kingnovel The 59-year agreement
The 59-year agreement
"As you elders are probably aware, Gao Ling's physique and immortal root information should have been handed over to you along with the juniors' information. Gao Ling is not a true member of the Gao family, but I don't know where outside the Gao family I can find someone to teach her cultivation..." As she spoke, Gao Zhun raised her head and looked at Elder Yan with hopeful eyes, believing that the other party understood her meaning.
Upon hearing this, Elder Yan's expression changed, and he looked at Gao Zhun with a half-smile: "Do you think the Gao family has a second Chaotic Spirit Body and Chaotic Immortal Root? These are legendary physiques and immortal roots, so the most suitable person as you say does not exist."
Gao Zhun was taken aback. She knew what Elder Yan was talking about, but that wasn't what she meant. She just wanted the family to provide Gao Ling with some information, even ancient classics would do; the other party couldn't possibly be unfamiliar with them. Gao Zhun frowned, thinking to herself, "Old fox." It seemed she wasn't worth such a heavy price, and the other party was trying to raise the price.
However, being under someone else's roof, Gao Zhun did not intend to confront this person who clearly held a high position in the Elder Council head-on. He could only put on a smile and ask, "I have already regarded Gao Ling as my sworn sister. I will help her solve her cultivation problems both out of courtesy and reason. Elder Yan, why don't you set a condition? If I can do it, I will do my best even at the cost of my life."
"You said it yourself, Gao Zhun. By the way, there are several other elders and scholars who can also testify. So I won't make things difficult for you. As long as you can win first place in the competition at Fengming Courtyard a year from now, everything will be fine. How about it?" Elder Yan indeed narrowed his eyes like a fox, and he was playing a good game.
Upon hearing this, Gao Zhun was first taken aback, then gave a wry smile: "In that case, Gao Ling's cultivation junior will find a way on his own, no need for the elders to trouble themselves."
Elder Yan naturally noticed Gao Zhun's change in expression and said with some surprise, "You have so little confidence in yourself?"
Seeing Elder Yan's expression as if he had misjudged him, Gao Zhun's bitterness deepened. He said helplessly, "Elder Yan is too busy with many affairs of state to understand the current strength of the people in Fengming Courtyard. Let alone Gao Qi, the champion from two years ago, even Gao Yaobing, who ranked third two years ago, has the cultivation of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and has already achieved the state of perfect harmony between man and sword in swordsmanship. In just one year, there is no way I could possibly compete with her, let alone win the championship. In the end, it's not that I lack confidence, but that Fengming Courtyard is full of hidden talents, and I feel that I cannot catch up with them in just one year."
"Hmm? Is Fengming Courtyard this powerful now?" Gao Zhun had guessed correctly. Elder Yan was a high-ranking member of the Elder Council and rarely interacted with juniors like Gao Zhun who were only at the Nascent Soul stage. If Gao Zhun hadn't already reached the Essence Forging Soul stage, a mere Eye of Truth wouldn't have been enough to alarm her. For elders like Elder Yan, even with Gao Zhun's exceptional talent, they still hoped that those they followed would possess extraordinary strength. That's why she wanted Gao Zhun to win the Fengming Courtyard competition a year later, to bring her some honor. Now it seemed that it had already exceeded human capabilities. Even though Gao Zhun's cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds, her strength was ultimately finite. How could she possibly surpass those seniors who were already at the late Nascent Soul stage for her in just one year?
Of those present, Gao Shi was the one who knew the situation of the direct descendants of the inner courtyard the best. He took a small step forward and replied very respectfully, "Reporting to Elder Yan, the level of the direct descendants of Longyin Academy and Fengming Academy has been extremely high in the past fifty years. Even Meixue Academy is equivalent to the strength of Longyin Academy and Fengming Academy a hundred years ago."
After listening to Gao Shi's account, Elder Yan waved his hand, signaling him to step back. His face was deep and thoughtful as he looked at Gao Zhun. Gao Zhun dared not utter a sound and could only stand aside, awaiting his fate.
"If one year isn't enough, then seven years will do. In seven years, there will be a grand competition for the entire inner courtyard. I won't even ask you to come out on top, but you absolutely have to make it into the top ten. In seven years, Gao Ling will only be less than eight years old. That will be the perfect time to start cultivating. Gao Zhun, you'd better make the most of it."
Seven years... Gao Zhun considered it briefly in her mind. Although the time was tight, it was not impossible. She could only try to raise her cultivation to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm within seven years. Of course, it would be even better if she could achieve the half-step Divine Transformation realm, but she would not force it if she could not.
"Seven years, I will do my best." For Gao Ling's cultivation, she would also give it her all.
Hearing this, Elder Yan's expression softened considerably. Before leaving, she looked at the layout of the entire inner courtyard with a sigh and said wistfully, "We old folks have been out of touch with the younger generation of the family for too long. Let's come and watch the grand competition in seven years."
With that, everyone except Gao Shi and Elder Lei left with Elder Yan.
