Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 520

“Wan Bei greets the seniors.”

Han Li also stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“And this one is…?”

“This is a young man named Han Li, a distant relative of an acquaintance. He wishes to enter the White Dew Academy, and I couldn’t refuse an old friend’s request, so I brought him along. Could you see if he is qualified to stay here?”

Teacher Ro narrowed his eyes and looked at Han Li as Teacher Um calmly explained the situation.

“His spiritual root aptitude is ordinary, but we need to check his attributes in detail. Disciple Han, come over here.”

Teacher Ro spoke after examining Han Li for a while.

“Yes, Senior!”

Han Li stepped forward, and the other person grabbed his wrist with a cool hand.

With his strong consciousness, he wasn’t worried about being discovered. He could conceal anything, including his cultivation, spiritual root attributes, and even his bone structure.

However, he didn’t want to draw too much attention, so he left his spiritual root attributes exposed. With four spiritual root attributes, he barely met the entry requirements. Of course, he had slightly altered his bone structure to hide his actual age.

“You possess all four spiritual roots except for the metal attribute. You barely qualify to enter the academy, but you are old, so the chances of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage are very slim. Judging by your aptitude, you are likely to stop at the 7th or 8th level of the Qi Refining stage. In that case, wouldn’t it be better to live freely as a wandering cultivator?”

Teacher Ro released his wrist after checking his condition.

“I have already heard about it from another senior. Still, I would like to test if I can compensate for my lack of talent with diligence.”

Han Li bowed his head in front of Teacher Ro and spoke with a sincere tone. Teacher Ro glanced at Teacher Um for a moment, then nodded.

“If your will is so firm, I won’t stop you. Then, since you have lived as a wandering cultivator, you must have learned various things. What is your most confident field?”

Han Li was inwardly surprised at the question. To ask such a question to a mere Qi Refining cultivator, was it because of Teacher Um’s reputation? Without hesitation, Han Li replied,

“I have learned a little about refining magical artifacts. However, my cultivation is low, and my knowledge is limited, so I can only refine very basic items.”

“You can refine magical artifacts? I know that it is rare for wandering cultivators to learn refining techniques because it requires a lot of money and time.”

“I just obtained some related books in the past and made some things haphazardly.”

Han Li had no choice but to say this because he was afraid that they wouldn’t accept him if he said he couldn’t do anything. Cultivators who were skilled in alchemy or formations were even rarer, so he chose this option before attracting the attention of others.

“Disciple Han, you can refine magical artifacts? That’s great. Senior Ro won’t have to ask for a disciple skilled in refining from our sect. Since you haven’t officially entered the White Dew Academy yet, how about having you stay at the Yellow Clear Temple for a while?”

The woman named Seon Go suddenly spoke. At that moment, Teacher Um and Han Li were startled and dumbfounded.

“Immortal Maiden Hwaryeon, that might be a bit… The Yellow Clear Temple is where female Taoists live, so how can a man enter?”

Teacher Um couldn’t hide his awkward expression and became serious.

“Most of the Taoists in the Yellow Clear Temple are women, but there are also cultivators with families. Also, there are male disciples in the sect. They live outside the temple even though they are disciples of the Yellow Clear Temple, so there is nothing to worry about.”

“I see. I was ignorant and didn’t know. Still, Han Li came all the way here because he wanted to enter the White Dew Academy. I’m not sure if it’s okay for him to suddenly enter your temple.”

Teacher Um had been asked to get Han Li into the White Dew Academy, so even though he knew that the other party was not of ordinary status, he did not back down.

“Even if Disciple Han stays at the academy with his aptitude, his prospects are not bright. We are trying to refine some treasures at our Yellow Clear Temple, and we are short of low-level disciples to help. If you are willing to enter our temple, your refining skills will improve further. Also, I will make sure that you receive help with your cultivation.”

Immortal Maiden Hwaryeon smiled without any concern.

“Ah… What do you think, Brother Ro?”

Teacher Um hesitated and turned to Teacher Ro.

“It should be up to Disciple Han’s choice. However, as Immortal Maiden Hwaryeon said, entering the Yellow Clear Temple might not be a bad choice.”

Teacher Ro replied without any change in expression. At those words, everyone’s gaze shifted to Han Li. Their eyes were filled with a mix of worry, curiosity, and anticipation.

‘Yellow Clear Temple?’

He thought it was the name of a Taoist temple on another peak of Jade Field Mountain, but it was the first time he had heard that it was mostly inhabited by women. Han Li didn’t know much, so he just stared blankly with a surprised look.

It would be much better to just stay at the White Dew Academy than to suddenly change his plans and enter a sect he didn’t know well.

However, Hwaryeon had offered good conditions, and if he, a mere wandering cultivator, stubbornly refused and insisted on the academy, it might raise suspicion. Han Li felt uncomfortable because of the sudden intervention of Immortal Maiden Hwaryeon.

“To be honest, Senior Hwaryeon, I really don’t know anything about the Yellow Clear Temple. But if it’s a place where female Taoists live, I don’t think the cultivation methods or techniques would be suitable for me, a man.”

“Were you worried about that? If so, there’s no need to worry at all. Our Yellow Clear Temple is actually one of three Taoist temples. The other two, the Hwayang Temple and the Hwangseong Temple, are mostly made up of male Taoists. So, there are plenty of techniques suitable for cultivators to learn.

Moreover, if a cultivator without a righteous spirit enters the White Dew Academy, he will face many difficulties. Of course, if you cultivate a righteous spirit, the power of the same divine ability will be stronger, so it cannot be compared to Taoist techniques.”

