Chapter 92: Cao Youqian – Why Should I Ever Explain Myself to Others?

Chapter 92: Cao Youqian – Why Should I Ever Explain Myself to Others? Just before dawn. Elder Bing suddenly opened her eyes and used her divine sense to scan the surroundings. All in all, she had been at the Miscellaneous Dao Institute for two and a half days now. Ever since witnessing Chu Feng’s Taiji Sword Technique yesterday morning, she couldn’t stop thinking about it and wanted to fully master the technique. ‘I wonder if that brat Chu Feng will get up this morning to teach the disciples the Taiji Sword Technique again.’ Subconsciously, she used her divine sense to probe Chu Feng’s condition. She found him sleeping soundly and couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Didn’t he get up at this exact time yesterday to teach the disciples? Why was he still sound asleep today? ‘Forget it, I’ll see what the others are up to first.’ Elder Bing extended her divine sense toward the back mountain. Sure enough, she saw that all the disciples of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute were gathered there cultivating. The chubby one was practicing Taiji Fist, and Xiao Chen was training in sword techniques. ‘Wait a minute, how did that kid grasp the sword intent of the Taiji Sword Technique in just one day? Even if it’s just the beginner level, calling Xiao Chen a sword prodigy would not be an exaggeration.’ ‘Seems like it’s not because I didn’t try hard enough, nor that Qin Rou is slacking. It’s just that this kid Xiao Chen is a monster.’ ‘Who comprehends the essence of a sword technique just by watching it a few times?’ ‘Too bad, Xiao Chen has only barely entered the threshold of sword intent. It’s nothing like Chu Feng’s display, where one could grasp its mysteries just by watching.’ ‘Wait... why am I having thoughts like this?’ ‘He’s clearly just a mortal. Or... could it be that Chu Feng has inherited the true teachings of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute and taken his first step toward becoming a peerless Grandmaster?’ Elder Bing had been at Wendao Academy for nearly a century. When she had first arrived, she’d heard many wondrous tales about the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. Stories like how a single painting could help a disciple comprehend the Dao, or a single chess match could lead to sudden enlightenment. But in the past few centuries, nearly a thousand years even, the Miscellaneous Dao Institute had not produced a single Grandmaster—not even a Saint. That was why the higher-ups at Wendao Academy began to suspect that something was wrong with the institute’s inheritance. Unlike other institutes, the Miscellaneous Dao Institute’s teachings were eclectic—everything from music and chess to painting and calligraphy. Moreover, each disciple cultivated in a completely unique way. Because of this, many of the institute’s instructors remained obscure for a century, only to suddenly soar into prominence afterward. ‘Could Chu Feng be one of those people?’ Elder Bing forcefully suppressed these strange thoughts and continued observing the cultivation of each disciple in the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. Very quickly, she noticed someone who stood out from the rest. She remembered his name: Cao Youqian—a notorious wastrel from the Cao family. After joining the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, he became a powerful body cultivator. So far, Wendao Academy’s evaluation of him consisted of just one word—mysterious. At the same time, his potential was said to be on par with Xiao Chen, the sword genius. But now, this genius disciple with the bearing of a future Saint was practicing an extremely crude martial technique. So crude, in fact, that Elder Bing didn’t even know its name—and it looked like the kind of move you could master just by glancing at it. ‘Cao Youqian, what are you doing?’ Elder Bing was completely baffled. Wasn’t cultivating this kind of technique just a total waste of time? Even if he mastered this fist technique to perfection, so what? If it were her disciple doing this, she would’ve already stormed out and scolded them harshly. ‘I’ll wait and see for now.’ Time passed quickly, and it was nearly lunchtime. For someone like Elder Bing, at the Spirit Nurturing Realm, food was unnecessary. One fasting pill could sustain her for three months. But the aroma wafting through the courtyard made her want to step outside and taste it. Especially since the food had been prepared by that chubby kid using Taiji culinary techniques—it was bound to taste exceptional. Creak. Chu Feng opened the door and walked out. Smelling the fragrant dishes in the courtyard, he smiled and said, “Little Fatty, your cooking’s really improved.” Wang Baole grinned. “All thanks to Master’s guidance. Once I reach the Dao Foundation Realm, I’ll be able to make dishes that are second only to Master’s.” Chu Feng patted Wang Baole on the shoulder with satisfaction. “Good ambition. You