In Courtyard Jia, all was silent.

Su Ming stood bare-chested, his muscle lines beginning to show their outline under the moonlight. He lifted the wooden bucket, and cold well water poured over his head from above, jolting his entire body with a shiver, every inch of his skin instantly tensing.

Su Ming sat cross-legged beside the well, closing his eyes as the “Aura Concealment Art” automatically circulated.

The cool spiritual energy dissipating from the well mouth seemed drawn by some invisible force, transforming into streams barely visible to the naked eye, scrambling to rush into his body.

Within his Dantian, that faint sensation of qi, like a candle flame in the wind, grew bit by bit under the nourishment of the spiritual energy, becoming stable and bright.

Although the crack on the Spirit Gathering Array still existed, the spiritual light around it was no longer dim; it even faintly showed signs of repair.

Lin Yu was overjoyed in his heart: “Suck it in! Suck it in hard for your master! You just focus on cultivating diligently, your master I… ahem, your master’s safety depends entirely on you! Go for it, my good disciple!”

Verbally, however, his voice remained as unruffled as ever: “Disciple, not bad. Only with a mind as still as water can it contain a hundred rivers. This mental state of yours is very suitable for cultivation.”

Days flowed by slowly in this strange rhythm of movement and stillness.

The summer cicadas’ chirping grew from sparse to noisy, then gradually fell silent. The locust trees in the County School turned a deep green, casting dense, mottled shadows on the ground.

During the day, Su Ming was the most eye-catching presence in the County School.

But at night, after washing away the day’s dust, this dazzling top scorer became the most inconspicuous shadow in Courtyard Jia.

Besides diligently cultivating by the well, Su Ming spent most of his spare time immersed in the County School’s library.

The library was one of the oldest buildings in the County School, with two-story flying eaves and a wooden structure, emitting a unique scent that mixed aged books and timber.

The manager of the library was an old man surnamed Sun. He spent his days slumped over the counter napping, his frame dry and thin as if a gust of wind could blow him over, his presence even lower than Su Ming who practiced the “Aura Concealment Art.”

Every time Su Ming entered, he would just cup his hands in salute to him, then plunge headfirst into the sea of books.

The books he read were varied.

From orthodox classics, histories, philosophies, and literary collections, to neglected local county records, geographical accounts of mountains and rivers, and collections of strange tales, he browsed them all one by one.

Relying on the memory far surpassing ordinary people brought by meditation, Su Ming could almost read ten lines at a glance and remember everything after seeing it once.

He was like a dry sponge, frantically absorbing information about this world.

“Master, still haven’t found anything.” At night, Su Ming spoke to Lin Yu in his mind, “All records about ‘immortals’ and ‘gods’ are vague and unclear, either attributed to ancient myths or dismissed as nonsense from ignorant country folk. Even the character for ‘qi’ mostly refers to solar terms or moral integrity, having nothing to do with cultivation.”

“Normal.” Lin Yu replied lazily, “If methods for cultivating immortality could be casually found in a county library, then this immortality would be far too worthless. This indicates two things.”

“First, there is a huge chasm between mortals and cultivators; information is completely isolated. Second, the cultivators in this world are either extremely few in number or act with extreme discretion and secrecy.”

Lin Yu mentally added: “Whichever it is, it’s good news for us! The fewer enemies, the better; the deeper they hide, the better! Best if you’re the only cultivator in the world, and we can just close our doors and cultivate in peace ourselves!”

“But disciple, have you noticed something interesting?” Lin Yu abruptly changed the subject.

“What?”

“Those county records and miscellaneous tales mention ‘spirits,’ ‘fox demons,’ and ‘mountain ghosts’ far more often than ‘immortals.’ And most have clear times, locations, and even constable investigation records.”

Su Ming’s heart stirred.

He recalled an old book called “Qingshi Records of Strange Tales” which recorded that thirty years ago, a woodcutter encountered a tiger in the northern mountains of the county town. That tiger actually spoke human words, scaring the woodcutter out of his wits. Later, the county office sent people to hunt it down, but only found a few huge claw marks in the mountains, with no further trace.

At the time, he had dismissed it as a supernatural story and laughed it off.

“Master, you mean…”

“Immortal traces are hard to find, but demon traces can be followed.” Lin Yu’s voice carried a hint of patient guidance, “Sometimes, to find the wolf, you have to first follow the sheep’s footprints.”

This discovery made Su Ming adjust his direction. He no longer stubbornly searched for direct terms like “immortal gates” or “Daoist methods,” instead systematically organizing the clues within those supernatural tales and miscellaneous records.

One afternoon, Su Ming came to the library again.

As soon as he stepped inside, that familiar scent of aged books washed over him. Sunlight filtered through the carved wooden windows, pulling beams of light through the air, countless tiny dust motes dancing within them.

