Chapter 596 - 386: A Fleeting Moment, Forced to Ascend

Chapter 596: Chapter 386: A Fleeting Moment, Forced to Ascend

Wang Jue was overjoyed and quickly called up the system panel.

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Title: Good Student

Grade: White

Application: Universal

Instructions: No need to equip; takes effect automatically.

Effects: None

...

Spirit Treasure: Certificate of Merit

Spirit Communication: 100%

Description 1: Student Wang Jue has earned the approval of three instructors. This certificate is awarded as encouragement.

Description 2: This is a Good Student Certificate. It has already undergone Refinement into the body, achieving 100% Spirit Communication. It requires continuous absorption of Spiritual Energy to maintain its spiritual nature.

Effect 1: With the Certificate equipped, it is easier to gain the trust and favor of others.

Effect 2: Manifesting the Certificate can block one powerful attack for you, after which the Certificate will be destroyed.

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"A white-tier title?" Wang Jue scratched his head. "The ’Good Student’ title is useless, but the Certificate is quite interesting! It’s a mental Magical Treasure with protective abilities!"

Looking around, Wang Jue immediately acted like a thief, shrinking his neck and sneaking into a small alleyway. He began to study the "Certificate." This item had already automatically completed Refinement into his body and achieved Spirit Communication to become a Spirit Treasure, naturally absorbing the Spiritual Energy within him.

Wang Jue sensed it for a moment. Because his aptitude was poor, his speed of gathering Spiritual Energy was very slow. Almost all the energy he naturally absorbed was drawn away by the Certificate. This meant that if Wang Jue didn’t actively engage in Cultivation, he wouldn’t have any Spiritual Energy left for Body Refinement. Moreover, he currently couldn’t Refine the Cyanwood Leaf spirit seed, simply because he couldn’t afford to sustain it. It was like a fish tank too small for two fish—he could only support one Certificate right now. Forcibly bringing the Cyanwood Leaf into his body through Refinement would only overtax his physique, causing more harm than good.

He thought, "Although this Certificate can’t assist in Cultivation, it’s still quite interesting. Perhaps I should use it to farm favorability with high-level Cultivators!"

Thinking of this, Wang Jue hurried back home. In his impression, Wang Yin was very mysterious. He didn’t seem like a Spirit Cultivator and had never displayed any Spirit Cultivator techniques, but he was definitely no ordinary person either. Regardless, the man never had to work, was quite wealthy, and would disappear on a whim; vanishing for weeks at a time was completely normal for him. The fact that he could produce that green Pill was enough to prove his extraordinary nature. Wang Jue figured he might as well use his old man to test the Certificate’s effect first. If he could raise his father’s favorability, he wouldn’t have to worry about lacking benefits.

Wang Jue’s home was very close to the Azurewood Academy. It was a small courtyard with three wooden houses, looking entirely ordinary and no different from the neighboring properties. To Wang Jue’s disappointment, Wang Yin had disappeared again.

"Where did Old Wang go this time, and when will he be back?" Wang Jue sighed. Checking the sky, he decided not to waste any more effort, returning to his room to begin Cultivation using the "Azurewood Spirit Quenching Method."

This was the most common beginner spirit refining method at the Azurewood Academy, divided into a Breathing Technique and a Meditation Technique. Its primary function was sensing Spiritual Energy and absorbing it into the body. It was simple, easy to learn, and highly popular among Junior Cultivators. Wang Jue didn’t know any other Technique; he only knew the Azurewood Spirit Quenching Method. By running this method, his absorption rate of Spiritual Energy was about three times faster than natural absorption. Still, it was painfully slow. At this rate, who knew how long it would take to reach the peak of Skin Refinement.

Early the next morning, just as Wang Jue was about to leave, he suddenly noticed Wang Yin appearing at the courtyard gate. He stood perfectly straight, motionless with his back to Wang Jue, like a statue.

Wang Jue’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly sensed the Certificate before bowing respectfully. "Father!"

Wang Yin nodded slightly and said, "Did the Pill have any effect?"

"The Pill is excellent," Wang Jue replied. "I’ve already achieved Spirit Refining Body and stepped into the Spirit Body Realm."

Hearing this, Wang Yin fell silent. After a long pause, he asked, "So, you plan to stay at the Azurewood Academy?"

"Yes, I will work hard in my Cultivation and not disappoint you, Father!"

"Not disappoint me..." Wang Yin shook his head, waving his hand to signal Wang Jue to leave.

Feeling a bit disappointed, Wang Jue cupped his hands in a salute and walked out of the courtyard.

"Old Wang doesn’t seem to have changed much; he’s still as cold as ever. The Certificate’s effect is pretty limited," Wang Jue thought.

