Fan Lan looked at the changes in everyone's expressions and said, "Junior brothers, I think you've all learned something. However, although the Six Orthodoxy Seals can show you the general direction of the mystery, if you want to truly find it, you'll need to continue reading the seals. You're all outstanding among your peers, so according to Xuanfu's custom, I'll first pass down a seal to you."
As soon as these words were spoken, the students sitting here all revealed expressions of joy.
Zhang Yu, on the other hand, thought about it even more and said: "From the looks of it, the Profound Palace's teachings, at least on the surface, follow certain rules. It's just that I still don't know the specifics of this place."
He was used to trying to figure out the local customs and rules whenever he went to a place.
This was a habit from his previous life, but it was also to protect himself so that he could blend in better with the group. However, Xuanfu didn't seem to be prepared to explain this to them, so he could only observe and explore in the future.
At this moment, Fan Lan's expression became serious and he said, "Junior brothers, don't be in such a hurry to be happy. Reading any seal requires Divine Essence. Senior brother Xiang explained clearly to you yesterday that before you come into contact with the mystery, there's a limit to how much Divine Essence you can use to read each seal. Every bit you use is a bit less. So, after the seals are bestowed, whether you want to use them or not is something you need to carefully consider."
With this reminder, the students unconsciously calmed down a little, but they also began to hesitate.
Fan Lan called over an assistant and gave a few instructions. Not long after the assistant left, he returned with a jade plate. On it were brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, as well as two-finger-wide bamboo sticks.
He said, "Junior brothers, you can write down the seals you've already decided on. Xuanfu will bestow the corresponding seals accordingly."
Bai Qingqing glanced at Zhang Yu. He first stood up and took a step forward. Then, with his back to the others, he picked up the brush and wrote a word on the bamboo stick.
The reason he acted this way was because he didn't want anyone to know which seal he was interested in first.
However, everyone present was skilled in calligraphy. If they paid close attention, they could still see what he was writing from his subtle movements. So, this was to guard against a gentleman but not a villain.
After Bai Qingqing finished writing, he threw down the brush, cupped his hands at Fan Lan, and walked down.
The remaining three students looked at Zhang Yu. Among the crowd, only he and Bai Qingqing could see the three seals right away. So, if he didn't go up, the others didn't dare to go up first.
Zhang Yu thought for a moment. Then, he stood up and walked over. He received the brush and paper, and wrote down a word. He put down the brush, clasped his hands in front of Fan Lan, and returned to his original seat.
Only then did the three students step forward one by one and write down their impressions.
Fan Lan took it over and looked at it once. She also took a brush and wrote her name on every bamboo stick. Then, she personally covered all the bamboo sticks with silk and sealed them into different wooden boxes. Finally, she sealed them with a seal and instructed the assistant to put a wax seal on them.
He smiled and said, "Junior Brothers, you can go back and wait. Before noon, I will submit the sealed box. At the latest, there will be a result by tomorrow."
When the disciples heard this, they all stood up and clasped their hands to bid farewell.
At this moment, Fan Lan seemed to think of something and said, "Oh right, Junior Brother Zhang, wait a moment. I have a few words to say to you."
Several students couldn't help but look at her enviously. Bai Qingqing's footsteps paused slightly, but he didn't look back. Instead, he quickened his pace and left.
After everyone had left, Fan Lan smiled and called out to Zhang Yu, "Junior Brother Zhang, come and sit with me."
Zhang Yu came to the pavilion and sat down across from her. He said, "Senior Brother Fan, do you have something to say to me?"
Fan Lan smiled and said, "It's nothing. Junior Brother Zhang, after you leave the residence tomorrow, if you see Junior Sister Xin Yao, please say hello for me."
"Xin Shijiao?"
When Zhang Yu heard this, he thought to himself, "Looks like Xin Shijiao is indeed someone from Xuanfu." “
However, he realized that Fan Lan seemed to have misunderstood something, so he said, "Senior Brother Fan, I'm not familiar with Xin Shijiao, but if I see her, I'll definitely pass on your message."
Fan Lan was surprised. She looked at him and saw that he was calm and unperturbed. She smiled and said, "Junior Brother Zhang's apprenticeship invitation was presented by Junior Sister Xin Yao. I originally thought that you two were familiar with each other, but now it seems that I was overthinking things. Junior Sister Xin Yao recommended an outstanding talent to Xuanfu this time. "
Zhang Yu was slightly surprised. So his apprenticeship invitation was delivered to Xuanfu by Xin Yao? No wonder she received it within two days after I handed it in. He cupped his hands and said, "I didn't know about this. Thank you for telling me, Senior Brother Fan."
Fan Lan waved his hand and said, "Ah, there's no need to thank me. You'll find out about this sooner or later." He covered his mouth with his fist and coughed. "When you see Junior Sister Xin Yao, don't tell her that I told her. She doesn't like other people making decisions for her."
Zhang Yu thought about it and immediately understood. He nodded and said, "I understand." He stood up and cupped his hands. "Senior Brother Fan, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Okay, take care, Junior Brother."
Fan Lan also stood up and bowed to see him off.
After Zhang Yu left, Fan Lan turned sideways and looked at a delicate camellia next to him. He smiled and hummed a tune softly. He seemed to be in a good mood.
At that moment, an assistant walked over and whispered, "Master Fan, Bai Qingqing requests to see you."
Fan Lan was not surprised at all. "Let him come in."
The assistant went to greet him. A moment later, Bai Qingqing walked in from outside. He went to the front of the pavilion and cupped his hands. "Senior Brother Fan."
