CHAPTER 173: CHAPTER 145: VOLUNTEERING

"The workshop has the materials needed for crafting," said Tantai Leshan as he glanced over the catalog. "However, these two items, with the material cost and processing fee, barely make up half the allowed value. Please select more."

To prevent the Academic Palace Disciples from being wasteful, the Forging Workshop had certain regulations. Without a valid reason, one couldn’t apply multiple times.

However, for a special student like Li Ang, slightly relaxing the restrictions was not a problem.

"Okay."

Li Ang’s spirits lifted, and he picked out a few more pieces of equipment and tools.

Eagle Mountain Claw—a metal hook with projectile and pulling functions, capable of scaling walls and rooftops.

Triangular Spear—a staff-like short spear, which, when infused with Spiritual Power, could extend into a long spear and had a certain effect in dispelling evil.

Light Body Boots—permanently imbued with the effect of a Featherweight Talisman, usable upon infusing with Spiritual Power. They could increase running speed and reduce the sound of footsteps.

Among the three items, the Light Body Boots were the most expensive, followed by the Triangular Spear.

Li Ang did the math with his remaining coins and school credits, and finally ordered two small knives made of Mountain Copper, spending all his credits.

"The items you’ve chosen are quite good. They don’t have a minimum Spiritual Power requirement and can be used from the Body Concealing Realm all the way to the Cloud Patrol Realm," Tantai Leshan nodded, telling Li Ang to come and pick them up the day after tomorrow.

Having the identity of an Academic Palace student was convenient. Two days later, Li Ang went to the Forging Workshop to collect his equipment.

The Alligator Armor and Light Body Boots could be worn close to the body. The short spear form of the Triangular Spear could be used as a staff in hand. After the Spirit Mechanism Crossbow was folded, it could be mounted directly on the right wrist, hidden inside the sleeve.

In this way, the personal safety of his "Li Ang" identity was also guaranteed.

After preparing all of this, Li Ang returned to his daily life at the [Academic Palace—Chang’an City], waiting for Mo Si’s detection to trigger again, or for Ya Jiu to make contact.

Time flew by. By March, there was no movement from the Zhao Ming Token given by Ya Jiu, nor had the Mountain Master returned.

"It’s so noisy outside."

In the morning, within the Golden City Mansion, Chai Chai, sleepy-eyed and yawning, was drinking porridge with some side dishes.

"It is a bit noisy."

Li Ang, listening to the clamor outside, rubbed his aching forehead.

As with previous years, this year’s Academic Palace officially started its entrance exams from June to August, while April to June were dedicated to the screening process to select students eligible for the entrance exams.

Chang’an, being near the Academic Palace and populous, produced the most Academic Palace Disciples each year. Thus, the screening had already begun in March.

Children of the right age from various workshops paid a hundred cents to participate in several rounds of examinations. Those who passed through the rigorous selection process would have the opportunity to take part in the entrance examination.

"’The ladies and young misses in Golden City Square say the enthusiasm for this year’s exams is even stronger than in previous years.’

"Chai Chai thought for a moment and said, ’They say you also had a hand in it, Young Master.’"

"What does that have to do with me?"

"’Weren’t your Spirit Veins deemed unsuitable back then, Young Master? Yet you still managed to get into the Academic Palace and became the top scorer. So, parents who previously thought their children had no chance and decided not to waste their money are all having their children take the exams this year.’

"Chai Cuiqiao continued, ’Now, the most common thing parents in Chang’an City tell their children is, "Learn from Li Risheng."’"

"So I’m now the ’kid from another family’?"

Li Ang shook his head and said mockingly, "’If I write a book titled ’The Great Yu Exam People,’ or ’What’s It Like to Get Into the Academic Palace from a Remote and Poor Village,’ or ’Academic Palace: Starting From Signing In at the State School,’ would it also become a bestseller?’"

Chai Chai seriously considered it and nodded, "It probably would. But the titles sound a bit odd."

"Ha."

