Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

Chapter 705 - 704: Apprenticing at the Academy

"The Immortal Hall Academy? We’ve finally arrived. Will we cultivate here from now on?" Song Lingxue’s face was full of excitement.

Tang Qingyu’s eyes were also filled with anticipation.

Xu Ping’an, however, remained calm; he didn’t have high expectations for the Immortal Hall.

He only hoped to find a quiet place to cultivate for a while.

As for the other matters, he dared not desire too much.

"The three of you, I can’t go in, so I’ll leave you here. You can enter on your own," said Du Yuan.

"Thank you so much, Brother Du," Xu Ping’an responded with gratitude.

After nodding, Du Yuan turned and left.

Xu Ping’an and the others then proceeded toward the interior of the Immortal Hall Academy.

The academy covered a vast area with clusters of buildings and numerous palaces.

There were at least tens of thousands of structures.

Many people were coming and going inside, mostly young people ranging from around fifteen or sixteen to about thirty years old.

Of course, they only appeared to be around thirty; their actual ages were unknown.

Xu Ping’an glanced around and noted that the lowest cultivation levels amongst these people were at the Seventh Rank, while the highest were just over the Tenth Rank.

"Brother Xu, you’ve finally arrived," Qin Mu came over with a smile as he spoke.

He had received a message and immediately rushed over.

"Yes, we’ve just arrived. How are you guys doing now?" Xu Ping’an inquired.

"Not bad, everyone has taken a master, and now they’re studying inside the hall, especially Song Kaitian, Tang Jun, and Yu Chenglin. They’ve taken very powerful masters, and that Tang Jun is now quite arrogant," chuckled Qin Mu.

"Tch, with just him? No matter how impressive the master he acknowledges, he’s still useless," scoffed Song Lingxue disdainfully.

Tang Qingyu also smiled but remained silent; however, her eyes revealed that she too held Tang Jun in contempt.

"Don’t worry about them. Do we all have to take a master upon entering the Immortal Hall Academy?" Xu Ping’an asked.

"It’s not necessary, but it’s better to have one. Having a master can help us avoid many detours," Qin Mu advised.

"I won’t take one; I already have a master," Song Lingxue immediately declared.

"Actually, you can take another. I really don’t have the time to teach you right now. I’ll write down my artifact refining methods and pass them all on to you," Xu Ping’an suggested.

"But..." Song Lingxue started to say something, only to be interrupted by Xu Ping’an.

"I’m serious. Your talent for artifact refining is high, and right now, I’m not focusing on artifact refining. If you follow me, you’re only holding yourself back. Instead of that, you’re better off acknowledging a new Artifact Refiner as your master," Xu Ping’an spoke earnestly.

"Right, Ling Xue, Xu Ping’an is correct; he really doesn’t have time to teach you. You can take another master first, and you can also learn Xu Ping’an’s artifact refining methods. This way, you won’t delay in recognizing him as your master," Tang Qingyu encouraged as well.

"Alright then, but you will always be my master in my heart," said Song Lingxue.

"Good, as long as you acknowledge me, I will always be your master," Xu Ping’an said with a smile.

Song Lingxue was finally satisfied upon hearing this.

"Let’s go. I’ll take you to the Elders’ Hall, and I’ll tell you about the Immortal Hall Academy along the way," offered Qin Mu.

Xu Ping’an and the rest nodded, following Qin Mu deeper into the Immortal Hall Academy.

Qin Mu continued, "The Immortal Hall is divided into six different academies: the Alchemy Academy, Artifact Academy, Dao Academy, Martial Academy, Spirit Academy, and Heavenly Academy."

"What? So many academies? Is there a difference between them?" Tang Qingyu inquired.

"There are some differences. The Alchemy Academy focuses on alchemy; Tang Jun has joined it. The Artifact Academy focuses on artifact refining, which Song Sister can consider joining. The Dao Academy studies matters related to Dao laws, the Martial Academy emphasizes combat power, and the Spirit Academy specializes in the cultivation of soul power," Qin Mu explained.

"What about the Heavenly Academy?" Song Lingxue continued to ask.

"The so-called Heavenly Academy is the strongest among the six divisions. They accept all types of cultivators, provided they are geniuses," answered Qin Mu.

Tang Qingyu and the others nodded in understanding.

"What are the differences between these academies?" Xu Ping’an inquired further.

