Hearing this, Tang Youyou nodded silently. To prevent the store owner from getting too excited, she subconsciously pulled the kettle closer to her.
She was afraid that in his excitement, the man might smash the kettle on the table for effect.
The store owner rambled on, "Moreover, according to the legend, the abbot is a celestial beauty, a female immortal. She's highly skilled in medicine and peerless in martial arts. She comes and goes like a being who doesn't eat the mortal world's fireworks."
At this point, the store owner suddenly choked up. "It's a pity that such a wonderful person is no longer with us. To commemorate this saint, we've built one temple after another for her. Just walk a few steps ahead, and you'll see them."
Perhaps the store owner was so engrossed in his story that he even forgot to collect the money when they left. Tang Youyou left the silver on the steamer and strode away.
Tang Youyou recalled what the store owner had said.
The grand elder of Bai Yun Peak was a gentle and amiable person, and his bone - setting technique was the best in the world.
The second elder of Qing Yun Peak had a fiery temper, and his medicine - making skills were also top - notch in the world.
The third elder of Chi Yun Peak was a taciturn man. His forte was pill - condensing, and he had the most students.
The fourth elder of Lan Yun Peak was a just and upright young nobleman. With his excellent acupuncture skills, he had won the position of the pavilion master of Lan Yun Peak.
However, the fifth elder of the Library Peak was rather strange. No one seemed to know anything about this person.
Apprentices who had nowhere else to go to study, or those who were at the end of their rope in the Western Regions, would reluctantly choose to go to that towering attic full of books.
This fifth elder rarely showed up. Even if his disciples ran around, he wouldn't interfere much.
This was why the apprentices studying under him had the most carefree time.
But then again, these apprentices didn't seem to learn much.
However, Tang Youyou was intrigued by this fifth elder. There must be something hidden about this person, or perhaps he had real skills but didn't want to be noticed by the world.
How interesting!
Tang Youyou arranged a place for the old man to stay and repeatedly told him not to wander around.
"If you get lost while wandering around, I really won't be able to save you," were the last words Tang Youyou left.
The old man quickly agreed. If those old rascals found out about his presence in this place, they'd probably swallow him alive.
Just as Tang Youyou was about to leave, Old Tang finally spoke up again. "Girl, don't go to Chi Yun Peak. The students there usually go in but never come out, and they recruit the most students. This is extremely suspicious. You must be careful!"
Tang Youyou nodded upon hearing this and then turned around to set foot on the road to Qing Yun Peak.
Looking at the apprentices coming and going, each of their faces was very young. Some of them showed surprise when they saw Tang Youyou.
"My goodness! A poor - looking person like her can come to the Western Regions to study. Does she really think they'll accept anyone here?"
"Hahaha..."
For a moment, these people burst into laughter. Among the thousands of students, more than half of them were mocking Tang Youyou for her "foolhardiness."
Tang Youyou finally made it from the foot of the mountain to the peak. Looking at the students waiting there morning and night, each of them was looking at the elders in front of them with expectant eyes.
All the elders had come today except for the fifth elder.
The grand elder was as humble and kind as the legend had it, while the second elder was the one in charge.
"Alright, alright, be quiet! What are you all making a ruckus for on Qing Feng Mountain? If you don't want to stay here, just go back!"
As soon as the second elder spoke, those who had been pointing at Tang Youyou quickly shut their mouths.
It seemed that the fifth elder of the Library Peak had gradually faded from people's memories. Even during the recruitment, he didn't bother to come.
Tang Youyou had already made her choice among these elders. She glanced at the most low - key one among the four elders.
Although this fourth elder was called an elder, his acupuncture and pulse - taking skills were first - rate. However, the apprentices who came here every year were generally mediocre, so he rarely took in apprentices actively.
The second elder finally spoke.
"Today, all of you have come to the Western Regions, and the elders are very pleased. But since you're here, you must abide by our rules."
"Our rule is to listen to us and do only what we approve of."
"All of you students must go through numerous tests to stay here, and the first test is herb recognition."
Upon hearing this, the disciples all looked happy. But the second elder's next words stripped away all their joy.
"The herbs you need to identify are all over this mountain. You need to pick the required herbs according to the given diagram within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."
At the second elder's order, a disciple in the distance lit an incense stick. The smoke rose higher and higher with the wind.
The test had begun!
It would be okay if they only had to distinguish among a few specific herbs. But in this mountain, with thousands of herbs mixed together, it was a near - impossible task. Herbs with similar shapes grew together. Unless one had extremely sharp judgment, it would be very difficult to find the right ones, not to mention doing it within the time it took for an incense stick to burn.
Among the many disciples, Tang Youyou seemed the most composed. Her small frame made her look weak and helpless in front of the many boys.
But even so, she exuded a strange sense of pressure, which made many people notice her actions.
The boy who had mocked her earlier walked over with a sneer. "Well, can't you find them? I've already told you that a poor student like you only deserves to stay in that shabby place!"
Tang Youyou remained silent, ignoring the boy's words. As her eyes swept across, she clearly saw the herb she was looking for.
She calmly picked up a plant on the ground and was about to leave when the boy grabbed her shoulder relentlessly.
The already thin Tang Youyou was forced to stop.
The boy looked at Tang Youyou's face and coldly spoke.