On August 19, a light rain fell.
The spiritual energy net that had surrounded the academy was completely dismantled today. Immortals from various sects came and went, and even from a distance, one could hear the lively voices from the grand martial arts arena to the west. This was the annual grand event of the academy, a day when various immortal sects selected new disciples, making the academy bustling with activity.
Before the hour of Chen had arrived, the disciples reluctantly left the dormitory they had lived in for a year, watching as the lizard demonesses locked the doors. The place would be thoroughly cleaned in preparation for the incoming new disciples.
Sixteen disciples gathered in the open space in front of the dormitory, silent as they listened to the lively sounds coming from the island to the west. The break on the fifteenth had allowed the children to temporarily forget the sadness of parting, but at this moment, the more lively it became, the more they felt an indescribable emotion in their hearts. The lingering effects of their impending separation were only now beginning to surface.
Hu Jiaping, dressed in ceremonial robes, stood at the edge of the island, smiling as he gazed out. Only he remained among the five teachers of the academy; the other four had returned to their respective sects to continue their cultivation.
“What’s with all of you looking like a bunch of mutes?” He turned back to the silent disciples. “Now’s the time to smile and take a good look. The next time you come to the academy, you’ll be teachers.”
His words only deepened the children’s sadness, and several female disciples even had red-rimmed eyes.
Hu Jiaping couldn’t help but chuckle. “What’s there to be sad about? You should be happy! Look over there at all those powerful immortals from prestigious sects who have come for you. Once you become official disciples of an immortal sect, there will be even more interesting things to experience! Next time you come here as teachers, you can share your amusing stories from your time here with them. Isn’t that wonderful?”
The fine rain dampened the children’s hair as they all gazed at the island to the west, where numerous immortal sects were located. Surely one of them would become their new home.
“Gelin, have you decided which sect you want to join?” Li Fei asked softly, wondering if Bai Li Gelin and her sister would choose to go to the same place, as Ye Ye had already decided on the Dizang Sect.
Bai Li Gelin loosened her disciple robe’s belt and replied nonchalantly, “I don’t know yet. I’ll just see how it goes. Sigh, I’ve eaten so well at the prince’s residence these past few days that my belt feels tight. Living in luxury does spoil a person.”
Li Fei couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. Suddenly, several boys who were close to Bai Li Gelin approached her, their expressions serious. The one in the lead, surnamed Zhao, spoke up, “Gelin, I plan to go to the Lantian Sect. Are you coming with me?”
The other boys also expressed their intentions to join different sects, asking if she would go with them. Bai Li Gelin was taken aback for a moment but didn’t answer, merely smiling sweetly at them. The boys fell silent, exchanging glances, until the boy surnamed Zhao was pushed forward, stammering, “G-Gelin… which sect do you actually like? Who do you want to go with? It’s the last day; you should at least decide!”
The boys had finally figured things out after spending a few days at home, and they were no longer willing to play childish games.
Bai Li Gelin smiled gently and said, “I’ll go with whoever treats me the best. Who do you think that is?”
The boys exchanged glances again, but this time they didn’t let her off the hook as they had before. The boy surnamed Zhao frowned and said, “You’re nice to everyone; it’s not sincere at all! You don’t like anyone, which is why you say that! You’re a bad girl!”
Bai Li Gelin’s expression turned indifferent. After a moment, she coldly replied, “Yes, I’m a bad girl. You can leave if you want; I’m not forcing you to be nice to me. It’s quite amusing.”
The boys were taken aback by her words and couldn’t help but start arguing with her. Bai Li Gelin frowned and said, “What’s this? Are you unhappy? Have I ever asked you for anything? If you’re not happy, you can leave. Who told you to try to please me?”
Li Fei, standing nearby, was flustered, unsure of how to mediate. Should she comfort the boys, saying that Gelin genuinely liked them, or should she reassure Gelin that the boys liked her? Something felt off…
Ye Ye shook his head in disapproval. “This is such a mess!”
He had always disapproved of Gelin’s attitude and decided to ignore her.
After a while, the boys finally dispersed, leaving Bai Li Gelin standing alone at the edge of the island. The damp little braids by her ears swayed in the breeze, while she remained motionless. Li Fei felt a bit worried and leaned over to whisper, “Gelin… are you okay?”
Bai Li Gelin turned back and smiled faintly. “You see, those people say they like me, but in the end, they all argue and leave.”
Li Fei hesitated. “This… isn’t liking, is it?”
Shouldn’t liking be a mutual one-on-one connection?
“Exactly, it’s not liking at all.” Bai Li Gelin continued to smile. “Even though it’s raining, the scenery of the academy is still so beautiful. Don’t you want to take a good look? You won’t see it again after today.”
Her words rang true. Li Fei stood beside her, and the two admired the beautiful scenery of the academy in the rain.
Hu Jiaping suddenly adjusted his wet ceremonial crown and rose into the air. “Alright, let’s go.”
