“Done?” Yu Qingtang reached back and lightly touched the back of his head, then shook his head with some unease. “Does it look okay?”
He was not some bizarre shape now, was he?
“How would it not look okay?” Ye Chenyan took a mirror out of the storage ring and held it up for him to see. “What do you think?”
“It actually looks proper.” Yu Qingtang was rather shocked. He examined it carefully—although the hairpin and hair had not been fixed together with even the slightest technique, Ye Chenyan had somehow forcibly used several levitation formations to arrange them into place. It had to be said, he was very creative.
At first glance, it was no different from the carefully styled hair of an ordinary female cultivator.
Yu Qingtang’s expression turned subtle. He really had made it work. Could this kid actually be a genius?
“A levitation formation can actually be used like this.” Yu Qingtang praised him sincerely. “Amazing.”
Ye Chenyan cleared his throat guiltily and looked away. “Ahem.”
“In any case, in any case, it looks good.”
He stiffly changed the subject. “Right. That kindhearted unlucky fellow just now also shared some news with me. This time, the Sage-Hearing Schoolhouse has also appeared inside the Ancient Academy Realm.”
Afraid Yu Qingtang would not know what that meant, he added, “Space and time are chaotic inside the Ancient Academy Realm. What appears inside is different every time. The last time the Sage-Hearing Schoolhouse appeared was over two hundred years ago.”
“The Sage-Hearing Schoolhouse is where academy disciples accepted trials back then. It is divided into four doors: cultivation methods, body-tempering, techniques, and magical artifacts. After passing a trial, one can obtain the corresponding reward. Each person can only choose one door each time.”
“The current Discipline Elder of Guiyi Sect was still Golden Core a hundred years ago, and he learned a move called Judgment Swordsmanship from this place.”
Yu Qingtang remembered Ye Chenyan’s relationship with the Discipline Elder. His expression subtle, he leaned closer and asked, “That move has been used to beat you quite a few times, hasn’t it?”
“Ahem.” Ye Chenyan coughed lightly and smiled politely. “The Discipline Elder’s cultivation is profound and unfathomable. How could he truly exchange blows with me?”
He leaned close to Yu Qingtang’s ear. “But he did once carry his sword up to Whatever Peak and chase my master around.”
Yu Qingtang could not help curving his lips in delight at another’s misfortune.
“Let’s go.” Ye Chenyan smiled as well and stepped onto the spirit boat. “We’ll go join in the excitement too. Besides, since it’s connected to a legacy, perhaps we’ll run into Jin Yangzi.”
......
The space inside Sage-Hearing Academy was strange. The two of them drove the spirit boat forward and abruptly went from a remote wasteland into an academy. The scene changed all at once.
There were several martial platforms in the courtyard, several rows of meditation cushions in the square, and a few long tables on the side platform. Presumably, they had been used for sparring, Dao lectures, and cultivation. One glance was enough to make a person imagine how things had been back then.
Only, there were not many people lingering before the schoolhouse now. Cultivators hurried into the schoolhouse to accept their trials. Whether they succeeded or failed, none stayed for long.
Because of that, the cultivator who had deliberately remained here became especially conspicuous.
Yu Qingtang took a careful look and found that the person setting up a stall before the schoolhouse looked somewhat familiar. It was Scholar Xiao.
“Brother Ye, Miss Yu.” Scholar Xiao also noticed them, his face showing pleasant surprise. “We meet again. Truly, one never knows where life will bring old acquaintances together.”
The other party was still reasonably friendly, so Ye Chenyan greeted him. “You’re not traveling with Chi Yantian anymore?”
“Haha. I’ve already finished asking about the artifact-refining office. If the two of you have anything to add, you may come speak with me at any time.” Scholar Xiao held a scroll in his hands, smiling amiably. “Brother Chi and I did travel together for a while, but now he has already entered the formation to seek his opportunity.”
He looked the two of them up and down. “I imagine you two have also come for the schoolhouse’s instruction. I have an impertinent request...”
Before he could finish, Ye Chenyan raised a hand and smilingly refused. “If it’s too troublesome a request, forget it.”
Scholar Xiao quickly waved his hand. “Ah, no, no...”
