Chapter 142: Whom to Choose? (Request Subscription)

The Lianyun Mountains in northern Chu Guo, Lianyun County City.

Qi Shanye, traveling at high speed through the clouds, passed Lianyun County City and sent Xu Jin several starlight messages before continuing his rapid northward flight toward the barbarian lands.

As he kept glancing back, his face was filled with joy.

It had become very faint.

The sensation of being locked onto by the Fixed Star Disc, like a parasite clinging to bone, had grown extremely faint.

Qi Shanye did not possess a Fixed Star Disc, such a high-grade stellar locator, but the powerful perception of the Mingji Star Mark allowed him to reverse-calculate Hu Xuechuan’s approximate location.

That night, Qi Shanye fled eight thousand li without regard for exhaustion; for some reason, the Mingji Star Mark’s sense of the Fixed Star Disc’s lock on him grew steadily weaker, continuously fading.

This meant Hu Xuechuan had not caught up.

Had he given up chasing him?

Impossible!

But regardless of the reason, the outcome was the same—for the foreseeable future, Hu Xuechuan would be virtually unable to pinpoint him again with precision.

He could only rely on luck.

The blood-essence lock of the Fixed Star Disc grows blurrier the farther away the target.

At this distance, the direction might not even be accurate anymore.

From now on, Qi Shanye would be far safer and could fully focus on healing and restoring his strength.

For the short term, unless he was unbelievably unlucky, he would no longer be hunted down like a dog by Hu Xuechuan as before.

But likewise, until Hu Xuechuan’s direction or location became clear, Qi Shanye dared not wander freely again.

Until he found a way to deal with Hu Xuechuan, he would not dare approach within a thousand li of him.

Now, he could safely guide his disciple—even remotely—was still quite good.

Hengsha County City, Changming Star Temple branch hall.

Hu Xuechuan, who had been unconscious all night, slowly awoke; the moment he opened his eyes, he saw the ceiling and immediately sat bolt upright.

“How did I end up here?”

“In bed?”

“Was I captured by the Shadow Demon?” Hu Xuechuan had not slept for over ten days and had collapsed from rage and internal bleeding; now awake, he was still disoriented.

Lin Lie, who had been guarding Hu Xuechuan, woke and hurried to his bedside, beaming. “Hall Master, you’re finally awake!”

Looking at Lin Lie’s face, wild with unkempt beard and hair, Hu Xuechuan instantly recalled everything from last night.

He remembered the moment before he spat blood and fainted.

If Lin Lie had not reacted quickly and caught him before he hit the ground, he would have died or suffered grave injury.

Yet he still remained unconscious all night.

He now understood why.

He had chased Qi Shanye for over ten days without sleep; the sudden surge of rage triggered a collapse of his mental and physical exhaustion, causing him to faint for a full night.

But Qi Shanye—

In the next instant, Hu Xuechuan pulled out the Fixed Star Disc, activated it slightly, glanced at it once, and his expression changed drastically, his face turning deathly pale.

Think of the enormous cost he had paid these past months.

His status, his future, his wealth—he had nearly sacrificed everything, yet failed at the final moment!

His chest churned with reversed blood; another surge of blood threatened to burst from his mouth, but he forcibly suppressed it—yet a trickle still escaped from the corner of his lips.

“Hall Master, are you alright?”

Hu Xuechuan waved his hand and slowly lay back down.

Looking at the Fixed Star Disc, the sorrow in his eyes deepened.

According to the Fixed Star Disc’s locked location, Old Devil Qi had fled at least seven or eight thousand li that night.

At this distance, the direction might not even be reliable.

When would he be able to pinpoint Old Devil Qi again?

Three months? Six months? A year? Or another three years?

How many more three-year spans could he afford to waste?

The Chen Guo Dao Academy, after a long day of registration, finally granted Xu Jin a place to stay.

It was a residence with four main rooms, one meditation chamber, two side rooms, and a spacious courtyard of about two hundred square meters, totaling over four hundred square meters.

Compound Yi-57.

True Disciples of the Dao Academy were entitled to a free private residence: two main rooms, one meditation chamber, and a modest courtyard of nearly one hundred and fifty square meters—quite a generous benefit.

