By the time Zhao Ya returned to his small courtyard, it was already daylight.
Zhao Ya tidied himself up a bit and was about to go out for a meal, when Gui Xuanqing happened to come.
"Senior Brother, we have class at the Martial Arts Hall again today. Let’s hurry and get breakfast so we can get there early."
"Alright!"
On the way to the dining hall, Gui Xuanqing excitedly chattered away.
"Senior Brother, I feel like my martial arts have improved greatly these past few days, at least I’m not as clueless as I was at the beginning."
"Is that so? Then congratulations." Zhao Ya said with a smile.
"What you said was really true, if you can’t beat them, join them. Now I finally understand, there’s no free money in this world." Gui Xuanqing lamented.
Since being harshly slapped by reality on the first day of class, Gui Xuanqing quickly wised up. After some thought, he paid a large sum of money, gaining him the privilege of special attention.
As he put it, during these special sessions, Xia Jiye’s attitude was totally different; not only did it feel like a refreshing spring breeze, but he was also extremely patient. Any questions could be raised at any time, and he would give detailed answers.
It was precisely through this method that Gui Xuanqing’s hand-to-hand combat and practical skills could show evident progress in just a month’s time.
"Yeah, there’s truly no free money." Zhao Ya agreed.
"Senior Brother, why don’t I pay for your special sessions too? You can pay me back when you have the money later." Gui Xuanqing suggested once more.
In his view, since he and Zhao Ya joined the Azure Dragon Temple at the same time, they should help each other.
Especially since this was a matter concerning one’s own cultivation, it couldn’t be taken lightly.
Although Zhao Ya’s abilities were strong enough to barely keep up even with Xia Jiye’s rote teaching style, it was definitely not as effective as special sessions.
If this continued long-term, he would fall further and further behind.
Therefore, Gui Xuanqing proposed several times to pay for Zhao Ya, but each time he was tactfully declined.
This time was no exception.
Hearing Gui Xuanqing’s offer, Zhao Ya shook his head with a smile.
"Junior Brother, I appreciate your kindness, but I really don’t want to attend special sessions. I’d rather spend that time practicing on my own."
"But Xia Jiye’s lectures are so perfunctory, how much can you understand?"
"I can understand most of it, and for the parts I truly don’t get, I just go to the library to look up information. I can always solve it."
"Alright then, if you insist, I won’t force you. But if you ever want to go, just find me anytime. My father just sent me a large amount of gold a couple of days ago, so I have nothing else—just a lot of money," Gui Xuanqing said.
Looking at Gui Xuanqing, who was seven or eight years older than him but sometimes acted like a child in his dealings, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional.
One had to admit, this guy was truly wealthy!
He spent money like it was flowing water, without a care in the world.
It’s unclear what kind of business his family was in to be so well-off.
After hastily finishing breakfast in the dining hall, the two of them headed to the Martial Arts Hall.
As soon as they walked in, many people actively greeted Gui Xuanqing.
"Junior Brother Gui is here!"
"Why did Junior Brother Xuanqing arrive so early today?"
Even those who didn’t speak had smiles on their faces. The warmth of their welcome was in stark contrast to the coldness from a month ago.
However, this kind of treatment was exclusive to Gui Xuanqing alone.
Zhao Ya, standing nearby, seemed to be completely ignored by everyone, with no one acknowledging him.
Zhao Ya didn’t mind at all, and even found it somewhat amusing.
He knew he was being isolated.
And the reason for this was probably instructed by Xia Jiye.
After all, he hadn’t shown any intention for a month, and hadn’t even voluntarily spoken a word.
This likely incurred Xia Jiye’s dissatisfaction.
Since no one paid attention to him, Zhao Ya simply found a secluded corner, sat down on a cushion, and began quietly coordinating his breathing.
Though practicing Star-Devouring True Power in such a crowded and noisy place was somewhat counterproductive, it was still better than idling.
Moreover, Zhao Ya knew that although the official start time for classes at the Transmission Hall was usually around eight or nine in the morning, Xia Jiye almost always came one or two hours late. Starting at ten would be considered early; sometimes, it even dragged on until past eleven.
Thus, Zhao Ya wasn’t in a hurry and slowly continued his cultivation.
Sure enough, after more than an hour, Xia Jiye finally arrived at the Transmission Hall.
As soon as he entered, all the disciples stood up.
Zhao Ya also stood and bowed along with the crowd.
Xia Jiye scanned the room, and when his gaze landed on Zhao Ya, his expression slightly hardened.
After a month of interactions, Xia Jiye had a deep impression of Zhao Ya.
Because among all the disciples, he was the only one who hadn’t paid tribute to him, not even a single word exchanged.
How could this not infuriate him?
Initially, he thought Zhao Ya had some backing, so he didn’t make a fuss.
But after some investigation, he found that Zhao Ya’s supposed connection with Azure Dragon Temple was merely as an insignificant outer disciple.
