Chapter 89: The choice of the Taoist temple, no initiative, no explanation, no refusal! [5000 words long chapter]
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
"Both of you performed very well this time, especially Student Lu. You gave us teachers a huge surprise!"
Hearing Chen Fugui's words, Lu Chen remained noncommittal, nodding calmly.
It wasn't that he liked to keep silent and pretend to be a master.
It was because there was really nothing to say.
After all, he couldn't possibly tell Chen Fugui, "The reason I can Cultivate Sword Intent during the Qi Training Stage is entirely because I played games, right?"
Besides, what is there to explain about Comprehension Ability?
And Chen Fugui, looking at the 'cold' Lu Chen, not only didn't find him overly arrogant but instead thought it was reasonable.
After all, if you could comprehend Sword Intent during the Qi Training Stage and dared to attack a Golden Core Stage Cultivator while in the Qi Training Stage.
You would be arrogant too!
Moreover, Chen Fugui felt that Lu Chen's achievements today were due to the unyielding pride within him, that sense of being unrivaled.
After all, without this pride, how could he have dared to attack the Golden Core Stage Black Rock King?
Besides, what kind of young person isn't fiery and spirited?
However, Chen Fugui called the two over not to discuss Lu Chen's personality, but rather their future plans.
"How much do you know about the Four Great Dao Institutes? Do you have a particular Dao Academy in mind?"
Hearing Chen Fugui's words, Lu Chen and Mu Xiaoye exchanged glances.
Then Lu Chen spoke, "We don't know much. We'd like to ask both teachers for guidance."
Chen Fugui nodded, then began to explain the detailed information about the Four Great Dao Institutes within the Immortal Alliance.
As for the Dao Academies outside the Four Great Dao Institutes, there was no need to mention them.
Because neither Lu Chen nor Mu Xiaoye would possibly go there.
And after Chen Fugui's explanation, Lu Chen quickly understood the characteristics of each of the Four Great Dao Institutes.
The so-called Immortal Alliance's Four Great Dao Institutes were originally mortal Daoist temples established by the four Immortal Alliance Holy Lands within their respective spheres of influence.
Doing so, firstly, could expand the influence of the Four Great Sacred Grounds in their respective mortal territories, and secondly, could help the Sects select talents, killing multiple birds with one stone.
And as they developed, the Four Great Dao Institutes had already become the main places for the Immortal Alliance's major Sects to select Disciples.
Many second-rate Sects, in order to select good Disciples, would even specifically send some Protectors and Elders from their own Sects to serve as lecturers in the Four Great Dao Institutes.
This was in exchange for the opportunity to select Disciples within the Four Great Dao Institutes.
And regarding this point, the Four Great Dao Institutes not only did not object but were very pleased.
Because this would, unknowingly, deepen the connection between other Sects and the various Holy Lands.
Further strengthening the influence of the Four Great Sacred Grounds within the nine luminaries.
And based on this, the characteristics of the Four Great Dao Institutes can easily be summarized.
Qinghe Dao Academy, located in the east of the nine luminaries, its supporting Holy Land Sect is the Shangqing Dao Palace, primarily cultivating Wood Law and Swordsmanship.
Departure Fire Dao Academy, located in the south of the nine luminaries, its supporting Holy Land Sect is the Wanye Immortal Sect, primarily cultivating Fire Law and Alchemy.
Barbaric Wasteland Dao Institute, located in the west of the nine luminaries, its supporting Holy Land Sect is the nine luminaries Heavenly Capital, primarily cultivating Metal Law and Body Cultivation.
Xuan Shui Dao Academy, located in the north of the nine luminaries, its supporting Holy Land Sect is the Azure Sea Mysterious Sect, primarily cultivating Water Law, Earth Law, Talismans, and Divination.
Although the Four Great Dao Institutes each have their own characteristics, it does not mean that once you are admitted to a certain Dao Academy, you can only Cultivate in the direction that the Dao Academy excels in.
It should be known that the term 'primarily cultivating' only means that these Dao Academies are most skilled at teaching knowledge in these areas.
It does not mean they only have knowledge in these areas.
For example, Bailing, who attends Qinghe Dao Academy.
She is a standard Body Cultivator, but the place she attends is not the Barbaric Wasteland Dao Institute, which specializes in Body Cultivation, but Qinghe Dao Academy.