But compared to the County Dao Academies, the National Dao Academy had a stronger atmosphere of freedom and commerce.

As long as you held the proper rank and were willing to spend silver, you could rent a larger residence for yourself.

True Disciples received Ding-sized compounds free of charge; Bing-sized compounds cost ten Dao Merits or one strand of Starlight per month; Yi-sized compounds cost twenty Dao Merits or two strands of Starlight per month; Jia-sized compounds cost fifty Dao Merits or five strands of Starlight per month.

Even these were super-discounted rates.

Core Disciples had to pay fifty percent more than True Disciples to rent these compounds.

Inner Disciples paid double the True Disciple rate and were ineligible for Jia- or Yi-sized compounds altogether.

The main reason Xu Jin spent heavily to rent a Yi-sized compound was not for space, but for his sister Jiang Er.

Yi-sized compounds allowed one family member or external servant to reside with the disciple and granted a Dao Academy access token.

Just that one feature made it worth it.

Not to mention safety—residences within the National Dao Academy were unparalleled.

Two strands of Starlight per month—even if he lived here for ten or twenty years, Xu Jin could easily afford it.

The dining issue was also resolved.

The Dao Academy operated four dining halls: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding; True Disciples could eat for free in all except the Jia hall, as long as they didn’t waste food.

Core Disciples had to pay silver to enter the Yi hall; Inner Disciples paid even more.

For Jiang Er, Xu Jin bought her a yearly Yi-hall pass: two Dao Merits per month, twenty-four per year—unlimited meals.

Of course, this was still a discounted rate; Core Disciples had to pay three Dao Merits per month for the same privilege.

Undeniably, the True Disciple status made Xu Jin very comfortable.

Benefits and privileges were everywhere.

He was issued eight sets of the exclusive Xuan-embroidered green Dao robes for True Disciples.

He could also choose one personal attendant to handle daily chores, freeing him to focus on cultivation.

Jiang Er insisted she didn’t need an attendant.

She could handle all chores herself—no need at all.

But Ning Yuchan offered another suggestion: still choose one.

As a True Disciple, your status had changed; pick a sharp-minded attendant to manage chores, and besides, Jiang Er would be eligible to register for Star Pointing in less than half a month—she must prioritize cultivation.

The attendants provided by the Dao Academy were all young men and women of clean background who had failed their Star Forging.

Originally, choosing a male would have been easiest, but with Jiang Er present, he chose a female.

Her name was Li Qingfan, nineteen, well-mannered and educated, with a delicate oval face and a graceful appearance; he took her on temporarily.

The proof was clear: Ning Yuchan’s advice was correct.

Within just one hour after Xu Jin moved in and was still organizing the rooms, four visitors arrived with four letters.

By evening, he had received five letters.

“Young Master, Tang Hui’s disciple Qu Changqing has come to visit,” Qingfan reported suddenly.

“Hmm?”

Xu Jin, having just finished reading the five letters, immediately rose and went out; soon, he welcomed Qu Changqing inside—a skilled Nascent Soul cultivator.

“Xu Shi-di, I’m sure you already know why I’m here,” Qu Changqing said, glancing at the letters on Xu Jin’s desk and smiling.

“Thank you for Master Tang’s kindness, but I’ve just arrived and settled in; I still don’t understand the process of choosing a Master or the nuances involved, so I have no decision yet. Please forgive me.”

“Within one or two days, I will make my choice.”

“Regardless, I will personally visit Master Tang to thank him.” Xu Jin had enough social grace to respond properly—after all, the man had sent his own disciple to visit.

“Exactly!”

Qu Changqing laughed. “When I was a Core Disciple, I was just as confused when choosing a Master. Since that’s the case, let me explain a few things to you?”

“I’d be most grateful!” Xu Jin exclaimed happily.

Qu Changqing spoke to Xu Jin for a full twenty minutes, clarifying the rules of the National Dao Academy.

Inner Disciples and below had no right to choose their own Master; the Academy assigned them.

The two hundred Core Disciples and fifteen True Disciples could choose their own Masters according to their preference.