The children were excited, holding their breath in silence as they lined up neatly and flew toward the martial arts arena. Upon arrival, they found the vast arena filled with people. Even Ji Tongzhou felt a bit nervous, muttering, “There are so many immortal sects?”
He searched the dense crowd for the figures of Xingzheng Pavilion but ultimately gave up.
The enormous martial arts arena was lined with white stone tables and chairs, and the sixteen disciples landed neatly in the center. Seeing the surrounding crowd, they couldn’t help but feel their legs tremble with nervousness. They wondered how the new disciple selection would proceed. Would they have to fight each other?
Hu Jiaping laughed, “Look at all these people; they’ve come here for you today.”
This year, there were only sixteen disciples. Although the number was small, each one was a gem. In recent years, the various immortal sects have stopped accepting ordinary disciples. With the arrival of the sea meteor, they only needed exceptionally talented individuals. Some children with outstanding potential could become immortals in just a few decades. The records detailing the sixteen disciples had already been thoroughly examined by the elders, and Lei Xiuyuan and Ji Tongzhou had naturally become hot commodities among the immortals. As soon as the disciples arrived, the chatter surged like waves, with everyone searching for Lei Xiuyuan and Ji Tongzhou.
Previously, there had been a female disciple with a single earth attribute who had excited the various sects, but unfortunately, after Mr. Zuo Qiu personally tested her spiritual root attributes, she turned out to have mediocre attributes of primary water and secondary earth, which disappointed many.
The five elemental spiritual root attributes naturally varied in commonality and rarity. Water and wood attributes were abundant and not surprising at all, while metal and earth attributes were rare. One was an exceptional offensive force, the strongest spear, while the other was a formidable defense, the strongest shield. Some small sects would be overjoyed to have even one immortal with a primary metal attribute.
This year, both Wuyue Court and Xingzheng Pavilion sent the most disciples, each with over a hundred, mostly elders from various branches of their sects, each bringing along one male and one female disciple.
Realizing he hadn’t seen the little girl he had sent to the academy, Dongyang Zhenren looked around in surprise and pulled Mr. Zuo Qiu aside, asking, “Where’s that little girl? Wasn’t she supposed to be here this year?”
Mr. Zuo Qiu glanced at Li Fei and smiled slightly. “Isn’t that her?”
Dongyang Zhenren, seeing her clear and elegant demeanor, couldn’t help but be astonished. Even as a formidable immortal, he was taken aback. “How has she changed so much?!”
He wasn’t old and confused; it had only been a year. The little girl he had sent from Qingqiu to the academy had been dark-skinned and boyish. How had she transformed so drastically in just a year? Although her features bore some resemblance upon closer inspection, there was a saying that girls change greatly at eighteen, but this child had changed too much!
Mr. Zuo Qiu laughed heartily. “The academy’s environment nurtures people.”
As they spoke, the sixteen disciples had already dispersed. The new disciple selection was neither a competition among them nor a simple selection process. The sects could choose disciples, and the disciples could also choose their sects. Many elders from various immortal sects had come today to allow the children to understand which sects were available and to help them choose the one that suited them best.
“The elders are all kind people; feel free to ask them anything,” Hu Jiaping’s words echoed in their minds. “If you find a sect you like, you must pass their tests to be considered part of that sect. Each of you has three opportunities, and you can choose different sects for each attempt. However, if you fail all three tests, then there’s nothing to be done; you’ll have to pack up and go home to farm.”
The children timidly scattered, wandering in different directions. Suddenly, a group of elders from various immortal sects surrounded them. However, most of the elders still sat in place, proud of their status.
Li Fei scanned the crowd for a while and suddenly spotted an old immortal with a white beard smiling at her. He stood on a large gourd, and it was Dongyang Zhenren from Wuyue Court.
Her eyes lit up, and she hurried over, calling out, “Mr. Dongyang!”
Dongyang Zhenren said warmly, “I’m quite surprised that you managed to pass all the tests at the academy.”
Previously, he had heard that she had a single earth attribute and had lamented for a while. Later, when Mr. Zuo Qiu retested her, her spiritual root attributes changed to the most common primary water and secondary earth, which greatly diminished the interest of the various immortals.
To be honest, in a sect like Wuyue Court, what kind of prodigy didn’t they have? He only knew that her special constitution allowed her to avoid demonic energy, but he was unaware of the events that had transpired in the academy’s forbidden area. Thus, he didn’t think it was anything particularly remarkable. Accepting this little girl into his sect felt somewhat like a waste.
However, since he had made a promise a year ago, how could he go back on his word to a child? He continued, “If you want to join Wuyue Court, you must first pass the elders’ tests. You’ll need to decide which branch you want to join. If you wish to be my disciple…”
Before he could finish, he suddenly sensed something. The copper bell atop the library tower rang melodiously, signaling the arrival of another immortal sect.
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