Chapter 5: Arrival at Yiyuan

Our Yi Garden has always ranked last among the six institutes, primarily due to the lack of outstanding talents over the years, which has led to suppression by the other five institutes. We hope to shine this time and bring some honor back to Yi Garden. In this cohort, we have produced two exceptional individuals: Li Hongfei from the Qian Institute and Zhang Aoxue from the Kun Institute. As for the Yin and Yang Institutes, their performance has also been commendable. I believe that with our current strength, we should have the opportunity to compete with the other five institutes.

Lu Yun lightly savored the tea in his hand, glanced into the distance, and softly said: "I am going there merely out of curiosity, wanting to experience the cultural landscape of that place. As for what to study, it will depend on the circumstances at that time"

The disciple of the Yi Garden whispered a few words in the old man's ear before turning to leave. The old man looked at the two, a hint of admiration in his eyes, and with a slight smile said: "You two have come from afar, please take a seat. I am the Master of the Yang Courtyard, Ziyang Zhenren, one of the four courtyards of Yi Garden. You may simply address me as Zhenren. I have heard that you two have come specifically to learn the arts here, wishing to study the methods of cultivating immortality in Yi Garden. Is that truly the case?"

They all understand that this "Gathering of Heavenly Elixir" is a treasure not passed down from the Yi Garden, which gathers the spiritual essence of heaven and earth along with rare and extraordinary items from the world. It has been cultivated over a period of forty-nine years. In total, there are only twelve of these elixirs in the entire Yi Garden. Since its establishment, six have already been used, leaving only six remaining. It is truly unexpected that Master Zhang would be willing to take one out this time as a reward for his disciples.

Lin Yunfeng smiled and said, "I am also very pleased to meet you. Let's walk together later; I will take you there. It will take at most the time of a stick of incense to arrive, which will save you some unnecessary time. What are you going there to study? I am going to learn the demon-slaying techniques from there. Hehe, I have heard that their Daoist practices are quite formidable." After saying this, his eyes sparkled, as if he had already mastered some extraordinary skills.

Lu Yun smiled and nodded, saying, "I didn't expect you to be a great hero who slays demons and eliminates evil. I truly apologize for my oversight. In the future, if I encounter any difficulties, I can seek your assistance. Once we arrive at Yiyuan, I hope you will take care of me. " After glancing at him, Lu Yun was surprised to find that he had some understanding of Taoist spells and charms. The two were in mid-air, moving at great speed, and they covered over a hundred miles in no time.

After glancing at the four of them, Master Xuan Yu spoke: "The reason I am doing this is also for the sake of our Yi Garden. It has been many years, and upon careful reflection, it should be nearly two hundred years since our Yi Garden has produced any outstanding individuals. This time, we have seen the emergence of Li Hongfei and Zhang Aoxue. Their rapid progress in cultivation is evident to all; as of now, both have already mastered seven of the 'Twelve Techniques of Yi Tian' and are beginning to enter the eighth technique. Their speed is astonishing, and it is rare even in the entire realm of cultivation. Therefore, I have decided to invest heavily in their training, so that they may one day represent Yi Garden, roam the world as heroes, and bring back some honor for us. In the current realm of cultivation, there is a gathering of experts. Compared to the past, it is hard to understand where so many skilled practitioners have come from, which is truly astonishing and leaves one at a loss for words. Well, I will not say much more; you may leave now." After speaking, he slightly raised his head and looked into the distance.

Upon hearing this, Master Ziyang smiled, a hint of amusement appearing in his eyes. He chuckled lightly and said, "So it turns out you are a disciple of He Tushu. I did not expect that you would be his student; what a coincidence. He was actually a disciple of the Yiyuan back in the day, just a peer of mine, a fellow brother. I never imagined you would encounter him. It seems he has called you here for a reason. I will speak on your behalf; your chances are quite significant. You have come at just the right time, as we recruit disciples at Yiyuan once every ten years. Within those ten years, there is an opportunity every six months for them to join. In fact, he was also a disciple of Yiyuan back then, just a peer of mine. I never imagined you would encounter him. It seems he has called you here for a reason. I will speak on your behalf; your chances are quite significant. You have come at just the right time, as we recruit disciples at Yiyuan once every ten years. Within those ten years, there is an opportunity every six months for them to join. And just two days from now will be the last opportunity of this year. If you had come a few days later, you would have missed it and would have to wait until next year. This ten-year period has already passed eight years, leaving only two years remaining. Fortunately, there are still vacancies in the four major branches of Yiyuan, so you still have a glimmer of hope." After saying this, he glanced at Lin Yunfeng, as if hinting that the hope was not small.

