Chapter 23

Yetianming's expression was very calm; for him now, staying alive was the top priority.

The two soon arrived at the entrance of Wuzhou Academy. Along the way, Yetianming saw many new students coming to enroll. He noticed that the students from Wuzhou all had a fierce and capable aura. No wonder Nanling Zhao said that the people of Wuzhou were martial in nature.

Just as the two reached the academy gate, a young man walked up to them.

"Lord Zhao."

The young man smiled and said, "Welcome, I am Weiling, a student of the Chancellor."

Nanling Zhao replied, "Hello, please inform the Chancellor that we are here to request an audience."

Weiling immediately showed a look of apology, "Lord Zhao, it's unfortunate, but the Chancellor is not in the academy."

Nanling Zhao was slightly taken aback, "Not in the academy?"

Weiling nodded, "Yes, he left the academy on business and has not returned yet."

Nanling Zhao looked at Weiling, who had a polite smile on his face, courteous and proper.

How could Nanling Zhao not understand that this was a refusal to meet her?

Nanling Zhao nodded, "Then I will come another day."

After saying this, she turned to Yetianming, "Let's go."

The two turned and left.

Weiling watched them leave, and after they disappeared into the distance, he turned and walked toward the academy. Soon, he arrived at a grand hall where an old man was sitting, who was none other than Yan Sui, the Governor of Wuzhou.

"Did they leave?"

Yan Sui asked.

Weiling nodded, "They left."

Yan Sui sighed softly, "It's a bit of a pity."

Weiling said, "Teacher, are you pitying that young man?"

Yan Sui replied, "Those who can pass through the Guanxuan Dao are not ordinary people. This time, Qingzhou could have recruited this talent, but they didn't because of the Xiao family... Of course, it's understandable. After all, any academy would choose the genius of the Xiao family over someone from a lesser family."

Weiling said, "This Nanling Zhao is helping this young man so much, she must be..."

Yan Sui said, "When did you become so gossipy?"

Weiling smiled slightly, "I'm just curious. She and the young man are not related, yet she is helping him so much. It's really puzzling."

Yan Sui looked at Weiling, "Do you think she shouldn't help him?"

Weiling was a bit puzzled.

Yan Sui shook his head slightly, "Weiling, we indeed cannot take in that young man, but you should understand that in this matter, the Xiao family is bullying others with their power, and Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy is aiding and abetting them. The young man is not at fault; the fault lies with the Xiao family and Qingzhou Academy, and even the Guanxuan Realm is at fault."

Weiling looked at Yan Sui in shock, and Yan Sui continued, "This Lady Nanling Zhao is not at fault either. As an inspector, her duty is to investigate injustices in the world. Her courage in helping this young man, despite the powerful opposition, is admirable. The academy should have more people like her, but..."

He shook his head slightly, "But doing such things requires great courage and the mental preparation to make sacrifices."

Weiling respectfully said, "Mentor, I understand these things, but I don't understand if it's worth it for her to do this."

Yan Sui smiled, "If I were as young as her, I would have taken in this young man today. But now..."

He had a complex look in his eyes and did not say anything more, then turned and left.

Those who can become Chancellors are not ordinary people; they once had ideals, but the longer they stay in the political arena, the more they realize that individuals often cannot change anything.

Now, for them, stability is best, and no mistakes are a form of success.

...

Nanling Zhao came outside and saw Yetianming again. Yetianming was practicing, and when she saw him practicing, a complex look flashed in her eyes.

Yetianming's talent was undoubtedly terrifying, but she knew very well that if he did not join a powerful academy, his talent would not be fully realized. Cultivation resources were truly important.

Seeing Nanling Zhao, Yetianming quickly stopped his practice, stood up, and walked to her, somewhat excitedly saying, "The spiritual energy here is very dense, and I have a faint feeling of breaking through. But unfortunately, my practical experience is not enough, which makes my current realm unstable. Therefore, I can only continue to accumulate and dare not attempt to break through."

Nanling Zhao smiled, "What you're doing is right. Haste makes waste, especially in cultivation. Breaking through too quickly is often not a good thing."

Yetianming nodded and then said, "We..."

Nanling Zhao said, "Go to Youzhou."

Yetianming looked at her and nodded, "Okay."

The two immediately set off for Youzhou.

After a quarter of an hour, they arrived at Youzhou. The Guanxuan Academy of Youzhou was located on You Mountain, which stretched for a thousand miles and was often shrouded in mist.

When Yetianming and Nanling Zhao arrived at the entrance of Youzhou Guanxuan Academy, Yetianming was immediately shocked because he found that the spiritual energy here was very dense and pure, far surpassing the previous Wuzhou and other states.

Seeing his shocked expression, Nanling Zhao smiled and said, "Youzhou once won first place, so the Guanxuan Realm bestowed two supreme spirit veins on them. One went to the genius who won first place, and the other went to Youzhou Academy. Therefore, the spiritual energy here is very dense."

