In the Tianlin Continent, there's a force known as the Emerald Mist Valley. Although it can't compare to major sects like the North Star Sect, its proficiency in alchemy has earned respect from various forces. Particularly, the current Valley Master of this generation showcased exceptional alchemical talent early on. He has now reached the level of an eighth-grade advanced alchemist, making him the most promising cultivator on the Tianlin Continent to become a seventh-grade alchemist. Naturally, he is someone not easily offended by any party.
Tian Feirong gulped down a large cup of tea, wiped his mouth, and continued to explain to Gu Yao and Chi Changye, "This Master Hu from the valley has had a smooth journey so far. However, unexpectedly, things aren't going well with his offspring. In his early years, he had a short romantic relationship with another female cultivator. Following that, he entered seclusion in a secret place. It wasn't until he reached the Foundation Establishment stage and significantly improved his alchemy skills that he returned to the Emerald Mist Valley. During this period, spanning around two to three decades, he discovered that the woman he had a relationship with gave birth to his son. Unfortunately, the son had mediocre aptitude and, due to a lack of background, got married early and had a child. Sadly, both husband and wife died during an expedition, leaving behind an orphaned child."
"At that time, Master Hu Gu hadn't succeeded as the Valley Master yet and regretted deeply. He had a son unknowingly, but unfortunately, before they could meet, the son died. So, he raised his grandson, feeling a significant sense of guilt. Master Hu Gu showered immense love and indulgence on this grandson. Due to his dedication to cultivation and alchemy, he mostly entrusted the child's care to people in the valley. Over time, this boy named Hu Weicai was led astray. When Master Hu Gu wanted to correct him, it was said that he often couldn't bring himself to take stern measures."
"Originally, the Emerald Mist Valley wasn't planning to participate in the Ascension Summit. However, recently, Hu Weicai caused a scandal. It is said he pursued a female cultivator who rejected him. The matter was reported to Master Hu Gu by the female cultivator's elder, and Master Hu Gu decided to imprison Hu Weicai, confining him to a forbidden area. Unable to endure the hardship, somehow this lad managed to bribe those overseeing him and secretly escaped. The news reached back to the Emerald Mist Valley. Master Hu Gu intends to come to Ten Directions City in person. His arrival is sure to attract many influential figures. So, this Ascension Summit is expected to be quite lively. You don't know, those fellows from the Gu family, ignorant and audacious, are all rubbing their hands, hoping to seize the opportunity to witness cultivators from the Emerald Mist Valley. If any of them is lucky enough to be accepted as a disciple by Master Hu Gu, that would be like ascending to the heavens. However, in my opinion, those guys are just wishful thinking, daydreaming."
Chí Chángyè folded his arms, looking coldly at Tián Fēiróng. How could this Qi Refinement third layer guy dare to say that the Gu family members were ignorant and audacious? Where did he get the confidence?
Gu Yáo didn't expect such a twist in the story and became a bit interested, asking, "So where is this person named Hú Wéicái now?"
Tián Fēiróng laughed heartily, "This little rascal is slippery. He exposed his identity, but then managed to slip away. It's said he acquired some skills while training in the Emerald Mist Valley. One thing's for sure, he's still in Ten Directions City. Oh, and I heard he's a chubby fellow. Maybe we'll have a chance to run into him."
Gu Yáo chuckled and, with Chí Chángyè, took a break from cultivation to stroll around. Indeed, Ten Directions City had become livelier. Many were searching for Hú Wéicái, hoping to find him before Master Hú arrived. Perhaps they aimed to gain Master Hú's favor. Seeking alchemy opportunities from him was also a possibility.
The conversation even hinted at robbing Hú Wéicái of his elixirs and spirit stones. However, the slippery guy managed to elude capture. Many chubby cultivators were identified, but none matched.
The Ascension Summit proceeded without much concern for the Tian family and Gu Yáo and Chí Chángyè. They had their plans, waiting to report and then explore elsewhere. For younger generations from the family, support was granted if they joined other sects after passing assessments.
