Yao Yue was stunned.
He did not expect Situ Qing to ask such a question.
Personal disciples were different from other disciples. A personal disciple's master could personally impart all sorts of cultivation techniques and cultivation materials to the disciple. Even after three years, the master would still be the disciple's master for the rest of his or her life, unless the disciple was expelled from the sect.
This status was much closer than being a disciple of the academy.
Some of the most talented disciples in the academy would be chosen by the headmaster and elders to be their personal disciples.
However, under such circumstances, the elders would usually choose a personal disciple half a year after entering the academy. It was rare for someone like Situ Qing to approach Yao Yue so early.
However, what confused Yao Yue the most was that Situ Qing clearly disliked him. Why would she suddenly accept him as her personal disciple?
Situ Qing looked at Yao Yue's dazed expression and asked, "Are you willing?"
Yao Yue replied with a troubled expression, "This … this is too sudden. I'm not prepared at all."
Situ Qing said, "I'll give you seven minutes to think about it. You only have one chance to decide if you are willing or not."
Situ Qing's expression was unsightly. Anyone could tell that she was not sincere about accepting Yao Yue as her personal disciple.
Yao Yue did not notice Situ Qing's expression. He was deep in thought.
Situ Qing definitely doesn't have a good impression of me. Why would she accept me as her personal disciple?
Could it be that she discovered my outstanding strength and decided to take a liking to a talent like me? "
"If I can become her personal disciple, I will definitely benefit greatly. At the very least, she will be able to protect me in the future. However, how old is she? Although she is in the top ten of the Wind Cloud List, is she really qualified to be my master?"
I wonder if she will train me to a pulp after I become her personal disciple. Most importantly, I'm afraid that there will be too many restrictions. That won't be easy to deal with.
Yao Yue's heart was conflicted as he pondered. He was clearly at a loss!
Situ Qing, who was sitting on the bamboo chair, was also very frustrated. He wanted to beat Yao Yue up again!
Her beauty was the best in the academy, and her strength was extraordinary. Moreover, she was the granddaughter of the principal's direct descendant. There were countless people who wanted to curry favor with her.
If she were to spread the news that she wanted to take in a disciple, who knew how many people would break their heads to become her disciple. Yet this brat was still so hesitant. It was truly hateful and hateful!
"Since you are in such a difficult position, just pretend that I didn't say anything. You should leave!" Situ Qing could not help but speak up.
"That's good too. Otherwise, I won't know how to choose!" Yao Yue sighed.
Indeed, he had already cultivated a demonic art. If Si Tu Qing were to find out in the future, he really wouldn't know how to explain himself. It would be better for him to cultivate alone.
"Yao Yue!" Situ Qing stood up and shouted angrily while gnashing his teeth.
Yao Yue thought that Situ Qing was going to beat him up again. He was so scared that he kept retreating. The wound on his chest caused him to take in a few breaths of cold air.
"I, I will be your disciple. Please don't beat me up again!" Yao Yue was frightened by Situ Qing and quickly changed his tone.
"Get out! Get out! I don't want to see you!" Situ Qing waved his hand angrily and scolded.
Yao Yue was shocked. He quickly dragged his severely injured body and left the bamboo house.
What the hell is this! Yao Yue thought gloomily.
He was beaten half to death for no reason. Now, he was inexplicably kicked out. He was really angry.
Situ Qing looked at Yao Yue who was leaving. She also quickly went deep into the academy.
In a small courtyard built against the mountain, there were two or three simple bamboo houses. There were all kinds of exotic flowers and herbs in front of the courtyard. There were also some refined herbs. The fragrance was intoxicating.
An old man was plowing the soil in the courtyard under the setting sun. He was humming a tune as if he was resting.
The old man looked to be in his fifties. He looked dignified, energetic, and healthy. His clothes were simple and plain. Anyone could tell that he was a cultivator. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to have such a refined aura.
However, no one would have thought that such a simple old man would be the famous principal of the Imperial Academy.
If this were to spread, no one would believe it.
The principal was one of the high-grade Xiantian Yuan Kings who was as famous as Long Tianba. His battle prowess was one of the best in the dynasty. He was one of the most influential people in the dynasty.
Even if the Emperor saw him, he would have to be courteous to him.
After all, the Royal College and the dean's existence had something to do with the emergence of the country's pillars one after another throughout the years.
Situ Qing walked into the courtyard and stood behind the old man. Her cold face finally relaxed. She smiled and said, "Grandpa, what's the point of flipping the soil all day?"
Situ Xiang chuckled and said, "Only when the soil is loose can the flowers and herbs absorb the nutrients in the soil more easily. Only then can they grow stronger.
This is the same as cultivation. You won't be able to reach the peak just by cultivating bitterly. Sometimes, you have to relax appropriately to better accommodate more power and thus become stronger. "He paused for a moment before looking at his granddaughter and asking," Do you understand this principle? "
When Situ Qing heard this, her beautiful eyes bloomed with an inexplicable color. She suddenly had a feeling of being enlightened and seeing the moon after the clouds parted.
