12: Chapter 9 Adding Flowers and Sending Charcoal 12: Chapter 9 Adding Flowers and Sending Charcoal “Xu Jin, it’s you again?”
After finishing her shift and just about to clean up, Ning Yuchan was surprised to find Xu Jin at her door.
Why has this kid been coming by so frequently these past couple of days?
Despite her curiosity, she still let Xu Jin into the courtyard.
As an instructor at the Taoist Institute, she felt a sense of responsibility towards these young people.
“What’s the matter, do you have any doubts about your cultivation?” Seated back on the stone bench and placing her silver crutch aside, Ning Yuchan asked.
“Instructor, I found that when I take Blood Replenishing Pills and Solid Foundation Pills during Body Refining, my cultivation progress is very good, possibly more than half faster than the others.
Is this normal?” Xu Jin inquired.
Ning Yuchan looked up, her expression sowhat startled.
The last question ‘Is this normal?’ caught her off guard.
She had thought Xu Jin might be flaunting his successful cultivation progress of the day, which was understandable for a young person.
But this last question made her wonder if Xu Jin was doubting whether sothing was wrong with himself.
“It’s normal.
The pace of cultivation with pills is definitely a bit faster.”
“But mine seems excessively fast.
I feel like my one-day Body Refining progress has already surpassed several weeks of progress by my senior brothers in the Star Pointing process.” Seeing that Ning Yuchan followed his train of thought, Xu Jin continued subtly.
“There are tis when so individuals progress in Body Refining much faster than most.”
Ning Yuchan gave a noncommittal reply, not daring to voice so of her own conjectures.
When reviewing Xu Jin’s Body Refining progress after the evening class, she had thought carefully about this issue.
Generally speaking, soone who took eighty-three days for Star Pointing could not possibly have such a fast Body Refining speed, unless, of course, one used more and higher-grade pills.
But this young man clearly lacked the financial ans.
Could it be that Xu Jin’s true talents had been obscured by his congenital heart condition, which caused him to nearly die during several Star Pointing attempts?
This possibility was significant.
The reason she didn’t ntion it was because the speed of Star Pointing involved the upcoming assessnt of cultivation talent levels, with the duration of Star Pointing being the main criterion.
This included both the Taoist Institute and Star Hall, which considered the number of days spent on Star Pointing as the primary factor.
This is because the number of days spent on Star Pointing is indisputable and least affected by external forces, making it difficult to cheat.
If you dare use any other standard for reference, noble families will imdiately pile up resources to influence the results.
Xu Jin’s case was exceedingly rare.
At least in Jinshan Taoist Institute in Jinshan County, there had been no such case in nearly a century of Star-pointing Seasons.
But if it were true, could Xu Jin’s real cultivation talent compare to the current Star Pointing First, Yue Daqi?
Unfortunately, each person could only perform Star Pointing once, and the achieved results could not be altered by anyone.
Otherwise, Xu Jin could easily enter the Inner Court of the Taoist Institute like Yue Daqi and might even be selected for the National Taoist Institute or a Star Hall.
Even if he couldn’t enter the Inner Court, Xu Jin’s future cultivation speed should be faster than that of other young people, perhaps significantly faster.
At least in the Dining Dawn Realm, even the probability of reaching Star Casting would be a little higher.
“Perhaps after the Star-pointing Season ends, I can ntion this situation to the Mountain Master.”
Ning Yuchan had already thought of a plan, and Xu Jin spoke up again.
“Instructor, you’ve said before that the quicker one’s cultivation realm advances, the more cultivation resources one obtains.”
“Yes,” Ning Yuchan nodded.
“Instructor, have you also said that the higher the cultivation realm, the more silver one can earn?”
“Of course.”
Ning Yuchan nodded, “After the Star-pointing Season ends, you all can decide whether to stay or go.
Even if you join the Outer Court of the Taoist Institute, doing chores while cultivating, there’s a monthly salary of three taels of silver.
If you break through to the first layer of the Dining Dawn Realm, the monthly salary directly increases to five taels, and you could even earn so extra on the side.
