Chapter 5

This is Bai Shi, and for the first time, his heart felt so heavy!

He cast his gaze into the distance, no longer looking at anyone, as if there was something he sought in the direction his eyes were set. He resolutely walked down from the stone platform. Strangely, those who had mocked him before, upon seeing his determined eyes, felt an inexplicable reverence and subconsciously made way for him.

Just like the steps he took at this moment, each step was as heavy as his heart. Indeed, for Bai Shi, others could say what they wanted, but they could not touch his dignity.

However, not everyone made way for Bai Shi. There were still some who looked at him with anger and disdain. One of them was the outstanding disciple among this group, the one who had reached the sixth level of the Foundation Establishment stage, Lin Nan!

Anyone who had interacted with Lin Nan knew that he, like others, had a fondness for Ou Yang Jingjing. In the eyes of others, Lin Nan and Ou Yang Jingjing were a perfect match. Unfortunately, Ou Yang Jingjing had never given Lin Nan a proper look and usually stayed very close to Bai Shi. This situation had, in a subtle way, planted a seed of dissatisfaction in Lin Nan's heart. Thus, as he watched Bai Shi walk up to him, he calmly said, "Remember what you said today. In two years, if you cannot defeat me... please stay away from Jingjing."

Bai Shi's body froze for a moment, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips, filled with sarcasm. He glanced sideways at Lin Nan, did not directly answer him, and instead, his low voice sounded, "Please step aside."

Faced with Bai Shi's disregard, Lin Nan's fists clenched subconsciously. If not for the fact that they were in Xichen Manor, he would have punched Bai Shi. But with so many eyes on him, especially the somewhat surprised gaze of Xichenzi, he had to step aside and let Bai Shi pass.

"Rest assured... in two years, when the competition between the manors begins, I, Bai Shi, will come to you." As Bai Shi walked a few meters away, just as he was about to leave their sight, his voice, though low, had a strong penetrating power and lingered in the air for a long time.

Ou Yang Jingjing pursed her lips, feeling a strange pain in her heart. After a moment of hesitation, she quickly followed Bai Shi's departing figure.

It seemed that with Bai Shi's departure, the mocking and gossiping voices also dissipated. With the middle-aged man's declaration of "end," the entire strength test came to a close. Next, those who had been eliminated would pack their bags and leave.

Of course, Bai Shi was one of them.

Although Bai Shi usually had some conflicts with the people in the manor, he truly felt a bit reluctant to leave.

After packing his bags, Bai Shi sighed and walked out of the room, gently closing the door. He saw Xichenzi and Ou Yang Jingjing standing outside.

"Master, please trouble you one last time." Seeing Xichenzi standing outside the room, Bai Shi's smile was tinged with bitterness.

Although the disciples of Dongchen Manor came from those who had been eliminated by other manors, not every disciple could enter Dongchen Manor. To enter Dongchen Manor, one must be personally led by the head of each manor.

Xichenzi patted Bai Shi's head. For this child, all he could do was sympathize.

With slightly narrowed eyes, he showed a kind smile and said, "Let's go."

Ou Yang Jingjing stood to the side, wanting to say something but unable to speak. She felt a strange pain in her heart, and her fingers dug deeply into her palm, as if trying to pierce the skin.

Bai Shi looked at Ou Yang Jingjing, and his heart became calm again. He smiled faintly and said, "After I go to Dongchen Manor, I will try to stay away from people like Lin Nan..."

Hearing Bai Shi's words, Ou Yang Jingjing almost dared not look at him. Her body trembled slightly as she nodded. Unnoticed by others, two streams of tears had already rolled down her cheeks.

After a momentary pause, Bai Shi took a deep breath, suddenly turned, and followed Xichenzi, braving the howling cold wind, heading towards Dongchen Manor on this winter solstice, which was approaching nightfall.

Dongchen Manor was located to the east of Xichen Manor, both situated in the continuous mountain range. However, this mountain range was very long, and the distance between Xichen Manor and Dongchen Manor was about fifty miles. Moreover, they had to cross the mountains and be cautious of the beasts that roamed the mountains. In the winter snow, the snow had piled up to their ankles, making their journey extremely difficult.

The mountains were filled with rugged rocks and steep cliffs. Fortunately, Xichenzi was very familiar with the route to Dongchen Manor and did not encounter any unexpected incidents. However, even so, the piercing cold wind and the icy ground beneath their feet made their journey arduous. After advancing about twenty miles, Bai Shi's body began to shiver.

