Chapter 224: Fifth Rank!

Chapter 224: Five Grades!

Chen Yi had indeed not anticipated that Xie Pingyun would bring so many disciples to Shu Zhou, and a strange mixture of amusement and exasperation flickered in his heart.

At present, the Bai Caotang was indeed in need of expansion, yet Yan Hai and the others had only just departed from the capital city.

The circumstances in other counties and towns of Shu Zhou had yet to be reported back.

Chen Yi had not yet settled on which direction the Bai Caotang should expand, nor which specific counties and towns in Shu Zhou to focus on.

As for the disciples of the Tian Shan Sect, he had not even begun to consider their arrangements.

However, Chen Yi also understood that further deliberation at this moment would be futile.

After all, Xie Pingyun had already brought the Tian Shan Sect's disciples to Shu Zhou; he would first need to ensure they were settled.

As Chen Yi pondered these matters, he remarked, "We should head to the Bai Caotang at dawn tomorrow, to grant Xie Pingyun, the senior master of the Tian Shan Sect, some respite."

"Where are they now?" Xie Pingyun's expression eased slightly, and he smiled warmly, "There are quite a few of them. I've let them find their own accommodations for the time being."

"Find their own accommodations?"

"My lord, you may not be aware, but the Tian Shan Sect doesn't have much silver."

"When I descended the mountain, I had little in the way of funds, so..."

"..."

In Chen Yi's mind, a vivid scene unfolded: a host of tender-hearted Tian Shan Sect disciples hawking their wares in the east market, begging in the west market, and sleeping in the cave beneath the bridge in the northern outskirts.

After a moment's thought, he told Xie Pingyun to wait briefly, and instructed Pei Sheng and Xiao Die to fetch an umbrella for Xiao Wu Ge and precede him to Jiaxing Yard.

He returned to his study, retrieved two silver tickets, and handed them to Xie Pingyun.

"Two thousand taels? My lord, you must be quite wealthy!"

Chen Yi smiled, "I had composed a congratulatory poem for Qian Gong Gong earlier, and received some silver from him."

"To be clear, these two thousand taels are a loan to you. You may use them to settle the junior and female disciples of our sect."

"Once I have discussed matters with Wang Zhalou, you and the others can earn the silver, and then repay me."

Xie Pingyun accepted the silver tickets, bowing respectfully, "Many thanks, my lord."

"Not at all..."

As the unseen patriarch of the Bai Caotang, Chen Yi naturally did not wish for the Tian Shan Sect's disciples to encounter trouble in Shu Zhou.

After all, he still relied on the Tian Shan Sect's disciples to guard the Bai Caotang.

It was only fitting to give them a good start ahead of time.

Not long after, Chen Yi arrived at Jiaxing Yard, heading straight for the wooden building where Xiao Wanh Er was located. He entered the living room.

Xiao Wanh Er saw him enter, smiled, and rose to greet him, "Please, take a seat."

Just as she was about to invite Xie Pingyun to join them, she said, "My lady, I need to first arrange accommodations for about a hundred... or rather, a few of the junior disciples. It seems they won't be able to dine with you."

Xiao Wanh Er paused, glanced at the bewildered Shen Huatang, and asked, "Aren't your junior disciples already settled in Fengchun Tower?"

Xie Pingyun's smile faltered, unable to meet her gaze or Shen Huatang's, stammering, "There are also a few junior sisters who have arrived; it would be too much trouble for my lady if they all stayed."

Chen Yi chuckled inwardly, recognizing the game Xie Pingyun was playing—first bringing them in, then concealing the full number.

Shen Huatang had also discerned the deception.

From her understanding of this senior fellow disciple, she knew Xie Pingyun had concealed much.

Only Xiao Wanh Er remained unquestioning, even instructing the servants to fetch some silver for him.

Xie Pingyun waved his hands, "No need, no need for silver. The second lord has already given us quite a bit."

Xiao Wanh Er paused, her gaze settling on Chen Yi, "The second lord?"

Chen Yi internally scolded Xie Pingyun for his unreliable nature, and had to explain the matter again.

Xiao Wanh Er listened, though still somewhat puzzled, but the matter at hand was urgent, so she merely instructed Xie Pingyun to be careful, and to speak up should he needed anything.

Xie Pingyun nodded, feeling a little relieved.

Just as he was about to leave, Shen Huatang also finished her duties and stepped out of the wooden building.

Xie Pingyun smirked, whispering, "Sister, in this weather with such heavy rain, you needn't follow."

Shen Huatang took up two oil-paper umbrellas, handed one to her, and said, "Sister, it's late in the day; you should return quickly."

