Zhou Qing nodded upon hearing this and smiled. “Miss Yaoyao is indeed our benefactor. Come, I’ll toast a cup to you.”
The moment he said this, Qin Yu’s displeased glare arrived. In her eyes, Yaoyao was still a young girl and Zhou Qing’s actions were practically leading her astray.
However, before she could speak, the eyes of the originally silent Yaoyao brightened slightly as she raised her wine cup and drained it in a single gulp.
Zhou Qing was stunned. He glanced at Qin Yu, seeing her displeased gaze and awkwardly laughed before quickly finishing the wine in his cup. After which, he no longer dared to speak of toasting.
…
Qi Manor.
An oil lamp burned within a study, spreading dusky yellow light.
A middle-aged man in yellow robes sat upright behind a desk, expressionless as he flipped through the books. A cold and stern aura rose from between his brows, while a faint pressure spread outwards, causing no one to dare to underestimate this individual.
Qi Yue stood in front of the desk, his hands hanging by his side while his face respectful.
“You say that crippled prince is now able to engage in channel opening cultivation?” After a long silence, the middle-aged man in yellow finally shifted his gaze away from his books and dully said.
“Yes father. He has defeated the four channel Lin Feng with the strength of two channels.” Qi Yue immediately responded.
This middle-aged man in yellow robes was king Qi of Great Zhou, Qi Yuan.
King Qi’s eyes narrowed slightly like a viper as he slowly said, “As expected of the one who once possessed the sacred dragon blessing. He can still crawl up even after being crippled to such an extent. Such tenacity.”
Killing intent flitted across Qi Yue’s eyes. “Father, do we send news of this to the Wu Empire?”
King Qi mumbled to himself for a while before shaking his head. “The Wu Empire is currently engaged in war with two neighbouring empires. How could they possibly spare any time for a Great Zhou on the verge of death. As for the crippled prince, his sacred dragon blessing was taken and he even received backlash in the form of the Dragon’s Resentment Poison. It is not so easy for him to recover. His current state is probably akin to the final radiance of a dying star.”
Qi Yue nodded upon hearing this. Zhou Yuan had been crippled far too greatly back then. Clawing his way back up would indeed be difficult.
“Moreover, even if he is really able to crawl back up, do you believe that I, Qi Yuan, will be afraid of a hairless brat?” Qi Yuan coldly chuckled before continuing, “I’ve prepared for so many years, and even Zhou Qing does not dare to do anything to me now. How can a mere two channel brat possibly alter the grand scheme of things?”
“If we have to inform Great Wu of a mere crippled prince, it will instead make them look down on us. If that happens, even if we take over Great Zhou in future, they will believe that we succeeded with little effort.”
Qi Yuan threw the book in his hand onto the table as he continued, “As long as the B class takes the number one position in the year-end class ranking exam, the Great Zhou Institute will be mine. That is most important.”
“Therefore, you must take first place in the year-end class ranking exam.”
In response to Qi Yuan’s gaze, Qi Yue nodded without the slightest shred of hesitation and confidently said, “Relax father. No one in the Great Zhou Institute will be able to compete with me in the year-end class ranking exam.”
“As for Zhou Yuan, if he does not tactfully back down, I will crippled him again and see if he is still able to crawl back up!”
As he spoke, a sinister smile emerged from the corners of his lips.
…
The next day.
In the early morning, Zhou Yuan continued his uninterrupted practice of the ninety eight frolicking dragon forms before proceeding to the daily channel unblocking.
After finishing, he washed his body and left the royal palace, heading straight for the Great Zhou Institute.
Now that he had entered the A class, he could no longer frequently miss classes like before.
Great Zhou Institute, A class courtyard.
A dozen figures were gathered in a spacious lecture yard, the atmosphere abuzz with noise and excitement.
When Zhou Yuan, Su Youwei and the other new student entered, the dozen gazes in the yard turned towards them, filled with curiosity and anticipation.
The Zhou Yuan trio were taken aback by such attention.
