Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 319 Nine-Bend Courtyard (Part 3)

Zhong Yunxiu glanced at the two men. Both were martial arts masters who had undergone qi and blood refinement. Although they were not particularly handsome, they were full of energy and had extraordinary temperament. They were clearly not ordinary people.

Han Yi also looked up and quickly glanced at his future master.

Zhong Yunxiu, dressed in a light white dress, had a cool and beautiful face, with a slight frown on her forehead as if she had something on her mind. Overall, she looked about the same age as a woman in her thirties.

But that wasn't his main concern. His main concern was that, just like last time, the system couldn't see through Zhong Yunxiu's cultivation level.

'This system is getting worse and worse...'

Han Yi sighed inwardly. Other people's cheat abilities were getting more and more overpowered, but his were getting fewer and fewer.

At first, the system could only see through the strength of demons and monsters. But now that it has reached its current level, it can even see through the strength of high-level martial artists.

Of course, he also knew in his heart that this matter was largely related to him.

The system's ability to deduce techniques, assess strength, and enhance martial arts capabilities ultimately depends on the individual's cognitive level and martial arts reserves.

However, he only had a vague understanding of the realms above the Second-Level Martial Master, and only a shallow understanding of the Grandmaster realm. Naturally, this detection function was not working properly.

However, although the system couldn't tell, Han Yi could still sense the aura and powerful blood energy unconsciously emanating from Zhong Yunxiu. Even if she wasn't a grandmaster, her strength was almost on par.

"Alright, no need for formalities. Since you've chosen our Nine-Bend Academy, I'm sure you understand it to some extent." Zhong Yunxiu stood up, left the waterside pavilion, and walked up to the two of them.

She originally wanted to introduce the basic situation of Jiuqu Courtyard, but then she thought that there was nothing to say. It was just a low-ranking courtyard.

"Since you're here, make the best of it. The fact that you chose Jiuqu Academy means we have a master-disciple connection. Our Jiuqu Academy... although resources are somewhat lacking in the short term, it has a profound foundation. You'll understand once you stay here a while longer..."

Zhong Yunxiu originally wanted to say a few words of encouragement, but perhaps because she was in a bad state and her mind wasn't on that, what she said sounded strange.

"Yes, master!"

Despite this, Han Yi and the disciple named Sun Zheng still bowed respectfully.

"Never mind, Hanhan, why don't you explain our Nine-Bend Academy's martial arts, taboos, moves, and rules to them?" Zhong Yunxiu sighed, feeling that she really had no energy left to teach her disciples.

She needs to find a way to avoid and resolve the issue just by dealing with the letter Fang He sent.

"Yes, Master!" Zhong Han bowed gracefully. In front of outsiders, the two of them still addressed each other as master and disciple to show respect.

"Han Yi, Sun Zheng, right? I am Zhong Han, the chief disciple of the Nine-Bend Academy. Let me first tell you about the basic rules of our Nine-Bend Academy."

Zhong Han was wearing a white training uniform with a silver-edged belt around her slender waist. Her long hair was styled high, making her look both heroic and beautiful.

She lived up to her status as the chief disciple of the Nine-Bend Academy, explaining the academy's rules, basic information, approximate number of members, and the main cultivation method in a logical and convincing manner.

The Nine-Bend Academy is not large; including Zhong Yunxiu, the chief disciple, and the inner disciples, there are only about twenty people in total.

The inner courtyard of Jingtian Temple is different from the outer courtyard, which often has hundreds or thousands of people.

Each branch of Jingtian Manor has a small number of people, ranging from forty or fifty to twenty or thirty. All the inner disciples combined number only one or two hundred.

The rules of Jiuqu Academy are quite simple, mainly consisting of respecting teachers and valuing the way, strictly prohibiting fellow disciples from killing each other, helping each other, and being united and friendly.

The rules are similar to those of other sects and factions. Perhaps the only difference is that the Nine Curves Academy has no red tape or complicated rules. Disciples within the academy only need to do their own job and cultivate diligently; they don't need to worry about anything else.

Zhong Han glossed over these things without saying much, but when it came to the martial arts major of the Nine-Bend Academy, she became serious and began to explain them in detail.

The main martial art practiced at Jiuqu Academy is the Cold Yin Nine-Bend Palm, which represents the flow of water in the Seven Transformations of Heaven.

The Cold Yin Nine-Bend Palm, which originated from the Seven Transformations of Heaven, has the potential to become a grandmaster.

The Nine-Bend Cold Yin Palm technique is originally meant to depict the nine bends of water, each level surpassing the last, with a total of nine levels.

