Chapter 119: Quota

He looked at Pan Yun, who was rubbing her eyes with Wang Feiyin, and his teeth began to ache—this child looked young, but she turned out to be just as troublesome as Wang Feiyin.

But he could only say: "Let her enter the academy to study; bestowing the talisman as soon as possible is the best solution. Does Li Mei have a better way?"

Xuanmiao lowered her eyes in thought, glancing at Wang Feiyin.

Wang Feiyin gripped her sleeve and gave her a meaningful look, glancing toward Miao Zhen and Miao He, who stood nearby watching the spectacle.

Xuanmiao understood at once, raising her eyes to ask: "How long must she study before receiving the talisman?"

Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang: "... Li Mei should know there's no shortcut—pass the exam, and you receive the talisman."

"She's too young to go alone—I'm not comfortable with it. Let Miao Zhen and Miao He go with her."

Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang turned to look at Miao Zhen and Miao He, who were barely a finger's height taller than Pan Yun, and fell silent for a long moment. "How are these two any different in age? How can they take care of her?"

"Of course they can," Xuanmiao said without changing expression. "They grew up in the Daoist temple, long capable of self-reliance—they can cook, grow vegetables, wash clothes. Isn't that taking care of her?"

Pan Yun tugged at her sleeve, nodding vigorously, speaking softly but loud enough for all to hear: "I can't do any of those things. I'm afraid to go alone."

Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang didn't believe it—he'd checked before coming. This Pan Yun was formerly called Zhang Xiaomei, born a peasant girl, sold into servitude. She can't wash clothes or cook? Try fooling a ghost!

Besides, Long Hushan doesn't need people who can cook—don't they have a cafeteria?!

Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang's face turned pale. "Li Mei, Long Hushan Academy has a quota limit—it only admits Daoist disciples over twelve, with fixed annual numbers per county, requiring competition across prefectures. How could you possibly get three slots for Mount Sanqing all at once?"

"These three entering Long Hushan Academy won't use up any quota," Xuanmiao said. "This is your Long Hushan's mistake—you should fix it yourselves. We're merely accommodating you out of goodwill; why should we use up Yushan County's quota?"

The old Daoist Priest beside them immediately nodded. "Yes, yes! Yushan County has four slots every year. These three children clearly don't meet the rules—they wouldn't even get a chance to compete on stage. How could they take up Yushan County's quota?"

"Speaking of which, this is entirely Long Hushan's fault. They should give us three extra slots."

"Exactly! Can't they make the mistake and make us pay the price?"

Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang: "I can only give one extra—just for Pan Xiao. Li Mei, she entered two or three years earlier than others. With her talent, she'll receive the talisman two or three years sooner too. Long Hushan not only fixed the problem caused by that junior disciple's negligence, but also secretly gave Mount Sanqing a benefit. You must know when to be satisfied."

Xuanmiao's face grew colder, her aura chilling everyone into a shiver. Wang Feiyin immediately, with good sense, pulled Pan Yun aside.

Xuanmiao stepped forward, gripping her treasure sword, speaking coldly: "I said we're merely accommodating you out of goodwill. What you offered doesn't suit me—I refuse it! This is your own mistake. I've already accommodated you this much—it's you who should be satisfied!"

Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang stepped back two paces, his knee hitting the chair before he stopped. Everyone watched him. His face darkened further; anger flared up instantly. He gripped the soft sword at his waist, hesitating—when Yu Chengzi stepped forward from the crowd. "Brother Zhang, I think Sister Zhang's concerns are not without merit. Sister Pan has only just entered the Dao; she still knows little of Daoist studies, and she's so young. This journey to Long Hushan is indeed worrying."

"Though Miao Zhen and Miao He are young too, they grew up on Mount Sanqing. With them to look after her, not only will Brother Wang and Sister Zhang feel at ease, but Sister Pan can also focus on her cultivation in peace."

Yu Chengzi moved to Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang's side and said gently: "Brother Zhang, if you're worried Long Hushan will blame you, why not set this aside for now and seek approval from Third Brother first?"

Xuanmiao let out a derisive laugh, her gaze half-amused, half-sneering, fixed on Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang.

Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang clenched the hilt of his soft sword, suppressing his fury under Xuanmiao's mocking stare, and said coldly: "No need. Let all three enter together. But..."

He stared at Pan Yun. "I must confirm she bears the Divine Seal."

Pan Yun's heart froze. Divine Seal?

Wang Feiyin yanked her close, smiling. "Of course, of course."

He took both her hands. "Which hand?"

Pan Yun looked confused. "What?"

"Never mind. Any hand will do." Wang Feiyin swiftly rolled up her right sleeve and extended her arm toward Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang.

