Translator: Kazeyuki_ Editor: Jimmy_

Tan Zhongchi chewed on Qin Wushuang’s words and murmured: “Crisis…”

Suddenly, his expression tightened up as he fixed his gaze on Qin Wushuang deeply and asked seriously: “Wushuang, as you said, how should we cultivate our disciples at the Stargaze Palace?”

“I would not dare overstep and talk about it. However, I also would not dare to not answer it. I thought that disciples from the Stargaze Palace should walk out and not confine themselves to training hard in the Virtuous Cloud Mountain.”

Tan Zhongchi sighed: “Go see the outside world… For this matter, it’s also easy to say and hard to do. Wushuang, you don’t know much about the situation in the Tian Xuan Land. To see the outside world is easy to say, but it still requires much thought and insights to go out. However, soon, you will all receive such opportunity.”

“An opportunity?” Zhou Fu blinked her eyes, “Teacher, what opportunity?”

Tan Zhongchi smiled: “On the first day of the New Year, it’s the day that the Stargaze Palace will pay worship to our ancestors. At that time, the top ten Core disciples will be publicly commended and bestowed with rewards. The Head Palace Master will tell you of this matter himself. This is also the thing I have told you before the Core ranking competition. The top ten will receive special rewards. This opportunity to see the outside world is the special rewards this time!”

Hearing that only the top ten would get this opportunity, the other Core disciples could not help but feel somewhat depressed.

Tan Zhongchi smiled: “Ok, regardless of your result from the ranking competition, I hope you guys will remember that it’s all in the past. Next, enjoy the remaining days of this year. Use a brand new attitude to face a new year.”

Tan Zhongchi looked toward the outside of the palace and said again :”Today is a good harvest year. As the disciples of the Green Cloud Palace, all of you Core disciples are representatives for the others. Today, everyone has gathered, you should all meet with them. Let them enjoy this moment too.”

“Yes.”

For these Core disciples, although their talent and strength was much higher than other disciples, they were also human beings and had the four types of human emotions. They also enjoyed the human contact and did not despise such arrangement.

Once the thirteen Core disciples walked out, those thousands of disciples outside the Palace became silent. They watched their idols walking out with an exciting expression and wanted to surround them instantly.

Tan Zhongchi smiled:” Each of you, if you have any questions, you can ask these Core disciples now. Remember, don’t all go to one person.”

He was afraid that these disciples would go to one or two popular ones and ignore the other Core disciples. Most likely, the situation would become awkward if that were to happen.

Indeed, Tan Zhongchi had good foresight. If he hadn’t made this statement, most likely these people would’ve rushed toward the popular elite warriors like Zhou Fu and Qin Wushuang.

However, after his warning, these disciples did not dare to act out of line. Each of them understood the situation and started to think on some of the difficulties they had encountered during their training. They would ask these Core disciples that they would not even be able to get close to during normal times.

Although both Qin Wushuang and Zhou Fu were very popular, the awkward situation in which everyone rushed to them did not occur.

As for Qin Wushuang, because he was new, everyone was not very familiar with him. With him as the new victor of this ranking competition, his popularity seemed to surpass Zhou Fu.

Unavoidably, he was facing more than just training questions. Many gossips regarding his personal life also were asked by these people. He could not help but feel somewhat overwhelmed.

Although Qin Wushuang found it hard to face the fanatical emotion of these disciples, he was patient. He had answered the questions he could with details. For those he could not answer, he let it pass with a smile.

His friendliness had won enough reputation among the disciples. Many disciples thought with excitement that Senior Brother Qin was not only powerful, he was also friendly. It was rare for them to find such an attitude in an elite warrior.

This feast lasted until the dusk. Those disciples still wished to continue and was reluctant to part.

After dinner, suddenly, Qin Wushuang remembered his promise with Shakyamuni Li Huo. He could not help but feel somewhat embarrassed. He had promised Shkayamuni Li Huo to listen to his lecture about alchemy each night. After a long time, he did not have the chance to go. Since he had nothing else today, he would pay a visit.

When he arrived at the Li Huo Palace, Shakyamuni Li Huo did not expect Qin Wushuang to visit at this moment as he laughed:” Wushuang, Wushuang, I thought you had already forgotten about our promises since your accomplishments. Ha ha.”

Qin Wushuang still said humbly: “It’s not that I have attitude, I just did not find any time. I should have come sooner, but I learned that my home country had been invaded by enemies. I had to rush back to help with the national crisis for a month. When I came back, it was already time for the Laba festival and then, I entered the Core ranking competition. I had been involved with all these matters and could not separate myself. Please understand.”

Shakyamuni Li Huo laughed: “I am only joking with you, no need to take it seriously. Ok, let’s not be so formal. Let’s talk about some informal things and slowly, we will lead into the practice of the alchemy, how about it?”

“I will follow your plan and listen carefully.”