The nine-level cultivation technique is increasingly difficult, and reaching the ninth level allows one to return to simplicity and attain the status of a grandmaster. However, even the head of the academy, Zhong Yunxiu, has not reached the ninth level; she has only cultivated it to the eighth level.

Among the disciples of Jiuqu Academy, Zhong Han himself had the highest cultivation level, reaching the sixth level and achieving true mastery.

This was still the result of her being naturally gifted, having been influenced by her mother Zhong Yunxiu since childhood, receiving daily guidance, and having been given the corresponding beast meat at every meal to strengthen her qi and blood.

As for the other disciples of the Nine-Bend Academy, most of them were hovering between the second and third levels.

However, even if it is only the second or third level, it is equivalent to the level of a martial arts master, which means that the first strengthening of strength has been completed.

After all, this is genuine skill. Mastering the first level is equivalent to becoming a Meridian Opening Martial Master. Mastering the fourth level is equivalent to becoming a Second-Level Strength Martial Master.

Further subdividing each level, each level can be further broken down into four stages: beginner, minor achievement, major achievement, and perfection.

These four levels are not clearly distinguished by any obvious markers; they are mostly a quantifiable standard used by disciples within the academy to explain their progress to their teachers.

The Cold Yin Nine-Bend Palm refines one's Qi and blood with each breakthrough. When cultivated to its peak, the Qi and blood throughout the body become incomparably pure, and all innate Yuan blood is transformed, with power spreading throughout the body in an endless, surging manner, like a tidal wave.

Just like Zhong Han now, having mastered her skills, all her vital points are now covered with power, leaving no weaknesses. Her power is perfectly integrated, as if she were wearing an invisible armor.

With such strength, one could be considered to be in the upper-middle range in the vast Yunzhou, allowing them to travel without worrying about their personal safety.

After speaking for a while, explaining the general situation of the Nine-Bend Academy and the most important issue of cultivation techniques, Zhong Han took a short break. "Alright, although our Nine-Bend Academy is currently ranked last among the Seven Academies, we can't judge a book by its cover... Once upon a time, the Nine-Bend Academy was the top of the Seven Academies, and many of its secret techniques and unique skills were famous and had a considerable reputation, so..." She organized her thoughts, clearly wanting to encourage the two of them.

Because of its lower ranking, Jiuqu Academy does not have as abundant resources as other branches. There have been cases where disciples who entered the academy were tempted to transfer to other academies.

"In fact, every true skill in our Jingtian Manor has enormous potential. As long as you are serious and down-to-earth, taking one step at a time, you can all become a grandmaster. So, don't be too ambitious. Start with the basics, and one day you will reach the peak, just like those grandmaster predecessors in the Jiuqu Academy."

She didn't make any grand promises to the two of them, nor did she hide anything. She simply advised her junior brother as a senior sister, speaking earnestly and gently.

Han Yi and Sun Zheng sensed the sincerity in her tone and bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister!" "It's good that you understand," Zhong Han said with a gentle smile.

Then, she took out two small booklets, about the size of a palm, with the words "Cold Yin Nine-Bend Palm" printed on their sky-blue covers.

"This is the first level of the Cold Yin Nine Curves Palm technique. After you take it, you must practice it diligently and not waste your talents," she instructed.

Han Yi took the booklet and quickly flipped through its contents. The visualization diagrams, meridian diagrams, and key points were all clearly explained in small print, with delicate and beautiful handwriting, seemingly written by a woman herself.

"The first level of cultivation technique is considered a foundational technique and is provided free of charge. Subsequent techniques will require you to make contributions or purchase them with money."

Although the first level isn't particularly difficult, you must take it seriously and build a solid foundation to ensure a smooth path for future cultivation. Therefore, this step is crucial. During cultivation, you'll need to consume Qionghua fish, which is actually the meat of the demon beasts in the Nine-Bend Courtyard's meat field, to hone your strength and perfectly establish your foundation.

The Qionghua fish is a specialty of our Nine-Bend Academy. Although it's only a mid-level variant, don't underestimate it. Many small forces in Yunzhou don't have their own meat fields and have to spend a lot of money to buy it from elsewhere. Moreover, the Qionghua fish is very compatible with the Nine-Bend Palm technique, their properties match, making it a rare and perfect combination of monster meat.

Our Nine-Bend Academy provides each disciple with a fixed amount of Qionghua Fish Meat every month, but the quantity is always limited. Therefore, if you want to meet your cultivation needs, you will also need to purchase additional portions. Just like cultivation techniques, contributions and valuables can be used in exchange. I won't go into details about this; I believe you all inquired about it before coming and are aware of it.”

