Several instructors eagerly awaited Qingyun's selection.
However, Qingyun looked at Li Ji'an.
Li Ji'an's gaze, in turn, passed over the seven instructors in front of him and landed on Instructor Wu, who was as diligent and serious in his teaching as ever, not far away.
Fifteen years ago, when Li Ji'an entered the Martial Academy, Instructor Wu had just returned from the Prefecture City Immortal Seeking Academy.
He was only twenty-one at the time, nine years younger than Li Ji'an.
He was a native of Shangyi County, having studied at this Academy, but his Aptitude was average. Although he worked hard, he failed the Martial Examination for two consecutive terms. He was eventually recommended by the former Head Instructor of the Martial Academy to further his studies at a branch of the Prefecture City Immortal Seeking Academy, specifically to be trained as an instructor.
After ten years of acquaintance, Li Ji'an already knew Instructor Wu's character; he was also a grateful person. His return to the Martial Academy was more to repay the kindness of the former Head Instructor.
He was introverted, spoke little, but was exceptionally serious and strict in teaching Martial Dao.
Furthermore, he did not seek fame or profit; no matter who it was, as long as they were willing to learn, he would teach them diligently.
Even when facing Li Ji'an, who was already thirty at the time and had long passed the age for Cultivating martial arts, he still put in his best effort.
Otherwise, given Li Ji'an's age and bone structure at the time, even with the unsuccessful experience of Cultivating martial arts for one year in his previous life, it would likely have been impossible for him to achieve Minor Achievement in Golden Stout Skill, or even Perfection in skin refining.
"The young Wu from back then is now approaching his forties."
Time is merciless, indeed." Li Ji'an sighed slightly, looking at the marks of time on Instructor Wu's Face.
"Young friend, I, Instructor Ma, value brotherhood the most. Seeing you like this, I can't help but miss my brothers from my youth. Today, I will make an exception; no matter what your brother's Aptitude is, I, Instructor Ma, will also accept him as a Disciple. How about it?" Seeing Qingyun looking at Li Ji'an, Instructor Ma Yuan, who was the most quick-witted, immediately spoke.
Qingyun: "..."
Master Wan: "..."
You're dreaming!
"Thank you for Instructor Ma's kindness, but I see that instructor is the most serious and stern. My Master taught me: 'A strict teacher produces outstanding Disciples,' so I choose that instructor." Li Ji'an was unwilling to beat around the bush any longer, nor did he care about these people's Face, stating directly.
"Hmm?"
"Instructor Wu?"
The seven people, including Master Wan, all looked in disbelief at Instructor Wu, who had been diligently teaching there and had not paid attention to this side.
"Kid, you want to choose that Instructor Wu? Have you thought it through? Instructor Wu has been in the Academy for fifteen years, but he has never taught a Martial Examination Disciple. The reason he didn't come to choose you all is simply that he feels he cannot mislead others." Instructor Ma Yuan immediately laughed, looking at Li Ji'an with a rather mocking expression.
Li Ji'an was unconcerned. Instructor Wu simply did not seek fame or profit. As for him never having taught a Martial Examination Disciple, it was only because he hadn't had a good Immortal Seed. He didn't care whether the Immortal Seed was good or not; he was genuinely practicing the transmission of the Dao, teaching, and dispelling doubts.
Moreover, with Li Ji'an's experience of achieving Minor Achievement in Golden Stout Skill and refining his skin to Perfection in his previous life, and having the bone structure and Meridians of the Fierce Sparrow in this life, plus stronger Mental Energy, even without an instructor, he could potentially achieve success in skin refining within two years and enter the Prefecture City Immortal Seeking Academy.
"I've thought it through. I am willing to become a Disciple of Instructor Wu."
"Good, since you chose it yourself, I can't say anything, but I hope you don't regret it." Instructor Ma Yuan immediately said.
He was willing to accept Li Ji'an only for the sake of Qingyun, a high-Aptitude, high-quality Disciple.
Li Ji'an voluntarily giving up pleased him. Anyway, he had already shown his attitude in front of Qingyun.
As for Li Ji'an's Aptitude, not only he but also the other six instructors did not take it to heart. It's impossible for two top-tier bone structures that haven't appeared in two years to appear at once, right?
"Ah? Little Li, you..." Instructor Wan exclaimed, but then his thoughts shifted. In his opinion, the skill levels of the instructors in the Academy were all quite similar, but Instructor Wu's teaching attitude and character were the best.
