1209 An Unexpected Encounter (1/2)
In the Li Nation of the Xuanhuang Continent, on the peak of an enormous mountain, there was a gigantic infrastructure standing tall and upright. It had four big characters spelling Seven Stars Academy written outside the gate.
At the foot of the mountain, seven small cities were nestled. They were known as the Seven Heir Cities.
One of cities, Star Heir City, was the smallest Ancient City among the Seven Heir Cities. It only had a population of slightly more than 100,000. In the World of Cultivators, as in many other places, it was difficult to be called a city with such a small population!
At that moment, unusually, Star Heir City was extremely lively. Cultivators from all over the world had gathered there. The entire Ancient City had suddenly become crowded, and all the lodging houses were jam-packed. Many tents had been set up outside the Ancient City to accommodate the thousands of cultivators who had come to the city.
The credit belonged to the Seven Stars Academy located on top of the mountain. Once every decade, the Seven Stars Academy would recruit new disciples, and they would come to be assessed. Those who got through the assessment successfully would become disciples of the Seven Stars Academy, where they would enroll and learn from the academy.
This year, the last day for the Seven Stars Academy to recruit new disciples had arrived. There were only 1,000 places left, and the recruitment was set to take place in Star Heir City. Of course, numerous cultivators from within and without the Li Nation were attracted to the recruitment. They wanted to seize the last opportunity to grab one of the 1,000 places and study in the Seven Stars Academy. In the Xuanhuang Continent, an academy was the best springboard for success and the best place to nurture their talents.
Studying in an academy allowed them to come in contact with a large quantity of Magic Arts and a great deal of resources. They could become a master once they graduated from the academy. They could also be recommended to and enabled to join other major sects. It was absolutely easier than becoming a disbanded cultivator.
It was similar to the entertainment industry. Many people wanted to be admitted to all kinds of film, music, and arts academies in order to facilitate their entry into the entertainment industry through their academic qualifications or connections to famous celebrities.
Although the sects in the Xuanhuang Continent would also recruit new disciples, most of them would give priority to the people nurtured by the academies before they would consider disbanded cultivators.
Hence, no matter which academy was recruiting disciples, there would always be countless cultivators who dashed over to participate—whether they had the capabilities or were merely trying their luck.
…..
Just then, in Star Heir City, an old lady in a Taoist robe was walking down the street. She was accompanied by a young woman in a long, spotlessly white dress. The young woman had a delicate face with smooth, soft skin. She was leading a horse, and, although she seemed tired, she was exuding an aura of tenacity. She had a belief that kept her from falling and giving up.
”Yu Xi, let's take a rest over here!” Just then, the old lady who was walking ahead stopped suddenly and said in a low voice.
The young woman was slightly startled, and she saw the old woman had stopped outside a Resting Inn.
”Master, is this the Resting Inn operated by your friend?” The young woman asked.
”Yes, go in with me. The horse can be left here for the time being. Someone will take care of it later.” The old lady nodded and stepped into the Resting Inn.
”All right,” the young woman replied. She let go of the reins and followed the old lady inside. A moment later, the middle-aged innkeeper of the Resting Inn received the old lady and the young woman. The young woman stood at the side and didn't speak a word. But, from the conversation between the old lady and the middle-aged innkeeper, it was clear that the old lady's friend was the father of the innkeeper, but he had passed away. Although the middle-aged innkeeper had a warm smile on his face, the young woman felt that it was a perfunctory smile and extremely insincere!
Eventually, they were settled in a simple, out-of-the-way woodshed. There was dust and dirt all around and a musty smell hung in the air. The young woman frowned and said, ”Master, that person is so insulting. How could he let you stay in such a place? I'm going to go reason with him now.”
”Forget it, Yu Xi, it is the fickleness of human nature and the world, don't you understand this simple truth yet?” The old lady waved her hand gently and sighed.
”But Master, your illness…”
”Ha, ha, will my illness be cured if we change to a better place? Let it go, now the Seven Stars Academy is recruiting disciples, a woodshed is good enough!” The old lady smiled kindly.
The young woman saw the smile and was surprised. As far as she could remember, that was a rare smile from her Master. Upon seeing her Master's smile, she felt uneasy, as if this was a portent that her Master was dying.
”Yu Xi, I have something to tell you!” Just then, the old lady spoke again and her voice was very gentle.
”Master, please go ahead!” The young woman hurriedly helped the old lady. She used her white sleeves to wipe away the dust on a chair so that the old lady could sit down. The old lady looked at the young woman's acts, and she nodded and smiled. There was a trace of relief in her smile and also a little reluctance to part.
”My life span is at its end. I'm afraid I can't take care of you any longer now…”
”Master!”
”Yu Xi, don't interrupt me! My initial intention of bringing you here was hoping to give you a piece of enlightenment. It had never occurred to me that I would leave before I could complete that! However, the Seven Stars Academy is recruiting disciples. It may be a good chance for you. When you've entered the Seven Stars Academy, remember to practice hard. I've already taught you all that I know, and the rest depends on your own enlightenment!”
”Master, it's all my fault. If you hadn't risked your life saving me, you wouldn't be like this now!” Saying this, the young woman's tears were flowing from her eyes.
”That's not true. If I hadn't taken you, how would you have fallen into such a trap?”
”No, Master, in the first place, I was the one who begged you to take me. I wanted to find someone, but I never realized how enormous the world was and how difficult it was. I even dragged you into this mess...”
”Do you regret coming out to search for him?”
”I…” The young woman paused slightly. But the firm expression in her eyes had already answered the question. She didn't regret it in the slightest bit, never!