Chapter 22

As Tang Gu's figure appeared in the pitch-black courtyard, he was immediately spotted by the many outer court disciples who were constantly watching the situation inside the courtyard.

At this moment, the hourglass beside the old man still had nearly a third of its sand left to flow.

"Ha ha, he's out, he's out!"

"Quick, look, what a sorry state he's in. Look at his knees, all twisted and crooked. He must have failed!"

"I told you, a good-for-nothing like him, if he dares to challenge the Snowman Cave, even if he stays in there a bit longer, he will definitely be kicked out before half an hour."

"Exactly, I was worried for nothing just now. If he really made it through, he would be on par with us."

In the crowd, "Iron Sword" Du Pengfei, "Ice Maiden" Li Youxue, "Fierce Dragon" Wang Zheng... all turned their gazes toward Tang Gu, but their expressions were different.

Du Pengfei was scrutinizing, Li Youxue was regretful, and Wang Zheng was relieved, then gloating...

Clearly, everyone believed that Tang Gu had definitely failed.

Moreover, not only had he failed, but he must have been severely beaten inside. Just looking at his current miserable state, one could tell that he hadn't even lasted half an hour.

However, upon hearing their voices, Tang Gu paid no attention and walked straight to the old man in the hemp robe. Despite the pain all over his body, he still bowed respectfully and said, "Senior, I have come out!"

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing this, the old man in the hemp robe slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the hourglass, then looked at the injured Tang Gu. After feeling for a while with his eyes closed, he was slightly surprised and said, "You went to the second level of the Snowman Cave?"

"Yes."

Tang Gu replied, his voice still calm, neither proud nor discouraged.

"Ha ha, good, good!"

The old man rarely showed such a big smile. He reached into his robe and pulled out a dark green iron token, handing it to Tang Gu. "This is the outer court disciple token. You can use it to collect your items from the External Affairs Hall. From today on, you are a formal disciple of our Martial Academy. Go!"

"Yes."

Tang Gu responded again, then took the dark green token and bowed respectfully to the old man before turning and walking away, heading for the courtyard gate.

As he approached, everyone instinctively moved aside, making way for him. Tang Gu saw the crowd gathered at the gate and frowned slightly, but said nothing, limping away slowly.

Watching his slightly limping figure disappear, the entire courtyard fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into a commotion.

A disciple, looking at his back, said in disbelief, "What, I must have heard wrong, he actually went to the second level of the Snowman Cave?"

"Yes, yes, that elder actually said he went to the second level of the Snowman Cave. How is that possible? That's the training ground for inner court disciples."

"No mistake, look at the dark iron token in his hand. That must be the reward for passing the first level of the Snowman Cave. What bad luck, this kid has really turned from a poor slave to a phoenix in a day, on par with us."

"Ah!"

Everyone sighed, clearly finding it hard to accept. The contrast between before and after was too great. They had been mocking him just moments ago, but now, he had come out and proven them wrong with clear facts, leaving them stunned.

"Let's disperse, there's no more show to see. But now, the Martial Academy competition will definitely be exciting!"

"Hehe, hehe, why are we in a hurry? The one who should be worried is Senior Brother Wang Zheng. His uncle is one of the managers of the outer court, he should have a way..."

As they spoke, they glanced at "Fierce Dragon" Wang Zheng, who indeed had a very colorful expression.

Disbelief, doubt, regret, and a hint of gnashing teeth and hatred!

Everyone could understand why he had such an expression.

The Martial Academy competition selects the top five most outstanding outer court disciples, who can be directly promoted to the inner court to learn higher-level martial techniques and mental methods.

At the same time, it is clear that the rewards and various benefits that inner court disciples receive each month far exceed those of outer court disciples, and their status and position are incomparable.

Originally, Wang Zheng was ranked fifth in the outer court, but now... with the addition of Tang Gu, could he still keep his fifth place?

He gave a cold look at everyone, said nothing, and turned to walk toward the External Affairs Hall. This matter had to be resolved early. There was only one month left, and the only person he could rely on was his uncle.