Walking in silence often made time seem to drag on. When Xichenzi saw Bai Shi shivering, he smiled and said, "Bai Shi... why don't you recite the contents of the medicinal books and sword manuals for me? Or, I can quiz you?"

Bai Shi, hearing this, naturally became interested. He knew the contents of the medicinal books and sword manuals by heart. Hearing Xichenzi's suggestion, he confidently said, "Sure, Master... you can quiz me."

"Alright, let's start. What conditions must be met to obtain your own sword and cultivate your own sword spirit?"

"To have your own sword and cultivate your own sword spirit, you must be at the Dongxuan realm."

"What ingredients are needed to refine the Qingchen Powder?"

"Green Leaf Grass, Red Maple Flower, and Transparent Bone."

Xichenzi nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Let's continue."

...

...

Indeed, this Q&A method proved to be very effective. It seemed that Bai Shi was no longer shivering. By late night, they had already arrived at Dongchen Manor. Compared to Xichen Manor, Dongchen Manor was much smaller and situated on a much lower peak. In the dead of night, Dongchen Manor looked like an abandoned manor.

Even the faint lights seemed to be like ghostly flames in the night.

Xichenzi walked straight to the room with the lights on and was about to push the door open when he suddenly heard a voice from inside, "Brother... are you bringing another disciple?"

Xichenzi's body trembled, and he then said with a bitter smile, "Brother, are you going to make me stand outside and talk to you?"

"Ha ha... just joking, Brother, please come in."

As the door creaked open, a wave of alcohol fumes rushed out, making Bai Shi cough and even causing tears to well up in his eyes.

When he regained his composure, Bai Shi focused and saw an old man in a white robe sitting in the room. The old man looked to be about the same age as Xichenzi, and even his expression was somewhat similar.

He held a wine flask in his hand and sat on a wooden chair. Next to him was a wooden table filled with wine jars. He did not look directly at Xichenzi but, as soon as Xichenzi entered, he raised the wine flask, took a few gulps, and then turned his gaze to Bai Shi.

"This young man looks very sharp and should be a good candidate for cultivation. Brother, are you willing to hand such a good candidate over to me, Dongchenzi?" the old man said, his gaze fixed on Bai Shi.

Xichenzi smiled bitterly and said, "His name is Bai Shi. He indeed looks like a good candidate for cultivation, but he has been stuck at the first level of the Foundation Establishment stage for years, so..."

Dongchenzi laughed and said, "Ha ha, why would you send someone who has been stuck at the first level of the Foundation Establishment stage to Dongchen Manor?"

Xichenzi sighed and patted Bai Shi's head, a sense of paternal love emanating from his hand, warming Bai Shi's heart, which had been feeling a bit desolate.

"This child is usually very obedient. But unfortunately, he has no family. Brother, you should know the rules of Xichen Manor. With so many eyes watching, I thought a lot about it and decided to send him here."

Dongchenzi laughed again and said, "Ha ha... I was just joking, Brother. Why take it so seriously? Since you brought him here personally, how could I refuse? Don't worry, Brother, I won't keep you. There are many things to do at Xichen Manor, so you can go back now."

Xichenzi thanked him and, as he looked at Bai Shi again, his robe fluttered, and he transformed into a long rainbow, flying out of the room.

Seeing this, Bai Shi was puzzled and was about to speak when it seemed as if Dongchenzi had read his mind and said, "Don't be puzzled. Each manor has its own rules. The reason he brought you here on foot is also a rule."

Saying this, Dongchenzi waved his sleeve, and the door slammed shut.

"Come, come and have a few drinks with me..."

Saying this, Dongchenzi threw a slightly smaller wine flask to Bai Shi.

Bai Shi caught the wine flask, brought it to his nose, and sniffed it, frowning slightly. He looked at Dongchenzi and said, "Uncle Dongchen, drinking this kind of wine all year, won't you have a headache in the morning?"

Dongchenzi became interested and frowned slightly, saying, "Do you understand the meaning of this wine?"

Bai Shi smiled and stepped forward, looking at Dongchenzi and saying, "Not really, but I have probably seen more types of wine than you, Uncle."

Dongchenzi gave Bai Shi a look of disdain and said, "Pfft, at your young age, how many types of wine could you have seen? I, Dongchenzi, have almost tasted all the wines in the world. What don't I know?"

Bai Shi smiled and said, "Since Uncle doesn't believe me, let me just mention a few, and see if you know them."

Dongchenzi looked very confident and said, "Go ahead."

After a moment's thought, Bai Shi's lips curled into a satisfied smile, and he said, "Uh... that, Maotai, have you heard of it?"

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