Chapter 34: Enrollment

After Xiao Ran digested this knowledge, he couldn't help but sigh: "Immortal cultivators really open one's eyes; it's fine if cultivation techniques need to be self-created, but even weapons and tools must be devised and made by oneself."

【Hehe, if you don't want to waste time, you can buy an accumulation diagram to construct your accumulation device, but this accumulation diagram requires a certain level of discernment to tell true from false efficacy, and you also need some familiarity with the effects and properties of worldly spiritual materials and celestial materials, as well as the hidden laws of the Dao, to become a qualified diagram appraiser!】

"There's too much to learn." Xiao Ran took a sip of tea and smiled helplessly.

【No more nonsense, how do you plan to get to the summit of Huang Songshan?】

"In that case, it's best to first find a way to sneak into Lingshan Academy, then go to the summit to investigate."

【Then how can you get in?】

Xiao Ran helplessly said: "I can only ask my uncle if he has any way."

Xiao Ran sighed, regretting that he had no martial skills at all; otherwise, sneaking up the mountain wouldn't be difficult.

Unable to truss a chicken, who else could Xiao Ran turn to besides his uncle Yan Buji?

After returning to the Yan Residence, Xiao Ran brought up the matter and even felt a bit shameless.

"Uncle, I...."

"It's fine; if it's just to audit for a while, I have some connection with Zhou Hua, the honorary degree holder of Lingshan Academy, so a word to him will do. That way, Rou Er will have a companion for going to and from school, and I'll feel at ease." Yan Buji laughed.

Xiao Ran's face showed emotion: "Yes, thank you, uncle!"

"Don't be polite; treat this place as your own home. As your elder, it's only natural for me to do this." Yan Buji laughed.

"Indeed, uncle really is a good person!"

Xiao Ran is inexperienced in worldly affairs, but seeing Yan Buji's unreserved trust and help, his heart felt truly warm.

One would think, which down-and-out person wouldn't wish to meet someone like Yan Buji, who is righteous and generous?

"Then let's first make a trip to Lingshan Academy."

"Yes."

Yan Buji took Xiao Ran and set off for Lingshan Academy.

It was noon.

The two entered Lingshan Academy, and after a short wait they saw Zhou Hua personally come over, smiling and clasping his hands in greeting.

"Boss Yan, after not seeing each other for a while, your complexion looks even better."

"Thanks to Zhou Hua's favor, I don't know if I'm disturbing you; do we need to wait a moment?" Yan Buji responded.

"No need, please this way."

Xiao Ran sized up this Zhou Hua, the honorary degree holder; he looked quite old but his complexion was not bad.

【Huh? You little brat, this person's body contains a lot of maiden yin, but for some reason... he hasn't fully absorbed it, and he's also not a martial practitioner who cultivates vulgar evil arts....】

【Ah? What does that mean?】

【I hope it's not what I'm thinking; otherwise, you, Yan Buji, uncle Yan, are truly not an ordinary person! Hehehe】

Xiao Ran looked strange, unable to figure out what the old geezer meant.

Upon entering Zhou Hua's residence, Yan Buji sat to one side, and Xiao Ran stood to the side.

"Honorary degree holder Zhou, I've come this time indeed with a small matter to ask for your help."

"Oh, what is it?"

"Xiao Ran, come and pay your respects to Honorary degree holder Zhou."

Xiao Ran started, stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said: "Xiao Ran pays his respects to Honorary degree holder Zhou."

Zhou Hua frowned, secretly sized up Xiao Ran, and asked doubtfully: "Who is this?"

"Xiao Ran is my brother's son; he wishes to audit at Lingshan Academy for a while, I don't know if Honorary degree holder Zhou could recommend him a bit."

"Auditing? That's fine, but how long exactly would you like to audit?"

"Not long; six months will suffice."

Zhou Hua nodded: "No problem, I'll just let the dean know later."

