Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

Chapter 76 Old Grudges (Please subscribe! It's complete, but I won't be able to post it until tomorrow evening!)

When Chen Jianghe walked out of the side hall of Xingyi Hall, the square was already mostly empty.

Most of the previous candidates had already found their places to go, and they went down the mountain together, either happily or disappointed, to the Anju Inn at the foot of the mountain, which was specially prepared for the candidates.

Elder Zhou Qingyuan escorted him to the outside of the hall, standing with his hands behind his back, the mountain wind blowing the hem of his green robe.

"Chen Jianghe," Elder Zhou spoke, his voice calm, "you entered with the iron token, making you a candidate for inner sect according to the sect rules. But after the candidate stage, there is still the hurdle of being assigned to a branch academy."

Chen Jianghe stopped and turned to listen.

"Within the Xingyi School, five academies are set up according to the numbers of the Five Elements."

Elder Zhou slowly explained, "The five academies are Jinshu Academy, Lingmu Academy, Cangming Academy, Yanchen Academy, and Houtu Academy. Each academy has its own strengths. After entering the inner sect, disciples must choose one academy to cultivate and will be taught the exclusive martial arts and internal cultivation methods of that academy."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Chen Jianghe before landing on the distant, misty mountains: "The head of the Golden Pivot Academy is a master of killing and wielding, practicing Xingyi Spear, which emphasizes the integration of blocking and attacking, combining offense and defense."

"The master of Lingmu Academy focuses on health preservation, healing, alchemy, and medicine making, while also practicing lightness skills and hidden weapons."

"Master Cangming has changed his ways, practicing Xingyi Sword, emphasizing the combination of internal strength and body movement, and guiding the sword with intention."

"Master Yan Chen unleashed his power, mastering the Xingyi Blade technique. His attacks were ferocious and incredibly powerful."

"The Hou Tu Academy focuses on defense, practicing Xingyi staff techniques, emphasizing foundational training, and steady, methodical attacks."

Chen Jianghe silently made a note of it.

The division of these five academies subtly aligns with the principles of mutual generation and restraint among the five elements, demonstrating the completeness of the Xingyi School's lineage.

Elder Zhou continued, "Within three days, they will review the list of candidates for this year's inner sect and each select their preferred disciple. Those selected will enter the academy to cultivate and receive true teachings; those not selected—"

He looked at Chen Jianghe, a hint of complexity in his eyes: "If you wish to stay, you can still enter the inner sect, but you will need to do some miscellaneous tasks in exchange for cultivation resources and inner cultivation methods; if you do not wish to, you may leave the mountain on your own, and the sect will not keep you."

Chen Jianghe felt a chill run down his spine.

These rules, though seemingly lenient, are actually quite harsh.

Those chosen by the academy master will receive his true teachings and have a bright future.

Even though they are considered inner disciples, those who are not selected can only rely on themselves to obtain resources, making their path of cultivation several times more difficult.

Descending the mountain on one's own would be tantamount to abandoning the path of Xingyi School.

"Disciple understands." Chen Jianghe clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Elder Zhou nodded, took out a plain note from his sleeve, and handed it to him: "This is the route down the mountain and the location of Anju Inn. The innkeeper will arrange food and lodging. Three days later, a sect member will go to the inn to report the results."

"Thank you, Elder."

Chen Jianghe accepted the plain letter, bowed again, and turned to step down the stone steps.

Anju Inn is located at the foot of Qingyan Mountain and is a place of lodging prepared by Xingyi School for visitors and prospective disciples.

The inn was small, but clean and tidy, with white walls and black tiles, and copper bells hanging from the eaves that tinkled when the wind blew.

Chen Jianghe handed over the wooden plaque, and a kind-looking manager in his forties led him to a guest room on the second floor.

The room was simple, with a bed, a table, and a chair. The window faced the bamboo forest behind the mountain, making it quiet and peaceful.

"Young Master Chen, please wait here," the steward said with a smile. "Three meals a day will be delivered to your room on time. If there is any news, someone will inform you."

"Thank you for your trouble." Chen Jianghe nodded.

The steward left and closed the door.

Chen Jianghe closed his eyes and went through the details of today's events at Xingyi Hall in his mind.

When Elder Zhou examined the bone structure, he was initially surprised. When he reported the "five elements," Elder Sun frowned slightly, and Elder Wu, though gentle, only said "rare."

Five elements and root bones, transforming strength at eighteen.

In Yilin County, this talent would be enough to shake the entire city. But in Xingyimen, a school that gathers the best talents of the prefecture, it is only considered above average.

Among the candidates in the same batch, there was Zhao Mingxuan, who possessed the six-form root bone, and Shen Qingyan, who was exceptionally talented and possessed the seven-form root bone.

My own "five elements" are caught in the middle, making me seem ordinary and unremarkable.

"Wait." He opened his eyes, his gaze calm and undisturbed.

Only three days.

He untied his bag and took out the book "Diamond Kung Fu".

