Chapter 160: Qi Tui Zhi

Compared to Lu Xingzhou and his master, who understood deeply and gained much, the other students found it too obscure.

Although Lady Ye was teaching the most basic level of third-grade knowledge, the gap between the students lay here; Lu Xingzhou and his master were clearly a tier above the others, making it almost inappropriate to place them in the same classroom.

Ye Tinglan's beautiful eyes swept over the group of confused students. She had originally wanted to see if there were any surprises, but ultimately felt deeply disappointed. So, for the second half of the lesson, she made it even simpler, starting directly from the fourth-grade level.

Only then could one see the appearance of everyone understanding; Ye Tinglan sighed inwardly.

Gu Zhanting felt he had promoted the vigorous development of Great Qian's medicine and alchemy. Theoretically, yes, but sometimes the world's matters are ruthless. Perhaps there were many more ordinary talents, but alas, geniuses were only ever a few.

"Today's lesson ends here," Ye Tinglan said indifferently. "Dismissed. Lu Xingzhou, stay behind."

This open detention left others with nothing much to say; special favor for the top scholar was too normal. Daoist Xuan Qing left in anger, while A'nuo sent a grimace.

Lu Xingzhou asked, "Mr., what do you need me for?"

Ye Tinglan said, "You don't know?"

Lu Xingzhou fell silent for a moment: "I indeed need an excuse to treat my leg, but I do not know why Lady Ye would help so much."

Ye Tinglan said indifferently, "Your courage is too great... Do you know you are openly deceiving the Emperor?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "I am deceiving regarding my private matters here. What illness I pretend to have has nothing to do with others. If you insist on calling it deceiving the Emperor, that title is too heavy."

"If the monarch could be so reasonable, many things one cannot bear to see would not happen. You must at least consider Sheng Yuanyao; she holds a public office. Knowing and not reporting is also deceiving the Emperor."

"Then..." Lu Xingzhou asked cautiously, "Is Lady Ye not the same? Why trouble herself to wade into this muddy water?"

Ye Tinglan said, "I cherish talent. How is that reason?"

"Lady Ye was warning me just a few days ago."

"It is not contradictory," Ye Tinglan said. "I might as well speak openly: I need to keep you by my side to watch. So, are you willing to study alchemy deeply with me?"

"If Lady Ye says this, it will make me feel that Lady Ye came to the Alchemy Academy to be a teacher only for my sake."

"You can think so... Of course, there is also Lu Nuonuo."

A'nuo opened her mouth, then closed it again.

This old woman is too strong; better not provoke her.

Lu Xingzhou asked, "Is it only because of the Hall of Yama, or is there another reason?"

"I said, I cherish talent," Ye Tinglan said no more, turned, and left. "I give you time to consider; you can refuse."

Long after Ye Tinglan had left, and even after A'nuo pushed Lu Xingzhou back, Lu Xingzhou was still frowning all the way, feeling that Lady Ye's attitude was very strange.

This woman, through several contacts, though appearing amiable and willing to communicate, actually made Lu Xingzhou feel a kind of cold indifference beneath that seemingly easygoing attitude, a gaze looking down from above. Just like... facing Gu Zhanting.

Although their attitudes differed, they were quite similar in essence. It was not merely a perspective of far superior cultivation, but also related to status and the nature of the techniques cultivated. The so-called amiability was closer to a bestowed gift.

She was a woman who had long been in a high position, and around her was desolate and cold, with not many people she could open her heart to; perhaps she was no different from the Emperor's loneliness and isolation.

Yet she had expressed a different attitude toward him several times. Whether it was guidance or vigilance, it really should not have been... She should have looked at him like a lump on the street, without any emotion.

Therefore, she gave Lu Xingzhou a very contradictory feeling. He felt that such a powerful and high-status woman, who could casually commit the crime of deceiving the Emperor, seemed full of hidden thoughts, as if he did not know what she truly sought. The Hall of Yama alone should not warrant this; she must have many secrets behind her.

"Eh? Why are you two still on the road?" Meng Li met them halfway and asked very kindly, "It's been half a day since mealtime. Do you not want to eat the food here? Actually, the Alchemy Academy's food is very good; it is specially blended by alchemists and is especially beneficial for cultivation."

"Uh, no, I was detained by Lady Ye just now; we spoke a few words." Lu Xingzhou asked, "Is Instructor Meng very familiar with this lady? The first time I saw her was at the Instructor's home. Did the Instructor invite her to be a teacher this time as well?"

"You could say we are familiar," Meng Li actually knew a bit. How could this lady come to serve in the Alchemy Academy? Previously, she would occasionally come to teach a couple of lessons, which was entirely an expectation and guidance for the students as the Imperial Preceptor. How could she be appointed as a regular lecturer? But this time, she actually requested it herself.

Meng Li knew this must be inseparable from Lu Xingzhou and his master. Perhaps the Imperial Preceptor truly had taken a liking to talent and wanted to contact them more to see if they could be absorbed into the Sacred Land? But such matters could be handled by sending an elder; why would the Imperial Preceptor do this personally? Meng Li truly could not guess her specific thoughts.

He could only carefully add a note: "Lady Ye's cultivation and alchemy are both first-rate. Since she is finally willing to come to the Alchemy Academy to teach, you must seize the opportunity well."

Lu Xingzhou asked, "May I ask which sect or great family this Lady Ye belongs to as a powerful figure?"

"Her identity was explained to me in detail by Lady Ye long ago," Meng Li said. "She is the master of the Cloud Hidden Xian Sect. This sect has remained hidden from the world for years; most people in the world have never heard of it. I was able to invite her out only because I had some friendship with them in my early years."

"It has a bit of the flavor of an ancient hidden sect... Perhaps they possess many ancient methods?"

