บท 65: Hongpuhui University
Juanxiu's eyes widened in awe as he looked upon the stunning landscape of the Crimson Cherry Summit. The entire area was covered in a blanket of red and pink, with the cherry blossom trees in full bloom. The petals danced in the gentle breeze, creating a beautiful symphony of colors that was truly breathtaking.
As he stepped out of the Cloud Chaser, he could see the sprawling universities that dotted the landscape. The buildings were made of ivory-white stone and were intricately designed with carvings of beasts, symbols, and other patterns. Students clad in various uniforms could be seen hurrying about, going from one class to another.
The Crimson Cherry Summit was home to some of the most prestigious universities in the Shaoying Empire. Tamiara University, known for its comprehensive studies, was a prominent institution. There was Kadwelts University, a premier school for beast taming, and Praniara University, which specialized in alchemy.
Juanxiu walked towards the city center with the map clutched tightly in his hand. The streets were bustling with people and the aroma of street food filled the air. He weaved his way through the crowd, trying not to lose his sense of direction.
As he approached the center, he saw a towering structure with a grand gate that stood before him. It was the Hongpuhui University as mentioned in the map, the centerpiece of the city. He was in awe of the university's grandiose and its majestic beauty. It was unlike any other university he had seen before.
Juanxiu couldn't help but wonder how Alchemist Li could have dismissed such a premium university. The grandeur of the structure and the aura of the cultivators within made it clear that it was a place of great importance.
As he approached the gate, two cultivators dressed in red and gold robes stopped him. "Halt! Who goes there?" one of them asked, his voice stern and commanding.
Juanxiu stood there, feeling confused and lost as he looked at the map in his hand. The Hongpuhui University was supposed to be at the center of the city, but the two guards in front of him were telling him otherwise.
The first guard crossed his arms in front of him and shook his head. "No one is allowed to enter the facility at the middle of the school year," he repeated firmly.
Juanxiu held out his recommendation letter, hoping it would make a difference. "But I have this. It's a recommendation letter to enter the Hongpuhui University."
The two guards exchanged a glance and chuckled. "This is not the Hongpuhui University," the second Guard said, still smiling.
Juanxiu felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. "But the map says-"
The first guard cut him off. "Oh, that's probably an outdated map. This facility has already been sold to the Irexerra more than 8 years ago."
Juanxiu couldn't believe it. He felt like a country bumpkin who had just stepped into the city for the first time. "Can you point me in the direction of the Hongpuhui University on this map, then?" he asked, hoping they would be helpful.
The two guards laughed again, as if they had heard the most incredulous thing in the world. The first guard sighed and pointed to a location on the map that was away from the border of the city. "Just go here," he said.
Juanxiu nodded, feeling embarrassed, and started to make his way towards the new location on the map. He couldn't believe he had been so naive to trust an old map. As he walked away, he could hear the guards still laughing behind him, making him feel even more foolish.
Juanxiu left the old facility and walked towards the location pointed by the guard. He had a feeling that he was being ridiculed by the two guards, but he couldn't do anything about it. The path towards Hongpuhui University was filled with students walking to and fro, wearing uniforms that identified the universities they were enrolled in. Some wore flashy robes and intricate accessories, while others wore plain uniforms with no notable markings.
Juanxiu was amazed at how different the universities' uniforms looked from one another. He could only imagine the amount of effort that must have gone into designing each one. The majority of the students he saw appeared to be around the same age as him, and some of them even nodded in his direction as they passed by.
Juanxiu followed the guard's instructions and walked for several more blocks. As he approached the location on the map, he couldn't help but feel that something was off. The buildings around him were dilapidated, and the streets were empty. Finally, he arrived at the supposed location of Hongpuhui University, but it was nothing like he expected.
" Are they making fun of me?" Juanxiu thought.
The gate was old and rusty, and the paint had chipped away in many places. The gate itself looked like it could fall apart at any moment. Juanxiu hesitated for a moment before pushing it open and walking in. The main facility was a small building that looked more like a shack than a university building. The windows were dirty, and the roof was leaking.
Juanxiu stood there, looking at the run-down facility, wondering if he had come to the right place. He couldn't believe that this was supposed to be Hongpuhui University. He wondered if he had made a mistake, but then he remembered the recommendation letter that he held tightly in his hand. He took a deep breath and decided to explore the campus further.
"What are you doing here, young lad?"
Juanxiu turned around to see a middle-aged man standing behind him. The man had a kind face, but his clothes were worn and ragged.
Juanxiu turns to see the middle-aged man who spoke to him. It was Peng Jianyu, the person responsible for teaching students about formation.
Juanxiu asks, "Is this Hongpuhui University?"
Peng Jianyu replies, "You've come to the right place. I am Peng Jianyu, one of the professors."
Juanxiu is shocked to see that the place in front of him looks nothing like a university. The gate looks haunted, and the main facility appears to be a small shack. Juanxiu wonders if he has come to the right location.
