Chapter 15
Yu Sui hadn't expected visiting Ghost Way School to yield such results.
Though she didn't understand Ghost Way School's Nine Schools arts much, she remembered Blackbeard and Ji Meng explaining earlier that this Ghost Way Saint Chang Gen was in a state of "physical dissolution, consciousness eternal."
Meaning he was dead, but not completely dead.
Just now she had witnessed what "consciousness eternal" meant.
The completely irrefutable implantation of another's consciousness was probably one of Ghost Way School's Nine Schools arts.
Sheng Hao beside her reacted, also frowning as he looked toward Mei Liangyu.
Before this moment, Saint Chang Gen had only one disciple, Mei Liangyu, which made his status somewhat special: while other people's masters were alive and well, his master, though one of the twenty-four Saints governing the Academy, was dead. This meant that many times, when Saint Chang Gen needed to handle matters personally, Mei Liangyu would manage them on behalf of his master.
People now more or less understood, their gazes shifting back and forth between Yu Sui and Mei Liangyu.
The Thirteenth Realm Masters from the neighboring Military and Legalist Schools also rushed into this room to watch the excitement, shouting as they walked: "Who? Who is Nangong Sui? Let me see."
Zhang Yuxuan, who had hurriedly returned while pulling up his pants, also shouted at Mei Liangyu inside the room: "Little Mei! I just left for a moment, how did your master take a disciple? Let me see who it is, where is your Junior Sister Nangong Sui?"
Compared to these people who hadn't seen Yu Sui before, those who had seen her and knew she was Princess Nangong were even more surprised.
Zhongli Shan, who had just returned to Military School Academy, quietly opened his Wind-Listening Ruler and sent Mei Liangyu a question mark: "If I remember correctly, Nangong Sui has tested poorly for talent several times, said to be an ordinary practitioner."
Though Zhongli Shan himself didn't have much contact with Yu Sui, he had a good relationship with Second Prince Su Feng of the manor when they were young, and would hear Su Feng mention Yu Sui.
His own sister Zhongli Que also often mentioned the little princess of the Nangong family.
Through constant exposure, he was forced to know some things.
Mei Liangyu wasn't too surprised after seeing the message. Yu Sui's talent test result of ten percent already showed she had terrible aptitude and was an ordinary practitioner.
Saint Chang Gen's consciousness invasion of the Military and Legalist Schools, plus the news of taking a disciple, instantly spread throughout Taiyi Academy.
Blackbeard, waiting at the Academy gates, looked bewildered when he received the news, unconsciously touching his head: What does this mean? Did I misjudge? Is the Princess actually a genius?
Blackbeard thought of his previous regret in his heart, feeling Yu Sui was unworthy of being the Nangong family heir. Looking at the news of Yu Sui being taken as Saint Chang Gen's disciple, he couldn't help shivering and began reflecting and repenting.
Ji Meng came from the Trial Ground to the Third Provincial Prison where Legalist School was holding Gu Qian, standing with the gold-robed youth outside the old Third Provincial Prison gates. They couldn't enter now, so the two stood at the entrance thinking of other solutions.
Just as they were discussing whether to go to Ghost Way School to block Mei Liangyu, they suddenly received news that Saint Chang Gen had just taken a disciple, shocking the Military and Legalist Schools. This disciple was a new Academy student named Nangong Sui.
Ji Meng stared wide-eyed at the jumping message on his Wind-Listening Ruler: "Huo Xiao, do you think this could be someone with the same name?"
"The surname Nangong belongs to only one family in Qingyang." Huo Xiao pointed at his Wind-Listening Ruler: "A new student who just entered the Academy today, also named Nangong Sui, there's only that one."
"But I remember she was an ordinary practitioner, quite foolish as a child, learning everything slowly with no talent. How could she be taken as a disciple by Saint Chang Gen?" Ji Meng was shocked and puzzled: "Even if Ghost Way School is that desperate for people, it wouldn't be to this extent, right?"
"According to what you said, with her level of talent, no matter how desperate Ghost Way Academy is, they wouldn't actively recruit her as a disciple." Huo Xiao turned to look at him: "The key point is she became Saint Chang Gen's disciple. This means Mei Liangyu is no longer Saint Chang Gen's only representative."
Ji Meng's mind took a turn, he slapped his thigh, his eyes brightening: "There's a way!"
The two rushed toward Hundred Schools Hall to find Yu Sui.
……
Too many people came to see Yu Sui. Both teachers and students were curious about what Saint Chang Gen's new disciple looked like. Yu Sui hid behind Sheng Hao, looking timid.