Seeing this, Xie Pingyun grinned, took the umbrella, and felt a restlessness in his heart.

This time, he couldn't hide it anymore.

If Shen Huatang found out how many junior and female disciples had arrived, she would surely scold him.

Shen Huatang walked a considerable distance, stopped, and turned to ask, "Sister?"

"Coming, coming, why the rush?"

Upon hearing the two of them walking away, Chen Yi shook his head silently, letting Xie Pingyun deal with his own troubles.

Through the window, Xiao Wanh Er watched them depart, and recalled her earlier doubts, asking, "My husband, is there any connection between the Tian Shan Sect's disciples coming to Shu Zhou and you?"

Chen Yi paused, though he hadn't intended to conceal it, nodded, "There is some connection, but not significant."

He then recounted the matter of Xie Pingyun seeking his assistance, smiling, "The Bai Caotang was in need of manpower for expansion, so I took the opportunity to help along."

Xiao Wanh Er nodded, "As the senior master of the Tian Shan Sect, aiding the sect's juniors is not a great offense."

After a pause, she asked, "How are things on the Bai Caotang's side?"

"Calculating the time, Yan Zhalou should have just arrived in Guangyuan recently. News should be arriving soon."

"How swift, yesterday Grandfather still inquired about the Bai Caotang, saying he wished to meet the lord, Chen."

Chen Yi, while picking vegetables and eating, quietly replied, "When I go to see him tomorrow, I'll ask Wang Zhalou to see when Lord Chen might return."

Xiao Wanh Er sipped her hot broth, smiling, "Hope Lord Chen returns soon."

"In these past few days, due to the grain tax issues in the three towns, the capital has spent much silver, and Grandfather is quite worried."

Chen Yi was also aware of this, "I'll find out."

After some idle chatter, Xiao Wanh Er recalled the upcoming imperial examination, and urged, "My husband, the examination is crucial to your reputation."

"If there's nothing pressing, you should still go. As long as your results aren't too poor, at most you'll receive a few admonishments."

Before Chen Yi could even open his mouth, Xiao Wugou lifted his head and said, "As your brother-in-law, if I were to take the annual examination, I would surely claim the top spot."

The nearby Pei Wanli chimed in, "Your brother-in-law has no issues at all."

"Forget the top spot—he’d be fit enough to oversee the examination itself."

Chen Yi fell silent, a humorless chuckle escaping him. "I’ve long since forgotten those classics of ancient texts—I can’t even be sure I’d pass the exam."

Yet when he saw Xiao Wanyue’s earnest gaze, he did not outright refuse. Instead, he said, "We still have two months left. I’ll consider it then."

Xiao Wanyue smiled, her clear eyes reflecting his figure, a hint of joy in her voice, "That’s just right."

"You’re now the instructor at Fei Yun Academy, and also the esteemed master of the light boat across the Nine Zhou and three prefectures. Without distinction, you’ll surely be the subject of idle gossip among scholars everywhere."

Well then, let’s speak of it.

Chen Yi had longed to say such a thing.

Yet upon reflection, he found her words unerring.

He did not care for fame or fortune, but the world teemed with mediocrities.

Should he lack renown, some would come to pester him—those with official posts bowing obsequiously, those with merit sneering at his insignificance, those from noble clans mocking his pedigree.

The thought of such afflictions made him uneasy.

"After some time, I’ll visit the academy and peruse those classics again."

"Mm-hmm…"

Not long after, they finished their evening meal.

Xiao Wanyue walked them to the wooden pavilion, watching the rain fall outside, hesitating slightly, "In a few days, I plan to visit the land to establish the Medical Arts Academy. Do you have time, brother-in-law?"

She had already prepared the academy’s affairs and wished to find a suitable location for its construction.

Though it was her first such undertaking, she could not help but feel uncertain.

Chen Yi foresaw her hesitation. He smiled and nodded, "If your sister isn’t in a hurry, let’s set it for three days hence."

"Tomorrow I must visit Bai Caotang to discuss the matter of those one hundred and twenty-seven disciples from Tian Shan."

"The day after, there are two Daoist lectures at the academy."

When Xiao Wanyue was about to agree, she suddenly blinked, her beautiful eyes widening, "One hundred and twenty-seven?"

"That many disciples from Tian Shan have arrived?"

"Shan Yunzi has taken the initiative—I don’t know how she persuaded Tian Shan’s elders."

"That girl—has she not yet learned of this?"

Chen Yi spread his hands, "I reckon Shan Yunzi will face some retribution tonight."

