33: Great opportunity and leaving home

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was already noon.

Lin Yi and Wang Kai packed their things, ate at the Guangling Martial Academy's dining hall, and then immediately headed to the Vice Dean's study, knocking on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Vice Dean, your Disciples Lin Yi and Wang Kai request an audience."

"Come in!"

As soon as Lin Yi finished speaking, the Vice Dean's kind voice rang out from inside the study.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi pushed open the door and cupped his hands in greeting to Zhao Haishan, who was currently reading an official document at his desk.

"Vice Dean, did you need us for something?"

"Haha, indeed I do. And in fact, it is something very good!"

At the desk, Vice Dean Zhao Haishan looked up and smiled at Lin Yi and Wang Kai.

"Something very good?"

Both Lin Yi and Wang Kai felt a stir in their hearts.

One had to know that the Vice Dean was a powerhouse at the Rank 4 Martial Arts level, and it was said that he was extremely strong even among those of the fourth rank.

His strength was at least in the top three in the entire Guangling Prefecture, if not the very best. If he called it something very good, just how significant must this Opportunity be?

"It goes like this."

Seeing the curious looks on Lin Yi and Wang Kai's Faces, Zhao Haishan did not keep them in suspense and directly explained with a smile.

"Half a month ago, an Elder brother from my clan, who was originally a Transmitting Merit Elder at the Heavenly Mountain Sect, was assigned by the Sect to the Prefecture City Martial Academy of our Dongshan Prefecture to serve as the Vice Dean because of his advanced age."

"Over the past half month, I have been in constant correspondence with him. Besides maintaining our relationship, I also spoke highly of the formidable talent you two little fellows possess, hoping he would step in to help me train you for a while."

"Finally, three days ago, he agreed to let me bring you to the Prefecture City Martial Academy for an assessment."

"If you pass the assessment, he will allow you to stay at the Prefecture City Martial Academy for nearly a year, enjoying the same level of resources as their own Disciples."

"If you fail, he will still give me some Face and do his best to guide you for three days."

"Tell me, is this not a great Opportunity?"

"What!"

"Guidance from a Heavenly Mountain Sect Transmitting Merit Elder!"

"Enjoying the same treatment as Prefecture City Martial Academy Disciples?"

"This... this is a massive Opportunity!"

Hearing this, Lin Yi and Wang Kai were ecstatic.

A Transmitting Merit Elder of the Heavenly Mountain Sect, even the weakest among them, was generally a master at the Martial Dao Third Rank level and was extremely proficient in guiding and teaching Disciples.

If they could receive his guidance, even for just three days, it would be a massive Opportunity for Martial Artists like Lin Yi and Wang Kai, who had never been taught by such a powerful master.

As for the Prefecture City Martial Academy, it was the best academy in the entire Dongshan Prefecture. Its resources completely overshadowed those of other Prefecture academies. It was even said to possess treasures bestowed by the legendary Martial God to his subordinates to aid in their Cultivation.

One could say that if the Prefecture City Martial Academy was equivalent to Tsinghua or Peking University on Earth in his previous life, then a regular Prefecture academy was at most an ordinary '211' university, or perhaps even less.

The gap between them was simply unimaginable!

"Vice Dean, when do we leave?"

At this thought, Lin Yi and Wang Kai's eyes lit up as they stared intently at Vice Dean Zhao Haishan.

"In three days!"

Zhao Haishan said with a chuckle.

"My Elder brother and I have agreed that I will bring you two little fellows to the Prefecture City Martial Academy in three days to participate in the assessment."

"During these three days, you can say your goodbyes to your families and spend some quality time together."

"Because if you truly pass the assessment, it might be many years before you return."

"After all, the Prefecture City is far away, and the journey is fraught with danger. Without a Rank 5 Peak Martial Artist to guard the way, one could be harmed by bandits or outlaws at any time. Once you go there, you won't be able to return easily."

"Furthermore, if you get into the Heavenly Mountain Sect next year, the Sect is even further from Guangling Prefecture. Without Rank 4 strength, you shouldn't even think about traveling freely between the two locations. It will be even harder to come back then."

"Yes, Vice Dean, we understand."

Hearing this, Lin Yi and Wang Kai's originally excited moods couldn't help but turn somewhat heavy.

"We will spend these three days with our families and settle everything. If there's nothing else, we'll head back now."

