"Is it true?" Master Meng asked with great interest.
Master Hu confirmed, "I, Hu, wouldn't fail to recognize the pill I refined. This pill indeed didn't come from my hands, but the alchemist behind it is highly skilled. I don't know who they are, but I'm eager to meet them."
At this stage, seeking a peer for alchemical exchange is challenging. Yan Yang couldn't help but feel disappointed, yet quickly rallied. If not Master Hu, then it must be another alchemist. If Master Hu acknowledges them, their skill might even surpass his. Finding this person would be even better.
"Master Hu, it seems we misunderstood. The pill didn't circulate from Junior Brother's hands. In recent days, we focused on finding Hu Junior Brother, and the alchemist stopped selling the pills. So, we couldn't trace their identity."
"So, this matter has nothing to do with you." Master Hu Gu acknowledged the efforts made by others in searching for his grandson and shifted attention to the pills. "If this young man is indeed talented, I'm interested in taking him as a disciple for cultivation."
Yan Yang said, "Highly likely. According to our investigation, the pills crafted by this alchemist are advanced, likely not yet reaching the level of an eighth-grade alchemist. If the information is true, releasing the news should prompt the alchemist to join willingly."
Master Hu Gu expressed joy, "Very well, I appreciate your assistance."
"No problem, Master Hu Gu, you can rest assured. We will also help inquire about the whereabouts of your grandson."
Cui Yan Valley's disciple stayed in the Lord's Mansion. When cultivators from various forces left, news of Master Hu Gu wanting to take in a new disciple spread rapidly.
One of the students who went to gather information rushed back excitedly, saying, "The pills that appeared some time ago weren't sold by Hu Weicai, the playboy. It was another alchemist. Master Hu Gu announced that if the person is a young cultivator, he's willing to take them as a direct disciple."
Many were surprised, "What? It wasn't sold by that playboy?"
"The pills weren't refined by Master Hu Gu?"
"Yes, yes," the informant student nodded vigorously, "Master Hu Gu admitted it himself and praised the alchemist's skill, showing interest in nurturing them. In such a short time, many people have come forward claiming to have crafted those pills."
"Heh, what a bunch of characters. Does Master Hu Gu have a blind eye? Everyone wants to impersonate?"
"Hehe, maybe those cultivators just got lucky. They might catch Master Hu Gu's eye. Even if not chosen as a direct disciple, joining Cui Yan Valley is still a good opportunity."
Upon hearing their conversation, Gu Yao and Chi Changye exchanged glances. They thought there was an unfortunate fellow in front of them, but it turned out the main character had been exposed so quickly. Can't they play a little more discreetly?
Chi Changye glanced to the side, the chubby guy grinding his teeth loudly. Tian Feirong was engrossed in the conversation when he heard the strange noise. He nudged the chubby guy's elbow, "What are you doing? Hungry and want to eat something?"
The chubby guy grinded his teeth a couple more times, giving an expression as if he was about to devour something, sinisterly 14:071D 1/4 48.2%.
Staring at Tian Feirong, he said, "Don't provoke me. If you do, I'll bite into your flesh."
Then, he turned around, presenting his backside to Tian Feirong, sulking away.
Chi Changye raised an eyebrow. Perhaps the supposed unlucky person mentioned by Gu Yao was right beside them?
Interesting!
Gu Yao and his companions were already students of Tianfu Academy. After receiving their identity cards, they waited to depart for the academy with the main group. Jiang Shixiong didn't restrict them and suggested exploring other places. He wasn't concerned about them running away, especially someone like Tian Feirong, who needed to bid farewell to his family before heading to the academy.
Tian Feirong managed to drag the unwilling chubby guy away. He valued brotherhood; how could he leave the chubby guy behind?
Watching the four figures move away, Jiang Yan smiled and said, "Perhaps this batch of junior brothers will surprise us."
Senior Brother Zhou shook a bit; he feared Jiang Shixiong more than Senior Instructor Fang. Despite his fear, curiosity prevailed, and he boldly approached, "Senior Brother, isn't it just two triple spiritual roots and one quadruple spiritual root? Why are you so optimistic about them?"
One of the triple spiritual roots wasn't much better than a quadruple spiritual root. Thinking about disciples with double spiritual roots accepted by other sects, it was disheartening!
Jiang Shixiong withdrew his gaze, and with a serious tone, he said, "Junior Brother, you're looking at the problem too narrowly. Our dean has triple spiritual roots. Who knows if someone among them will follow a similar path? Besides..."
Jiang Yan didn't continue the rest of his sentence. Gu Yao's alchemy skills shouldn't be lacking, and the mysterious Chi Changye by his side was even more unpredictable. Even entering the academy as an attendant wouldn't be an issue; the dean might be interested in this attendant, particularly for the Sword Pavilion of Tianfu Academy.
