m."Shouldn't everyone in the world know that all participants are no ordinary figures They will be swallowed up regardless if he participates," continued the Miss."Know it!" said逍遙 with a nod, but his...Chapter 364 Extraordinary Intelligence 1
Indeed, staying with these people might make it hard to find a place to stay, as the events of yesterday proved. Even if being carefree meant taking what he wanted, he wasn't interested in doing so.
Moreover, practicing cultivation would become inconvenient when associating with them; who knew whether there'd be internal conflicts that might drag him into trouble
Last night's incident involving those two individuals was a perfect example of how likely it is for such disputes to break out...
The way was clear and unobstructed as Xiaoyao and Guxing arrived at the edge of the river domain. Beyond this point lay a complex area.
There were also many people on the outskirts, some waiting like Xiaoyao for disciples to join their ranks—such as those from the Royal Phoenix Clan who started recruiting here.
"Pay tuition fees to reach the main branch of the Royal Phoenix Clan. This is your first test; you can use any means necessary! Your efforts will be recorded in your evaluation and will affect your future benefits."
The representative from the Royal Phoenix Clan spoke mechanically, having repeated it countless times.
Xiaoyao didn't say much either. He simply asked for the tuition fees, paid them on Guxing's behalf, then handed over all remaining money to him without keeping any for himself.
As Xiaoyao put it: he'd never starve and would earn money soon anyway; there was no need!
"Are you alone"
The representative asked out of routine rather than interest in Xiaoyao's presence or absence.
"Yeah, I'm not sure if I can enter." Xiaoyao pointed at the forest and asked.
"You can, but you won't be able to enter our main branch unless you're a disciple. You'll need a disciple token which costs tuition fees."
The representative tried to coax Xiaoyao into paying without realizing how absurd this was; could the high fees possibly be described as 'cheap'
A gold bar had already been spent just for one year's tuition, and another would be required annually. How could an ordinary person afford such costs
"That sign over there is a map. You can remember it or copy it; you don't have to look at it. As long as you reach the Royal Phoenix Clan."
The representative pointed towards a notice board with a complex map.
"Alright, let's go!" Xiaoyao glanced and then led Guxing away.
That was interesting—the representative thought—hadn't he just said it didn't matter whether they looked at the map or not If lost later on, they'd be on their own. Don’t underestimate this task...
The Royal Phoenix Clan wasn't in the center of the river domain but deep within it; reaching there required navigating complex terrain impossible without a map unless someone guided them.
Could this boy know about such guides
"Do you want to reach the Royal Phoenix Clan smoothly We'll guide you for just a few silver coins."
When Xiaoyao and Guxing walked off, several people approached offering their services. These guides helped many enter the clan every year; wealthy young men could provide generous tips.
A couple of good tips would sustain these guides for years—over just a few weeks!
The Royal Phoenix Clan allowed guides and announced that any means were acceptable, so there were plenty of them.
"No money Don't bother me!" Xiaoyao replied bluntly.
...
The others paused in surprise. Did these two really have no money
"Sir and Madam, I'll guide you for just one or two silver coins."
A coin could sustain a person for months; they could earn more tips after guiding several times.
"No thanks, we really don't have any money. If possible, I'd like to be the guide and earn some money." Xiaoyao shook his head and left with Guxing without further ado.
No guides, no map—did that boy already know this place
The representative was puzzled but could only speculate; it was the most plausible explanation.
He couldn't believe Xiaoyao had memorized the entire map in such a short time. Not just Xiaoyao, Guxing had done so too—Xiaoyao didn't need to ask to know this fact.
Xiaoyao didn't leave the small town immediately; he first gathered some information and asked around about the situation. Though he refused their services, he still wanted to understand the lay of the land better.
The people who had seen Xianyao initially didn’t want to chat with him, but this wasn't a problem for Xianyao. He gradually opened up the conversation and didn't directly ask about the inside situation; instead, he casually mentioned some things, revealing information that Xianyao needed without these people realizing.
These people thought they hadn’t said anything important, but in fact, everything Xianyao wanted to know was already obtained. Even things he didn't intend to find out were known by him.
Next, Xianyao talked with the town residents, who weren't the guides but knew slightly more than them.
This is because these guides would boast about their experiences and events while guiding others, and their audience was usually ordinary townspeople.
After gathering intelligence, Xianyao planned out a safe route. Although it might not be the shortest path, he'd encounter fewer problems and wouldn't waste unnecessary time.
A person watching him felt pleasantly surprised by his actions.
This kid has potential; he knows to gather information first. Intelligence is crucial in military matters; a single piece of intelligence can change an entire war’s outcome.
He says he's a servant, so does this mean that he listens to the girl named Loner Star
Xianyao’s actions made it seem like they were driven by Loner Star's instructions, which was a common assumption. Consequently, Loner Star started receiving positive feedback.
Some people might not know that when the Phoenix Clan asks you to go to their main residence on your own, this is actually an examination. Everything you do along the way can be recorded in your evaluation.
This isn't about who reaches there fastest; various factors will be taken into account. The clan would give a temporary ranking based on all these aspects.
One could work to change this initial ranking later, but having a good start would certainly provide an advantage!
Xianyao was aware of this but didn't care much since Loner Star’s rank wouldn’t matter regardless. He also wouldn’t do anything special just to lower her rank; he’d naturally handle things without caring whether it was high or low.
The next day, after getting enough rest, Xianyao and Loner Star started heading towards the Phoenix Clan's main residence on foot. Their horses were sold off as they weren't suitable for this leg of the journey.
Initially, there were still many people along the way—others also going to the Phoenix Clan—but later, fewer people could be seen since everyone chose different routes.
Interestingly enough, after walking half a day, Xianyao found another group ahead who shared the same route. Up until now, this group had chosen the exact path that Xianyao did.
Xianyao saw it as a coincidence; however, the other party didn't think so!
"Why are you following us"
One of them, an elegant young nobleman, turned around and asked Xianyao. They thought he was trailing behind to get their way clear.
This behavior was both revolting and uncomfortable!
Their patience wore thin until one person snapped; the rest stopped and stared at Xianyao, waiting for an explanation.
“Excuse me, may I pass”
Xianyao sidestepped without giving them a reason. He didn’t feel like explaining it was just chance; they would understand eventually.
If he walks ahead, that means he’s not following you. If you’re walking in front and think we're following you, then the situation is clear.
"…"
Xianyao's actions made them even more irritated; did he disregard their presence
“Let them walk ahead. I want to see what path they take!” said the young nobleman, thinking Xianyao was acting out of necessity after being found.
If these two weren’t following him, his previous irritation would dissipate.
To that end, they deliberately slowed down their pace and let Xianyao get further ahead. But then, they noticed the duo remained in front and on their route.
“Could it be they're following us They also want to take this path No, impossible, I meticulously planned this route for a month!!” The young nobleman thought it couldn’t possibly be that Xianyao had calculated the same route; it must have been sheer coincidence.
He didn't believe someone else could calculate such an intricate route. Even calculating half of what he did seemed impossible to him, as no one was as intelligent as he was! (To Be Continued) me!!” Daoist逍遙 roared.Others might hesitate, but isn't it unnecessary for someone who hasn't even突破ed the fundamentals, like Profound Freedom Even if they were to listen, there would still be a degre...