“Yes, yes.” Ye Chenyan smiled amiably yet refused without mercy. “I’m not easy to talk to. I find many things troublesome.”
Scholar Xiao choked. Then he suddenly turned and bent toward Yu Qingtang with a bitter smile, asking for help. “Miss Yu, please, please.”
“I only want to ask that once you two complete your trials and come out, you let me see what opportunities you obtained.”
“I have absolutely no ill intent. I only thirst for knowledge.”
Yu Qingtang’s eyes widened. “Huh?”
He turned back to look at Ye Chenyan. “What’s the use of looking for me...”
“Naturally there is use.” Scholar Xiao smiled slyly. “If Miss Yu agrees, then Brother Ye naturally will also...”
Ye Chenyan narrowed his eyes and gave a low laugh. “Fine. I’d like to see what ability you have to persuade him.”
“Naturally, I will appeal to what he likes.” Scholar Xiao probed carefully, “Miss Yu, I will offer five hundred spirit stones...”
Yu Qingtang’s eyes widened. “How much?”
Scholar Xiao froze. “Five hundred per person! For the information from the two of you, I’ll offer one thousand total!”
Yu Qingtang: “...”
Ye Chenyan bent down, leaned close to look at his face, and smiled with hidden danger. “Tempted?”
“Of course— not!” Yu Qingtang shook his head with a face full of righteousness. “I have principles. I can withstand temptation!”
“Is that so?” Ye Chenyan narrowed his eyes at him, not especially convinced.
“But I don’t think he looks like a bad person.” Yu Qingtang blinked sincerely. “Wait a moment. I’ll say a few words to him.”
He quietly shifted two steps over, pulled Scholar Xiao aside, and crouched down with him. In a low voice, he said, “You can’t name a price right in front of him. If I agreed, wouldn’t that make me look so...”
“Ah, yes, yes, yes.” Scholar Xiao nodded with great understanding and shot him a look. “Then...”
“Five hundred spirit stones per person?” Yu Qingtang’s eyes shone. “Then if I know more than two people’s information, how many spirit stones can you afford?”
Please. He had read the original in advance. Although the plot had strayed somewhat now, there should generally be no problem with the main characters’ opportunities.
“Do not worry, Miss.” Scholar Xiao cupped his fists solemnly. “Aside from the Nine Provinces Beauty Ranking series, our Four Books Academy also has bestsellers such as Great Experts: The Youthful Years You Didn’t Know About, Taking Stock of the Nine Provinces’ Immortal Romances, and more. We can still afford spirit stones!”
“As long as you can inquire into it, no matter how much there is, I will definitely pay you. Even if I cannot afford it now, once we leave the Ancient Academy Realm, I will ask my teacher for spirit stones.”
Yu Qingtang’s gaze gradually filled with gratified emotion. For a moment, he felt that Scholar Xiao’s already elegant and handsome face had become even more charming, radiating the delightful glow of spirit stones. “Easy enough. Wait for my news when I come out.”
Scholar Xiao cupped his fists in moved gratitude. “Many thanks, Miss! When I attain the Great Dao someday, I will never forget your kindness!”
Yu Qingtang was about to exchange a few more courteous words with him when Ye Chenyan suddenly reached out, grabbed him by the back of the neck, and carried him back. Smiling, he asked, “What were you talking about behind my back that made you so happy?”
“Haha.” Scholar Xiao gave a vague laugh to muddle through. “Nothing, nothing.”
Yu Qingtang turned his head and sold him out at once. “I found out that he wants to know so much because it’s connected to his cultivation method. He probably doesn’t have any bad intentions, and he isn’t trying to rob anyone.”
Scholar Xiao’s eyes widened in shock. “Miss Yu!”
He could hardly believe it. “Miss Yu, how are you this sort of person?”
Yu Qingtang raised a finger and scratched his chin. This seemed to be the second time he had heard that sentence.
“Oh—” Ye Chenyan’s eyes curved with laughter. “No wonder.”
Scholar Xiao gave two dry laughs. “This...”
Ye Chenyan asked, “What sort of cultivation method is so strange that you have to catch people and ask about these things?”
Scholar Xiao sighed. “Naturally, it is our Four Books Academy’s secret transmission.”
“To seek learning and ask the Dao, seeking learning while asking the Dao.”
