In a corner of the crowd.
His second uncle, Chu Xianghai, and his Second Aunt Liu had originally come to watch the spectacle. Now, they were shoved to the very edge of the throng, craning their necks on tiptoe to see the young man in the green tunic. He was being questioned personally by the County Captain, the center of attention like the moon surrounded by stars.
The melon seeds in Second Aunt Liu’s hand had long since spilled all over the ground.
She opened her mouth, as if wanting to call out his name, to use their tenuous family connection to bask in some of his reflected glory. But the sound seemed to get stuck in her throat, unable to escape.
Her face flushed red, then went pale. Her eyes, usually full of shrewd calculation, were now filled with nothing but embarrassment and bewilderment.
"Is that... Is that Chu Bai?"
She mumbled under her breath, her tone uncertain. "Did he really pass? And he’s the champion? Even the County Captain is being so polite to him?"
She subconsciously shrank back, glancing around guiltily, terrified someone might recognize her as Chu Bai’s second aunt.
The memory of her mocking words at the gate that day was now like a thorn, making her whole body prickle with discomfort.
"He... he probably didn’t see us, right?" Second Aunt Liu tugged her husband’s sleeve, her voice trembling slightly. "Husband, if we go up and acknowledge him as family now, do you think he’ll... he’ll receive us warmly?"
Second Uncle Chu Xianghai’s expression was also stiff, his eyes a swirling mix of complex emotions.
He stared at his high-spirited nephew, remembering his own cold indifference as he hid behind the screen that day, and the laughable sense of relief he’d felt afterward.
Chu Xianghai had been a merchant for many years and prided himself on rarely misjudging people. When his brother had needed to borrow money, he had indeed helped at first, but then he’d grown afraid of getting entangled in an endless mess. He never imagined it would lead to such an awkward situation.
"Acknowledge him? With what right?"
Chu Xianghai gave a bitter laugh, his voice laced with regret. "He paid back the money that day, with interest. He wanted to make a clean break with us. If we had just kept him for a meal back then, or even just shown him a pleasant expression... things would be completely different now!"
Looking at Chu Bai’s calm and composed demeanor, he was overcome with a powerful wave of regret.
This wasn’t just a missed business opportunity; it was a missed chance at a powerful backer, a missed chance to truly elevate the family’s status.
"Let’s go."
Chu Xianghai sighed, pulling his wife—who was still hesitating about whether to go forward—and turned to push his way out of the crowd.
"He’s a cloud in the sky now, and we’re just mud on the ground. If we go up there, we’ll only make a fool of ourselves."
Their retreating figures looked particularly desolate amidst the cheering crowd.
Meanwhile, Chu Bai was completely surrounded by the city’s enthusiastic wealthy residents, utterly oblivious to his two relatives in the corner.
"Champion Chu! Congratulations! I am the steward of the Li Family from the east side of the city. My master has already prepared a humble banquet at the Drunken Immortal Inn and would be honored by your presence!"
"Young Master Chu! I am the shopkeeper of Zhao’s Cloth Shop. I’ve prepared a congratulatory gift for you. I hope you will accept it!"
"Young Master Chu, you are so young and promising. I wonder if you are betrothed? My daughter is just sixteen..."
Invitations flew at him like snowflakes, and every face was plastered with an ingratiating smile.
These influential figures, who were normally so respected, were now red-faced and squabbling just for a chance to say a single word to Chu Bai.
Standing in the center of the crowd, Chu Bai faced this sudden deluge of adoration with a polite but distant smile.
"Thank you all for your kindness."
Chu Bai clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute, surveying the crowd. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable firmness. "Now that I have received this good news, I should first report to my master and parents. I must inform my elders first."
His words were impeccable, leaving the crowd with no grounds for complaint.
"Of course! That’s only right!"
Although disappointed, the crowd could only offer praise and didn’t dare insist he stay.
He finally managed to break away from the tangled crowd. Chu Bai wasn’t particularly good at handling scenes like this.
Gu Qinghe had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Chu Bai emerge, he clapped him on the shoulder. Though there was a hint of melancholy in his eyes, it was overshadowed by his sincere congratulations.
"Brother Chu! First Place in the Top Three! You’ve really made a name for yourself in Anping County this time!" Gu Qinghe said excitedly.
"It was just a stroke of luck," Chu Bai replied with a smile, then looked at Gu Qinghe. "Brother Gu, you..."
"I’m fine." Gu Qinghe gave a carefree laugh. "Failing was expected. But it’s not like I gained nothing from it."
Chu Bai nodded. That was true. Even though he had failed, the various rounds had been a trial in themselves.
As for the future...
"As for sparring at the Zhao Mansion," Chu Bai said, "if you have time, you can continue. That Zhao Xing is arrogant, but he’s a decent person and pays well. And now that you’ve broken through to Qi Cultivation, your income will be even higher."
Gu Qinghe leaned in conspiratorially and lowered his voice. "Master Liu sought me out after he learned I’d broken through to Qi Cultivation. He said the academy is short-staffed and wants to hire me as a Teaching Assistant. I’d help guide the Outer Disciples. Not only is there a monthly stipend, but I’ll have plenty of time to cultivate and can even borrow books from the academy’s collection."
"A Teaching Assistant?"