Earning silver is indeed quick.”
“Instructor, what about joining the Middle Court of the Taoist Institute?” Xu Jin asked.
“The Middle Court, ah, the benefits there are even better.
Not to ntion starting at ten taels of silver a month, but also two ntal Awakening Pills each month,” Ning Yuchan said.
Xu Jin’s eyes suddenly lit up; the benefits of the Middle Court were indeed high, a full four tis that of the Outer Court.
And the Inner Court?
Xu Jin didn’t ask; inquiring further would be overreaching and might cause irritation.
“Instructor, do you think I have a chance to enter the Middle Court?
I want to earn more silver,” Xu Jin straightforwardly stated his purpose.
Ning Yuchan was slightly taken aback, sizing up Xu Jin carefully.
To be honest, if her speculation were true, Xu Jin could enter not just the Middle Court, but even the Inner Court.
But having achieved Star Pointing only in eighty-three days was a solid fact, irrefutable evidence.
Even if she reported these circumstances to the Mountain Master of the Taoist Institute, given his nature, he would at most secretly keep a closer watch on Xu Jin but absolutely would not break the Institute’s rules for him.
If they broke the rules for Xu Jin, how would they manage thereafter?
Ning Yuchan slowly shook her head, “Xu Jin, the Taoist Institute’s rules dictate that only those with a B-rating, who complete Star Pointing within fifty days, can directly enter the Middle Court.”
Sensing that this might be discouraging for Xu Jin, Ning Yuchan added, ” However, if you diligently cultivate, there’s still a chance for you to enter the Middle Court in the future.”
Xu Jin’s eyes, which had dimd a mont before, brightened slightly, “Instructor, are there certain conditions?”
“For a Level C-rating, anyone who breaks through to the first layer of the Dining Dawn Realm by the end of the Star-pointing Season, or reaches the Fifth Layer within three months after the end of the season, or contributes Great rit to the Taoist Institute or Jinshan County can be considered for entry into the Middle Court,” Ning Yuchan explained.
“Instructor, I want to join the Middle Court,” Xu Jin suddenly stated.
Ning Yuchan looked up at Xu Jin, noticing his determination.
She did not pour cold water on him, instead offering encouragent, “Given your current pace of cultivation, as long as you do not slack and have a bit of help from pills, it is possible for you to break through to the Fifth Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm within three months after the season ends.
Then, you can…”
“No, that’s too slow!
Instructor, I want to join the Middle Court right when the Star-pointing Season ends!
I want to earn silver faster,” Xu Jin stated very directly.
Ning Yuchan slowly shook her head, “You only succeeded in Star Pointing after eighty-three days, I’m afraid…”
“Instructor, there are six more days until the Star-pointing Season ends, and I want to break through to the First Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm by the end of the Star-pointing Season, so I can join the Middle Court,” Xu Jin stated his goals and plans once again.
“This…” Ning Yuchan shook her head, “I’m afraid that’s not very likely.
Even the First Yue Daqi of this year’s Star Pointing took nine days to break through to the First Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm.
You have only six days left; it’s not very likely.”
“Instructor, then tell , with the speed of my Body Refining today, is it possible for to break through to the First Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm in six days?” Xu Jin asked.
“Maintaining today’s pace of Body Refining is not entirely impossible…”
Ning Yuchan pondered, if Xu Jin could maintain today’s pace of Body Refining, then it was indeed possible for him to break through to the First Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm in six days; however, the consumption involved…
In an instant, Ning Yuchan understood.
She realized why this young man ca looking for her this evening and why he had beaten around the bush with so many words.
It must be for the following purpose.
Nine out of ten tis, he ca to borrow silver for Cultivation.
Once she thought it through, Ning Yuchan suddenly found this young man in front of her not only bold but also quite interesting.
A student proactively seeking to borrow silver from an instructor for Cultivation was unheard of.
She had seen instructors teaching and even sponsoring students, but students coming to borrow a significant amount of silver, and doing so upfront, was indeed a first.
“Instructor, I need to earn silver as quickly as possible.”
