At the apprenticeship ceremony, Xu Yuehuai and Ji Yuanchi sat in the freshmen's seats, directly in front of the deans and elders, while behind them were the seats for the senior students.
As time went by, both sides were packed with people. When it was clear that almost everyone had arrived, Dean Zhong stood up and looked at the students. "Today is the annual apprenticeship ceremony, which is specially set up for the new students of the academy."
"Both students and teachers have the opportunity to choose. If only one party agrees, then the apprenticeship will fail. Students who do not wish to become apprentices can simply sit quietly. After the apprenticeship ceremony, someone will assess your abilities, and you will be assigned to a class based on your performance." Dean Zhong briefly explained the rules before returning to his seat.
"Hey Lao Guo, what's wrong with you today? Is there something on your butt?" Fu Jia noticed Guo Yanzhi's awkward state as soon as she arrived, not knowing where to put his hands and feet.
Guo Yanzhi was in a good mood and didn't argue with her. "You don't understand, you don't understand. You'll find out what I'm getting so worked up about in a bit."
Guo Yanzhi was incredibly excited at the thought of Xu Yuehuai becoming his apprentice. She was an exceptionally talented genius! He was confident that he could cultivate Xu Yuehuai into someone feared by everyone on the entire third floor! He was certain that she would become a renowned alchemy genius!
Guo Yanzhi's idea was realized not long afterward, and not just on the third floor. Xu Yuehuai's talent meant that she would not be confined to a small space.
"Next, the apprenticeship ceremony will officially begin! First up are the most important ones, the new students who wish to become apprentices under the deans. Please move from your seats to the stands." An elder in a gray robe stood at the front, amplifying his voice with his spiritual power.
Xu Yuehuai and Ji Yuanchi exchanged a glance and walked up to the stands together. Many freshmen and seniors were surprised to see the two of them come up.
"I have to say that Xu Yuehuai is really amazing this year, but Ji Yuanchi's overall performance didn't even make it into the top three. How dare she?"
"She has connections; she's the only young lady in the Pu family. Otherwise, what do you think she got into the academy through?" someone sneered, their words full of disdain for Ji Yuanchi.
"Brother, you're too bold! I've wanted to say this for a long time, but I've never dared to, fearing that the Pu family would hunt me down."
"Haven't you heard? That day, Ji Yuanchi openly targeted the freshmen in her batch during the competition, and even threatened to issue a kill order against her to the Pu family!" the person said seriously.
Standing on the stage, Ji Yuanchi was completely unaware of all this. "I'm a little nervous, what should I do?"
Xu Yuehuai glanced at her sideways and smiled, "It's all a done deal, why are you so nervous?"
After thinking about it for a moment, Ji Yuanchi smiled sheepishly and said, "That's right."
Those around them felt very resentful upon hearing this, believing that Ji Yuanchi had gotten in through connections.
No one dares to speak for Xu Yuehuai; her strength is evident to all.
After all the new and returning students who wanted to become disciples were standing on the platform, the gray-robed elder continued, "Next, everyone can choose their own disciple."
Ji Shi was also standing on this platform, her face calm and composed, but the tightly clenched hands hidden in her sleeves betrayed her nervousness.
Ji Shi and Xu Yuehuai walked towards Dean Guo at the same time, along with another senior student. The group raised their hands in a bow and respectfully greeted Dean Guo.
Dean Guo did not expect that other students would choose him this year, after all, he was known for being difficult, and in recent years few students had dared to come to him.
Don't be fooled by how gentle and easygoing Dean Guo is with Xu Yuehuai; he's notoriously cold and unapproachable to others.
It even made several students doubt themselves.
Dean Guo looked at Ji Shi and the other boy, "Did you... come to the wrong place?"
Dean Guo didn't think his reputation among the students would make them want to try becoming his students.
Ji Shi and the boy were both stunned for a moment, then raised their hands in a gesture of respect and said, "No, we came here specifically for you."
Dean Guo waved his hand and said, "You two don't have enough talent. Why don't you try working with other deans?"
Dean Guo was in a good mood because he had taken on Xu Yuehuai as his apprentice, and he didn't want his apprentice to think that he was a very strict master.
Ji Shi pursed her thin lips and boldly asked, "May I ask why Dean Guo accepted Ji Yuanchi as his disciple? As everyone knows, Miss Pu is completely incapable of alchemy, so she is not as outstanding as me. Why did the Dean accept her but not me?"
Ji Shi's voice was quite loud, and many people in the stands heard it, immediately causing a gasp of surprise, "Who is this, daring to speak to Dean Guo like that!"
"My God, Senior Sister Ji Shi is too bold! You know, countless students have been scolded to tears by Dean Guo. Doesn't she worry that Dean Guo will be angry if she says something like that?"
"I think Senior Sister Ji Shi is right. Only Senior Sister Ji Shi is worthy of being Dean Guo's disciple, okay? As for that person who came from who-knows-where, if you ask me, he should go back to where he came from as soon as possible and stop polluting the environment of the academy."
Everyone's words were unpleasant, and they were all directed at Ji Yuanchi.
Ji Yuanchi's face turned pale instantly, and she looked at Xu Yuehuai in fear.
Xu Yuehuai patted her arm reassuringly, then looked at Dean Guo, wondering what he would do.
As expected, Dean Guo's face darkened immediately after hearing the questioning. "It's none of your business to criticize what I do. Besides, your talent is indeed insufficient. I don't need apprentices who rely on hard work to accumulate experience."
“Because if that’s the case, anyone can become my disciple, but I don’t need them.” Dean Guo’s words directly negated Ji Shi’s efforts.
In this world where spiritual power is paramount, talent always trumps effort.
Ninety-nine percent of the time, the talented player will win against the hard-working player.
Ji Shi choked up for a moment, then said, "Fine, even if I'm not good enough, what makes Ji Yuanchi so special? She didn't even make it into the top three in the freshman competition. Is that what talent is?"
Ji Shi pointed at Ji Yuanchi, her eyes filled with determination, as if she absolutely needed an answer.
After thinking for a moment, Dean Guo replied, "Her talent surpasses yours, and she works harder than you. Isn't that enough?"
Ji Shi's expression changed upon hearing this. She didn't want to admit defeat so easily. Her snobbish friends were still watching from below. If she said she couldn't do it now, she would be ridiculed when she got back.
Before Ji Shi could ask any questions, Dean Guo continued, "The gatekeeper at the foot of my mountain told me that someone had been waiting for me there yesterday. I presume that person is you? Isn't the fact that I haven't seen you enough to show my attitude?"
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