Senior Brother Zhou patted his own mouth, scolding himself for being talkative, and ingratiatingly said, "Senior Brother, shall I check their backgrounds?"
Jiang Yan nodded, and Senior Brother Zhou, honored to receive a task, hurriedly went to complete it.
Gu Yao's group wandered around the square. In some places, the crowds were so dense that they had to squeeze through. People scolded them, thinking they were trying to seize opportunities.
Little did they know, the group was just here to join in the excitement.
Someone kindly explained to them, "See that gate? For those who want to join North Star Sect, the first test is to pass through that gate. Only if it triggers a reaction can they proceed to the second and third tests, such as checking bone age, assessing spiritual root aptitude, and examining spiritual power and mental willpower. Initially, there were more people here because of the news that Cui Yan Valley was recruiting disciples and Master Hu Gu was taking a direct disciple. Many cultivators flocked here, hoping for good fortune."
Gu Yao was surprised. It was so quiet at Tianfu Academy, but here it seemed chaotic. No wonder Senior Instructor Fang was so angry.
"You guys don't know. North Star Sect's Senior Brother Yan Yang is the dream husband for many female cultivators. Look, many female cultivators are queuing up to enter North Star Sect. Once inside, they'll have more opportunities to interact with Senior Brother Yan Yang. They might even catch his eye."
"And because many female cultivators come here, it attracts a lot of male cultivators too."
"Haha, it seems North Star Sect is quite clever. Senior Brother Yan Yang is a living advertisement. Where can they find such good disciples?"
Tian Feirong held back a mischievous smile, "Perhaps it's all thanks to Senior Brother Yan Yang that Master Hu Gu can clear up the misunderstanding about his grandson selling stolen pills."
Little did they expect someone to grind their teeth loudly, angrily saying, "So it's that bastard causing trouble. Earlier, it was said... Hu Weicai stole the pills. Surely, it was spread by him. Disciples of North Star Sect, bowing so low to Master Hu Gu, that's all North Star Sect is worth! What are you doing? Why are you pulling my clothes? Is what I said wrong?"
Tian Feirong wished he could cover the chubby guy's mouth or make him swallow the words he had spoken earlier. Noticing many people turning around, he angrily glared at the chubby guy, contemplating tearing him apart. Even he knew how good Yan Yang's reputation was. Being belittled by the chubby guy could provoke the entire North Star Sect to come after them.
"Quick, if you don't want to be hunted down, run for your life. If you don't run, we'll leave on our own," Tian Feirong threatened in a low voice, then turned and, along with Gu Yao and Chi Changye, dove into the crowd.
The chubby guy looked up and indeed saw cultivators all around glaring at him with killing intent. He shivered, losing all courage, and fled while clutching his head, shouting, "Tian guy, wait for me..."
"What's the origin of that chubby guy? How dare he degrade our North Star Sect and criticize Senior Brother Yan Yang! If I catch him, I'll peel off his skin layer by layer!" A North Star Sect disciple rushed out, but there was no trace of the chubby guy and his companions. They could only threaten the crowd.
Some people in the crowd avoided eye contact, and two were Tian family descendants hoping to pass North Star Sect's assessment. They didn't know the chubby guy and his friends, but Tian Ershao couldn't be wrong. They almost offended the entire North Star Sect. Seeing their escape, these two sighed in relief.
There were also members of the Lu family, casting malicious glances. How they wished North Star Sect had caught them, making them leave in disgrace.
As for the Gu family, they all went to Cui Yan Valley, displaying a bold move.
Outside North Star Sect's territory, Tian Feirong and the chubby guy accused each other of being unfaithful, engaging in playful banter. They arrived at a place permeated with the scent of herbs.
"This is... Cui Yan Valley's territory, right? Indeed, so many people. Oh..." Gu Yao curiously looked ahead and recognized a few familiar faces—people from the Gu family. They also noticed Gu Yao and avoided eye contact.
Tian Feirong and the chubby guy fell silent. The chubby guy didn't show the righteous indignation he did earlier.
Seeing Gu Yao approaching, Gu Yang lowered his voice and said, "What is he doing here? Does he think the top-grade Bihua Pill was refined by him? A guy with a quadruple spiritual root, even dreams of becoming Master Hu Gu's direct disciple?"
Gu Yu, sharp-eyed, said, "No, it should be just to watch the excitement. Did you see the emblem on his clothes? It's stamped by Tianfu Academy. Turns out, Gu Yao came for Tianfu Academy. No wonder he doesn't want to stay in Yuanyang Town."
Gu Yu originally found it strange why Gu Yao had run out. Now knowing his whereabouts, there was a bit of envy. For family members like them, even if Tianfu Academy had a good reputation, they wouldn't dare to consider it. The entrance fee alone was something their families couldn't afford, and having good alchemical skills was their capital.