Chapter 67: Paid Consultation, Divisions Among Immortals
He got up early in the morning, already close to 10 o’clock, and the home was already empty. Yuan Zhu finished washing up and ate the magically refreshed breakfast on the table that had already gone cold. Then he stuffed that Golden Finger into his pocket and hurried nonstop to the Gold Shop near Fire Fang.
The Cleaning Company’s location was already close to the city center, and nearby there happened to be a nightlife bar area Red Romance, Brothels and Courtesans consumption district, and Underground Boxing Matches were also frequently held, so selling gold was very easy.
Of course, Fire Fang opening in this location might not be a coincidence, but specifically to serve this consumption district.
After getting off the bus, Yuan Zhu only took 5 minutes to find a Pawn Shop on the roadside that looked quite aged. It was clearly an old brand, trustworthy, so he decisively pushed the door and entered.
In less than 10 minutes, he walked out with 700 yuan in bills stuffed in his pocket. He was somewhat dissatisfied in his heart. Such a thick Golden Finger of mine, and it only fetched 700 yuan? That was truly a bit unexpected.
At this rate, selling off this Golden Bodhisattva would only be worth tens of thousands at most? Wasn’t that a bit too cheap?
“If you had bargained, you might have gotten a few more bucks, but that Boss saw you as wealthy and simply ripped you off for a little extra.” Game Sprite analyzed.
Yuan Zhu: “I am indeed wealthy and don’t care about that pocket change. I’m just surprised by the value of Running currency—it’s a bit too hard, or is it that soft sister coin is too soft? I even don’t plan to fully cash in that Golden Bodhisattva; gold feels more reassuring.”
Little Spicy Stick: “Don’t forget we buried some good Treasures in the suburban woods. After some time when the heat dies down, we’ll dig them up. No need to fence stolen goods at the Black Market; just sell directly to Happy Home and earn Mao Mao King’s Points!”
“Right!” Yuan Zhu nodded and quickly walked into Fire Fang, heading straight to the Boss’s office on the Second Floor.
“Yo! Yuan kid, you’re back again? Didn’t I tell you to rest a couple more days and properly read the Exorcism Manual I gave you? What, you think you’ve fully mastered it and can’t wait to show off your skills?” The Boss sat up straight, pulled open a drawer, and started rummaging for the Haunted House file.
Yuan Zhu had no intention of facing the Haunted House right now, so he quickly spoke up to stop him: “Wait, I didn’t come to the Company for a Mission. You said you could introduce me to the Door for Rain Courtyard, to consult on learning Supernatural Powers. You didn’t forget, right Boss?”
“How could I? I just didn’t expect you to be so eager. Looks like the incident the day before yesterday stimulated you quite a bit. Wait, I’ll write you a Recommendation Letter right now.”
The Boss took a sheet of letter paper and a Pen from the desk, and scribbled away.
Yuan Zhu waited patiently on the side, his mood unusually peculiar. In two lifetimes combined, this was the first time he’d encountered such a retro method. To actually need a written letter to enter the Academy Door.
So he asked what he didn’t understand: “Boss, if I didn’t have this letter, could I sneak into Rain Courtyard?”
On Earth, sneaking into a University is still pretty easy. Especially at his current age and appearance, right in the prime of youthful study years. Plus, full of Earth talents, with a scholarly air from test papers, and reinforced by Mao Mao King’s Uniform, very intimidating. As long as he’s full of confidence and not panicking inside, entering and exiting an advanced place like the Academy isn’t hard.
“Dream on. Without this letter, the gatekeeper would break your legs. Rain Courtyard only recruits so many people a year. You couldn’t sneak in at all. Take it properly and don’t lose it. Right, prepare more money before going to Rain Courtyard; if not enough, you can borrow from me. But I heard you’re good at Making Money, so you probably don’t lack this Consultation Fee.”
As he spoke, the Boss folded the letter, sealed it in an Envelope, lit some sealing wax, stamped it with the Fire Fang seal, and signed a name on the back of the Envelope.
Yuan Zhu: “How much is the Consultation Fee?”
“A hundred or two? I’m not very clear. After all, when I go to Rain Courtyard, I’m the one getting paid.”
The Boss leaned back in his Chair, picked up his half-smoked cigarette, and smugly puffed clouds of smoke at him: “What? Not convinced, or envious? Once you Get Stronger, you can get invited to lecture too and earn money from those bookworms. Go go go, don’t disturb me reading the magazine.”
