it seems that his child was saved.

"I am a formation king." Li Jain said calmly. He was once a formation emperor, but his current level can’t support that.

Even so, the elders were shocked. A formation king is not a simple title.

"We have two formation kings in this city, but neither of them is as young as you. You are really talented." The headmaster said, complementing him.

"As for the kid, Li Cheng... When we received the alarm from our students inside the secret realm, we had no choice but to close the trial early. Who would have thought that when the students were brought out, a child from the other side would come out with them?"

Li Jain’s finger tightens on the edge of the table. So, it was really a misunderstanding.