The pool of possible Masters was limited to the Four Academic Heads and the Twelve Deputy Academic Heads.

Only these sixteen Academic Heads and Deputy Heads could select students from the most elite cultivators to teach.

Of course, this selection was mutual.

A student could admire a Master, but the Master had to also favor the student.

The higher your rank, the greater your choice.

For example, Core Disciples should consider themselves lucky if an Academic Head even extends an olive branch—do you think you can pick your Master?

Go play elsewhere!

The Academic Heads don’t lack students.

In contrast, True Disciples were extremely sought after.

Each vice-rector and rectors will actively extend an olive branch to any true disciple they find worthy.

And true disciples gain the right to choose their own master.

But the true disciples whom rectors and vice-rectors truly compete for are usually only the autumn exam champion, at most adding the second and third place winners.

The four letters sent earlier were from rectors who took notice of Xu Jin.

Since it’s a competition, there are benefits involved.

For instance, Qu Changqing, representing one of the twelve vice-rectors, brought the goodwill of Vice-Rectorm Tang.

If Xu Jin agrees to become Vice-Rectorm Tang’s disciple, he will receive one extra opportunity to ascend the Heavenly Stair each year, a direct gift of a mid-grade star pattern above fourth rank, and one additional visit to the secret realm for cultivation.

The terms are exceedingly generous.

Especially the chance to hone one’s spiritual essence on the Heavenly Stair—each visit grants ten thousand merit points.

In contrast, the four letters just delivered offered none of these advantages.

The reason lies in the Guodao Academy’s evaluation system.

If a disciple performs exceptionally well, their master also receives a high evaluation.

Moreover, the stronger the disciple, the greater the influence of their master’s lineage within the Guodao Academy. The most recent example is Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

His master, Mao Yan, rose from vice-rector to rector and then left deputy dean thanks entirely to Cheng Yuexiao’s outstanding achievements.

Unfortunately, twenty years ago, during that battle, the former Grand Master Pei Gang was killed.

After some polite exchanges, Xu Jin smiled and saw Qu Changqing off.

Then he took Jiang Er to the B-grade cafeteria to fill his stomach.

This visit truly opened his eyes—especially Jiang Er, who, had her brother not been beside her, wouldn’t have known how to behave.

Xu Jin himself felt quite at ease—it was just a buffet!

Roughly two or three times more luxurious than the five-star hotel buffets of his past life.

All manner of rare delicacies were available, and in generous, unlimited quantities.

Honestly, many of the ingredients were ones Xu Jin had never seen before.

After finishing the meal and returning to the courtyard, Qingfan delivered two more letters—and a visitor was waiting.

This visitor was Ma Kaishan, a disciple of Shen Wei, one of the twelve vice-rectors, and his purpose matched Qu Changqing’s.

The terms offered were similar to those of Vice-Rectorm Tang.

Xu Jin listened carefully, then politely saw him off.

This situation was truly troublesome—if mishandled, he might offend someone.

Another half-hour passed, and two more letters arrived. Just as Xu Jin thought things had calmed down, Qingfan burst in, stammering, “Young Master, Vice-Rectorm Liu… Liu Qingzhu is here in person!”

“Hmm?”

Xu Jin and his sister rushed out in three strides, only to see a slender, elegant woman in palace attire standing at the courtyard gate, waiting silently for Xu Jin to appear.

Xu Jin took one glance and was immediately awed by this vice-rector’s figure and aura.

The aura radiating from this Vice-Rectorm Liu, as sensed by Xu Jin’s Mingji Star Pattern, was stronger than, or at least equal to, that of Headmaster Dong Zhao.

Was she a fifth-rank peak, or a sixth-rank powerhouse?

Xu Jin and his sister hurriedly welcomed Vice-Rectorm Liu inside.

“This girl seems exceptionally intuitive—and bears some resemblance to you. Is she a relative?” Liu Qingzhu asked, eyeing Jiang Er, who dared not lift her head.

Xu Jin quickly introduced her.

“Oh, you brought her to the Guodao Academy—do you intend to have her receive her Star Mark this autumn?”

“Exactly.”

