Chapter 41

Jingyun Martial Academy, Upper Courtyard.

The Upper and Lower Courtyards are in the same academy, yet they are worlds apart!

The Lower Courtyard has thousands of disciples, and as long as one has money, anyone can enter to learn martial arts and skills. Apart from the monthly quota restrictions, there are no other requirements, making it extremely lenient.

However, to advance from the Lower Courtyard to the Upper Courtyard, one must stand out among thousands of disciples and secure one of the top ten positions to qualify for further advancement.

The number of Upper Courtyard disciples has never exceeded a hundred, but the environment and conditions are far superior to those of the Lower Courtyard.

The entire courtyard is built on Qingmang Mountain, with numerous pavilions and palaces nestled among lush forests. The floating cloud stone platform serves as the martial arts training ground, exuding the grandeur of a major sect.

The Upper Courtyard also has seventeen annexes for the chief and senior masters to reside in, as well as to accommodate distinguished guests.

Wei Changfeng was looking for someone who lived in one of these annexes, called "Qingyuan Cottage."

According to the academy's rules, Lower Courtyard disciples are not allowed to enter the Upper Courtyard area without the permission of a senior master.

Fortunately, Wei Changfeng had the identity of a library steward disciple, so he smoothly passed the inspection by the academy's patrolling warriors and, with their guidance, found the Qingyuan Cottage located halfway up the mountain.

To his surprise, there were five or six young men and women kneeling outside the Qingyuan Cottage. From their attire, it was clear they were Upper Courtyard disciples, and they did not seem to be there to beg for forgiveness.

Could they all have itchy knees, finding it comfortable to kneel here?

Wei Changfeng was quite surprised and puzzled, so he couldn't help but take a closer look.

The Upper Courtyard disciples, seeing Wei Changfeng on the path leading to the Qingyuan Cottage, had various expressions in their eyes—surprise, disdain, mockery, and even dissatisfaction.

However, none of them spoke, and no one stood up from the cold, hard blue stone.

Wei Changfeng felt a bit eerie but was not frightened. He walked straight to the entrance of the annex and knocked on the tightly closed door.

Knock! Knock!

After a moment, a voice from inside asked, "Who is it?"

The voice was clear and delicate, unmistakably that of a young woman.

Wei Changfeng quickly replied, "I am Wei Changfeng, a library steward disciple, seeking to meet Master Dongfang!"

The woman's voice asked again, "What for?"

This question left Wei Changfeng a bit at a loss, but he couldn't avoid answering, "I want to learn swordsmanship, so I have come to seek Master Dongfang's guidance."

At Jingyun Martial Academy, martial instructors at the Qi Condensation stage teach the Lower Courtyard disciples, while those at the Innate stage teach the Upper Courtyard disciples. However, they also give lectures to all disciples in the martial arts hall.

For Lower Courtyard disciples to receive guidance from senior masters, it is not impossible, but it requires either outstanding talent or a close relationship, or a substantial amount of money.

However, Master Dongfang Caibai was clearly different from other elders. Wei Changfeng had no familial ties with her, and she did not give lectures at the academy, so he had to come to her directly.

"Ha!" "Idiot!" "Overestimating yourself!"

As soon as he finished speaking, low, mocking laughter came from behind him, filled with derision.

There was no response from inside the Qingyuan Cottage for a long time.

Wei Changfeng suddenly realized he might have made a mistake by coming here without knowing enough about Dongfang Caibai. This time, he was likely to be turned away.

But turning back now would be wrong. Regardless of whether she would see him or not, he had to wait for a result.

He waited for a full half an incense stick's time!

Creak~

A side door opened, and a pretty, young face appeared. Her large, dark eyes blinked, and she said to Wei Changfeng, "Follow me in!"

Wei Changfeng felt as if he had been granted a reprieve and quickly entered the Qingyuan Cottage through the side door.

The Upper Courtyard disciples still kneeling outside were all very surprised, especially those who had mocked Wei Changfeng, who now looked quite embarrassed.

But Wei Changfeng didn't care about their expressions. He was captivated by the unique scenery of the Qingyuan Cottage.

The annex was not very large, but its architectural layout was exquisite. The houses, pavilions, and water pavilions were arranged in a harmonious and natural way, following the mountain's contours without any sense of disharmony.

Inside the cottage, there were towering trees, exotic flowers, and a clear stream flowing gently. A few white cranes were foraging by the pond, showing no alarm at Wei Changfeng's approach.

The one who led Wei Changfeng in was a young servant girl, about thirteen or fourteen years old. She brought him to a pavilion with light curtains and intricate carvings, and said, "Wait here..."

The servant girl walked up the stone steps to the pavilion on her own, and a girl in a red dress was waiting at the door.

She glanced at Wei Changfeng, whispered a few words to the servant girl, and then both disappeared through the door.