Yetianming said softly, "If I were to cultivate here, it would be unimaginable."

Nanling Zhao smiled, "This is nothing. If you go to the main academy of Guanxuan, it would be even more astonishing. There, even a pig could cultivate to become an emperor."

Yetianming: "..."

Nanling Zhao continued, "That's why so many people want to join the main academy of Guanxuan. Entering there truly changes one's fate, not just one's own but also one's family's."

Yetianming said, "It must be very difficult to enter the main academy, right?"

Nanling Zhao nodded, "If you are a local student of the Guanxuan Realm, it's relatively easier, but for students from other states, it's extremely difficult. Besides those with special constitutions, the only way for students from other states to enter the main academy is to participate in the Great Competition of the Ten Thousand States. The top ten will definitely enter the main academy of Guanxuan. Additionally, if you perform exceptionally well in the competition and are noticed by a mentor from the Guanxuan Realm, you also have a chance to enter the main academy."

Yetianming nodded, "I understand."

As they spoke, they had already reached the entrance of the academy. Just then, an old man suddenly appeared before them. He looked at Nanling Zhao, neither humble nor arrogant, and said, "Lord Zhao, the Chancellor asked me to convey a message to you. He said he does not want to have a falling out with Qingzhou Academy and the Xiao family."

After saying this, he turned and left.

Nanling Zhao had a blank expression and did not speak.

Yetianming also did not speak.

After a moment, Nanling Zhao said, "Let's go to the next state... Let's go..."

"Miss Zhao."

Yetianming suddenly said.

Nanling Zhao turned to look at Yetianming, and Yetianming looked at her, "How does Wanzhou compare to the Sword Sect?"

Nanling Zhao said, "It is far inferior to the Sword Sect. The Sword Sect is..."

She suddenly stopped, realizing what Yetianming meant.

Even the Sword Sect dared not take him in, how could Wanzhou dare to?

Yetianming smiled, "Thank you for all your help, but from now on, I will walk my own path."

Nanling Zhao wanted to say something, but suddenly, an old man broke through the air and quickly came to her, bowing respectfully, "Miss, the patriarch has asked you to return to the clan immediately."

Nanling Zhao said, "I will return in a while..."

Thump!

The old man suddenly knelt down, pleading, "Miss, the patriarch said that if you do not return, he will not return either."

Nanling Zhao's gaze immediately turned cold. After a moment of silence, she turned to Yetianming, "Wait for me to come back for you."

Yetianming smiled, "Miss Zhao, take care of yourself."

Nanling Zhao said seriously, "I will come back for you."

After saying this, she suddenly walked up to Yetianming and took out a seal, placing it in his hand, "This is my inspector's seal. Use it for now."

Without waiting for Yetianming to respond, she turned and broke through the air, disappearing into the horizon. She realized that without the support of her entire clan, no state would dare to take in Yetianming.

She had to go back and discuss with her father.

Watching Nanling Zhao disappear into the horizon, he finally收回目光，轻轻抚摸了一下手中的巡察使印，片刻后，他收起巡察使印，缓缓朝山下走去。

路上，不时有新学员上山来，他们脸上充满了对未来的希望。

叶天命就这样走着，随着南陵昭的离去，他突然感到心里空荡荡的，开始变得有些迷茫，这天大地大，确实已经没有他叶天命的容身之处。

面对这世道的不公，他也很想喊一句：三十年河东，三十年河西，莫欺少年穷。

但残酷的现实让他明白，他根本没有三十年，或许三天都沒有。

无奈！

绝望！

不管他如何在内心深处告诉自己，不要绝望，要振作，但是，这种负面情绪依旧悄然滋生，面对这残酷的现实，一切的努力都是徒劳。

回去？

自己现在回去，肯定會连累叶家，说不定已经连累叶家了。

不回去？

天大地大，自己又能去哪里？

叶天命坐在石阶上，有些茫然地望着天边，他知道，离开这里，他可能马上就会死，萧家肯定不会放过他的。

自己死无所谓的，可是叶家怎么办啊！

大哥！

叶宗！

还有那些叶家兄弟……

是自己连累他们了啊！

他呆呆望着天际，越来越迷茫，似是想到什么，他突然低头看向自己腰间的小塔，轻声说：“塔祖，您曾说过，可以做我人生路上的导师，在我迷茫的时候，为我指点迷津……我现在就有些迷茫了。我该怎么办？”

小塔说：“你终于想起你还有一个塔祖了？”

叶天命：“……”

小塔哈哈笑道：“终于该我装逼了。”

叶天命：“……”

……

新书期间，需要大家的支持，没有加入书架的可以添加书架，有票票的可以投点票票哈！

感谢所有支持的读者！

(Note: The last part is a note from the author to the readers, which is not part of the story and has been omitted in the translation.)

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