Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 346 Last-minute cramming

After the details of the sect competition were discussed, the news was quickly spread through the various stewards, sect leaders, peak masters, and chief lecturers, causing the entire White Stone Immortal Sect to erupt in excitement.

If the monthly sect competitions are merely a test of individual cultivation progress, with rewards consisting of only a small amount of insignificant spirit stones, then the rewards of the grand sect competition are truly enviable.

"The champion gets 50 high-grade spirit stones! That's 50!"

In front of Lingyao Peak, Zhong Hui, who was weeding the medicinal field, had a gleam in his eyes and looked like a greedy man, almost drooling.

Ye Hanxing sighed helplessly: "Senior sister, you're already rolling in money, why do you still always look like you'd rather die than live for money! Sigh!"

"Who's risking their life for money? As an adult, can't I have both?!"

Zhong Hui emphasized, "And it's not just 50 high-grade spirit stones. I heard that the top three winners will also receive something personally crafted by the sect leader! Don't you want that?"

Ye Hanxing was quite self-aware, and shrugged slightly: "Of course I want to, but with so many people and my cultivation level, I'd better give up."

"Oh dear, you can't think like that. Look, I heard that Senior Brother and Second Senior Sister aren't participating. Among the Sect Master's personal disciples, only Sixth Senior Brother is participating. Although he's already at the sixth level of Qi Refining, he's only been a disciple for a short time. Can he compare to us? Among our peers, I was among the first to enter the Qi Induction stage! Even if we add that despicable guy He Shilie, I think it's not impossible for me to compete for a top-three spot!"

As Zhong Hui analyzed the situation, he confidently waved his fist in front of Ye Hanxing.

Ye Hanxing couldn't help but smile as she looked at Zhong Hui's spirited appearance.

Zhong Hui, this senior sister, may seem greedy and carefree on the surface, but she is never ambiguous when it comes to cultivation. Her competitive spirit always makes people feel inferior to her.

"Since you have such aspirations, then prepare well." Ye Hanxing encouraged gently, "You have always been good at the written and artistic exams, just be more careful in the martial arts exam. I heard that Senior Brother He Shilie recently broke through to the sixth level of Qi Refining, just like Senior Brother Shi Yizhi, so he may be difficult to deal with."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Hui was not discouraged at all; instead, his eyes shone even brighter: "Hmph, perfect! I've recently learned quite a few magical arts and supernatural powers, and I've been looking for a chance to test them out. When the time comes, we'll see who's the real deal on the arena. Do you think I'm afraid of him?"

Then, she patted the Qiankun bag at her waist, winked deliberately, and said, "Besides, the rules only say that you can't use things beyond your own cultivation level, but they don't say you can't use things you drew yourself! I'll let him taste the power of my 'Sea of ​​Talismans'!"

This Qiankun bag contained many low-level talismans that Zhong Hui practiced drawing on his own. Ye Hanxing had also been given quite a few. These included the most basic ones such as Light Body Talisman and Swift Movement Talisman, as well as many more difficult-to-draw Five Elements Talismans.

Originally, the talisman class was an elective course, and it was taught by a senior cultivator who was not very familiar with the group. It was said that the sect leader had specially hired him, and he seemed to be from the underworld.

But that senior cultivator's lectures were profound yet easy to understand, and he always taught people a lot. The talismans he taught were also very interesting, and Zhong Hui especially liked them. She almost made talisman making a "second major"! This big bag of low-level talismans was her recent achievement!
Ye Hanxing shook her head helplessly. Senior Sister Zhong was always like this; while she was diligent and hardworking, she often used unexpected methods to get things done. Yet, while she was opportunistic, her diligence in cultivation was renowned among the outer disciples; otherwise, she wouldn't have reached the fifth level of Qi Refining in just a few months—

You should know that among all the outer disciples, there aren't even enough disciples with a cultivation level above the fifth level of Qi Refining to be counted in a single palm strike!
However, precisely because of this, Ye Hanxing actually believed that Zhong Hui could win a place, so he stopped talking and just kept tending to the herbs, while secretly planning how to win first place in the spiritual plant category of the art exam.

Similar scenes were playing out throughout the sect.

Inside the weapon-refining room of Tiangong Peak, the clanging and hammering sounds were more intense and frequent than usual.

Previously, due to the presence of strange fire, this place had always been in a semi-closed state. Whenever someone wanted to use it, they had to submit an application in advance and sign a safety agreement before they could use it.

However, ever since Huang Wu, the peak master of Tiangong Peak, spent day and night in the [Weapon Forging Room] to prepare for the sect's grand competition, disciples no longer needed to submit applications to use it. They only needed to greet Huang Wu and register to use it whenever he was in the [Weapon Forging Room]. This made things much more convenient, and caused many disciples who were determined to compete in the art exam to start cramming at the last minute.