Chu Bai’s eyes lit up, genuinely happy for his friend. "That’s a great position! You’ll have a stable income without delaying your cultivation, and you can spend a few more years grounding yourself at the academy. Brother Gu, congratulations!"
For someone from an ordinary family, landing a respectable and stable position within the system was an excellent path forward.
"Yeah, I’m content with it," Gu Qinghe said, clapping Chu Bai’s shoulder. "Brother Chu, once you enter the Daoist School, you’ll be a true Immortal. Don’t forget your brother here when you make it big."
"What nonsense." Chu Bai gave him a light punch on the chest and laughed. "Once you achieve Qi Cultivation, you are a Cultivator. There’s no need for such talk between us. No matter where we are, we’re still fellow students."
After chatting a while longer, Chu Bai was about to leave.
’I still need to inform Master. By becoming the champion, I’ve finally lived up to his expectations.’
Just then.
"Disciple."
The voice was not loud, but it carried a power that calmed the heart.
The previously boisterous crowd instantly fell silent, their heads turning toward the source of the sound.
A middle-aged Daoist stood smiling on a nearby set of steps, dressed in a green Daoist Robe and holding a Duster. He wasn’t releasing any pressure, but his transcendent air alone made the people around him unconsciously part to form a path.
"Daoist Zhang!"
"It’s Daoist Zhang from Cyan Cloud Academy!"
Someone in the crowd immediately recognized the major figure from Anping County’s Cultivation Realm, and people began to bow one after another.
When Chu Bai heard the voice, the distant politeness on his face vanished instantly, replaced by heartfelt respect and joy.
He strode forward and, in front of all the townspeople, performed a perfect, formal bow to Daoist Zhang, a gesture of utmost respect.
"Disciple Chu Bai pays his respects to Master!"
"I have not failed your command. Your disciple has taken first place!"
Daoist Zhang looked at the disciple who made him so proud, his eyes filled with gratification.
He reached out to help Chu Bai up, patting the dust from his shoulders. "Good! Good! Get up," he said with a smile. "You are the champion now, a figure in your own right. There’s no need to bow at the drop of a hat in the future."
"A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime. Everything I know, Master taught me. No matter where I go, that rule cannot be broken," Chu Bai said with a solemn expression.
Witnessing this, the onlookers nodded in silent approval.
Talent was rare, but a disposition that so deeply respected one’s master and their teachings was worthy of even greater admiration.
Daoist Zhang laughed heartily, clearly in an excellent mood.
He turned and swept his gaze over the wealthy townsfolk who were eager to curry favor, and announced in a clear voice, "Everyone, my unworthy disciple has just received his results today and must return with me to pay respects to his ancestors and teachers. However, if you are all so inclined, this humble Daoist will be hosting a banquet at the Gathering Talent Building tonight. I invite you all to grace us with your presence, so that my disciple may get to know you. I hope you will all look after him here in Anping County in the future."
At these words, the crowd was overjoyed.
An invitation to a banquet hosted by Daoist Zhang himself was a tremendous show of face! Moreover, it was a perfect opportunity to formally establish a connection with Chu Bai.
"We’ll be there! We’ll definitely be there!"
"Thank you for the invitation, Daoist Zhang!"
That night, the Gathering Talent Building was brightly lit and filled with distinguished guests.
Nearly every influential figure in Anping County was present.
Even the impartial Zhang Cheng County Captain from earlier in the day had sent someone to deliver a congratulatory gift.
During the banquet, Daoist Zhang led Chu Bai from table to table, offering toasts.
"This is the Patriarch of the Li Family from the east side of the city. He’s in the medicinal herb business. If you need any Spirit Grass in the future, you can seek him out."
"This is the Chief of the Weiyuan Escort Agency. His Horizontal Training is superb..."
"This is..."
With every introduction, Chu Bai would bow respectfully, neither servile nor arrogant.
Daoist Zhang wasn’t just hosting a banquet; he was leveraging the connections he had built over many years to pave the way for Chu Bai.
He knew that once inside the Daoist School, connections and resources were just as important as one’s Cultivation.
In a corner of the banquet hall, Gu Qinghe, as Chu Bai’s good friend, had also been specially arranged a seat at a good table.
He watched his friend, who remained calm and composed even as the center of attention, and felt a mix of disappointment for having failed, but an even greater sense of pride for his friend’s success.
’A true man should be like this...’
After several rounds of drinks, both hosts and guests were thoroughly pleased.
After seeing off the last guest, Chu Bai helped the slightly tipsy Daoist Zhang back to the Zhang Mansion.
"Master, you’ve... gone to a lot of trouble today," Chu Bai said softly. He knew full well that his master had thrown this banquet, calling in his own favors, to help him establish a firm footing in Anping County.
"Silly child."
Daoist Zhang patted the back of Chu Bai’s hand. Though his eyes were a bit hazy, his tone was exceptionally clear. "This is all your master can do for you. Once you enter the Daoist School, that’s the real Asura’s battlefield. From then on, everything will depend on you."
"Go on, go back to your room and rest. Early tomorrow morning, you will enter the Daoist School to receive your talisman. That is the true beginning of your immortal path. Don’t be late."
"Yes, your disciple takes his leave."
Chu Bai bowed and withdrew.

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