"Mhm, go on back! Cherish the days you have with your families!"

"Yes!"

With that, the two of them cupped their hands toward Zhao Haishan and respectfully departed.

Afterward, the two said their goodbyes on the road and returned to their respective homes with a mix of excitement and somberness.

When his family learned that Lin Yi was going to the Prefecture City, his mother, Ji Xuan, voiced her firm support, but she secretly couldn't stop her tears.

As for his father, Lin Haichuan, he rushed back from the county town overnight just to see his son one last time.

Thus, over the next three days, Lin Yi used the several hundred taels of silver he had earned that month to take his mother and father around the Prefecture City, eating and experiencing everything they hadn't been able to before.

During the process, his parents were pained by the spending on one hand, but on the other, their Faces were filled with irrepressible happiness and pride.

However, when spending time with family, time always seemed to pass much faster than usual.

Though it was three days, Lin Yi felt as if they had passed in an instant... Three days later, outside the East Gate of Guangling Prefecture City.

"Father, Mother! I'm leaving!"

Lin Yi held his parents' hands and looked at their reluctant Faces. Although he had prepared himself, his heart felt strangely heavy at this moment.

"I don't know how many years it will be before I can return from the Prefecture City. Please take good care of your health at home during these years. Spend the money you need to spend and use what you need to use. Don't be stingy with yourselves."

"Once I get into the Heavenly Mountain Sect and become a Rank 4 Martial Artist, I will return to see you in glory!"

"Haha! Yier! Go with a clear mind! Your mother and I are already this old; do you think we can't take care of ourselves?"

Hearing this, Lin Haichuan's eyes were red, and tears seemed to shimmer in them, but he grinned, revealing a row of slightly yellowed teeth as he laughed.

"A man has to go out and make his way! If you don't venture out into the wide world, how can you ever become someone of worth by staying cooped up at home?"

"I believe you will succeed. I'll be waiting peacefully at home for the day you become a Rank 4 Martial Artist! Hahaha!"

"Yier, your mother doesn't ask for you to be wealthy or powerful; I only ask that you take care of yourself out there."

On the other side, Mother Ji Xuan held Lin Yi's hand, her tears falling freely.

"You, child, have never been so far from home since you were little. This time you're going directly to the Prefecture City with the Vice Dean and staying for such a long time."

"Our family has no relatives there, and we won't even know how you're doing. You must write back frequently so your mother doesn't worry, alright?"

"Don't worry, Mother, I will."

Lin Yi forced a faint smile onto his Face.

"I'll write back as soon as I arrive at the Prefecture City in a few days. After that, I'll write a letter every month detailing my situation. You don't need to worry about me."

"Alright! It's about time. If I'm any later, the Vice Dean will likely be waiting. I'm leaving now."

"Father! Mother! Take care!"

With that, Lin Yi knelt on the ground with a thud and solemnly kowtowed three times to his parents. Then, suppressing his heartache, he quickly walked away from the gate.

He did not look back once during the walk because he was afraid that if he saw his parents' reluctant Faces, his heart would soften and he wouldn't want to leave.

But this chance to study in the Prefecture City was a once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity for him; it was the catalyst that would allow him to quickly become a powerhouse.

This was an Opportunity he absolutely could not miss!

With a firm heart, Lin Yi reached the Guangling Martial Academy's group, immediately mounted a swift horse, and followed the party as they quickly moved away from the city.

It wasn't until they had ridden for over a dozen miles in one breath that Lin Yi dared to look back for the first time.

By now, the city that usually looked majestic like a giant beast had turned into a tiny black dot in the distance.

In that black dot, Lin Yi seemed to see countless carriages and people weaving through the streets.

He seemed to see countless familiar and unfamiliar street vendors shouting their wares.

He seemed to see the Disciples of the Guangling Martial Academy working hard at their Cultivation.

And... his parents standing at the city gate, watching him from afar... This was his home, Guangling Prefecture City in Dongshan Prefecture, the place where he had lived for two full years, and the place he was about to leave.

But... a man sets his heart on leaving his homeland; he vows not to return until his studies bring him fame.

Why must his bones be buried in his birthplace? Everywhere in life, there are green hills.

Today, he had to leave his home to become stronger, but one day, he would return.

And he would return as an invincible figure, and at that time, he would never let his parents worry about him again.

Jia!!!