Chapter 779 - 235: [Seeking Help] (6200)
Chapter 235 [Plea for Help] (6200)
That evening, the disciples gathered in the Outer Sect once again before heading to the lecture hall. It’s said that an elder from the sect would be explaining the "Tao" of the sect’s Saint.
Considering the timeline, a quarter of the selection period for the outer sect preparatory disciples has already passed. These days, the lectures on our sect’s Saint’s "Tao" have become the main coursework in daily cultivation.
Chen Yan hadn’t participated much before but had heard from other disciples in the courtyard.
Some disciples were delighted upon hearing the teachings, while others were sullen. Apparently, the "Tao" of the founder Saint of the Celestial Demon Yin Yang Joyful Sect might not fit them, and with daily cultivation, they only felt difficulty and discord with their spirits.
However, since they wished to join the sect, the teachings of the founder Saint are the sect’s ultimate doctrine. The lectures and teachings aim to select those with good comprehension on one hand, and more importantly, to find seedlings most suitable for the sect — suitability even more than innate talent.
Visibly, the preparatory disciples in the outer sect have begun to feel the pressure, with more than thirty individuals displaying varied performances and attitudes, resembling the hundred forms of worldly life.
For those whose cultivation has been smooth in recent days, they were evidently smug, speaking louder during casual chats.
However, some were disheartened, becoming more gloomy, speaking less, and often retreating to corners during others’ high talks, silent and increasingly solitary.
Chen Yan stayed in his room until evening, putting away the Token given by Nangong Sheng, and only when the evening meal arrived did he step out into the courtyard.
At this moment, several preparatory disciples in the courtyard were fervently discussing the Venerable Saint’s cultivation theories learned today, exchanging insights with a subtle hint of boasting, while numerous onlookers cast envious glances.
To Chen Yan, it was like in the real world, after final exams in school, a group of top students comparing answers while lower-performing students could only watch in frustration — that kind of vibe.
Those eloquent speakers noticed Chen Yan stepping out, and although they politely cupped their hands in salute, the respect in their expression and tone had evidently diminished.
Unlike a few days ago when Chen Yan first arrived, everyone speculated about his background, assuming he was a promising candidate predetermined to pass the sect’s assessments. At that time, people treated him with awe-filled courtesy.
Now, these "top students" had grasped their studies well the past few days and were praised by the teaching elder, so they were quite pleased with themselves, thinking it was only a matter of time before they became outer sect disciples — then, with someone named Zhao Shanhe, they would merely be fellow disciples, without needing to be overly respectful.
Chen Yan wasn’t concerned about this change in attitude; he was about to return to his room with his meal when he suddenly saw a disciple quickly approach, blocking his path.
Looking up, it was a plain-looking face, and Chen Yan immediately recognized it as the person who, a few days ago, when listening to the Enlightenment Bell, was the first to open his eyes, unable to enter the state of enlightenment.
Having not noticed this person for a few days, he now appeared exhausted, with eyes full of despondency, as if the words "at a loss" were written all over his face.
Chen Yan frowned slightly, his tone calm as he softly said, "Is something the matter?"
"...There are some matters I’d like to seek guidance from Fellow Daoist." The person mumbled lowly, then bent low in a respectful bow to Chen Yan: "I hope Fellow Daoist can..."
"I haven’t attended the lectures these days; if you don’t understand the recent lessons, you might as well ask those who’ve learned well. I probably can’t help you." Chen Yan calmly shook his head and declined.
The person looked disheartened and pitiful — but Chen Yan wasn’t a saint.
The person’s face turned pale, seeing Chen Yan about to leave, they quickly said, "I-I’m not asking about recent lessons, but I have other things I’d like to consult Fellow Daoist about."
Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, looked at the person, pondered slightly: "It’s more of a consultation, we share the same courtyard, and my cultivation isn’t high; I’m afraid I can’t guide you."
The person’s eyes showed a hint of pleading, glancing around to see curious and puzzled onlookers, they whispered, "Fellow Daoist, it’ll only take a little of your time... Hm, this isn’t the right place to talk, might we discuss it in my room?"
Chen Yan stared at the person, seeing a trace of craving humility in their eyes.
"... Alright, let’s go to my room." Chen Yan sighed.
Upon hearing this, the person was overjoyed, nodding repeatedly, and carefully following Chen Yan back to his room.
Once inside Chen Yan’s room, and with the door just closed, the person quickly took something out from their sleeve — a fiery red metallic disc — placed it on the ground, instantly releasing a wave of Primordial Qi to envelope the room.
"This is a Magical Artifact I personally forged, it blocks out sound, so no one outside can hear our conversation." the person swiftly explained, saluting Chen Yan, and before Chen Yan could respond, they suddenly knelt down with a thud in front of Chen Yan.