Chapter 47: Eight Martial Realms
Chapter 47: Eight Martial Realms
When Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao returned to the foot of the mountain, the square was already lit up with bright lanterns. Despite the late hour, it was still bustling with activity, the crowd showing no signs of thinning.
This reminded Li Hao of the night markets from his previous life. He took a deep breath, and the crisp night breeze carried the scent of charcoal-grilled food, making his appetite soar.
"Come on, let's find something to eat."
On the Entrance Stairs, talented young men and women from all the provinces were vying to reach the summit for glory.
But at the top of the mountain, the young man leaped down, rushing toward the bustling secular world below.
…
It didn't take long for Li Hao to find some delicious food among the numerous stalls, all of which he carefully selected and packed up.
He and Li Yuanzhao each carried a large bundle, munching as they walked back to the carriage, drawing curious glances from passersby.
"What's that smell?"
In the carriage, Li Yun, who had been waiting impatiently, suddenly caught the scent of grilled meat. He was taken aback and lifted the curtain.
The aroma hit him, and he saw Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao walking over, their mouths glistening with grease.
"Uncle Fu, you've been waiting, haven't you? Here."
"Uncle Ming, this is yours. Is it enough?"
Li Hao had bought plenty, and he cheerfully distributed the food, not forgetting his personal maid, Qingzhi.
Then, carrying the remaining bags, he climbed into the carriage, where the oil lamps were already lit. The warm yellow light cast a glow on the faces of the siblings, who were secretly watching Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao, their mouths watering at the enticing aroma.
"I thought you two had already gone back."
After sitting down, Li Yuanzhao took a bite of the grilled meat and then remembered something. He handed two more bags to Li Zhining:
"Zhining, do you want some?"
Li Zhining was about to refuse, but the tempting aroma made her hesitate. She noticed her brother's throat moving as he swallowed, and she gently took the bag, saying softly, "Thank you, Yuanzhao."
"If you had left earlier, you wouldn't have gotten this treat", Li Yuanzhao smiled.
Li Zhining didn't say anything but glanced at the figure that had never once looked their way. A hint of sadness flickered in her eyes.
But she didn't dwell on it. She opened the bag and handed one to Li Yun: "Brother."
"I'm not eating."
Li Yun turned his head, frowning in disgust: "Street vendor food, who knows if it's clean? It's dirty. I suggest you eat less of it."
"Even if it's not clean, it won't kill you", Li Yuanzhao glared, his appetite ruined.
"You!"
Li Yun was furious, glaring at him. Realizing he had little ground to stand on, he huffed and turned away, sticking his head out the window as if the night view had suddenly become fascinating.
Li Zhining knew her brother couldn't bring himself to eat, feeling a bit helpless. But the aroma was too tempting, and she couldn't resist. She took a small bite, and her eyes brightened.
The taste was even better than the usual delicacies they ate at home.
"Uncle Ming, are we not leaving yet?"
Li Yun called out from the front of the carriage.
Uncle Ming, with a piece of grilled meat in his mouth, immediately grabbed the reins, urging the Dragon Lion to turn and head back to the manor.
…
…
Back at the manor, Li Yun and the others parted ways with Li Hao.
Each went to their respective homes, each to their own mother.
In the Snowfall Hall, Fifth Lady Gao Qingqing was embroidering in the main hall when a maid rushed in with news. She almost pricked her finger and quickly stood up, dropping her handkerchief as she hurried to the courtyard gate.
She saw her son and daughter walking in, accompanied by Li Ming.
"How was it? Everything went smoothly, right?"
Gao Qingqing asked anxiously.
Li Ming stood quietly to one side, smiling. The more well-behaved Li Zhining nodded: "Yes, both my brother and I entered the Alpha Court."
"You both comprehended it in one day?"
Gao Qingqing looked surprised and kissed her son's forehead.
This made Li Yun a bit embarrassed, and he pushed his mother away, heading into the main hall with a huff.
Gao Qingqing paid no mind, kissing her daughter's forehead as well and then leading her back into the main hall. As they walked, she instructed the steward to heat up the evening meal and bring it over.
Li Zhining shook her head: "Just heat up brother's portion. I've already eaten."
"Eaten what?" Gao Qingqing was surprised.
"Street vendor food. It was really good", Li Zhining said, still savoring the taste.
"Hmph, don't come crying if you get diarrhea", Li Yun grumbled as he walked ahead.
