"By the way, Da Niu has already taken me as his master. However, I don't have the same learning atmosphere as your Danyang Sect. Could you allow him to study alongside your inner disciples? Of course, I can cover the learning expenses."
Lu Heng had some understanding of the learning situation at Danyang Sect. Besides daily studies, new apprentices had to earn points by doing various tasks to pay for their studies.
Lu Heng felt he could exchange magic crystals or spirit stones for Lu Da Niu's tuition fees. After all, Wu Chenzi was asking for his help, so he would likely agree.
As expected, Wu Chenzi readily agreed without hesitation, stating that Lu Da Niu could start studying with the disciples the next morning. As for the fees, Wu Chenzi decided to waive them entirely.
The two chatted for a while longer about the reaction to spirit crystals in the lower mountains before Wu Chenzi left the small courtyard.
He didn't mention the exchange of spirit crystals again before leaving. Since Lu Heng was allowing Lu Da Niu to study at the academy, and given their current master-disciple relationship, Lu Heng would not be leaving Danyang Sect anytime soon.
Lu Da Niu, who had been sitting outside, lost in thought, became noticeably more serious upon hearing that he would be studying with the Danyang Sect disciples starting tomorrow.
"Master, I will not disgrace you."
"Well, don't worry about your expenses at the academy. Wu Chenzi has already waived them for you, so just focus on your studies. You are not an official disciple of Danyang Sect, so you don't need to worry about doing odd jobs for points."
"Mm."
"Also, after your studies each day, you'll return here to rest and tell me about what you've learned."
"Okay."
Lu Da Niu thought Lu Heng intended to quiz him on his daily studies. However, what he didn't know was that Lu Heng wanted to understand the learning methods here so he could tailor his teaching to Lin Yu's needs and create suitable learning materials.
The next day, a disciple from Danyang Sect specifically came to find Lu Da Niu, offering to take him to cultivate in the Dao of Law.
Lu Heng did not provide Lu Da Niu with any more magic crystals for the time being. He wanted to first assess whether the learning content here was suitable for building a strong foundation for these newcomers who had been awakened by spirit crystals. After all, the Divine Yuan Continent had a well-established learning system, and rushing Lu Da Niu's progress might negatively impact his foundational development.
...
Inside the Dao of Law Academy of Danyang Sect.
Lu Da Niu arrived at a vast academy with the disciple from the morning.
"This place is truly enormous!"
As soon as they entered the courtyard, Lu Da Niu began looking around. He had never been to a place like this before. The largest place he had ever been was Pingliang City.
It was only yesterday, when his father took him for testing, that he had visited Pingliang City for the first time. Upon entering the city, his father had taken him directly to the testing location. He only remembered that the city gates of Pingliang City were very tall.
But this academy, judging by its scale, was not small. Years ago, someone from their village had been selected, and that person had boasted about Danyang Sect for quite some time after returning.
Now, seeing everything here with his own eyes, Lu Da Niu felt as if he were dreaming.
He unconsciously pinched his thigh. The pain from his leg told him that this was not a dream.
"Yes, the new disciples admitted this year will begin their lessons today. You can find your own seat when you get there. I am a disciple from last year, so I won't be in the same classroom as you."
Lu Da Niu bowed to the disciple, "Thank you for your trouble."
He was not an official disciple here, so he didn't need to address them as fellow disciples of the same courtyard.
Afterward, the disciple led him to the entrance of a classroom. Many people were already seated inside; these students were all newly admitted disciples from yesterday.
The disciples admitted each year were assigned to a single classroom to ensure their learning progress.
Moreover, only a small number of people passed the tests each year, so there was no concern about overcrowding making teaching difficult.
However, this year, an additional ten students were admitted. These children were all from Pingliang City and had regained their cultivation abilities after consuming spirit crystals.
The person who brought Lu Da Niu separated from him after they entered the classroom. His main purpose was to show Lu Da Niu the way. He himself was a returning student admitted last year, so after guiding Lu Da Niu, he returned to his own classroom to cultivate.
"Da Niu, over here."
A child from the same village as Lu Da Niu stood up and waved at him. He had passed the test yesterday, but only with a Green Spirit Root.
Lu Da Niu, who had accompanied him initially, had not passed the test. He had felt quite regretful at the time, but he hadn't expected Lu Da Niu to eventually have a fortunate encounter and pass the test, and with the qualification of a Gold Spirit Root.
"Da Niu, you left in a hurry yesterday. Your father entrusted me to give this to you."
As he spoke, the person took out a small bundle and handed it to Lu Da Niu.
"Thank you. Did my father say anything yesterday?" Lu Da Niu slapped his head. Yesterday, he was so excited about finally being able to cultivate and seeing Lu Heng rushing to leave, that he had hurried along with him, completely forgetting about his father.
"Nothing much. Your father told you to study hard. By the way, you left with that person yesterday. Is that person also a cultivator from Danyang Sect?"
"No, my master doesn't belong to any sect. He's just visiting Danyang Sect by chance."
"Your master? You, Da Niu, have taken that person as your master?"
"Yes."
"Impressive! That person just took you as a disciple?"
"Heh heh..." Lu Da Niu scratched his head, only managing a silly grin. Indeed, he himself hadn't expected such a day to come.
"Quiet, please."
A moment later, the instructor walked in. He glanced at the newly admitted disciples for the year and nodded with satisfaction. The number of students this year was slightly higher than in previous years.
...
In the small courtyard on Qingcheng Mountain.
After Lu Da Niu left, Lu Heng also fell into contemplation.
Wu Chenzi wanted to exchange magic crystals for his Level Four spirit crystals, which was not a problem.
However, he also had an idea: he wanted to set up the exchange point for spirit crystals in Jinyang City. Jinyang City was the only city on the Divine Yuan Continent connected to his spatial dimension. Furthermore, changes in Jinyang City could influence what items he could obtain from Jinyang City within his dimension.
The current Jinyang City was too small, containing only low-level supplies, including magic crystals and various weapons. Moreover, there were no shops selling storage items there.
He wanted to develop Jinyang City. Then, the supplies in his dimension would also become richer.
Wouldn't that mean he was truly defying heaven?
"Hehehe..." The more he thought about it, the more wonderful it seemed, and Lu Heng couldn't help but laugh out loud.
He needed to plan carefully whether to directly take over Jinyang City and develop it himself, or if he should only set up a place there to sell these spirit crystals.