"Grandpa, I understand!" Situ Qing said seriously as she supported the old man.
"It's good that you understand. You and Lian 'er are both hardworking children. However, sometimes, you go too far and lose the ability to understand the true meaning of cultivation," Situ Xiang said with satisfaction.
He paused for a moment before asking, "How's the matter I asked you to do?"
"He's unwilling," Situ Qing replied.
"Is he unwilling, or are you unwilling?" Situ Xiang asked doubtfully.
"If he's unwilling, do you think I'll go against your wishes?" Situ Qing said with certainty.
"That's true. However, I find it very strange. He's only a mid-grade Origin Soldier. Why would he refuse such a beautiful teacher's request? Could it be that he really has a fortuitous encounter, or perhaps he already has someone helping him in secret?" Situ Xiang asked with a puzzled look.
"Grandpa, how can you praise your granddaughter like that?"
Situ Qing said shyly. She then continued, "He's no longer the same as when he first entered the academy. He's already a high-grade Origin Soldier. Moreover, not long ago, he defeated an opponent who used a forbidden technique to raise his strength to the level of a Origin General. I really don't understand. Where did he get such strength? Has he been hiding it all this time?
That shouldn't be the case. "
"Oh, it seems like this kid has a lot of secrets. No wonder Old Man Long is so confident to let him enter the academy by himself. Since he doesn't want to acknowledge you as his teacher, then so be it. In any case, I only want to return Old Man Long a favor. Just take care of him in the future. Otherwise, I won't be able to explain myself to Old Man Long," Situ Xiang said with a hint of astonishment.
"I understand, grandpa," Situ Qing replied.
Yao Yue was unaware that he was only a Origin Soldier. His strength had long been known to the principal and his teacher.
According to the rules, anyone below the age of sixteen who had not reached the Origin Scholar realm was not allowed to enter the Imperial Academy. Yao Yue had definitely made an exception.
If others were to find out about this, it would probably cause some trouble.
When Yao Yue returned to the courtyard, Guan Changyun immediately appeared.
"Boss, you can't do this. You already have Lan Jing. How can you take away my beloved Instructor Situ as well? Aren't you asking for my life? That's too much!" Guan Changyun wailed.
From the looks of it, it was as if he was the most miserable person in the world.
Yao Yue was speechless. "I don't have time to talk nonsense with you. If you want to pursue her, then go ahead. I have nothing to do with her!"
Guan Changyun noticed Yao Yue's abnormal state and immediately said, "That's impossible. You've been with her for at least two hours. During that time, you could have done a lot of things. Look at how pale your complexion is. Could it be that you … Could it be that you're really a beast with Instructor Situ? Oh my god, I'll kill you!"
At the same time, he lightly punched Yao Yue's shoulder a few times to vent his dissatisfaction.
"Hiss, don't move!" Yao Yue took a step back and gasped.
"Huh? What's wrong?
Did I fail to be a beast and was taught a lesson by Instructor Situ instead? "Guan Changyun asked in astonishment.
"Go to hell. I'm going back to my room to rest," Yao Yue cursed. After a pause, he added, "If you really want to pursue that tigress, you better be careful. Don't get taught a lesson by her to the point where you don't even resemble a human anymore!"
After saying that, Yao Yue returned to his room.
Guan Changyun was stunned. He muttered, "Taught a lesson to the point where I don't even resemble a human anymore?
Could it be that Instructor Situ is so powerful in bed? "
One had to admit that Guan Changyun's idea was very creative.
After Yao Yue returned to his room, he wanted to take out some essence medicine and consume it. However, after some hesitation, he gave up on that idea.
"Although essence medicine can increase a person's cultivation speed, continuously consuming it will cause one's foundation to become unstable. I need to take it after a certain amount of time to minimize the effects. Since the healing pill is still effective, I'll meditate and recover from my injuries first," Yao Yue muttered to himself before sitting on his bed and circulating the Soaring Dragon Art to digest the medicine.
That pill was meant for general-class cultivators to heal their injuries. It contained some of the main ingredients of an essence medicine.
Yao Yue calmed himself down and absorbed the medicinal energy. His injuries quickly recovered by more than half, and his origin energy even showed signs of growing stronger.
After a night, Yao Yue felt much better. However, it would be difficult for him to continue cultivating.
Fortunately, their cultivation plan had changed. From today onwards, they would be challenging the wooden puppet stage. The time spent cultivating would reduce his strength, allowing him to barely survive.
During the early stages of cultivation, cultivators focused on cultivating their origin energy. However, if they only accumulated origin energy and did not engage in actual combat, they would not be able to display their true strength.
The wooden puppet stage was perfect for them to increase their combat experience and digest the origin martial techniques they had just obtained, increasing their strength.
The wooden puppet stage they were about to pass was not as simple as the one they had taken when they first entered the academy.
The wooden puppet stage here was of a higher level, and there were many wooden puppets. It would not be easy to pass the stage.