Entering a sect was challenging, but over the years, some Tian family members successfully joined. Even if they were low-profile or fell during external cultivation, as long as there was someone like Tián Rú, who successfully built his foundation, the family deemed it worthwhile.
"Gu Yáo, hurry, over there." Tián Fēiróng urged as they headed to the designated location for the Tianfu Academy registration.
Suddenly, someone rushed diagonally, and Gu Yáo called out, "Be careful..."
But it was too late. The person collided with Tián Fēiróng, both falling to the ground. Gu Yáo couldn't bear to look. Even though there wasn't a large crowd, these two still managed to run into each other.
"Ouch! Can't you see where you're going? Blocking my path and knocking me over. I won't spare you!" A chubby guy got up, rubbing his head and complaining. Gu Yáo had to intervene and said, "Careful with your words! He didn't block you. You rushed from the side and bumped into him. I haven't even settled the score with you yet!"
"Who are you scolding? Watch me crush you with a thousand pounds!" The chubby guy clenched his teeth, challenging Tián Fēiróng.
Gu Yáo watched, amazed, while Chí Chángyè sighed, unable to resist a facepalm. It seemed the changes in this world had affected him profoundly. He found himself enjoying watching these two juveniles brawl, a scenario he would have found boring in the past.
Gu Yáo smirked, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. This Instructor Fāng had a similar style to a military big shot he had encountered in a previous life. The big shot loved squeezing himself but would stand up for others when they faced trouble. He wondered if the storm that followed his own troubles would repeat in the alliance.
The chubby guy leaned close to Tián Fēiróng, whispering, "Is it really okay? Maybe we should withdraw."
Tián Fēiróng was about to hesitate and turn to ask for Gu Yáo's opinion, but the strength of Instructor Fāng's cultivation was not something they could whisper about secretly.
Suddenly, Fāng's gentle appearance vanished, replaced by a fierce expression. He reached forward menacingly, intending to grab them. However, with a swift motion, they were dragged to the front of the Tianfu Academy's entrance, unable to move. Nearby cultivators coughed or choked, some advising Fāng, "Senior, don't get angry. Maintain the image of our Tianfu Academy." They also gestured to Tián Fēiróng and the chubby guy, signaling them to comply, "Quickly say you're joining our academy. Senior Fāng loves our academy deeply, and we shouldn't let anyone question it."
The coughing and choking sounds grew louder. Some were powerless to support their foreheads. They had already played around enough, tarnishing the reputation of Tianfu Academy. Fortunately, there weren't many people around. Otherwise, their appearance might have scared others away. Once publicized, who would dare set foot in Tianfu Academy's territory?
Tián Fēiróng managed to squeeze out words, his face turning red, "Fine, we'll join!"
The invisible restraint disappeared instantly, granting them freedom. Tián Fēiróng quickly moved aside, casting a wary glance at Instructor Fāng. He couldn't fathom Fāng's cultivation level; he couldn't resist at all.
The chubby guy reacted a beat later, unable to produce sound. He nodded vigorously, signifying agreement to pay the entrance fee.
As spiritual energy dispersed, the chubby guy plopped down on the ground. Fāng burst into laughter, "I told you, with the personal involvement of Fāng, how could Tianfu Academy fail to recruit students? Once you enter, you'll see that our Tianfu Academy is not inferior to those nonsense sects like North Star Sect."
As the laughter subsided, Fāng appraised Gu Yáo and Chí Chángyè with an interested gaze, "You two..."
Gu Yáo spoke promptly, "I specifically came to enroll in the academy," he added, pulling Chí Chángyè forward, "and he's with me."
"Young man, good choice," Fāng was highly satisfied. He called out, "Jiāng Yàn, come quickly and handle the enrollment procedures for this..." Then, turning to Gu Yáo, he asked, "What's your name?"
"I'm called Gu Yáo," he promptly replied.
Fāng continued, "Jiāng Yàn, handle the enrollment procedures for Gu Yáo."