Peng Jianyu notices the shock on Juanxiu's face and explains, "The Hongpuhui University was not always like this. In the past, we were considered one of the most prestigious schools in the land, until the empire shunned us about 10 years ago. They stopped sending us funds, and we had to rely on our means. It was going well for a time until someone spread a malicious rumor about us, that our university caused the qi deviation of some of our students. To pay for the damages, we had to sell some of our facilities."
Juanxiu was surprised to hear the name of the Shaoying Empire once again. It seemed like no matter what chaos or turmoil occurred, the empire always had a role to play. He was lost in thought when Peng Jianyu's voice interrupted him.
"But it is the middle of the school year. It would be difficult for you to catch up on our studies," Peng Jianyu said, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
Juanxiu was unfazed. He had always been a quick learner and he was confident he could catch up quickly. Peng Jianyu then probed his cultivation level and couldn't believe what he saw.
"8th stage of the Expert rank. This is unbelievable," he thought, trying to probe it again to confirm. There was no mistake, a child no more than 12 years old had achieved the rank of Expert and not only that, it was 8th stage. "Genius," he said in awe.
Juanxiu smiled sarcastically at the comment. He had spent over 100 years inside the Primordial Tower, but was only able to reach this stage. Siyi, who had only spent 60 years in the tower, had managed to reach the Master Swordsman rank. It wouldn't be long before Chang Bao surpassed him as well. He didn't think "genius" was an accurate description of himself.
Peng Jianyu then instructed him to follow him, feeling joyous that a genius had entered their facility. He believed that if they nurtured this seed, they could rank again among the most prestigious schools in the Crimson Cherry Summit. Juanxiu followed him, curious to see what this run-down university had to offer.
Juanxiu followed Peng Jianyu, passing through different rooms and structures. The small shack on the left was the lodging place of the disciples and students, and it was run down, no better than a stable where horses slept. He then passed through an alchemy room with no supply of herbs. Juanxiu wondered how these people could practice alchemy without any supplies. Next, he saw a smithy room where the tools were not better than those of an ordinary smithy that creates horseshoes. To say that the state of Hongpuhui University was dire was an understatement. Even the floor they were walking on creaked with every step.
Peng Jianyu then knocked on the door of an office, and it felt like the door was going to crumble. When the door opened, an old man who appeared to bear knowledge beyond his years was sitting while doing paperwork. It was Professor Peng Gui.
"Father, I met a genius student who wants to enroll in our university," Peng Jianyu said, trying to take the credit.
"Good day, sir," Juanxiu said, cupping his hand and bowing to greet the principal. "Alchemist Li told me that you might have a room for one more student." He then handed over a recommendation letter with the seal of Alchemist Li.
Peng Gui, the principal of Hongpuhui University, glanced at his son with a mixture of frustration and amusement. Peng Jianyu,was a kind man, but he had a habit of trying to take credit for things that were not his to claim.
"How's alchemist Li these days?" Peng Gui asked, his gaze piercing through the young man.
"He's doing better," Juanxiu replied with a hint of hesitation.
"Are you his disciple?" Peng Gui prodded further.
Juanxiu paused for a moment, weighing his options. He didn't want to lie, but he also didn't want to reveal too much.
"Something like that," he finally answered, hoping it was vague enough to satisfy the principal's curiosity.
"I envy Alchemist Li for finding a prodigy like you," Peng Gui continued, his tone laced with both admiration and envy. "Don't get me wrong, our students here are as good as the students in the premium schools in Crimson Cherry Summit, but we are not given the same resources and opportunities. I pity the students here. Do you still want to enroll here? What's your name again?"
Juanxiu straightened his back, meeting Peng Gui's gaze. "Juanxiu, Hao Juanxiu," he answered, trying to suppress the nervousness in his voice. The name Hao seemed to have triggered a memory in Peng Gui's mind, as he paused for a moment, lost in thought.
"Hao?" Peng Gui repeated slowly, his mind wandering back to a time when he and Hao Chanming had been close friends. They had shared a common goal of exposing the corruption and infiltration of the Grand Echo Continent in their empire. They had fought fiercely for justice and freedom, but their efforts had been in vain. Hao Chanming had been framed for the death of the crowned prince and executed, while Peng Gui had been stripped of his position and reputation.
Juanxiu nodded, his resolve strengthened. "Yes, I still want to enroll here,"
He may have a recommendation letter, but he needed to blend in with the other students and learn as much as he could about the inner workings of the university. He couldn't afford to stand out too much.
Peng Gui smiled warmly. "Very well. Let me introduce you to your fellow students and teachers."
Peng Gui led Juanxiu through the corridors of Hongpuhui University, which seemed to groan under their footsteps. The walls were crumbling, and the floorboards creaked under their weight. The air was thick with the smell of dampness, and the place seemed to be in a state of disrepair.
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