Xiao Wanyue smiled gracefully, "That girl is indeed cold-hearted."

"But I suppose no harm will come of it—Bai Caotang and I can ensure Tian Shan’s disciples find a home."

"That’s… true."

It turned out she had underestimated Shen Haotang.

Though cold and reserved, in such a situation, she was nearly like a volcano poised to erupt.

After departing Xiao Manor, Shen Haotang and Xie Stopcloud rode their horses.

At first, she assumed Xie Stopcloud had merely concealed the arrival of over a dozen fellow disciples.

Yet the carriage wound north, then west, then south, finally stopping at the western market.

They walked and paused repeatedly, Xie Stopcloud bowing low to inform Tian Shan’s junior and senior disciples.

By the end, Shen Haotang’s face had grown quite pale.

"Tell me, how many are they?"

"Fifty?"

Xie Stopcloud shook his head, "No."

"Eighty?"

"Almost… a bit more."

"One hundred?!"

"More still… one hundred and twenty-seven…"

Shen Haotang bit her lip, teeth grinding, "Sister, did you report this to the Patriarch?"

Xie Stopcloud lowered his head, "The Patriarch disagreed, so… I let them descend in batches."

Click.

Shen Haotang nearly bit her tongue off, "Wait for me! I’ll write to the Patriarch at once!"

"Sister, please don’t…"

…

Chen Yi had also underestimated Xie Stopcloud.

Yet for him, this matter bore no downside—only benefit. He paid it no mind, letting Bai Caotang provide more silver.

As evening fell, the rain lightened.

But autumn rains brought a chill.

Especially on a rainy night, the cool breeze stirred the garden, scattering petals and leaves.

The evergreen Spring Lotus Garden seemed tinged with desolation.

Chen Yi glanced at the sky, instructing Xiao Wa to add another quilt for Xiao Wugou and Pei Wanli, lest they catch a cold.

Once Xiao Wa had finished arranging the bedding, he returned to his chambers, sitting cross-legged on the bed.

After a brief rest, he began cultivating the Four Symbols Technique.

These days, Chen Yi had been practicing diligently.

His cultivation had risen to the sixth grade, complete. Only a step remained to break through into the fifth grade.

He had originally planned to seek another time to break through at a residence in the western hills of Sichuan.

Since Xie Stopcloud and Shen Haotang were away tonight, he gave no further hesitation.

Qi surged like molten mercury through his limbs and bones.

Strands of worldly spiritual energy coalesced within the three great seas of qi—the Yintang, Shanzhong, and Dantian points.

Rapidly, his cultivation base ascended.

"Draw the spiritual qi of the four directions into the sea of qi, and awaken the four divine seats..."

As he chanted the mnemonics of the Four Phantoms Technique, the illusions of the Four Auspicious Beasts within Chen Yi’s Yintang point—the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—grew increasingly solid.

Four-colored streams of light erupted from their bodies, merging into one with his true essence. They circulated along the twelve primary meridians, drawing the true essence from the three great seas of qi to converge upon the illusions of the four divine beasts.

An unknown amount of time slipped away.

"Roar!"

"Chirp!"

"Chant!"

"Buzz!"

Chen Yi heard only four deafening roars erupt within his mind, echoing without end.

In the next breath, he suddenly felt an anomaly in his internal true essence—the essence, which had been like liquid mercury, condensed even further.

As the four-colored fluorescence flickered, the true essence became increasingly translucent and magnificent, akin to forming crystals.

In just a single heavenly cycle, his true essence had more than doubled.

Its quality and rank far surpassed what it had been before.

Before he could even investigate, Chen Yi saw several lines of large golden characters float past his eyes:

[Cultivation successful. Cultivation base: Lower Stage of the Fifth Rank.]

[The divine seat spiritual essence of the Four Phantoms Technique (Earth Grade) has progressed; the boosting power of Wood, Water, Fire, and Metal spiritual qi has increased by fifty percent.]

Chen Yi swept his gaze across the text, a faint smile appearing on his face, before he continued to guide his true essence back into the three great seas of qi.

It was only because of this that he discovered the divine beasts upon the four divine seats within the Yintang point's sea of qi had completely materialized.

Where there had previously been mere illusions, there were now physical forms, down to the finest detail of every single hair.

He engaged in internal introspection for a brief moment.

Understanding dawned upon Chen Yi. He slowly concluded his practice, exhaling a sword of pale white qi from his mouth.

His entire being felt as though it had cast off its old mortal frame, becoming increasingly light and agile.

He rose nimbly, looked down at himself, and his smile became unmistakable.

"The martial path