While they were stunned, two figures in the lecture yard walked over, one male, the other female. The young man’s body looked strong and sturdy, and his skin was a little tanned. A smile decorated his rather rough-looking face, making him appear like a straightforward individual.
The young lady was rather pretty. Although she could not compare to Su Youwei, her long and slender legs were quite eye-catching.
The tanned and straightforward-looking youth smiled at the Zhou Yuan trio and said, “Hehe, welcome you three. I am the class head of the A class, Yang Zai.”
“I am Song Qiushui.” The pretty girl winked at the trio, smiling happily as she continued, “We found out yesterday that your highness Zhou Yuan and the rest of you chose the A class, so here we are today waiting for you guys.”
She looked towards Su Youwei and pursed her smiling lips, “Of course, those fellows are more likely looking forward to meeting the number one beauty of our Great Zhou Institute.”
Upon hearing her teasing, Su Youwei’s fair face blushed a little. Her enchanting appearance drew the dumbstruck stares of quite a few boys in the yard.
Yang Zai chuckled as he looked at Zhou Yuan and said, “Your highness’ performance in the newcomer exam yesterday has already spread throughout the entire institute. With you three joining the A class, our power and fame will definitely rise.”
Zhou Yuan cupped his hands together and smiled. “There is no ‘your highness’ here, call me Zhou Yuan.”
Yang Zai was a little taken aback by Zhou Yuan’s placid mannerisms, but quickly showed a simple-looking smile as he nodded his head. “Since your highness says so, we will feel free to do so.”
The group introduced themselves to each other and the A class members were swiftly acquainted. These older students were also youths and were both kind and friendly. Thus, there was no case of ‘putting the new students in their place’ and the group quickly grew closer after getting to know each other.
It was in this time that Zhou Yuan came to know that Yang Zai was the number one individual in the A class, hence his election as class head. He had opened five meridian channels and while Song Qiushui was slightly weaker, she too had opened five meridian channels.
Such strength was indeed inferior to Qi Yue. No wonder Chu Tianyang constantly worried about the year-end class ranking exam.
While the group was getting to know each other better, Chu Tianyang walked into the yard and coughed softly, immediately causing the many noisy boys and girls to quieten down as they respectfully said, “Greetings class master.”
Chu Tianyang nodded in acknowledgement. “From today, there will be three more members in our A class. You guys should have already acquainted yourselves with them right?”
The many boys and girls responded with a yes.
“Good. From today, your training will be doubled.” Chu Tianyang indifferently declared with his hands behind his back.
The moment these words were heard, a series of complaints and grumbling erupted.
Chu Tianyang coldly snorted, suppressing the various noises as he raised his voice. “The year-end class ranking exam is not far off. If you guys still do not put in more effort in training and no one is able to reach six channels by the end of the year, you won’t even have the qualifications to vie with others. When that happens, the A class will become the B class. What face will you guys have left then?!”
Ashamed looked emerged on the students faces after being chided as they hastily lowered their head
s, while the strongest Yang Zai and Song Qiushui let out a bitter laugh. Though they had done all they could to catch up, the momentum was currently with the B class and Qi Yue was just too formidable, firmly suppressing them from start to end.
Upon seeing that everyone no longer dared to speak, Chu Tianyang’s expression relaxed as he said, “Everyone make your preparations, the Jade Spirit Waterfall opens today. I hope that no one will delay us.”
The moment these words were said, the eyes of the many boys and girls in the yard abruptly brightened as their faces filled with excitement.
“Jade Spirit Waterfall…”
Zhou Yuan’s heart trembled slightly when he heard this as interest and curiosity was revealed in his eyes.
He had long heard father mention a cultivation treasure land in the Great Zhou Institute, which was the ‘Jade Spirit Waterfall’ that Chu Tianyang had spoken of.
This was also one of the main reasons why Zhou Yuan was unwilling to miss any classes after entering the A class.
Chapter 29 Jade Spirit Waterfall
In the mountains behind the Great Zhou Institute was a lush and verdant mountain peak where a silver-river-like waterfall was located. The rumbling sounds of crashing water spread throughout the entire mountain range. It was a very majestic sight indeed.
