Way of Choices: Book I - Youths We Were, Schoolmates

by Mao Ni

  As Chen Changsheng walked through the crowd, he heard these filthy words and his brows slightly rose up. He thought to himself that if they were talking about him, he didn't know if he could hold back. Fortunately, his head was lowered and his air was far too normal. Amidst the crowd, he was very unremarkable and very difficult to notice. Luckily, he avoided being ridiculed and very smoothly passed through the dark jade gate and entered the academy.

  He did not notice the two huge stone walls on the two sides of the stone path that led into the Heavenly Dao Academy because he was thinking about these things and had his head lowered. On these walls were carved strange flowers and spirits, and in the middle, tightly packed together, several hundred names were written. It seemed like some sort of list. Many gazes rested on these names, fervent and admiring.

  The family members and servants that followed all the prospective students were forbidden from entering the Heavenly Dao Academy, so once he walked into the academy, the environment suddenly became much quieter. Chen Changsheng extracted a pure white handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped the fine beads of sweat off his forehead. After taking a breath, he felt somewhat more comfortable. Following the student in front of him, he lined up at the end of a very long queue.

  There were many people talking the test to enter the Heavenly Dao Academy, so the line was very long. It looked just like the legendary Hundred Zhang Branching Snake said to live in the west in the land of the demi-humans. It extended from that distant building all the way to this grass lawn. In the middle, it even passed through a clear stream. Many prospective students stood on the wooden bridge crossing the stream. Struck by the cold wind of the beginning of spring, their faces were so frozen that they seemed a little ashen.

  Very quickly, people emerged from that distant building, all young men and women. Their faces were as ashen as those of the people on the bridge and were extremely unsightly. Since they weren't frozen, they had obviously not done very well on the examination. When the people still in line saw their dazed expressions, they instantly grew more nervous and were no longer in the mood to chatter.

  Chen Changsheng didn't know anyone, so he didn't chat with anyone. He looked at the distant building and thought it was rather interesting. Right now, he was concerned about whether the entrance exam for Heavenly Dao Academy was like what was described in the books, whether it still used that sort of method. Why was it that the people who failed had come out in a wave so quickly? Had the Heavenly Dao Academy's test really changed?

  The crowd incessantly moved forward, crossing the lawn and stream, but before they even got close to the building, the line came to a bamboo shed. Seeing the solemn-faced Heavenly Dao Academy teacher sitting behind the stone table and that rock on the table that was black as obsidian, Chen Changsheng realized what it was. He remembered an old lawsuit he had seen in a scroll and was a little stunned.

  Chapter 5 – The Blue-Clothed Youth Thirty-Six

  The youths who attended the Heavenly Dao Academy's new student examination, under the orders of that solemn-faced teacher, came forward one by one, took up the stone, and tightly held it for three breaths of time. In the vast majority of cases, the black stone would glow faintly in their hands, with very subtle differences in the light. There was only a small minority of cases where a person took up the stone and the stone did not change whatsoever.

  That black stone had a very ordinary name: the Sensory Stone. In the Daoist Canon, there was a scripture that described all sorts of fantastic items that could be found in the world. This scripture was called the ‘Classic of All Things.’ In that scripture, Chen Changsheng once saw a picture of this stone and understood its magical properties; this black stone innately contained an energy similar to spiritual intent. It only needed to touch the body of a human for it to send a strand of energy into the body and stimulate the body's true essence. Then, similar to fishing, it would take a strand of that person's true essence and return to the black stone. The more abundant the true essence of the stone's holder was, the stronger the spiritual sense, the more the black stone would take and the brighter it would glow. After many years of attempts, humanity finally figured out a set of rules, allowing them to use the degree the black stone shone to determine how strong a person was.

  Every year, the Heavenly Dao Academy's entrance exam had too many applicants, resulting in this extra entrance assessment. There was a constant line of people stretching out their hands to grip the black stone, which would perhaps grow brightly or dimly. Some people continued forward into the building, while others were coldly instructed by the teacher to leave the line. The atmosphere around the teacher was very oppressive.

  One youth gripped the black stone, but it gave no reaction. When the teacher indicated that he should leave, the youth became exceptionally desperate. He wailed and asked for another chance as he tightly gripped the stone, unwilling to let go. He was quickly dragged off by the Heavenly Dao Academy's handymen. Besides provoking a burst of ridicule, his protests were meaningless.

  The assessment continued. Those people who could make the stone glow had joyful expressions. Those who could not make the stone glow were extremely disheartened.

  From the other side of the stream, the sneers of the old students could faintly be heard. The face of the teacher overseeing the Sensory Stone assessment was growing more unsightly. From the beginning of the assessment that morning until now, several hundred people had already touched the Sensory Stone. Although there were many people who were able to make the Sensory Stone glow and prove that they had succeeded at Purification, this year's examinees were far too ordinary compared to previous years. In this batch of examinees, there had been only one at the third grade of Purification, and there was not even one person that had accomplished a perfect Purification. As for the prospect of a genius who managed to enter Meditation at a tender age, they were completely impossible to find. The teacher was naturally disappointed.

