Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint-Chapter 100 - 87: Cyan Wood (3)

He did not tell Chen Qing to rise, merely raising a hand slightly.

A disciple at his side immediately stepped forward, respectfully took the Jade Box from Chen Qing’s hands, and presented it to Li Baichuan.

Li Baichuan opened the Jade Box. He extended a finger, gently prodded the Life-restoring Grass within, and gave a slight nod.

"I accept this gesture."

Li Baichuan closed the Jade Box and casually placed it on the low table beside him. Only then did he truly look at Chen Qing. "You are Chen Qing, correct? Four Root Bone Forms, reached Transmutation Force at eighteen, and achieved Perfection in the entry-level Fist Technique... Hmm, for a disciple from a Humble Family, you possess some determination and aptitude."

Chen Qing’s heart tightened. He knew the crucial moment had arrived.

Maintaining his bow, he said in a deep voice, "My heart is set on the path of Martial Arts. I implore you, Dean, to accept me as your disciple. I will surely cultivate diligently and not disappoint your tutelage."

Li Baichuan stroked his white beard, a profound, inscrutable smile on his face. "No hurry, no hurry. This old man has observed your features. Your forehead is full, and though your chin is not perfectly rounded, it is firm and square. There is a hidden tenacity between your brows—these are the signs of one who will achieve great things. What’s more, the herbal Spiritual Medicine you’ve presented today, well, it resonates with my Cyan Wood Institute’s principle of ’Everlasting Life.’ There is a certain serendipitous connection here."

He paused, his gaze seemingly piercing right through Chen Qing. "I have studied the Yellow Emperor’s Skill for many years, and seeing you today has piqued my interest. Come, hold out your hand."

Not understanding why, Chen Qing extended his right hand.

Li Baichuan did not touch him. Instead, from about a foot away, he began to mutter, as if performing a divination.

A moment later, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He clapped his hands and laughed, "Marvelous! Simply marvelous!"

"Dean?" Chen Qing was starting to feel unnerved by his behavior.

"Haha, lad, do you know that you have an extraordinary Fate Plate?"

Li Baichuan seemed to be in high spirits. "I just performed a divination for you. The hexagram reveals that though your path may be fraught with hardship, you are like a hidden dragon in the abyss, destined to one day soar. The element of ’wood,’ in particular, will be of great benefit to you! The name of this hexagram is ’Golden Scale Welcomes Spring,’ which aligns perfectly with my Cyan Wood’s path to eternal life! An excellent hexagram, truly excellent! It seems your joining my Cyan Wood Institute is the will of Heaven itself!"

Chen Qing was completely stunned by what he was hearing.

This sudden praise and the mystical talk of his destiny left him unsure how to react.

But the man was, after all, the Dean of the Cyan Wood Institute, and he seemed willing to accept him. Suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, Chen Qing could only play along. "Thank you for your auspicious words, Dean! I am humbled and wish to follow you to cultivate the great path of eternal life."

"Mm, it is good that you have such resolve."

Li Baichuan nodded in satisfaction, his smile growing even warmer. "Such a fine talent, a piece of uncut jade, and with such a favorable hexagram... joining my Cyan Wood Institute will be mutually beneficial. I shall make an exception today and accept you."

Chen Qing’s heart stirred, and he was just about to bow in thanks.

But then Li Baichuan’s tone shifted, becoming matter-of-fact. "However... for me to read your fate and interpret your hexagram, I had to expend my Heart and Spirit. Furthermore, by revealing the opportunities in your destiny, I have committed an act of leaking heaven’s secrets, which is a minor hindrance to my own Cultivation. According to the rules, this Divination Fee... must be calculated separately."

A fresh sense of foreboding washed over Chen Qing. He asked cautiously, "May I ask... Dean, how much is this Divination Fee?"

Li Baichuan held up five fingers and said slowly, "Considering your sincerity and the gift of medicine you presented earlier, I will only charge you the cost price. Five hundred taels of silver. How does that sound?"

Five hundred taels!

Chen Qing’s brow furrowed. He only had a little over a thousand taels in silver notes left in his bundle—that was his entire savings, meant for his future Cultivation and living expenses!

’This Master Li is asking for a five-hundred-tael Divination Fee right off the bat?’

’This is even more ruthless than outright robbery!’

His mind raced. Suppressing the sting of the expense, he took out the silver notes. "Master Li... please accept this."

Li Baichuan smiled as he took the Jade Box and the silver notes, then turned to the disciple beside him. "Go and bring Luo Xinyi here."

"Yes!"

The disciple nodded and quickly turned to leave.