Impatiently waving to shoo Yuan Zhu away, the Boss picked up the revealing Fashion Magazine and read it with relish.
With the Letter of Introduction in hand, Yuan Zhu didn’t linger. After quickly checking the Map at the First Floor entrance, he found the bus route and headed straight for Rain Courtyard.
Rain Courtyard’s full name is Running City Municipal Gem Processing and Mineral Exploration Academy, a veritable century-old prestigious school, nearly two centuries even. Its history is longer than all Universities in Taixi, and it’s Running’s most presentable calling card.
Back then before doing the Toilet Duel, he had also aspired to this University and investigated it. Its most famous majors were Geology Department, Old Industry Department, Underground Drilling, Gem Processing, Dangerous Zoology…
Back then after hearing these major names, he didn’t feel much, thinking they were just for underground mining or mechanical manufacturing. Until his predecessor bit the dust, he hadn’t realized anything off about this University, only thinking the tuition was insanely expensive—one semester over 10,000, 80,000 to finish four years, outrageous.
His predecessor immediately gave up on University and accepted the Toilet Duel commission, going to the Lamp Factory to be an Engineer.
Looking back now, attending University is a safe path to openly contact Supernatural Knowledge. Taixi University students can carry a Head and carve a bloody path in the Bubble World. No reason the even more ancient Rain Courtyard can only train ordinary miners and mechanics.
Little Spicy Stick: “I guess that Old Industry Department is the Industrial Totem! And Dangerous Biology is perhaps Du Ling’s version of Fantastic Beasts in the Pot!”
Yuan Zhu toyed with the Envelope in his hand: “It’ll be revealed soon. I’ll realize my predecessor’s unfulfilled dream! Not sure how much value Rain Courtyard still has nowadays. Heard when Taixi set up their Academy back then, they poached quite a few majors and precious scriptures from Running. Now it seems, it wasn’t just ordinary major courses taken, but Supernatural Knowledge and Power Inheritance.”
As his own level improved, his Cognition of Running deepened. His predecessor worked hard sending Heads but lived in a fog, unaware that what he Desired was right at his fingertips.
Now Yuan Zhu bore the Great Desolation Immortal Scripture, and didn’t even need to try—various Supernatural phenomena lined up at his door. Now it wasn’t him chasing Power, but multiple Systems lying before him for him to choose!
“Here!” In over an hour, the bus stopped at a street corner not far from Rain Courtyard’s Door.
After getting off, Yuan Zhu saw many passersby like him, specially coming to visit this ancient Academy. Some tourists even took out brick-sized cameras, striking various poses and snapping photos.
Yuan Zhu looked over too. How to put it. Rain Courtyard did have heritage; its Building style blended Eastern and Western civilizations perfectly. Mottled red walls full of age, two rows of ancient cypresses outside the big Door, grown thick and sturdy, green moss crawling over the bluestone ground.
Yuan Zhu walked up, passing tourists who didn’t dare approach, arriving at the big Door, where he was stopped by the middle-aged gatekeeper, who politely asked what his business was.
He pulled out the letter from the Boss, passed the check smoothly, then he was lost. Compared to a so-called University, Rain Courtyard inside was more like a scenic area, very large scale, but Buildings arranged loosely and disorderly.
He looked at the sign at the entrance and realized there were five brick-built Teaching Buildings in total. Plus dorms, library, Laboratory Building, Canteen, observatory tower, Zoo, botanical garden… all scattered chaotically.
“Hm? They even built a Zoo?”
Yuan Zhu was certain this University had no Layout at all. Not considering functionality or practicality, everything prioritized aesthetics and scenery.
These Buildings were built however harmonious and fitting with this big park’s style and feng shui. On the sign, he even saw a cemetery area and a Church.
“This Academy doesn’t have an Undead major too, does it?” Full of curiosity, Yuan Zhu headed to Teaching Building No. 1, planning to ask in a crowded spot.
“Little handsome guy, what are you doing? Need big sis’s help?”
As he looked around, admiring Rain Courtyard’s scenery with a park sightseeing mindset, a female voice came from behind. It was a more mature big sister with above-average Appearance, eyeing him with ill intent, eagerly approaching.