really are the Wang family’s live-in son-in-law.” “???” Wang Baole’s face was full of question marks. Why did Master keep reminding him that he was a son-in-law? Chu Feng turned his attention to the others. “Any issues in your cultivation today?” “None.” “No problems.” Xiao Chen and Qin Qin responded. Cao Youqian smiled and said, “Master, I’ve already reached minor accomplishment in Hong Fist.” Upon hearing this, Chu Feng’s expression turned contemplative. “Try to reach full mastery within three days, and perfect mastery along with understanding the fist intent within seven. If you can do that, it proves your comprehension is at least above average. If not, it just means your comprehension is below par—even a hundred techniques might not be enough for you.” Cao Youqian’s face immediately turned bitter. “Master, I’ve at least awakened a Divine Body. My comprehension can’t be that bad, right?” Chu Feng laughed. “I’m just giving you a reminder, so you don’t get too full of yourself. After all, you’re not your senior brother, blessed with the fortune of the Heavenly Dao.” “Someone like you, given your background, would be a side-character villain who doesn’t survive past chapter three in a popular storybook.” Pfft... Qin Qin couldn’t help but laugh out loud at that. Xiao Chen and Wang Baole also laughed as they looked at Cao Youqian. “Master, if you put it like that, this disciple is going to be heartbroken.” Cao Youqian looked at Chu Feng with a pitiful expression. “Don’t give me that act. Remember, you can’t be impatient while cultivating. Carefully feel each move in the fist technique and comprehend the intent hidden within it.” Chu Feng’s face was stern, his tone serious. “This disciple will not fail Master’s expectations.” Cao Youqian replied solemnly. “All right, let’s eat.” Chu Feng waved his hand and sat down first. The disciples all gathered around the stone table, seemingly having forgotten that the renowned Elder Bing was still present at the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. They happily enjoyed their meal together. Elder Bing, after hearing what Chu Feng had said, stared thoughtfully at the sky outside the window. ‘What is this brat scheming now?’ At Wendao Academy— Cao Youde had spent only one day gathering twenty cultivation techniques, each worth less than five spirit stones. This action confirmed the rumors circulating within the academy. Some disciples returning from the lower mountains also brought back explosive news: Senior Brother Cao Youqian had waved his hand and spent four spirit stones to purchase eighty-one basic techniques. Upon hearing this, most of the students had the same initial reaction—what on earth was Senior Brother Cao trying to do? There was only about a year left before the next Inner Court Tournament. Instead of focusing on proper training, he was doing all this just to draw attention. Could it be that he wanted all his opponents to underestimate him? But such a strategy would only bring him ridicule. Cao Youqian, meanwhile, remained unaware that he had already become a weirdo in the eyes of disciples from other institutes. After scanning the twenty jade slips delivered by Cao Youde with his divine sense, he smiled faintly. “Brother De, you did a good job. If anyone beats you up, come straight to me.” Cao Youde’s mouth twitched subconsciously. ‘Can’t you think anything good about me? You’re just waiting for me to get beaten up, huh?’ Still, he wisely kept those thoughts to himself. “Brother Qian, why did you buy so many useless techniques? Everyone outside is laughing at you.” Cao Youqian had already anticipated this when he began purchasing the manuals, and responded with a bright smile: “Brother De, everything I do in my life—why should I need to explain it to others? Just wait and see me shine brilliantly in the Inner Court Tournament.” Cao Youde’s eyes lit up at these words and he chuckled. “Brother Qian, you’ve been dependable since childhood. Since you’re so confident, I can now report back to the Ancestor with peace of mind.” “Thanks for your trouble.” Cao Youqian patted him on the shoulder. He knew well that when it came to the Dan Dao Institute, there was nothing that could escape the Ancestor’s gaze. Especially when Cao Youde had made such a public effort to buy up cultivation manuals—there were surely plenty already laughing at him behind his back. Hmph! Once the Inner Court Tournament arrives, I will amaze everyone and take first place, slapping them all in the face! As for Senior Brother—by then he’ll surely have broken through to the Heaven Origin Realm and will be competing in the Core Disciple Tournament. Without him, in the top ten institutes’ inner courts, who else could be my match? ==================================================================================== Get access to 20 chapters in advance and enjoy 2 daily updates by supporting the series. Available on Patreon: /Alex_Cruise or Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/anish_44