I Have Medicine

Chapter 593 - (Liu Xuejing) My reputation has deceived him

Gu Zuo, of course, had no idea that he had become “notoriously famous.” His notoriety couldn’t really be blamed on the Dark Tower for not keeping his secret. After all, some of the things he had done were impossible to hide from observant people. The pills he refined and the times he stood up for his big brother were all traceable. What good was just wearing a hood? And not long ago, when he was with his big brother solving the issues in the Eight Desolations City, his poisons had played a significant role—no, they were responsible for most of the credit. A little investigation was all it took to figure things out.

Moreover, this was the Longque Imperial City—a hub of lightning-fast information flow, where even a random stone tossed into a crowd might hit scions of major power factions. It was incredibly easy to investigate some rumors. Therefore, the face of the “personal pharmacist of Gongyi Tianheng” was matched with the legendary “Pill Slaughterer Profound Shadow.” The things Gu Zuo did afterward only reinforced this title. No one would ever doubt him again because of his gentle appearance.

Fortunately, it was Gu Zuo’s first time in the Imperial City, and he was seeing a city even more majestic than the Ten Ultimates City. He was still in awe, so he never thought to listen to the discussions of the people around him as he entered. He was completely unaware that when those people talked about the “All-star Prodigy,” they didn’t forget to mention the “Pill Slaughterer Profound Shadow” who was always by his side.

The city streets were wide. Even the gigantic wild beast carrying Gongyi Tianheng and Gu Zuo didn’t take up more than a third of the street. Behind them, the two-thousand-man procession also spread out impressively, creating a rumbling sound that shook the ground.

The Longque Imperial City was divided into three layers: the outer city, the inner city, and the Imperial City. That’s right, while the capital was called the Longque Imperial City, only the very core, where the royal family lived, was the true Imperial City. The Longque Academy, because of its close ties with the royal family, was built very close to the Imperial City and was located in the inner city.

Of course, this proximity was relative. The entire Longque Imperial City was so vast that even with the proximity, it would still take several days to walk from one place to the other. Under the beast’s gallop, the group passed through the small teleportation formations of the outer and inner cities and successfully arrived at the Longque Academy.

The academy’s entrance was extremely tall and magnificent. The air was filled with an overwhelming aura, and above, a cloud of martial arts seemed to have condensed, indicating countless experts inside and an extremely rich source of good fortune.

When they arrived at the gate, Gu Zuo saw a puppet on each side. The puppets were dozens of feet tall. Seeing the people, they snorted through their nostrils. The snort created a gust of wind, as if to blow everyone away.

The giant wild beast stopped in its tracks. Gu Zuo secretly wiped his brow. They had heard that if you tried to trespass without showing proof of identity, these two puppets, who were at the Royal Realm, would kill you. Having two such massive puppets guarding the gate proved the royal family’s deep foundation and the Longque Academy’s immense power. With these two puppets, the academy didn’t need guards to maintain its authority. Unless a top expert above the Cosmic Realm appeared, no one could easily break through their defenses and enter the academy.

The rules were clear, and no one could easily break them. Therefore, Gongyi Tianheng respectfully raised his hand and presented a token. Gu Zuo’s forehead throbbed, and a surge of psyche power sent out his own identity token. The two puppets immediately reached out, and another gust of wind blew by. They each grabbed a token, and after what seemed to be a careful inspection, they both said, “Pass.” Their voices were deep and powerful, like those of big men, but they were also dry, unlike a normal person’s.

Then, the giant wild beast, carrying Gongyi Tianheng and Gu Zuo, took a step and headed inside the academy. The two thousand armored warriors behind them followed in an orderly fashion, like a real army.

After they entered, a person suddenly floated down from the air. This person was wearing a red and black student uniform and had a handsome face. He cupped his hands toward the crowd. “Are you the new students?”

From atop the giant beast, the handsome youth in the blue brocade robes smiled, like a shining moon, and also cupped his hands. “I am Gongyi Tianheng of the Ten Ultimates Sect. I have come with my personal pharmacist, Gu Zuo, to study. May I ask who you are, senior brother?”

The handsome youth smiled. “I am Liu Xuejing, a sixth-level student. I’m here to lead you all to your living quarters in the academy.” He paused for a moment. “Please follow me.”

Gongyi Tianheng and Gu Zuo both replied, “Thank you, senior brother.”

When Gu Zuo didn’t intentionally release his psyche power, he couldn’t see the cultivation levels of martial artists who were much stronger than him. But when he heard Liu Xuejing call himself a sixth-level student, he immediately knew that he was a Noble Realm expert. Before they came, the Palace Master of the Blood Transformation Palace had given them some pointers on this matter.