"One difference lies in the strength of the masters. Those in the Heavenly Academy tend to be stronger. The geniuses’ levels are higher there as well, so they have access to the most resources for their tasks," Qin Mu clarified.

"Which academy did you join?" Xu Ping’an asked.

"I joined the Dao Academy. Brother Xu, with your talents, you can certainly enter the Heavenly Academy," Qin Mu said with a smile.

Xu Ping’an smiled. Entering any of the academies didn’t make much of a difference to him.

Soon, they arrived at the Elders’ Courtyard.

At this moment, quite a few elders were gathered inside the Elders’ Courtyard.

Apparently, these elders were engaged in a discussion of the Dao.

Seeing Qin Mu’s arrival, some of the elders couldn’t help but frown.

However, an elder from the Dao Academy recognized Qin Mu and asked, "Qin Mu, what brings you here?"

"Reporting to the elder, these three are disciples from the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty who were separated from us on the road. They have just arrived at the Immortal Hall Academy and wish to join," Qin Mu quickly explained.

"Oh? Is that so?" The elders then turned their attention to Xu Ping’an, Tang Qingyu, and Song Lingxue.

Finally, their gaze settled on Tang Qingyu.

"Eh, the Ancient Devouring Silkworm Bloodline, this bloodline is indeed extremely rare. It is said that as long as one completes the awakening of this bloodline, their strength will rise rapidly," an elder exclaimed in surprise.

"This truly is a lone-time rare bloodline. With proper cultivation, given time, it will certainly reach the Rank 11 level," another elder nodded and said.

"Little girl, would you like to join our Dao Academy and take me as your master?" the elder who had spoken to Qin Mu before asked.

Qin Mu immediately felt delighted and quickly said, "This is the Vice Dean of the Dao Academy, Qin Hen. His strength has already reached the Seventh Layer of the Eleventh Rank."

The Seventh Layer of the Eleventh Rank?

Tang Qingyu was startled and was about to speak.

But another elder nearby spoke up, "Qin Hen, don’t be too greedy. It was enough that you took Qin Mu, but now you want to take away this Ancient Devouring Blood Silkworm as well? You’re being too greedy. Little girl, would you like to join my Martial Academy?"

"Xie Lao Gui, if you want to steal someone, just say it," Qin Hen said with a cold snort.

"That’s right, I do want to steal her," the elder named Xie Yuan said.

The two were immediately at loggerheads.

Tang Qingyu didn’t know what to do for a moment.

"Both of you stop fighting, I’ll take her." Just then, a cold voice rang out.

Hearing this, Qin Hen and Xie Yuan both fell silent, looking at the woman in surprise.

"Is it her?" Qin Mu was surprised.

"Who is she?" Xu Ping’an asked curiously.

"She is Elder Su Rou from the Heavenly Academy. It’s said she has reached the Eleventh Rank Peak and is just one step away from the Immortal Emperor Realm. I didn’t expect her to take an interest in Tang Qingyu," Qin Mu said.

The Eleventh Rank Peak?

Xu Ping’an looked at the striking woman.

He found that her aura was indeed extraordinary, just a single step away from the Immortal Emperor Realm.

"Would you like to take me as your master?" the woman asked Tang Qingyu.

"The disciple is willing," Tang Qingyu immediately responded.

"Good, you may leave now. Come find me in the Heavenly Academy later. This is your disciple token," Su Rou said.

"Yes, Master," Tang Qingyu replied, accepting the token with a trace of joy on her face.

Xu Ping’an was happy for Tang Qingyu as well.

Su Rou cultivated the cold attribute Dao Laws, which were clearly suitable for Tang Qingyu as her master.

"You’re an Artifact Refiner, aren’t you? Would you like to join my sect?" an elderly man with white hair looked at Song Lingxue, his eyes gleaming.

"I..." Song Lingxue hesitated and looked towards Xu Ping’an.

Xu Ping’an nodded slightly.

Only then did Song Lingxue reply, "I am willing to become a disciple."

The old man smiled faintly upon hearing this and said, "Very good. I am Pang Zhong, the Dean of the Artifact Academy, a Semi-Divine Artifact Refiner. You will certainly not be at a loss as my disciple."

Hearing this, Qin Mu was shocked. This elder was the Dean of the Artifact Academy?

Now only Xu Ping’an was left alone.