This Academy had many Saints and Thirteenth Realm Masters everywhere. She didn't want to attract too much attention, which wouldn't be good.
Sheng Hao rarely saw Yu Sui show weakness and need him, so he put on the airs and responsibility of an elder brother, glaring fiercely at those new students. His vicious appearance successfully scared away a group of people.
The Thirteenth Realm Masters ran over. After discovering Yu Sui was the new student who had previously tested at ten percent talent compatibility, they awkwardly looked at each other, then began forced praise: "Not bad, not bad."
"Not bad."
While shouting "not bad," they quietly retreated.
Mei Liangyu laughed out loud without courtesy after seeing this.
Zhang Yuxuan, who had just returned and didn't know the situation, praised Yu Sui: "Indeed not bad. Worthy of being someone Old Chang favors. To be chosen by Old Chang as a personal disciple, there must be exceptional qualities, having an incomparably deep connection with our Ghost Way, talent..."
Mei Liangyu tapped the table with his finger, seemingly casually saying: "Talent compatibility ten percent."
Zhang Yuxuan immediately got stuck.
Yu Sui poked her head out from behind Sheng Hao, looking toward Mei Liangyu.
What Ji Meng and Huo Xiao could think of, she had thought of too.
The person in front of her who looked very smart and rebellious had probably thought of it as well.
Mei Liangyu didn't avoid Yu Sui's scrutiny, looking back up at her.
Though this girl was hiding behind Sheng Hao, he couldn't sense any fear from her, but rather that she disliked being watched by too many people.
As for what exceptional qualities she had, Mei Liangyu certainly hadn't seen any.
"Since you're back, keep watching," Mei Liangyu stood up and said to Zhang Yuxuan: "I'm leaving first."
Zhang Yuxuan tried to persuade him to stay: "Won't you watch a bit longer? What if Old Chang discovers more good prospects..."
As Mei Liangyu walked out, he glanced at Yu Sui behind Sheng Hao: "None better than her."
If there were someone better than Yu Sui, she wouldn't have been taken as a Saint's disciple.
Suddenly having an additional personal Junior Sister.
Mei Liangyu had no particular opinion about it.
It was just that half an hour ago, his new Junior Sister had traveled thousands of miles carrying a Legalist School treasure to save her childhood friend, yet he had ruthlessly suppressed her, sending her childhood friend, who was about to be released without charges, back to confinement.
What strange fate and grudge was this?
His master probably didn't do it on purpose.
Saint Chang Gen's disciple was no longer just him alone, meaning that future three-school verdicts wouldn't necessarily have him representing Ghost Way School.
His Junior Sister might not think of this, but people on Gu Qian's side certainly could.
Mei Liangyu rushed toward Ghost Way Saint Hall, deciding to strike first.
……
Yu Sui was learning about Saint Chang Gen taking disciples from Zhang Yuxuan.
Zhang Yuxuan had Sheng Hao watch the recruitment table while speaking with Yu Sui in a corner nearby: "After joining a school, you usually study at your own Academy, but you can also choose to audit other schools and learn ordinary techniques. Some students double major, even triple major, though such cases are rare."
"You are Saint Chang Gen's chosen personal disciple, meaning you are a separate school. Besides the Academy's major exams, there are other trials. Otherwise, you're no different from other students. If you lose points and drop grades, you won't have any special privileges for being Saint Chang Gen's personal disciple."
That's what they said, but what would really happen when the time came was unclear.
Currently, Yu Sui's difference from other Taiyi Academy students was having an additional private tutor.
"Regarding Old Chang and school instruction matters, you can ask your Senior Brother more, Mei Liangyu," Zhang Yuxuan made a gesture: "That person just now."
Yu Sui nodded.
Zhang Yuxuan said with relief: "You can also go to Ghost Way Saint Hall to see if you can converse with your master. When I asked Little Mei before, he never said."
Yu Sui blinked and asked: "What is Ghost Way Saint Hall?"
"The resting place of Taiyi Academy's past Ghost Way School Saints." Zhang Yuxuan explained: "Only these Saints' blood relatives and personal disciples can enter, but almost everyone who could enter died several years ago in wars. Now only Little Mei can enter Ghost Way Saint Hall, and you."
So it was a place where one could communicate with Saint Chang Gen.
Yu Sui's eyes moved slightly as she quietly asked Zhang Yuxuan: "If I wanted to replace my Senior Brother and represent the Saint master in the three-school verdict, would that be possible?"
Zhang Yuxuan answered quickly: "Theoretically, yes."
After answering, he stared wide-eyed in surprise.
Yu Sui smiled: "Thank you, senior."