“You don’t look like a Rain Courtyard student. First time here? Want me to be your tour guide and show you around? Big sis will take you to see some good stuff…” Miss issued an enthusiastic invitation.
After all, Yuan Zhu was tall and sturdy, with a fresh juicy look, wild and appealing features, plus Mao Mao King’s luxury Uniform, making him very appetizing and challenging.
In last night’s Dream of Yellow Millet Town, that heart mother had fallen for Candle’s Uniform + pecs, clutching his hand and refusing to let go.
“Uh, good stuff… what is it?”
“Werewolves of course! You’ve seen works with werewolves and vampires, but have you seen real werewolves?” Miss spoke in the tone of tempting a kid with Ultraman, asking Yuan Zhu.
He hadn’t seen werewolves, but Filthy Bone Mad Tomato, Buddha Tomato, Buddha Corpse Ghost, Blood Kesa… have you seen those? Which isn’t more stimulating than werewolves?
Yuan Zhu: “Werewolves? Related to Dangerous Zoology?”
“Oh? You know your stuff. Indeed, it’s a School under the Dangerous Zoology major. What do you do, little bro? You have an extraordinary air, but seem not to have formally contacted Supernatural Powers yet.” Once on Supernatural topics, Miss got serious, didn’t reveal more info, but instead questioned Yuan Zhu.
“Here, I’m here for consultation. Where should I go for questions on majors related to ‘Supernatural Powers’?” As he spoke, he shook the letter in his hand.
Seeing the sealing wax seal on the Envelope, without even opening it, Miss realized: “So it’s Fire Fang! I know, I’ve even attended Mr. Cui’s classes.”
“Boss? What did he teach?”
“Conventional manifestations and Measures of the Fire Extinguishing System, not very useful. He only comes once a semester, basically Common Sense popularization. Since you’re recommended by Mr. Cui, any questions, tell me. How about half price?” Miss recommended herself. “Nice to meet you, surname Chen. Second-year student, studying the Herbal Medicine School of Dangerous Biology major.”
Yuan Zhu: “Are Herbs that dangerous? And can you provide consultation services as a sophomore?”
Senior Student Chen laughed: “Truth is, if you take this letter to the dean’s office, they’ll just assign some random junior to brush you off. I’m only sophomore but don’t think I’m inferior to juniors; handling a layman like you is a breeze. Your consultations are just Common Sense, not core deep Knowledge—even a freshman could handle it. Plus, I’ll charge you half price.”
Yuan Zhu asked again: “Then why no seniors from fourth year?”
“Internships, graduation internships, all gone to Spirit Layer. Who’d care for your pocket change? My daily tuition converts to nearly 200—100 morning, 100 afternoon. Now accompanying you on a tour of the Academy is worth more than that Consultation Fee. Still picky? Come, big sis will take you to the Zoo, we’ll chat while walking.”
Yuan Zhu was thus dazedly grabbed by the arm by the big sister, turned in another Direction, and went to visit the Zoo.
Senior Student Chen: “What do you want to ask? Encountered Supernatural phenomena at work? Got Polluted? Or want to pick a safe reliable Power System to systematically learn and enter?”
“You know this?!”
“Tch, you paid consultants usually have these few issues. Looks like you’re the last type. Right, little brother, what’s your name?”
“Yuan Zhu.”
“Nice name! Little Zhu Zi, tell me your thoughts. Any System you’re eyeing?”
Yuan Zhu shook his head: “I’m here consulting precisely because I don’t know. What Supernatural Systems does Rain Courtyard have? Any worth recommending?”
“Supernatural Powers aren’t something you just compare strength, potential, safety to pick the best strongest one. Reinforcement mostly depends on ‘fit’—whether it suits you? Higher fit means faster entry, safer and stable, faster Improvement. And what counts as fit? Besides physique, bloodline, also Soul, personality, wealth… So rather than comparing strong or weak, just pick the one you’re most interested in. Intuition is often the most accurate.”
“I advocate the Knowledge School; I learn from the heart!”
“Whoa! You even know that. Don’t pick Knowledge School, too disgusting—hard entry, slow Upgrade, have to deal with Heads, how do you sleep at night? Let me tell you first: Rain Courtyard has five big majors: Gem Mineral Geology Department, Old Industry Department, Dangerous Biology, the Law System added ten years ago, and the Nightmare School from a few years back when Eastern white folks came for transnational Cooperation.”
