Chapter 267: Chapter 165: Tribute

Zhuoyi’s meaning was crystal clear.

Mr. Du had secured Chu Lingguang a chance to train in the Trial Ground, but in return, he needed Chu Lingguang to place in the top ten of the Provincial Examination.

If Chu Lingguang lacked the confidence and ability to achieve this, he shouldn’t go to the Trial Ground. He should choose to train at an academy instead.

But Chu Lingguang didn’t much care how important the opportunity to train in the Trial Ground was. Right now, he only wanted to know one thing: would placing in the top ten of the Provincial Examination help Guo Wei be granted the title of Grandmaster, allowing him to go to Wolf Valley Pass to free someone and thus repay the debt of gratitude he owed him?

If it would.

Chu Lingguang was willing to owe Mr. Du one of his Favors, go to the Trial Ground to train, and participate in the Provincial Martial Arts Examination in nine months. Even if he couldn’t place in the top ten and would have to pay a price, Chu Lingguang was willing to take that risk for Guo Wei.

Guo Wei couldn’t decide right away.

He had personally taught Chu Lingguang and knew his character inside and out. He looked at Zhuoyi and said, “Lord Zhuo, if Lin Guang’s performance at the Trial Ground fails to satisfy Mr. Du, what will Mr. Du do to him?”

“You jest, Master Guo. Lord Du is desperate for talent. Once Chu Lingguang enters the Trial Ground, he will be Lord Du’s Disciple regardless of his results. Why would Lord Du make things difficult for him?” Zhuoyi said with a smile.

Guo Wei fell silent again. Zhuoyi’s words made it clear: as soon as Chu Lingguang entered the Trial Ground, he would belong to the Du Family. Whether or not he placed in the top ten, he would have to serve the Du Family from that day forward.

If he succeeded, he would be given generous terms, more cultivation resources, and a smooth path to a high-ranking official career.

If he failed, he would have to work like a dog for the Du Family, charging into the fray and solving all their problems.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Even Guo Wei, in teaching Chu Lingguang, hoped that his student would one day achieve success and fame and help him attain the title of Grandmaster.

But he was different from Mr. Du. If Chu Lingguang succeeded, it would be a matter of destiny. If he failed, it would simply be his fate. Guo Wei wouldn’t hold it against him.

Mr. Du, however, was different.

If Chu Lingguang entered the Trial Ground and his results didn’t satisfy Mr. Du, he would have to pay a heavy price. Guo Wei couldn’t bear to let Chu Lingguang take such a risk.

But the chance to train in the Trial Ground…

“Master, if I train at an academy and take the Provincial Martial Arts Examination in nine months, do you think I can place in the top ten?” Chu Lingguang asked.

“The Daoist Examination and the Provincial Examination are worlds apart. It’s a major turning point. You have no idea how many people have been patiently biding their time, just waiting for this. Even your Senior Brother Wang Chao has failed to make the list several times in a row,” Guo Wei sighed.

Chu Lingguang understood what Guo Wei meant. He then asked, “What if I go to the Trial Ground?”

“With your current strength, you’ll undoubtedly pass the exam. But the top ten… that will be difficult!” Guo Wei said seriously after a moment of thought.

Chu Lingguang fell silent. His entire circulatory system was unblocked, he possessed a Blood Dragon Elephant, Dragon Elephant power in his eight main meridians, a third-layer Dharma Aspect, and had even grasped Double Potential Energy Superposition. And yet, even with three months of training in the Trial Ground, Guo Wei still believed it would be extremely difficult for him to place in the top ten of the Provincial Examination nine months from now.

Chu Lingguang thought of Yan Zhen.

A talent like Yan Zhen, even after taking first place in Jin City, didn’t immediately participate in the Qiling Governor’s Mansion’s Provincial Martial Arts Examination the following year. Instead, he had waited for this one.

Rumor had it that he’d waited an entire examination cycle because he was aiming for the title of Jie Yuan in this Provincial Examination.

’Now, hearing Master Guo’s assessment of the Provincial Martial Arts Examination, it seemed Yan Zhen might really need a few more years of preparation to win the title of Jie Yuan.’

“Master, let me go to the Trial Ground!”

Understanding the level of difficulty, Chu Lingguang took a deep breath. He had to try, no matter how hard it was. He wanted to repay the kindness Guo Wei had shown him, but he also didn’t want to miss this precious opportunity.

Ever since his battle with Samba, Chu Lingguang had come to a profound realization. ’Not everyone is like Master Guo and my Second Aunt, full of expectations for me, never giving up on me. To gain a foothold in this world, earn more Favor Points, and continuously increase my own strength, getting dazzling results in the Martial Arts Examinations is a reliable method. Placing first in South City and passing the Daoist Examination both earned me the title of Martial Scholar, but the treatment was vastly different. It allowed me to train at an academy for a month, befriend people like Feng Junyi, Liu Wan, and even Li Dayao, and mingle with Noble Family Disciples like Emperor Yue Xuan and Chen Jin. Meanwhile, Hei Hu, who also passed the exam, could only stay in Baiyang County and continue training at his Martial Arts Hall. Dazzling achievements don’t just grant you legitimate access to an Advanced Breathing Method; they also allow you to make more significant friends and allies.’

Chu Lingguang knew his stage shouldn’t be limited to just Baiyang County. Ever since he’d started down the path of the Martial Arts Examinations, he’d dreamed of one day competing with the greatest heroes in the world and truly making a name for himself.

’Only by attaining a high position with great power, where a single call from me would be met with a hundred responses, could I earn more Favor Points.’

’Liu Family Gully was a perfect example.’

’A nobody like Samba was able to turn everyone against me before the fight even began. In the future, if I run into someone truly formidable without having greater strength and a wider network of connections, a single glance from them could wipe out everything I’ve worked for.’

’All of it would be for nothing.’

’Favors are a two-way street. Even with Master Guo, I have to show him that I can repay his Favors. Only then can I learn more from him.’

“Alright.”

Guo Wei could see Chu Lingguang’s resolve. At the same time, he also had high hopes for him, so he finally nodded.

“Thank you, Master.”

Chu Lingguang inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. If Guo Wei had forbidden him from going, he couldn’t have defied him, even if his master’s refusal came from a place of good intentions.

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