Chapter 230 - 227: Hurry the Hell Up and Sign Up

Chapter 230: Chapter 227: Hurry the Hell Up and Sign Up

The scene and atmosphere had the distinct feel of a principal about to give a speech at an assembly. When Ding Yi came in, he was led to a cushion at the back, with no chance to exchange a few words with the so-called instructors.

He was a little curious, though, so he sat down. ’Worst case, I can just talk to them after it’s over,’ he thought.

Strangely, the intuition that had compelled him to come up here was now gone. It seemed as if the very air had become more harmonious.

The three instructors stood at the front, yet to speak, but their presence exuded a profound stillness that settled over all the students sitting below.

Such bearing is hard to describe, but upon seeing these three, no one below dared to whisper amongst themselves.

It was a rare occasion for Elder Mo to rise from his seat today.

In the past, he had always taken disciples in his own courtyard, never in a grand public opening like this. But the scene before him still moved him deeply, as if reminding him of the small, shabby martial arts hall at his master’s home more than sixty years ago.

With the air of a true grandmaster, the old man slowly rose. As he did, Mo Shaoge and Mo Qingxue channeled the Magic Power in their arms, inducing waves of a trance-like sensation throughout the entire hall.

The thirty-odd people below felt something often described in works of literature—an "aura"—continuously building.

Many of them stared with wide eyes, their breathing slowing as they took deep breaths to regulate their heart rates.

Whether they had come just for the spectacle or had genuinely come to learn, a single thought now rose in everyone’s mind.

’This time, I’ve definitely come to the right place!!’

Elder Mo’s silver hair and beard stirred without a breeze. Lost in his feelings, he didn’t even notice the changes around him—or perhaps he did, understood their source, and simply chose not to delve into it at that moment.

"I am Mo Ziming. Since I began practicing Martial Arts at the age of sixteen, sixty-five years have passed in the blink of an eye..."

The old man looked up slightly at the flat, carved ceiling, as if seeing the flying eaves of his master’s home from all those years ago.

The hearts of the thirty-plus people below all began to race. As long as you weren’t blind, you knew you were looking at a true, secluded master.

The old man seemed to recall some amusing memory and a slight smile touched his lips.

His eyes, though advanced in age, were still clear as they swept over the audience.

"For too long I have lamented having no one to inherit my life’s work in Martial Arts. Only my grandchildren, Shaoge and Qingxue, have proven themselves worthy. Hehehehe. Today, the proudest accomplishment of my life is that they have surpassed their master!"

The old man spoke very slowly, which normally might make people impatient. But right now, everyone below felt like Yang Guo before the Sword Tomb—each and every one of them thrilled to the core.

"The Celestial Traveler’s Hall is not a business run for financial gain, nor is it a conventional martial arts school. It is a place to seek out promising talent and pass on the true essence of the martial arts."

"All of you here, having the opportunity to enter this hall and learn—even if only for a single term—is a matter of destiny!"

Elder Mo’s gaze swept across the face of each and every student.

"A master can open the Door, but you are the one who must walk the path. I hope you all will seize this opportunity..."

He glanced at his grandson and granddaughter on either side of him, whose breaths were like those of slumbering dragons. He thought of how their Martial Arts had already surpassed his own comprehension, and then, with utmost sincerity, he spoke to the crowd.

"To call this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would not be an exaggeration!"

Having finished, the old man slowly sat back down, picked up his teacup, and took a slow sip to soothe his throat.

Those words were a heartfelt expression of his feelings over many years, but to be honest, there was also an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

For years, the old man had dreamed of playing the part of a generational grandmaster, and that moment had felt *very* good.

If Elder Mo were a bit more hip and spent more time online, he would know that the feeling he just had is called "flexing"!

The first class of the first term, seated on their cushions, listened with mounting excitement. Mo Shaoge and Mo Qingxue, however, were deeply moved, even to the point of being touched.

For so many years, their grandfather had hoped his Martial Arts would not be lost to time. They had laughed at him when they were children, but now, listening to him, they felt a little like crying.