Zhou Yuan, Su Youwei and the rest of the A class students were currently standing below the waterfall where a giant lake lay, its waters as clear as a mirror.
“So this is the Jade Spirit Waterfall?”
Su Youwei gazed at the falling torrent of water, curiosity all over her face. It was clear that She had heard of it before.
Song Qiushui nodded from the side as she said with a grin, “This is the cultivation treasure land of our Great Zhou Institute, the Jade Spirit Waterfall. It is said that there is a patch of purple spirit quartz growing at the top of the waterfall, and the water that flows down contains a sliver of extremely gentle quartz energy. When the powerful force of the waterfall strikes the body, the quartz energy within will be pushed into the body which helps us unblock our meridian channels.”
“Of course, the most important aspect is that this extremely gentle quartz energy will not damage our meridian channels. So even if our meridian channels have reached the daily limits of the usual unblocking method, we will still be able to make use of the Jade Spirit Waterfall for channel opening training.”
Exceptional splendour instantly blossomed in Su Youwei’s eyes when she heard this. Due to the threshold of the meridian channels, there was a limit to the number of daily channel unblocking sessions for each individual. Yet, this Jade Spirit Waterfall before their eyes was able to help them unblock their channels without harming them even after the channels had reached their limit. This point alone allowed one to understand the value of the Jade Spirit Waterfall.
Zhou Yuan also smiled and nodded. This was why he regarded the Jade Spirit Waterfall as important. After completing several rounds of channel unblocking sessions each day, his channels would reach their limit, but with the aid of this Jade Spirit Waterfall, he would be able to continue unblocking his channels.
There was no doubt that this would speed up his training.
“However, the Jade Spirit Waterfall needs to absorb the natural Genesis Qi of the land to provide a steady stream of quartz energy. Hence, it only opens for use once every two days.”
Yang Zai chuckled at Zhou Yuan and Su Youwei before continuing, “You guys are pretty lucky to come across such a chance the moment your enter the A class.”
Zhou Yuan seemed to ponder as he gazed at that waterfall that contained faint dashes of purple. “How is the time allocated?”
There was only one Jade Spirit Waterfall after all, while the Great Zhou Institute had five classes and several hundred students. It was evidently impossible for everyone to enter the Jade Spirit Waterfall together for training. Thus, there was definitely some sort of allocation.
Yang Zai explained, “The Jade Spirit Waterfall is open for 16 hours. According to the rules, our A class is allocated 6 hours, the B class 4 hours and the other classes 2 hours. Because we are the A class, both the amount of time and our time slot is the best.”
Zhou Yuan nodded in understanding. Soon after, he clicked his tongue and said, “To think that we only have 6 hours.”
Yang Zai let out a gentle chuckle. “6 hours is already a lot. Moreover, you might not be able to last that long.”
“Eh?” Zhou Yuan was taken aback.
Yang Zai laughed mischievously but did not elaborate. He merely said, “You will find out later.”
“Alright, no more nonsense. Prepare to enter the rooms and get your Genesis Runes inscribed.” At the front, Chu Tianyang clapped his hands together, interrupting everyone’s conversations. He pointed towards the nearby lakeside where two large bamboo rooms where located.
“We need to get Genesis Runes inscribed?” Zhou Yuan and Su Youwei were stunned upon hearing this.
Song Qiushui explained, “Yes. Every time we come to the Jade Spirit Waterfall to train, the institute will dispatch teachers proficient in Genesis Runes to draw a Genesis Gathering Rune for every student. It is a grade 1 Genesis Rune that increases the effectiveness of absorbing quartz energy from the waterfall,”
They arrived at the bamboo rooms while conversing. There were two bamboo rooms, one for the guys and the other for the girls. Everyone lined up to enter, but while the male students were queuing up, shifty gazes would shoot towards the girls room from time to time.