Immortal Maiden Hwaryeon explained without rushing, trying not to be rude to the Confucian sect.

“What Immortal Maiden Hwaryeon says makes sense. It is true that Confucian techniques require a long time to cultivate compared to Buddhist or Taoist techniques, so in your case, it might be better to enter the Yellow Clear Temple. Also, since Immortal Maiden Hwaryeon said she would help you with your cultivation, the chances of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage are higher.”

Teacher Ro smoothly persuaded Han Li. Han Li had nothing to say. In this situation, he couldn’t stick to his original goal. While thinking that luck was not on his side, Han Li outwardly replied with a slightly excited expression.

“How could the seniors be wrong? I will do as you all say.”

Hwaryeon nodded with satisfaction at Han Li’s sensible attitude. Teacher Um had hoped that Han Li would enter the Confucian sect, but since he had agreed, he had nothing to say.

After the matter was settled, Teacher Ro, Hwaryeon, and Teacher Um began to chat. They talked about the power struggles in the Great Jin Dynasty, rather than matters of the cultivation world, which surprised Han Li.

It was understandable for the Confucian sect, as their goal was to advance in the secular world, but it was strange that even a female Taoist from the Taoist sect was so comfortable with such topics.

While they were having a lively conversation, a youthful voice was heard from outside.

“Reporting to Master. I have brought the amethyst copper from the storeroom as ordered.”

“Bring it in.”

Teacher Ro immediately replied to the voice.

Han Li also pricked up his ears at the mention of amethyst copper. It was a superior material that could be used to refine top-grade magical artifacts or treasures. It was nothing special to him, but it was definitely a precious item to the two cultivators in front of him.

The door opened, and a young boy entered, holding a red tray. Something was bulging on the tray, but it was covered with a silver cloth, so it was not visible. The boy respectfully placed the tray on the table and stepped back.

“There is no need to attend to us, so you may leave.”

Teacher Ro gave the order to the boy and pushed the tray towards Immortal Maiden Hwaryeon.

“Immortal Maiden Hwaryeon, this is the amethyst copper you wanted to borrow. Seeing that you are looking for such precious materials, I wonder if you are trying to refine an important treasure. May I ask if it is a magical artifact or a treasure?”

“I don’t know either. I was just ordered by my Fourth Senior Sister to bring it. If you want to know more, you should ask our Fourth Senior Sister directly.”

“There’s no need for that. I was just asking without thinking much about it.”

At Teacher Ro’s words, Immortal Maiden Hwaryeon smiled and lifted the cloth on the tray, revealing a pile of purple metal.

After confirming the amethyst copper filling the tray, she took out a storage pouch from her waist and carefully put the materials inside. She chatted for a while longer before getting up to leave.

Teacher Ro did not stop her and saw her off. Of course, Han Li also bowed respectfully and followed the woman out.

As they left, the main hall became quiet for a moment. Suddenly, Teacher Um and Teacher Ro fell silent. Teacher Um, in particular, had an unstable look in his eyes, as if he had many thoughts.

“Are you ready? To face that old hag, Woo Cheon-deok, you must succeed in cultivating the ‘Devouring Truth Merging Origin Technique.’ You haven’t suddenly become afraid of losing your life, have you?”

“If I can avenge my clan, what is this body worth! I was just worried for a moment that Brother Ro might be afraid of the old hag even after mastering his divine abilities and not step forward.”

Teacher Um’s expression darkened for a moment.

“Do you have so little faith in me? If you give me your righteous spirit, it will surely be filled with resentment. I cannot make the righteous spirit my own without eliminating Woo Cheon-deok, so how can I not eliminate that old hag? Besides, do you have any other choice besides me?”

Teacher Ro spoke calmly without any anger.

“I have been deliberately interacting with several cultivators for the past few years, and it is true that Brother Ro has the highest cultivation among them. You are also the only one who needs my help and has promised to avenge my clan. Since it involves touching the hand of the Black Yang Sect, who would eliminate a top demonic sect cultivator for a mere mortal like me?”

Teacher Um spoke with clenched fists, not even feeling his nails digging deep into his flesh.

“Woo Cheon-deok is also an external affairs enforcer of the Black Yang Sect, so it is not easy for other small sects to touch her. Our Confucian sect is originally like water and fire with the demonic path, so we don’t care about such things. Besides, haven’t I accepted all of your requests for the past five years to show my sincerity?”

Teacher Ro sighed deeply. However, Teacher Um’s face did not soften, and he still glared at him coldly.

“I understand. Then, to reassure you, I will make a ‘Heart-Locking Curse’ oath in front of the sages. I swear that if I fail to fulfill my promise, my righteous spirit will not grow even a little.”

“That’s enough. It’s not that I’m afraid of losing my life, but I’m the only one left in the Um clan, so I have to be cautious.”

“I understand your feelings. We plan to start the cultivation in a month, so please organize your thoughts and visit the academy again.”

“By the way, why did the person from the Yellow Clear Temple insist on taking Han Li? If they need a disciple to refine magical artifacts, they could just take anyone from the academy, couldn’t they?”

“It seems that the treasure they are refining at the Yellow Clear Temple is quite significant. Their Qi Refining disciples are short-handed, and they don’t have enough materials, so they are asking for help from the outside, but they must not feel secure.

In the meantime, Disciple Han appeared, so they must want to bring him into their sect and have him work without worry.”

Teacher Ro smiled calmly as if he knew something. At those words, Teacher Um was also relieved. If there was anything unpleasant, he wouldn’t have anything to say to his friend when he returned.

# 522