C17 Dongmen Ai's Parents

In the courtyard, Yu Yin returned from fishing and sat down to his evening meal. Afterward, he found himself transfixed by the massive calendar hanging on the room's wall.

"The calendar of the world, Year 3, the eighteenth of May." Yu Yin whispered, committing this significant date to memory.

"Everyone, come out," Huajun's voice called from beyond the door.

Zhao Cai and the others exchanged knowing glances, anticipating Huajun's intentions.

The courtyard was home to three mentors. Besides Huajun, there were two male mentors: a man with delicate features and an average build, and another with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a face resembling a monkey.

The man with delicate features was named Xiong Bu, while the sturdy-looking man was Du Zhi.

At that moment, each mentor occupied a section of the courtyard, engaging in conversation with their respective students.

On Huajun's side, she instructed Yu Yin and seven others to line up and prepare for a source energy ball test.

Among the eight, Dongmen Ai alone wore a look of dismay, starkly contrasting with the others.

"Do you know why I had you eat dinner first?" Huajun inquired.

The group looked on, confused.

"Because I've come up with a better idea. Those who don't meet the standard might benefit from standing here all night."

Dongmen Ai's face paled at the prospect.

"Take your source energy balls and let's begin the test," Huajun directed.

As her words settled, Yu Yin and the others quickly focused on the source energy balls they held.

Huajun approached Ou Lu, who was seated to the right, brush in hand, ready to record the results.

"11 source energy."

Next was Zhao Cai with 10 source energy.

Xia Chen had 15 source energy.

"Not bad."

Dongmen Ai had only 8 source energy.

Yu Yin impressed with 20 source energy.

"Did you practice again afterward?" Huajun asked, her eyes wide.

Yu Yin nodded.

Internally cursing, Huajun moved on to Zhang Ziyue.

"Good, 12. Not bad."

Huixiao had 15 source energy.

"Good job!"

Zhuang Jiujing had 16 source energy.

"Very good."

After completing the assessments, Huajun was secretly astonished. She had never expected her students to be so exceptional.

You should be aware that her peers from the previous cohort only reached a level of 15 at most.

"I'll be recording your scores daily and submitting them to the academy. Then, the academy will compile and rank the classes based on the total scores each month, announcing the rankings to the entire academy," Huajun explained.

"Master, what's the purpose of this?" Zhao Cai inquired, as someone who disliked comparing himself to others.

"Firstly, it's to make you aware of where you stand in relation to other students."

"Secondly, it's about competition. You should understand that the truly strong only reach the pinnacle by surviving numerous challenges, not by living an unremarkable life like a well-behaved child."

"Master, there must be some perks for coming in first, right?" Dongmen Ai chimed in, momentarily forgetting his own shortcomings.

"The class with the highest total scores will receive a reward of 100 copper coins per student for first place, 50 copper coins for second place, and 10 copper coins for third place."

The group was taken aback by the prospect of monetary rewards.

"Money is secondary; what matters most is the honor that will be bestowed upon each of you. I trust you won't disappoint me," Huajun stated.

"Furthermore, the academy has officially assigned the classes. The Astral Nebula classes are 1-7 Sealed Class, the Sea Courtyard classes are 8-14 Sealed Class, our White Courtyard classes are 15-21 Sealed Class, and the Giant Courtyard classes are 22-28 Sealed Class."

"Our class is now the 16th Sealed Class. Make sure you remember that."

Everyone made a mental note of it.

Approaching Dongmen Ai, Huajun spoke indifferently, "Dongmen Ai, from now until dawn, how do you feel about that?"

"I..."

"You may refuse. However, if you do, I will propose to the dean that you be removed from the 16th class."

This was the first time Dongmen Ai had seen Huajun show such indifference. He sensed she wasn't merely jesting.

"I'm willing..." he responded faintly.

"Good. A student of Huajun should carry such responsibility."

From the side, Ou Lu scoffed, "Responsibility, my foot..."

As night descended—

The world was silent under the vast Astral Nebula. In the courtyard, Dongmen Ai's lips were chapped, and his sturdy legs shook uncontrollably.

In the pitch-black room, Yu Yin awoke and, estimating the time, decided it was time to get dressed and leave the room.

As he walked through the corridor, he noticed a silhouette under the moonlight and approached.

"Would you like some water?"

With a forced smile on his rigid face, Dongmen Ai asked, "You're still up?"

"Couldn't sleep, so I came out to admire the moon."

"Heh, you certainly have a taste for the finer things."

"And you? The moonlight isn't too bad, is it?"

Glancing up at the crescent moon suspended in the sky, he gave a wry smile, "Yeah... it's quite nice."

"This afternoon, I caught a couple of rare fish and made enough to cover three days' worth of room and board," Yu Yin shared.

"Congratulations!"

Their conversation meandered, and before they knew it, the night had deepened even further.

In the darkness, their faces were obscured, yet they both felt an acute clarity about the other's presence.

"Yu Yin, I'll be honest with you, my parents aren't antique dealers."

Yu Yin responded nonchalantly, "What difference does it make?"

"They're thieves."

"Thieves?"

"They're not exactly upstanding citizens."

"What's that got to do with me?"

"..."

"Wait... you don't despise me?"

"Why would I?"

"Let's just forget I said anything."

"But you did say it."

"Then pretend you didn't hear it."

As dawn approached —

The cold wind whistled, and they exchanged a knowing, bitter smile.

With a creak, the door opened, and there stood Huajun in her white pajamas, her hair in disarray. After glancing at Yu Yin, she approached Dongmen Ai.

"What are your thoughts?"

"I'm lazy and afraid of hard work; the teacher's admonishment was justified."

"That's not what I wanted to hear."

"I was wrong..."

"And?"

Bowing respectfully, Dongmen Ai spoke softly, "Please enlighten me, Master."

"The journey of a cultivator is arduous, akin to a mountain that exhausts even the most persistent horse. Determination, perseverance, and the will to progress are all essential. A single misstep can lead to an uncertain future."

"If you give up once, there will be a second time. Do you understand?" Huajun met his gaze.

Yu Yin observed Huajun from the side, surprised to find that she looked even more beautiful without her robe. A sudden ethereal and natural aura about her caught his eye and brightened his expression.

"Brat, what are you staring at?" Huajun snapped, catching his lingering gaze.

Yu Yin quickly averted his eyes and turned away.

After signaling Dongmen Ai to leave, Huajun approached Yu Yin. "How does it feel to go without sleep for a night?" she asked with a teasing smile.

"I've often spent nights in the mountains back in town; it's no big deal," Yu Yin replied nonchalantly.

Rolling her eyes, Huajun instructed, "Fetch a bucket of water for the teacher. I need to freshen up."

Yu Yin yawned and nodded, turning to draw water from the well.

"Last night was just an adjustment. Starting today, each person must endure the Tendon Break at least 24 times daily to qualify. You'd best prepare yourself mentally," she warned.

Yu Yin hummed in acknowledgment as he bent to fill the bucket.

"Are you aware that with each additional Tendon Break, the pain intensifies?" she asked.

Setting the bucket by the well, Yu Yin turned back to her. "Teacher, I believe I can withstand the pain."

"The pain will double with every ten-point increase in your source energy. If that's the case, I eagerly anticipate your performance," Huajun said, her voice carrying a hint of challenge.

With a slight smile, she unhooked the bucket and carried the water back to her room.