[Destiny: Diligence is rewarded by Heaven; success is inevitable]

[Current Skill: Vajra Kung Fu (Beginner)]

Progress: 15%

Within the Xingyi School lies the Jinshu Academy.

Headmaster Shen Hao sat behind a large sandalwood desk, holding the list of disciples who had passed the test that day.

He was about fifty years old, with a resolute face and a sharp glint in his eyes. His hands were large and thick, with strong knuckles, clearly indicating that he had been holding a gun for many years.

Even just sitting there, he naturally exuded a chilling aura.

His gaze slowly moved across the roster, finally settling on the three characters "Chen Jianghe".

"Yilin Branch, recommended by Li Chengyue—" Shen Hao muttered to himself, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Back then, Li Chengyue was the most dazzling genius in the Golden Pension Academy, and also the senior brother that Shen Hao admired the most.

He broke through the Gang Jin at the age of twenty-two and touched the threshold of Zhen Yuan at the age of thirty. He was unparalleled in his prowess and was highly regarded by everyone in the sect.

At that time, Shen Hao's younger brother, Shen Yun, was one of Li Chengyue's seven fellow disciples.

In that brutal ambush, Shen Yun died, killed by a hail of blades, his body never to be found.

While Li Chengyue protected another junior brother and fought his way out of the encirclement, he himself was poisoned by the bone-corroding poison, which damaged his foundation of internal energy and severed his path to true essence.

Shen Hao once hated Li Chengyue for failing to protect his younger brother, for accepting that mission, and for returning alive.

But later he learned more about the inside story: it was a meticulously planned conspiracy, with the other side deploying one True Yuan Realm expert and five peak Gang Jin experts, a situation that was destined to kill.

Li Chengyue had already given his all to protect one person and fight his way out.

Later, Li Chengyue became disheartened and asked to leave the mountain. He returned to Yilin County and opened a dilapidated martial arts school, where he stayed for twenty years.

Shen Hao stared at the name "Chen Jianghe" on the roster, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Li Chengyue had never recommended anyone to return to the mountain in all these years, yet now he suddenly sent a disciple, an eighteen-year-old at the Transformation Realm.

Shen Hao tapped his fingers lightly on the roster.

He possessed the five elements of physical constitution and reached the level of internal strength at eighteen. Among ordinary disciples, this was quite good. But in the Golden Pivot Academy—it wasn't enough.

The Golden Pivot Academy is the head of the five academies of the Xingyi School. It focuses on combat and spear techniques, and has always only accepted talented disciples with excellent physique, perseverance, and the best chance of breaking through to the Gang Jin or even the Zhen Yuan realm.

More importantly—Shen Hao closed his eyes.

He seemed to see again the smile on his younger brother Shen Yun's face on the day he left home, the pieced-together mutilated body, and Li Chengyue's lifeless eyes when he returned to the mountain.

Li Chengyue's disciple —

Shen Hao slowly opened his eyes, his gaze now completely indifferent.

He crossed out "Chen Jianghe" from the list of candidates for the Golden Academy, his stroke decisive and without the slightest hesitation.

The events surrounding Li Chengyue back then were too complicated, involving too many grudges and entanglements.

If Chen Jianghe truly has talent, he could also cultivate in other academies.

But the Golden Curtain Academy—no need for that.

Shen Hao's gaze shifted to two other names on the roster—

Zhao Mingxuan and Shen Qingyan

These are the disciples that the Golden Pivot Academy should have.

At the same moment, at Cangming Academy.

The academy's headmaster, Liu Tinglan, dressed in a blue robe, was holding a roster and discussing matters with two elders beside him.

"This year, there are a few promising talents," an elder said with a smile, stroking his beard. "Shen Qingyan has a seven-form root bone, and Zhao Mingxuan has a six-form root bone. Both of them reached the Transformation Realm at the age of sixteen or seventeen, and their future is promising."

Liu Tinglan nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping across the roster before suddenly stopping at a certain spot.

"Chen Jianghe—Li Chengyue's apprentice?"

The elder beside him nodded: "Indeed. Five elements and innate talent, reaching the level of internal strength at eighteen, that's not bad. However—"

He paused, then said in a low voice, "Just now, news came from the Golden Pivot Academy that Dean Shen did not choose this person."

Liu Tinglan raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh?"

"It is said that Abbot Shen still harbors resentment over what happened to Li Chengyue back then." The elder lowered his voice even further, "Shen Yue's death—after all, was related to Li Chengyue."

Liu Tinglan remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook her head.

The grudges and feuds in the martial arts world are entangled in a complex web.

The matter concerning Li Chengyue back then has long been settled within the sect: he was assassinated, and it was not his fault.

But the dead are dead after all, and it's only natural for the living to harbor resentment.

However, this resentment should not be directed at the next generation of disciples.

but----

Liu Tinglan looked at the name "Chen Jianghe" and weighed her options.

His physical attributes are above average.

Reaching the level of mastery at eighteen is quite good, but within the Cangming Academy, he is not indispensable.

The Cangming Academy specializes in swordsmanship and has extremely high requirements for its disciples' comprehension and agility.