But does this affect her?
To be honest, yes.
But not significantly.
Because within Qinghe Dao Academy, there are also great Body Cultivators.
Although their instruction in Body Cultivation is not as top-notch as the Body Cultivators in the Barbaric Wasteland Dao Institute.
It is still sufficient to teach her all cultivation before the Golden Core Stage.
As for cultivation after the Golden Core Stage, that is even less relevant.
Because when a Cultivator reaches this Realm, all cultivation can only depend on the Cultivator themselves.
External forces are difficult to help.
Therefore, in a sense, although the Four Great Dao Institutes have their respective strengths and weaknesses, the differences between them are not significant.
If the most specialized direction of each Dao Academy is likened to a perfect score of 100 points.
Then in other areas where they are not as proficient, they can still achieve around 90 points.
The difference with the other three Dao Academies is within 10 points.
Therefore, no matter what a student excels at, theoretically, as long as they enter any of the Four Great Dao Institutes, they can receive the most top-tier training.
After all, the Four Great Dao Institutes gather the resources of the entire Immortal Alliance's top major Sects, as well as countless Cultivation Families.
Even in areas where they are not proficient, they still overwhelmingly crush Dao Academies outside the Four Great Dao Institutes.
Therefore, there has always been a saying circulating within the Immortal Alliance.
Young Cultivators in the Immortal Alliance are only divided into two types: those from the Four Great Dao Institutes, and those rejected by the Four Great Dao Institutes.
Whether one can get into the Four Great Dao Institutes is not just a manifestation of ability for most students in the Immortal Alliance, but also relates to their future.
However, nothing is absolute. In the long history of the Immortal Alliance, there have still been some students from non-Four Great Dao Institutes who achieved accomplishments that even the Four Great Dao Institutes admired.
It's just that such examples are not many.
From an objective perspective, the Dao Academy most suitable for Lu Chen is undoubtedly Qinghe Dao Academy, which specializes in swordsmanship.
After all, only there can his Sword Dao potential be maximized.
As for Mu Xiaoye, Departure Fire Dao Academy is undoubtedly the most suitable for her.
This is not only because Departure Fire Dao Academy primarily Cultivates Fire Law, but also a very important reason is that Departure Fire Dao Academy, or rather, the Wanye Immortal Sect behind Departure Fire Dao Academy, has a very complete 'Phoenix Calamity Fire' cultivation method.
Because the person who founded the Wanye Immortal Sect back then was the first generation Phoenix Calamity cultivator.
And subsequent generations of Phoenix Calamity cultivators would also be cultivated by the Wanye Immortal Sect as future Sect Masters.
Therefore, don't think that Mu Xiaoye currently seems to be at the same starting point as everyone else.
But as soon as she enters the Dao Academy, the gap between her and others will instantly widen.
This gap is multi-faceted, including Legacy, resources, system compatibility, and so on.
And also because of Mu Xiaoye's special status to the Wanye Immortal Sect.
This has led to the Wanye Immortal Sect sending people to find Mu Xiaoye and her father many times over the years.
They wanted Mu Xiaoye to report to Departure Fire Dao Academy early and not waste time on high school studies.
But due to Mu Xiaoye's strong opposition, this matter always ended without resolution.
After all, although Mu Xiaoye seemingly has no official connection with the Wanye Immortal Sect.
In the eyes of others, she is practically the undeniable future successor of the Wanye Immortal Sect, the Young Sect Master of the Wanye Immortal Sect.
Therefore, facing the Young Sect Master's slogan of 'Flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns,' and her firm resolve to spend her complete youth in high school.
What could those Wanye Immortal Sect Cultivators who came to persuade her do?
Oppose?
Alright, alright, you kid dares to object, huh? Then you'll be noted down in the Young Sect Master's little book!
Currently, the Young Sect Master hasn't risen to power yet, so you kid can still live a peaceful life for a while.
But once the Young Sect Master completely rises, every single one of you who defied the Young Sect Master, prepare to report to the Wanye Immortal Sect's boiler room!
Therefore, the Wanye Immortal Sect ultimately chose to respect Mu Xiaoye's personal wishes, allowing her to finish her last three years in Luo City.
However, considering Mu Xiaoye's safety, the Wanye Immortal Sect still entrusted the Shangqing Dao Palace to protect their Young Sect Master.