Gao Qingqing laughed and sat down with her daughter, chatting about the day's events.
"Truly worthy of being my child, to comprehend it in just half a day."
"He also entered the Alpha Court?"
Upon hearing her daughter's words, Gao Qingqing was slightly surprised but soon nodded.
"That child is very wise, but it's a pity he chose the Body Cultivation path, which has a very low ceiling. Otherwise, he would likely have been the True Dragon of your generation."
Li Zhining thought of that calm and carefree face, her eyes flickering slightly. She had heard her mother say this more than once.
Deep down, she also felt a faint sense of regret.
"Hmph, what's a little talent? If it were me, I could have comprehended it in just the time it takes to burn an incense stick!"
Li Yun, sitting opposite, said with a cold snort.
Thinking of her older sister, Li Yun felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and a slight pang of bitterness, but also a sense of pride and admiration. The emotions were complex...
Gao Qingqing smiled and said, "Your older sister is indeed wise, but you are not far behind. You are all my pride and joy."
Li Yun's tense face relaxed slightly. As the butler brought in the heated evening meal, she gradually smiled as she ate...
...
...
In the Mountain and River Courtyard.
Accompanied by Li Fu and Qingzhi, Li Hao returned to the courtyard.
The cold moonlight shone down, and Old Zhao, the butler, hurried over in his coat, immediately asking, "Young Master, did everything go well? I'll go heat up your dinner."
"Don't trouble yourself, Old Zhao. I've already eaten outside", Li Hao said with a smile. "I was afraid it would get cold on the way, so I didn't bring any back for you."
"Young Master is considerate", Old Zhao smiled, knowing Li Hao was telling the truth, as there were still oil stains on his lips.
Li Fu, who had been standing guard outside the carriage and had no chance to talk to Li Hao, couldn't help but ask, "How did it go today?"
Li Hao thought for a moment and said, "The food was great."
Li Fu was speechless. That wasn't what I asked.
After a few more questions, he learned that Li Hao had entered the Alpha Court. Both Li Fu and Qingzhi, including Qingzhi herself, broke into delighted smiles.
...
...
The "Yue Xian Gate" trial at Tan Palace Academy had ended.
Many young men who had arrived late could only sigh as they looked at the Entrance Stairs.
Some tried to pull strings to see if a few more could be admitted, but they were told that the quota was already full.
A total of 825 people.
Some asked, why not admit more?
They were even willing to pay exorbitant tuition fees.
But the response was—
There are only 825 seats available.
Thus, many young nobles could only sigh and leave.
This grand gathering in Qingzhou gradually subsided.
Meanwhile, on the mountaintop, with the official start of the semester, the place became bustling.
There were four courtyards: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta.
The Alpha Court had only fifty seats.
The Beta Court had two hundred seats.
The Gamma and Delta Courts... we'll skip those.
In each courtyard, besides the new students, there were also some retained students from previous years.
In the Alpha Court, Li Hao sat with Li Yuanzhao in the second row, and the other new students had also arrived.
In front, Li Hao saw Shen Qingyun, along with two Alpha Court seniors, bringing in a stack of Tan Palace Academy uniforms to distribute to the students, ensuring uniformity in attire.
This reminded Li Hao of his middle and high school days in his previous life.
Looking around at the young boys and girls, who were not much older, he couldn't help but smile, feeling a bit nostalgic.
After the uniforms were distributed, Shen Qingyun explained some basic rules of Tan Palace Academy, such as no private duels and no disgracing the ancients.
Once Shen Qingyun left, a slender woman with a willow-like figure approached. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, with hair as dark as ink and eyes as clear as a painting, giving off an aura like the moon shining on a snowy mountain.
She introduced herself as Su Yehua, the dean of the Alpha Court and the first instructor.
Shen Qingyun, who had just left, was the instructor for the Body Technique class.
This first class in the courtyard was taught by Su Yehua.
Li Hao noticed that the previously noisy courtyard fell silent the moment Su Yehua arrived. The young men who had been chatting carelessly now sat up straight and quiet.
"The Martial Dao has eight realms", Su Yehua stood at the front, her willow-like brows exuding a cool elegance, but her lips curved into a gentle smile.
"The first four realms are Force Mastery, Circulating Heaven, Soul Continuation, and Divine Roaming."
"The last four realms are Fifteen Li, Heavenly Being, Three Immortalities, and Four Foundations!"
(End of Chapter)
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