An Old Friend Reunited

The Baiyang Academy.

Du Mei led Ouyang Xiuyah along a not particularly wide blue-stone path. At the end, they arrived at a courtyard surrounded by countless flowers.

With so many flowers crowding around it, Ouyang Xiuyah studied the courtyard carefully for a while and still couldn't make out the color of its walls.

"...The master-grandfather likes peace and quiet. Everyone knows what he's like, so generally, unless there's something important, nobody comes to bother him."

Du Mei offered an explanation, then added with a cheeky grin:

"Don't worry. Even if the master-grandfather doesn't approve of you, not many people will hear about it. That'll save you the embarrassment."

Ouyang Xiuyah shot her friend a look. Her expression didn't change as she replied bluntly:

"If you could become a disciple of the shaman, then so can I."

She sounded quite confident.

"Uh..." Du Mei froze for a moment. After a few seconds of thought, she finally figured out what Ouyang Xiuyah meant.

You, Du Mei, are a washout with even less talent for crafting artifacts than I have, yet you became Wuyuanjia's disciple. I'm more capable than you, so of course I can succeed in becoming his student.

She'd just been looked down on.

Phew... Du Mei discreetly let out a breath. She'd nearly lost her smile, and had no interest in continuing the conversation. She walked up the stone steps and started knocking.

Knock, knock! Knock, knock!

Knock, knock! Knock, knock!

A series of low, muffled thuds sounded from within.

"Who is it?"

A moment later, a clear male voice enveloped Du Mei and Ouyang Xiuyah.

At the sound of it, Du Mei's expression turned serious. Without hesitation, she called out loudly:

"Master-grandfather, it's me, Du Mei!"

As soon as she spoke, the gate creaked open by itself. The clear