In the main room of the Gu Family home, the former matchmaker, Auntie Chen, sat in the head seat, her posture imposing.
Gu Chang and his mother sat to the side, acting more like guests.
"Let me make this clear from the start, the matter with Miss Sun isn't over yet!" Auntie Chen glanced at Gu Chang, her voice slightly sharp. "For your son, I've offended the Sun Family!"
"Yes! Yes!" Before Gu Chang could speak, Gu's mother replied with a forced smile, "He was ignorant last time, but this time, we'll have to trouble Auntie Chen to take care of him!"
Auntie Chen glanced at Gu Chang, a half-smile on her face, "You were ignorant last time, but you're so sensible this time?"
"Sensible! Of course he's sensible!" Gu's mother said repeatedly, and even reached out a hand to tug at Gu Chang's sleeve.
Gu Chang raised his eyes, glanced at Auntie Chen, and felt a tightness in his chest.
But seeing his mother's anxious and pleading eyes, his heart softened suddenly. He lowered his gaze and whispered, "I offended you before, Auntie. It won't happen again."
Mrs. Gu said happily, "Auntie, I told you he's become sensible! This time, I still want to ask you to find him a good one, someone with good qualities, and most importantly, a good personality, someone who can take care of people."
Gu Chang breathed a sigh of relief.
If he really wanted to find a wife, there was no shortage of candidates on Paradise Island:
Ultimately, he was also a disciple of the Nine Mountains Sect. It wouldn't be difficult for him to find a woman from an ordinary background who couldn't join the Nine Mountains Sect; he'd have plenty to choose from.
But his mother always wanted to find him someone better. He said he didn't care about qualifications or family background, but his mother didn't want that. She felt that marriage was a big deal and only wanted a perfect match in all aspects.
That's why I had to ask Aunt Chen for help again.
Aunt Chen has a nephew who is now also in the Nine Mountains Sect. He has good talent and seems to have already reached the Foundation Establishment.
Therefore, she also had some dealings with some cultivation Lineage, and her matchmaking business was high-end, so many people came to her for help.
Seeing Auntie Chen's condescending attitude and his mother's flattering smile, he naturally felt a bit angry.
But he noticed that his mother had a few more gray hairs on her head, and her face looked even older than it had a few years ago.
For a moment, he felt as if all the pride and backbone in his body had been drained away.
Gu Chang knew that his aged appearance was due to his life-risking research over the past few years, which had worried his mother.
Every time he coughs up blood, his mother has another sleepless night.
I failed to fulfill my filial duties in the past, and I don't know how much time I have left...
Compared to this, what do principles or pride matter?
Let's just go along with her.
"It's not that I didn't try my best," Aunt Chen said, her face full of excuses and still putting on airs. "It's no secret that he turned down Miss Sun's marriage last time. People outside are even saying that your Gu Chang is too arrogant and not a good match."
"Does the Sun Family still hold a grudge?"
"Holding a grudge? You're overthinking it! They don't even remember Gu Chang's name!" Aunt Chen sneered. " Paradise Island is such a small place. Who doesn't know who?"
Upon hearing this, Gu's mother's tone became even more humble. "Then I'll have to trouble Aunt Chen to do the work."
"I was just being soft-hearted, for the sake of our old neighborhood..." Auntie Chen looked at Gu Chang and asked, "So, how many Merit have you accumulated?"
"Without..."
"No?" Auntie Chen raised her voice again, "Not even a little bit?"
Mother Gu quickly explained, "My son is devoted to cultivation and research, so the expenses are quite high."
"Research? Him?" Auntie Chen pointed at Gu Chang, her mockery growing even stronger. "His cultivation level? His aptitude? Research?"
Gu Chang suddenly looked up and glanced at Auntie Chen.
Auntie Chen shrank back, seemingly startled by his gaze, then straightened her chest and said coldly:
"What, you want to hit me? This is the Nine Mountains Realm! And I didn't come here because I wanted to; your mother invited me!"
"Although I have no cultivation, I know many disciples of the Nine Mountains! I've heard about their research! Who would do research at your level? Don't you even look in the mirror!"
"It's not that I look down on anyone, but your reputation for wishful thinking has spread throughout the neighborhood. Any family with a bit of sense would ask around and find out who would dare marry their good daughter into your family."
Gu Chang pursed his lips and remained silent. Gu's mother continued, "He's not just indulging in wishful thinking. He even passed the inner sect exam and participated in the Sect Leader's interview."
"That might fool others, but it won't fool me," Auntie Chen said coldly. "My nephew has been at the Foundation Establishment for two years, and he also feels the interview competition is too fierce, so he can't get into the inner sect."