Coupled with Li Ji'an's Fierce Sparrow form, choosing any instructor would undoubtedly lead to success in the Martial Examination.
Thinking of this, he stopped speaking and looked at Instructor Wu, who was still diligently teaching, a hint of envy appearing in his eyes.
"Do fools have good fortune?"
This was a potential Immortal Seed who could very likely become a Grandmaster in the future. Once he ascended to the Grandmaster realm, with Instructor Wu's relationship as his Master and Disciple...
Tsk tsk, it would surely be an Ascension for all involved.
"Young friend, Cultivate with me." Instructor Ma Yuan no longer paid attention to Li Ji'an, staring intently at Qingyun.
"Then I'll also Cultivate with Instructor Wu." Qingyun said without hesitation.
"No!"
"No!"
Li Ji'an and Instructor Ma Yuan spoke almost in unison.
Instructor Ma Yuan was unwilling to lose the performance he was about to gain.
Li Ji'an, on the other hand, thought that, firstly, although Instructor Ma's character wasn't great, he was indeed willing to invest in Geniuses and could obtain more resources. If Qingyun truly wanted to achieve success in Martial Dao, Instructor Ma was more suitable for Qingyun.
Secondly, he didn't want Qingyun, this troublemaker with no desire to Cultivate martial arts, to ruin Instructor Wu's Dao Heart.
In Li Ji'an's view, there was no such thing in this world as achieving great success in something one didn't genuinely want to do, especially in the path of Martial Dao.
Such a plot only existed in novels and television shows.
Even a Heaven-Defying Aptitude wouldn't work.
After all, for anything, only by genuinely wanting to do it can one strive for it and succeed.
And if one doesn't genuinely want to do it, even if forced to practice, one cannot do it wholeheartedly, so how can one succeed?
Based on his understanding of Qingyun, this kid genuinely didn't want to.
In this life, unless he encounters some major upheaval that changes his will, he will never achieve success in Martial Dao!
"Ah? Then... Junior Brother, who do you think I should choose?" Qingyun was downcast but accustomed to obeying Li Ji'an.
Upon finishing his words, the seven instructors in front of him all took a deep breath.
They never expected this Genius with top-tier bone structure to be so obedient to the young man beside him, even seemingly not daring to contradict him in the slightest.
"Young friend, even though you will follow Instructor Wu in the future, I, Instructor Ma, guarantee that I will provide you with some extra resources." Instructor Ma Yuan hastily made a heavy promise, also regretting his slightly poor attitude towards Li Ji'an just now.
The other six looked at Li Ji'an, their eyes flashing, madly hinting.
Li Ji'an looked at Instructor Ma Yuan, then turned to Qingyun with a slight smile: "Since Instructor Ma values you so much, you should Cultivate with Instructor Ma."
Qingyun nodded indifferently. His goal was very simple: to muddle through, to muddle through until the Martial Academy lost its patience and sent him back, which would be the best outcome.
"Hahaha, good, good, Qingyun, rest assured, I guarantee you won't regret today's choice." Instructor Ma Yuan was immediately ecstatic.
He even walked up to Li Ji'an and nodded heavily at him: "Little Li, you can also rest assured, if you need anything in the future, just come to me."
"Thank you, Instructor Ma." Li Ji'an nodded.
Master Wan stood by, watching the dust settle, especially Instructor Ma Yuan's jubilant demeanor, and finally decided not to disrupt the harmonious scene.
Originally, the Aptitude of Academy Disciples was explicitly not allowed to be disclosed to instructors, to ensure that instructors treated everyone equally and didn't just pick good Immortal Seeds. However, over time, with frequent violations of the rules, this explicit prohibition became a mere formality.
"In that case, Instructor Wu, this new Disciple will follow you to Cultivate from now on." Instructor Wan called out to Instructor Wu, who was not far away.
Instructor Wu heard him and walked over without any change in his expression.
He was already accustomed to such scenes; usually, after the other instructors had made their choices, whoever they didn't want was simply given to him.
He didn't care; treating everyone equally was fine.
"Li Ji'an?" Wu Cheng looked at the roster Master Wan handed over, his memory briefly pausing.
Then, a hint of recollection appeared on his usually serious Face.
"What is Li Jichang's relationship with you?"