Chapter 4: Chu Feng — Don’t Tell Me I Have to Make Up a Cultivation Method?

Chapter 4: Chu Feng — Don't Tell Me I Have to Make Up a Cultivation Method? Hiss... Everyone present sucked in a sharp breath upon hearing those words. Their expressions as they looked at Chu Feng were mixed—admiration, disdain, and confusion... After all, the Heavenly Spirit Institute was the number one division within Wendao Academy. Unlike the other institutes, the Heavenly Spirit Institute did not separate inner and outer disciples. Everyone who entered it was either already a peerless genius or a soon-to-be one. Let alone the current Xiao Chen, who was already a cripple and could only waste away in the Miscellaneous Dao Institute— Even if he had entered the inner circle of the Sword Dao Academy, the gap between him and Qin Rou would have only grown wider over time. Three years from now, the difference in their strength would be like heaven and earth. Among all the inner disciples of the Sword Dao Academy, only a handful could match the top talents of the Heavenly Spirit Institute. And those few were sword dao prodigies of the highest caliber who refused to switch to the Heavenly Spirit Institute because of their dedication to the sword path. Elder Bing laughed. Her smile was filled with scorn. "Fine. Since Chief Chu insists on playing this foolish game, I'll indulge you. Let's have our disciples enter into a three-year agreement. In three years, they'll fight a duel. If Xiao Chen loses, you will resign from your position as Chief of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, publicly disband your institute, and kneel to me three times in apology! Do you dare accept that, Chief Chu?" Chu Feng shrugged indifferently. "Why wouldn't I?" Then, his tone shifted. "But what if Xiao Chen wins?" "Hmph!" Elder Bing snorted coldly. "Impossible. How could a cripple like him possibly defeat my disciple?" "There are no absolutes in this world. What if Xiao Chen does win? What will Elder Bing do then?" Chu Feng remained calm and composed. Watching this scene, Xiao Chen instinctively clenched his fists. In his heart, he swore: I must follow Master and train with all I have. Even if it means day and night without rest, I will win this battle in three years—for my master, and for myself. "This elder will accept whatever punishment you see fit!" Elder Bing didn't even consider the possibility of losing and casually tossed out a condition. "Not enough," Chu Feng calmly replied. "What more do you want?" Elder Bing asked, barely restraining the killing intent boiling inside her. "Include your disciple as well. She's a central party in this matter, after all," Chu Feng said with a smile. "Fine." Elder Bing said, "If Rou'er loses, she will be at Xiao Chen's mercy." "One word seals it." "One word seals it." The two of them publicly established the agreement before everyone present. Chu Feng patted Xiao Chen on the shoulder. "Let's go. Back to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute." "Yes, Master." Xiao Chen answered without hesitation and followed Chu Feng without even glancing at Qin Rou. The only thought in his heart now was to defeat her in three years. Although he didn't understand why his master had such confidence in him, he believed—Master would find a way to help him cultivate again. After leaving the academic office, Chu Feng looked at Xiao Chen with growing satisfaction. Surname Xiao. Useless. Broken engagement. Three-year pact. All the protagonist buffs are stacked on you now, kid. All that's left is to watch you soar. Right now, he almost wanted to shout: My disciple Xiao Chen has the makings of a Sword Emperor! What had happened at the academic office quickly spread throughout Wendao Academy. The three-year pact between Xiao Chen of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute and Qin Rou of the Heavenly Spirit Institute became the hot topic of discussion. But everyone was overwhelmingly in favor of Qin Rou. Even the upper ranks of the academy believed this was nothing more than Chu Feng's desperate move to delay the disbanding of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. In the eyes of most elders, whether the institute was dissolved now or three years later made no difference. The nine institutes of Wendao Academy were each built on a different mountain. The Miscellaneous Dao Institute was located on Miao Miao Mountain. Compared to the other peaks filled with people and activity, the Miscellaneous Dao Institute was especially desolate. Chu Feng and Xiao Chen walked along the quiet, clean path. If Wendao Academy didn't send people to Miao Miao Mountain every few days to clean up as per custom, this place would've long been overrun with weeds and turned into a wasteland. Half an hour later— The master and disciple duo finally finished climbing the long mountain road and arrived in front of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. If it had been before, Chu Feng would've been gasping for breath. But now that he had ten years of cultivation, walking up here was effortless. Chu Feng said, "Disciple, from today onward, this will be your residence. Our Miscellaneous Dao Institute is quite large. There are plenty of empty courtyards. Aside from your master's personal quarters, you can choose any place you like to live in. Just let me know once you've made your choice." "Thank you, Master." Xiao Chen wasn't picky about accommodations—right now, all he wanted was to begin cultivating again. Chu Feng nodded, then turned and headed toward his own residence. Xiao Chen watched his master's back. He had many questions in his heart but decided to settle in first before asking. In the chief's courtyard— Chu Feng lay on his soft couch, deep in thought about how to keep fooling his disciple. Just one disciple, Xiao Chen, had already granted him ten years of cultivation. If every disciple gave him ten years, ten disciples meant a hundred years, and a hundred disciples meant a thousand. If he had a thousand years of cultivation, wouldn't he be able to walk sideways through Wendao Academy? He could slack off however he pleased from then on. As for battles, bloodshed, or so-called fortuitous encounters, Chu Feng had no interest at all. If he could level up painlessly, why risk his life? But deceiving disciples wasn't so easy. Disciples like Xiao Chen were rare in Wendao Academy—especially since the Miscellaneous Dao Institute had such a low standing. It looked like he needed to come up with a whole system of methods to keep up the act. The night passed without incident. The next day, well past sunrise— Chu Feng yawned and pushed open his door, only to see Xiao Chen standing quietly in the courtyard, waiting. There were beads of sweat on Xiao Chen's forehead—clearly, he hadn't just arrived. Chu Feng quickly adopted a dignified expression befitting a teacher and asked with concern, "Xiao Chen, how long have you been here?" "Reporting to Master—not long, just two hours." Xiao Chen showed no signs of dissatisfaction from waiting so long. Instead, he believed his master was testing his patience and determination. After all, as the saying goes: The Dao must not be passed on lightly. Two hours? How is this kid so stubborn? Chu Feng silently groaned. He asked slowly, "Why have you come to see me?" "Master, I want to resume my cultivation. Please guide me on the path." As he spoke, Xiao Chen moved to kneel. Chu Feng, quick on his feet, immediately stopped him. "Why do you always try to kneel? Leave that be. I'll think of a way for you to cultivate." "Thank you, Master!" Xiao Chen looked at him with eyes full of excitement. Chu Feng stared into those eyes, thinking to himself: Has this kid's golden finger not arrived yet? Or is he deliberately hiding it, keeping it from being noticed by others? Whatever the reason, as a master, not passing down a cultivation technique to one's disciple didn't seem justifiable. If people found out he hadn't taught Xiao Chen anything, how would he ever attract more disciples? But there was one problem—Chu Feng didn't know how to cultivate at all! Don't tell me I really have to make one up on the spot? Then again, Xiao Chen is the son of fate. Even if I make up something random, it probably won't hinder him at all. Thinking of this, Chu Feng's eyes lit up. Yes! That's exactly what I'll do!