Chapter 132: Studying at Huai Mountain (1)
So Liu Sheng pulled Kuang Bowen to see Wen Weilan.
Wen Weilan saw him and realized he was an old acquaintance.
“Do you think he can do it?”
Liu Sheng nodded, “I had him try his hand at making several Spiritual Artifacts. The completion rate was very good, his craftsmanship was also excellent, and his efficiency was acceptable.”
“Since the Great Master has approved, then it should be fine,” Wen Weilan always had no objection to Liu Sheng’s decisions.
Just like that, Kuang Bowen officially joined Qingyun Pavilion.
Food and lodging were all-inclusive, he lived in the back hall of Qingyun Pavilion, received a monthly salary of fifteen Lingtual, and for each Spiritual Artifact he made, he would receive additional payment based on a proportion. This treatment was among the best in Qinghe’s Artifact Refining workshops.
Moreover, for Kuang Bowen, what was more important was the opportunity to become a Disciple of Qingyun Pavilion’s “Behind-the-Scenes Great Master.”
“Are you sure?” Liu Sheng didn't understand why Kuang Bowen insisted on becoming her Disciple.
After all, she was still four or five years younger than him.
“In learning, there is no seniority, only the most capable are first,” Kuang Bowen said earnestly, “I feel that I can learn a lot by following you.”
From the moment Liu Sheng proposed that suggestion, the flame of hope, which had been extinguished in his heart, suddenly rekindled.
A brand new Dao appeared in the mist-shrouded path ahead.
And it was a Dao he had always been willing and eager to embark on.
He had a premonition that Liu Sheng’s achievements in the Dao of Artifact Refining would be far from limited. If he could keep pace with her now, perhaps he too could secure a place in the Artifact Refining world in the future.
Thus, Liu Sheng finally gained her first Disciple at the age of eighteen.
Since he was already a Disciple, he was one of her own, and of course, she could order him around as much as she pleased.
As a result, after teaching Kuang Bowen how to make a Ghost Qi Detector and how to debug Liu Sheng’s improved Spirit Array Engraving Device for mass production of the desired core Formation Plate, Liu Sheng could finally free her hands and focus on preparing for the Examination.
Two days later, outside Qinghe City, by the Flowing Water Pavilion.
“The production of Qingyun Pavilion is temporarily entrusted to you, Bowen, don’t drop the ball,” Liu Sheng instructed, feigning an air of maturity.
However, this expression on her adorable baby face was quite mismatched.
Kuang Bowen, however, didn't find it funny at all. He patted his chest with a serious and earnest expression.
“Don’t worry, Master, I will certainly not fail your teachings. Please focus on your Examination preparation. I wish Master great success in your studies, to pluck the laurel from the toad palace, and to be the sole champion!”
It was rare for the usually taciturn and cold-faced Kuang Bowen to say so much, which greatly pleased Liu Sheng.
“Alright, thank you, good Disciple,” Liu Sheng stood on tiptoe and patted his head, much like petting a dog.
This exaggerated performance immediately gave Wen Weilan and Cui Cui, who were watching from the side, goosebumps.
Liu Sheng caught their subtle expressions from the corner of her eye and frowned.
They quickly composed themselves, appearing nonchalant, but secretly stifling their laughter.
Liu Sheng naturally saw through them.
【These people, how annoying, they’re just jealous that I have a Disciple now!】
【Forget it, I’m already a teacher, I should be more magnanimous and not bother with them.】
After all the necessary instructions were given, it was finally time to depart.
Cui Cui also slipped a Storage Pouch into Liu Sheng’s hand: “These are some things to eat, wear, and use. I heard that place is isolated from the world and has nothing, so it’s better to be well-prepared.”
Liu Sheng accepted it with a smile and thanked her.
This time, Wen Weilan was taking Liu Sheng to meet her Senior Sister.
And of course, Ling Xiaoshu, the tag-along.
Cui Cui, however, was quite reluctant, watching Xiao Shu leave with longing eyes.
The cloud sedan floated lightly, soaring straight up into the clear sky.
Liu Sheng looked at the clouds passing outside and asked, “When I meet your Senior Sister, do I need to perform a Disciple-acceptance ceremony?”