Fan Lan stood in the pavilion with his hands behind his back and smiled. "Junior Brother Bai, is there anything else you need from me?"
Bai Qingqing said, "I went back and thought about it carefully. I felt that there was something wrong with the seal I wrote just now, so I came back to ask if you can change it, Senior Brother Fan."
Fan Lan looked at him meaningfully and said, "Of course you can. Before I submit the signed document, you can change it. However, I can tell you that everyone here today is a gentleman. No one will peek at the way you use the brush. If you want the seal's name, I will record this matter and submit it to the higher-ups. So, do you still insist on changing it? "
Bai Qingqing said without hesitation, "Yes!"
Fan Lan was also straightforward. He immediately had his assistant bring over a brush, ink, and bamboo stick for him to change it.
Bai Qingqing took the brush and flicked his wrist, causing the ink to fall onto it. When the ink was dry, he held it up with both hands and handed it over.
Fan Lan did not look at it carefully. He still sealed the seal according to the order from before. As for the wooden box that sealed the bamboo stick, he did not return it to Bai Qingqing and left it there.
Bai Qingqing clasped his hands in greeting and retreated with large strides.
Fan Lan thought to himself, This Bai Qingqing doesn't trust people easily. He knows how to find loopholes in existing rules. Once he's made a decision, he won't change it. He's indeed a talent.
Although Bai Qingqing thought deeply and was a little impatient for instant success, this was not a bad thing in Fan Lan's eyes. On the path of cultivation, it was precisely because of obsession that people were more focused. Moreover, as far as he knew, this kind of person was actually more appreciated by his senior brothers.
He waited for a while longer. Seeing that no one else came, he said to his assistant, "Take the things and come with me to the hall."
After Zhang Yu returned, he saw that the doors of all the students were tightly shut. Clearly, they were all trying to accumulate more divine essence. He also walked straight into his own residence. After closing the door, he washed up a little and took a few Origin Pills. He sat on the bed and began to breathe.
However, he did not use the breathing technique that Fan Lan had taught him. Instead, he used his original breathing technique.
Not only could this technique boost his mind and replace sleep, but it could also condense divine essence. Most importantly, after several years of continuous cultivation, this had practically become his body's instinct. If he used another breathing technique, he might not be able to adapt.
The day passed quietly as everyone cultivated. When the sun rose, someone came to knock on the door of Zhang Yu and the others' residence, inviting Fan Lan in.
Zhang Yu tidied up a little and pushed his way out. When he walked out of the hall, he just happened to see Bai Qingqing walk out with a jade box in his hand. The person nodded at him and walked away with large strides.
The assistant gestured at the stairs of the hall and said, "Gentleman Zhang, Master Fan invites you in."
Zhang Yu walked into the hall and saw Fan Lan standing there waiting for him. He went up to greet him.
After returning the greeting, Fan Lan said with a smile, "Junior Brother Zhang, on the bamboo stick you filled in, it clearly states that the seal most compatible with you is the 'body seal'. Therefore, Xuanfu has bestowed this seal upon you."
He waved his hand, and an assistant brought over a tray. On it was a slender wooden box and a book.
"Junior Brother Zhang, the seal is inside the wooden box. After you've read the book, if you have no objections, please leave your name and seal on it. This will be recorded in Xuanfu's book for verification."
Zhang Yu picked up the book and flipped through it. He saw the name of the seal bestowed by Xuanfu written on it. Below it was the specific date of the seal, as well as the name and seal of the person who gave it to him.
After reading it, he took a brush from the assistant and wrote his name on it. He took out his personal seal and stamped it. After doing this, he took the wooden box and put it into his sleeve.
Fan Lan said with a smile, "Junior Brother Zhang, if there's nothing else, you can leave the residence today."
Zhang Yu looked up and said, "Oh? I can leave the residence already? "
Fan Lan nodded and said, "I've already taught you what I need to teach you. As long as we have enough Spirit Essence, we can cultivate. We don't need to sit and polish all day long, nor do we need to ponder profound principles. Of course, if you've finished reading the seal that I've taught you, you can come back to the residence at any time. Xuanfu will see your specific progress before deciding whether to give you a new seal."
Zhang Yu thought for a moment and said, "In other words, if I want to read a new seal, I have to ask Xuanfu for it every time? Is there anything particular about this? "
Fan Lan said with a smile, "Of course. Without Xuanfu's teachings, how can you obtain a seal to read?" He paused. "Sometimes, Xuanfu will ask you to do some things. If you do well, they won't hesitate to give you a seal. However, you've just entered the sect. Even if they give you a seal now, you won't have enough Spirit Essence to read it, so there's no need to think too much about it. Just strengthen your foundation first."
Zhang Yu nodded and clasped his hands. "Many thanks for Senior Brother Fan's advice. In the future, I might have to ask Senior Brother Fan for help. I'll take my leave first."
Fan Lan said, "No problem, no problem." He clasped his hands and returned the gesture. "Then I won't see you out."
Zhang Yu turned and walked out of the pavilion. At this time, he looked back and saw the Golden Crow descending from the west. Red clouds filled the sky and half disappeared above the cornice. It was exceptionally magnificent, but it was gradually swallowed up by the rising curtain of night.
He retracted his gaze and returned to the residence. After bidding farewell to Zheng Yu, he left Xuanfu. When he passed by the ancient statue, he stopped for a moment to absorb a bit of Origin Energy. Only then did he walk back to his original residence before nightfall.
He took a bath and washed his face, changed into a loose Taoist robe, and sat on a praying mat. After a moment of breathing and calming his mind, he picked up the wooden box that Xuanfu had given him and opened it.
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