Chapter 99: Chapter 87: Cyan Wood

“Master?” Nie Shanshan turned back, her eyes filled with confusion.

Chu Jinyun let out a long sigh. “Forget it. Brother Zhang only has this one son… We’ll let him stay at the institute.”

’This Chen Qing’s qualifications are slightly better than Zhang Rui’s, but not by much. He might not be able to master the Thousand Layered Wave Sword Technique anyway.’

’Besides, training a disciple with no foundation and no background requires a greater investment of resources.’

’Since that’s the case, it’s better to repay the favor to an old friend.’

“I understand.”

Nie Shanshan understood completely, nodding before she withdrew.

…..

「Another seven or eight days went by.」

The four rounds of cross-reviews were mostly over. Those with outstanding qualifications would hear back within a few days; those who were slightly less qualified would also be chosen, albeit a bit later.

For the rest, hope was already slim.

In the Yuelai Inn, several of the disciples who had been waiting anxiously with Chen Qing had already left to find other opportunities.

Chen Qing, of course, had no idea that he’d had a chance to enter the Gui Water Institute, only to have his spot taken by Zhang Rui, who got in through connections, all because of a favor owed to an old friend.

Besides him, Yang Zhicheng hadn’t heard any news either.

At this moment, the two of them were sitting across from each other on the second floor of the inn.

“Brother Chen! It seems you and I are not fated to join the Wutai Sect after all.”

Yang Zhicheng took a deep breath and said resolutely, “I’ve decided to go to the Liu Family. Brother Chen, would you be willing to come along? We could look out for each other.”

The Liu Family was one of the two top Martial Arts Families in Yunlin Prefecture, known for recruiting Guests and talented youths.

It was rumored that if one performed well, they might be taught a Heart Method.

To put it bluntly, while they called it “recruiting,” it was really about training attack dogs.

However, for the sake of a Heart Method, there was no shortage of people willing to humble themselves.

Chen Qing asked in a serious tone, “Isn’t there one more round?”

“There isn’t.”

Yang Zhicheng shook his head. “The cross-reviews are really only four rounds. The one from the Cyan Wood Institute… he needs this.”

He rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, making a gesture for money.

“Oh?”

Chen Qing’s brows furrowed slightly. “Brother Yang, what do you mean by that?”

Yang Zhicheng gave a wry smile. “Master Li of the Cyan Wood Institute is different from the other Deans. He only accepts two kinds of disciples: first, those whose talent is unmatched by their peers, and second, those who show enough ’respect.’ If you offer enough silver and present Treasure Medicines, you can also get in.”

Chen Qing was taken aback and asked, “In that case, wouldn’t all the disciples from wealthy families flock to the Cyan Wood Institute?”

“There’s something you don’t know, Brother Chen.”

Yang Zhicheng shook his head. “Rumor has it that this Master Li has a massive appetite. Ordinary ’tributes’ won’t move him; it takes Treasure Medicines or Treasure Fish that are at least ten years old. And when he does accept a disciple, he just tosses them a Heart Method and rarely offers any guidance. This is true even for the monstrously talented prodigies who manage to join. I’ve also heard that if you want any actual instruction, you have to pay additional silver coins. It’s truly outrageous.”

“You’re a martial artist too, so you should know. Pile Skill, Power, Fighting Methods—without a master’s personal instruction, how could you even get started?”

“Going from Transmutation Force to Embracing Pill Force is as hard as ascending to heaven! Without a guide, you’d end up taking countless wrong turns.”

“For people of our financial standing, even getting into the Cyan Wood Institute isn’t worth it.”

Chen Qing fell silent, calculating in his mind.

“I think I’ll wait a little longer.”

“Alright, then.”

Yang Zhicheng looked like he wanted to say more but held his tongue.

The cross-reviews were basically over. Anyone who hadn’t received news by now had almost no chance left.

But Chen Qing was still clinging to a sliver of hope, and Yang Zhicheng didn’t want to crush it.

After all, they were just chance acquaintances with uncertain futures. Some things were better left unsaid.

After a bit more small talk, Yang Zhicheng shouldered his pack, said his goodbyes, and left.

Chen Qing’s brows were tightly furrowed. He hadn’t expected to hit a wall like this so soon after arriving at the Wutai Sect.

’Looks like… my only option is to try the Cyan Wood Institute.’

He began to ponder inwardly.

’Trying to join another Sect is completely unrealistic.’

’The Wutai Sect requires three years of tempering in the Outer Sect or a letter of recommendation, and the requirements for other Sects are probably just as strict.’

’As for waiting for the Military Examination, that’s nearly a year away.’

’But the Cyan Wood Institute’s Dean being neglectful of his duties is actually a good thing for me.’

’The only thing that worried him was just how big this Dean’s appetite really was.’

Chen Qing untied his bundle. Inside, besides over a thousand taels in silver notes and the Eight Extremes Vajra Body Secret Manual, there was a Jade Box containing the Life-restoring Grass given to him by Zhou Liang.

Although this grass could help one break through a bottleneck, it wasn’t of much use to Chen Qing.

But this was a genuine twelve-year-old Treasure Medicine, worth more than a Hundred Gold Coins.

Right now, it was the perfect way to get his foot in the door.

After getting his things in order, Chen Qing left the inn without delay, taking a boat straight to the Cyan Wood Institute.

The Cyan Wood Institute was located on the eastern side of the Wutai Sect, a collection of several exquisite islands connected by winding corridors.

The islands were covered with rugged rock formations, towering ancient trees, and rare flowers and exotic plants.

The gate-keeping disciple clearly understood his purpose and led him directly into a rear hall.

Chen Qing presented the Jade Box and sat down quietly to wait.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the disciple returned. “Come in. Master Li will see you.”

Chen Qing’s heart skipped a beat. He straightened his clothes and followed the disciple inside.

What came into view was a wide, open area where several disciples in martial attire were talking.

Nearby, an ancient tree with gnarled, intertwining branches, like bulging green veins, was rooted deep in the courtyard.

They then passed through a long, narrow corridor and arrived at a rear courtyard.

The air was filled with the rich fragrance of plants and a faint scent of elixirs, as if they had entered a medicinal garden.

Under a pavilion up ahead, an elderly man in his dotage sat cross-legged on a cattail cushion, meditating with his eyes closed. He had white hair but a youthful face and exuded the air of a celestial immortal.

This man was none other than Li Baichuan, the Qingmu Courtyard Master.

The disciple stepped forward and said respectfully, “Master Li, he’s here.”

Chen Qing took a deep breath, bowed, and said, “Junior Chen Qing pays his respects to Master Li.”

Li Baichuan slowly opened his eyes. They were not cloudy like those of an ordinary old man; on the contrary, they held a sharp, inner light.

His gaze swept over Chen Qing before finally landing on the Jade Box he was holding.

“Hm.”

Li Baichuan gave a slight nod. “So, this is the Life-restoring Grass you’re offering? Twelve years old, its quality is acceptable, and its medicinal power hasn’t dissipated. It’s quite rare, I suppose.”

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