Zhang Yuxuan awkwardly scratched his face: "I didn't expect you to be so ambitious, but your Senior Brother isn't someone who will yield to you."
This Senior Brother clearly wasn't easy to provoke. Yu Sui didn't plan to ruin their relationship right after arriving.
Adult social relationships were much harder to handle than childhood ones.
Yu Sui asked Zhang Yuxuan where Ghost Way Saint Hall was located. She wanted to go see if she could directly speak with Saint Chang Gen about representing in the three-school verdict.
Zhang Yuxuan thought this child was a newborn calf unafraid of tigers, while also happy to watch the excitement, so he agreed to take her there.
Sheng Hao, left behind to help Ghost Way School watch the recruitment table: "?"
Did I agree to this?
But Zhang Yuxuan was a Ghost Way School Thirteenth Realm expert and senior, so he couldn't refuse to give face. He could only watch with an ugly expression as Yu Sui waved at him and left.
Ji Meng and Huo Xiao arrived a step too late, unable to find Yu Sui, only seeing the sour-faced Sheng Hao.
Seeing these two, Sheng Hao remembered Gu Qian's matter and thought of Yu Sui who had left. This girl better not be going to compete with Mei Liangyu for the verdict representative position.
……
Ghost Way Saint Hall was located at the southern edge of the entire Taiyi Academy, at the very back of Ghost Way Academy.
This area was near mountains and water, with beautiful mountain scenery, quiet and elegant, with flowers and grass everywhere in spring. Because few people came regularly, the vast road in front of Saint Hall was covered with flowers and grass, swallowing the path, and vines had climbed up the high walls, covering the entire wall.
Zhang Yuxuan used wind-riding techniques to bring Yu Sui over, not taking too long.
The two stopped in front of the Ghost Way Saint Hall gates.
The Saint Hall gates stood open, showing high steps and palace buildings, the ground alternating black and white like a giant taiji symbol.
Even though the gates were open, Zhang Yuxuan dared not enter.
He said to Yu Sui: "Don't think those stone steps are just this few..."
Before he finished speaking, Yu Sui said: "I think they're already very high."
She estimated over thirty steps.
"They are indeed very high," Zhang Yuxuan sighed: "What you see after walking close is different from what you see here. There are a total of 9,888 steps."
Yu Sui was stunned.
She wouldn't finish walking even by tomorrow.
Zhang Yuxuan promptly explained: "But you're fine. You're Old Chang's personal disciple, so you only need to walk the thirty-three steps you see."
Only then did Yu Sui sigh in relief. She lifted her skirt hem and stepped into Saint Hall.
As Yu Sui entered Ghost Way Saint Hall, Mei Liangyu inside opened the door and came out.
He stood at the entrance, squinting at the person running over from the main gate.
She came faster than he had expected.
And Zhang Yuxuan had brought her over. Gu Qian's people had indeed gone directly to Hundred Schools Hall.
Green vines climbed the walls into Saint Hall, continuing forward, occupying the ground and draping over stone steps. Yu Sui carefully avoided the green vines and flowers on the steps. When she reached the top and looked up to see Mei Liangyu standing at the entrance, she also saw the green vines hanging from the eaves and windows.
Yu Sui called out friendly: "Senior Mei."
Mei Liangyu smiled without warmth: "If you're going to call me Senior Brother, do it properly."
Yu Sui touched her hair and changed her words: "Senior Brother."
Mei Liangyu looked her up and down: "I heard from others that you're the only ordinary practitioner in the Nangong family, never learned the Nine Schools arts."
Yu Sui nodded: "Yes!"
Mei Liangyu continued: "Not very smart, learn things slowly?"
Yu Sui asked: "Who said that?"
Mei Liangyu: "Sheng Hao."
Yu Sui: "......"
"More or less," Yu Sui sighed.
Mei Liangyu made an "oh" sound, one hand grasping the door. If this Junior Sister knew some Nine Schools arts, he wouldn't feel burdened, but Yu Sui was just a pretty fool, which made him somewhat hesitant.
"If you came to find Master to discuss the three-school verdict matter, figure it out yourself."
Mei Liangyu closed the door.
He hadn't used any Nine Schools arts to bully the new Junior Sister, he just closed the door.
Yu Sui, shut outside the door: "......"
Yu Sui looked left and right, hesitated, then stepped forward and tried pushing the door. It wouldn't budge. She pushed harder, still wouldn't open.
There were even keys hanging on the flower vines by the window.
Yu Sui took the keys to unlock the door, but it still wouldn't open.
"..........."
This Senior Brother indeed hadn't done anything, he just closed the door.
And then I just can't get in.
Yu Sui touched her nose, feeling both angry and amused.