While physical constitution is important, it is not the only factor.

However, Chen Jianghe is both Li Chengyue's disciple and has a past grudge against Shen Hao—if he is taken into the academy, it will inevitably create discord with the Golden Pivot Academy.

It's not worth it for a disciple with only the five elements of physiognomy.

Liu Tinglan picked up her pen, lightly touched the name "Chen Jianghe," and turned the page.

Yan Chen Academy.

The academy's master, Lie Fentian, was a burly man with a full beard. At this moment, he was sitting imposingly on a tiger-skin chair, staring at the roster in his hand.

"Shen Qingyan, Seven-Element Root Bone—Good! I want her!"

"Zhao Mingxuan, Six Forms Root Bone—not bad either!"

He continued reading until he saw the three characters "Chen Jianghe," at which point he frowned.

"Li Chengyue's disciple?" Lie Fentian said gruffly, "His five elements and physical attributes are so-so."

A steward whispered, "Master, neither Dean Shen of the Golden Pivot Academy nor Dean Liu of the Cangming Academy has chosen this person."

Lie Fentian's eyes widened: "Just because they don't choose, does that mean I have to? What kind of logic is that!"

The steward stammered, "That's not what I meant—I just felt that this boy is, after all, a disciple of Uncle Li Chengyue, and thus belongs to our Xingyi School. If none of the Five Academies accept him, I'm afraid—"

"Afraid of what?" Lie Fentian snorted. "I, Yan Chen Academy, cultivate swordsmanship! It's all about speed and precision! Five elements of talent, reaching the Transformation Realm at eighteen—that might make you someone of note outside, but here, it's nothing!"

He paused, stroked his chin, and said, "Besides, Shen Hao won't accept it. If I accept it, wouldn't that be slapping him in the face? What happened with Li Chengyue back then—hey, Shen Hao has held a grudge for twenty years. I'm not going to risk his bad luck for some kid with only five elements and talent."

With that, he waved his hand dismissively: "I don't want this one! Next one!"

Hou Tu Yuan.

The academy's headmaster, Shi Zhenyue, was a middle-aged man with an honest face and a sturdy build. He was carefully reviewing the roster at that moment.

He read very slowly, lingering on each page for a long time, sometimes nodding, sometimes shaking his head.

"Innate talent is the foundation, but temperament is even more important," Shi Zhenyue murmured to himself. "The Hou Tu Academy's staff techniques emphasize steady and solid training, the ability to endure loneliness, and the capacity to withstand hardship—"

He paused for a moment when he saw "Chen Jianghe".

"Five elements and physical constitution, reaching the level of internal strength at eighteen—to be able to cultivate to this level in a small place, one's temperament must be quite good."

As he was pondering, a disciple hurried in and whispered an update on the situation at the Golden Pivot Academy, the Cangming Academy, and the Yanchen Academy.

After listening, Shi Zhenyue remained silent for a long time.

Among the five academies, Hou Tu Academy is only stronger than Ling Mu Academy. It has always kept a low profile and is unwilling to offend the other academies.

Shen Hao harbored a grudge against Li Chengyue, a fact known to everyone in the sect.

None of the three academies have chosen Chen Jianghe yet; if he were to choose him—

Shi Zhenyue sighed.

The Hou Tu Yuan was already weak, and if it were to create further discord with the Jin Shu Yuan over this matter, it would be a greater loss than gain.

He picked up his pen, made a light stroke next to the name "Chen Jianghe," and finally placed it on the name of another disciple who was slightly less gifted but had a calm and steady temperament.

Lingmu Academy.

The abbot, Han Shuitian, is seventy-three years old this year. His hair and beard are all white, his face is thin and refined, and his moon-white Taoist robe is spotless.

He was sitting cross-legged on a futon in the quiet room, his eyes slightly closed, his breathing long and even, as if all the disturbances of the outside world were irrelevant to him.

The roster lay quietly on the low table in front of me, not a single page turned.

A young female disciple tiptoed in and whispered, "Master, the other four academies have all selected their disciples. The Golden Pivot Academy has taken six people, including Zhao Mingxuan; the Cangming Academy has taken five people, including Shen Qingyan; the Yanchen Academy has taken four people; and the Houtu Academy has taken three people—only Chen Jianghe and Lin Yan have not been selected by any academy."

Han Shuitian didn't even lift his eyelids, only saying indifferently, "I understand."

The female disciple hesitated for a moment, then said, "That Chen Jianghe—after all, is a disciple of Uncle Li Chengyue. If none of the Five Academies accept him, I'm afraid—"

"What's there to be afraid of?" Han Shuitian slowly opened his eyes, his weathered gaze calm and undisturbed. "The sect rules don't stipulate that inner sect candidates must enter the Five Academies. Those who don't enter the Five Academies can still be inner sect disciples and can still earn cultivation resources on their own. The path is not closed."

The female disciple lowered her head: "Yes."

Han Shuitian closed his eyes again and said nothing more.

In the quiet room, only the wisps of sandalwood incense and the sound of long, drawn-out breathing remained.