Chapter 52: Bamboo Grove

Over the next few days, Chen Luo maintained an early start and late return routine.

Gradually, he adapted to the life at the academy.

Utilizing the combined knowledge of over a hundred brains, he swiftly mastered all the information on the desks around him.

Medicine, Divination, Astronomy, Geography, Calligraphy, Formations, Alchemy, and Artifacts.

During this process, Chen Luo discovered a second feature of his golden finger. The duration each brain could sustain while reading varied depending on the subject matter. For instance, Nineteenth Prince’s brain would persist for approximately ten minutes when studying formations, but if it involved artifact or alchemy knowledge, the time shortened to about seven minutes. This pattern held true for other noble minds as well, even those of jianghu experts with no innate aptitude; their preferences similarly fluctuated.

“I’m preparing to attempt a visit with one of the teachers.”

To Chen Luo’s left, the two young scholars who had been continuously discussing formations ceased their debate today. Instead, they were getting ready to seek mentorship from a teacher.

On the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion, these individuals were exposed to knowledge vastly different from those below them, giving them an air of superiority. However, this knowledge still belonged to the realm of the ‘mundane’. Only by passing the test behind that door would they gain access to the true ‘immortal inheritance’, which was also the very purpose of the White Dragon Academy’s existence.

To select disciples for the White Immortal Cave, or more precisely, for the immortal elder within it.

“Go ahead, this is your last chance. Make the most of it.”

His chess-playing friend, who usually disagreed with him, today offered words of encouragement instead.

Each person had three opportunities—a rule set by the academy. After failing thrice, one would completely lose their chance, forever destined to be devoid of any connection to the ‘immortal’ path.

Chen Luo glanced over as well.

With his current discernment, he could easily spot numerous errors in what these scholars were studying. Like many others, they possessed no innate aptitude for immortal cultivation. Although the outcome was harsh, much was predetermined from the outset.

Over the past few days, Chen Luo had observed everyone in the Scripture Pavilion closely.

Apart from the mocking young noble from that first day, all others appeared to be ordinary individuals without any aptitude for immortal cultivation.

This represented the vast majority of people—ordinary beings.

Originally, Chen Luo was just another member of the multitude, but his fortune allowed him the chance to alter his destiny.

He still possessed the jade booklet for entry to the White Immortal Cave. Initially, he planned to directly attend the three-month sermon using the bamboo token, but after joining the White Dragon Academy, his intentions changed.

Mastering these foundational concepts was crucial for him, and learning them beforehand seemed most advantageous.

If he had gone straight to the cave with only the jade booklet, he likely would have wasted much time acquiring the basic knowledge first. This could have led to a similar outcome as Nineteenth Prince’s failed attempt—arriving unprepared on his first visit.

The young scholar approached the bamboo gate.

Located behind the Scripture Pavilion, this gate appeared ordinary at first glance. However, as the young scholar reached it, his steps suddenly halted. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his eyes grew unfocused, as if encountering incomprehensible knowledge.

‘Failed.’

Chen Luo knew the result from merely observing the beginning. The young scholar unknowingly stepped on a critical point of the formation. Not just beneath his feet, the entire third floor of the Scripture Pavilion constituted part of the formation. To pass through the bamboo gate, one must discern this intricacy; focusing solely on the small area around the gate would inevitably lead to failure.

Thud!

As expected, after enduring for ten breaths, the young scholar’s steps faltered, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud, falling unconscious.

His friend swiftly moved forward to help him up.

“Many thanks, Brother Sun.”

After a while, the young scholar regained consciousness, but the disappointment in his eyes was impossible to conceal.

With this final attempt failed, his family would undoubtedly cease providing him resources, leaving no hope for his future. Although he would still enjoy wealth and prosperity throughout his life, having glimpsed the vistas from greater heights, few would willingly settle for mediocrity.

“People should accept their fate,” remarked a well-dressed young nobleman in blue robes as he passed by indifferently upon seeing the fallen pair.