The four individuals remained silent, with only Ziyang Zhenren displaying a hint of shame on his face, seemingly feeling a sense of guilt for not having nurtured any outstanding talents. After glancing at the four, Ziyang Zhenren spoke: "Brother Xuan Yu, two young men have just arrived at Yiyuan, both here to learn the methods of cultivation. What is particularly remarkable is that these two young men possess extraordinary backgrounds and have some connections with our Yiyuan."

The recruitment of students at Yiyuan is not very strict, but gaining entry into the Four Institutes of Cultivation, namely the Qian, Kun, Yin, and Yang Institutes, is exceedingly difficult. Each year, the number of disciples who can join Yiyuan is extremely limited, almost pitifully so. In this regard, Yiyuan's requirements are very stringent. Without exceptional talent and a pure background, Yiyuan will not accept applicants.

Ziyang Zhenren looked at Lin Yunfeng and said with a smile: "It is not that I can decide this. Our Yiyuan is very strict when it comes to recruiting disciples for cultivation. There are several points to pay attention to: First, the background must be clear; those with unclear origins will not be accepted by Yiyuan. Second, one must possess good talent; the path of cultivation is fraught with difficulties, and without excellent talent, it will only waste the cultivator's time without any progress. Therefore, we also advise those lacking in talent not to waste their time. Third, one must be able to endure hardship and not give up easily; a strong will is essential. Cultivation is not as easy as one might imagine; without persistent determination, it is very difficult to achieve success. Fourth, there must be a strict selection process. Thus, not everyone can enter Yiyuan to learn the methods of cultivation. It depends on your background and opportunities. Now, please tell me about your backgrounds so that I can listen and see if there is any hope?" He then looked at the two.

Lu Yun looked at him and smiled, saying, "Don't be too happy too soon; this matter has not yet been decided. Even if you become a disciple here, without diligent practice, you won't learn anything." After speaking, he smiled lightly, his face showing a hint of indifference, as if he were not concerned about the matter at all

When Lin Yunfeng and Lu Yun arrived at Yiyuan, the sky had just passed noon, which was the time when everyone had finished their meal. Upon seeing Yiyuan, the two noticed its vast expanse, covering no less than several hundred acres, with countless buildings scattered throughout, each constructed in a well-planned and harmonious manner. Lu Yun looked around, a hint of surprise in his eyes, as the entire Yiyuan was enveloped by an extraordinarily large formation, with faint rays of light appearing and disappearing intermittently, invisible to those without profound cultivation.

The roads of Shu are difficult, more difficult than ascending to the heavens. This is a vivid description by the great poet Li Bai regarding the transportation in the western Shu region of Qin Chuan, which is indeed very apt. The western Shu is surrounded by mountains, with towering peaks and perilous roads. The ancient paths are desolate and steep, winding and twisting, causing every traveler to feel a sense of trepidation.

Yiyuan, one of the six renowned academies in the world, is situated between Mount Emei and Mount Qingcheng, occupying a treasure land of spiritual elegance in Western Shu. It is a world-famous sanctuary for cultivation. Yiyuan has a history of over 1,000 years, during which it has consistently adhered to the fundamental principles established at its inception, focusing primarily on the cultivation of the heart, with cultivation of the self as a supplement, and learning as the foundation. It has continuously nurtured countless useful individuals for the world.

On the desolate ancient path, a figure approached from a distance, soon coming into view. Upon closer inspection, it was a young man, approximately twenty-one or twenty-two years old, dressed in a blue scholar's attire, strikingly handsome. His eyes were as clear as water, bright as mirrors, filled with spirit, and very captivating. The first impression this young man gave was that of a delicate scholar. It was unclear where he had come from or where he was headed.

The four individuals glanced at him and then departed. Suddenly, only Master Xuan Yu remained in the Yi Tian Pavilion. He rose slightly, walked to the door, and gazed at the horizon. With a gentle sigh, Master Xuan Yu remarked: "The world is about to fall into chaos, and monsters will surely emerge. The realm of cultivation will face an unprecedented calamity. This time, how many sects will ultimately survive and stand forever in this world? Perhaps, it will be very difficult to find out. " He turned slowly, his silhouette appearing somewhat weary, and gradually disappeared around the corner. This time, how many sects will ultimately survive and stand forever in this world? Perhaps, it will be very difficult to find out. " He turned slowly, his silhouette appearing somewhat weary, and gradually disappeared around the corner.