Pan Yun's heart leapt; a faint unease stirred within her.

Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang lowered his gaze, formed a hand seal, murmured a spell, and a streak of spiritual light shot from his fingertip, illuminating her arm.

On her wrist, three inches up, a square seal appeared—golden in form, characters in red. Pan Yun stared, dumbfounded, furrowing her brow—she barely caught sight of the three characters: "San Qing Pan"—then the seal vanished.

Everyone saw the seal. When they looked at Pan Yun again, their eyes betrayed unmistakable envy and jealousy.

Wang Feiyin lowered her sleeve, smiling broadly. "Well? Any problem?"

Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang's expression improved slightly. He nodded. "Good. She is indeed a certified disciple of Mount Sanqing."

He paused, then added: "Next April, the Mount Sanqing disciples Miao Zhen and Miao He may enter the academy together with Pan Yun."

The old Daoist Priest immediately asked: "Won't this use up Yushan County's quota?"

Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang pressed his lips together. "No."

The Daoist Priests of Yushan County all exhaled in relief.

Then, smiling brightly, they all bowed to congratulate Wang Feiyin. "Congratulations, congratulations, Brother Wang! Mount Sanqing has risen another level!"

Wang Feiyin smiled and returned the bow. "Mutual congratulations! Isn't this also a joy for Yushan County?"

Indeed it was—next year, Yushan County would send seven people to Long Hushan Academy. Just thinking of it brought joy.

The Daoist Priests of Yushan County grew excited.

The old Daoist Priest, after letting them revel for a moment, hurriedly said: "Enough, enough. Time's running out. Let's draw lots now."

Wang Feiyin rolled up his sleeves. "I'll do it. I'll do it."

Everyone knew his luck was terrible. He insisted on drawing first—no one objected. If anyone else had tried, they'd have protested.

Before drawing, Wang Feiyin rubbed his hands, muttered "Boundless Heavenly Venerable of Life," silently invoked their mountain deity, blew a breath into his palm, reached into the box, stirred it, then slowly pulled out one slip.

Before he could open it, the old Daoist Priest snatched it away, unfolded it, and shouted: "Bing Three!"

"Bing Three? Sounds decent. Didn't he usually get Ding Five or worse in past years?"

"Where's Bing Three?"

"By the wall corner," Xuan Qiong pointed to a secluded spot. "There." Everyone turned to look. A large circle was drawn at the base of the high wall near the front courtyard. Opposite it stood a camellia tree, tall and thickly branched, shading half the circle. Without Xuan Qiong's pointing, no one would've noticed the spot.

"Oh, there? Then no problem." Everyone turned back, rubbing their hands. "The unluckiest one's drawn already. My turn now."

Wang Feiyin:...

The people of Mount Sanqing were used to it. Tao Ji and Wang Cong turned and walked straight toward the circle. As they emerged, they met Tao Yan Bai, who carried a large bamboo basket on his back and a bulky bundle in his arms.

He brought too much—he couldn't squeeze in, so he stood on tiptoe at the edge, peering.

Tao Ji reached out and took the bundle from his arms. "Come on, let's set up the stall."

Xuanmiao turned to leave too, but Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang called out: "Li Mei, Third Aunt asked me to deliver a letter to you."

Xuanmiao didn't stop walking, as if she hadn't heard, heading straight toward their circle.

Wang Feiyin smiled broadly and extended his hand. "Brother Zhang, just hand me the letter."

Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang bit his teeth inwardly, but after glancing at Master Xuanmiao's retreating back, he still gave him the letter.

He dared to resent Wang Feiyin, but dared not provoke Master Xuanmiao.

!. Read

Pan Yun watched all this, committed it to memory, confirmed everything was over, and pulled Miao and Seeing Miao Zhen to chase after Master Xuanmiao.

Tao Ji and the others had already spread out a large sackcloth and laid out their goods one by one upon it.

Pan Yun tugged Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao closer, standing before the stall and helping to arrange the items, her face full of wonder. "Third Brother, is the Mount Sanqing Gathering just about setting up stalls?"

"Of course not," he said. "There's also Daoist exchange—but that has nothing to do with you."

Pan Yun: "Why doesn't it have anything to do with us?"

"Because your cultivation is still too low, you're too young, your insights are few, and you've learned few Daoist methods—who would bother exchanging with you? Only senior brothers like the First Brother even think of exchanging Daoist methods." Tao Ji paused, then added, "But since you're naturally clever, the First Brother might take you to listen in."

Upon hearing this, Pan Yun eagerly waited for Wang Feiyin to come find her—but an entire hour passed and he still didn't show.