“You! Tian Yonglu, don’t get too smug.” The friend of the young scholar couldn’t help but point at the nobleman, rebuking him sharply.

“Our destinies are irrevocably divided, mortal and immortal. Your anger won’t change what is ordained. Cherish your hundred years on earth; someday, I’ll burn extra paper money at your grave.” With a look of pity, the nobleman Tian Yonglu glanced at them before heading towards the bamboo gate.

Under everyone’s gaze, the arrogant young noble hesitated for a few moments before unexpectedly stepping forward.

As his foot landed, it was as if he triggered a teleportation array and vanished into thin air.

“Can knowledge of magical artifacts be used too?” Chen Luo was somewhat surprised.

Tian Yonglu had passed through the bamboo gate using his understanding of artifact crafting. This realization made Chen Luo understand that comprehending just one book from the table could suffice to pass the bamboo gate examination, requiring only a basic grasp of its contents.

Having figured out the nature of the test, Chen Luo decided not to linger further in the Scripture Pavilion.

He had already completed studying the foundational knowledge within.

Staying any longer would be a waste of time; it was now the right moment to proceed to the White Immortal Cave for genuine immortal cultivation.

Amidst looks of doubt, shock, and bewilderment, Chen Luo effortlessly crossed over without even pausing, as if merely stepping through an ordinary bamboo door.

“Another one passed…”

“It seems this person entered following the same path as Tiger Might Escort Agency.”

“Fate, fate! Could this truly be destiny?” Inside the pavilion, faces filled with disbelief, some even impulsively charged towards the bamboo gate. Alas, without the requisite aptitude, brute force could not succeed.

“Eh? You made it through as well?”

Just beyond the bamboo gate, Chen Luo heard a familiar voice. It was Tian Yonglu, the young master who had mocked him for seeking attention days earlier. This time, however, there was no scorn in Tian Yonglu’s eyes; instead, he regarded Chen Luo as an equal.

“I apologize for my ridicule from several days ago.” Tian Yonglu solemnly bowed to Chen Luo.

“Hm?” Chen Luo was somewhat taken aback.

He did not expect Tian Yonglu to set aside his pride so readily and offer an apology.

“Your ability to pass the bamboo gate test demonstrates your aptitude. In our pursuit of the immortal path, there may come times when we need each other’s support. It is wise to resolve any worldly grievances early, avoiding potential hindrances to our future journey,” Tian Yonglu explained to Chen Luo.

Chen Luo nodded, indicating that he held no grudge.

Their gazes turned forward. Beyond the bamboo gate lay a narrow path, its ground covered with pebbles, resembling a typical country lane leading to a small farmhouse.

“Immortal Path, here I come!”

Suppressing his excitement, Tian Yonglu stepped forward.

Chen Luo followed silently behind, aware that the path of immortal cultivation would not be so straightforward.

Even with aptitude, like Nineteenth Prince who had visited the White Immortal Cave once, could still fail to remain on this path.

The first test at the bamboo gate entrance to the White Immortal Cave assessed one’s aptitude. However, whether that aptitude allowed entry into the immortal path was determined by another subsequent examination.

Walking single file, they swiftly traversed the pebble-lined pathway and entered a bamboo grove.

Within the grove sat a group of individuals, centered around an elderly man dressed in white, cross-legged on the ground. With his silvery beard and hair, clad in plain white robes, he resembled an otherworldly immortal straight from a painting.

Approximately a dozen people surrounded him, each attentively listening to his discourse. Some closed their eyes in deep thought, while others scratched their heads in contemplation.

Despite hearing the same teachings, it seemed as though each individual perceived entirely different insights.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Chen Luo and Tian Yonglu refrained from speaking further. They quickly moved into the bamboo grove and took seats at its outermost edge.

Throughout their arrival, the elder paid them no heed, engrossed in imparting wisdom without interruption. Likewise, none of the students surrounding him turned to acknowledge their presence.

Each person appeared fully absorbed in their own world, oblivious to the outside surroundings.