Manager Sun was still slumped over the counter, emitting soft snores.

Su Ming walked quietly to the remote corner on the second floor, where various county records and miscellaneous journals were stored.

The autumn wind gradually rose, yellowing the leaves of the parasol trees in the County School.

In Zhou Wenhai’s study, the fragrance of tea wafted.

He looked at the two students opposite him, a satisfied smile on his face. One was his biological son Zhou Yulin, who had shed some of his youthful immaturity, becoming increasingly steady. The other was Su Ming, the top scorer he had personally selected, his sharpness now internalized, but his gaze growing ever more profound.

“Su Ming, it has been nearly half a year since you entered the school. Your progress in classical interpretation and policy discussions has been substantial.” Zhou Wenhai set down his teacup, speaking unhurriedly.

“In one more month, it will be the triennial Provincial Examination. I have already registered both of you at the Prefectural School.”

He looked at the two of them, his tone turning solemn: “I intend for both of you to go to Anyuan Prefecture together to participate in this Provincial Examination.”

Zhou Yulin’s face instantly lit up with excitement.

The Provincial Examination!

That was the first hurdle for all scholars to leap over the dragon gate! Once you passed, you became a Provincial Graduate, gaining the qualification to become an official. Your status and position would be worlds apart from before!

“Thank you, Father!” He stood up excitedly, bowing deeply to Zhou Wenhai.

He turned his head, vigorously patting Su Ming’s shoulder, the joy in his eyes impossible to hide: “Junior Brother Su! Excellent! With your talent, you’re sure to make a stunning impression in this Provincial Examination, bringing glory to our Qingshi County School!”

In an instant, two gazes focused on Su Ming.

Zhou Wenhai’s expectation, Zhou Yulin’s eagerness, all felt like invisible pressure enveloping him.

Su Ming’s heart sank.

He lowered his eyelids, concealing the turmoil within, and bowed in salute: “Teacher, Senior Brother… regarding this matter, could you allow this student… to consider it for a moment?”

The atmosphere in the study instantly froze.

The smile on Zhou Yulin’s face stiffened. He couldn’t believe his ears.

What an immense honor this was! Su Ming actually wanted to “consider” it?

Zhou Wenhai’s brows also furrowed imperceptibly. He didn’t speak, just quietly looked at Su Ming, waiting for his explanation.

Returning to Courtyard Jia, Su Ming closed the courtyard gate, his expression grave.

“Master, what do you think?”

“We absolutely cannot go now!” Lin Yu’s voice was filled with resistance.

His internal monologue was already in turmoil: “Provincial Examination? Go to the prefectural city? Are you kidding me! My Spirit Gathering Array just started showing some improvement, I’m relying entirely on this well to stay alive! If you leave, won’t I just shut down on the spot? No! Absolutely not! Besides, you’re only fourteen! A fourteen-year-old Provincial Graduate? What are you trying to do? Trying to reach for the heavens? Believe me, tomorrow the eyes of the entire world will be fixed on you, stripping you bare from the inside out! The Way of Survival! What is the spirit of our Way of Survival? It’s quietly amassing wealth! Not beating gongs and drums to march to your death!”

Lin Yu’s Soul Body fluctuated violently from the agitation.

He took a deep “breath,” forcibly calming himself down, and spoke in a tone that was earnest, profound, and full of wisdom.

“Ahem. Disciple, regarding this matter, your master believes the timing is not yet right.”

“Why?” Su Ming asked, though he already had the answer in his heart.

“First, your foundation is still shallow.” Lin Yu began analyzing seriously, “Although you’ve begun mastering the ‘Aura Concealment Art,’ the qi sensation in your Dantian is still like a firefly’s light, unable to withstand a single blow. This spiritual well is your only cultivation resource at present. Once you leave, it would be no different than a fish leaving water; your cultivation would come to a complete halt.”

“Second, a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind.” Lin Yu’s voice turned serious, “You becoming the top scorer at fourteen was already earth-shattering. If you then become a Provincial Graduate at fourteen, you will no longer be a ‘genius,’ but a ‘monstrosity.’ At that time, what will be directed at you won’t just be admiration and envy, but countless suspicions, investigations, and even murderous intent. All your secrets, including your master’s existence, could be exposed in broad daylight.”

“Have you forgotten your master’s true interpretation of the Way of Survival? Build high walls, amass vast provisions, and slowly claim the throne. Your walls aren’t even built yet, your provisions aren’t stored up, and you want to go claim the throne? This is the path to certain death!”

Su Ming fell silent.

His master’s words coincided perfectly with his own inner thoughts.

He recalled that policy discussion essay rejected by the County Magistrate, and Professor Liu’s teachings about authority and methods.