In addition, the sect's library was also packed with people.

Moreover, the once bustling novel (storybook) section is now devoid of disciples; instead, the section filled with various cultivation techniques, secret manuals, and books on immortal cultivation theories is teeming with people.

"This is really rare. Second Senior Sister didn't even scold anyone, and they just took the initiative like this!"

Gao Wencai, who rarely makes a trip to the library, curled his lip and muttered a sarcastic remark.

Jiang Wanli, who had specifically dragged Gao Wencai over for last-minute cramming, couldn't help but tug at Gao Wencai's sleeve, reminding him to tone it down. Only then did the latter reluctantly shut his mouth.

Gao Wencai's mouth is like it's coated with poison; he's bound to offend people the moment he opens his mouth.

However, in the past, his family was wealthy, and he could use his "money-spraying technique" to make some people tolerate his sharp tongue. Sometimes, they would even selectively ignore or be exceptionally tolerant of his tendency to mock everything he did. This was the case with Jiang Wanli and Anderding, who had a good relationship with him after joining the White Stone Immortal Sect.

However, in the White Stone Immortal Sect, people used spirit stones instead of gold, silver, or copper coins. As the most ordinary outer disciple, Gao Wencai suddenly had to become stingy, otherwise he wouldn't even be able to afford food. Even so, because he spent spirit stones so extravagantly, Jiang Wanli and Anderding had to help him out at the end of each month.

It was precisely because he didn't have any extra spirit stones to "spend lavishly" that Gao Wencai went from being the center of attention to becoming virtually invisible. What's worse, because he spoke rudely and often offended people, no one wanted to associate with him. After all, Jiang Wanli and Anderding were the only people left around him.

Of course, Gao Wencai was just sarcastic, not stupid. He knew that it was very rare to have two friends who didn't look down on him. So, even though he looked down on Jiang Wanli and Anderding's invitation to come to the library to find magic and supernatural powers that could be learned quickly, he still came along.

Fortunately, because the sect competition was approaching, everyone was quite busy and no one had time to pay attention to the foul-mouthed Gao Wencai, which prevented a pointless argument from happening again, which had occurred before because of Gao Wencai's foul mouth.

Gao Wencai was dragged along by Jiang Wanli, reluctantly walking through the crowded bookshelves.

The disciples around him were either engrossed in reading or discussing in hushed tones, creating a tense atmosphere that made Gao Wencai, who was used to a relaxed and leisurely lifestyle, feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Detailed Explanation of Basic Five Elements Techniques," "Key Points of Spellcasting and Spiritual Power Control," "One Hundred Questions on Drawing Low-Level Spiritual Talismans"...

As Jiang Wanli muttered to himself, he pulled out a few relatively thin booklets from the bookshelf that seemed to offer quick learning opportunities, and stuffed them into Gao Wencai's arms, saying, "Brother Gao, take a look at these. Pick one or two simple ones to practice. You can't rely solely on your fists and feet for the martial arts test, can you?"

Gao Wencai glanced at the book in his arms and scoffed, "Sharpening your spear at the last minute, even if it's not sharp, it'll still shine? Brother Jiang, when did you start believing such nonsense? Are magic and supernatural powers so easy to master? Without years of practice and control over spiritual power, forcibly using them is nothing but a laughing stock!"

Gao Wencai's voice was a bit loud, which immediately attracted the attention of many disciples. Fortunately, they all just glanced at him with dissatisfaction and continued reading their books. They didn't have time to argue or get entangled with Gao Wencai.

Anderding kindly advised from the side, "Brother Gao, that's true, but it's better than doing nothing. I heard that even Zhang Kui from the Food Academy is studying some kind of knife technique for this competition, saying that he learned it from the story of Butcher Ding carving up an ox, just to show off at the sect competition!" Gao Wencai couldn't help but twitch his lips upon hearing this.

Zhang Kui was a manager in the kitchen, in charge of slaughtering and livestock. He had a rugged appearance and a thick beard. He was most skilled at using a pair of Yin-Yang slaughtering knives, one a broad-bladed cleaver and the other a triangular boning knife.

This man's hands were as big as palm-leaf fans, and he held the two knives as if they were two wooden toys, which was quite comical.

Gao Wencai imagined Zhang Kui wielding the Yin-Yang Slaughtering Knife with his thick, radish-like fingers, and found it strangely comical, which lessened his resistance.

He sighed, casually flipped open a book titled "Detailed Explanation of Basic Five Elements Techniques," and muttered, "Fine, fine, I'll just consider it playing along with your nonsense... Hmm!?"

Besides his sharp tongue, Gao Wencai also has his merits—he doesn't "spend money recklessly," but rather, once he makes a promise, he never breaks it.

