The draw of entering the Thirty-Three Heavens with the physical body is just too great for Zhang Chen to resist at Chongzheng Academy; if he enters there physically, it will significantly reduce many of his weaknesses.
When the mind enters the Spiritual World, many methods are restricted and unusable, such as Zhang Chen’s Blood Dao Skill.
If the physical body can enter, it would be like when the Northern Land opened the Two Realms Passage, with everyone entering the First Heaven physically, allowing more methods to be used and greater benefits to be gained, even giving Zhang Chen the opportunity to refine the Thirty-Three Heavens.
"What are the requirements for joining Chongzheng Academy?" Zhang Chen asked.
"First, one must be outstanding in knowledge. Second, one must have enough payment for education. Third, one must be remarkably intelligent. Fourth, one must have a background. Fifth, the background must be very substantial. The Inner Academy only enrolls a limited number of disciples, and countless people from all over the world compete for those few dozen or hundred slots; the risks and intensity are imaginable. The largest requirement for joining the academy is background, followed by true talent and learning," Liu Ji replied.
Since he joined Yellow Heaven Dao, especially after gaining a certain identity and status within it, he’s come to understand and grasp the world’s major trends.
Zhang Chen hearing these words gave a bitter smile: "You know me well. What sort of background do I possess? Although I hail from the Zhang Family in Shangjing, I’ve been expelled, and even now my status as someone with a criminal record hasn’t been removed, living like a rat on the street under someone else’s identity."
"I heard the head of Chongzheng Academy is named Zhou Qiucheng. This man had a son late in his years, and his son seems to have suffered severe trauma to his soul amidst contact with the mysterious. This person seeks extraordinary herbs from all over the world to extend his son’s life and maintain his son’s vitality. If you could approach this matter, perhaps you could gain Zhou Qiucheng’s favor," Liu Ji stated.
Upon hearing Liu Ji’s words, Zhang Chen’s eyebrows raised; this wasn’t the first time he had heard of Zhou Qiucheng seeking Reishi Immortal Grass. Previously, the shopkeeper who obtained the ginseng imbued with Innate Qi from himself also wanted to sell it to Zhou Qiucheng.
While Zhang Chen and Liu Ji were discussing Zhou Qiucheng, little did they know that Zhou Qiucheng was also discussing Zhang Chen within Chongzheng Academy.
In the backyard of the academy, within an ancient courtyard, stood a scholar of about fifty years in luxurious clothing, with hair meticulously combed, standing silently beneath a tree gazing at the osmanthus above.
There was a mystical ambiance swirling around the man, indicating that he had already stepped into the realm of the Yin Spirit, and had traveled quite a distance within that realm.
Before long, urgent footsteps could be heard; a middle-aged steward quickly approached the man and kneeled at his feet, his voice filled with fervor: "Master, the two newly acquired ginsengs have miraculous effects, the young master’s damaged soul seems to be temporarily halted, and at least for half a month, it will not continue to worsen. If such ginseng can be continuously acquired, the young master might have hope in recovering from his injuries."
Zhou Qiucheng’s eyes gleamed at these words: "Is this true?"
"Checked by the doctors, there is absolutely no error," the steward respectfully replied.
"Strange! In the past, we have acquired much ginseng, even millennium ginseng, yet they only provide three to five days’, at most, relief. What is it about today’s ginseng that it has such miraculous effects? Are you perhaps comforting me?" Zhou Qiucheng queried once again, his voice now tinged with awe.
Hearing Zhou Qiucheng’s words, the steward quickly replied: "In response, Master, the doctor said the ginsengs were somewhat different from ordinary ginseng. Although the age is but a hundred years, it contains an unprecedented force within."
Zhou Qiucheng, upon hearing this, cast a glance at the steward and quickly walked towards the sick room, where he saw an elderly doctor with white hair holding a tray, examining a ginseng root.
Zhou Qiucheng swiftly approached the bedside, and saw lying upon it a young master around fourteen or fifteen years old, frail to the point of skin and bones, his face ashen looking like a life-sized skeleton lying on the bed.
Zhou Qiucheng observed closely for a while, then took the ’skeleton’ by the pulse before showing a flash of excitement in his eyes: "Doctor Liu..."
The elderly doctor knew what Zhou Qiucheng meant to say, now twiddling a root as he replied: "This ginseng is very special! If we could gather hundreds of roots, there might be hope of stabilizing the young master’s condition. If a thousand could be gained, there might be hope in reversing the situation. Unfortunately, the ginseng has already been used up, and the young master’s condition can only be temporarily paused for a few days."
"A place where such an extraordinary ginseng can grow is certainly not ordinary," Zhou Qiucheng, being a learned man, naturally possesses that insight.
"If the location of the ginseng could be found, cultivating it later on might not be impossible." Doctor Liu suggested.
"Chen Qi!" Zhou Qiucheng called to the outside of the room.
The head steward quickly appeared at the door, respectfully greeting, "Master."
"Where did these ginseng roots come from?" Zhou Qiucheng inquired.