Xuan Yu Zhenren glanced at the others and noticed a hint of understanding in their eyes. He then spoke softly: "Since they are the descendants of old friends, and you find them agreeable, then two days from now, let them come here so we can all take a look together. If that junior brother is willing to accept them, then let it be so. This matter is settled for now. As for our Six Courtyards, there are only two years left until the martial arts conference held once every ten years. I hope everyone will work hard and intensify their efforts, so that in two years, we can bring some glory to our Yi Garden. Does anyone have anything else to say?"

Lin Yunfeng's eyes twinkled as he smiled and said, "I heard that there are many sword immortals there. If you learn some Daoist techniques and a bit of swordsmanship, you might just become a sword immortal yourself. Enough of that, let's go; I can't wait any longer." After saying this, he tossed a few copper coins and pulled Lu Yun along as they left.

Lu Yun looked at him, a playful smile on his face, his expression mischievous, appearing like a child who had not yet grown up at the age of eighteen or nineteen, which was quite endearing. Lu Yun said, "Yes, I am indeed going to Yiyuan. I didn't expect you to be going there as well; it's perfect because I don't know the way, so now I need not worry." After saying this, he smiled lightly, appearing cultured and refined.

Ziyang furrowed his brows upon hearing this and asked, "Do you know who your master is?" Lin Yunfeng pondered for a moment and then slightly raised his head, saying, "I'm not very sure, but I remember once he seemed to mention that he was a famous ghost-catching master in the cultivation world, and he seemed to be referred to as some kind of ghost master, but I can't recall the exact title. Have you heard of any ghost masters, Shenren?"

Lu Yun found a table to sit down and asked the shopkeeper, "Old man, may I ask how far it is from here to Yi Garden, and how long will it take?" As soon as Lu Yun spoke, the young man in tattered Daoist robes immediately turned to look at Lu Yun, a hint of surprise on his face. The young man then jumped to sit beside Lu Yun and grinned, "Hey, you are going to Yi Garden? I am going there too, so we can go together. Hehe." After saying this, he chuckled.

The Xuan Yin Zhen Ren, who had been sitting still, spoke at this moment, saying: "Recently, malevolent entities have begun to surge from the southwest, and many common people have already been affected. I have dispatched four of my disciples to provide assistance. Master Zhang, do you think it is time to investigate this matter thoroughly? It has been nearly a century since we have seen so many apparitions at once. I fear this may signify some ominous portent. For the sake of safety, it would be best to send someone to look into it."

Lu Yun said softly: "Returning to the real person, my ancestral home is in the capital. My father, Lu Wenyu, was a successful candidate in the imperial examination of the current dynasty, and our family has served in the court for generations, all of whom were successful candidates. Twelve years ago, I moved with my father to settle near the Sword Pavilion in Western Shu, and I have lived there ever since. Due to my frail health since childhood, I have never strayed far from home. This time, my father asked me to come here to broaden my horizons, and if possible, to learn some techniques for strengthening my body, so as to avoid being plagued by illness."

The young Taoist beside him, upon hearing this, quickly said: "A journey of over a hundred miles? That's nothing; we won't need until tomorrow afternoon, we'll arrive in no time. By the way, what's your name? I'm Lin Yunfeng. What do you think? It's a nice name, isn't it?" After saying this, he looked at Lu Yun, waiting for his response.

Lin Yunfeng looked at the somewhat surprised Lu Yun and said with a smile: "How is it? Quite impressive, right? Hehe, this is my specialty. When it comes to slaying demons and capturing ghosts, I am the best at it. In the future, when you arrive at Yiyuan, if you need any assistance, you can find me, and I will definitely help you."

The Master Xuan Yu slightly furrowed his brow and said, "I am already aware of what you mentioned. Recently, I have been observing the celestial phenomena at night and have faintly detected unusual occurrences among the Seven Stars, though they are not yet apparent. Therefore, the emergence of this matter may indeed be a precursor, and everyone should exercise caution. In preparation for future events, it is imperative that we strengthen the supervision of our disciples and accelerate their cultivation speed to be well-prepared for what lies ahead. I have decided to reward this time's outstanding disciples by allowing them to consume our sect's most precious 'Gathering Heaven Pill' to enhance their cultivation, in order to prepare for the Martial Arts Conference in two years and to facilitate our response to future changes." Upon the utterance of these words, the four individuals below all showed slight changes in their expressions, among which the head of the Qian Kun Second Garden displayed a joyful countenance, appearing very pleased.