And the Shangqing Dao Palace ultimately gave this task to the Golden Core Cultivator, Yu Tianqi.
Otherwise, even if Yu Tianqi wanted to investigate the Black Lotus Rebellion from ten years ago in Luo City, there would be no need for him to specifically open an unassuming small noodle shop near Lu Chen and Mu Xiaoye's homes.
Do you really think a Golden Core Stage Cultivator is so idle that he can run a small noodle shop in one place for ten years?
Investigating the Black Lotus Rebellion was Yu Tianqi's personal wish; protecting Mu Xiaoye was his primary duty.
And this job will soon end as Mu Xiaoye is about to graduate from high school.
So Chen Fugui and Li Youquan currently seem to be providing guidance for Lu Chen and Mu Xiaoye's future Dao Academy choices.
But in reality, the only person who truly needed guidance from beginning to end was Lu Chen alone.
As for Li Youquan, he was there to do ideological work on Mu Xiaoye!
He was very worried that if Mu Xiaoye knew Lu Chen didn't choose to go to Departure Fire Dao Academy but went somewhere else.
She would also impulsively follow him to another Dao Academy.
If that were to happen, things would get complicated.
After all, for the dignified Young Sect Master of the Wanye Immortal Sect to go study at another Holy Land Dao Academy.
Setting aside whether other Holy Land Dao Academies would dare to teach her, even if they dared, the Wanye Immortal Sect would absolutely not allow such an absurd situation to occur!
What if the Young Sect Master was brainwashed by another Holy Land?
Then wouldn't the Wanye Immortal Sect's future be utterly bleak?
So, in a sense, Lu Chen's Dao Academy choice this time concerned the relationship between the Wanye Immortal Sect and other Sects and Holy Lands.
One careless move, and the entire nine luminaries… would fall into chaos!
As soon as they thought of this, Chen Fugui and Li Youquan inexplicably felt immense pressure.
Before Lu Chen displayed such terrifying talent, they didn't feel any pressure.
Because they thought that Lu Chen wouldn't be able to get into the Four Great Dao Institutes anyway.
At that time, Mu Xiaoye could use her authority within the Wanye Immortal Sect to send Lu Chen into the Departure Fire Dao Palace under the Wanye Immortal Sect, wouldn't that be simple?
But after Lu Chen displayed Sword Intent, things became complicated.
No one understood better than Chen Fugui and Li Youquan what it meant for a person to Cultivate Sword Intent during the Qi Training Stage.
Let's just say this: if Lu Chen was willing to go to Qinghe Dao Academy, he would have a very high probability of competing for the Dao Child position of the Shangqing Dao Palace.
And a further step for a Dao Child is to become the Sect Master of the Shangqing Dao Palace.
Although Qinghe Dao Academy did not send investigators to observe this Three Schools Joint Exam this time.
However, they believed that Qinghe Dao Academy must have already received the news and would arrive soon to try their best to persuade Lu Chen to choose Qinghe Dao Academy.
"So, Student Lu, have you decided which Dao Academy you want to go to?"
Chen Fugui and Li Youquan looked at Lu Chen, who was deep in thought, appearing calm on the surface but feeling extremely nervous inside.
This was because they had already prepared for Lu Chen to choose Qinghe Dao Academy, and then they would both work together to convince Mu Xiaoye to choose Departure Fire Dao Academy.
Although convincing her would definitely be difficult, compared to the two Dao Academies clashing in the future, it was better to extinguish the flames of war in this small office.
Lu Chen probably guessed the inner thoughts of Chen Fugui and Li Youquan.
However, what the two of them didn't know was that Lu Chen had never thought of going to Qinghe Dao Academy from the very beginning.
It was true that Qinghe Dao Academy specialized in sword techniques, but Lu Chen didn't need to learn sword techniques within a Dao Academy at all.
After all, no matter how powerful a Dao Academy was, it couldn't be stronger than the Azure Cloud Sect in the game.
Not to mention that he could improve his Sword Dao Rank simply by gaining experience points.
Even if he wanted to truly Cultivate sword techniques, wouldn't it be more convenient to find the Elders of Azure Cloud Sect's Cangjian Peak than to find teachers at Qinghe Dao Academy?
One day in reality was ten days in the game.