“Yes, the practice of alchemy could go back to the dim and distant past. If I must say, this knowledge is as vast as the ocean. Historically, there were many seniors that practiced and excelled in alchemy…” Shakyamuni begun to speak to his heart’s content, suddenly, a wave of rushed footsteps emerged as someone came jogging over,

“Teacher…”

“What? What happened, why are you in a rush?” Shakyamuni Li Huo just gained some momentum, of course, he was not feeling happy that someone had disturbed him.

“Teacher, some emergency has happened.” That disciple showed an anxious expression.

“Emergency? What?” Shakyamuni Li Huo asked lightly.

“In the beginning of the year, we sent out sixty Herbalist disciples to pick herbs in six directions. Five groups have made it back and are preparing for the new year. However, that group of Herbalist that went to the Green Jade Mountain has not made it back.”

“None of them returned?” Shakyamuni Li Huo frowned deeply.

“None of them came back!” That disciple said with a determined voice, “Our Stargaze Palace has strict rules, that regardless of how far you go, except for special circumstances, you must make it back for new years and participate in the worship of the ancestor. Could these guys not even remember this?”

With a solemn expression, Shakyamuni Li Huo nodded: “If they did not make it back this late, most likely, something has happened to them. That Green Jade Mountain is not a good place. I need to talk to the Head Palace Master…”

He looked at Qin Wushuang apologetically: “Wushuang, before, you were busy and could not come. Today, I am the one that needs to excuse myself.”

Hearing from their conversation, Qin Wushuang knew it is a big matter. Immediately, he nodded: “Please.”

Shakyamuni Li Huo was also unambiguous as he rose up and said: “Tong Yan.”

Tong Yan had been serving outside. Hearing the call from the Shakyamuni, he walked in quickly and beamed with joy when he saw Qin Wushuang: “Teacher, Senior Brother Qin.”

Before others at the Stargaze Palace, Tong Yan still did not dare to break the rules as he addressed Qin Wushuang as “Senior Brother Qin”.

“Tong Yan, you came from the same place as Qin Wushuang and are good friend, show him around the alchemy room and flick through some of the books. If you want to make some simple herbs, you can try with the method recorded on the alchemy books. We cannot afford to give away expensive alchemy materials, but go ahead with the ordinary ones.”

As Shakyamuni Li Huo left some words, he bid goodbye to Qin Wushuang and walked outside in a rush.

Tong Yan was extremely happy as he realised that the Shakyamuni giving him a chance to hang out with Qin Wushuang. He said with a smile: “Senior Brother Qin, come with me to the alchemy room.”

These two old friends walked to the alchemy room. Currently, Tong Yan was also a Herbalist disciple and had the freedom of come and go. He was very familiar with the materials inside the room.

He asked with a smile: “Senior Brother Qin, it’s rare that the Shakyamuni is being so generous. Do you want to try and make some stuff?”

Qin Wushuang smiled lightly: “For now, I do not lack any Pills. Brother Tong, sit. It’s hard for us friends to gather, let’s chat.”

Tong Yan rubbed his hand and appeared somewhat restrained. This time, Qin Wushuang had such an overwhelming momentum that even made him feel pressured.

“Brother Qin, don’t call me Brother Tong. If you don’t mind, just call me A’Yan. With my little power, I don’t deserve to be your brother,” Tong Yan said with courtesy.

“A’Yan? Sure, this is also not too unfamiliar. Don’t call me Senior Brother Qin. Just call me Wushuang like the seniors. By the way, last time you said that we from the Bai Yue should get together, when is it?”

“It’s tomorrow night, are you free, Wushuang?” Tong Yan asked while worrying about personal gains and losses.

Qin Wushuang could not help but laugh: “All the activities has ended for the year. If you guys are available, then I am available.”

Tong Yan said joyfully: “That’s hard to say. Now, you are the most popular guy in the young generation of the Stargaze Palace. You are different from us Initial Stage disciples. What if your teacher wants you to practice day and night, ha ha.”

Qin Wushuang only smiled and did not speak. Suddenly, he asked: “Little Yan, have you heard any news about the Bai Yue recently?”

He remembered that Tong Yan’s family excelled in gathering intelligence and had wide networks. Usually, news from the Bai Yue would start from Tong Yan and pass into the ears of the others.

Tong Yan said: “The Great Wu’s land reimbursement will arrive before the new year. From this point, they will pay tribute each year. It’s their own fault. As for our Heavenly Royal Territory, the building of the Royal City is going well. I believe you have seen it when you went back last time.”

“Yes, how is the reaction from the West Chu?” Currently, the Great Wu would not cause any big waves after they had lost their Martial Saint. They had no choice but to obey. He was more worried about the changes to the West Chu.

“The West Chu is also scared of you. Currently, I estimated that in less than three days, the news of how you are victor of the Core ranking competition will spread through each Subordinate Country. At that time, the West Chu would most likely no longer dare to think any evil thought. I think that, although the West Chu still has a stronger military power than the Bai Yue, they would not dare to commit any rebellious acts.”

“Good.” Qin Wushuang nodded.

Suddenly, Tong Yan said: “Wushuang, does my sister have a good relationship with you?”

This question had come so suddenly and unexpectedly that Qin Wushuang was stunned.