Chongzheng Academy is recruiting more than five hundred disciples? Isn’t that too many?

It seems Zhang Chen’s muttering was heard, as a round, plump young man next to him turned to look at him. "Originally, Chongzheng Academy didn’t have so many students, probably only about a hundred, but this year it’s different. This year, Chongzheng Academy is opening the Inner Courtyard. Although the quotas for the Inner Courtyard have been set, the dean is compassionate and still distributes ten quotas for all disciples to compete for, to gather those blessed with great fortune, which might have incredible effects. You know, for us cultivators, apart from strength, luck is also crucial, an indispensable condition. If one lacks fortune, no matter how strong their capabilities or solid their foundation, it would all just be an illusion."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen realized that Chongzheng Academy unexpectedly left a glimmer of hope for ordinary disciples. Zhou Qiucheng truly deserves the title of ’Iron-Faced Impartiality.’

Besides, Zhang Chen agreed with the plump young man’s words; luck is often the key factor that truly determines victory or defeat in many situations.

Zhou Qiucheng gives ordinary disciples a chance to compete for ten quotas, and the ten disciples who stand out will surely be those with great fortune.

At this moment, Zhang Chen found Zhou Qiucheng to be quite intriguing.

The plump young man then looked Zhang Chen up and down, seeing that Zhang Chen was dressed in coarse hemp clothes, curiously asked, "Which family’s concubine-born child are you? You’re living quite miserably, aren’t you? Is your stepmother abusing you, not letting you have enough to eat?"

In this world, even concubine-born children wear silk and satin, making Zhang Chen, in his coarse clothes, quite conspicuous among the crowd.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen shook his head, "You’re joking, brother. I just prefer coarse hemp clothing; it’s more comfortable to wear."

The plump man looked Zhang Chen up and down, a ’I understand’ expression in his eyes, clearly thinking that Zhang Chen felt embarrassed and was just trying to keep up appearances.

"I’m Wei Bo, may I have the honor of knowing your name, brother?" The short, plump young man clasped his fists in salute to Zhang Chen.

"I’m Shen Chen!" Zhang Chen replied with a false name.

"You’re here to try for one of those ten spots too, aren’t you?" Wei Bo asked.

Before Zhang Chen could speak, Wei Bo had already answered with certainty, "You surely are! I heard that this time Chongzheng Academy’s Inner Courtyard only recruits thirty-six people; twenty-six spots have been reserved, leaving ten for us to fight over. There are more than five hundred people here fighting for ten spots; it’s truly as hard as climbing to the sky. I’ve heard many children of large families from various places have come from near and far to Chongzheng Academy, wanting to fight for those ten spots."

Zhang Chen glanced at Wei Bo, who took no offense to his words. Wei Bo, naturally outgoing, was now chattering next to Zhang Chen, introducing the people who came before and the situation within Chongzheng Academy.

"Among those competing for the ten spots, two people are most likely to succeed; they are formidable foes to us," Wei Bo said.

"Oh? And who might those two be?" Zhang Chen asked curiously, since he was in line with nothing else to do, inquiring about news of Chongzheng Academy seemed like a good use of time.

"The first is Zhang Gaoqiu, the legitimate second son of the Zhang Family from Kyoto. He hails from one of the Eight Great Clans of Kyoto and is a true prodigy. It’s said that he missed entry by just one rank during the Kyoto Academy assessments. Dissatisfied, he traveled all the way to Jinling City, aiming to enter the Jinling Inner Courtyard, second only to the Kyoto Academy," Wei Bo explained.

"He possesses an exceptionally prominent family background and skills, far above ours. In this Outer Courtyard selection, he is sure to obtain one of the spots."

"But if Zhang Gaoqiu is so extraordinary, why hasn’t the Inner Courtyard reserved a spot for him, and instead he has to participate in the assessment?" Zhang Chen voiced his confusion.

The influence of the Zhang Family in Kyoto far surpassed that of the Shen Family. If the Zhang Family wanted to secure a spot for Zhang Gaoqiu, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?

"Do you think the Zhang Family doesn’t want to? I heard that when Zhang Gaoqiu came to Jinling City, he brought a letter of recommendation from Mr. Da. Unfortunately, Dean Zhou, after one glance, said that Zhang Gaoqiu’s fortune was too poor, and withheld the letter. Zhang Gaoqiu was left with no choice but to undergo the selection process to enter the Inner Courtyard. If he passes the selection, it will prove his remarkable fortune, and then Dean Zhou will have no reason to bar him," Wei Bo explained.

Zhang Chen listened with a look of surprise on his face, and a trace of astonishment in his eyes, unable to believe the misfortune that had befallen Zhang Gaoqiu.

"And the second person?" Zhang Chen immediately inquired.

"The other is named Chai Chuanxin. His background is mysterious, said to come from the Kyoto Royal Family, and carry the bloodline of the Kyoto Royal Family," Wei Bo said, "He’s quite mysterious, rumored to be of royal blood, but the five fortunes have already left him."

