Volume One: First Steps on the Path Chapter Thirty: The Meeting

With Meng Yuan’s guidance, Ye Junze, having now determined his path of cultivation, once again immersed himself wholly in his training. The space around him returned to its usual silence. Meanwhile, at Anze Academy, the various departments were distributing cultivation techniques that day. Through this process, the innate talents of each student were indirectly tested, and records were continuously compiled. Each file contained detailed information about the students’ talents and aptitudes.

The room where these activities took place was neither large nor small, resembling a typical archives room. At this moment, it was filled with people, all waiting for something. As the files were finalized, people left one after another, bearing documents away to destinations unknown.

Among these individuals was Li Xi, who, upon receiving his stack of files, thanked the person handing them out and hurried away. He moved so quickly that the staff member seemed to want to say something more, but seeing Li Xi already gone, he could only shake his head with a helpless smile. “That fellow is usually so composed, yet when it comes to this, he’s more anxious than anyone.” With that, the man returned to his work.

Once outside the room, Li Xi paused, thinking, “Should I go to the principal first or to those old fellows in the department?” After a few seconds of deliberation, he made his decision: “The principal’s office will be crowded now. Better see the old fellows first.” With his mind made up, he quickened his pace toward the distant buildings.

Soon he arrived before a cluster of structures designed in an ancient style, exuding an air of antique elegance. Li Xi stood for a moment, mentally preparing himself for the inevitable meeting with the people inside, silently hoping they wouldn’t act as they had in the past. After a brief prayer, he straightened his clothes, steadied himself, and approached a particular room at the center of the complex. He knocked gently on the door.

After a short wait, a voice from within asked, “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Li Xi,” he replied.

“What brings you here?” the voice inquired again.

“I’ve brought the compiled files for this year’s new students in the Daoist Arts Department for your review,” Li Xi answered respectfully.

“I see. Come in, then.”

The door before him swung open as if responding to the voice. Li Xi immediately stepped inside.

He scanned the room carefully. Several people sat scattered around a long wooden table. Noticing that the ones who usually gave him the most trouble were absent, Li Xi couldn’t help but feel relieved. Turning to the man seated at the head of the table, he said, “Director, here are the files for the new students in our department this year. Please review them.” As he spoke, he presented the stack of documents.

The director made no move, yet the files floated from Li Xi’s hands to his desk, guided by an unseen force. Had an ordinary person witnessed this, they might have screamed in shock, but those present were long accustomed to such displays; indeed, many could perform similar feats themselves, so no one reacted.

After perusing the files for a while, the director pushed some toward his colleagues. “Have a look at these as well,” he said.

“Yes, sir,” they responded, immediately examining the documents.

Seeing that everyone was absorbed in their reading and paying him no mind, Li Xi was content—so long as he wasn’t dragged into trouble, he was happy. After waiting a bit, he said, “Director, I still need to deliver these to the principal, so I’ll take my leave now. If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Very well, off you go,” the director replied.

With that, Li Xi wasted no time and headed out. The moment he exited, the door slammed shut behind him, just as it had been before he entered. Seeing the door firmly closed, Li Xi finally relaxed, his entire demeanor lightening. Relieved that his fears hadn’t been realized, he began to hum a cheerful tune as he made his way toward the principal’s office.

As he neared his destination, he encountered several people who seemed to have just left the principal’s office. The group chatted and laughed together. Li Xi greeted them with a smile, and they responded in kind, the atmosphere harmonious and congenial.

Eventually, after meeting several others along the way, Li Xi arrived at the principal’s office. Just as he reached the door, someone came out; they exchanged greetings before the other person departed. Li Xi composed himself, adjusted his expression, and knocked on the door.

From inside came the voice of Bai Ze, the principal: “Come in.”

Li Xi entered at once. “Good afternoon, Principal.”

“Ah, Little Xi, come in and have a seat,” Bai Ze said, pouring a cup of tea. “Have some tea.”

Li Xi hurried forward to accept the cup. “I shouldn’t trouble you, sir. You’re too kind.”

“It’s nothing. No need to stand on ceremony. Sit, let’s talk,” Bai Ze replied, gesturing for him to sit.

Not insisting further, Li Xi sat down and handed over the files. “Here are the detailed files for this year’s new students in the Daoist Arts Department. Please review them.”

Bai Ze took the documents. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Li Xi waved his hand. “It’s my duty.”

As Bai Ze flipped through the files, he asked, “So, any promising new students in the Daoist Arts Department this year?”

Setting his teacup aside, Li Xi replied respectfully, “There’s a student named Ye Junze—his talent could only be described as genius.”

“Oh? That child? Interesting,” Bai Ze remarked.

“You know him, sir?” Li Xi asked, puzzled.

“Yes, I saw him at the entrance ceremony. A remarkable child,” Bai Ze replied, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. He continued, “What makes this child a genius?”

Had Ye Junze been present to see Bai Ze’s expression, he would have been certain that the principal had seen through him. But since it was Li Xi here, he thought nothing of it, assuming Bai Ze had simply found something amusing in the files. He answered, “This new student had only just begun studying the department’s cultivation technique today, and within half an hour, he was already able to circulate energy through a minor cycle. Such talent is beyond what one would call genius.”

Bai Ze nodded with interest. “Indeed, that’s impressive. Though, for that child, I suppose it’s not surprising.” The latter part he muttered to himself, so softly that Li Xi couldn’t quite hear and thus asked, “Sir, what did you say just now?”

“Oh, nothing,” Bai Ze replied, then began inquiring about the other students. Li Xi answered thoroughly, holding nothing back.

Time passed, and the cup of hot tea gradually emptied.

“Well, that’s all for today. I’ve learned what I needed,” Bai Ze concluded.

“Then I’ll take my leave. If you need anything, please let me know,” Li Xi replied, rising to his feet.

“Very well. Administrative work is important, but don’t neglect your own cultivation,” Bai Ze advised warmly.

“Yes, thank you for your concern, Principal.”

“Go train when you get back. Don’t trouble yourself with anything else, and don’t let my Clear Spirit Tea go to waste,” Bai Ze joked.

“Of course, of course. Thank you again, Principal.”

“Off you go.”

With that, Li Xi took his leave, his steps quickening—for the effects of the Clear Spirit Tea would not wait for anyone. He needed to seize the time and cultivate diligently.