Chapter 25

In the two months that Zhang Yan was cultivating, some changes also occurred on Cangwu Mountain.

Zheng Xun had successfully opened his meridians, forming a meridian image of upper and lower grades, with a bright future ahead. From then on, he took a step into the great path of immortality and would soon go to the Upper Academy to practice even higher cultivation methods, without any lingering attachment to the Lower Academy.

At this time, the Lower Academy was also in turmoil. With Zheng Xun's departure, a slot for a new disciple was immediately vacant. Many disciples from noble families were vying for it. If everything went as expected, Lin Yuan would become the new head disciple of the Lower Academy, and the door to his residence was almost worn out by the constant flow of visitors.

As Lin Yuan's cousin, Lin Tong also used all his skills to seek the position of a disciple, but Lin Yuan ignored him.

Although the position of head disciple was within reach, the matter was not yet settled. Shi Shoujing had long favored Ai Zhongwen, who also had considerable influence among his peers. If there were no unexpected events, Ai Zhongwen would certainly become a disciple.

Although Lin Yuan and Ai Zhongwen had a rift over Zhang Yan, Ai Zhongwen was from the Anfeng Ai family, and Lin Yuan could not easily suppress him.

Seeing no way to get through to Lin Yuan, Lin Tong turned to Chen Lan, with whom he had a good relationship. However, Chen Lan was ambiguous and never spoke up for him, only mentioning something about lacking a refining tool.

Lin Tong was puzzled. Where did he have a refining tool?

After some inquiries, he learned that Chen Lan seemed to like the Zhenzhuo Tripod that Master Shi Shoujing had given to Zhang Yan.

Lin Tong thought to himself, "I've heard that Zhang Yan and Ai Zhongwen are good friends. Why not ask him to persuade Zhang Yan to hand over the treasure tripod, and I will give him some benefits in return..."

However, as soon as he mentioned it to Ai Zhongwen, he was scolded and driven away.

Feeling humiliated, Lin Tong secretly vowed, "Once I become a disciple, I'll make you pay!"

After much consideration, he realized he could not persuade Zhang Yan to hand over the treasure tripod. In a moment of desperation, he decided, "I'll steal the treasure tripod!"

Knowing that Zhang Yan was skilled in combat, he did not dare to force his way in. However, he had learned that Zhang Yan was alone in his cave, with no servants to attend to him. He decided to steal the tripod when Zhang Yan was not around, bury it in the mountains, and dig it up at night to give to Chen Lan.

"Once Master Chen gets the treasure tripod, he will certainly speak up for me!"

Lin Yuan made up his mind and wandered around Wangxing Peak day and night, watching from a distance. Zhang Yan seemed to never leave his cave, only practicing in seclusion. After more than two months of waiting, he was almost losing hope when he saw Zhang Yan being taken away by a white-robed cultivator. Overjoyed, he rushed forward, peeked into the cave, and saw that it was indeed empty. He lunged toward the large tripod.

However, a cold voice suddenly asked, "Who are you?"

Lin Tong was startled and turned around to see a beautiful woman standing there.

The woman had delicate eyebrows and captivating eyes, with a figure that was perfectly curved. Her neck exposed a large expanse of skin as smooth as white jade, making anyone who saw her feel their blood boil.

Lin Tong hesitated, then said, "Are you Zhang Yan's servant? Tsk, tsk, what a beauty. Why don't you come with me..."

The woman's fine eyebrows arched, and a murderous look flashed in her eyes. She shouted, "Looking for death!"

...

Zhang Yan walked up the mountain path from the bottom, pondering Ning Chongxuan's intentions.

Ning Chongxuan's last words indicated that he was from the lineage of master and disciple, suggesting that he had recognized Zhang Yan's value and was trying to win him over early. However, this was not good news, as it meant that the competition in the Upper Academy was even more intense than he had imagined.

However, it was too early to consider these matters now. He would wait until he opened his meridians before making any plans.

Returning to his cave, he stepped inside and saw a beautiful woman looking at him with affection. As soon as she saw Zhang Yan, she timidly pulled his sleeve and sobbed, "I've been searching for you for years, but finally found you today..."

Zhang Yan glanced at her, walked in without expression, and the woman, with a quick turn of her eyes, hugged him from behind, pressing her ample chest against his back, and said mournfully, "Has Master Zhang forgotten me?"

Zhang Yan's face remained unchanged. "Why would Fellow Daoist Luo do this? We see each other every day and live in the same room. How could I not recognize you?"

The woman was taken aback, blushed, and hastily let go, jumping to the side. She bit her lower lip and stomped her foot, annoyed, "Damn, I forgot you can recognize qi. And who lives in the same room with you, you little thief? Don't ruin my reputation!"

Zhang Yan shook his head and bowed. "Fellow Daoist Luo, your calamity is full, congratulations."