Yuan Zhu: “Only five majors?”
“Only? That’s big categories. Each major has many Schools underneath. Like my Herbal Medicine School.”
“Senior Student, what’s dangerous about the Herbal Medicine School? And it’s not an animal!” Yuan Zhu asked what he didn’t know.
Miss sneered: “Heh, silly boy, is an Immortal an animal or a Plant? Dangerous or not?”
Yuan Zhu was stunned: “Immortal? Wait, the Immortal you mean—is it Kunlun Qi Refiner?”
He remembered this: Kunlun True Immortal’s Supernatural Entry is planting Peach of Immortality Root Tendril into Flesh, then gradually replacing blood vessels and nervous system. So Kunlun True Immortals really fall under Dangerous Biology category.
“Yo! You know quite a bit. But in a small backwater like Running, dare to openly dissect and study Kunlun True Immortals?”
Yuan Zhu said wistfully: “I heard some overseas Immortal was found in a restaurant pot.”
Senior Student Chen gave him a deep look: “You know too much; I only learned this message a few days ago. Fire Fang’s intel channels are really something.”
Yuan Zhu opened his mouth but didn’t mention being taken to the Investigation Bureau. My intel channels exceed your imagination!
“Cough! My Herbal Medicine School studies that overseas Rogue Immortal. Not Kunlun Immortal Path System, but closely related, derived from ‘Kunlun Immortal Method’, and connected to an Alien race from some external Universe.”
Yuan Zhu blurted: “Plant Person from the Plant Universe?”
“…” This time Miss looked at him resentfully. “At your level, do you even need to come consult?”
Yuan Zhu: “That’s all I know, all spilled out. Go on, what exactly does your Herbal Medicine School study?”
Senior Student looked at Yuan Zhu, deciding to get serious, not to lose this gig: “Rain Courtyard’s Herbal Medicine School dissects overseas Rogue Immortals, analyzes their Power System, pursues the mysteries of immortality. Overseas Rogue Immortals are a branch intimately linked to Kunlun yet not subject to Kunlun Mother Tree influence or restraint, achieving absolute freedom as ‘carefree Immortals’.”
Yuan Zhu got excited; time to absorb Knowledge again, especially his favorite and most proficient ‘Cultivation’. Great Desolation Immortal Scripture needed this intel.
Little Spicy Stick even more: “Empty her! Quick, empty her!”
Yuan Zhu: “Orthodox Kunlun True Immortals are constrained by Kunlun Mother Tree?”
Senior Student nodded: “Kunlun Five Immortals, from entry to Promotion, every link, every realm, inseparable from Kunlun Mother Tree, needing different Elixir of Immortality plucked from Peach of Immortality Spiritual Root. Every realm requires consuming Immortal medicine to attempt Breakthrough. Low tiers okay, but high tiers inevitably constrained by Jade Pool Immortal Realm… You’ve seen Journey to the West: Releasing Evil too, right? It describes the grand scene of myriad Immortals paying homage, attending the Peach of Immortality Banquet.”
Hearing this, Yuan Zhu felt more and more off. Him, a bus-riding paid consultant, seriously discussing Jade Pool Immortal Realm, Kunlun Mother Tree, Elixir of Immortality, immortal methods with a dress-wearing academic Girl here—and these things really exist!?
Yuan Zhu just felt this art style was too discordant!
Is this secret Knowledge something my 50 yuan Consultation Fee can hear? Can Kunlun System Practitioners really pluck Elixir of Immortality from the Peach of Immortality divine tree?
This Kunlun System sounds more and more like Earth’s External Pill Method? Though in myths, West Queen Mother line from Han Dynasty onward popularized pill ascension.
“Uh… I haven’t seen it. What’s this Journey to the West: Releasing Evil about?”
Yuan Zhu wasn’t sure if Du Ling’s Journey to the West was Earth’s Journey to the West.
“Journey to the West, a novel you guys like. About Dharmalakṣaṇa Sect ancestor Xuanzang’s westward journey, slaying demons and exterminating evil, releasing inner malice. Releasing Evil means unleashing heart’s malice, carving through corpse mountains and blood seas, killing to Spirit Mountain, beheading Buddha’s Head, redefining Buddhist Dharma.”
“Hiss…” Yuan Zhu inhaled sharply. This I really haven’t seen!