Upon hearing Wei Bo’s words, Zhang Chen’s pupils contracted, "Tushan Qing, the Gambling Fox!"

Tushan Qing is indeed a strange existence, especially with his mastered gambling skills, making Zhang Chen shudder.

This fox possessed Chai Chuanxin and then got involved with North Wulong. The two sides clashed in the Northern Land before.

"Why has the Gambling Fox come? What about Zhuge Cheng?" Zhang Chen thought to himself.

"Besides these two, I’ve heard there are many people with mysterious backgrounds, hiding their identities and joining Chongzheng Academy, trying to enter the Inner Courtyard. There’s even a princess from the Great Victory Royal Family!" Wei Bo remarked.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen fell silent. He felt that the affairs at Chongzheng Academy were becoming more and more interesting.

Just at this moment, a carriage rumbled past, moving directly toward the academy’s gate. The creaking sound of the carriage immediately drew the attention of the students. In front of Chongzheng Academy, everyone was traveling on foot, so the sudden appearance of a carriage was enough to attract attention.

"That’s the Shen Family’s carriage! Only the Shen Family can drive a carriage into the Academy." Wei Bo’s eyes showed a hint of envy: "Only the Shen Family in Jinling City has such a privilege. I heard that when Chongzheng Academy was established, the Shen Family contributed a large sum of silver coins."

"If we could attach ourselves to the Shen Family, our future would be smooth sailing." Wei Bo’s eyes betrayed a trace of envy.

Zhang Chen was astonished at these words, never expecting there to be such dynamics involved. It seemed the Shen Family’s privileges in Jinling City were pervasive.

As the carriage passed by Zhang Chen, a sudden sound came from inside: "Stop the carriage!"

The carriage stopped, immediately drawing everyone’s attention. The curtain lifted, revealing the side profiles of Shen Ling and Jiang Nan. At that moment, Shen Ling frowned and glared at Zhang Chen: "Why are you here? Who allowed you to come?"

Shen Ling, unaware that Zhang Chen had already moved out of the Shen family, thought he was still living there, using their name to join Chongzheng Academy.

"Why can’t I come? Is Chongzheng Academy your family’s? Do I need to report to you where I want to go? Since when did the Shen Family become so overbearing that they’re restricting my personal freedom?" Zhang Chen retorted unyieldingly: "Whatever I want to do, why should I say it to you? Who do you think you are?"

Beside him, Wei Bo looked at Shen Ling, then at Zhang Chen, who dared to talk back, and couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat. To call Miss Shen Ling of the Shen Family a ’thing’—this was the first time he’d encountered such a scenario.

"Heh, wanting to join Chongzheng Academy? Have you looked at yourself? Without leveraging the Shen Family’s name, what abilities do you have to join the Academy?" Shen Ling’s eyes grew cold: "If you truly have such backbone, you should find a way yourself, not rely on my Shen Family’s name."

"I certainly don’t need to rely on your Shen Family’s name; you’re overthinking it!" Zhang Chen said coldly, as he shifted his gaze away from Shen Ling to peer through the window crack at Jiang Nan, who sat inside the carriage, watching quietly and unmoving.

"Good! You really have backbone; I hope your mouth and your backbone are equally tough." Shen Ling sneered: "I will make you understand the consequences of having a tough mouth."

Shen Ling beckoned to the steward responsible for registration and assessments, who came trotting eagerly to the carriage, bowing respectfully: "Greetings, Miss Shen."

"This person has nothing to do with the Shen Family. If he dares to use our family’s name to sneak into the academy, you know what to do, don’t you?" Shen Ling said coldly.

The steward was momentarily stunned but quickly responded, "I understand, my lady."

Shen Ling cast a cold glance at Zhang Chen, then lowered the carriage’s curtain, and the carriage rolled away.

Shen Ling had already joined Chongzheng Academy, so naturally, she did not need to queue for new student registration.

The steward only lifted his head after the carriage had gone, glancing at Zhang Chen as if to memorize him, before turning and leaving, leaving only these words echoing in the mountains: "Kid, you’d better go back. Chongzheng Academy is not meant for you."

Watching the steward’s departing figure, Zhang Chen stood unmoved, like a mountain. At this moment, Wei Bo’s knees were weak: "Brother, how did you offend the Shen Family? You’re in big trouble! You might be in for a disaster. It’s best to leave now and maybe avoid the hassle; if things escalate, you won’t get any good from it."

As he spoke, Wei Bo started to back away, fearing he would be implicated by Zhang Chen, and soon disappeared into the crowd.

Seeing this, Zhang Chen couldn’t help but shake his head. He stopped queuing and walked directly toward the steward.

By now, the steward had sat down to register those enrolling. Seeing Zhang Chen approach, he frowned: "Didn’t I tell you to leave? You’ve offended the Shen Family, and Miss Shen has spoken. Who dares to admit you?"

Hearing this, Zhang Chen took a deep breath. Shen Ling’s move was equivalent to a roadblock. Fortunately, he had already befriended the dean; otherwise, today would truly have been troublesome, ruining his plans. For this, he would surely return the favor someday!