Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improved Spirit Rice

Chapter 10 Introduction

"Damn it, this guy is really persistent."

Zhao Cheng'an cursed inwardly.

That familiar gaze belonged to the assassin who had tried to kill the original owner of this body. His reappearance filled him with apprehension.

For a period of time, Zhao Cheng'an spent most of his time at the Imperial Academy.

They never leave the main gate, nor step outside the inner gate.

He was completely focused on preparing for the quiz on ancient teachings. Even when he occasionally went down the mountain to buy essential supplies and fragments of spirit stones, he would rush back. He had almost forgotten about this matter, but unexpectedly, the assassin reappeared at this moment.

Although Zhao Cheng'an has made some progress in his cultivation, he has not undergone any transformative changes.

He was still within the realm of ordinary people. Let alone a grandmaster, even an ordinary martial artist like Xiao Wu was no match for Zhao Cheng'an. If the other party were to suddenly attack and injure him, he probably wouldn't have much power to resist.

"Take the main road and go a little faster," Zhao Chengan said in a low voice.

Xiao Wu noticed that Zhao Cheng'an's tone seemed a bit off, but he didn't ask any questions. He simply raised his whip and steered the carriage forward.

The carriage traveled along the wide official road, ascending Cangwu Mountain and gradually approaching the Imperial Academy. The surrounding crowds grew bustling. Meanwhile, the cold, sinister gaze outside the carriage receded into the distance, finally vanishing completely as if evaporated into thin air.

Inside the carriage, Zhao Chengan let out a long sigh of relief.

It seems that the Imperial Academy's reputation is indeed useful. But Zhao Cheng'an soon realized that he couldn't hide in the Imperial Academy forever.

The expenses at the Imperial Academy are considerable. Without sufficient funds, one will be expelled sooner or later. And the money he currently has can only last for another month at most.

If I get expelled from the Imperial Academy...

The sight that had just vanished seemed to resurface in his mind. Zhao Cheng'an's face was grim, and his fingers twitched slightly on his knees as the carriage jolted.

A single-minded approach has become a double-edged sword.

Having just barely survived the threat of the Poison Mark, they now face this crisis again.

Unfortunately, there isn't a particularly good solution right now. Zhao Cheng'an felt that this start was truly difficult.

……

Lunchtime at the Imperial Academy cafeteria.

Although the food at the Imperial Academy was mainly light and simple, it was still divided into different grades.

The first tier consists of exquisite medicinal cuisine, the second tier is a delicate stir-fry with a good balance of meat and vegetables. The third tier is reduced to nothing more than cabbage, tofu, and coarse grain steamed buns.

While it may fill your stomach, it's severely lacking in nutrients. Eating this kind of food long-term will definitely lead to malnutrition.

However, Zhao Cheng'an has been cultivating every day these days, so his need for food is not as great as before. Moreover, Xiao Wu can occasionally hunt some wild game, catch some fish and shrimp from the back mountain to supplement his meals.

Aside from the fact that the cooking method was indeed not very good, there were no other effects.

I had only eaten half of my meal when that familiar hoarse voice came again.

Guo You, accompanied by two henchmen, swaggered into Zhao Cheng'an's desk.

He first peered tentatively into Zhao Cheng'an's bowl, and then let out a shrill laugh.

"How could the Third Prince of the mighty Great Yin Kingdom eat such pig swill?"

"I'm afraid that if the border falls and the country is no longer a country, you won't be able to stay in the Imperial Academy and you won't even have money for food."

Guo You's face was full of joy.

He was publicly humiliated in the Sutra Pavilion that day, and dared not cause trouble for Xiang Yunyuan, so he could only vent his anger on Zhao Cheng'an. Today, he finally got his chance.

However, as he laughed, Guo You realized that something seemed a little off.

Zhao Cheng'an's eyes were shrouded in shadow on his forehead, and he was staring at him coldly with the look of someone looking at a dead man.

Xiao Wu, standing on the other side, also frowned. His muscles tightened inch by inch like steel bars, and his joints made a series of cracking sounds.

Guo You was immediately intimidated by the two men's imposing presence.

Especially Zhao Cheng'an.

In Guo You's memory, Zhao Cheng'an had always seemed sickly and weak. But now, he stood tall and straight, his shoulders appearing broader. Even though he was just sitting there, he exuded a powerful, imposing aura, like a towering mountain.

This put Guo You in a dilemma, and the smile on his face froze.

Zhao Cheng'an suddenly laughed.

"You just said that I'm about to leave the Imperial Academy."

"So, guess whether I dare to beat you up before I leave, or even secretly kill you?"

