Chapter 124: The Fortune of Great Xia

“Esteemed Elders, please…”

“Dean Gongyang Yanqing, City Governor Bai, please…”

Early the next morning, beneath the Green Mountain in the center of White Xiang Academy.

A square paved with white jade rocks now held a tall Immortal Platform, decorated with a few jade ornaments and red silks.

Although Qi Refining cultivators weren’t like ordinary folks, who would beat drums and gongs loudly during festivals or celebrations, they still added some decorations on important occasions. Firstly, to show the academy’s regard for the event, and secondly, to pay respect to these County Sect Elders who had traveled far to White Xiang Academy to select disciples…

Today was the day the students of White Xiang Academy would be chosen by the County Sects!

It was also the most celebratory day before the academy disciples’ three-year tenure concluded…

After all, once the County Sect Elders made their choices, it would be the City Governor’s turn to pick, followed by the Nightwatcher Palace coming for the leftovers.

The City Governor’s selection was usually done quietly, without fanfare, while the Nightwatcher Palace’s arrival often brought heart-wrenching cries and sorrow. So, for the academy wanting to celebrate their disciples’ graduation, this was the only fitting day…

The Immortal Platform was erected early. The academy disciples, dressed in new clothes, trying to look either valiant or scholarly, gathered early to wait. However, the County Sect Elders didn’t arrive until afternoon, accompanied by Academy Dean Gongyang Yanqing, City Governor Bai Huali, academy mentors, and the Governor’s Secretary. Their appearance instantly heated the atmosphere.

The Elders and mentors chuckled, greeting each other respectfully before seating themselves in strict order of seniority and prestige.

Dean Gongyang Yanqing and City Governor Bai Huali, as the hosts, sat at either end.

The other Elders politely deferred to each other for a while. In the end, Elder Ge of the Nine Immortals Sect took the central chief seat. Elder Min of the Leshui Sect sat on the left secondary seat, Elder Yue of the Yun Huan Sect sat on the right secondary seat, and so it went, orderly and proper. The last to be seated was a young man from Shoushan Sect. He looked stoic, honest, and sat blushing shyly.

Elder Min of Leshui Sect glanced at him still standing and quickly patted his own head, laughing apologetically, “Ah, pardon my lapse! This seat rightfully belongs to Shoushan Sect. Moreover, we have the Young Sect Master Xu himself gracing us today. Please come, Young Master, sit beside Elder Ge…”

Hearing this, everyone turned to look.

The Young Sect Master Xu seemed only in his thirties, naturally quiet and simple in appearance. He flushed bright red. Waving his hands hastily, he protested, “Elder Min flatters me. Before you revered Elders, I’m just a junior. Sitting there would be disrespectful! Please stay seated, I am perfectly fine here, just fine here…” He sat down firmly and refused to budge no matter who tried to pull him up.

The Elders observing him all laughed good-naturedly, persuading Elder Min to keep his seat and praising Young Sect Master Xu for his humility.

The seating arrangement indeed held significance. Nine Immortals Sect, grand in reputation and influence, rightly occupied the chief seat. Traditionally, the secondary seat was acknowledged to belong to Shoushan Sect. What’s more, while the other County Sects sent Elders, Shoushan Sect’s leader himself showed up, differing in status. So Elder Min offering his seat was actually following proper etiquette.

But Young Sect Master Xu’s refusal was also an act of understanding and propriety.

Everyone knew Shoushan Sect was a shadow of its former glory.

Once, Shoushan Sect stood as one of the two pillars of Qinghe Prefecture alongside the Nine Immortals Sect. One was famed as the deepest-rooted family, having nurtured nine Immortal Realm experts since its founding. The other was Shoushan Sect; during the assault of the Great Southern Demon Sovereign, they used the mountain terrain to set up a grand formation, holding back the demon hordes for three full days, buying crucial time for Great Xia’s Turtle God King—their merit was paramount.

In those days, Shoushan Sect wasn’t just fit for the secondary seat; they could vie for the chief spot against the Nine Immortals.

However, in recent years, Shoushan Sect’s decline had become common knowledge. After losing their core cultivation technique, the Treasure Body Method, the entire sect’s foundation weakened drastically. Elders departed, some died, others went mad… Only a handful of impoverished members remained, guarding an empty mountain.

Truthfully, Shoushan Sect could barely even be called a County Sect anymore.

It was only by the Divine King’s grace, honoring their past meritorious deeds, that they still held onto the County Sect title.

Why send the young Sect Master himself when the others only dispatched Elders?

Because they simply couldn’t spare anyone else…

Shoushan Sect did have Elders, true. But none were willing to come and suffer the humiliation…

“Hail to the esteemed Elders of the Immortal Sects!”

Once the County Sect Elders were seated, the White Xiang Academy disciples gathered neatly before the platform, bowing deeply.

Their shout, loud and unified, surged like a tide, booming with power.

“Heh heh, rise, rise…”

On the platform, Elder Ge of the Nine Immortals Sect observed the eager White Xiang Academy disciples and smiled warmly. He nodded appreciatively towards Dean Gongyang Yanqing seated on his far left: “The disciples’ cultivation levels are commendable. Clearly, White Xiang Academy has trained them well!”

“We thank Elder for your kind praise!”

