The tutors eagerly awaited Qingyun to make a selection.
However, Qingyun looked at Li Ji'an.
Li Ji'an's gaze, on the other hand, went past the seven tutors in front of him and landed on Tutor Wu, who was not far away, teaching diligently and earnestly as always.
Fifteen years ago when Li Ji'an entered the Martial Arts Academy, Tutor Wu had just returned to his hometown from the Prefecture City Seeking Immortal Institute.
He was only twenty-one years old at the time, nine years younger than Li Ji'an.
He was a local of Shangyi County, having studied at this very institute; his talent was average. Despite his hard work, he failed the martial examinations twice. Eventually, he was recommended by the former Chief Tutor of the Martial Arts Academy to further his studies at a branch of the Prefecture City Seeking Immortal Institute, specifically to be trained as a tutor.
After ten years of acquaintance, Li Ji'an already understood the personality of Tutor Wu, who was a grateful person, returning to the Martial Arts Academy largely to repay the former Chief Tutor's kindness.
He was introverted, spoke little, yet was extremely earnest and strict in his teaching of the Martial Dao.
He did not pursue fame or gain; whoever was willing to learn, he would teach earnestly.
Even when faced with Li Ji'an, who was already thirty and had long missed the optimal age to practice martial arts, he gave his utmost dedication and effort.
If it weren't for Tutor Wu, given Li Ji'an's age and bone structure at the time, even with a year of unsuccessful martial arts experience from a previous life, he probably wouldn't have been able to polish the "Golden Strength Skill" to Minor Achievement or even reach Skin Polishing Perfection.
"The young Wu from back then is now approaching the age of forty.
Time is merciless." Watching the traces of years on Tutor Wu's face, Li Ji'an sighed softly.
"Young friend, as Ma's best brotherly friendship compels, I can't help but reminisce about the youthful days with my brothers when I see you in this way. So today, I'll make an exception; regardless of your brother's talent, I will take him under my wing as well, what do you say?" Upon seeing Qingyun looking at Li Ji'an, the ever-wily Ma Yuan immediately spoke up.
Qingyun: "..."
Master Wan: "..."
What wishful thinking you have!
"Thank you, Tutor Ma, for your kind offer, but I see that tutor over there is most earnest and doesn't smile easily. My father taught me: 'Strict teachers produce excellent students.' So, I choose that tutor." Li Ji'an decided not to beat around the bush any longer; he didn't care about the face of these people and spoke directly.
"Hmm?"
"Tutor Wu?"
The seven people, along with Master Wan, looked incredulously at Tutor Wu, who was still seriously teaching and hadn't paid any attention to the proceedings.
"Kid, you want to choose that Tutor Wu? Are you sure about this? Little Wu has been in the academy for fifteen years and hasn't produced a single martial arts candidate. The reason he didn't come to select you is simply that he doesn't want to mislead students." Ma Yuan laughed immediately, his eyes mocking as he looked at Li Ji'an.
Li Ji'an didn't mind. Tutor Wu simply didn't chase fame or gain. As for never having taught a martial arts candidate, it was just because there weren't good seedlings, and he didn't care whether the seedlings were good or not; he was genuinely practicing conveying knowledge and solving doubts.
Moreover, based on Li Ji'an's experience of ten years with Minor Achievement in "Golden Strength Skill" and Skin Polishing Perfection from his past life, and now having meridian bones of the Flying Sparrow's constitution, coupled with stronger spiritual power, even without a tutor, he could likely achieve Skin Refining within two years and enter the Prefecture City Seeking Immortal Institute.
"I've thought it over and I'm willing to become a disciple under Tutor Wu."
"Alright, since it's your decision, I have nothing to say, just don't regret it afterward." Ma Yuan said immediately.
He was willing to accept Li Ji'an merely for the sake of Qingyun, an excellent disciple with superior talent.
Since Li Ji'an voluntarily gave it up, he was pleased; after all, he had already shown his attitude in front of Qingyun.
As for Li Ji'an's talent, not only he but the other six tutors as well, didn't pay much heed. It couldn't be that an exemplary root bone, unseen for two years, would suddenly yield two, right?