After listening for a while, Han Yi finally understood.

Cultivation techniques and demon beast meat are only provided by the inner academy after you become an inner disciple. If you want to improve, you have to find other ways.

In other words, being an inner disciple is actually just an identity, a threshold for being qualified to purchase demon beast meat and subsequent cultivation techniques.

Everything else requires money. "By the way, if you have practiced other techniques before, you can go to the library to find a way to dispel the old martial arts imprints and transform your turbid blood back into innate primordial blood, making it easier to cultivate true techniques."

As she said this, Zhong Han glanced at Han Yi, clearly indicating that she had already read his information and was speaking to him.

Han Yi and the other man nodded in agreement.

Then, Zhong Han stepped aside, and Zhong Yunxiu stood up again, added a few words of advice to the two of them, and then turned and left to deal with other matters in a hurry.

"Alright, let me take you through the admission procedures first." Zhong Han led Han Yi and the other to a separate courtyard on the left, where he changed their outer courtyard disciple waist tokens to inner courtyard identities and gave them many standard inner courtyard disciple items.

Then, she followed the main path, bypassed the main hall, and came to a courtyard at the back. The courtyard was small and square, with plum branches peeking out from the wall, and the sound of an abacus striking could be heard.

"This is where you collect your monthly Qionghua fish. It's one serving per month, with no restrictions on the day, but you can only use up your monthly share within the same month; you can't accumulate it," she explained as she pushed open the door and led the two to the counter.

Inside the counter, a plump, white-skinned man, resembling a wealthy landowner, was frantically fanning himself with a fan in his left hand while rapidly calculating on an abacus with his right.

Summer is almost over, and autumn is just around the corner. I don't know where this fat guy gets so much sweat from.

"Senior Sister." The fat man looked up, his hands still busy with the abacus beads.

"Hele, a new person has arrived. Tell them about it," Zhong Han said.

"Yes, Senior Sister." He Le glanced at Han Yi and Sun Zheng, then took out their files. "Inner court disciples of the Nine Bends Academy need to pay one hundred taels of gold notes every month as tuition. This one hundred taels not only covers the teaching fees for the teachers, but also your food, lodging, and monster meat. Of course, this amount doesn't even cover the costs; it's more of a benefit for the disciples. So, hand over the money."

He Le did some quick calculations, then held out his hand, asking for money.

"Only one hundred taels a month?" The man named Sun Zheng next to Han Yi was taken aback.

He wore a blue robe embroidered with gold, a jade dragon crown, and black boots with cloud patterns embroidered with silver thread. This outfit alone was probably worth more than a hundred taels of silver, enough for an ordinary family to live on for several months.

He generously pulled out a stack of gold notes from his pocket and slammed them on the table: "Give me six months' worth first!"

He Le chuckled as he accepted the money, making a note in Sun Zheng's file: "Junior brother is so generous... So you're the only son of the He Le Gang leader, my apologies for not recognizing you sooner. I'll treat you to a small gathering with my fellow disciples another day." "Of course, of course..." Sun Zheng replied with a smile.

"Alright, we still owe you your tuition..." He Le glanced at Han Yi's file and exclaimed in surprise, "Huh, a second-level martial arts master? A second-level martial arts master, your daily food expenses and the amount of Qionghua fish you receive must be increased in order to maintain your daily blood and energy consumption. You need to pay an extra twenty taels per month."

Pay an extra twenty taels?

Han Yi's expression froze. He had clearly inquired before coming that the monthly tuition for Jiuqu Academy was only one hundred taels of silver, so he had only kept the tuition money and hadn't spent it, waiting for this day. But...

He checked his pockets; besides the one hundred taels of gold notes he had specifically saved, he couldn't scrape together the remaining twenty taels no matter how hard he tried…

Twenty taels of gold is equivalent to two hundred taels of silver, which is basically enough to buy a small house with a yard in Tianjing Town.

This was merely the extra expense for a second-level martial artist each month; the saying "the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts" was aptly illustrated. Han Yi felt completely disoriented. Normally, twenty taels of gold would be nothing to a second-level martial artist.

However, he had just experienced a period of exploitation by the Yuanmiao Sect, and after so many days without any income, he had only some loose silver left after searching for a long time. Let alone twenty taels of gold, even two taels of gold would be a bit of a problem.

Awkward…....

When he heard the fat man say the first half of his sentence, his heart skipped a beat. Now, it was his turn…