"Brat, I won't let you get your way. Wait for the competition."

"Competition, huh?"

On the side, upon hearing their conversation, Du Pengfei's face turned green, his eyes flashing.

"Becoming an outer court disciple isn't enough for you? Do you want to become an inner court disciple?"

"Heh, the Martial Academy competition allows killing. If you are lucky enough to make it to the top five, you will likely face me in the competition. Then, I will give you a lifelong unforgettable mark."

After saying this, he didn't look at anyone else, flicked his sleeve, and left.

Seeing this, the others also dispersed, and the entrance to the Snowman Cave, which had been noisy for a while, returned to silence.

Only the old man in the hemp robe under the locust tree in the courtyard, after everyone left, looked up at their backs with a half-smile.

"You, perhaps from the beginning, he never took you seriously!"

"This kid's ambition is great. He dared to enter the second level of the Snowman Cave on his first try and lasted for two incense sticks. He is aiming for the inner court disciple quota. In his eyes, our outer court is just a stepping stone!"

"But, I like such a disciple!"

After saying this, the old man in the hemp robe slowly faded away and disappeared, as if he had never been there, though everyone knew he was there, no one could see his figure.

...

In the sunlight, Tang Gu limped toward the External Affairs Hall as the old man had said.

A short while later, ignoring the surprised gaze of a young servant disciple who had been with him, Tang Gu came out holding a neatly folded light white Martial Academy disciple uniform and a black long sword in its scabbard.

He returned to his thatched cottage, took off his gray shirt, and put on the light white Martial Academy uniform.

The light white martial robe, neither silk nor satin, had a small sword embroidered on the left chest with purple gold thread. It was very soft and smooth to the touch, a standard uniform for Martial Academy disciples.

However, for the disciples of noble families, this uniform might seem too shabby. Unless it was a major festival or the year-end examination, they would wear their own clothes. But there were no specific rules in the Martial Academy, so no one cared.

But Tang Gu, dressed in the standard uniform, transformed from gray to white, as if he had become a different person. His originally simple and reserved demeanor instantly became radiant and striking.

A unique charm emerged.

Then, Tang Gu sat on the bed and picked up the sword.

This sword is called the "Xuanhou Sword," a standard issue for each Martial Academy disciple, classified as a third-grade ordinary weapon, worth about 100 gray stone coins. However, most Martial Academy disciples owned fourth-grade or even fifth-grade weapons, so they often left the Xuanhou Sword in a corner, gathering dust.

But for Tang Gu, this was the first time he owned such a high-grade weapon.

"Click!"

With a light press of the spring, a dark green, heavy sword blade flashed before his eyes. Tang Gu held the sword and flicked it, and three sword flowers flew out.

This sword instantly gave him a sense of blood and flesh integration.

Having studied sword techniques for a long time but always using finger strength, Tang Gu felt no strangeness when he truly touched a sword for the first time.

However, after a moment, Tang Gu sheathed the sword and hung it on the wall, gazing at the bright morning sun outside and murmured, "The Martial Academy competition, although I already have the strength to rival the second level of Qi Dao, I cannot be careless. There is not much time left, only one month."

Thinking of this, he reached into his robe and pulled out the jade box containing the remaining three "Xiaoxuejin Guo," his eyes flashing. "I will strive to break through to the second level of Qi Dao, or even the peak of the second level, during this time."

"My goal has never been the outer court, but the top ten disciples of the inner court! It is said that once you enter the top ten disciples of the inner court, you have a great chance to be selected to study in one of the six major sects of the Konglun Snow Region."

"One month, second level of Qi Dao, inner court!"

Thinking of this, Tang Gu's eyes instantly became determined. Without hesitation, he sat cross-legged on the ground, opened the jade box, took out one "Xiaoxuejin Guo," and swallowed it.

PS: Third update, one more to go, currently writing. Will be posted in the morning. Seeking votes and collections for the rankings!