As night deepened, Xu Yuehuai stopped thinking about it and lay down on the couch to sleep, her mind in turmoil, unable to calm down for a long time. Speaking of which, where did that man who looked so much like Qi Guze go? Why hadn't she seen him since entering the academy, not even at today's apprenticeship ceremony?
Shi Zhi, dressed in a light blue robe, stood at the very top of the academy, with Dean Zhong beside him, bowing respectfully. Dean Zhong's eyes were submissive, displaying the demeanor of a superior rather than a subordinate. "Your Excellency, I have failed to greet you properly."
"We were unaware that Your Excellency had disguised yourself and infiltrated our ranks." Dean Zhong was drenched in sweat, reflecting on his years as dean and how he had always been self-disciplined and respectful, never having done anything immoral or unethical. He had been pondering why this esteemed person would come here.
Shi Zhi's eyes were alluring; looking down from the mountaintop, tiny specks of light appeared on each peak. The peak where Dean Zhong resided was the highest in the academy, offering a panoramic view.
Shi Zhiyu said, "It's alright. I didn't come here because of you. I came for someone else."
Dean Zhong was taken aback, but didn't press the matter further, as long as it wasn't because he had done something wrong.
＊
Xu Yuehuai woke up early the next day, and Dean Guo was in the training room planning Xu Yuehuai's training time.
Xu Yuehuai knocked on the door and went inside.
"Dean Guo, I have something I'd like to ask you." Xu Yuehuai walked to Dean Guo's side, her eyes lowered, concealing a turbulent undercurrent.
Dean Guo looked up at his beloved student and asked gently, "What's wrong?"
"I want to know how to get to the second floor." Xu Yuehuai didn't beat around the bush and stated her needs directly.
Dean Guo put down his pen and paper, his face slightly serious. "You want to go to the second floor?"
"Yes," Xu Yuehuai replied.
Dean Guo turned to Xu Yuehuai, thought for a moment, and then said, "An election will be held in the academy in three months. It is held every three years, and the higher-ups will take away the twenty most talented and capable students from the academy."
"But don't even think about it this year. You'd better wait patiently for the next three years." Dean Guo knew that Xu Yuehuai was exceptionally talented, but there were many other geniuses in the academy.
This spot is extremely limited and precious, with only twenty students in total, and basically half of them are selected from the dean's personal disciples.
Those who become personal disciples are all individuals with extraordinary strength or talent, coupled with abundant resources and the guidance of mentors. This creates a significant gap between personal disciples and ordinary inner disciples.
Xu Yuehua smiled slightly, appearing harmless, "Why? Master, I'm not weak."
During the time Xu Yuehuai has been here, her cultivation has been remarkably smooth with no bottlenecks.
If it were anyone else speaking at this moment, Dean Guo would have already lost his temper and turned hostile. But since this was his beloved disciple, he couldn't help but explain, "Your current strength is not enough. The second level is not as simple as you imagine. I admire your talent and don't want your wings to be broken before you are fully grown."
Dean Guo's actions demonstrate his appreciation for talent.
Xu Yuehuai frowned. What exactly was on the second floor? She had to find out!
Hearing their conversation, Yuan Shui yawned, her eyes filled with disdain, then turned over and continued sleeping.
“Master, you don’t need to worry. I will work hard to improve my strength in the next three months. As for the election, please help me with that. I want to participate.” Xu Yuehuai’s eyes were firm and unwavering.
Seeing this, Dean Guo knew he couldn't persuade him, so he sighed and said, "Since you've made up your mind, there's no point in me saying anything more. I will pass on all my experience to you over these three months."
"Once you reach the second floor, I hope you won't let me down. First, live, and then become an unparalleled alchemist!" Dean Guo had a unique passion for alchemy; it was his lifelong wish. Unfortunately, his age meant he was destined to never achieve it on his own.
Xu Yuehuai was surprised. She had thought that Dean Guo would try his best to stop her, but she did not expect him to agree to her decision so easily.
After discussing the matter with Dean Guo, Xu Yuehuai took the token given to her by Dean Guo and went to the library to read books.
Dean Guo required us to read and memorize all of them within a week.
Ji Yuanchi was still fast asleep, unaware of what was happening outside. When she woke up, it was already around ten o'clock in the morning. She went out to look around but couldn't find Xu Yuehuai. Curious about where she had gone, she searched the entire mountain and finally found Xu Yuehuai in the library.
Ji Yuanchi didn't have a token and couldn't go in. She looked through the door and saw Xu Yuehuai sitting by the window with a serious expression.
Since that's the case, she shouldn't bother her.
Thinking this, Ji Yuanchi turned and left the library, heading straight for Dean Guo with a fierce expression. "Master! What are we learning today?"
Dean Guo was struggling with how to help Xu Yuehuai improve her strength in a short time and had no idea that Ji Yuanchi existed. Hearing Ji Yuanchi's voice, he looked up, thought for a moment, and said, "Today, I'm giving you the day off. Go have some fun. I have things to do."
Dean Guo dismissed her casually, which displeased Ji Yuanchi. She pouted, looking unhappy, and her braid was crooked, clearly her own handiwork that hadn't turned out well. "Senior Sister Xu already has things to do, but I haven't even started yet. Master, are you looking down on me...?"
Ji Yuanchi lowered her head, her eyes revealing a hint of sadness, looking just like an abandoned kitten or puppy.
Dean Guo was taken aback. He hadn't considered this possibility. However, he always prioritized things. It wouldn't be easy for Xu Yuehuai to defeat a group of experienced students in the academy within three months. He had forgotten that this young girl was sensitive.
“I don’t have it. Here, take a look at this book list. Your token is here.” Dean Guo took out the token that had been prepared in advance and handed it to Ji Yuanchi.
He had prepared the token long ago, but he was so engrossed in thinking that he forgot to give it to her.
Ji Yuanchi accepted the token and happily went to the library.
...
A month passed quickly. During this month, Xu Yuehuai ran around the two peaks of Siyue Mountain and Fuzhou Mountain. She learned a lot and can be considered to have truly entered the realm of alchemy and talisman making.
Since it was finally a day off, both directors felt they couldn't push the child too hard, so they let her go down the mountain for a stroll and rest for a day.
Xu Yuehuai sat in her courtyard, swaying back and forth in a recliner.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com