"Good, thank you, Honorary degree holder Zhou. After this matter is settled, it wouldn't be proper to keep disturbing you; another day I'll invite you to my Yan Residence for a banquet to express my thanks." Yan Buji laughed.

Zhou Hua laughed: "Good, thank you, Boss Yan."

After saying that, Yan Buji took Xiao Ran and left Lingshan Academy.

On the way, Yan Buji admonished: "Nephew, Lingshan Academy is not like other places; there are many scholars. After you go there, do not start conflicts with people; if you have any issues, come to me and I'll handle them yourself. As a young man, if you want to get along in the academy, money is indispensable. So I'll first give you one thousand taels of silver to get on good terms with the surrounding students."

As he spoke, Yan Buji produced another thousand-tael silver note; Xiao Ran widened his eyes: "Uncle, this...."

"Take it; a young man with empty pockets will be looked down upon if he can't even afford some gatherings, and then they'll say I, as his uncle, am stingy." Yan Buji laughed.

Xiao Ran's face full of emotion: "Yes, thank you, uncle."

After returning to the Yan Residence, Yan Buji also sent people to buy some scholar's supplies and gave them to Xiao Ran.

In the room, Xiao Ran looked at the assorted items Yan Buji's servants had delivered, filling the room, and for a moment his expression was complex.

【Hehehe, you little brat, moved to tears and scratching your ears and cheeks over a few small things? You're really young; someone like you wouldn't last three days in the cultivation world.】

Xiao Ran took a deep breath: 【Old geezer, what exactly are you trying to say?】

【To tell you the truth, in Zhou Hua's residence I found a damaged formation for stealing yin under the bed, and there was even a spiritual stone serving as its activation core—do you understand what I mean?! Yan Buji personally had his daughter become Zhou Hua's disciple, yet Zhou Hua used that formation to seize her yin! Do you think someone like Yan Buji wouldn't notice whether a woman has lost her virtue?! He's just pretending to be clueless!】

Xiao Ran clenched his fists, somewhat torn: 【I don't believe it; surely Zhou Hua used despicable means to deceive my sister's virtue and also deceived my uncle!】

【But look how well he gets along with Zhou Hua; do you really think Zhou Hua, as an ordinary person, has any means to alter others' memories?】

This...

Xiao Ran took a deep breath: "Whether it is or not, I have my own decision."

【If you don't cut when you should, you'll surely invite chaos! Yan Buji is absolutely no ordinary person; if you stay here long enough for him to notice something odd, the next one to suffer might be you!】

Just as Xiao Ran was about to speak, a knocking sound suddenly came from outside the door:

"Cousin, cousin, are you there?"

"Little sister? What's the matter?!" Xiao Ran walked over, opened the door, saw his little sister returning, and forced a smile.

Poor little sister, deceived by Zhou Hua and unaware of it!

If this has nothing to do with my uncle and is entirely Zhou Hua's doing, I will make him pay the price!

It's not that Xiao Ran has any feelings for Yan Xirou; it's to repay Yan Buji's kindness.

But if my uncle learns of this, Xiao Ran will have to ask him straight out!

Xiao Ran couldn't imagine why an uncle who is so good to him would ignore his little sister's misfortune!

A wave of ill will settled in his chest; Xiao Ran calmed himself and looked at her.

Yan Xirou laughed, "I heard you're also going to the academy to study, so from now on we can walk to and from school together!"

"Oh, indeed. Little sister, don't mind me being a country bumpkin and losing face for you~"

"Not at all, cousin, do you really think I'm one of those girls who chase vanity?" Yan Xirou laughed.

"Hahaha, then please guide me more from now on."

"Alright, alright."

Yan Xirou seemed very happy—perhaps for the first time in many years a relative had visited the home and could study together, and she acted extremely lively and cheerful.

And precisely because of that, seeing Yan Xirou so happy, Xiao Ran could no longer hold back the anger in their heart, wanting to investigate the whole affair thoroughly!