So he agreed to read the book and actually started reading carefully. Unexpectedly, after casually flipping through two lines, his expression changed, and a serious look gradually appeared on his face: "Hmm... Spiritual Light Technique? The Five Elements Technique is not limited to the five elements alone, but can be combined and studied to create spells and supernatural powers... I see. So, if fire and thunder techniques are combined, wouldn't they be more powerful than ordinary fire and thunder techniques? If water and earth are mixed, wouldn't it become mud? And if you bake it with fire, wouldn't it become as hard as a rock? Hiss... I didn't expect the Five Elements Technique to have such wonderful uses..."

Before they knew it, Gao Wencai had become completely absorbed in the story. Jiang Wanli and Anderding exchanged a glance and couldn't help but show their delight.

Although everyone only had a superficial friendship during the Immortal Destiny Gathering, Gao Wencai's change before and after was quite significant. Even after entering the immortal sect, he always looked dejected, which was somewhat worrying.

Besides, Jiang Wanli and Anderding had both received favors from him in the past. Even though they no longer cared about that little bit of money, the help they received back then was genuine. Therefore, neither of them was willing to let their relationship as "friends" fade into obscurity.

Even if you enter the immortal sect, it's not all good. I've heard that there are rules in the sect's regulations that stipulate that those who are too poor in their cultivation will be expelled from the sect!

Just as Gao Wencai was engrossed in studying "Detailed Explanation of Basic Five Elements Techniques", a small commotion suddenly arose at the entrance of the library.

Shi Yizhi walked in carrying a thick stack of books on array formations. His expression was calm as he walked directly to the area related to array formations in the corner, seemingly oblivious to the stares from those around him.

"It's my sixth senior brother..."

"I heard he consulted his fourth senior sister about many formation techniques. He's bound to shine in this art exam. Sigh, having a powerful senior sister really makes a difference..."

"The written test probably won't be too difficult for him either. After all, he's a direct disciple of the sect leader, and with guidance from his senior brother, his foundation is definitely solid..."

Upon hearing these words, Shi Yizhi paused almost imperceptibly, but then continued walking deeper into the library as if nothing had happened.

He's been hearing this since he was a child.

"Having a father who is a great general and five brothers who are all skilled soldiers makes all the difference. People like that are born with everything. Unlike you and me, hey! We still have to struggle from the bottom of the ranks!"

"We're always the ones who go first in the charge, cannon fodder, hehe, it's only right that we die. If the commander dies, we die with him, tsk..."

"This is a military stronghold. How dare you spout such nonsense and undermine morale? Guards! Court-martial him!"

"I refuse to accept this! Since the military base is a highly secure place, why should a toddler under ten years old be allowed to come along? Isn't this undermining morale?"

"Hmph! That's the General's own son and the Young General's own brother. How dare you, a mere soldier who hasn't even mastered martial arts, try to associate with him? You fool!"

"I refuse to accept this! I just refuse to accept it!"

"Alright, since you're not convinced, since you think you're stronger than a toddler who's not even ten years old, then let's see who's stronger, you or this toddler. Don't end up not even being able to beat a toddler!"

later……

What happened next?

Shi Yizhi still remembered that it was his first time going to the army. He originally went there just because it was new and fun, and since his brothers and father were also in the army, he insisted on going. He never expected to run into such an incident.

Fifth Brother came over and said that he would let that unconvinced soldier have a match with him...

That soldier doesn't even know martial arts, how could he possibly be a match for me who has just entered the martial arts world and broken through to the ninth rank three years ago?

Even though I'm still a toddler under ten years old...

"What else do you have to say?"

"Hmph, so what if he beats me? He was born with a famous teacher and secret cultivation techniques. If he can't even cultivate these, then he's the real waste!"

Whether he knew he was going to die or not, the man seemed to start talking nonsense...

The memories buried deep in his heart were stirred up, and Shi Yizhi lowered his eyes, feeling as if the books in his arms were incredibly heavy.

He deliberately suppressed his chaotic thoughts and forced himself to continue reading the book, putting all the gossip out of his mind.

The disciples' whispers also reached Gao Wencai's ears. He wasn't very self-controlled, and before he knew it, he pulled his head out of the book and stared at Shi Yizhi in the distance with unreadable eyes.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't jealous. Back then, in front of the teleportation array, I was clearly the center of attention, but now, in just a few months, that kid who hadn't even grown his first hair has become my "sixth senior brother." Look at him, he's climbed the social ladder now, and he doesn't even care about me, Jiang Wanli, or Anderding anymore, not even bothering to say hello!
But the more agitated he became, the more Gao Wencai gritted his teeth and hardened his resolve, lowering his head to look again at the "Detailed Explanation of Basic Five Elements Techniques" he held in his hands.

……

(End of this chapter)