"Today is the day the results of the inner sect exams are released, but he's staying at home and hasn't even looked at them. Don't you know whether your son's name is on the list?"
These words left Gu's mother speechless. She lowered her head, unsure how to speak up for her son.
The results of the inner disciple admissions have indeed been released.
On University Island, a light screen three zhang high and five zhang wide lit up in front of the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation.
"There's movement!"
Thousands of disciples stood shoulder to shoulder, crowding around the light screen.
Mu Qingyan didn't step forward. Beside her, her senior sister, who had come from the Azure Wood Sect with her, smiled and said, " Qingyan, aren't you in a hurry?"
"You can see it here too."
Mu Qingyan said calmly.
"You're absolutely certain, aren't you?"
Mu Qingyan smiled, her expression full of confidence.
In terms of talent, effort, and learning, she doesn't feel inferior to others.
Her cultivation level was lower than some of her competitors, not because she was lazy, but because she participated in too many sect projects, which delayed her cultivation time.
But those projects were by no means a hindrance; on the contrary, she knew that in the Sect Leader's eyes, they were all positive assets.
Not to mention the various experiences she has accumulated and the valuable knowledge she has learned.
She could even see that when the Sect Leader asked her questions, he was more interested in academics and didn't seem to value her cultivation level.
During the interview, the Sect Leader's eyes were full of satisfaction when he looked at her.
Before the interview, she had little experience and was a little nervous.
After the interview, she seemed relieved, as if she had been given a mental boost.
Seeing her like this, the senior sister became even more curious and whispered, "You... have inside information?"
Mu Qingyan shook her head, her tone firm. "Senior sister, I simply have confidence in my efforts over the past few years."
" Qingyan, you're amazing!"
Seeing her so determined, the senior sister was even more delighted, playfully wrapping her arm around Mu Qingyan's and swinging it back and forth, saying, "I'm counting on you from now on!"
"They're out!"
The names on the light screen were arranged in about ten columns from top to bottom.
The first row of each column contains the name of the tutor.
Below that is the list of disciples who were admitted this time.
Some mentors admit a dozen or even twenty inner disciple.
Some disciples are few...
" Qingyan! I saw your name!"
The senior sister beside her jumped up and down and shouted, but Mu Qingyan didn't move and just stared blankly at the light screen.
"Huh? Who is this Gu Chang? How come his name is above yours?"
"I'm puzzled," my senior sister asked.
Mu Qingyan didn't speak, but also looked at the two characters "Gu Chang" on the screen.
"Didn't they say the Sect Leader only wanted to accept one disciple this time? How come there are two? Was there an exception?" Senior Sister was still scratching her head in confusion. "Is this Gu Chang very powerful? How come I've never heard of him?"
"Not impressive..." Mu Qingyan finally came to her senses, "Not impressive at all."
No one in Gu Chang's family knew that he was on the list.
Mother Gu continued to smile apologetically, Gu Chang remained silent, only Auntie Chen maintained her composure.
" Gu Chang!"
Suddenly a loud shout came from the doorway. Gu Chang looked up and saw one of his colleagues, also a disciple of the Nine Mountains, who was now teaching with him on Paradise Island.
Despite being a cultivator himself, this colleague seemed to be out of breath from running, his face flushed, whether from exhaustion or excitement, it was hard to tell.
Why are you still here?
"What?"
Gu Chang stood up, looking bewildered.
Inside the house, Gu's mother and Auntie Chen also stopped talking and looked at the disciple at the door.
"The results are out! They were released today, didn't you know?"
"I know."
"Are you at home?"
"..."
"... You've been accepted!"
The main room was utterly silent for a moment.
"Admission? What admission?"
" Sect Leader's disciple! You!"
Gu Chang stared blankly into the void, seemingly dumbfounded, or perhaps in disbelief.
The colleague seemed anxious, grabbed Gu Chang's arm, and rushed towards the door. "I'll take you to see!"
He watched their backs as he rushed out the door.
Mother Gu and Auntie Chen were still in a daze, and it took them a long time to come to their senses.
"I... I'll definitely find a wonderful wife for your Qilin!"
"..."
I will definitely do my best.
"My son, Gu Chang, isn't delusional!" Gu's mother suddenly stood up, staring at Auntie Chen. "No!"
Gu Chang being pulled along, his mind elsewhere, stumbling and almost crawling, until they finally arrived at University Island.
His name was indeed displayed on the screen of light!
Gu Chang stood in front of the light screen, looking up, and unknowingly two lines of tears fell.
