369 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

Chapter 369: Registration Xianling Academy is the largest cultivation academy in the Lower Immortal Realm. It is a place where countless individuals dream of entering, with disciplines dedicated to sword cultivation, alchemy, spell casting, formations, talismans, and more. Some of its resources even surpass those of major sects. Many children from prominent families and sects are sent to study at Xianling Academy. However, since its inception, the academy has been extremely stringent about the qualifications of its students. As a result, even though nearly everyone of eligible age in the Lower Immortal Realm attempts to get in during the annual admissions, only a few succeed. Yet, this does not dampen the enthusiasm of the masses. “What on earth! This lousy academy charges twenty thousand low-grade immortal crystals just to register!” Feng Li's astonished voice echoed across the sky. After discovering the location of the formation, Ye Ling Long closed her shop and traveled overnight with Feng Li and Xiao Hei to Central City, which lies at the heart of the Lower Immortal Realm and hosts Xianling Academy. Central City is vast and incomparable to the relatively remote Bailin City. While it was rare to see a Golden Immortal stage cultivator in Bailin, in Central City they are abundant, and occasionally even an Immortal King level expert can be seen. Upon arriving in Central City, Ye Ling Long and Feng Li rented a room, initially hoping to stay near Xianling Academy. However, they discovered it was impossible to find any accommodations close to the academy because everything was either booked or outrageously expensive. Ye Ling Long had assumed that the immortal crystals she earned in Bailin would sustain them, but it turns out they couldn't even afford a hotel here. Thus, they rented two rooms in a family's home in a small alley far from Xianling Academy. Although they didn’t need to sleep, they couldn’t wander outside indefinitely. After some inquiry, Ye Ling Long discovered why Central City was so crowded—this was the registration period for Xianling Academy. It seemed they had stumbled upon the opportunity without even searching for it. What better way to get close to the seal formation than becoming students of Xianling Academy? Hence, they approached the academy’s registration area, which led to the scene at the beginning of the passage. The man in charge of collecting registration fees dug in his ears and impatiently looked at Feng Li. "Are you signing up or not? If you think it's too expensive, step aside. There are many others wanting to register." Looking in the direction he pointed, Ye Ling Long and Feng Li saw a long line behind them, and several people murmured complaints about Feng Li blocking the way. "Hey! Are you signing up or not? If not, move along. We’re waiting here." Feng Li widened her eyes, wanting to retort, but Ye Ling Long stopped her, retrieving forty thousand low-grade immortal crystals from her space and handing them over. "Sorry, here's the registration fee for both of us." "Tsk, two paupers trying to sign up for Xianling Academy? Every year, countless people like you try and fail to get in. You two…" The man left the rest unsaid, but his expression clearly conveyed his disdain. Even the most patient individuals have their limits. Moreover, Ye Ling Long wasn't known for her patience. She coldly retorted, "Whether we can pass or not is none of your concern. You're just here to register people, not to look down on everyone." Ye Ling Long’s spiritual prowess allowed her to easily discern that the man was merely at the early stages of the Golden Immortal realm, and his age likely exceeded a thousand years. With such age and mediocre talent, he certainly didn’t belong to Xianling Academy but was likely an outsider assisting with logistics—a person whose abilities were lacking, yet had an inflated sense of self-worth. "You…" The man's face flushed as he pointed at Ye Ling Long, ready to unleash a tirade, when a gentle voice interrupted. "What's happening, Wang Er? Why isn't the line moving?" Upon hearing this, the man glared at Ye Ling Long, muttering, "Consider yourselves lucky," before his demeanor instantly changed to a servile smile. "Master Hai, everything’s fine. Just a minor hiccup. It’ll be sorted out shortly." The gentle voice continued, "Good, solve it quickly. We can’t keep the others waiting." "Yes, yes, of course," the man replied, beaming obsequiously. Turning back to Ye Ling Long, his face shifted 180 degrees. "If not for Master Hai, I wouldn’t let you off so easily! Now, which department?" Feng Li huffed, "Magic Division, Fire Element." Ye Ling Long added, "Alchemy Division." Choosing the Alchemy Division was a decision Ye Ling Long made after much contemplation. Initially torn between the Sword Cultivation and Alchemy Divisions, she finally settled on Alchemy, considering the presence of the small tower. It was not because the Sword Cultivation Division was poor and the Alchemy Division affluent, definitely not. "Got it," the man muttered without looking up. "You can leave now. Next." Ye Ling Long and Feng Li turned and left, oblivious to the malicious glint in the man’s eyes. Once they had left the registration area, Feng Li couldn’t help but grumble, "Since when was I ever so strapped for cash? I used to spend spirit stones like running water." Ye Ling Long, looking at the few remaining crystals, sighed, "We're talking about spirit stones. These are immortal crystals now. I suppose I should brew a batch of pills to sell." People often say alchemists are never poor, but Ye Ling Long found it perplexing why she was still struggling financially. Qian Jun, floating above her shoulder, chimed in, "That's because you didn't demand some immortal crystals when you gave that kid the pill recipes. Since he came from the Upper Immortal Realm, he must have plenty of immortal crystals." Ye Ling Long responded, "Think about it, I'm practically his ancestor. Wouldn't it be awkward to ask a junior for immortal crystals?" Qian Jun teased, "So you can feel awkward?" Ye Ling Long was silent. Had she simply forgotten to ask? Could that be it? Impossible! Not wanting to reveal herself in this foreign land bustling with powerful figures, Ye Ling Long did not retreat to her space to brew pills. Instead, she spent her remaining immortal crystals to rent a small alchemy chamber. There, she brewed some beginner-grade Mysterious-level pills. Currently, her skill level allowed her to produce only beginner Mysterious-level pills. Among them, the Breakthrough Elixir was most popular, so most of her efforts focused on that. She concocted sixteen Breakthrough Elixirs and a few Power Condensing Pills. The latter could temporarily enhance one's innate immortal power, pushing one's strength up a level, though the effect lasted only thirty minutes and came with the side effect of exhaustion afterward. However, given their life-saving potential in dire situations, such side effects would be the least of one's concerns. Once her pills were neatly stored, Ye Ling Long, along with Feng Li, went to explore a random alchemy shop in central city.