Chapter 778: The One From Miao Family (I)
Mount Qingdu.
Dawn had just risen from within the mountains, gradually flickering over the treetops. The jade-like path shimmered beautifully; it was often called the Azure Steps by the families around the lake. It was a metaphor for the path of ascension.
A young man quickly descended the steps, his bearing noble and composed. He wore a platinum-white Daoist robe with tightly fitted cuffs, giving him a clean and decisive appearance. Though he was bathed in golden morning light, his pupils were partially hidden in the shadow of his nose bridge and only glimmered faintly with gold.
A cold and stern black-robed youth followed closely behind robes. His voice was low and steady. “Your Highness, the new disciples from each family have all entered the estate...The numbers are down by twenty percent compared to last year.”
Li Zhouwei was just seventeen, and had focused solely on cultivating the perception technique art. When Li Xizhi and Li Ximing were his age, they had just reached the Qi Cultivation Realm, yet he had already reached the fifth stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm. Li Zhouwei was undoubtedly the finest talent in the family in several generations.
Chen Yang too had outpaced his peers by a wide margin. Since he had only reached the Qi Cultivation Realm a few years ago, he was hailed as the most gifted outsider in a hundred years. Many within the family believed it was due to his half-direct bloodline from the main family. Though he was widely praised, it was seen as expected.
“Twenty percent.” The two strolled across the peak, both well aware of the reason behind the numbers. Li Zhouwei slowed to a stop with his hands clasped behind his back, golden flecks of light swirling within his pupils.
The glow no longer had the strange and eerie hue it once did. Now, it clearly radiated the brilliance of mana. The golden flecks came from the Grand Veined Golden Eyes that Li Xizhi had brought back years ago.
He had refined the Grand Veined Golden Eyes quite early. This Bright Yang perception technique art was no easy feat. Ancient cultivators of the Wei State’s Li Family once needed twenty years to master it, yet Li Zhouwei had done so with ease.
Chen Yang was extremely skilled in reading people and assessing situations. He cupped his hands and replied, “The war up north remains uncertain... These people are afraid. They're afraid that if they send their family's youths here, they'll be sent to the northern front in a few years...
“They’ve each kept one or two behind, sending the rest away under the pretext of training trips. Some were sent to the east, others to the west. This limited the intake to just twenty percent. Since the spiritual orifice talent pool fluctuates yearly, it's hard to argue against it.”