"Academy competition?"
"It happens once a year, usually after all the new students have settled in. It serves as a special welcome ceremony and also to help everyone better adapt to life in the academy." Seeing that Luo Jiujiang was curious, You Su explained the entire process to him in detail.
The format of the academy's competition differed from Luo Jiujiang's duels on the Seven Islands. Besides basic Taoist skills, the competition also included skills in alchemy, weapons, formations, talismans, and calligraphy. Any outstanding talent within the academy could compete in this competition.
There is no limit on the number of programs students can apply for. In previous years, some new students applied for more than a dozen programs just for fun.
Qinglong Academy holds a significant position, and its sheer number of students is formidable. If they were to conduct one-on-one competitions according to the Seven Islands' format, it would take who knows how long. Therefore, each competition is divided into four levels, based on the Sun, Moon, and Constellations. Students are free to assess their own abilities and register on their own.
"For this month, each branch will have no more than two classes per day. Most will only have one. For example, Senior Brother Yin's Medicine Branch will simply boycott classes. Almost the entire academy will be mobilized for this grand event."
Luo Jiujiang listened with great interest: "Hearing you say that, I really feel a little regretful that I am not a student of the academy and cannot participate in this competition."
You Su waved his hand upon hearing this. "How difficult is that? The academy has always advocated teaching without discrimination. As long as any independent cultivator can obtain a joint recommendation from three students, or a letter of recommendation from any of the twelve peak masters, they can sign up for the competition. If they win a place, the prize they receive will be the same as that of the academy's disciples. Brother Luo, if you want to try your hand, I will write a letter of recommendation for you."
You Su immediately went to the desk to grind ink. The mahogany desk was placed in the brightest spot by the window. As he looked up, he saw a figure dressed in the robes of a Yao Peak disciple flash by through the wide-open window. The next moment, there were three regular knocks on the door, and someone outside said loudly, "Please open the door, Master Luo."
This disciple came to deliver something.
Luo Jiujiang opened the wooden box he had sent, and what he saw was a letter of recommendation stamped with Yaofeng wax. This was truly a case of Cao Cao, and Luo Jiujiang and You Su exchanged a glance, both unable to help but laugh.
"I'm just a phony who only knows how to talk," You Su shook his head and jokingly said, "Senior Brother Yin is the most kind-hearted person in the world."
The disciple who had delivered the letter shuddered from head to toe upon hearing this comment. If it weren't for Mr. You's reputation for sincerity and innocence, he would have almost thought this was a brilliant irony.
Luo Jiujiang picked up the letter of recommendation, and the snow-white letter underneath was revealed. Just like Yin Bansi's usual concise words, he was also impatient with the red tape when delivering the letter. The short note didn't even have an envelope, and there were only four words on it: "You are everywhere!"
Luo Jiujiang laughed out loud: "Old Yin knows that I can't just sit there and watch. If I see the excitement, I will end it myself."
All the ink that You Su had just ground had now gone to Luo Jiujiang. He wielded his wolf-hair brush and wrote the words "Ubiquitous" on the blank space of Yin Bansi's letter paper.
Why are you everywhere?
I am everywhere.
——You really deserve a beating.
After sending off the disciple from Yao Peak, You Su returned to the table and picked up the brush that Luo Jiujiang had casually placed on the inkstone.
"A Su?" Luo Jiujiang leaned over and said, "No need to bother."
"It's not a big deal." You Su smiled and shook his head. "Brother Yin recommended you a letter. This is his intention. I'm writing another letter for Brother Luo. This is my intention."
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When Luo Jiujiang went to Mr. Gong Yi's class again in the afternoon, he mentioned the competition. Gong Yizhu commented on it very tolerantly, "This is a rare grand event. You've been bored with your master for too long. You might as well take this opportunity to make some noise."
He turned around and asked someone to come in and bring in writing materials, and then explained to Luo Jiujiang, "You can also get the letter from Peak Master Lefeng if you want it. However, the letter of recommendation written by me personally carries much more weight than theirs."
It has been less than a day since Luo Jiujiang learned about the academy competition, but he has already got three admission tickets. This is really touching and laughable.
Gong Yizhu clearly regarded this competition as nothing more than a childish amusement. He quickly scribbled the letter of recommendation, then, without waiting for the ink to dry, stamped it with his own seal. He casually pushed it toward Luo Jiujiang, "Put it away. No fun today. I'll take you somewhere."
Luo Jiujiang walked to his side as he was told. Gong Yizhuo pressed his shoulder. As soon as his fingers touched the fabric of Luo Jiujiang's shoulder, Luo Jiujiang felt that the scenery around him was rapidly retreating, and finally even blurred into colorful blocks of color distorted in the wind.
I don’t know if those with high cultivation levels all have this skill. This method is exactly the same as the one Luo Cang used when he first took him to the small waterfall to practice.
Luo Jiujiang shook his head, breaking free from the dizziness brought on by the high-speed movement. He looked around and asked uncertainly, "Sir, is this... Qinglong Ancient Forest?"
Although he had passed through the forest along the way, he had mostly stayed close to the forest's periphery. The scenery he saw now was similar to but different from what he remembered. The sight of several distinctive monsters was as clear as coordinates, indicating that he was clearly very close to the center of the forest.
Mr. Gongyi nodded calmly and said, "I'll bring you to visit Tianhu."
"...This name," Luo Jiujiang hesitated, "sounds very..."
"It looks a lot like the Nine Clans, but it's not them, right?" Gong Yizhu smiled tolerantly, understanding his feelings. "When your master told you about the Dragon God's creation, besides the origins of the Four Symbols and the names of the Nine Clans, what else did he mention?"
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