At this moment, the old shopkeeper beside him spoke up: "Young sir, seeing your impressive demeanor and attire, you must be heading to the Yiyuan to study, right? That is indeed a wonderful place, where many students go each year to learn, and eventually, they all become useful talents. It is still over a hundred miles to the Yiyuan from here, and judging by your schedule, you should be able to arrive by tomorrow afternoon. You must work hard, young sir, and I hope you can acquire more skills to do more for the people in the future." After saying this, he offered a cup of tea.

Lu Yun smiled and stood up, following him as they left. Not far out, Lin Yunfeng chuckled, "At this rate, how long will it take you to walk? Let me lead you instead." After saying this, he took Lu Yun's right hand, grinned, and glanced ahead. Lin Yunfeng softly recited, "Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, the Way follows the heart, Riding the wind." After finishing, he suddenly cast a talisman with his right hand, which ignited instantly, and then a stream of air lifted both him and Lu Yun's bodies, swiftly propelling them forward. Lin Yunfeng softly recited, "Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, the Way follows the heart, Riding the wind." After finishing, he suddenly cast a talisman with his right hand, which ignited instantly, and then a stream of air lifted both him and Lu Yun's bodies, swiftly propelling them forward

Along the way, Lu Yun carefully observed the surrounding architectural structures. The buildings here are simple and ancient, lacking in grandeur. This is evidently closely related to the poverty of the people in Xishu. After passing through several corridors with a disciple from the Yi Garden, they arrived at a room. Lu Yun glanced inside and saw an elderly man in his sixties sitting there, with an unusual appearance and an air of ethereal grace, indicating he was not an ordinary person. Lu Yun discerned that this individual possessed profound cultivation, and he felt a slight sense of vigilance, cautiously concealing his own spiritual energy and aura.

Upon hearing this, Master Xuan Yu was slightly surprised and said, "If this is the case, please share it with everyone."

Looking at the entrance, the two large iron edges caught Lu Yun's eye, revealing a hint of a calm smile as he slowly approached. Meanwhile, Lin Yunfeng had already reached the entrance and was conversing with the receptionist. By the time Lu Yun got closer, Lin Yunfeng had finished speaking with the person and grabbed Lu Yun's hand, following that individual inside

Lin Yunfeng glanced at Lu Yun and smiled, saying: "Alright, I'll go first. My name is Lin Yunfeng, I am nineteen years old. I have been an orphan since childhood and was taken in by a decrepit old Taoist. From the time I became aware, I followed that old master and learned the arts of capturing demons and ghosts. Over the years, I have made some progress. I thought I could continue learning from that old master indefinitely, but not long ago, one day he suddenly said he had matters to attend to, speaking in a mysterious tone, instructing me to come here to continue learning the arts of slaying demons and capturing ghosts. The next day, he disappeared. I searched for several days but could not find him, so I came here."

The gaze shifted to Lu Yun, and Master Ziyang inquired, "Lu Yun, what about you? From where do you hail?"

The tea shop is quite simple, with only two or three worn tables and a few stools. The old shopkeeper is a poor man in his sixties, bearing a face marked by the hardships of life. Lu Yun glanced around and noticed that there were two other people resting here at the moment: one is a woodcutter, and the other is a young man in tattered robes, approximately eighteen or nineteen years old, with an unusual appearance and a playful smile.

In the Yitian Pavilion, the contemporary master of Yiyuan, known as the headmaster, the True Man Xuan Yu, was seated above, gazing down at the few individuals below. A total of five people were seated in the pavilion. Besides True Man Xuan Yu, the other four were the heads of the four major branches of Yiyuan. They were the head of the Qian Branch, True Man Qian Yuan, who appeared to be around sixty years old, and the head of the Kun Branch, Master Jing Yue. Master Jing Yue was the only woman among the four heads, looking to be in her late thirties, still possessing an air of elegance. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of cold light, and her gaze was exceptionally sharp, as if she could see through the hearts of men.

This person is actually Lu Yun, who has left home. His destination is naturally Yiyuan. In order to conceal his identity as a cultivator from others, Lu Yun has dressed in this manner to head to Yiyuan. Glancing at the small tea shop by the roadside, Lu Yun wore a faint smile and slowly walked over.