He gave a bitter smile. “I’ve already said all this. You two should tell me something, at least?”
“Don’t worry.” Yu Qingtang smiled and promised, “The deal just now still counts. Wait for me to come out.”
Scholar Xiao no longer dared trust him. Half-believing, half-doubting, he asked, “Truly?”
“Truly.” Yu Qingtang looked at him sincerely. “How could I lie to you?”
Scholar Xiao: “...”
He tapped his forehead with his fan and gave a bitter laugh. “No wonder Teacher said the sea of learning is boundless and filled with peril. Ai, one misstep, and I’ve fallen into a trap.”
“Ah, have you two thought about which course you’ll choose? You must choose carefully. If you fail, you won’t have another chance to enter during this Golden Core Competition.”
His expression was sincere. “I’m still waiting for the two of you to bring me information, so naturally I hope you both achieve victory at the first attempt.”
Ye Chenyan raised an eyebrow and asked Yu Qingtang, “Which one are you choosing?”
“Me...” Yu Qingtang was a little troubled.
To tell the truth, with Biehe Sect’s conditions, he lacked all of them.
He secretly glanced at Ye Chenyan. According to the original plot, there was a spear technique waiting for him inside the schoolhouse.
But the techniques trial... honestly, it was a little hard.
Seeing him troubled, Ye Chenyan looked thoughtful. “Why don’t I choose magical artifacts, then?”
“Mm?” Yu Qingtang turned his head in shock. “Why?”
He should have felt that magical artifacts were °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° external objects and not cared that much about them. Why had he suddenly switched from techniques to magical artifacts?
“This way, you won’t have to worry about failing the trial and leaving empty-handed.” Ye Chenyan smiled. “I’ll give you whatever magical artifact I obtain.”
Yu Qingtang opened his mouth and rejected it on instinct. “No!”
“Why not?” Ye Chenyan stared at him.
“Because...” Yu Qingtang choked, then cleared his throat. “Feeling.”
“I feel like it won’t do. You have to choose techniques. I think your opportunity is here.”
Ye Chenyan stared into his eyes, smiling without quite smiling. “Could it be Miss Yu can calculate divinations like my master?”
Yu Qingtang blinked. “I also know another of your master’s ultimate techniques.”
Ye Chenyan pressed, “What?”
Yu Qingtang pretended to stroke his own beard. “Heaven’s secrets must not be revealed.”
Ye Chenyan laughed helplessly. “That technique?”
“Aiya—” Yu Qingtang pushed him toward the techniques door. “I wouldn’t hurt you. Hurry up and go in.”
Once Ye Chenyan disappeared before his eyes, Yu Qingtang turned his head and met Scholar Xiao, who had his head lowered and was writing furiously.
“What are you writing?” Yu Qingtang had a faintly ominous premonition.
Scholar Xiao smilingly waved a hand. “Oh, I feel you two will soon be able to appear in Taking Stock of the Nine Provinces’ Immortal Romances, so I’m noting it down first. Just noting it down.”
Yu Qingtang: “...”
Scholar Xiao put down his brush and asked him, “Has Miss Yu chosen where to go?”
“I have.” Yu Qingtang held the qin and stood before the cultivation-method door—if he could not obtain anything, then so be it. If he could, he could bring it back to Biehe Sect.
Having prepared himself mentally so that no matter what happened, it would not count as a loss, Yu Qingtang took a deep breath and plunged inside.
“Ai—” Scholar Xiao propped up his chin, revealing a somewhat envious expression. “Others fly in pairs, while I sink bitterly in this boundless sea of learning. Truly enviable.”
“Forget it, forget it. Within books lies beauty as precious as jade...”
Inside the schoolhouse, Yu Qingtang had just stepped in when everything around him turned pitch-black. He could not see clearly.
His heart began to drum—Ye Chenyan had chosen techniques, so Dog Carefree had only written about techniques. He had no idea what tricks the other doors would play.
A dignified voice came over. “All questions must be answered. No falsehood is permitted.”
Yu Qingtang quickly nodded. “All right!”
“Is your Dao heart firm?”
Yu Qingtang did not hesitate in the slightest. “It is not!”
The other party’s voice fell into a long, long silence.
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