Could the status of a Provincial Graduate really change anything?

It seemed it could not.

In the face of real power, a young Provincial Graduate without a foundation was merely a more conspicuous, more easily crushed pawn.

He needed time.

Time to cultivate, to accumulate true strength. Time to investigate, one by one, the clues within those supernatural tales and miscellaneous records.

“I understand, Master.” Su Ming raised his head, his gaze unprecedentedly firm, “I know what to do.”

The next day, Su Ming came alone to Zhou Wenhai’s study once more.

“Teacher.” He bowed in salute.

“Have you decided?” Zhou Wenhai was practicing calligraphy and didn’t look up.

“Yes.” Su Ming’s voice was clear and steady, “This student earnestly requests the teacher to permit this student… to withdraw from this Provincial Examination.”

Zhou Yulin happened to be entering from outside and, hearing these words, the book scroll in his hand fell to the ground with a “thud.”

“Junior Brother Su! You… have you gone mad?!” He rushed in, his face full of shock and confusion, “This is the Provincial Examination! The opportunity countless scholars dream of, why would you give it up?”

Su Ming didn’t look at him, just bowed once more to Zhou Wenhai.

“This student knows his own talent is shallow and learning limited; becoming the top scorer in the county exam was truly a stroke of luck. In the half-year since entering the school, the more I study the classics, the more I feel my foundation is unstable, my learning superficial. If I were to take the exam with such shallow knowledge, it would only bring humiliation upon myself and, more importantly, disgrace the teacher’s reputation.”

“This student boldly requests the teacher grant me three more years. This student is willing to devote myself to diligent study within the County School, solidifying my foundation and deepening my learning. Only after three years, when I go to the examination hall, will I not fail the teacher’s nurturing kindness.”

His words were spoken with utmost sincerity, and his reasons were impeccably proper, leaving no room for criticism.

Zhou Yulin listened, dumbfounded. He wanted to refute, but found that every sentence Su Ming spoke was the “correct principle” for a scholar; he simply had no grounds to argue.

Zhou Wenhai finally stopped writing.

He raised his head, those deep eyes quietly looking at Su Ming for a long time.

The air in the study seemed to solidify.

Zhou Yulin was so nervous he even forgot to breathe, fearing his father would fly into a rage.

After a long while, a profound, inscrutable smile suddenly appeared on Zhou Wenhai’s serious face.

He didn’t get angry; instead, he slowly nodded.

“A young person should not contend with the wind.”

He said softly, his voice betraying no emotion.

“Knowing when to advance and retreat, understanding how to conceal one’s abilities. Good, very good.”

Zhou Wenhai stood up, walked to Su Ming, and reached out to help him up.

“Since your mind is made up, your teacher grants your request.” He patted Su Ming’s shoulder, “Studying is like building a tall tower; the foundation is indeed the first priority. That you possess this kind of steady temperament, unmoved by empty fame… your teacher is… very pleased.”

Zhou Yulin was completely stunned.

Not only was Father not angry, he actually… praised him?

The heavy stone hanging in Su Ming’s heart finally dropped. He knew his gamble had paid off.

“Thank you, Teacher, for your understanding.”

“Go on.” Zhou Wenhai waved his hand, “Yulin, you stay. I have some matters to discuss with you.”

Su Ming bowed and took his leave. As he passed Zhou Yulin, the look in Zhou Yulin’s eyes was as if he were looking at a monster.

After Su Ming left, Zhou Wenhai sat down again. He looked at his son, who was still in shock, and asked lightly, “Yulin, do you feel that your junior brother’s actions are incomprehensible?”

“This child… truly does not understand.” Zhou Yulin answered honestly, “Why would he reject such a great opportunity to make a name for himself?”

“Make a name for himself?” Zhou Wenhai gave a cold laugh, “You only see the fame, but you don’t see the abyss behind that reputation.”

He picked up his teacup, his gaze becoming distant.

“Your junior brother sees farther than you, and thinks deeper than you. He understands very clearly that what he lacks now is not fame, but time. He is like a sapling that just broke through the soil; what he needs most is not to be admired by thousands, but to quietly take root and absorb nutrients.”

“Today, he gave up the empty title of Provincial Graduate, gaining in exchange three years of undisturbed growth. This transaction, he made it, and very shrewdly.”

Zhou Wenhai looked out the window at the ancient locust tree yellowed by the autumn wind, his voice carrying a trace of complex emotion.

“If your father had possessed such resolve back then… perhaps today, I would not be in this small Qingshi County.”

Zhou Wenhai’s final words were spoken extremely softly, and Zhou Yulin didn’t quite catch them, but he was still shaken to his core by his father’s words.

For the first time, he realized how vast the gap was between himself and that junior brother from the countryside.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep