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Chapter 25: Shuhan Enters the Southern Region
Chapter 25: Shuhan Enters the Southern Region
"Changqing, how did today's studies go?"
In the study, Li Qingchen smiled and asked.
Su Changqing chuckled, "Master, I have achieved perfection in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."
"Although I haven't yet broken through to the Dao, it shouldn't be far off."
His words were humble, but his confidence shone through. Su Changqing could feel the strength of what he had learned over this period. He was quite satisfied with his progress.
Li Qingchen sighed inwardly.
Su Nan wanted to suppress Su Changqing's growth, but how could someone as extraordinary as Su Changqing be held back?
While Su Changqing had no clear idea of his own level, his growing foundation made him increasingly confident and at ease.
For a regular student, Li Qingchen would be delighted by such confidence. Confidence was not a bad thing; it gave one the courage to face anything.
But Su Changqing was different. His confidence was too easily gained, and if left unchecked, it could turn into arrogance.
Skills could be improved, but character needed to be tempered!
With that in mind, Li Qingchen said, "Changqing, since you are so confident, how about I introduce you to one of my junior disciples?"
Su Changqing's eyes lit up, "One of Master's disciples? That would be excellent."
Growing up, Su Changqing had only interacted with Li Qingchen and no one else, especially not his peers. He was eager to see how far he had come in the path of Confucianism.
"Ha, both your senior brothers are busy, so this time, I'm bringing my least accomplished disciple, Shuhan."
Li Qingchen gave Su Changqing a knowing look, "You two should have a good exchange."
Su Changqing nodded, feeling a bit disappointed. He had hoped to test his skills against one of Master's top disciples to gauge his own strength.
But a less accomplished disciple... he wasn't boasting, but he felt quite strong now. A junior disciple might not be much of a challenge.
Li Qingchen saw this and remained silent, a slight smile playing on his lips, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Shuhan had been his disciple since the age of six, excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He had achieved the Dao in calligraphy and perfection in the others.
If not for Su Changqing, Shuhan, with his Scholar Saint constitution, would have been his youngest and most promising disciple.
If anyone could humble Su Changqing, it would be a peer.
With this thought, Li Qingchen wasted no time and sent a message to Shuhan.
...
In the Central Province, the Saint Academy.
Shuhan had been feeling quite agitated lately because the competition between his teacher and Senior Master Wei was about to begin.
Although it was a contest between disciples, it was a matter of the Saint Academy's pride.
If they lost, the Saint Academy, the leader of the literary world, would lose much of its prestige.
What troubled him the most was that their chances of winning didn't seem very high.
Firstly, his junior brother had joined the academy too late. Although he was a Scholar Immortal, learning such profound knowledge takes time and a solid foundation.
While a teacher can guide a student to avoid pitfalls, the ultimate progress depends on the student's own efforts.
In the literary world, Ling Si was the most outstanding young talent in recent years.
It wasn't that Shuhan looked down on his junior brother; it was just that Ling Si's reputation was well-known, and he had achieved fame at a young age.
In contrast, his junior brother's name was completely unknown, as if he had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The odds didn't seem to be in their favor.
"Little Master, the Ten Thousand Gold Tower has opened its betting. The odds for Ling Si are one to one, and for Zhi Yu, one to five."
At that moment, a scholar walked in, hesitating before speaking.
"I heard that Senior Master Wei recently spent a fortune on an ancient text and had Ling Si study its profound meanings. Now, Ling Si's calligraphy is almost at the level of perfection."
“Before long, the odds at the Ten Thousand Gold Tower will likely change again.”
Shuhan sighed in resignation upon hearing this. He had been hearing these messages so often that he was starting to get tired of them.
To win, his Master Wei had spared no expense, offering ancient texts, the Book of Songs, and ancient scrolls. Under Wei Cang’s meticulous guidance, Ling Si had made rapid progress. It was even rumored that during this time, she had composed several remarkable poems. Just a couple of lines from her “Autumn Wind Poem” were enough to leave people in awe.
Clearly, Ling Si had put in a great deal of preparation for the upcoming competition.
“Sigh, this is really driving me crazy. I wonder how my junior brother is doing with his studies. Has he made any progress?”
“Even if he can’t win, I hope he won’t lose too badly. Otherwise...”
Thinking of the severe consequences, Shuhan sighed once more.
“Little Master, why can’t you represent us in the competition?”
“You’re not that much older. You’ve only recently reached the age of twenty. No one would say anything if you participated.”
“Master Wei specifically asked for the new disciple of Ruxian. Isn’t that just bullying?”
The newly admitted scholar complained with a hint of resentment.
“If I were to participate, that would be bullying.”
Shuhan chuckled bitterly. “How long have I been a disciple? I started following my master at the age of six, and it’s been sixteen years now.”
“When it comes to the four arts and literature, even the Great Scholars are no match for me. How could I go and bully a young girl?”
“This competition ultimately depends on my junior brother. I just wonder how he’s doing now.”
Before Shuhan could finish his sentence, his communication talisman suddenly lit up. His expression froze, and his eyes brightened when he saw who the message was from.
“Master!”
Shuhan quickly opened the message and read what Li Qingchen had sent.
“Come to the southernmost part of the Southern Domain, to Green Mountain Village.”
“Remember, no matter who you encounter in the village, you must show them the utmost respect. Do not act rashly.”
“Your identity here is that of my inexperienced disciple who has been with me for only half a year. No matter what happens, you must remain calm and composed. Remember this!”
“Master is in the Southern Domain, which means my junior brother is there too?”
Shuhan’s face lit up with joy. Although he didn’t fully understand his master’s message, it wasn’t a big issue. He could ask for more details once he arrived.
The most important thing was that he would finally meet his junior brother, whom he had never seen before.
“The competition is about to start, and Master wants me to go. He must want me to share some experience with my junior brother.”
“That’s a good idea. Communication between peers is always clearer. I will definitely teach my junior brother well!”
Shuhan’s expression turned serious, and he turned to run back to his room. He gathered all the materials he had studied, written, and researched over the years.
Whether it was for the upcoming competition or to help his junior brother, he was determined to do his best.
After preparing everything, Shuhan briefly informed some of the Great Scholars in the academy and set off immediately.
The Cangyan Continent was vast, with the Central Province at its heart and the Southern Domain at the southernmost part of the continent. Even for a cultivated practitioner, it would take several years to cross from one domain to another.
Fortunately, powerful array masters had constructed massive teleportation arrays between the domains. As long as one could afford the price, they could reach their destination in an instant.
Thus, Shuhan didn’t take long to travel from the Central Province to the Southern Domain.
However, upon arriving in the Southern Domain, Shuhan was taken aback by the desolate landscape and the constant battles taking place everywhere.
“The Southern Domain... is it really this chaotic?”
(End of Chapter)
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