"Junior brother, I didn't pass the exam either. It's okay if we try again next time."
A disciple standing nearby, seeing him crying so bitterly, couldn't bear it and offered words of comfort.
"Who said he didn't go?" his colleague retorted, pointing at the screen and shouting, "See that? Gu Chang! Gu Chang is him!"
The disciple was taken aback, looked up and carefully examined the light screen, then looked at Gu Chang, lost in thought—if even the Sect Leader's disciple is crying like this, am I supposed to go and kill myself?
" Gu Chang?"
Gu Chang's colleague's words also reached the ears of others.
A surprised exclamation arose from the crowd, followed by a group of people rushing over.
There were about ten people in the group, some old and some young, who ran side by side to Gu Chang, looking menacing.
Gu Chang, with tears in his eyes, was also startled for a moment.
"Young Master Gu!" asked the middle-aged man at the front, "Are you married?"
Gu Chang shook his head blankly.
The man immediately laughed, "I have a daughter who is intelligent, virtuous, and possesses Three-Spirit Root; she is a perfect match for me!"
Gu Chang was stunned.
" Three-Spirit Root? My daughter Dual-Spirit Root!"
"Your daughter fails her Talisman Arts every year; she's an idiot!"
"Your daughter is ugly!"
The group split into two groups and started arguing in front of Gu Chang.
Gu Chang was even more frightened and tried to leave, but he was surrounded by these people and had nowhere to go.
As they argued, the two groups even started... fighting over Gu Chang.
"It's going to be torn to shreds!"
Clutching his pants, Gu Chang's face contorted with embarrassment, his eyes reddening at the thought of becoming the first naked disciple of the Sect Leader.
A gust of wind swept around him, carrying him through the crowd.
Once the wind carried Gu Chang to the ground, he escaped with his life. In the blink of an eye, he saw Mu Qingyan standing to the side.
"Senior Sister?" Upon seeing a familiar face, Gu Chang was overjoyed and bowed, saying, "Thank you for saving me, Senior Sister."
Mu Qingyan looked at Gu Chang with a strange expression, and only spoke after a long while:
You should call me junior sister.
"Ah?"
My name is below yours.
Gu Chang understood. There was an explanation on the light screen: the list of disciples announced this time was based on the order in which they entered the sect.
Gu Chang saw this junior sister again in the Sect Leader's courtyard.
He stood beside Mu Qingyan, somewhat hesitant and Great Freedom, clearly not yet accepting his identity Sect Leader's disciple, and lacking that confidence.
"Never been here before?"
Gu Chang shook his head and whispered, "Master... you've been here?"
"Yes, I'll come often."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chang's expression immediately turned somewhat envious.
But considering the other party's qualifications and cultivation level, he understood.
I just really don't dare to call Mu Qingyan Sister...
"You've arrived?"
Zheng Fa, hurried in, glanced at the two men, nodded, and without a word, pointed to the stone benches beside them and said, "Sit down!"
The two sat down. Mu Qingyan was poised and graceful, while Gu Chang slightly hunched his shoulders.
"To make a long story short, would you two be willing to become my disciples?"
"Willing!"
Only Mu Qingyan's voice could be heard.
Gu Chang remained silent.
" Gu Chang?"
Zheng Fa and Mu Qingyan both turned to look at him.
" Sect Leader... why did you accept me?" Gu Chang whispered, "With my current aptitude, even cultivation is difficult; I've long since lost the chance to reach Foundation Establishment."
Upon hearing this, Mu Qingyan's eyes widened in astonishment, but Zheng Fa's expression remained one of only sighing.
Gu Chang's human experiments are both simple and complex.
For example, if he has Four-Spirit Root —metal, wood, water, and earth—he would deliberately destroy a portion of his Wood Element nerve... because as his wood Spirit Root decreases, the proportion of the other three Spirit Root increases, and he becomes Three-Spirit Root.
By observing the speed and proportion of Spiritual Qi he absorbs, he can obtain a relatively rough experimental result.
The problem is that Spirit Root only represent a certain percentage of Spiritual Qi that can be converted, and Gu Chang's approach significantly reduces the total amount of Spiritual Qi he absorbs.
Although there are healing spirit medicine, nerve growth, especially the regrowth of specific structures, is not so simple.
After several experiments, Gu Chang's ability to absorb Spiritual Qi is now negligible—he can practically be described as having a useless Dao Body, a unique case of No-Spirit Root.
Furthermore, because the nerves are extremely delicate and affect the entire body, Gu Chang's body is now riddled with holes and has many hidden dangers.
This is also why Senior Sister Zhang said he was ruined and might not live much longer.