Zhao Cheng'an had a smile on his face, but his voice was full of coldness.

Coupled with Xiao Wu's murderous gaze beside him, Guo You broke out in a cold sweat.

"No, no, we're all classmates, I was just joking and checking up on you." Guo You stammered, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Then get out of here!" Zhao Chengan said in a low voice.

Guo You turned around in a panic, and as he ran away, he stumbled and almost bumped into a pretty young girl walking towards him.

The girl had striking features, dressed in simple white robes, and carried a sword with a red tassel in one hand. She looked like a female knight-errant wandering the martial world.

It was Chen Heng.

……

Zhao Cheng'an looked away, picked up his chopsticks, and continued eating.

"Are you here to laugh at me too?"

Chen Heng did not answer him. She walked to the table, took down an exquisite purse hanging from her belt, and gently placed it in front of Zhao Cheng'an.

"Here, take this."

Zhao Cheng'an put down his chopsticks, opened the purse, and stared at it, completely stunned.

Inside were some gold leaves and several pieces of precious jewelry. A cursory glance suggested it was worth several thousand taels of silver.

Zhao Cheng'an looked up, his eyes filled with surprise.

"What are you going to do with all this stuff?"

Chen Heng explained calmly, "The supply convoy from Dayin has been delayed. I don't need these things at school, so I'll leave them to you."

A big question mark appeared above Zhao Cheng'an's head.

Why is this woman suddenly being so nice to me?

Moreover, their interaction in the cafeteria had already attracted a lot of attention. After all, while not everyone in the Imperial Academy knew about Zhao Cheng'an's past behavior as a sycophant, it was pretty much common knowledge.

Chen Heng remained calm despite the gazes around her.

"I was able to come to the Imperial Academy because of a quota granted by the Dayin royal family. This is the karma I owe."

"There's not much I can do right now. But..."

Chen Heng paused briefly, her tone softening slightly: "If something truly happens to the Great Yin Dynasty and you are unable to return, then I can apply to the Imperial Academy for a leisurely position so you can stay here and live out the rest of your life in peace."

Zhao Cheng'an could clearly hear the sense of estrangement in Chen Heng's tone.

It was as if the two of them were in two completely different worlds.

A relieved smile suddenly appeared on his face as he carefully tucked the purse into his pocket.

"Thanks."

Chen Heng nodded slightly.

Take good care of yourself.

After saying that, she turned and left, her white figure quickly disappearing into the bright sunlight outside the door.

……

In the blink of an eye, several more days have passed.

Zhao Cheng'an sat in the bamboo house, put a complete spirit stone into the Qiankun Cauldron, and then put two newly bought spirit stone fragments into it to begin a new round of synthesis.

After so many days, Zhao Cheng'an had almost put the matter of the small test aside.

He guessed that perhaps his training period was too short, which was why he failed the Imperial Academy's test. Or perhaps it was for some other unknown reason.

Regardless, through this series of conjectures and verifications, Zhao Cheng'an is now 100% certain that cultivators do indeed exist in this world.

Moreover, the Imperial Academy was very likely the institution that cultivated and selected such talents.

There must be a way to access authentic cultivation techniques here. As long as you can find a way to stay, you'll eventually find that path.

If all else fails, I'll have to learn martial arts first, and then venture into Black Wind Valley.

Zhao Chengan took a deep breath, quickly washed up, and then set off for the school.

Today's lesson is still about ancient teachings.

After the melodious bell rang, Shen Yanshan, with a thread-bound ancient book tucked under his arm, strolled leisurely into the school.

Today's lecture is on "Qingxu Ancient Teachings".

Shen Yanshan first explained the meaning of the scriptures in detail, and then began to lead everyone in reciting them.

Zhao Cheng'an opened his mouth and recited along with the crowd.

That strange feeling, as if my chest and internal organs were vibrating along with the sound, came back to me again.

Because of his continuous day and night cultivation, he had accumulated a small amount of spiritual energy within his body. Therefore, compared to last time, this feeling of resonance was much clearer and stronger.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the recitation gradually stopped.

Zhao Cheng'an was still immersed in that mysterious charm, closing his eyes to carefully comprehend it, and for a moment he was unable to come back to his senses.

He slowly opened his eyes and his gaze refocused.

He suddenly realized that an old figure had appeared in front of him.

The figure was holding an ancient book and looking down at him.

It was none other than Shen Yanshan, the chief priest.

The moment their eyes met, Zhao Cheng'an suddenly felt as if he had reached a dead end, only to find a new path opening up before him.

In a moment of excitement, my heart felt as if it had stopped beating.

A moment later...

The incredibly clear sound of my heartbeat echoed in my mind.