Proofreader & Editor: Lotas
Chen Qingyuan demonstrated his strength, and the crowd no longer had significant objections. Although his cultivation level wasn't as high as the others, everyone knew that Chen Qingyuan had entered the Sky Abyss Restricted Zone and had started re-cultivating.
With enough time, Chen Qingyuan would quickly catch up.
"Send them out."
With the matter concluded, Zhao Yichuan commanded towards the void.
Instantly, several men in white emerged from the void and waved their sleeves towards the direction of those who had not been selected.
Whoosh—
The hundreds who were not selected were gently whisked away by a soft force, leaving the small world of the Dao Yi Academy.
"Kid, daring to make money on the day of the academy's enrollment, you're the first in countless years."
Zhao Yichuan descended and took a few steps towards Chen Qingyuan, speaking with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
Being stared at by Zhao Yichuan, Chen Qingyuan had an ominous premonition.
Chen Qingyuan had earlier cursed the person who announced the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness, not realizing that person was Zhao Yichuan. Had he known the list came from the Dao Yi Academy, Chen Qingyuan wouldn't have dared to speak such words.
The words were already out, and Chen Qingyuan could only think of a way to make amends, otherwise, he might be put in an awkward position.
"Predecessor, I didn't intend to make money; it was to reduce trouble, to prevent those who failed the assessment from lingering."
While speaking, Chen Qingyuan took out his Heaven and Earth Bag.
Then, Chen Qingyuan handed the Heaven and Earth Bag to Zhao Yichuan, saying earnestly, "Now that the trouble is gone, the disciple wishes to hand over the unexpectedly acquired Spirit Stones to the predecessor."
Zhao Yichuan glanced at Chen Qingyuan, feeling that this guy was a sly fox.
"The academy isn't that petty, keep it for yourself!"
Zhao Yichuan said indifferently.
If Zhao Yichuan accepted the Heaven and Earth Bag, it would be like he was in cahoots with Chen Qingyuan, and he would have to help him in the future.
If he didn't accept it, Chen Qingyuan could rightfully keep the Heaven and Earth Bag.
In any case, there would be no harm to Chen Qingyuan.
"This kid has played a good hand! If he really wanted to hand it over, why not give it directly to the academy?"
A group of onlookers discussed in secret, all feeling that Chen Qingyuan was too cunning and would certainly not be easily fooled when out and about.
Chen Qingyuan's move to retreat in order to advance was deeply remembered by Zhao Yichuan.
If there was a chance in the future, Zhao Yichuan would definitely "take good care" of Chen Qingyuan.
"Come with me!"
Zhao Yichuan led the way, stepping through the academy's grand gates, heading towards a palace shrouded in mist.
Seeing this, Chen Qingyuan and the others followed closely behind.
Along the way, Song Ningyan and the others kept sizing up Chen Qingyuan, curious as to how he managed to become a disciple of the academy without participating in the assessment.
A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Yichuan led everyone to a place called "Jade Rosy Hall."
The Jade Rosy Hall was very spacious, devoid of tables and chairs.
With a flick of Zhao Yichuan's sleeve, eleven sets of clothing and eleven jade tokens suddenly appeared in the void.
The clothes were pure white, surpassing snow.
The jade tokens were crystal clear, engraved with the words "Dao Yi."
"Prick your finger, form the contract."
Zhao Yichuan surveyed everyone with a serious expression.
Chen Qingyuan and the others looked at the jade tokens floating before them, took them in hand, and formed a contract with the tokens as Zhao Yichuan had instructed.
The jade tokens symbolized each person's identity mark, impossible to forge.
There were seven men and four women among the new students.
The men's white clothing was long robes, while the women's were long dresses, each embroidered with the pattern of a flower from the other shore, containing a trace of the Law,
Evil spirits could not invade.
"Li Zhixing, you have a destiny with formations, enter the Formation Extreme Hall."
"Mo Yanying, enter the Alchemy Room."
"Tian Yuxin, enter the Puppet Hall."
"……"
Zhao Yichuan began to announce everyone's assignments.
Dao Yi Academy had a total of seven branches: the Main Branch, Sword Hall, Formation Extreme Hall, Alchemy Room, Puppet Hall, Technique Gate, and Talisman Palace.
Chen Qingyuan, being the personal disciple of the vice dean, was naturally of the Main Branch and could practice any Dao Technique as long as he had the energy.
Disciples of the other branches, however, had to master their own studies, and if they did not pass the periodic assessments, they would face light punishment or even expulsion from the academy.
Soon, the elders of the various branches took the new disciples away.
Some elders, as they left, took a deep look at Song Ningyan, sighing in their hearts: "This girl has extremely high talent, it's a pity she chose the wrong master."
Many elders began to bet: "How long do you think Song girl can last? I'll be the dealer., let's start the betting."
Zhao Yichuan was the chief lecturer of Dao Yi Academy, second only in strength to the two vice deans.
Many evildoers had wanted to become Zhao Yichuan's disciples, but they couldn't withstand his method of cultivation and either switched to other branches or left Dao Yi Academy altogether.
Strict!
This word best described Zhao Yichuan.
Many elders of Dao Yi Academy were afraid of Zhao Yichuan and didn't dare to joke around in front of him, behaving properly.
"I feel something is amiss here. Elder Zhao is overseeing the assessment, knowing full well that Chen Qingyuan did not participate, yet he turns a blind eye? This is not Elder Zhao's style!"
"Chen Qingyuan is Vice Dean Yu's appointed disciple, probably Elder Zhao is giving some face to Vice Dean Yu!"
"Nonsense! Elder Zhao once dared to confront the dean, and although he was suppressed by the dean for a hundred years afterward, his temperament hasn't changed. Chen Qingyuan obviously got in through the back door, violating the academy's rules, how could Elder Zhao possibly give face to Vice Dean Yu?"
"That does seem to make sense!"
Many people were muttering about this, feeling that Zhao Yichuan seemed like a changed person, unexpectedly ignoring the issue of pulling strings and using back doors.
"Could Chen Qingyuan be Elder Zhao's illegitimate son?"
No one knew who made this guess, but it caused quite a stir.
"Although the likelihood is very low, it can't be ruled out!"
Apart from this reason, people really couldn't think of any other explanation.
"Such talk must not be spread indiscriminately. I can assure you that Elder Zhao is still a virgin, do not spread rumors."
An elder from the Alchemy Room with high prestige came out to refute the rumors, quickly stopping such talk to prevent it from reaching Zhao Yichuan's ears and leading to a one-sided beating.
"Elder Zhao has lived for over ten thousand years and is still a virgin, really?"
Following the Alchemy Room elder's explanation, the topic was smoothly shifted to Zhao Yichuan.
"A bunch of bastards, don't bring trouble to me!"
Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, the Alchemy Room elder announced a retreat, planning not to show his face for the next few years.
People only dared to discuss behind Zhao Yichuan's back, not brave enough to say such things to his face, as it could easily lead to broken bones.
Inside the Jade Rosy Hall, Zhao Yichuan was unaware that the various branch elders were discussing his virginity, and with a solemn face, he looked at Chen Qingyuan and Song Ningyan: "From today on, you two are of the Main Branch, follow me in cultivation."