"Master, Physician Gao." Gao Zhun saw that the two were still standing there, and knew that they still had something to tell him. He did not dare to delay and invited them into the hall. The three of them waited to sit down and talk in detail.
"Master, Physician Gao, do you two have any preferences for tea?" As soon as she sat down, Gao Zhun took out a complete tea set from her storage ring. She was itching to brew tea.
Gao Shi had heard a little about Gao Zhun's expertise in tea ceremony, and at this moment he simply smiled and said, "Whatever."
Elder Lei, however, said with surprise, "It's already remarkable to have reached the Nascent Soul stage at such a young age, but you even have time to study this rather time-consuming tea ceremony. Young people these days..."
Seeing Elder Lei's deeply moved expression, Gao Zhun was not arrogant, but replied somewhat shyly, "I only have a rudimentary understanding of tea art, which cannot be considered the essence of the Way. I am still far from comprehending the spirit of the Way of Tea."
Elder Lei, however, was unconvinced. Gao Zhun's technique was clearly very skillful, and his focused mental state indicated that his newly accepted disciple had at least reached a state of consummate mastery in the art of tea. He had seen people go far in unorthodox paths before, but he had never seen someone so young who could reach this level in an unorthodox path without hindering his cultivation. After all, the art of tea is different from others; it does not greatly benefit cultivation, nor can it provide any supernatural powers for defeating enemies. It is entirely a skill for self-cultivation. He had originally worried that the Gao family's strict distinction between direct and collateral branches would deprive the young people of much enjoyment, but now it seemed that he had been worrying unnecessarily.
Taking the small cup of tea from Gao Zhun, Elder Lei, who had no knowledge of tea ceremony, immediately tasted it and said with a smile, "Zhun'er, after drinking your tea, I'm afraid I won't be able to drink any tea brewed by others in the future."
Upon hearing this, Gao Zhun replied happily, "From now on, I will be the one to brew tea for you, Master."
"So I'll say you're a little rascal." Elder Lei's beard was ruffled by his words. It's true that he's easy to win over; a cup of tea was enough to gain his favor. This newly accepted disciple is quite remarkable. However, he never intended to make things difficult for Gao Zhun. After finishing his tea, he took out the gift he had prepared for Gao Zhun from his storage ring.
"This is my experience of cultivating the Purple Heaven Thunder Spirit Body over a thousand years. This is the cultivation experience I obtained from a cultivator with Yin-Yang Immortal Roots. By the way, I imagine you haven't been exposed to anything other than tea ceremony, swordsmanship, and cultivation. This contains my experience in talismans, restrictions, formations, weapon crafting, and alchemy over a thousand years. Take a look when you have time. Although our Gao family doesn't lack talent in these areas, you will eventually have to go out and gain experience. The more skills you have, the better your chances of survival. The outside world is not like..." "You think it's like that? Knowing you're a member of the Gao family, they'll respect and fear you. But some people specifically target young geniuses like you; they're not afraid of offending the Gao family." Elder Lei immediately produced over a dozen jade scrolls. Gao Zhun took them and quickly scanned them with her divine sense. She found the contents to be profound yet easy to understand, perfect for a novice like herself to study. Moreover, these were the insights of a Tribulation Transcending cultivator over a thousand years. In terms of value, Gao Zhun believed that even the entire treasure hall of the Inheritance Hall couldn't compare to these dozen jade scrolls in her eyes.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Master." Gao Zhun carefully put the dozen or so jade scrolls into her storage ring. She had heard that people who had just become apprentices would receive many gifts. Now that she had received a gift from her master, she immediately turned her attention to Gao Shi. She was looking forward to what this skilled physician Gao would give her.
Receiving Gao Zhun's intense gaze, Gao Shi sighed helplessly and said with a laugh, "You'll get your share. Didn't you obtain quite a few ancient and rare medicinal herbs in the Inheritance Hall? I happen to have a few ancient pill formulas here, as well as a piece of Heavenly Fire that I obtained by chance ten years ago. Take it and refine it to see if you can use it as a pill-refining fire. Once your pill-refining skills improve, you can naturally try to refine the pills described in those ancient pill formulas."
Gao Zhun, of course, treasured the gift she received from Gao Shi and put it into her storage ring. Only then did she say, "Wouldn't it be better if I gave those rare medicinal herbs to Doctor Gao so that he could refine them into elixirs?"
"It would cost me a lot to refine pills, and I also have to refine pills for the elders in my family. I don't have time to refine pills for you." Although he was indeed very eager to do so.
Seeing this, Gao Zhun stopped teasing Gao Shi. But remembering what Elder Lei had said earlier, he had a thought and asked, "Master, you just said that someone outside would attack the Gao family members. Is it someone from the Demon Clan?"
"The Demon Clan?" Elder Lei's expression changed, and he shook his head, saying, "The Demon Clan is naturally sworn enemies with our Gao family, but I'm not just talking about the Demon Clan. In short, be more careful when you go out in the future. If possible, don't reveal your true identity. The more mysterious you are, the more those villains will fear you." (166 Reading Network)