Though it was a congratulatory message, his tone was flat, and it sounded insincere. Luo Xiao glared at him, displeased. "I can only temporarily assume a form. My cultivation still needs to be restored."

Zhang Yan walked further in, surprised to see that the cave had changed. The walls were smooth like mirrors, the floor spotless, and all the firewood and charcoal had been moved out. Everything was neatly arranged, unlike the previous mess.

Luo Xiao said proudly, "You should have cleaned your cave."

Zhang Yan was not a dirty person, but the cave was large, and he was too busy cultivating to clean it. In the end times, he faced life-threatening situations at any moment, and having a safe place to stay was a luxury. He only kept his living area tidy.

However, he shook his head. "It's still not clean enough."

"Where is it not clean?" Luo Xiao's eyebrows furrowed, and she was不服气 (unconvinced).

Zhang Yan pointed to the tripod and said solemnly, "Who is in the tripod?"

...

While Lin Tong was plotting to steal the tripod, he did not expect the situation on Cangwu Mountain to change unexpectedly.

To everyone's surprise, the Upper Academy sent someone else to replace Zheng Xun, and Lin Yuan's hopes were dashed. He then learned that Zheng Xun's move to the Upper Academy was not just to inherit the family's legacy but to make room for this person to become the head disciple of the Lower Academy.

Even so, the crowd did not lose composure. When this person was escorted to the main hall, they were shocked to see that the new head disciple was a child of only fourteen or fifteen years old!

The child had bright eyes and a clear complexion, trying to act mature, but his age was evident. The disciples felt a strange discomfort.

"Where did this child come from?" someone whispered.

"He is the son of the Du family," someone replied quietly. "He is only fifteen years old and achieved 'Yuan Cheng Ru Zhen' at nine. He waited six years to form a meridian image of the highest grade. His father is an elder in the Upper Academy, and his mother is the famous beauty Du Luo from Hengnan Du family!"

The crowd was stunned. The Du family's influence spanned three major sects, and it was no wonder the three Lower Academy masters remained silent and tacitly approved. Those who had planned to cause trouble now kept quiet.

The child scanned the disciples, hands behind his back, chest out, and said in a mature tone, "My name is Du You. Today, I am your head disciple!"

The disciples all lowered their eyes and remained silent.

Du You's face showed a slight dissatisfaction. A manager-like person stepped forward and said, "Disciples, why don't you greet your new head disciple?"

Lin Yuan snorted, and the others ignored him. They were all from noble families and recognized the Du family's power, but they resented being ordered around by a mere servant.

Du You knew he should not push too hard and signaled the manager to step back. He cleared his throat and asked, "Are all the disciples present today?"

One person stood up and said, "Head disciple, one disciple is missing today."

The crowd looked over and saw it was Zhen Lun, one of the five disciples who had achieved 'Yuan Cheng Ru Zhen.' Though they knew the Zhen and Du families were close, his casual use of "Head disciple" was too obvious.

"Oh, aren't there twenty-eight disciples in the Lower Academy? With Senior Brother Zheng Xun gone, isn't the number just right?" Du You asked, feigning confusion.

Zhen Lun replied, "Master Shi Shoujing has taken on a new disciple named Zhang Yan, so there are now twenty-nine disciples in the Lower Academy."

"Zhang? Do you know which Zhang family he is from?"

"He is not from a noble family."

Du You's face darkened. "Not from a noble family, and he can still enter our Lower Academy?"

Zhen Lun answered, "He defeated the Guangyuan Sect alone during the Dharma Assembly, so Master made an exception and took him as a disciple."

Lin Yuan watched the two with a mocking smile. Do you think we can't see through your tricks?

Du You knew his young age would not command respect, and he needed to establish his authority. He had intended to target Lin Yuan, but his background was too complex. The other disciples were all from noble families, and either lacked the weight or a reason to serve as a warning.

However, he had already learned that among the new disciples, there was one who was not from a noble family and had no roots in the sect, making him the perfect target to set an example.

Du You asked, "Why didn't Zhang Yan come to greet me today?"

Zhen Lun replied, "Zhang Yan is always defiant. Even Senior Brother Zheng couldn't control him, and neither could Senior Brother Lin. I doubt he would respect you either."

Lin Yuan's eyes flashed with annoyance.

Du You glanced at Lin Yuan and said loudly, "Senior Brother Zheng couldn't control him, and Senior Brother Lin couldn't control him, but I can. Bring me my ruler."

A strong-looking person stepped forward and respectfully presented a crystal-clear white jade ruler to Du You.

This was a magical tool given to him by his mother, Du Luo, called the "Jujuzhi." Once used, it could knock down anyone below the Mingqi stage, rendering them unable to move or use their spirit, like a cripple. Three strikes would be fatal.

Du You picked up the ruler and handed it to the manager, saying coldly, "Manager Hao, go and bring Zhang Yan here. If he resists, kill him without mercy!"

...

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