Posuo Courtyard

The disparity in strength among the top ten was vast. The ten disciples quickly concluded their first matches and moved on to draw lots for the next round.

In this round, Yan Pingsheng drew a bye, advancing directly to the next stage. Yet, once the other disciples finished their battles and it was time to draw lots again, he drew another bye, securing a direct spot in the finals.

Huh? Yan Pingsheng glanced at the deacon organizing the martial competition. Upon seeing the deacon's returning smile, he suddenly realized he had still vastly underestimated the sheer weight of being the Chief Disciple's fellow townsman.

An incense stick's time later, Yu Wuyong emerged victorious among the remaining nine disciples. Yan Pingsheng and Yu Wuyong would face off in the final showdown.

As they exchanged bows, Yu Wuyong uncharacteristically flashed a smile at his opponent.

“Fellow townsman, it is finally time for us to clash. However, I, Wuyong, will not hold back. I believe Senior Brother Bai would also want me to give it my all. This is my respect to you.”

Seemingly noticing Yan Pingsheng's bewilderment, he proactively explained, “Senior Brother Bai's fellow townsman is my fellow townsman.”

With that, he lowered his body, posing as if drawing an imaginary blade, and growled, “Eighteen—Yujing—Styles!”

With an ecstatic expression, Yu Wuyong threw a jab at Yan Pingsheng. “First style, Yujing Thrust!”

“Second style, Yujing Slash!”

“Third style, Yujing...”

Ultimately, Yan Pingsheng lost to Yu Wuyong, securing second place.

Yu Wuyong's Ten Stones of strength was simply too overwhelming for the Outer Court. Since Zhuang Xun only displayed the strength Yan Pingsheng was supposed to have, there was no way he could defeat Yu Wuyong regardless of how he fought.

Besides, he really didn't want to get hit by the Eighteen Yujing Styles.

After the martial competition concluded, the ten disciples lined up in a single row.

Bai Yujing and Zhou Ziruo stepped down from the high platform and approached them.

Seeing that Bai Yujing had no intention of speaking, Zhou Ziruo took the initiative. “Those who wish to join the Posuo Courtyard, come to my side. Those who wish to join the Formless Courtyard, go to Senior Brother Bai's side. Each courtyard is strictly limited to five people. If there's any dispute, we'll decide based on your rankings.”

Before she could even finish her sentence, Chen Jinzhu and Yu Wuyong walked toward Bai Yujing without the slightest hesitation.

Thud! Upon reaching Bai Yujing, Yu Wuyong suddenly dropped to his knees and kowtowed heavily several times.

This display left Chen Jinzhu standing beside him utterly dumbfounded.

Do I need to kowtow too? she wondered, hesitating.

Yu Wuyong said fanatically, “Senior Brother Bai, the Outer Court disciples all say I resemble you, that I possess the talent of Yujing! I beg you to take me as your disciple!”

Bai Yujing subtly stepped aside to avoid the direction of Yu Wuyong's kowtows and shook his head.

“My apologies. My cultivation is still shallow, and I am not yet qualified to take on disciples.”

Yu Wuyong shuffled on his knees to face Bai Yujing again before speaking. “If even you are unqualified, then where does that leave all the teachers in the world?”

Bai Yujing did not reply and stepped aside once more.

Yu Wuyong shuffled on his knees to face Bai Yujing yet again. “Then I beg Senior Brother Bai to take me, Wuyong, as your attendant! If even that is not possible, a servant will do! I only wish for you to grant me the chance to follow by your side.”

Bai Yujing sighed softly. “There is no distinction of high or low, noble or base among people. Rise.”

“There is no distinction of high or low, noble or base among people... There is no distinction of high or low, noble or base among people...”

Yu Wuyong repeated the phrase as if possessed. He then quickly pulled a leather-bound notebook from his breast pocket, flipped to the newest page, and wrote down with his brush:

“Bai said: There is no distinction of high or low, noble or base among people.”

Bai Yujing glanced at the cover of the leather-bound notebook, and his eyelid twitched. Written on it was: The Analects of Bai.

At this moment, Zhuang Xun had no idea that in the future, the status of this very book, The Analects of Bai, would rival that of The Analects of Confucius from his previous life. It would be used in the imperial examinations, becoming a text that countless scholars would study day and night.