"Here they come." A gentle voice, tinged with resignation, echoed from behind. Soon after, a tall and elegant young cultivator emerged. His features, while not the most outstanding, exuded an incredibly soft charm. It was as if a gentle radiance enveloped him, creating a soothing atmosphere.
Jiāng Yàn, glancing at the person Instructor Fāng pointed to, smiled gently. "Gu Yáo, follow me."
"Sure." Gu Yáo smiled back and, accompanied by Chí Chángyè, walked towards Jiāng Yàn. They arrived at the administrative area where Tián Fēiróng and the chubby guy were grimacing while processing paperwork. The person beside them was the one who had harmonized with Instructor Fāng earlier.
Spotting Jiāng Yàn and Gu Yáo, the person said, "Jiāng Senior Brother, aren't these the companions who were with Tián Junior Brother just now? Welcome to join our Tianfu Academy. Rest assured, you won't regret coming in."
"Zhou Junior Brother, say less. Don't argue with Senior Fāng and cause trouble." Jiāng Yàn scolded, but as Gu Yáo's gaze stayed on his face, there was no genuine blame on his expression. Internally, he couldn't help but shiver a bit. Despite Jiāng Senior Brother's warm appearance, Gu Yáo instinctively felt he might be even more difficult to deal with than Zhou Junior Brother.
Tián Fēiróng and the chubby guy, with bitter expressions, completed a form as instructed by Zhou Junior Brother, then proceeded to test their spiritual root aptitude. The chubby guy muttered, "Shouldn't we test our aptitude first before seeing if we can enter based on our aptitude?"
Zhou Junior Brother twitched his mouth, patting the chubby guy's shoulder. "This is the standard procedure. Once you've filled out the form and paid the spirit stones, you're my junior. Testing aptitude is to determine your cultivation direction after entering the academy."
While saying this aloud, he rolled his eyes internally. Of course, collecting the registration fee first was crucial. Dealing with good or bad aptitude had its respective approaches. They couldn't afford to miss any opportunity.
Gu Yáo observed the testing device used for aptitude, which was different from the one at the Gu family. He stood there curiously. Jiāng Yàn didn't remind them to hurry and fill out the form or pay the spirit stones.
The testing device resembled a circular disc with intricate patterns engraved on it. When Tián Fēiróng pressed his hand on it, three beams of light, red, green, and gold, refracted above. It indicated that Tián Fēiróng had a triple spiritual root, which was slightly better than Gu Yáo's quadruple spiritual root. However, examining the beams, it was clear that the thickness was almost the same for all three, without highlighting a dominant primary root. In other words, if they were to evaluate the triple spiritual root aptitude as high, medium, and low, Tián Fēiróng's would be considered the lowest.
Tián Fēiróng wasn't surprised by what he saw. Just as he was about to retract his hand, changes appeared above the beams.
"Fire Spiritual Root: 23, Wood Spiritual Root: 24, Metal Spiritual Root: 22."
Zhou Junior Brother, observing Tián Fēiróng's results, smirked and boasted, "This is our unique aptitude testing device at Tianfu Academy. The values above represent the purity of your spiritual roots. The higher the value, the better the aptitude. More spiritual roots don't necessarily mean lower aptitude."
However, seeing Tián Fēiróng's low purity values, Zhou Junior Brother's eye twitched. He couldn't offer too much comforting words.
Unfazed, Tián Fēiróng casually remarked, "My values are on the lower side. So, are you still accepting us?"
"Accept! Of course, we'll accept. Our academy opens its doors to every cultivator willing to dedicate themselves to cultivation. We don't discriminate like some sects!" Zhou Junior Brother said with a righteous tone.
Trust him and you'll believe in ghosts! They don't discriminate with spirit stones, do they?
"Wèi Zhèngfēi, it's your turn."
The chubby guy, now known as Wèi Zhèngfēi, walked over. He, too, placed his chubby hand on the testing device.
□ Author's Note:
Writing is exhausting. Finally, all updates are complete. Happy holidays, and see you tomorrow? This book is exclusively published by Liancheng Reading. Please do not reprint!