Zhou Yuan’s turn quickly arrived. He entered the room and saw an instructor holding a Genesis Rune Brush waving at him, indicating for him to shed his clothes and lie on the bench provided. The tip of the brush descended and gradually drew a Genesis Rune on Zhou Yuan’s back. In the wake of the final stroke, a faint glow emerged from Zhou Yuan’s back before concealing itself. When the Genesis Rune was complete, Zhou Yuan felt that he had become much more sensitive to the surrounding Genesis Qi.
“This Genesis Gathering Rune is not much different than the Genesis Gathering Jade other than the fact that it lasts for only a short while.” Zhou Yuan put on his clothes and bowed towards the instructor before walking out.
At the mention of the Genesis Gathering Jade, Zhou Yuan lowered his head to look at the warm jade pendant hanging from his neck. Ever since Su Youwei found out that he was able to engage in channel opening training, she had insisted on returning it to him, a matter he felt particularly helpless about.
However, he understood her stubborn character. Thus, Zhou Yuan did not push it.
After exiting the bamboo room, Zhou Yuan happened to see Su Youwei walking out. He walked over and stealthily glanced at her back. Past her fair neck, he was able to see some portions of a faintly glowing rune.
“Where do you think you are looking!” Su Youwei’s pretty face blushed a little as she glared at him when she sensed his gaze.
Zhou Yuan chuckled. He cast a glance at the stream of girls exiting the bamboo room one after another and could not help but ask, “Is it also a male instructor over there?”
If that was the case, it would really be too huge of a loss!
Su Youwei lightly stamped on Zhou Yuan’s foot in a humiliated and angry manner as she bit down on her teeth and said, “What nonsense are you saying! Of course it’s a lady!”
One’s clothes needed to be taken off when inscribing a Genesis Rune on the body. It would be too outrageous if a male instructor was allowed to do this deed for the girls.
Zhou Yuan let out a hollow laugh. The banter between the two had drawn all of the other A class students over. Chu Tianyang also shot a glance at them before turning around to lead everyone to the waterfall.
Rumble!
The enormous waterfall was akin to a roaring water dragon. Water pounded downwards into the lake, causing huge waves to rise and vapor to fill the air.
Chu Tianyang took out a large incense stick and lit it before placing it in a crevice between the rocks beside him. Ne
xt, he sternly looked towards the group and said, “Get ready. You only have 6 hours. I hope that none of you will waste this chance.”
As he spoke, he looked towards Zhou Yuan, Su Youwei and the other new student before continuing, “You three wait here first and observe.”
The Zhou Yuan trio nodded and looked towards Yang Zai, Song Qiushui and the rest. Their gazes were both expectant and somewhat fearful as they looked at the Jade Spirit Waterfall. In the end, they took in a deep breath, gritted their teeth and charged into the training platform in the middle of the waterfall.
Rumble!
A boundless torrent roared as it fell. Yang Zai and gang dashed into the waterfall, their legs powerfully gripping the rock below them as they allowed the water the pound onto their bodies.
The force from such a gigantic waterfall was undoubtedly tremendous. Therefore, the bodies of Yao Zai and the rest shook even though they were using all of their strength.
They tightly gritted their teeth as torrents of water smashed into their bodies. It was akin to being continuously slapped, causing their faces to distort somewhat in pain.
The Genesis Runes on their backs emitted a faint glow as wisps of purple energy seemed to flow into their bodies while the water crashed down upon them.
Rumble!
Numerous students endured the battering of the waterfall. This lasted for about a ten minutes before some began to waver. In the end, the students were washed into the lake below one after another with a respective shriek.
Yang Zai and Song Qiushui persisted the longest, but were only able to last for slightly over twenty minutes before falling into the lake.
When they crawled out from the lake, their skin was bruised black and green as if they had been beaten. From their miserable grimacing appearances, it was obvious that their entire bodies were in pain.
Only now did Zhou Yuan understand why they both loved and hated the Jade Spirit Waterfall. Though the quartz energy was admittedly able to help unblock their meridian channels, they would be bruised all over by the water each time. It was akin to receiving a series of vicious beatings.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 22