He also wrote about this in his paper, which is why he was puzzled.
"You don't want to?"
"If I could cultivate, I would naturally be willing a thousand times, ten thousand times willing." Gu Chang's expression had lost its previous excitement, as if he had thought about it for a long time. "But I currently have no way forward... so let's not waste the sect's resources."
"So considerate of the sect?"
"Not really." Gu Chang smiled sheepishly and lowered his head, saying, " The Sect Leader must have accepted me because my thesis was worthwhile. I only ask one thing of the Sect Leader..."
"Um?"
"Finish that paper later."
That's it?
Hearing Zheng Fa's gentle tone, Gu Chang boldly made his request:
"And... and if this paper earns me Merit, could I leave it to my family after I'm gone?"
Zheng Fa remained silent for a long time, while Gu Chang's expression grew increasingly uneasy.
Just as he was becoming increasingly panicked, Zheng Fa finally spoke:
"I thought you intended to write this paper yourself."
Gu Chang stared wide-eyed at Zheng Fa.
"Your thesis only describes what Spirit Root are, but not how to modify Spirit Root..." Zheng Fa looked at Gu Chang and asked, "Don't you want to continue your research?"
"Think!"
"Now that your nerves are damaged, isn't it a perfect opportunity for you to forge your own path?"
Gu Chang stood there, staring at Zheng Fa with bright eyes.
Gu Chang.
Zheng Fa suddenly called out his name.
"Exist."
When I gave you the book " The Immortal Way," I told you that knowledge changes destiny. Do you remember?
"This disciple has always kept it in mind."
"Now that you have knowledge, why should you succumb to fate?"
Gu Chang's lips trembled, he lowered his head, and whispered, "With a disciple like me, I'm afraid you'll embarrass your sect Sect Leader in the future."
"You're not afraid of death, so why would I be afraid to take on a disciple?"
Gu Chang remained silent.
Zheng Fa continued, "A master chooses his disciple, and a disciple chooses his master... Gu Chang, are you unwilling to become my disciple?"
"Of course I'm willing! I'm only worried about letting you down, Sect Leader."
Gu Chang hurriedly called out.
"The matter of Spirit Root affects every cultivator at the Xuanwei, so why should I hesitate to use some spiritual materials and pills?" Seeing that Gu Chang still looked unsure, Zheng Fa added, "Besides, how can we judge this matter by victory or defeat?"
"I'm certainly happy that you've succeeded."
"You may not be up to par, but having a disciple like you would be an honor I could never have imagined."
Gu Chang's knees slammed heavily to the ground, and he choked out:
"... Master!"
"Alright, get up. Kneeling is not customary in the Nine Mountains Sect."
After Gu Chang up, Zheng Fa turned his gaze to Mu Qingyan, who had remained silent to the side.
" Qingyan, why aren't you going to become my disciple?"
Mu Qingyan lightly cupped her hands and smiled at Zheng Fa, saying, "Master!"
Compared to Gu Chang, she was much more familiar with Zheng Fa and much more confident.
She even dared to complain, "Master... can I be the senior sister?"
Gu Chang's expression froze for a moment, then he said weakly, "I'm willing to be your junior brother."
Zheng Fa looked at Mu Qingyan and couldn't help but smile.
Regardless of what cultivation method is used for, Gu Chang's age at entering the Dao is indeed not as old as Mu Qingyan's.
If we take her past life's experiences into account, it's perfectly normal for her to feel awkward having an extra young man as her senior brother.
"... Qingyan, I want to give you a task."
"What?"
"I'm a bit busy. Your senior brother has so much to learn, I'd like you to teach him."
Mu Qingyan stared at Zheng Fa with her mouth agape. "Me, a junior sister, teaching a senior brother?"
Given her temperament, she now had an expression as if Zheng Fa was talking nonsense.
"You know I only planned to take on one apprentice, but your senior brother's situation is special."
"..."
"Yes, you're the second one. If it weren't for your senior brother... you could still make it in five years."
Mu Qingyan looked at Zheng Fa, then at Gu Chang, whose expression was unnatural, and couldn't help but look dazed.
"You should thank your senior brother; you must teach him well."
"Yes!"
Zheng Fa was pleased to see that she had agreed.
His supervisor is too busy, so let's find another ox or horse to manage him...
Mu Qingyan, a cultivator who is essentially at the Nascent Soul, wouldn't she be an excellent little mentor?
Nursing Home.
"What are you doing...?"
Looking at the stacks of documents in Zheng Fa's hand, Old Man Bai asked in surprise.
"Half a paper, one case study."
(End of this chapter)