Retirement begins with summoning Yuan Tiangang

On the way back to the city, no one spoke.

Of the five children, four passed the exam, and one failed.

This should have been a happy occasion, but the atmosphere was as heavy as if a stone were pressing down on it.

Li Qianqian walked beside Lin Feng, wanting to speak several times, but not knowing what to say.

Her little face was filled with conflicting emotions; she was happy to have passed the exam, but also sad for Lin Feng.

This conflicting emotion made her walk very cautiously, as if afraid of stepping on Raymond Lam's shadow.

Zhang Kai followed behind, his brows furrowed.

He would glance at Lin Feng every now and then, as if he wanted to say something, but he would open his mouth and then close it again.

In the end, he just sighed heavily and continued walking with his head down.

Zhao Mingxuan walked at the front, his back ramrod straight.

He didn't look back, nor did he slow down; he just kept walking.

His steps carried a lightness, an irrepressible lightness belonging to a victor.

Chen Jing'an walked at the very back, remaining quiet.

But his gaze remained fixed on Lin Feng's back, and in his empty eyes were emotions that Lin Feng could not understand.

Qinglong and Mo Wen walked on either side of the group, like two silent guardian deities.

When he reached the halfway point of the mountain, Lin Feng heard the voice of Master Yu Yuan in his mind.

"Kid."

His voice was unusually gentle.

Raymond Lam did not respond.

"A temporary setback is nothing to worry about," said Master Yu Yuan.

"Back when I was learning alchemy, how many furnaces did I blow up? I can't even count them all. But look at me now, I've still become a seventh-grade alchemist!"

Lin Feng remained silent.

If the path of studying is blocked, there are other paths.

Master Yu Yuan patiently and skillfully guided him.

"Learn alchemy from me, or roam the world with your Uncle Azure Dragon, it's all good. All roads lead to... where did they lead again? Anyway, you can go anywhere."

Lin Feng finally thought to himself, "I don't want to learn alchemy."

"So what do you want to do?"

"I think..." Lin Feng paused.

"I want to know why I didn't pass the exam."

Master Yu Yuan remained silent.

After a while, the voice came again: "Maybe you didn't answer well. Maybe someone answered better than you. Maybe...maybe there's something going on here."

"What is it?"

"I don't know about that."

Master Yu Yuan said,

"But kid, in this world, sometimes it's not just about ability. It depends on people, connections, and luck."

Lin Feng remained silent.

He knew that Master Yu Yuan was telling the truth.

He had overheard the conversations people had about Song Xiaodong in front of the list.

The 100th person is the son of the prefect... Is there something going on here?

he does not know.

But he knew he had no background, no connections, he was just a poor boy from a small town.

Perhaps that's the reason.

It was already noon when we got back to the inn.

Lunch was eaten downstairs. The dishes were plentiful, but Raymond Lam found them tasteless.

He forced himself to lift his head and smiled at his friends, saying, "Congratulations, you're going to the academy tomorrow."

Li Qianqian's eyes reddened again.

Zhang Kai said in a muffled voice, "Lin Feng, you..."

"I'm fine," Lin Feng interrupted him.

"real."

He looked at Mo Wen: "Uncle-Master Mo, when will White Deer Academy... resume accepting students?"

Mo Wen put down his chopsticks and stroked his beard: "To get into Bailu Academy, you need a letter of recommendation."

"A recommendation letter from Qingyang Academy?"

Lin Feng's heart sank.

"Yes, you need to study at Qingyang Academy for a year and get a letter of recommendation."

Raymond Lam lowered his head

Father sent him out not so that he would slink back home in disgrace.

After the meal, everyone went back to their rooms.

Lin Feng lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep all night.

He thought about it a lot.

I miss Hexi Town, I miss my father, I miss Aunt Yao and Uncle Xiao Hei.

Thinking about all the little things that have happened along the way. Thinking about why I didn't pass the exam.

