It wasn't every day you met someone with a bit of a smug personality who wasn't all that bad.
'If you pull a one-eighty like that, how am I supposed to start with my own flattery?'
"Oh, by the way, sir, would you like to see my notes? I have five notebooks in total, plus a condensed version where I've summarized all the key points," Xue Su said enthusiastically.
"Uh... I don't think that's a good idea. I just joined and I'm very poor. I can't afford to pay you in Spirit Stones, otherwise I wouldn't be 'respecting tradition' by copying the books myself."
Zhang Deming said awkwardly.
Xue Su was extremely enthusiastic. "Hey, we're fellow disciples! Don't be like that.
They're just notes, not some priceless treasure. How could I possibly take Spirit Stones from a man of your caliber?
Here, take a look. See if they give you any inspiration."
Seeing how insistent Xue Su was, Zhang Deming couldn't refuse and had no choice but to glance through them casually.
After a moment, Zhang Deming said, "This is my first day learning this, so these notes are a bit advanced for me. I think I'll stick to familiarizing myself with the textbook for now."
"That's true. You should get familiar with it. Do you need help memorizing?"
'Uh, what the hell? You can help with that? You're a bigger bootlicker than I am!'
"No, thank you. I can manage on my own."
"By the way, sir, will you be coming to class for the next few months?"
"Uh, Senior Brother Xue, let's just stick to how we addressed each other before. Calling me that makes me feel pretty awkward. As for class... I probably... might come."
"Alright, Junior Brother Zhang."
...
The two began to chat familiarly, though the roles of the bootlicker and the one being bootlicked had been reversed.
Chatting on and off until class began, the two became more familiar with each other.
Soon, Dang Jin walked in. As direct as ever, he got straight to the point and began his lecture.
Zhang Deming took out his transcribed notebook and began to compare it with the textbook to check for any mistakes or omissions.
After carefully comparing it with the Light Screen on the desk, he found no errors or omissions.
Zhang Deming then put his book away and began to listen to the lecture attentively.
Although Dang Jin's lecture wasn't particularly lively or interesting, it was still very well-delivered. For the disciples, who had an extreme thirst for knowledge, it didn't feel boring at all, and time flew by until it was evening.
"Alright, that's all for today's class.
If any of you manage to master the Agility Technique, please register it on your Identity Card.
That would be the greatest support you can give to my teaching.
Those of you who want to slip me gifts for special treatment can save them.
Other Dharma Transmission Halls might allow it, but in the Basic Dharma Transmission Hall, such things are forbidden. This is an iron-clad rule of the Sect.
Besides, I don't offer private lessons here, only the standard curriculum for everyone.
Next week, I will further explain the Agility Technique and its related applications. I hope to see you all again then.
And with that, class is dismissed."
As always, Dang Jin dismissed the class right as the bell rang; he was incredibly punctual.
Zhang Deming packed his things and stood up, and Xue Su rose as well.
"Junior Brother Zhang, I heard you were assigned to a post at Qingyou Pool?" Xue Su asked.
Zhang Deming nodded. "A few days ago, yes. I was assigned there directly."
"Then..."
Zhang Deming saw Xue Su's hesitant expression and said, "If you have something to say, Senior Brother Xue, just say it."
Hearing this, Xue Su asked, "Then is it true, Junior Brother Zhang, like the rumors say? That you've entered Little Hui Peak?
I'm just curious, asking casually. If it's inconvenient to answer, just pretend I never asked."
Zhang Deming gave a bitter smile. "Senior Brother Xue, if I really had those kinds of connections, why would I need to come to a public lecture to learn a Technique for free?
Wouldn't going to the Scripture Pavilion be a better option?
At the very least, I could go to a paid Dharma Transmission Hall. A small class would be better, wouldn't it!"
Xue Su nodded in agreement. "In that case, Junior Brother Zhang, don't mind me for being nosy, but if you really don't have any background, you'd be better off leaving a place like Qingyou Pool as soon as possible.
That place is too good, and too many people have their eyes on it.
What happened today was no accident."
Even without Xue Su's reminder, Zhang Deming had figured this out after learning about the situation at Qingyou Pool.
If he had known this before reporting for duty, Zhang Deming certainly would have made that choice.
But now that he was already there, he wouldn't make that choice, nor was he willing to.
'First, it was Steward Luh's arrangement. Even if I wanted to back down, I don't know if I even could.
Second, I was lucky enough to be assigned to such a great place. I can enjoy it for a bit, so why should I just hand it over for nothing?'
'Ten years of hiding my strength and biding my time on Little Qing Mountain was enough.
Now, I have to live for myself. I, Zhang Deming, won't start trouble, but I'm not afraid of it, either.
Besides, I now have nearly two light orbs as a safety net. Why do I have to live so spinelessly?'
"Thank you, Senior Brother Xue. I understand all of this, and I'll consider how to proceed," Zhang Deming said with a smile.
By this time, the two had left the Dharma Transmission Hall and arrived at a plaza. Zhang Deming stopped and said, "Arrays and Runes should be that way, right? It seems we're going in different directions."
The planting fields of Little Hui Peak and the Array Artifact Pavilion were in different directions, and the plaza was the junction where these paths converged.
Xue Su nodded. Zhang Deming continued, "Well then, see you next time."
"See you," Xue Su replied. Just as Zhang Deming turned to leave, Xue Su suddenly called out, "Oh, right, Junior Brother Zhang."
Zhang Deming turned back, puzzled. "Is there something else, Senior Brother Xue?" he asked.
Xue Su said, "Can we exchange contact information on our Identity Cards? That way, we can get in touch if we don't happen to meet."
Zhang Deming nodded. "Sure."
With that, the two exchanged their identity information and parted ways in the plaza.
Zhang Deming walked for another half an hour before he arrived back at Qingyou Pool.
As for the Sect's policy of having no means of transportation, Zhang Deming had a rough idea of the reason.
Of the three entry-level Techniques, the second was the Agility Technique.
After learning the first technique, a disciple could get by in the Sect.
But to live a normal life in the Sect, to be a proper Outer Disciple, to thrive here—you had to learn the Agility Technique as quickly as possible.
Otherwise, you might as well stay put in your own little corner like a servant.
This was probably the reason the Sect didn't provide any ordinary means of transportation.
They used the real-life needs of the disciples to stimulate their study of magic, providing ample motivation.
Under such pressure, even the laziest slacker couldn't afford to slack off and had to grind until they had at least mastered the first two techniques.
After all, with the first technique, one could barely survive in the Outer Sect. Only with the second could one live and move about normally in the vast Celestial Spirit Sect.
...
It was already evening when Zhang Deming returned home.
He hurriedly performed the necessary Casting on the medicine garden, and by the time he had taken care of everything, the sky was dark.
Originally, Qingyou Garden was a place of leisure for Outer Disciples. The work there was a two-person job, but it was allocated a labor quota of more than four people.
Taking care of it should have been very easy.
But now, with Zhang Deming managing it all by himself, things felt a bit tight. The workload was almost comparable to his time on Little Qing Mountain.