Urban Extraordinary Immortal Doctor
Chapter 934: Do You Recognize Gao Shuxian?

Chapter 934: Chapter 934: Do You Recognize Gao Shuxian?

The elder Inner Court disciple named Hou Ziping appeared to be around forty years old, with a pointed chin and monkey-like cheeks, a slender frame, and a green robe that would have looked elegant and free-spirited on someone else, but on him, it seemed slightly misfitting—as if a monkey had donned human clothes, which looked rather comical.

Hou Ziping seemed like an honest person and apparently was not faring well in the Inner Court. Some of the other Inner Court disciples looked at him with disdain, as if they held him in contempt.

Even some of the newer Inner Court disciples who had joined after him showed no respect at all, not even bothering to call him ’Senior Brother.’

A few Inner Court disciples who were more senior than Hou Ziping laughed and called him "monkey" with obvious insult in their tone.

However, Hou Ziping seemed to have become accustomed to this and was not angry; instead, he greeted everyone with a smile and was exceedingly polite.

Yet Fang Bai caught a glimpse of silence and helplessness deep within Hou Ziping’s eyes.

There were several hundred Inner Court disciples at the Bitao Martial Academy, and their living and cultivation areas were in a mountain area that spanned dozens of miles. There, hundreds of ancient-looking houses and courtyards had been built for the disciples to live in.

Fang Bai was quite satisfied with the living environment here. There were mountains and rivers, flowers and trees, a quiet and tranquil atmosphere, and the Heaven and Earth Origin Energy was denser than in other places.

What made Fang Bai even more delighted was that there were many Spiritual Medicines planted nearby, some of which had been growing for hundreds of years. If he wanted to practice alchemy in the future, he wouldn’t be short of resources.

Fang Bai asked Hou Ziping and learned that a large portion of these Spiritual Medicines would eventually be harvested, with some delivered to a certain third-grade Sect as "protection fees" and others given to a certain Alchemist to request the crafting of Elixirs.

The Elixirs crafted would naturally be distributed among Bitao Martial Academy disciples for their cultivation.

"Junior Brother Fang, this will be your residence from now on."

Hou Ziping brought Fang Bai to a small courtyard, his face wearing a flattering smile as he introduced: "Only Inner Court disciples with higher qualifications and potential for advancement on the Martial Dao are entitled to live in houses with courtyards like this. Junior Brother Fang, having just joined the Bitao Martial Academy and being allocated such a residence, clearly shows how much the higher-ups of the Academy value you!"

After a pause, he continued, "Junior Brother Fang has a Dual Attribute Innate Spiritual Root, which is unprecedented in the history of our Academy. Your future is boundless. Living here, I feel, is still too modest for Junior Brother Fang!"

Fang Bai smiled indifferently, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"Junior Brother Fang, please rest for now; I won’t disturb you any further!"

After looking at the room together and wanting to chat with Fang Bai to establish a rapport, Hou Ziping was mindful not to annoy him and made as if to leave.

Fang Bai smiled and said, "Senior Brother Hou, if you have no urgent matters, feel free to stay a while longer. Being new here, I would actually like to learn more about the Martial Academy from Senior Brother Hou!"

Hou Ziping was overjoyed and nodded, "Good! Then I’ll stay a little longer and keep Junior Brother Fang company for a chat!"

The two sat down at the stone table in the small courtyard. Fang Bai asked with a smile, "Senior Brother Hou, how many years have you been at the Bitao Martial Academy?"

After thinking for a bit, Hou Ziping replied, "A full twenty years."

His expression revealed a hint of nostalgia, and with a ton of emotions, he said, "Twenty years ago, I stood out among tens of thousands of martial artists and became a menial servant disciple at Bitao Martial Academy. Back then, I was full of pride and ambition, believing that I could achieve great success in the Martial Dao and would enter the External Courtyard, the Inner Court, and even become a Core Disciple, a Direct Disciple..."

He reached this point, let out a light sigh, and said with a wry smile, "Although my dreams were beautiful, the reality dealt me a merciless blow. During the twenty years at the Martial Academy, my progress was quite noticeable at first. I spent just three years going from a menial servant disciple to an External Courtyard disciple, and then another five years to become an Inner Court disciple. However..."

His expression darkened, and his face shifted from frustration to pain as he continued, "However, in the twelve years since entering the Inner Court, no matter how hard I tried, my Cultivation Level remained stagnant, without the slightest advance. Consequently, the higher-ups of the academy gave up on me, and the fellow disciples in the Inner Court began to scorn and mock me... As much as I was troubled, what could I do? In this world, if you’re strong, you naturally earn people’s respect; if you’re weak, you get stepped on by others."

Once he started, he couldn’t seem to stop himself, unloading his woes onto Fang Bai.

Fang Bai consoled, "Senior Brother Hou is only forty years old this year, which is still very young for us martial artists, so there’s no need to belittle yourself."

Hou Ziping sighed, "I’m not belittling myself. The bitter Cultivation of these twelve years has brought no return that I deserve, leaving me disheartened and utterly hopeless. Perhaps I’m just of mediocre talent, and this is as far as I go on the path of the Martial Dao!"

Fang Bai stated firmly, "The path of the Martial Dao does not solely rely on arduous cultivation; it also requires certain opportunities. Perhaps Senior Brother Hou’s advancement is just awaiting the right moment!"

Hou Ziping replied with a bitter smile, "Junior Brother Fang, you think just like I used to. These past years, I’ve also kept deluding myself with ’the opportunity has not yet come.’"

Fang Bai said, "I believe Senior Brother Hou will definitely become a core disciple of the Martial Academy."

In Bitao Martial Academy, above an Inner Court disciple, is the Core Disciple, and the Cultivation Level of a Core Disciple is at the High Rank of Heaven Level.

That is to say, only when an Inner Court disciple’s Cultivation Level reaches the High Rank of Heaven Level, can they be promoted to the eagerly sought-after position of Core Disciple.

Ever since Hou Ziping entered the Inner Court twelve years ago, his Cultivation Level has been hovering at the Middle Rank of Heaven Level without progressing to the High Rank. Therefore, he has been unable to become the Core Disciple that every Inner Court disciple dreams of becoming.

Hou Ziping had already lost hope for himself, but seeing Fang Bai’s full confidence in him, he felt somewhat grateful and said, "Junior Brother Fang, thank you for your kind words!"

Fang Bai continued to inquire about various matters concerning Bitao Martial Academy. With twenty years of experience there, Hou Ziping was extremely familiar with everything about the academy and spoke candidly to Fang Bai without hiding anything.

Although Fang Bai was a cultivator of unparalleled talent with a promising future, he showed enough respect to his senior brother Hou Ziping, not once looking down on him for his mediocrity, which greatly increased Hou Ziping’s fondness for him, giving Hou a feeling of having met a kindred spirit.

"Since I’ve got nothing better to do, I might as well accompany Junior Brother Fang for a walk around Bitao Martial Academy."

Hou Ziping had Fang Bai dress in the attire of an Inner Court disciple of Bitao Martial Academy, and then they walked shoulder to shoulder out of the yard, slowly making their way along a mountain path.

"Senior Brother Hou, do you know an External Courtyard disciple named Gao Shuxian?"

When they reached a secluded area, Fang Bai suddenly asked.

Upon hearing the name "Gao Shuxian," Hou Ziping’s face showed a subtle change, a flash of hatred appearing and quickly fading in his eyes. Then, he looked at Fang Bai with a wary expression and asked, "How does Junior Brother Fang know Gao Shuxian?"