Liu Qingzhu nodded. “Do you know why I’m here?”

“Your disciple should know!” This vice-rector had come in person—eight or nine out of ten, she wanted him as a student.

“No, you don’t know!”

The newly seated Vice-Rectorm Liu leapt to her feet, hands on her waist, accentuating her figure even more. “The students who disgracefully competed this autumn—Meng Qingqiu, Yan Chen, Yuan Feiqing, Lu Kun—they were all taken from me during the spring Star Marking season.

Not one of them amounted to anything—they were all crushed by you.

I lost face completely and received only a ‘B-Positive’ evaluation!

So I’ve come here to reclaim my dignity!”

Xu Jin was stunned. What did “reclaim dignity” mean?

Was she going to beat him up?

That didn’t seem right.

If this Vice-Rectorm Liu truly wanted to beat Xu Jin, she wouldn’t need to come here—she could just sneak in, ambush him, and vent her anger in silence.

“Relax, I won’t beat you!

I’ve come to take you as my disciple!

Only when you become my disciple and then win the next exam’s top rank will I regain my honor—and stop being trampled underfoot for years.” Liu Qingzhu spoke bluntly.

“This…”

“Don’t worry—I, Liu Qingzhu, am straightforward. This isn’t a threat—it’s genuine sincerity. Listen carefully.”

“First, I will give you three opportunities to ascend the Heavenly Stair over two years.”

“Second, I noticed your combat style in the autumn exam heavily emphasizes footwork. My lineage’s footwork—if we claim second place, no one in the entire Guodao Academy dares claim first. Not just in Great Chen’s Guodao Academy, but even among the Three Star Palaces and Four National Academies, our footwork ranks among the top three.

If you become my disciple, I will immediately grant you a fifth-rank or higher footwork star pattern.”

“Third, according to academy rules, true disciples may study two third-rank star patterns and one fourth-rank star pattern for free. Here, I’ll make the decision: for any star pattern you wish to refine during your Star Refinement stage, as long as it’s below fifth rank, you may choose freely—I’ll cover them all.”

“Fourth, as the saying goes, ‘A master is like a father.’ Should you ever face trouble or hardship, speak up—I will resolve whatever I can!

I am Liu Qingzhu, the one who acts when it matters—Liu Feiyan.”

One condition after another left Xu Jin stunned—it truly sounded excellent.

After listing the four, Liu Qingzhu suddenly turned to Jiang Er. “Fifth: I will also take your sister as my disciple. If her Star Marking result is good, fine. If it’s poor, I’ll still grant her a special admission as an inner-court disciple.”

These terms made Xu Jin’s heart race.

Undeniably, this Vice-Rectorm Liu Qingzhu hadn’t just come in person—she had come with extraordinary sincerity.

And this fifth condition was clearly added on the spot.

Precisely because it was added on the spot, it was invaluable.

A master who cares for your family’s future shows true sincerity.

For a moment, Xu Jin wanted to accept immediately.

But in the end, he held himself back.

Patience brings success!

He had just arrived—he didn’t yet understand the Guodao Academy’s politics. If he rushed into a decision, he might become a fool.

“Vice-Rectorm Liu, your recognition—and your care for my sister—fills me with profound gratitude. But this matter is of great weight, and I’ve only just arrived. May I be granted one night to consider? I will personally visit Grand Master tomorrow morning before making my decision.” Xu Jin rose and bowed.

“Grand Master?”

Liu Qingzhu sneered. “You’re thinking of becoming the Grand Master’s disciple?”

“Let me tell you—don’t even dream of it!

The academy’s rules state: the Grand Master is still in his prime and will not accept disciples for now. Three or five years from now, the academy may hold a formal selection ceremony for him—but it will only choose from among fifth-rank elites!”

“Vice-Rectorm Liu, I know this—I never intended to seek him. But I truly need time to understand the situation. Tomorrow, I will personally visit your academy hall.” Xu Jin said.

“Fine. Then I’ll wait for you tomorrow.”

With that, Liu Qingzhu glided gracefully out the door, her figure swaying hypnotically—Xu Jin, a male disciple, dared not even glance directly.