"These ginseng were acquired from Shangjia Medical Clinic." Chen Qi, a head steward not an ordinary person, had done his homework in advance particularly when it concerned matters of the young master, daring not to take chances. Upon hearing the master’s query, he respectfully responded.
"Please summon the shopkeeper." Zhou Qiucheng ordered.
Soon enough, the owner of Shangjia Medical Clinic along with stewards Wang Chong and Wang Dan came before Zhou Qiucheng, bowing in reverence.
Zhou Qiucheng stopped them from saluting and turned his gaze toward the medicine shopkeeper: "Where did you acquire these ginseng roots?"
After a round of discussion, Zhou Qiucheng furrowed his brows, looking at Wang Chong and Wang Dan with anxious expressions: "Are you saying this ginseng was acquired by chance? And you don’t know the whereabouts of the person who sold it?"
Wang Dan nodded nervously: "Please forgive me, sir. I truly don’t know."
Then, seeing Zhou Qiucheng’s face turn increasingly somber, filled with disappointment, Wang Dan suddenly had a flash of insight: "However, I do know that the fellow had a northern accent, not a local."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiucheng seemed pensive, his expression lightening slightly: "In the end, this is a lead, significantly narrowing down the target. There are only very few people from the Northern Land in Jinling City; we just need to find them all to have a target. As long as the person is still within Jinling City, I can find him. My greatest fear now is that the person is just a passerby, temporarily passing through Jinling City, then vanishing without a trace. Trying to find a trace like that is truly like searching for a needle in a haystack."
Zhou Qiucheng, being the local tyrant, wouldn’t find it difficult to track down an outsider. As long as the person hasn’t left Jinling, he’ll have ways to flush them out.
"Do you still remember their appearance?" Zhou Qiucheng asked again.
"It’s been too long; I can’t quite remember." Wang Dan, saying this, turned to look at Wang Chong, who said with a bitter smile: "It’s been several days; how could I remember clearly?"
"Try to recall any distinguishing features; I’ll record them to expedite the search. If you can help create an image of them based on your description, it would be greatly beneficial, and I’ll reward you generously," Zhou Qiucheng said.
After speaking, Zhou Qiucheng began arranging the reward, determined to find that vital clue.
At this moment, Steward Chen Qi looked at Zhou Qiucheng, busy drawing, and tentatively asked: "Sir, if we find him, how should we handle it?"
Chen Qi’s inquiry was subtle, asking whether they should seize and imprison the person directly, or invite them respectfully.
"You should know my principles; do I need to teach you such things?" Zhou Qiucheng reprimanded, his face darkening.
Chen Qi quickly apologized and then withdrew to arrange everything.
Meanwhile, Zhang Chen and Liu Ji were discussing Zhou Qiucheng’s matters, and upon hearing Liu Ji’s words, Zhang Chen felt troubled, uncertain about how to join the Academy.
"Could I use the Shen Family’s influence? The Shen Family are local dignitaries, a top-notch wealthy family. If they speak up, could I enter Chongzheng Academy directly? The Shen Family lost my mother’s legacy; compensating me with an Academy entry spot shouldn’t be too much, right?" Zhang Chen’s mind was calculating rapidly.
At this moment, Liu Ji stood up: "I must leave now. Be careful; don’t let Yellow Heaven Dao’s spies see you. If you need anything, come find me at this address."
As he spoke, Liu Ji took a note from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen nodded, accepting the note and carefully storing it, then gazed silently at the bustling street.
"Chongzheng Academy... Chongzheng Academy..." Zhang Chen sat by the window, pondering his future actions and plans.
"The most important thing for me is to gather experience points first. With Yellow Heaven Dao appearing in Jinling City, it won’t be long before they preach. Then, it’ll be a good time for me to steal incense." Zhang Chen’s thoughts flowed.
For him, focusing on the Authority of Wood Element was the primary goal.
Joining Chongzheng Academy was secondary, but if he could, he might encounter some mysteries and develop new skills.
As Zhang Chen contemplated various ideas, noon approached, and after enjoying a hearty meal, he stood up and walked towards the Shen Family.
Upon returning to the Shen Family, just at the gate, he coincidentally met Shen Qiu.
The two had crossed paths at the Shen Family several times but had never spoken.
As Zhang Chen was about to step into the courtyard, Shen Qiu’s light steps blocked his path.
After exchanging a glance with Shen Qiu, Zhang Chen moved aside, yet Shen Qiu once again stepped forward to block his way.
"Why is Cousin blocking my path?" Zhang Chen stood still, looking at Shen Qiu with questioning eyes.
"If I were you, I’d leave the Shen Family quickly to avoid unnecessary trouble." Shen Qiu spoke coldly.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen glanced at Shen Qiu. Does this guy harbor deep hostility against him?
"I heard you have connections with Jiang Nan? You’d better stay away from her, don’t meet her anymore, or else I’ll break your legs," Shen Qiu’s voice was sharp, filled with murderous intent.