Chapter 454 - 236: The Dust Settles, A Choice of Sect, A Choice of Life

Finally.

At sunset, all ninety-nine spots were filled, and the Sect Selection Ceremony came to a successful conclusion.

"All selected disciples are to return and rest for the night. Tomorrow at Chen Hour, gather here and depart for your respective Sects with the Elders!"

At the presiding official’s loud cry, the crowd began to disperse.

At the same time, an announcement was made regarding the Outer Sect examinations.

Any unselected Martial Artists interested in taking the Outer Sect examinations for the Three Major Sects could also travel with them tomorrow.

However, that night in the inns of the Capital City, sighs outnumbered sounds of celebration.

After witnessing the prowess of top-tier Demon Fiends like Xiong Tong, Nalan Ruoshui, Long Yu’er, and Jiang Che, the Dao Hearts of many once-arrogant young Martial Artists had taken a considerable blow.

Most of them ultimately chose to accept reality and prepared to head home.

But a few still had the unyielding flames of ambition burning in their eyes.

"I’m not going back!"

One disciple clenched his fists. "I’ll go even if it means being an Outer Disciple! As long as I can learn real skills, what’s a little hardship? One day, I’ll be like Jiang Che and make everyone remember my name!"

...

The night was black as ink, the moon climbing above the willow trees.

Inside the Chen Family’s residence in the Capital City, the lights were bright and the aroma of wine filled the air.

A group of young people sat around a large, round mahogany table.

Aside from Jiang Che, Xiao Qingge, Chen Jiayu, Qing Ling, Lin Qingyun, Shi Poyue, and Wang Zhenhai were all present.

Even the ever-aloof Gu Qingxuan and the once-arrogant Qin Wuya were seated at the table, a rare sight.

Only Qin Xuange was absent.

After all, he had been in the army for years. His personality was cold, hard, and solitary, and he had no real connection with the others, so his absence was understandable.

"Come, a toast!"

Jiang Che was the first to rise. He lifted his cup, his gaze sweeping slowly over every face at the table.

"Cheers!"

After clinking their cups, they all drained them in one go.

Setting down his cup, Jiang Che looked at everyone and asked softly, "Tomorrow we part ways. What... are your plans?"

Chen Jiayu gave a bitter smile, gently waving the folding fan in his hand as he sighed.

"To be honest... watching all of you shine on stage, my heart was stirred. I wanted to try my luck at the Outer Sect examinations and see the wider world for myself."

"But..."

His eyes dimmed, and he shook his head helplessly.

"My father has already sent a letter ordering my immediate return. He’s paved the way for me to go back to Cangzhou Prefecture, enter service, and pursue a career as an official."

"As the eldest son of the Chen Family, the family’s burden rests on my shoulders. In some matters... my hands are tied."

Hearing this, Jiang Che reached out and clapped him heavily on the shoulder.

"I understand. But the imperial court isn’t like the Jianghu. The dangers are often hidden. Be careful."

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Jiang. I’ll be careful." A warmth spread through Chen Jiayu’s heart.

Just then, the usually forthright Xiao Qingge, who was toying with her wine cup, spoke with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.

"I’m heading back too. Forget this."

"These last few days in the Capital City have really been a blow to my ego. Some ’genius’ I am... around here, geniuses are a dime a dozen!"

"Those Three Top Sects... just looking at them is suffocating. I’m too used to being undisciplined; I can’t handle that kind of pressure. I’d rather go back to the Profound Sound Sect. Bossing my junior brothers and sisters around is way more my style!"

Beside her, Qing Ling chugged a mouthful of wine and added in a booming voice:

"Yeah, it’s terrifying. That kind of place isn’t fit for humans. I’ll just go back and practice my spear. I don’t think my Heaven-Sundering Sect’s Spear Technique is any worse!"

Shi Poyue and Wang Zhenhai quickly agreed.

"Same here! Back home, we can still be somebody. If we stay here, I’m afraid we’ll lose every last shred of confidence!"

Jiang Che nodded, not trying to persuade them otherwise.

The path of cultivation was inherently difficult.

Knowing when to retreat in the face of hardship was, at times, a form of wisdom, and a responsible choice for oneself.

However, at that moment, a cool, detached voice suddenly rang out.

"I’m not going back."

Everyone froze, turning to look.

It was Gu Qingxuan.

"I’ve decided to take the Outer Sect examination for the Haotian Sword Sect."

Her voice was calm, but it held a note of finality.

"I’ve heard that the Haotian Sword Sect’s *Vast Heaven Sword Manual* is hailed as the world’s foremost True Understanding of the Sword Way."

"I want to learn it!"

"Even if it means being an Outer Disciple, even if I have to start by sweeping floors... as long as it brings me one step closer to the Peak of the Sword Dao, I’m willing to pay any price!"

As soon as she finished, another stern voice followed.

"I’ll go too!"

The normally taciturn Lin Qingyun looked up, his eyes glittering with the same determination.

"My Fast Sword has hit a bottleneck. If I return to Cangzhou, I fear this will be my limit for the rest of my life."

"I also want to see for myself... just how magnificent that so-called number one sword manual in the world truly is!"

Looking at these two sword fanatics, Jiang Che couldn’t help but feel a surge of respect.

Sword Cultivators truly were an obsessive and pure-hearted bunch.

For the sake of the Dao in their hearts, they could cast aside dignity and comfort, all for a sliver of an ethereal possibility.

"Good!"

Jiang Che raised his cup and said to the two of them solemnly,

"Then I wish you both success in achieving your dreams and attaining Great Success in the Sword Dao!"

"Cheers!"

...

Several rounds of drinks and courses of food later,

The group chatted for a long time, talking about past events in Cangzhou Prefecture, their experiences in the Capital City, and their hopes for the future.

The banquet finally ended when the moon was high in the sky.

After seeing everyone off, Jiang Che stood alone in the courtyard, an indescribable melancholy suddenly welling up in his heart.

Though no one had said it out loud, everyone knew in their hearts.

After this farewell, their paths would diverge, separated by mountains and rivers.

In the future, it would be difficult to have another opportunity for them all to gather like this again.

Even if they were to meet again one day, their Realms, statuses, positions, and perspectives would likely be worlds apart.

Some would become lofty True Inheritance disciples of a Major Sect, looking down upon the masses.

Some would rise and fall in the political world, becoming smooth and worldly.

Others might fade into obscurity, toiling day in and day out just to make a living.

And some...

For some of them, this might have been the last time they would ever see each other in this life.

Jiang Che looked up at the bright, clear moon in the sky, his thoughts beginning to drift.

He thought of his past life.

He thought of the farewell dinner after his university graduation.

That night, everyone had also gotten completely drunk, crying and laughing as they swore solemn oaths. "If we get rich, we won’t forget each other," they’d said. "Let’s keep in touch."

But what happened later?

In the blink of an eye, they were scattered to the four corners of the earth.

The names were still in his contact list, but there was never again a reason to call.

The brothers with whom he once shared everything eventually became the most familiar of strangers in his social media feed.

’Is this... the price of growing up?’

Jiang Che sighed softly. He picked up the wine jug and poured the last few drops onto the ground.

A tribute to the youth and past that were destined to fade away.

「Tomorrow.」

The sun would rise as always.

And they would each embark on their own journeys.

Whether to go or to stay—this, too, was life.

...