As soon as Xu Jin opened his mouth, he slightly surprised Ning Yuchan, who had thought that his next words would be to ask to borrow silver.
“Instructor, although my father and my sister have never ntioned it in front of , I know they’ve not only spent all the savings of our household to help Star Point, but also taken on a heavy amount of external debt to cure my Innate heart disease.
Especially the ntal Awakening Pill that my father asked you to buy yesterday, I’m guessing he must have borrowed usurious silver notes; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to get those fifty taels of silver.
Usury can bleed one dry and claim lives.
If it’s delayed, it’s disaster for the household!
Now that I’ve succeeded in Star Pointing, I must earn silver quickly to fill this gap and earn so more so that my father can enjoy so good fortune, to let my sister have so better days.
Instructor, I ask for your help!” As he spoke, Xu Jin bowed deeply to Ning Yuchan.
Although kneeling to borrow silver was sothing Xu Jin couldn’t bring himself to do,
having been hamred by society, bending the knee to borrow silver was sothing Xu Jin could manage.
Watching Xu Jin bow deeply, Ning Yuchan felt a mix of emotions.
His words made her see this young man in a new light.
She knew Xu Dajiang, who had made great sacrifices for Xu Jin; that little girl nad Xu Jiang, she had also t a few tis, sensible and adorable.
Xu Jin, after Star Pointing, having such thoughts, didn’t let Xu Dajiang’s efforts be in vain; he took responsibility.
He was a real man.
Initially, Ning Yuchan intended to refuse, as she was only an instructor.
If each and every youngster ca to her for help, she would bankrupt herself even if she wanted to.
But Xu Jin’s words changed her mind.
Moreover, if Xu Jin’s Cultivation talent truly was held back by his Innate heart disease, what then of his potential future achievents…
“Speak, how do you want to help you?” Ning Yuchan pondered for a while, finally speaking.
Xu Jin was inwardly overjoyed.
Ning Yuchan’s words ant that his venture for investnt (a loan) had found so hope.
“Instructor, I would like to borrow one hundred taels of silver, so I can purchase Pills to maintain my current pace of Body Refining, and strive to break through to the First Layer of the Dining Dawn Realm by the end of Star-pointing Season.
If the instructor could lend one hundred taels of silver, I would forever be grateful for your great kindness and even the life-saving grace to my family.
One year from now, I will repay you with two hundred taels,” Xu Jin said.
When borrowing money, not only must you lower your pride, but also provide a definite repaynt date.
That was Xu Jin’s experience from a previous life.
Those who said they would repay the amount in a few days or weeks generally required you to chase them for the money.
After speaking, Xu Jin added, “Instructor, I will write an IOU.”
Ning Yuchan took another careful look at Xu Jin and made her judgnt.
Based on her past understanding and her observations today, Xu Jin was a filial person, a person of integrity.
Today, he showed responsibility.
Not only was he daring in his actions, but he also had clear and logical reasoning.
In the future, he might achieve sothing remarkable.
If she lent the silver, it was akin to providing tily help.
As the saying goes, it’s easy to add flowers to the brocade but difficult to send charcoal in the snow.
“Mm, responsible, filial, and I would say righteous; I like that!
I’ll lend you the one hundred taels of silver,” Ning Yuchan said as she took out a silver note from her robes and handed it to Xu Jin, “It’s from Sitong Bank, keep it safe.”
Xu Jin quickly accepted it and thanked her again, “Thank you, instructor, for the help.
A year from now, double…”
“No need!” Ning Yuchan interrupted Xu Jin’s words directly, “Just return the principal after a year; there’s no need for the interest, rember that you owe a favor.”
“This…”
“Hmm, you don’t want to owe a favor?” Ning Yuchan’s gaze suddenly turned sharp.
“How could I not?
If possible, I would rather owe a few more such favors right now,” Xu Jin said with a wry smile.
“Instructor, then I shall write an IOU.”
“No need.
Within Jinshan County, there aren’t many who would dare not to repay a debt owed to , Ning Yuchan,” she declared confidently, her head held high.
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