  The cultivation of humans was very different from that of the demi-humans and the demons. In the very beginning, they would focus on opening the heart and mind, becoming aware of and nurturing their spiritual sense. By means of knowledge, they would learn and understand the principles of heaven and earth. By borrowing the spiritual sense and the strength of heaven and earth, they could use this energy to temper and refine their bodies, starting from the skin and hair, then the muscles and flesh, until finally the energy penetrated the marrow of the bones. The body was refined until it became strong and sturdy, possessing enough strength to lift a stone. The body became so healthy that it was unafraid of normal illnesses. For this reason, it was called Purification[4].

  The demons were naturally born with bodies as hard as metal or stone. If a human had not gone through the step of Purification, it would simply be impossible to stand up to a demon in hand-to-hand combat. For this reason, in the human armies, a soldier would at least have to succeed at Purification before satisfying the requirements of becoming one of the elites. Apart from this, Purification had an even more crucial importance, which reflected itself in another aspect; besides strengthening the muscles and bones, Purification could also open the mind, substantially increasing one's ability to remember and analyze. To use a remark from the Daoist Canon to summarize, it was to see a whole new world!

  'The Three Thousand Great Daos' was only a general way of speaking. The world's ancient books and records were as boundless as the sea. Countless ink characters represented countless pieces of knowledge. If one did not undergo Purification, opening the mind and clearing the heart, how could one possibly dare step into the sea in search of knowledge? If one relied only on bravery to charge in, it was highly likely that one would instantly get lost, have their bones and muscles dashed to pieces by waves ten thousand zhang high, and then die. This assessment that the Heavenly Dao Academy had added in recent years was extremely reasonable when considered from that angle. If someone was unable to succeed at Purification, then what qualifications did they have to cultivate
those profound methods?

  Yesterday, in the Divine General's estate, Chen Changsheng admitted twice that he had never cultivated. Naturally, he had also not succeeded in Purification. This also indicated that, in a short while when he went to hold that black stone, the stone would not change at all, and he would be expelled from the line of examinees by the teacher. Yet, strangely, his expression was very calm, as if he weren’t concerned at all.

  At this time, he was already very close to the table. In front of him, there were only three people. At the very front of the line was a youth dressed in a very thin set of blue clothes. That youth walked up to the table and, without waiting for the Heavenly Dao Academy teacher to speak, directly reached out and lifted up the inky Sensory Stone. For some reason, everyone suddenly felt a bit nervous.

  Perhaps it was because that youth seemed far too calm.

  The capital, in the beginning of spring, was covered in a layer of clouds, and the sun was obscured behind them. The Heavenly Dao Academy was quiet and beautiful, when suddenly, the grass on both sides of the stream began to shine with a dazzling radiance. The tender green shoots of grass seemed to turn into fine branches of jade, the remnants of the morning dew becoming pearls. In the clear waters of the stream, the slender fish swimming about turned their eyes to the sky and went stiff from the sudden burst of light.

  The people subconsciously covered their eyes, thinking this was light from the sun breaking through the clouds. In the next moment, they realized that even the loveliest spring sunshine could still not possibly be this bright. If this was not sunlight…then where did this light come from?

  The light gradually faded and everyone’s eyes began to somewhat adapt. The crowd put down the hands they used to cover their eyes and saw the teacher from the Heavenly Dao Academy open his mouth wide, his face looking like it had just witnessed something inconceivable. Simultaneously, they also discovered the origin of the light; it had come from that blue-clothed youth's palm. At this moment, the pitch-black Sensory Stone seemed to have become a blazing rock taken from the mouth of a volcano, emitting countless rays of light from between that youth's fingers. It was almost like it was on fire!

  "Meditation Realm…it's actually…Meditation Realm?"

  So said the teacher from the Heavenly Dao Academy, his voice shaking. At the moment, he was looking at the blue-clothed youth like he was a precious piece of jade. He quickly stood up and walked to the youth, then lowered his head to greedily examine the youth's palm and the light leaking from it. No one felt like this teacher was lacking self-control. It must be known…that blue-clothed youth's complexion was still a little childish. It was obvious that he was no older than sixteen, and yet he was already at the Meditation Realm!

  What did this mean? What was a genius? This was a genius? The old students at the other side of the stream had long since ceased their mocking and ridicule. As they stared at the bamboo shed, they looked like they had seen a ghost. The student that had previously said the most difficult words to listen to was even so shocked that he slid down the stone stool he had been sitting on. He didn't even notice the pain from his butt and said in a stunned and trembling voice, "How could it be? Senior Guan Bai only entered Meditation at sixteen. This kid…this kid maybe grew up with a young face? Otherwise, how could it be possible?"