Dean Gongyang Yanqing nodded respectfully, smiling. “This isn’t solely the academy’s doing. City Governor Bai of Willow Lake City has shielded this region. With the common people living peacefully and free from want or fear, with demons and monsters nowhere to be seen, our disciples have been able to cultivate undisturbed by worldly troubles…”

The City Governor quickly stood and bowed modestly. “Guiding these young minds is solely the academy’s achievement. Hua Li doesn’t deserve such credit…”

Elder Ge seated at the center burst into hearty laughter: “Ah, both of you, enough humility! Even secluded within my sect, I’ve heard reports of Willow Lake City! These past months, driven out demon plagues, suppressed bandit troubles – such righteous acts are deeply admirable!”

“Haven’t you all heard the theory of national fortune explained by the venerable Old Master Fan while interpreting the Classic of Documents?”

“When the people live secure and well-fed, receive proper teaching and understand duty, their spirit strengthens daily, nourishing the Dragon Vein. As the Dragon Vein thrives, the citizens of Great Xiz grow more robust, their Innate Qi more abundant generation by generation, naturally gifted talent rising, nurturing ever more cultivation geniuses. And each generation of these exceptional cultivators then continues their duty – guarding our Great Xia’s peace and safeguarding its people’s livelihoods…”

“Simply put: the people’s welfare enriches the nation’s foundation; the strong foundation secures Great Xia’s prosperity; prosperity ensures the people’s continuing welfare….”

“This principle – this connection – forms the bedrock of national fortune. It is the very cornerstone of Great Xia’s endurance in this vast, untamed world!”

The cultivators gathered around, deeply moved, raised their hands respectfully: “We are enlightened!”

Beside the City Governor, Secretary Xu quietly let out a sigh of relief: That hurdle is cleared!

Willow Lake City had seen many demon subjugations and bandit purges, yet also considerable turmoil. The City Governor and Dean had lived on edge these past months. Now, thankfully, their efforts hadn’t been futile. Finally, seizing this chance with the Nine Immortals Elder’s presence for disciple selection, they had explained everything and smoothed over any obstacles. Elder Ge’s words now were their reassurance.

Of course, this success also stemmed from the City Governor and Dean’s recent deep cooperation, jointly navigating perils and confiding openly in one another.

“Looks like the important figures visiting from the County Sects are in good spirits… maybe they’ll take a few extra disciples after all?”

Down amongst the disciples, seeing the Elders, Dean, and City Governor chatting amiably, many felt excited.

Someone muttered coldly: “So what if they take a few more? The spots were decided long ago! Did you get one?”

Another student nearby countered: “Can’t be sure… Decisions change. Maybe there are unexpected additions. Besides, plenty of us only paid our respects to the Elders yesterday. The outcome for many is still unknown…”

Before the murmuring could continue, voices from the Immortal Platform drew everyone’s focus. The Elders’ pleasantries subsided, the serious matter resuming.

Elder Ge of the Nine Immortals Sect announced warmly: “Now, let us summon forth those disciples we have selected! It is time for them to step into the light!”

The disciples’ hearts constricted. The final result was about to be revealed.

The choices were made. It was customary to call the chosen ones onto the platform, presenting them formally as newly accepted disciples of their respective sects. This was a moment of honor, a declaration, marking the culmination of the triennial County Sect selection. For the academy disciples, this was the moment they had all been anticipating.

Those already certain of their selection awaited the gaze of admiration. Those who had tried their luck yesterday awaited confirmation. Even those who never stood a chance watched intently, curious to see who had made it.

“Meng Zhixue, Ren Xinyue, Li Danzhou… Xiang Wan!”

Elder Ge, the highest-ranking Elder present, called the names decisively. First, the widely acclaimed Meng Zhixue. Next, Ren Xinyue, exceptionally skilled in magical techniques. Then, the other two: Li Danzhou, not the highest in cultivation, but startlingly talented in the alchemical art of the Grass Elixir, and Xiang Wan, usually unremarkable, yet his uncle held a significant post in Qingjiang Prefecture’s government. Four uniquely exceptional disciples.

The four ascended the platform, bowing respectfully first to Elder Ge, then to the Academy Dean and City Governor, and finally to their peers below.

Cheers erupted immediately from the gathered disciples, loud and enthusiastic.

Yet, within the cheers, a question arose swiftly: “See? Second Young Master Fang… isn’t among them.”

The legendary Immortal Master Fang Chi himself had cultivated within the Nine Immortals Sect, forging an immense Karma bond. To this day, people spoke of the Nine Immortals Sect almost as a Ten Immortals Sect, with Fang Chi counting as the tenth…

That legacy made many half hope: despite rumors Second Young Master Fang intended to skip the County Sects, might the Nine Immortals Sect accept him out of deference to his ancestor’s connection?

Now, seeing only four chosen names called, all remaining doubts vanished.

Second Young Master Fang was definitively not chosen by the Nine Immortals Sect…

“Poor Second Young Master Fang… I wonder what’s going through his mind right now…”

This thought flickered through numerous disciples’ minds. As sympathetic murmurs stirred, sudden commotion broke out at the periphery of the crowd.

A low, startled cry went up: “Second Young Master Fang… He’s come!”