The grand elder hadn’t bothered with him after seeing him once when he returned, and hadn’t paid him any attention since.
As for Qin Jianji...
Being an elder at the Azure Dragon Temple, Xia Jiye wasn’t afraid of him at all.
So after the investigation was clear, Xia Jiye didn’t say anything openly, but secretly instructed the disciples to isolate Zhao Ya, not allowing anyone to interact with him, not even to speak.
He thought this would force Zhao Ya to comply, but unexpectedly, Zhao Ya remained indifferent, always with an unconcerned expression. How could Xia Jiye not be angry?
He suppressed his discontent quietly and then said coldly, "Today I will continue to lecture on how to cultivate the seed of Azure Dragon True Power."
Then he began the lecture.
As usual, he recited from the text, and he spoke very fast, as if afraid people would understand.
But this time Zhao Ya listened with great interest.
Because having the foundation of the Star-Devouring True Power Secret Manual, Zhao Ya had personal experiences in cultivating the Dantian True Power Seed.
However, Azure Dragon True Power was different, so listening to Xia Jiye’s explanation now was just right to verify against his previous methods, gaining a lot in the process.
Of course, there were inevitably parts he didn’t understand, which Zhao Ya noted down to consult with Guo Luming later.
It only took a quarter of an hour for Xia Jiye to finish the lecture in a hurried manner.
Many people looked visibly troubled.
But Xia Jiye was very satisfied with this.
Feeling difficult was correct, otherwise how else would they be willing to offer him tributary?
But when he saw Zhao Ya’s calm expression, his anger rose again, then he spoke sarcastically.
"What I have explained are the key points of our Azure Dragon Temple’s martial arts, the utmost importance, everyone must pay attention and must not treat it perfunctorily."
"Yes!" The disciples responded in unison.
But seeing Zhao Ya’s unchanged expression, Xia Jiye’s anger intensified.
"Several classes in a row have been about how to cultivate the seed of Dantian True Power. I suppose those who are mindful would often refer to the Azure Dragon Map on the cliff face, hence gaining something. Let’s do this, in ten days I will conduct a spot check to see how everyone’s Dantian True Power Seed cultivation progress is, how about it?"
As soon as he said that, the whole place was in an uproar.
Because no one knew what Xia Jiye was up to.
Previously, he would leave after lecturing, and any key or difficult points were discussed privately during special sessions.
There had never been any spot checks or assessments before.
Only a very few with sharp minds roughly guessed something, secretly casting glances towards Zhao Ya in the corner.
But Zhao Ya appeared completely unaware.
"Alright, you can practice on your own now." Xia Jiye left after speaking.
Soon many disciples followed him out.
Gui Xuanqing gave Zhao Ya a somewhat troubled look.
"Senior brother..."
"You go ahead, I happen to have something to take care of, so I won’t stay here." Zhao Ya said with a smile.
"Alright then."
Gui Xuanqing felt a heaviness in his heart.
He naturally understood the meaning behind Xia Jiye’s sudden proposal of a spot check.
What he couldn’t understand was why Zhao Ya wouldn’t lower his head.
If it was due to financial difficulties, he had already offered to pay for him, without needing repayment.
But Zhao Ya repeatedly refused.
If it was because of youthful arrogance, dissatisfaction with the world, and disdain for Xia Jiye’s ways, then why did he previously advise him to join if he couldn’t beat him?
Gui Xuanqing was baffled and could only leave helplessly.
Zhao Ya left shortly thereafter.
After attending classes for about a month, everyone’s background was already clear, so naturally, no one would stop Zhao Ya, saying that he couldn’t leave before the class ended.
In fact, even if Zhao Ya didn’t attend classes now, no one cared anymore.
With that, he left the Transmission Hall in an open manner, but instead of going to the Library, he turned his steps toward the western side of Azure Dragon Temple.
The Azure Dragon Temple was built against the mountain, facing south, with a deep abyss to the east and a mountain peak adjacent to the west.
Under the mountain peak, there was a building called the Contribution Department.
It was where Azure Dragon Temple specially issued sect missions.
When Zhao Ya arrived there, he saw three to five disciples walking out, muttering as they went.
"Now these sect missions are getting more and more trivial, either extremely difficult or boring daily tasks, with hardly any contribution points."
"Tell me about it, it’s not cleaning courtyards then it’s pulling weeds, is this something a Martial Artist should be doing?"
Amidst these complaints, the disciples left one after another.
Zhao Ya’s heart stirred a little.
It sounded... somewhat problematic.
But since he was already there, he must go in and take a look.
Zhao Ya stepped into the hall, and saw a scruffy, drunken middle-aged man sitting in a chair drinking.
On the table in front of him was a thick booklet.
Hearing footsteps, the middle-aged man didn’t even lift his head, casually tossing the booklet on the table over.
"The latest sect missions are in there, look for yourself, don’t bother me."