"That is correct," Meng Li patted Lu Xingzhou's shoulder and lowered his voice again. "The inheritance you possess lacks guidance; self-study is difficult. This is the greatest significance of your coming to the Alchemy Academy, right?... Speaking thus, she is the most suitable mentor for you; I am not."

"I understand," Lu Xingzhou bowed sincerely. "Thank you, Instructor."

"Additionally, your thoughts should not focus too much on Lady Ye. I can guarantee she has no ill will toward you. Rather, ill will will come from elsewhere; that is what you must be extra careful about... I have sensed some rumors. Someone may suppress you. It is best to stay in the academy and not go out easily. Conflicts within the academy, no matter how they happen, will not be too severe."

Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly: "I am aware of this."

The Huo family had one member ruined to death by me, two sent to prison, and Huo Xingyuan demoted. It would be strange if they did nothing but watch me flourish. Suppression is just a drizzle; framing, or tricking me into confronting some difficult power, or even confronting an Imperial Prince, these are all very possible tactics.

"I only fear they will truly remain inactive. With my current cards, there would be nothing to play. Since they want to move, only then will there be flaws I can seize... I look forward to it."

A'nuo did not care about all that; she only wanted to eat now.

She pushed Lu Xingzhou at a sprint to the canteen, only to discover the canteen was not exclusive to the Alchemy Academy but shared with the Imperial Academy.

Some young masters of the Imperial Academy went home to eat, but some who lived far away ate here. The large canteen gave Lu Xingzhou the feeling of a university cafeteria. However, they arrived late; most people had already finished eating, leaving only a mess of cups and plates.

Lu Xingzhou saw at a glance that in the generally sparse canteen, there was one place with particularly many people.

Pei Chuyun sat there quietly, eating bite by bite, clear and indifferent, looking exactly like a well-bred young lady. Many boys sat beside her; although they could have finished eating long ago, they insisted on accompanying her, eating bite by bite.

The funny thing was that although a group surrounded her, the atmosphere was very quiet. Everyone observed "no talking while eating," not wanting to be seen by the goddess as ill-mannered.

Watching from the side was like watching a group of people perform a pantomime.

Seeing Lu Xingzhou appear, many people nervously glanced at Pei Chuyun's expression. Everyone knew this person had "helped Young Lady Pei find her relatives." No matter how great the favor, at least these two had a connection. No one knew what feelings Young Lady Pei had for this Lu Xingzhou... Young Lady Pei, a figure like a celestial being, surely would not take a liking to a cripple...

Pei Chuyun only glanced at Lu Xingzhou, rose slightly, and bowed: "Greetings, Young Master Lu."

Lu Xingzhou also smiled politely: "Greetings, Young Lady Pei."

After a simple greeting, Pei Chuyun continued eating, while Lu Xingzhou and A'nuo went to get food. It seemed their relationship was just like that.

Silence in the canteen was broken by several long sighs of relief.

Young Lady Pei is indeed pure and virtuous. The previous rumors that her relationship with Lu Xingzhou was impure were indeed just the slander of jealous people!

Suddenly, in a corner, a young man in white clothes let out a "tsk," stood up tall, and walked directly to Pei Chuyun: "Young Lady Pei, may I make your acquaintance?"

Pei Chuyun said indifferently, "Forgive me, but Chuyun does not wish to know such an impolite person who disturbs one's meal."

"But I am different from them, Young Lady Pei. You must know me."

Pei Chuyun finally raised her head to look at him. He was indeed an heroic young master with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. She scanned him once, then lowered her eyelids again: "I thought you were an Imperial Prince, but you are not."

The youth in white: "..."

Someone nearby said awkwardly, "Miss Pei, this is Young Master Qi Tuizhi."

Qi Tuizhi, the number one among the new talents.

Over there, Lu Xingzhou and A'nuo had finished getting their food; the master and disciple huddled to one side, eating their rice and watching the drama: "No wonder they said one must know them. Sister A'nuo is now the third among the new talents; if she wants to challenge the first, then she truly must know them."

Lu Xingzhou was just eating.

Pei Chuyun was somewhat surprised: "I thought all Imperial Academy students were scholars from the capital; I did not expect there to be people from outside sects as well?"

Qi Tuizhi smiled slightly: "Who says people from sects cannot take the Imperial Academy exam? We are all subjects of Great Qian, Miss; you are attached to appearances... I entered the Imperial Academy last year."

A'nuo translated: "What he actually means is that he is accomplished in both civil and military arts."

The voice was not deliberately suppressed; everyone over there heard it. Pei Chuyun covered her mouth and laughed lightly, like a hibiscus blooming, stunning a crowd of onlookers.

Qi Tuizhi's thoughts had been exposed by a child; a little shame and annoyance appeared on his face, but he quickly suppressed it, saying indifferently, "In terms of immortal cultivation, we both rank among the top three of the new talents. I wonder if the Miss would be willing to spar a bit and mutually verify our skills?"

Pei Chuyun finally finished the last bit of food, took out a silk handkerchief to elegantly wipe her mouth, then turned to Qi Tuizhi and apologized: "The previous number one among the new talents was just hunted down; my father specifically advised that the New Talent List means nothing and one should not contend for supremacy with others. Especially for us who filled in the spots, we must not take pride in this..."

The onlookers' smiles grew harder to hold back; Qi Tuizhi's face finally showed signs of cracking. His peripheral vision casually swept over Lu Xingzhou; Lu Xingzhou was still eating his rice, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

Pei Chuyun blinked her clear, deer-like eyes, her face full of curiosity: "However, Chuyun is quite curious: when Ye Wufeng suppressed his peers, where was Young Master Qi? I thought he was not in the capital, but it turns out he was here..."

(End of this chapter)