Inside a classroom at Qinghe Academy.
After hearing Mr. Xu out, Ren Ye felt rather bewildered and speechless. Brother Hong's family lived in Tide Dragon City, at the foot of Xingshan, and Daoist Chu had mentioned the place before. Now even Mr. Xu's final lesson would be held there. By the looks of it... he probably couldn't avoid this trip to Xingshan.
Nearby, after handing out paper and brushes, Mr. Xu provided the full service, pouring tea for his patron and himself. He chuckled. "This isn't a coincidence. That Fatty Chu you mentioned has remarkable insight. He also saw that the opportunities at Xingshan were relatively suitable for you. His knowledge spans ancient and modern times, and his background is quite extraordinary. He's a man of great talent."
"An extraordinary background?!"
Ren Ye asked curiously, "Did you notice something?"
"...I caught a glimpse, but not the whole picture. Still, when he wants to tell you, he will." Seemingly unwilling to say more, Mr. Xu changed the subject. "The Migration Land will close for a year and a half, and the Two Emperors' War begins in two years. That gives you just enough time to visit Xingshan."
Ren Ye accepted the teacup. "Speaking of which, why do you all think the opportunities there suit me?"
"They won't necessarily suit you." Mr. Xu pondered for a while. "It's just that the opportunities hidden there suit the great path of arduous physical cultivation."
"A great path? Tell me!"
Ren Ye urged him on with great interest.
Mr. Xu began pacing, his voice warm and mellow. "Legend has it that thousands, even ten thousand years ago, the Nine Li Dynasty produced a great emperor-Great Emperor Jiuli. Hundreds of rulers followed him. Though some also unified the Nine Li Dynasty, none dared call themselves emperor.