In Longque Academy, students generally have to earn a seventh-level student status to graduate. For other realms, they must reach a fifth-level student status before they can leave the academy for long-term training.

So, how were these student levels determined? The system was quite simple.

First-level students: Houtian and Xiantian realms.

Second-level students: Immortal Realm.

Third-level students: Atomic Realm.

Fourth-level students: Ascendant Realm.

Fifth-level students: Celestial Realm.

Sixth-level students: Noble Realm.

Seventh-level students: Royal Realm.

Typically, students accepted through the academy’s regular enrollment start as first-level students. However, someone like Gongyi Tianheng, who comes with a special background, is automatically placed at the level that corresponds to their current martial arts realm.

Gongyi Tianheng was at the peak of the Ascendant Realm, so he was a fourth-level student, which was straightforward. However, Gu Zuo’s student level still needed to be tested. The system for pharmacist was completely different from that of martial artists, so his martial arts realm could not be used as a basis for his level. Fortunately, Gu Zuo was Gongyi Tianheng’s confirmed personal pharmacist, so even though his level had yet to be determined, he could temporarily live with Gongyi Tianheng.

Soon, Liu Xuejing led the group to a mountain peak. The peak was several hundred feet tall, majestic and extraordinary, and it was filled with an abundance of natural energy. Even just breathing in the air felt exhilarating. It was clear that a Profound Qi Vein had been placed within the mountain.

There were other mountains nearby, some inhabited and some not, but each peak was far apart from the others. Even two adjacent peaks would not interfere with each other, a design that reflected careful thought. After all, no prodigy would want their secrets to be easily discovered by others.

Liu Xuejing pointed to the mountain peak and said, “This is where you will be staying, junior brother.”

Gongyi Tianheng thanked him.

Liu Xuejing then said, “Longque Academy offers countless classes, but students are not required to attend any specific ones. Every day, an elder gives a lecture, and the location can be found on your student badge…”

For students in the first through third levels, most of the lectures are given by ordinary instructors whose strength might be at the Noble Realm or Royal Realm. Regardless, only a seasoned academy like Longque would have such teaching resources, allowing students at lower realms to be taught directly by experts. For fourth-level students and above, the lecturers are all elders of the academy, who hold lectures daily and are all in the Cosmic Realm.

Students at Longque Academy have absolute freedom during their studies, but they must participate in an annual assessment. The assessment format is not limited to sparring or passing stages. If a student’s progress in the following year is not as good as the previous year, they can take a “retest” a month later. If they still fail the retest, they will be expelled. Therefore, the internal rules of the Longque Academy are very strict, and it is not a place where one can simply slack off.

Of course, there are many ways to train oneself in the academy, and many places are open to all students. Because most of the students who can enter the academy are prodigies, the teaching methods for them are often not constrained, allowing them to make their own decisions. The only thing the academy values is their annual results.

Liu Xuejing explained all of this very clearly. This kind of internal information about the Longque Academy was something even the Palace Master of the Blood Transformation Palace couldn’t have known. Although the Palace Master had studied at an academy, it was the Chongwu Academy, so he wasn’t familiar with the workings of the Longque Academy. Since Liu Xuejing explained everything so clearly, Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng now knew how to act within the academy.

Afterward, Liu Xuejing reminded them, “Although you two junior brothers have your tokens and can enter, it’s best to go to the Hall of Affairs to get yourselves tested more accurately. This will be very beneficial for your treatment within the academy.”

Gongyi Tianheng, of course, was grateful for this kind reminder and asked for directions to the Hall of Affairs. As for Gu Zuo, he, as was his custom, gave Liu Xuejing a bottle of pills as a token of his appreciation.

Liu Xuejing had been all business, but after Gu Zuo handed him the pills, he suddenly remembered that his junior brother’s name sounded familiar. And his personal pharmacist… his reputation was… quite something! He immediately accepted the pills, thanked Gu Zuo, and turned to leave.

Gu Zuo was puzzled. ‘I don’t know if it’s just an illusion.But Senior Brother Liu’s smile always seemed like a toothache… or rather… like constipation. This isn’t logical! Clearly, he was very warm and graceful just moments ago!’

Gu Zuo couldn’t help but feel a little confused. ‘It was just a bottle of pills… did I somehow hit a nerve with this senior brother?’

Gongyi Tianheng, however, looked thoughtful. He then remembered something and, with a hint of a smile, ruffled Gu Zuo’s hair.

Gu Zuo looked at him questioningly.

Gongyi Tianheng just smiled. “It’s nothing, Ah Zuo. Let’s go check out our new place.”