Therefore, in terms of Cultivation efficiency, learning sword techniques in the game was much faster than in reality.
So, among the Four Great Dao Institutes, the first one Lu Chen ruled out was Qinghe Dao Academy.
Nothing else, just because the advantages of this Dao Academy were completely surpassed by the game within the game.
As a result, the only Dao Academies Lu Chen could choose from were Barbaric Wasteland Dao Institute, Xuan Shui Dao Academy, and finally, Departure Fire Dao Academy.
Barbaric Wasteland Dao Institute mainly focused on Body Cultivators, and although Lu Chen planned to appropriately dabble in this aspect of Cultivation, his main energy would definitely still be on the Sword Dao.
So, Barbaric Wasteland Dao Institute could also be ruled out.
Xuan Shui Dao Academy mainly focused on Talisman, divination, and other strange escape techniques. Although Lu Chen also knew some Talisman techniques, he also wasn't prepared to delve too deeply into this area.
After much thought, the most suitable place for him... turned out to be Departure Fire Dao Academy!
Departure Fire Dao Academy primarily focused on Alchemy, and Lu Chen was also diligently studying Pill Formulas in the Azure Cloud Sect.
Not to mention, Lu Chen also really needed a reason to openly use his Alchemy methods in reality.
Departure Fire Dao Academy, in this regard, coincided with Lu Chen's goals.
And if he chose to join Departure Fire Dao Academy, he could not only integrate the Alchemy experience from both worlds and feed it back to himself in the game, but also further improve his status within the Azure Cloud Sect in the game.
And with increased status, he would gain more benefits within the Azure Cloud Sect.
Therefore, no matter how he looked at it, Departure Fire Dao Academy was his best choice, bar none.
Thinking of this, Lu Chen told Chen Fugui and Li Youquan his decision.
"Teachers, I... want to go to Departure Fire Dao Academy."
"Ah?!"
Three exclamations immediately rang out in the office.
Chen Fugui, Li Youquan, and Mu Xiaoye looked at Lu Chen, their expressions incredibly complex.
Chen Fugui was shocked, seemingly unable to understand why Lu Chen made such a choice.
Li Youquan was impressed, seemingly feeling that Lu Chen's choice was a certain degree of sacrifice.
As for Mu Xiaoye... she was purely delighted.
Although Lu Chen choosing Departure Fire Dao Academy was a win-win situation, Chen Fugui still couldn't help but ask, "Student Lu, the Sword Cultivator department of Departure Fire Dao Academy is the weakest among the four Dao Academies. Are you really going to Departure Fire Dao Academy?"
Lu Chen nodded, then seriously said, "Yes, Teacher Chen, I have decided to go to Departure Fire Dao Academy."
Chen Fugui was silent for a moment, then asked, "Why?"
An unparalleled Sword Cultivator who comprehended Sword Intent during the Qi Training Stage, not going to Qinghe Dao Academy, which produced many great Sword Cultivators, but instead choosing to go to Departure Fire Dao Academy, which produced many Alchemists.
No matter how you thought about it, this was very contradictory!
You couldn't possibly say that this child Lu Chen not only had outstanding talent in sword techniques, but also amazing talent in Alchemy, could you?
Don't be ridiculous!
Sword Cultivators and Alchemists, these were completely different directions!
Moreover, he had never seen or heard of Lu Chen having a unique talent in Alchemy.
So, besides the word 'love', Chen Fugui couldn't think of any other reason for Lu Chen's choice to go to Departure Fire Dao Academy.
As for Alchemy?
What did Lu Chen know about Alchemy!
To make him believe Lu Chen could do Alchemy, he would rather believe Lu Chen was a Reincarnation Immortal!
At least the latter was more reliable.
Looking at the shocked Chen Fugui, Lu Chen said with a serious expression, "Teacher Chen, I feel that my talent in Alchemy... might not be much weaker than my talent in Sword Dao."
"Ah?!"
As if guessing that the three didn't believe what he said, Lu Chen immediately took out a set of medicinal ingredients for refining a Gathering Qi Pill from his Storage Pouch.
These medicinal ingredients were exactly what Lu Chen had privately bought during this period.
The money... was naturally exchanged from the Cultivation resources Chen Fugui had given him earlier.
"I previously tried to refine Medicinal Pills myself in private, and then I found that the refinement of Medicinal Pills... wasn't that difficult."