Master Xuanmiao glanced at her and said, "Don't wait. Go play with Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao."

She said, "The Daoist methods they exchange are profound and varied—too advanced for your age. If you hear even a word or two and mistake them for absolute truth, you'll dig yourself into a narrow corner and stray from the true path. Better not to listen at all."

Pan Yun pondered deeply. Seeing she was receptive, Master Xuanmiao said, "So at your age, you should focus on mastering the basics, building a solid foundation. Once you've formed your own understanding of this world and touched upon your own Dao, only then should you begin listening to others' Daoist methods—perhaps they'll aid your own and advance your cultivation."

Pan Yun: "I thought the Gathering was about dueling spells and martial arts."

Master Xuanmiao: "Spells and martial arts are merely external skills. In times of peace and prosperity, what's worth dueling? Seeking the Great Dao and cultivating inner power is the root."

Tao Ji nodded. "Exactly. Only Long Hushan enjoys such martial contests and spell duels. We of Mount Sanqing don't do that."

Wang Cong also nodded. "Correct."

Tao Yanbai nodded along. "That's right."

Pan Yun and Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao understood at once and vigorously nodded their small heads. "Yes, yes."

Master Xuanmiao turned and glared at Tao Ji. "Don't corrupt these children."

Tao Ji muttered under his breath, "I didn't. They're the ones who want to learn from me..."

He turned to glare at Wang Cong and the others. "What are you all learning? We've been setting up for an hour and not a single customer has come. Don't you know how to shout out your wares?"

Wang Cong stood up and called loudly across the camellia trees: "Talismans! Talismans! Superior Mount Sanqing talismans—Health Talismans, Safety Talismans, Wealth Talismans, Lei Fu, Purification Talismans—all available!"

A passerby heard and immediately turned, spotting Wang Cong. "It's really Brother Wang! I've been searching for your Mount Sanqing stall everywhere—I couldn't find it. Why are you hiding here?"

Wang Cong:... As if they'd chosen to be here.

He forced a smile and called across the camellia tree. "This spot is quiet, with a gentle breeze—perfect for meditation and cultivation. Friend, are you here to buy talismans?"

"No, why would I buy talismans here when Long Hushan has better ones? I came to buy medicine. Your wound salve is excellent, your Zi Jin Dan, Qi Ling Dan, Yin Shen Dan, and Sheng Xin Dan all work wonders—especially the Sheng Xin Dan. Last time my grandmother had a heart palpitation and collapsed, she took a Sheng Xin Dan and came back to life."

He bowed as he walked around the camellia tree, ready to greet Wang Cong—then spotted Tao Ji sitting cross-legged in the corner. His eyes lit up instantly. He bypassed Wang Cong entirely and rushed straight toward Tao Ji.

Wang Cong had already clasped his hands, barely able to shake his head, when the man brushed past him and rushed to the stall, bowing deeply. "I never expected to meet Daoist Tao here! I am Fang Yuan, humbly paying my respects to Daoist Tao."

Tao Ji returned the bow, studied him briefly, then asked, "Are you a Daoist Priest?"

He smiled sheepishly. "I'm a lay follower—I've never taken vows or passed the ordination exam. But I revere Daoist learning. This time, I was brought in by Daoist Lin of the Laozi Temple."

Tao Ji nodded. "I see. But if you're not part of the Daoist order, why buy Yin Shen Dan?"

Pan Yun crouched beside Tao Ji and said, "Friend, don't misunderstand—my brother means that without systematic Daoist training, buying Yin Shen Dan and other pills won't help you. You'd need to buy other pills to take alongside them."

Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao looked at Pan Yun with admiration. Wang Cong watched her with satisfaction, feeling that Mount Sanqing finally had a successor.

He had shouldered Mount Sanqing's burdens for years—and now, finally, someone could share them.

Fang Yuan, drawn in by Pan Yun's words, asked urgently: "What other pills should I take with them? How much will my cultivation increase if I take them?"

Pan Yun: "Do you have cultivation? Do you have an internal energy scripture? Do you know the purpose of Daoist cultivation? Do you know how pills affect the body and advance cultivation?"

Fang Yuan shook his head blankly. "But isn't pill cultivation just about swallowing pills?"

Pan Yun: "Friend, that's a narrow view. It's a misunderstanding of our Pill Dao from the outside."

She said, "Our school isn't called Pill Dao—it's called Qi Gong Pill Dao. So it's not just swallowing pills; you need Qi Gong too. Qi Gong cultivation and Pill Dao complement each other. If you only take pills, you'll only strengthen your body and extend your lifespan—you won't achieve true cultivation."

The lucky number is any number ending in 8, screenshot as proof

(End of Chapter)