Once the farce finally concluded, the ten disciples finished choosing their desired inner courts.

Yu Wuyong, Chen Jinzhu, Liang Shaohua, Liu Yun, and Xia Yiqiu followed Bai Yujing to the Formless Courtyard.

Liu Ziyang, Chen Qing'er, Yan Pingsheng, Wang Hou, and Xu Ziyi followed Zhou Ziruo to the Posuo Courtyard.

Xu Ziyi was that female disciple who had hidden her strength very deeply. Along the way, she chattered away non-stop beside Zhou Ziruo.

Zhou Ziruo paid little attention, maintaining a polite yet distant smile on her face.

Beside Yan Pingsheng, Liu Ziyang whispered, “I heard that Xu Ziyi has an aunt who serves as a deacon in the Posuo Courtyard. That's why she often visits and is very familiar with the senior brothers and sisters there.”

After saying this, he stepped forward, looking for an opportunity to strike up a conversation with Zhou Ziruo to get closer to her.

Just then, Zhou Ziruo suddenly looked back at Yan Pingsheng and said with a beaming smile, “Junior Brother Yan, your movement technique is quite impressive. Every time I try to slow down to chat with you, you manage to keep your distance from me.”

“Huh?”

Zhuang Xun scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

No wonder my walking pace felt so erratic... Having grown accustomed to using Yan Pingsheng as an invisible extra, he had subconsciously tried to walk at the very back of the crowd.

Zhou Ziruo covered her mouth and giggled. “Senior Brother Bai asked me to look after you earlier. If you ever need anything in the courtyard, you can come find me.”

“Oh, th-thank you, Senior Sister.”

Seizing the opportunity, Xu Ziyi chimed in, “Wow, Senior Brother Bai is so good to you, Senior Brother Yan! By the way, why did you choose to come to the Posuo Courtyard instead of Senior Brother Bai's Formless Courtyard?”

“Senior Sister Xu, you are too polite.”

Zhuang Xun said with a hint of embarrassment, “It's because I personally prefer swords. I feel that swordplay is very elegant.”

“Oh? Senior Brother Yan, we really share some affinity. I chose it for the exact same reason!” Xu Ziyi's eyes lit up, and she nodded in deep agreement.

“Haha, Brother Yan, we are of the same mind!” Liu Ziyang laughed heartily, pointing at Yan Pingsheng and then at himself.

Wang Hou also hurriedly chimed in.

Only Chen Qing'er remained silent, a quiet smile gracing her face.

Once they finished speaking, Zhou Ziruo smiled. “Yes, our courtyard's Posuo Sword is indeed very elegant. Since that's the case, you must study hard, Junior Brother Yan. If you master it, it won't be any weaker than Senior Brother Bai's Formless Method. Strive to defeat Senior Brother Bai in the future!”

As she spoke, she raised her fist to cheer Yan Pingsheng on.

Sure, I will... Zhuang Xun put on an embarrassed front. “Senior Sister Zhou, you must be joking.”

Chatting and laughing, Zhou Ziruo led the five of them to the Posuo Courtyard. Her face regained its polite, distant smile. She nodded gently to the disciples greeting her nearby, occasionally ignoring some, as she guided the five into an orderly, well-laid-out compound.

“From now on, you will live here. Any courtyard without a nameplate hanging on it is vacant, so feel free to choose where you want to stay. This afternoon, my master will instruct you in the Posuo Sword. Make sure you don't miss it, as my master will only guide you this once. If you miss it, you will never get another chance in this lifetime. If you have any other questions, you can ask the senior brothers and sisters living nearby. Well, this senior sister will take her leave now. See you around!”

After finishing her instructions, Zhou Ziruo waved to the five of them and walked away with light steps.

“Take care, Senior Sister,” the five of them called out in unison.

Zhuang Xun felt a trace of anticipation. Now that the first step of his task was complete, he could begin making progress on his third clone.

Come to think of it, he had never actually seen what the Posuo Courtyard Head looked like.

This person was a total shut-in; Zhuang Xun had never once seen them step outside the Posuo Courtyard.

“By the way, where are we supposed to find Senior Sister Zhou's master this afternoon?” Wang Hou suddenly asked.

Huh?! Hearing this, the other four were collectively stunned.

Had Senior Sister Zhou mentioned a location? It seemed she hadn't even mentioned a specific time.