On the stage, most of the academy teachers were giving speeches. Ren Daoyuan simply sat in the back, holding a teacup, listening in a composed manner and nodding with a smile from time to time.
He had naturally heard about the matter of someone betting a fortune on Shen Cuiyu.
After the presentation ended and the disciples filed out one by one, Ren Daoyuan said unhurriedly:
"Cuiyu, stay behind for a moment."
Shen Cuiyu stepped forward in response. Ren Daoyuan motioned for her to sit down and asked in a calm tone:
"Do you know that Liu Ruyan will also participate in this competition?"
"Yes, disciple knows." Shen Cuiyu replied.
Ren Daoyuan looked at her, his gentle gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny. "What's your view on this?"
Shen Cuiyu knew that the dean had left her behind alone not just to hear some polite remarks. She pondered for a moment and then said clearly and firmly:
"Disciple will do her best to find out the truth."
A barely perceptible look of approval flashed across Ren Daoyuan's eyes. Then he nodded and took a sip from his teacup.
"Go back and rest well. Get ready for the competition."
After Shen Cuiyu left, he waved over a serving disciple and whispered a few instructions.
As the disciple listened, a look of surprise gradually appeared on his face. He couldn't help but confirm:
"Dean, are we really going to bet that much?"
Ren Daoyuan just smiled without saying a word and merely waved his hand.
Seeing this, the disciple didn't dare to ask more questions. He bowed and then quickly left.
Ren Daoyuan picked up his teacup again. Looking at the empty doorway in the direction where Shen Cuiyu had left, he murmured softly as if to himself:
"Interesting."
The faint light of the tea water flickered in his eyes, reflecting a touch of worldly detachment and a hint of imperceptible anticipation.
..........
Although there were many people signing up, the number of spots for the Myriad Phenomena Academy was limited. After the academy's successive screenings, more than twenty disciples with decent aptitudes were selected.
A few days later, the more than twenty disciples from the Myriad Phenomena Academy set off for the capital under the leadership of Teacher Yan Zheng and senior brother Xu Qingfeng.
The carriages rumbled as they left the secluded mountain area where the academy was located. The scenery along the way gradually became more expansive.
On both sides of the official road, the autumn grass and trees were golden, and the distant mountains were majestic. Occasionally, a courier horse would gallop by, kicking up a thin layer of dust, carrying with it a sense of eagerness to rush towards the future.
The disciples' mood was rather peculiar. At this moment, they were both faintly nervous about the unknown competition and full of novelty and excitement like young people setting out on a long journey.
Dongfang Xiao almost stuck his head out of the carriage window, marveling at everything. Zhong Shengwan closed her eyes to rest, but her fingers unconsciously stroked the amulet bag she carried with her. Shen Cuiyu quietly watched the farmhouses and passers - by flashing by outside the window, her gaze calm, and no one knew what she was thinking.
I don't know how long it took, but finally the disciples arrived at the designated post - station in the capital.
Everyone got off the carriages in an orderly manner and took a deep breath of the slightly cold air in the capital. Shen Cuiyu looked out and saw that the post - station was bustling with people both inside and out. It was even more lively than an ordinary market!
There were young monks wearing cassocks and holding Buddhist beads, chanting scriptures in a low voice; corpse - drivers with closed coffins standing beside them and gongs hanging from their waists; Taoist priests with an otherworldly air and long swords on their backs; and southern border cultivators with strange clothes and a faint, alluring aura around them... People from all walks of life, almost all the young talents of the mysterious sects were gathered here. It was truly a gathering of heroes!
Dongfang Xiao, who was naturally fond of excitement, couldn't hold back when he saw this scene. He immediately pulled Zhong Shengwan into the crowd. Relying on the reputation of the Myriad Phenomena Academy and his sociable nature, he soon got on well with several other young cultivators and was exchanging all kinds of information, true or false!
Compared with other sects, the Myriad Phenomena Academy was well - organized. More than twenty of them, wearing the same light - blue disciple robes, had an outstanding bearing. As soon as they appeared, they attracted a lot of attention.
Soon, a middle - aged man holding a stack of documents, who seemed to be a receptionist, quickly stepped forward.
His eyes swept over everyone and finally landed on Yan Zheng sitting in a wheelchair. His eyes suddenly lit up, and he couldn't hide his excitement.
"Excuse me... Are you Teacher Yan Zheng?!" His voice trembled slightly.
The disciples curiously sized up this excited middle - aged man.
Yan Zheng looked up at him for a moment and said in a flat tone: "Yes. You're Qi Yun, Wang Qian's disciple, right?"
The man's eyes widened even more, and he nodded repeatedly:
"Yes, it's me! In terms of seniority, I should respectfully address you as uncle - master!"
But in terms of age, Qi Yun wasn't much older than Yan Zheng. However, in the mysterious sects, those who learned earlier were respected, and age was secondary.
There were many people with great intelligence, and there were also many who didn't achieve enlightenment until they were in their seventies or eighties. There was nothing strange about it.
Qi Yun looked at Yan Zheng with admiration. After all, Yan Zheng was once a well - known genius in the mysterious sects.
He couldn't help but ask: "Uncle - master, how... How did you know it was me? Did you use divination or the Six - Line Technique?" He looked Yan Zheng up and down brightly, thinking that his uncle - master was truly unfathomable and could figure out his identity without showing any signs.
Hearing this, Yan Zheng showed no expression on his face and just said indifferently: "Your master just told me with a communication talisman."
Qi Yun:...
"Pfft - " The disciples of the Myriad Phenomena Academy behind them couldn't help but let out a low laugh. The atmosphere instantly became lively.
Someone whispered: "Teacher Yan, please stop telling jokes with a straight face..."
After this little incident, the tense nerves of everyone due to the upcoming competition were somewhat relaxed.
Qi Yun scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed, but still dutifully instructed the accompanying disciples to lead the people from the Myriad Phenomena Academy to the clean courtyard that had been arranged and carefully assigned the wing - rooms. He personally pushed Yan Zheng's wheelchair and properly placed him in the best - lit main room before returning to his own master.
His master, Wang Qian, was a kind - faced middle - aged man who looked only a few years older than him. Seeing him come back, he asked with a smile:
"Did you see your uncle - master?"
Qi Yun still looked a bit dejected: "Yes... I did."
Seeing his disciple go there cheerfully and come back listlessly, Wang Qian thought something had happened and asked again.
After a while, Qi Yun said dejectedly:
"Master, did you tell uncle - master with a communication talisman that I was going to pick them up?"
Wang Qian was stunned for a moment. After listening to his disciple repeat the conversation just now, he couldn't help but smile helplessly and shook his head:
"Silly boy, someone of your uncle - master's cultivation level wouldn't rely on such a small thing as a communication talisman all the time. It's mostly for you young disciples to communicate with."
Qi Yun was stunned for a moment, and then his eyes instantly burst into dazzling light again. He asked incredulously: "You mean... Just now, just now, uncle - master calculated it all by himself?!"
Wang Qian nodded with a smile. His eyes swept over the courtyard where the disciples of the Myriad Phenomena Academy were located in the distance and he pointed out meaningfully:
"The Myriad Phenomena Academy doesn't keep idle people. It's full of hidden talents, sifting out the unworthy every day. Those who cheat have already been weeded out. You should have more contact with those young disciples. It will surely be beneficial to you in the future."