“Of course not! My Senior Sister doesn’t take Disciples,” Wen Weilan chuckled, “Besides, if you really became her Disciple, wouldn’t you have to call me Martial Aunt?”
Liu Sheng waved her hands frantically, startled.
“My Senior Sister holds a small intensive crash course before the imperial Examination every year, taking in a few candidates for special tutoring,” Wen Weilan explained, “So it’s not a master-Disciple relationship, but rather a transaction where money and goods are exchanged.”
“She’s not particularly talented in Cultivation. Although she has a Dongxuan Realm father, she’s been stuck in the Middle Stage of the Mingzhen Realm for over thirty years now.”
Wen Weilan had mentioned that her Senior Sister Nangong Wan was the only daughter of her Master, Mr. Nangong. She was forty years older than Wen Weilan and had watched her grow up since childhood, so their bond was extraordinary, which was why she was willing to let Liu Sheng be this “transfer student.”
She continued, “But she has a great deal of experience in Examinations, especially skilled at using techniques to ace tests. Back then, she had no intention of becoming an official through the imperial Examination and wandered freely. It was Master who caught her three months before the Examination and forced her to take it. As a result, she only prepared for three months but became the Zhuangyuan. Everyone called her a natural-born Examination saint.”
“So I think what you need most right now is a mentor like her.”
Liu Sheng nodded in agreement. Wen Weilan was right; it was too late for her to learn everything step by step now. It was better to start with techniques and take a shortcut to try her luck.
“However, since her starting point was so high, why didn’t Senior Sister Nangong continue to be an official?”
Wen Weilan shook her head, indicating that she didn't know either.
“I was still young then, but I vaguely remember Senior Sister Nangong had already risen to the rank of Minor Supervisor in the Heavenly Prison. Later, something happened, the Heavenly Prison disappeared, and she also suffered the consequences. She was almost exiled to the Great Wall, but Master stepped in and protected her. Since then, Senior Sister has been living in seclusion in Huai Mountain, not leaving her home.”
“Are you talking about the Heavenly Prison that, according to legend, vanished overnight?” Liu Sheng asked in shock.
The Heavenly Prison was once an important institution under the imperial court, responsible for astronomy, calendrical Yin and Yang, and weather. It had existed since the founding of Tang Country.
But at some point, the Heavenly Prison simply disappeared from the eyes of the world.
The imperial court offered no explanation, leading to various rumors among the populace.
Some said the former emperor was angered and abolished it entirely, while others claimed it was divine punishment for daring to spy on the Supreme God. Some even believed that a Weird Domain appeared in Chang’an and swallowed it whole.
This was nearly ten years ago. At that time, Liu Sheng was still young and had only heard her Instructors at school discuss the matter, so her impression wasn’t very deep.
She never expected that Senior Sister Nangong was once a member of the Heavenly Prison, and had even risen to the fourth-rank position of Minor Supervisor, which was absolutely a sign of remarkable achievement in her youth.
To this day, the world has naturally come to believe that the Heavenly Prison is a thing of the past.
Liu Sheng had once thought so too.
But now, with her increased understanding of the firmament above, she no longer considered this to be natural.
When a country no longer gazes at the stars, it can only mean that there is something unspeakable above the starry sky.
She peered out the window, looking at the divine face that eternally and calmly pitied the world, pressing down on the cloud sedan.
【According to historical records, not long after the Heavenly Prison disappeared, the former emperor fell ill and died, and the current emperor ascended the throne. It is suggested that an investigation be conducted.】
The World spoke in Liu Sheng’s mind.
【The World is right, there must be a hidden story no matter how you look at it.】
【This timing, so coincidental, is absolutely no coincidence.】
【I’ve unilaterally decided: when I become an official, the first thing I’ll do is thoroughly investigate this matter!】
【Let’s first think about how to pass the Examination…】 This version of Liu Sheng was more rational.
【Isn’t Senior Sister Nangong here for that?】
At this moment, the cloud sedan slowly descended, landing at the foot of a misty hill where only a hint of green could be seen.
“Huai Mountain has arrived,” Wen Weilan said.
“The rest of the way must be walked. Senior Sister has set up a Restriction on the mountain, so we cannot fly in.”