’If only we could ask Master Sage to let Grandpa join Dawn. His knowledge of martial arts is definitely far greater than ours as siblings.’

...

Once the old man was seated, Mo Shaoge stepped forward with a smile.

"Everyone, you are all students of the first class of the first term here at the Celestial Traveler’s Hall. We have a rule here: although the upper limit for the first term is one hundred people, we can begin teaching once enrollment exceeds thirty. The curriculum for new students is kept separate from that of the preceding group."

He glanced at a few specific people in the crowd.

"We will officially begin classes tomorrow morning. Any students who wish to attend the morning session must arrive at the hall before 5 a.m."

"If anyone wishes to withdraw from the hall, you may tell us now. I know some of you are still hesitating about whether to join the course."

Ding Yi felt Mo Shaoge’s gaze pass over him. He felt a pang of guilt but forced himself not to look away.

’Are you kidding me? I’d have to be an idiot to quit now!’

After several tens of seconds passed with no one speaking, Mo Shaoge nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, you may now ask any questions you have."

At these words, everyone below breathed a collective sigh of relief. A moment ago, it felt as if speaking out of turn would get you "expelled from the school," and no one wanted to be the one to test that theory.

A fitness coach raised his hand.

"Instructor, there are both adults and children here. Will the content of the lessons be different for each group?"

Mo Shaoge smiled and nodded.

"The content will be similar, but the intensity will be different at the beginning. Later on, they will become more and more aligned."

Another person asked a question.

"Instructor, what will we be learning? Will it be empty-handed combat or weapons? How long will it take to get good?"

Becoming powerful and extraordinary is always a primary concern for people. Most can’t escape this common desire, so this question was what everyone was most anxious to have answered. They all waited for the reply.

"Heh, the first term is mostly foundational. It’s about tempering your body, cultivating your Primordial Qi, and learning about the meridians. There will also be some basic stances. This will be our selection process for who is qualified to enter the second term. You’ll see some personal growth, but you won’t reach the stage of learning true Martial Arts or weapons yet."

"As for reaching our level... that depends on individual talent. Perhaps you’ll never reach it, or perhaps it will take less time than you imagine. But the prerequisite is that you can stay, and pass the final initiation assessment!"

An initiation assessment?

No one present had heard of this before. It wasn’t on the promotional flyers, and it wasn’t mentioned during the assistant’s entrance assessment either.

"What’s an initiation assessment?"

Some had keenly sensed something was up, while others just asked bluntly.

*Ahem.* With a light cough, Elder Mo gave his grandson a hint, indicating that these words should come from him, the nominal Chief Instructor.

Mo Shaoge naturally didn’t dare go against his grandfather’s wishes. He stopped speaking and turned slightly to the side, waiting for the old man to speak.

The old man didn’t stand up. Compared to the Abyss-like aura from before, he now seemed like a normal old man sipping tea.

But in the eyes of outsiders, he exuded a sense of "returning to true simplicity."

The lid of his teacup gently stirred the floating tea leaves.

"Initiation, naturally, means entering the orthodox lineage of our Celestial Travel Association and becoming a true successor."

"Surely you all didn’t think that at my advanced age, I’m just here to help my grandchildren run a training course, did you?"

Elder Mo’s joke also delivered an important piece of information to everyone.

The truly powerful skills were likely only taught to those who entered the inner circle of the school.

Mo Shaoge waited until his grandfather was done "flexing" before speaking again, though he didn’t plan on answering any more questions.

"That’s all for today. Adults can make their own decisions; minors should discuss it with their parents. Tomorrow at 5 a.m., I will be here waiting for you all. Training uniforms will be distributed at that time!"

"Alright, dismissed!"

Everyone looked at each other. After a short while, people began to get up and leave, one after another, all of them buzzing with excitement.

The moment Ding Yi stepped out the door, he frantically started drafting a message for two of his close friends, editing it across multiple apps.

The message, in short: "Get the fuck over here and sign up for the Celestial Traveler’s Hall!"

P.S. The third Chapter for Monday.