Saying that, Lu Chen began to refine Gathering Qi Pills empty-handed in front of the three people.
With his current proficiency in Alchemy, coupled with his understanding of the Gathering Qi Pill, he could easily refine Gathering Qi Pills even without a Pill Furnace.
Watching Lu Chen's skilled movements and relaxed expression, the three quickly realized that Lu Chen had done this before.
To the shock of the three, Lu Chen only took less than two hours to truly refine ten Gathering Qi Pills.
Lu Chen took out a Medicinal Pill bottle, put the ten Gathering Qi Pills into it, and placed them in front of Chen Fugui and Li Youquan, calmly saying, "Teachers, you should understand now why I want to go to Departure Fire Dao Academy, right?"
"Alchemy... is indeed a good direction for Cultivation for me."
"..."
After Chen Fugui and Li Youquan exchanged glances, they both nodded, seemingly reaching some kind of tacit understanding.
Then Chen Fugui looked at Lu Chen and said with a serious expression, "Student Lu, I hope that after you go out later, you find a suitable opportunity to spread the news that you know Alchemy."
Hearing this, Lu Chen was stunned for a moment, then he understood why Chen Fugui wanted him to do this.
So he said with a strange expression, "Teacher Chen, wouldn't that be... bad?"
"Bad?" Chen Fugui immediately stood up, excitedly adjusted his glasses, and said, "What's so bad about it! In business, if you don't take advantage of a good deal, you're a fool!"
"Right now, Qinghe Dao Academy definitely thinks you'll prioritize them, so even to win you over, they probably won't offer very good terms."
"But it's completely different once they know you can do Alchemy. If you also consider your relationship with Little Yezi, Qinghe Dao Academy will definitely feel a huge sense of crisis."
"After all, Departure Fire Dao Academy having Little Yezi, a Phoenix Calamity cultivator, this year is already enough to give other Dao Academies a headache."
"If you, an unparalleled Sword Cultivator comparable to a Dao Child, also appear, then in the upcoming Dao Institute Grand Competition, Departure Fire Dao Academy, this perennial fourth-place finisher, will truly sweep away its previous decline and rise strongly!"
"So, to prevent this from happening, Qinghe Dao Academy will definitely offer extremely generous terms to try and win you over, and the same thing will naturally happen with Departure Fire Dao Academy."
"Once that happens, as long as you don't rush to state your position and keep these two Dao Academies on the hook, they will definitely try to curry favor with you frantically to win you over."
"And what you need to do is very simple: don't take the initiative, don't explain, don't refuse, accept all gifts, and give... no promises!"
"Don't be afraid, I'll take the gifts, I'll take the blame, you take the benefits, don't have any worries!"
"Student Lu, you absolutely must not have any psychological burden, after all, these two Dao Academies are very wealthy and don't lack these things!"
"Moreover, in this world, there are many things that only they can provide, and no one else can."
"Now that such a good opportunity has appeared, if we don't hit them hard, it would be a waste of my Family education from the richest Family, Chen Fugui!"
"Alchemy, hahaha! Who would have thought that a Genius who cultivated Sword Intent in the Qi Training Stage would secretly also be an Alchemy Genius!"
"It's a rare commodity, this is truly a rare commodity!"
Looking at the completely excited Chen Fugui, Lu Chen was at a loss for words for a moment.
Because if he really followed Chen Fugui's plan, wouldn't he be purely treating Qinghe and Departure Fire Dao Academies as suckers to fish for?
It's just as Chen Fugui said, there are many things in this world that money cannot buy.
And just as Chen Fugui said, as long as he didn't take the initiative, didn't explain, and didn't refuse, then giving gifts was voluntary for the two Dao Academies, and no one stipulated that he had to make a promise just because he accepted gifts.
It must be said that Lu Chen's fishing behavior was a bit unethical.
But fortunately, a flexible moral bottom line has always been one of Lu Chen's many strengths.
Thus, Lu Chen's already scarce psychological burden... completely vanished!
PS: Laziness is indeed one of the seven deadly sins. I, Fat Tiger, ultimately failed to achieve the feat of updating before ten o'clock. Damn it!
This chapter is a slight prelude, and there will be another update after twelve o'clock. As usual, I'm asking for monthly votes, collections, and recommendations!