Just as he was pondering this, Wang Jue suddenly heard Wang Yin’s voice coming from behind him. "If you have some free time, you might as well visit the Wuzhang Plains more often. There’s an old Blind Man there. Be respectful to him and bring him some food. If you make him happy, it’ll be beneficial for your Cultivation!"

"Huh?" Wang Jue was taken aback. Old Wang rarely spoke so many words to him in one breath.

He thought, "Is Old Wang actually guiding me? Haha, this is unprecedented! It seems the Certificate really does work! Tsk, tsk, the old Blind Man at the Wuzhang Plains... Could he be a hidden expert?"

Wang Jue turned around, only to find that Wang Yin’s figure was already gone. Used to such antics, he still cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for the guidance, Father. I’m off to the Azurewood Academy now. I won’t be able to serve you constantly from now on, so please take care of yourself!"

Inside the courtyard, Wang Yin heard Wang Jue’s voice. He furrowed his brows slightly and thought, "Strange, why did this child actually look somewhat pleasing to the eye today? Never mind. His future Cultivation is entirely up to him..."

With a flick of Wang Yin’s sleeve, the courtyard’s wooden gate shut with a loud BANG.

Azurewood Academy, Azurewood Hall.

Looking at the towering, antique-style hall, Wang Jue felt a swell of anticipation. The Azurewood Hall served a similar function to an academic affairs building; as a newly promoted Inner Academy disciple, Wang Jue had to report here first. It seemed Wang Jue was the only disciple reporting today. He waited for about half an hour before the heavy doors of the Azurewood Hall slowly creaked open. Inside, a few servants were going about their cleaning duties.

To Wang Jue’s surprise, the person responsible for Guiding him into the Inner Academy arrived shortly after—it was actually Su Yunhu.

"Wang Jue!" Holding Wang Jue’s identification file, Su Yunhu said, "From today onward, you are an Inner Academy disciple of the Azurewood Academy. I am the Head of Class C, and you are the 322nd disciple of Class C. Here are your belongings."

Handing over an identity jade token and a residence key, Su Yunhu suddenly paused. He thought, "Wait a minute, wasn’t I planning to make things difficult for him? Why do I suddenly feel a sense of closeness to him and a genuine urge to offer some guidance?"

"This kid has poor aptitude, and to enter the Inner Academy, he meticulously practiced his Swordsmanship," Su Yunhu pondered. "To master those Fast Swords, he must have put in the effort of a Bitter Worker. Sigh, he’s quite pitiful, too. Whatever, I might as well look out for him!"

Having made up his mind, Su Yunhu patiently explained, "Inner Academy disciples are divided into Classes A, B, C, and D, totaling over a thousand people. Disciples join during the early stages of the Body Refinement Realm and leave when they reach the Spiritual Energy Realm. Once someone becomes a Spiritual Energy Realm Cultivator, they are no longer considered a disciple and can enter the Mountain Lord’s Estate. If they choose to stay at the Azurewood Academy, they can also serve as a Junior Steward or an instructor."

Su Yunhu continued after a brief pause, pointing toward the back of the hall. "Your residence is located behind the Purple Bamboo Garden. You can go look for it based on your number later. For now, let me tell you a few important things to note. First..."

Su Yunhu held up a finger and said, "On the first day of every month, all disciples must gather at the Azurewood Cliff for roll call. Absence is strictly prohibited!

"Second, on the second day of every month, instructors will teach Spirit Techniques at the Spirit Technique Pavilion. Do not be absent without a valid reason!

"Third, on the third day of every month, all disciples must go to the Azurewood Cliff to undergo an assessment. Absence is strictly prohibited..."

Speaking meticulously, Su Yunhu seriously instructed Wang Jue for half an hour, covering everything in great detail, such as where the Dining Hall was, where to find the bathhouse, where to collect daily necessities, and so on.

In truth, Wang Jue already knew most of these things. From his perspective, the Inner Academy’s management was incredibly lax. Aside from the first, second, and third days of the month, disciples were free to move about as they pleased during the rest of the time without anyone interfering. It heavily emphasized freedom, with the Azurewood Academy merely providing various conveniences.

However, to fully enjoy these conveniences, one needed sufficient wealth. Inner Academy disciples at the Azurewood Academy didn’t pay tuition and received free food and lodging, but that didn’t mean they didn’t need to spend money here. Weapons, spirit seeds, Cultivation Techniques, and the like all required money to obtain. Without money, one could only enjoy the most basic treatment. For instance, the Spirit Art Pavilion was the repository for Spirit Cultivator manuals. Without money, one could only browse through free, common reads like the *Azurewood Spirit Quenching Method* and *Essentials of Skin Refinement* on the first floor. Advanced spirit art manuals were stored on higher floors and required payment to view.

Fortunately, there were also ways to make money within the Azurewood Academy. The simplest method was to go to the Mission Hall and accept tasks; completing them generally yielded Gold rewards.