Chapter 294: Xu Caichen: Isn’t This Basically a Free Pass?

A corner of the royal court.

Looking at the three ancient characters written above the entrance, Xu Caichen instinctively muttered, “Imperial Academy? I didn’t expect Archaic City to have such a place. Could this be my opportunity?”

He murmured to himself, then pushed open the gate of the Imperial Academy and walked straight in.

After walking several dozen steps, Xu Caichen arrived beneath a library pavilion. At the entrance was a carved couplet, though only the first line was present.

He instinctively tried to push open the door, but an aged voice sounded from within.

“Young man, if you wish to enter, first match the second line of the couplet.”

Hearing this, Xu Caichen cupped his hands toward the building. “This junior obeys.”

Then he turned his eyes to the upper line and, after carefully identifying the characters, read silently: “If the heavens had feelings, they too would grow old.”

Xu Caichen began pacing in front of the door. After nearly an hour, he still hadn’t come up with a fitting second line. He took out a wine jug from his storage ring, took a sip, and then closed his eyes.

A long time later, he opened them again and wrote down the second line: “If the moon bears no regret, it shall remain ever full.”

As soon as the brush fell, the familiar voice rang out again.

“A fine line—‘If the moon bears no regret, it shall remain ever full.’ Come in.”

With a creak, the door was opened from within. Xu Caichen stepped through the threshold and saw an artifact spirit in scholar’s robes, hair and beard white, standing there. The spirit cupped his hands and greeted him.

“Student Xu Caichen pays respects to senior.”

The artifact spirit returned the gesture. “No need for such courtesy, Caichen. I am the guardian spirit of this Myriad Scroll Pavilion. Since you’ve matched the couplet, you may read and study on the first floor. Once you’ve finished all the books here, simply let me know if you wish to ascend to the second floor.”

“Thank you for the guidance, senior.”

With that, Xu Caichen began reading through the vast collection of texts on the first floor. Seven days later, he had finished reading everything and rose to address the spirit.

“Senior, this junior has completed the first floor’s reading and wishes to ascend to the second. Please provide a test.”

“Oh?”

The artifact spirit smiled. “Young man, opportunities to study in the Myriad Scroll Pavilion don’t come easily. Are you sure you don’t want to spend a bit more time here?”

Xu Caichen cupped his hands. “To be frank, senior, the writings on the first floor were of little benefit to me. I hope to broaden my horizons on the second floor.”

The spirit studied him closely, then said, “Indeed, you possess the true essence of the literary path, and your body radiates righteous energy. The books here are far too basic for you. Ascending to the second floor is simple: within one day, compose a poem that embodies noble righteousness.”

Xu Caichen was slightly stunned. Inwardly, he thought, Isn’t this basically a free pass?

Without hesitation, he picked up a brush and wrote three bold characters: Song of Righteousness.

The artifact spirit didn’t pay him much attention. He had spent countless years in the Myriad Scroll Pavilion and had seen many prodigies. A youth who merely comprehended literary intent wasn’t enough to impress him.

Before the time it takes to burn an incense stick had passed, Xu Caichen had already completed the poem.

He handed it over. “Senior, please review it.”

The spirit casually glanced at the scroll—but the moment his eyes fell upon the contents, his soul quivered slightly.

“A fine poem! A magnificent poem! In all my years in this pavilion, I’ve never seen anything of this caliber. Did you compose it yourself?”

“I did not.”

Xu Caichen didn’t conceal it. “Senior did not specify that the poem must be original, so I submitted the piece that marked my entry into the Dao.”

“Indeed, I never said it had to be composed by you.”

The artifact spirit paused, then asked, “Would you be willing to tell me who authored it?”

Xu Caichen respectfully replied, “To be honest, this poem was written by my master, Chu Feng.”

“To write something of this caliber, your master must be a great scholar of this age. Does he have other works?”

Suddenly realizing he was supposed to be administering a test, the spirit paused, then continued, “Let me be honest with you—this pavilion has three levels. Your poem is sufficient for entry to the second floor, but to ascend to the third, one must present a foundational, sect-establishing masterpiece. Do you have such a work?”

Xu Caichen appeared thoughtful. After a while, he spoke, “I actually do.”

“Quick—write it for me to see!”

The spirit was visibly excited, as though he had found some priceless treasure.

“Senior, please wait a moment.”

Xu Caichen was just about to grind ink when the artifact spirit hurried over.

“Young man, leave such a trivial task to me!”

???

Xu Caichen was momentarily stunned as he watched the scholarly senior before him suddenly take on the demeanor of a starstruck junior disciple.

His master’s charisma really was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Before long, the artifact spirit handed him the prepared ink.

Xu Caichen picked up the brush and began to transcribe from memory the Analects passage that his master had taught him.

Several hours passed before Xu Caichen finally put down his brush and exhaled deeply.

Hoo...

Meanwhile, the artifact spirit was fully immersed in the text, unable to pull himself out of its depths.

By the following day, the artifact spirit finally returned to his senses from the essay. He cupped his hands toward Xu Caichen and said, “Fellow Daoist, what an exceptional piece. You may now go anywhere you like within the Myriad Scroll Pavilion. I shall not disturb your reading further.”

“Thank you, senior.”

Xu Caichen returned the gesture and then stepped upstairs. As he reached the second floor, he saw streams of literary essence swirling around the pavilion.

These flows of essence radiated from the books themselves. Even though the pavilion had existed for countless ages, not a speck of dust could be found on the floor or the tomes.

He walked up to one of the books and opened it casually. A ray of literary Dao light shone from the pages.

At the same time, the ancient text within flowed through Xu Caichen’s eyes and entered his sea of consciousness.

In an instant, Xu Caichen was fully absorbed in the book.

…

“Senior Brother Wang!”

“Junior Brother Han!”

Wang Baole and Han Ping both shouted instinctively as they spotted a familiar face—but neither rushed forward recklessly.

Both of them belonged to the cautious school of thought—especially Han Ping, who was always ready to flee at any moment.

They had spent days wandering through the royal court before finally encountering someone they recognized.

Their first reaction was joy. The second—caution.

“Longevity Technique,” Wang Baole said subconsciously, naming Han Ping’s cultivation method.

“Successful individual,” Han Ping mustered the courage to say those four words.

Wang Baole’s face immediately darkened. “Junior Brother, that was out of line.”

Han Ping could now confirm that the person before him truly was his senior brother Wang. His expression turned awkward but polite. “Please don’t take offense, Senior Brother. I was simply acting with caution.”

Wang Baole curled his lip. “Mm, I know you're someone who follows your instincts. Since we've met here, let’s see what treasures this place holds.”

“Alright.”

Han Ping gestured forward. “After you, Senior Brother Wang.”

Wang Baole: “…”

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