  At this time, a cold and elderly voice came from behind them.

  "Is it still impossible if I say he's Tang Thirty-Six?"

  "Tang Thirty-Six? He's Tang Thirty-Six?" When the crowd heard this name, they were even more shocked.

  Somebody said, "He's already ranked thirty-sixth on the Proclamation of Azure Sky. Why did he leave Wenshui and come to the capital? For next year's Grand Examination? Ah, but with his ability, there shouldn't be a problem if he wanted to enter the Mausoleum of Books."

  Another person explained, "Tang Thirty-Six is extremely proud and aloof, not putting himself under anyone. Don't even speak of the Divine Kingdom's Seven Laws, he wouldn't even put himself under that wolf cub in the north. Since he wants to attend next year's Grand Examination, it's definitely because he wants to change his name. As such…he naturally needs to come to the capital ahead of time. Since it's the capital, it's only natural that he enters our Heavenly Dao Academy."

  Hearing the name Tang Thirty-Six, all the students began to think about the rumors concerning this youth from Wenshui, and they couldn't help but gasp in amazement. Another person said, "He may refuse to submit to the other members of the Seven Laws, but would he dare to challenge Qiushan Jun?"

  "It's impossible for us to know, but from the degree to which the black stone lit up, perhaps he held back. Even if he's not at the initial level of Mediation, he must not be very far."

  The crowd was caught up in discussion when suddenly they remembered that elderly voice. They turned their heads in amazement and realized that the owner of the voice was the Heavenly Dao Academy's most dreaded Vice Principal Zhuang. They couldn't help yelping in alarm, then clasping their hands and repeatedly bowing to him, before scattering like birds and beasts.

  Whether an expert or genius, it was only right and proper that both be baptized by the gazes of the crowd. The young men and young ladies participating in the Heavenly Dao Academy's assessment had not recognized this blue-clothed youth, so they were even more shocked. As they looked at his back, they revealed shocked and reverential emotions. Chen Changsheng looked at the blue-clothed youth with admiration. He didn't have this sort of talent, so, truthfully, he was rather envious.

  The blue-clothed youth walked forward with a cold expression and shortly entered the building in the depths of the Heavenly Dao Academy. However, the assessment for the remaining people had to continue. In a short while, it was finally Chen Changsheng's turn. He walked up to the table and looked at the somewhat coarse surface of the black stone on which one could faintly make out countless fine holes. He hesitated for a few moments, then took the black stone, held it up to his eyes, and began to carefully examine it.

  He clearly sensed a cool and delightful Qi seep out of one of the small holes on the black stone. Following the course of his palm, it entered his body and then began to quickly circulate through his meridians, attempting to head into an even deeper place in search of his true essence. That cool strand of Qi clearly did not have its own will, so it naturally also had no ill intentions. He did not resist it in any way, letting it search throughout his body. Of course, even if he wanted to resist, he didn't have the ability to. Only he clearly understood that there was a problem with his meridians. Until he began to treat it with his own hands that strand of Qi would not find anything. Since there was no true essence to bring back, there was no response from the spiritual will, and so the black stone did not glow.

  Nothing beyond the expected occurred. The black stone was still a black stone, calmly resting on his palm.

  He placed the black stone back on the table and looked at the teacher from the Heavenly Dao Academy. Then he said, "It didn't glow."

  In the eyes of the bystanders, he had just taken up the stone and then put it back down again. It was such an obvious fact, and yet he confirmed it so seriously. Inevitably, it seemed somewhat ridiculous. Strangely, no one laughed. Seeing his upright expression, everyone felt it was a little odd; those youths who previously failed to make the black stone glow would always be somewhat ashamed because of their failure and depression. There would even be people like that shameless youth from before that would weep bitter tears. But he…was far too calm.

  Could it be that he didn't realize what this meant? It didn't seem like that was the case.

  The teacher wrinkled his brow. He was originally supposed to wave his hand to indicate that Chen Changsheng should leave, but because of the indescribable silence hanging over them, for some reason, he asked, "You don't know how to cultivate?"

  "I have not cultivated."

  Chen Changsheng said the words that he had repeated twice in the Divine General's estate.

  The teach
er looked at him expressionlessly, his meaning being, why aren't you leaving on your own?

  Chen Changsheng bowed and gave his regards, then left.

  However, the direction he left in was not towards the main gate of the Heavenly Dao Academy, but towards that building.

  The teacher was stunned, then understood what he was planning to do. He furiously bellowed, "Stop!"

  Chapter 6 – Joy Upon Opening the Book

  Chen Changsheng stopped and turned his head back at the teacher. He was somewhat puzzled, but when he remembered those previous scenes, he understood why the teacher was angry; those examinees who failed Purification, upon reaching this point, would retreat in disappointment. That teacher thought his response would be the same, but he continued forward. Presumably, this made the teacher somewhat unhappy.