"Ah? Xiaoli, you..." Master Wan exclaimed in surprise, but the next moment his thoughts shifted. In his view, the levels of the academy's few tutors were about the same, but Tutor Wu's teaching attitude and character were the best.
Plus, with Li Ji'an's Flying Sparrow constitution, choosing any tutor would certainly enable him to excel in martial arts.
Thus thinking, he stopped speaking, looked at Tutor Wu still diligently teaching, and showed a hint of envy in his eyes.
"Is it that fools are blessed?"
This was a quasi-Immortal Seedling, very likely to become a Grandmaster in the future. When he ascends to the Grandmaster Realm, with the relationship between him and Little Wu... everything would surely ascend to heaven along with him.
"Young friend, come cultivate with me." Ma Yuan ceased to pay attention to Li Ji'an, fixating on Qingyun.
"Then I'll also cultivate with Tutor Wu." Qingyun said without hesitation.
"No way!"
"No way!"
Li Ji'an and Ma Yuan almost spoke in unison.
Ma Yuan didn't want to lose this imminent achievement.
Li Ji'an believed, for one, that although Tutor Ma's character wasn't great, he was indeed willing to invest in geniuses and could provide more resources; furthermore, he would push hard for his achievements. If Qingyun genuinely sought success in the Martial Dao, he was more suitable for Qingyun.
For another, he didn't want Qingyun, who had no intent to practice martial arts, to ruin Tutor Wu's resolve.
In Li Ji'an's view, such scenarios only exist in novels and TV shows.
No matter how heavenly one's talent, if they are not willing from the heart, how can they succeed?
Through his understanding of Qingyun, he knew this kid truly had no intention even if beaten to death.
Moreover, based on his past life understanding of martial arts here, not to mention, those outstanding individuals from the Martial Arts Academy he knew of, their final plight was either to join the City Guard or have a secure government job compared to ordinary people. However, they also faced pressures and dangers, unlike Qingyun, who could comfortably inherit his father's position and live happily.
As for the nebulous ascension, he himself was not certain about it.
"Ah? Then... junior brother, who do you think I should choose?" Qingyun asked, feeling despondent yet accustomed to following whatever Li Ji'an said.
After he finished speaking, the seven tutors all took a deep breath.
They never expected this genius with exemplary roots to be so obedient to the little rascal next to him, not daring to object even slightly.
"Young friend, although you will follow Tutor Wu in the future, I guarantee you extra resource support," Ma Yuan promised hastily, also regretting his previous poor attitude toward Li Ji'an.
The other six looked at Li Ji'an, their eyes blinking with frantic clues.
Li Ji'an glanced at Ma Yuan, then turned to Qingyun with a slight smile, "Since Tutor Ma values you so much, you should follow Tutor Ma to train."
Qingyun nodded indifferently, his goal was simple—to muddle through until the academy could tolerate him no longer and send him back home.
"Hahaha, alright, alright, Qingyun, don't worry, today's choice, I assure you, you won't regret it." Ma Yuan was immediately elated.
He even walked up to Li Ji'an and nodded at him earnestly, "Xiaoli, never worry, if you ever need anything in the future, feel free to come to me."
"Thank you, Tutor Ma." Li Ji'an nodded.
Master Wan stood aside, looking at the situation as it settled, especially with Ma Yuan's jubilant stance, eventually deciding not to disrupt this harmonious scene.
The academy apprentice's aptitude is supposedly not allowed to be disclosed to the tutors, intending for equal treatment, rather than opting for promising seedlings. However, over time, with frequent rule-breaking, these mandates ended up as mere formalities.
"If that's the case, Little Wu, here's a new apprentice who will follow you for training in the future." Master Wan called out to Tutor Wu, not far away.
Tutor Wu, upon hearing this, walked over without any visible change in emotion.
He was already used to such scenarios; usually, other tutors would choose first, and those they didn't want would be pushed to him.
He didn't mind; treating everyone equally was fine with him.
"Li Ji'an?" Wu Cheng looked at the roster Master Wan handed over, pausing slightly.
Then, a hint of reminiscence appeared on his usually serious face.
"What's your relation to Li Jizhang?"