Since he was here, Wei Changfeng calmed down and waited patiently.

This time, he didn't have to wait long.

After a moment, a cold, icy voice came from the pavilion, "Did that old lunatic Ouyang Feng send you?"

Oh no!

Wei Changfeng immediately felt uneasy.

First, he hadn't expected Dongfang Caibai to be a woman, and second, she clearly had no good relationship with Ouyang Feng!

He steeled himself and bowed, "It is I who wants to learn swordsmanship, and it has nothing to do with Master Ouyang."

"Hmph!"

Dongfang Caibai snorted coldly and said bluntly, "It must be that old lunatic's idea!"

Pausing, she continued, "You practice fire-based techniques, which do not align with my sword path. Go back!"

"Xiaoyu, show him out!"

Wei Changfeng's heart sank.

He wasn't about to beg and make a fool of himself, so he followed the servant girl named Xiaoyu and left the Qingyuan Cottage without any success.

Returning to the Lower Courtyard, Wei Changfeng couldn't shake off his frustration and decided to go to the library.

He felt that Ouyang Feng had set him up. If the old man didn't give a good explanation, he would make him suffer a bit.

This wasn't out of arrogance. Although his strength was far inferior to Ouyang Feng's, he could easily play tricks during acupuncture.

"Ha, did you go to Qingyuan Cottage to see Dongfang Caibai?"

To his surprise, Ouyang Feng asked with a knowing smile, "Did she turn you down?"

Wei Changfeng replied irritably, "Senior, are you being sincere?"

Ouyang Feng said seriously, "If you want to learn swordsmanship, Dongfang Caibai is the best choice. She is a true disciple of the Yunhai Mountain lineage. Even a few pointers from her would be ten times better than those who are just famous in name!"

Wei Changfeng smiled bitterly, "But she said my fire-based techniques do not align with her sword path."

"Excuse!"

Ouyang Feng sneered, "What you really need to learn is the orthodox sword path of the mystic sect, not her sect's ultimate techniques. What does it matter if it aligns or not? It's just that your sincerity is lacking!"

Lacking sincerity!

Wei Changfeng was speechless.

He now understood that the Upper Courtyard disciples kneeling outside the Qingyuan Cottage were demonstrating their sincerity by kneeling, showing how much they respected Dongfang Caibai.

What sincerity could he show to move her?

Status and position? Forget it. The identity of a library steward disciple only intimidated ordinary Lower Courtyard disciples.

Dongfang Caibai allowing him to speak a few words was already a great honor.

Money? That was even less reliable. Not only could he not afford much, but if money really mattered, those distinguished Upper Courtyard disciples wouldn't be kneeling outside the annex.

After much thought, a light bulb went off in Wei Changfeng's head.

He had an idea!

"Thank you, Senior, for your guidance. I'll take my leave now!"

Ouyang Feng stroked his sparse beard and said meaningfully, "Seize the opportunity. She may not stay at Jingyun Martial Academy for long. If you can win her favor, it will benefit you greatly in the future!"

Wei Changfeng sensed that the mad elder was hinting at something, but he couldn't quite figure out what. He took it as a well-meaning advice, nodded, and bowed to leave.

Leaving the academy, Wei Changfeng returned to Jingyun City.

He searched all the large and small pharmacies on the main street and even visited the Four Seas Pavilion, finally gathering all the materials he needed, spending almost all the silver notes he had.

After the shopping, Wei Changfeng returned home.

"Brother, are you going to boil the Longhu Soup tonight?"

His two younger sisters were very happy to see him. Wei Xiaoying said, "I can light the stove by myself now!"

Wei Xiaoyu chimed in, "I can too, I can too!"

Wei Changfeng patted their heads and said, "Xiaoying and Xiaoyu are the best. But tonight, I don't need to practice, so you should both go to bed early!"

Boiling the Longhu Soup for body refinement was not an easy task, and his young sisters, though very understanding, made him feel a bit guilty.

Wei Changfeng decided that after his life-or-death battle with Hao Xiong, he would earn a substantial amount of money to buy a decent house.

After all, he had promised to let Xiaoying and Xiaoyu live like princesses!

"No fun..." Wei Xiaoying pouted in disappointment.

Wei Changfeng smiled.

Recently, he had been busy with martial arts and cultivation, spending less and less time at home and having no time to accompany his sisters.

Perhaps because of this, Xiaoying and Xiaoyu were a bit clingy when they saw him.

But he didn't find it troublesome; instead, he felt a warm and comfortable feeling.

Muyun Wan said, "Don't bother your brother. Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner!"

Thanks to the money Wei Changfeng had given, the Wei family no longer had to worry about food. When he suddenly returned home, Muyun Wan could still prepare a delicious meal.

After dinner, Wei Changfeng returned to his room.

He took out the palm-sized tripod he had exchanged for at the Four Seas Pavilion and prepared to refine the elixir!

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