I'm thinking about what to do next.

The more I think about it, the more confused I get.

He finally drifted off to sleep just before dawn.

The next morning, everyone packed their luggage.

Li Qianqian, Zhang Kai, Chen Jing'an, and Zhao Mingxuan are going to report to the academy.

Their luggage was very simple, consisting of a few changes of clothes and some daily necessities.

The academy provides room and board, and blankets and mattresses are provided, so you don't need to bring your own.

Raymond Lam's luggage was very simple: a few clothes, some dry food, and a small cloth bag containing his ring.

Qinglong's luggage was even simpler, consisting of just a cloth bag.

The group left the inn and headed towards the academy.

The city of Qingyang was not yet fully awake in the early morning. There were not many pedestrians on the streets, and most shops were not yet open.

The air was fresh, carrying the scent of dew.

When we reached the foot of the mountain, the sun had just risen above the mountaintop.

Golden sunlight shone on the bluestone steps, turning them a warm yellow.

"Let's leave it here," Mo Wen said.

"I have something to take care of, I'll be going now."

He patted Raymond Lam on the shoulder: "Take good care of yourself."

After saying that, he turned and walked in another direction.

The figure in the gray robe gradually blurred in the morning light.

The rest of the people continued up the mountain.

When we arrived at the entrance of the academy, a large number of people had already gathered there.

It was bustling with new students registering today, as well as family members seeing them off.

Lin Feng stopped in his tracks.

"Just leave it here," he said.

Li Qianqian walked up to him, her eyes red: "Lin Feng... are you really not coming with us?"

Lin Feng smiled and shook his head: "I can't go."

"So...where are you going?"

"As for me... I'll take a look first," Lin Feng said.

Li Qianqian bit her lip, and tears finally fell.

She rushed over and hugged Lin Feng briefly, then quickly let go, took two steps back, and lowered her head to wipe away her tears.

Zhang Kai walked over and gave Lin Feng a tight hug: "Brother, take care."

His voice was choked with emotion.

Lin Feng patted him on the back: "Take care of yourself too. Study hard at the academy."

Chen Jing'an also came over.

He didn't speak, but just looked at Lin Feng, and for the first time, a clear and reluctant emotion appeared in his empty eyes.

He reached out and gently shook Lin Feng's hand before letting go.

Finally, there's Zhao Mingxuan.

He stood a few steps away, looking at Lin Feng with a complicated expression.

There was pride, relief, sympathy, and a hint of... something indescribable.

He walked over, chin raised, his tone still condescending: "Lin Feng, if you ever can't make it in the future, you can come find me at Dewang Restaurant. As a fellow townsman, I'll arrange a job for you."

That's a very harsh thing to say.

But Lin Feng wasn't angry. He just smiled and said, "Thank you, but no need."

Zhao Mingxuan was stunned, seemingly not expecting Lin Feng to be so calm.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he didn't say anything. He just nodded and turned to walk towards the entrance of the academy.

After walking a few steps, he stopped again and looked back at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng couldn't understand that look in his eyes.

But soon, Zhao Mingxuan turned around and strode into the academy.

Li Qianqian, Zhang Kai, and Chen Jing'an also left. They turned back every few steps, waving to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng waved to them with a smile on his face.

Lin Feng only put his hand down after their figures disappeared through the academy gate.

The smile on his face disappeared.

He stood there, gazing at the tall mountain gate for a long time.

The sunlight grew brighter and brighter, shining on him and stretching his shadow long.

Qinglong walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder: "Let's go."

Lin Feng nodded, turned around, and walked down the mountain.

One step, two steps, three steps.

He didn't turn around.

Qinglong followed behind him, his hands behind his head, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, walking slowly.

The morning light shone on them, casting their long shadows on the bluestone steps, one in front of the other.

The mountain wind rustled through the pines and cypresses.

It was like seeing someone off.

It's as if it's saying, "The road ahead is still long."

Take your time.