Li Ang chuckled, then something occurred to him. "’Right, our household registration has been moved to Chang’an County now, hasn’t it? Theoretically, you’re also eligible to take the exam. Want to give it a try?’"

"Eh?"

Chai Chai widened her eyes in surprise, hastily waving her hands. "’I can’t do it! I haven’t really read the exam books, and my Spiritual Vein Talent probably isn’t good enough.’"

It was a widely held belief among the common people that the more Innate Spiritual Veins young boys and girls possessed, the smarter they were.

Although this belief had yet to be confirmed with solid evidence, it didn’t prevent many people from thinking this way.

Li Ang said helplessly, "’You’re not stupid; you’re just too lazy to think.’"

"’But I have you, Young Master, don’t I?’"

Chai Chai chuckled somewhat foolishly. She was very satisfied with her current life: she had Li Ang, a large house with a courtyard and garden, a Princess for a friend, no worries about food or clothing, and could enjoy shopping, entertainment, plays, and operas. Life was quite delightful, and she felt no need for any change.

Her life was truly perfect.

Li Ang admonished with earnest, "’How can you be content with your current situation at your age? You should have great ambitions, like me.’"

"’Great ambitions? Young Master, when did you get a mole on your chest? How would I not know?’"

"’You’re the one with a mole!’"

Li Ang gently pinched Chai Chai’s pleasantly soft cheek. She giggled foolishly, her expression a classic "I’ll read a textbook when the sun rises in the west," utterly unfazed, like a dead pig that doesn’t fear boiling water.

"’Honestly, you...’"

Li Ang was at his wit’s end with his little maid, who seemed content to freeload and was already mentally retired. Perhaps he had spoiled her too much. They hadn’t hired other maids or servants, and Li Ang even handled some of the daily chores himself using Telekinesis.

"Hmm?"

Li Ang raised an eyebrow, feeling that Chai Chai’s cheeks were a bit chubbier. He asked doubtfully, "’Have you gotten fatter?’"

"Hmm?!"

Hearing these words, Chai Chai couldn’t sit still anymore. She immediately jumped up from her seat, startled. She touched her cheeks, then ran back to her bedroom to look in the mirror.

Through the crack of the bedroom door, he could see her standing in front of the mirror, anxiously pinching the flesh on her stomach and thighs, her expression somewhat puzzled.

Could it be an illusion?

Li Ang blinked doubtfully; living together day in and day out, he did feel Chai Chai had gotten a bit plumper...

Wait a second.

Li Ang smacked his forehead, almost forgetting his and Chai Chai’s current ages.

It wasn’t that she had gotten fatter; it was just normal growth.

Time really flies... He still felt like it was just yesterday that the two of them relied on each other to survive in Yizhou.

Li Ang sighed sentimentally, a sudden, inexplicable complexity welling up inside him.

Even Candle Cloud Realm cultivators couldn’t escape the ravages of time. After a hundred years, they too would return to dust.

Could I live to see the day when the people of Yu Country live good lives, the hope I cherish...?

Never mind, I should stop thinking about it.

Throughout history, there had been many Candle Cloud Realm cultivators who moved mountains and filled seas, lifted rocks and leveled mountains. But, in the end, those most remembered by the world were still the Doctors from the Academic Palace who improved the common people’s production techniques.

Just do good deeds.

BUZZ—

A silent vibration came from inside the sleeve of Li Ang’s robe. His expression changed slightly as he took the vibrating Zhao Ming Token from its Mo Si lining.

Tonight, at 11 p.m., Qujiang Pool. A blue painted boat with four red and two white lanterns. Bring your medicine chest. Ya Jiu.

The tadpole-like marks on the token drifted slowly, coalescing to form a line of text. After several tens of seconds, the marks disintegrated, and the text vanished.

Finally, it had come.

Li Ang quietly put away the token. Chai Cuiqiao came out of the bedroom and, seeing Li Ang standing there, subconsciously asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing."

Li Ang smiled. "I’ll be going out tonight to take care of something."