Before long, a towering, powerfully built woman who was built like an iron pagoda walked over. She had deeply tanned skin and the sturdy frame of a bear.

"Disciple Luo Xinyi, pays respects to Master Li."

Her voice boomed like a great bell, a stark contrast to her name, ’Xinya.’

"This is a new Named Disciple, Chen Qing."

Li Baichuan introduced him lazily. "You are to take him to familiarize himself with the institute’s regulations, get him a copy of the entry-level Heart Method for the Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique, and arrange a place for him to live. Tell him all the rules."

After speaking, he closed his eyes again, as if he had completely exhausted his energy and had no further interest in Chen Qing.

"Yes."

Luo Xinyi replied, her gaze turning to Chen Qing. She looked him up and down once. "Junior Brother Chen, come with me."

Chen Qing bowed to Li Baichuan one last time, then followed Luo Xinyi out of the courtyard, which was filled with the fragrance of herbs.

Only after walking out of the courtyard gate did Chen Qing feel he could breathe a little easier.

’What bullshit Golden Scale Welcomes Spring!’

’What bullshit "will of Heaven"!’

’What bullshit "leaking heaven’s secrets"!’

He was almost certain that the whole mystical act just now was nothing but a scheme by Li Baichuan to invent excuses and bleed him dry!

Fortunately, the result was good. He had finally entered the Cyan Wood Institute.

Luo Xinyi walked ahead, speaking without turning back. "Junior Brother Chen, our Cyan Wood Institute primarily focuses on the Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique, as well as some Alchemy and Medicine, and the Hidden Weapon Poison Technique."

"The Master is obsessed with the Yellow Emperor’s Skill and spends his years in seclusion, researching divination and astrology. He very rarely guides disciples’ Cultivation personally. The disciples in the institute mainly rely on comprehending the Heart Method themselves, reading through texts, planting medicinal herbs, and assisting with Alchemy."

She spoke at a measured pace, her explanation clear and methodical.

’Comprehending on our own? Reading through texts?’

’This was exactly what Yang Zhicheng had said!’ 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

’The Cyan Wood Institute really is a place that just hands out a Heart Method and doesn’t bother with teaching—they just let you fend for yourself.’

’Li Baichuan probably only accepted him because of the tribute, just to have one more disciple on the roster.’

"The disciples’ residences are in the eastern section. You can rent a courtyard based on your own means. Within the Sect, there are well-trained maids and Stewards available for hire, as long as you have sufficient silver coins."

Luo Xinyi led Chen Qing through several medicinal herb gardens. "You’ll be given a booklet with the sect’s rules and regulations when you receive the Heart Method. Be sure to memorize it. The consequences for breaking the rules are severe. Transmutation Force Disciples receive three basic Qi Nourishing Pills on the first of every month to aid their Cultivation. Aside from that, you must cover all other expenses yourself."

As they spoke, the two arrived before a small, standalone building with a plaque that read ’Instructor Pavilion’.

Luo Xinyi motioned for Chen Qing to wait. She went inside for a moment and came out with several booklets and a Wooden Token engraved with the two characters for ’Cyan Wood’.

"This is the Hundred Herbs Scripture, the True Understanding of Alchemy Dao, the Profound Poison Manual, and the entry-level Heart Method for the Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique. This is enough for you to cultivate to the stage right before Embracing Pill Force. Remember, the Heart Method is the foundation of the Sect and must not be shared with outsiders. Violators will have their cultivation crippled and be expelled."

Luo Xinyi handed the booklets and the Wooden Token to Chen Qing, her tone serious. "The Wooden Token is your proof of identity. With it, you can enter and exit the non-restricted areas of the institute, receive Elixirs, and accept missions. You can also use this token to register for a residence at the Affairs Department."

’As expected, it’s basically impossible to get a complete Heart Method right away.’

Next, Luo Xinyi briefly explained the main points of the entry-level section.

From her explanation, Chen Qing learned that he would reach the Embracing Pill Force realm as long as he mastered the first layer of the Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique.

Chen Qing nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister. I will remember it."

Luo Xinyi nodded. "Don’t mention it. Cultivation in the Cyan Wood Institute values self-discipline. The Master often says that both the Alchemy Path and the path of Martial Arts are like rowing a boat upstream; if you don’t advance, you fall behind. If you feel you can’t adapt, you can always apply to withdraw from the Inner Courtyard and serve in the Outer Courtyard instead."

"If there’s nothing else, go get settled."

Her words were brief, carrying a detached indifference that made it clear she had little interest in paying extra attention to or giving pointers to a new disciple.

....