The Ziyang Master spoke: "Those two young men, one is named Lin Yunfeng, whose cultivation is already quite profound, having reached the late stage of talisman crafting and beginning to enter the phase of object manipulation. The other is named Lu Yun, a youth of exceptional talent, but unfortunately, he has not yet begun his cultivation; he is like a fine piece of jade. Lin Yunfeng is a disciple of our Yiyuan sect, a successor of the Xuan Gui junior brother from years past. He has been coaxed here by his master, though he is unaware of it. You all know the temperament of that Xuan Gui junior brother, so this time, we at Yiyuan have the opportunity to add a new disciple. As for Lu Yun, he is the son of Lu Wenyu, the most renowned member of the Lu family in the capital back in the day. Senior brother, do you think these two can be considered as candidates?"

Upon hearing this, Ziyang Zhenren revealed a hint of surprise in his eyes and asked with mild astonishment: "Are you truly a descendant of the Lu family from the capital back in the day? I have heard of your father, Lu Wenyu, whose name is well-known. Countless disciples from our Yiyuan have served in the court, and many have spoken highly of your father, who was indeed one of the most upright and capable officials in the court. It is a pity that the current court is corrupt, with treacherous ministers in power. How unexpected it is that the two individuals who came today are all descendants of old acquaintances. Perhaps this is fate. I have heard of your father, Lu Wenyu, whose name is well-known. Countless disciples from our Yiyuan have served in the court, and many have spoken highly of your father, who was indeed one of the most upright and capable officials in the court. It is a pity that the current court is corrupt, with treacherous ministers in power. How unexpected it is that the two individuals who came today are all descendants of old acquaintances. Perhaps this is fate. I will speak well of you, and as long as the garden master speaks up, you will have the hope of becoming disciples of Yiyuan. For now, you may sit here for a while, and I will go meet the garden master to inquire about your matters and see what he has to say."

Upon seeing Ziyang Zhenren leave, Lin Yunfeng immediately jumped up, his face filled with joy, and exclaimed, "Hehe, I didn't expect it to be so easy, this is truly wonderful. Once I master the ultimate skills, I will be able to slay demons and eliminate evil, roam the world as a chivalrous hero, and become a revered demon-slaying master admired by thousands. Hehe, how impressive that would be. I am really so happy."

Lu Yun glanced at him and smiled, saying: "My name is Lu Yun, nice to meet you, Lin Yunfeng. Your name is quite nice and very resounding. I am glad to meet you and hope we can go to Yiyuan together"

Lin Yunfeng spoke first: "The true master has a discerning eye and can naturally see that I have come here to learn the ways of the Dao. My companion is the same; he is frail and wishes to learn some immortal techniques to strengthen his body and prolong his life. We hope the master will show mercy and accept us both. My name is Lin Yunfeng, and he is Lu Yun. What does the master think of us?" After speaking, his eyes widened in surprise as he stared intently at the person from Ziyang, a sight that made Lu Yun beside him unable to suppress a laugh.

The Yi Garden is divided into four courtyards, namely the Qian, Kun, Yin, and Yang courtyards. Among these, the Qian and Kun courtyards are the most renowned in the realm of cultivation, while the Yin courtyard is the most famous in the mortal world. This is because the Yin courtyard in the Yi Garden primarily focuses on slaying demons and ghosts, and it has the largest number of disciples, all of whom are chivalrous figures dedicated to eradicating evil in the human realm. They are deeply loved and supported by the general populace. In the region of Xishu, they have eliminated numerous demons and monsters, saving countless lives.

The third individual is an elderly man dressed in a robe, approximately sixty to seventy years old, with a faint grin on his face, appearing somewhat disrespectful due to his age. This person is the head of the Yin Courtyard, Master Xuan Yin. The final individual is Master Zi Yang.

At this moment, Master Xuan Yu spoke: "Junior Brother Ziyang, you have arrived just in time; I was about to send someone to find you. Today, we are gathering here to discuss the matter of recruiting disciples in two days. This time, after thorough recommendations from below and careful selection, a total of ten individuals have been chosen, which is quite a good outcome. Currently, there is one spot remaining for the four members of the Qian Courtyard, two spots left for the six members of the Kun Courtyard, four spots remaining for the twelve members of the Yin Courtyard, and five spots left for the Yang Courtyard, totaling twelve vacancies. It is indeed quite commendable to have selected ten promising disciples in one go; we are only two short of filling the required numbers. In two days, you all should take your time to make your selections."