Just as Xu Jin thought she was gone and finally dared to lift his head, Liu Qingzhu suddenly turned back, her figure swaying again. “I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow—I’m a woman, and women remember grudges!”

With a flash of starlight, Liu Qingzhu vanished.

Xu Jin was stunned.

He hadn’t even clearly seen how she left.

Her footwork was truly…

Then he sighed bitterly.

This Vice-Rectorm Liu was something else—she’d ended with a threat.

For the rest of the hour, more visitors came—three more letters, all with the same intent—leaving Xu Jin deeply troubled.

Being too outstanding is a problem—choice paralysis!

At precisely the hour of Hai, Ning Yuchan returned from the Guodao Academy’s Starfire Hall, where she studied star patterns.

Originally, the Guodao Academy provided free lodging for disciples like Ning Yuchan who came to cultivate in secret. But Xu Jin’s courtyard was spacious enough, and Jiang Er needed to nurture her mid-star palace, so Ning Yuchan moved in.

After all, there was more than enough room.

With Ning Yuchan here, Xu Jin now had someone to turn to—he told her everything.

Ning Yuchan listened, then sighed. “Xu Jin, I was once a true disciple too—but only two vice-rectors invited me. Easy choice. My master was excellent.”

“Master—”

“Wait.”

Ning Yuchan suddenly interrupted Xu Jin. “Xu Jin, after entering the Guodao Academy, the word ‘master’ means something entirely different—it’s a bond deeper than disciple and teacher. Don’t call me ‘master.’

From now on, call me Sister Yuchan or Senior Sister Yuchan.”

“But you taught me—”

“I did teach you, but here in the Guodao Academy, calling me ‘master’ will upset the rectors who take you as their disciple! In the Guodao Academy, ‘master’ carries special weight—each rector takes only about ten students in their lifetime. Don’t use it lightly.” Ning Yuchan urged.

Seeing Ning Yuchan’s firmness, Xu Jin relented. “Then, Sister Yuchan—your master was a vice-rector back then. What about now? Could I become his disciple?”

At these words, Ning Yuchan’s face darkened. “My master left the Guo Dao Academy in anger over my affairs and went to the Star River Battlefield. I haven’t been able to contact him since.”

Xu Jin was stunned.

“Then go ask the Headmaster. He knows the situation at the Guo Dao Academy better. I’ll go warm Jiang Er’s Zhong Xing Palace.”

“That works.”

Half an hour later, Xu Jin left the Headmaster Dong Zhao’s residence.

Headmaster Dong Zhao was the deputy supervisor of the Guo Dao Academy, yet his courtyard was much larger than Xu Jin’s—a two-courtyard compound, and entirely free of charge.

Regarding which master to choose, Headmaster Dong Zhao offered advice—but it amounted to none at all.

The Headmaster said that among the Four Chief Academicians and the Twelve Deputy Academicians, anyone who voluntarily reached out to Xu Jin could be taken as a disciple; choosing any of them would be no loss.

Of the sixteen Chief Academicians, thirteen had already reached out to Xu Jin.

Two Chief Academicians and seven Deputy Academicians had sent letters.

Three Deputy Academicians had sent their own disciples.

Only Deputy Academician Liu Qingzhu had come in person to extend the olive branch.

The conditions naturally fell into three tiers.

Those who sent letters offered first-tier conditions—all roughly equal. Those who sent disciples offered better terms. Currently, the best offer came from Deputy Academician Liu Qingzhu himself.

According to the Headmaster, disciples of Chief and Deputy Academicians both received decent treatment; what differed was the connection.

Xu Jin understood this.

It’s all about your circle.

Disciples of the Four Chief Academicians all held high positions—either Headmasters of provincial Dao academies or Commanders of the Star River Battlefield. Their future networks would be vastly different.

Disciples of Deputy Academicians were slightly inferior, but they received more cultivation resources and greater attention.

Each had advantages and drawbacks; it was up to Xu Jin to choose.

In the end, Headmaster Dong Zhao gave Xu Jin four words: “Follow your instinct.”

So, who should he choose as his master?

This was a major question!

Too many excellent options made it hard!

(End of Chapter)