Seize the day in one's youth, for one cannot remain forever young. Chapter 133: The First Official Class

“All right, all right...” Bai Qingzhou called a halt to the laughter filling the classroom. Once things had settled somewhat, he turned to Cao Mo and said, “And you—do not bring up such romantic matters during lessons in the future!”

“Yes!” Cao Mo replied cheerfully, without the slightest embarrassment.

Bai Qingzhou waved for him to sit down. After a light cough, he adopted a serious expression and said, “Now, let us officially begin the lesson. Since four new disciples have joined us today, I shall take this opportunity to review some geographical knowledge with everyone, so that you may understand how the regions are divided and where we are currently located.”

When Bai Qingzhou began teaching, everyone listened attentively. Even Ying Chu, who had been lying shyly with his face buried against the desk, hurriedly raised his head and watched Bai Qingzhou with earnest attention.

“The land beneath our feet is known as the Nine Provinces. The provinces are primarily divided according to mountains and rivers. In ancient times, mighty cultivators divided the entire land into nine great provinces: the Central Province, Cloud Province, Separation Province, Thunder Province, Chu Province, Star Province, Radiant Province, Vast Heaven Province, and Abundant Province.

“Our Profound Sun Sect is located in the Separation Province. The Separation Province lies at the extreme southwestern edge of the entire continent, and thus the only province bordering it is Chu Province.”

“The Separation Province is vast beyond measure. Without magical artifacts for flight, an ordinary person traveling on foot from its northernmost reaches to its southernmost would need to press onward day and night for several decades before arriving. For the sake of convenient administration, the ancient cultivators of the Separation Province divided the entire region into ten areas. These areas are known as prefectures, and our Profound Sun Sect is one of the sects belonging to Riverfront Prefecture.”

The string of explanations caused the four children to widen their eyes, staring at Bai Qingzhou in astonishment.

Even the disciples who had already joined the sect listened with great interest. After all, they spent most of their days cultivating on the mountain and knew little about the divisions of the wider world.

“Riverfront Prefecture? Are we and Dragon-Tiger Mountain both part of Riverfront Prefecture?” Chen Lin, seated at the very front, suddenly asked.

“That is correct. Though, there is no Dragon-Tiger Mountain anymore...” Bai Qingzhou gave a soft laugh before continuing. “Riverfront Prefecture is home to many sects, imperial dynasties, and alliances. Each is a regional hegemon, possessing vast territories and formidable power. Our Profound Sun Sect, together with more than thirty other sects, forms an alliance known to outsiders as the Limitless Alliance. It is our alliance.”

At his words, everyone cried out in surprise.

No one had ever imagined that the Profound Sun Sect, which had seemed like a colossal existence in their eyes, was merely a small sect within this region.

Bai Qingzhou looked at the strange brilliance in their eyes and felt deeply moved. Their expressions were exactly like his own had been when he first heard this knowledge—filled with wonder and disbelief.

After all, for someone who had never known anything about the world to suddenly learn what that world was like from another person was an extraordinary sensation. It was as though a wondrous, bottomless box had been opened before them, inspiring an endless desire to explore.

“Senior Brother Bai, I have a question!” a young voice suddenly called out.

Bai Qingzhou looked up and saw a boy of about ten holding his hand high. It was He Zuo.

“Go ahead,” Bai Qingzhou said gently, setting down the book in his hands.

“I want to know how long it would take to reach Chu Province from our Profound Sun Sect,” He Zuo asked solemnly.

Bai Qingzhou was slightly taken aback. Looking at He Zuo’s earnest little face, he understood why the boy had asked.

Ever since their senior brother Qin Xiu had died by accident while traveling with Li Yuyun—after Dragon-Tiger Mountain ambushed Li Yuyun—He Zuo and He Li had remained at the Profound Sun Sect.

Qin Xiu had been a native of Chu Province. The two children had become his disciples after he had accepted them on behalf of his own master. Strictly speaking, their sect was in Chu Province, not the Profound Sun Sect.

“You want to go to Chu Province?” Bai Qingzhou asked softly.

“That is only natural...” He Li slowly rose to her feet, her gentle voice carrying throughout the room. “It was because of Senior Brother Qin that we were able to become cultivators. Although he has passed away, we are still disciples of the Celestial Master Sect. We should have returned there in the first place...”

Bai Qingzhou nodded silently, then said slowly, “I understand how you feel. Traveling to Chu Province may take around two years.”

He Zuo’s face brightened, but after thinking for a moment, he stopped and asked, “Didn’t Senior Brother just say that it would take several decades to cross the Separation Province? How can we reach Chu Province in only two years? Even if we have flying artifacts, we couldn’t possibly fly that fast, could we?”

“If we relied solely on flying artifacts, it would indeed take much longer. However, there is a form of transportation in the cultivation world known as a spirit vessel. By taking a spirit vessel, the journey can be greatly shortened, allowing us to reach Chu Province quickly.”

“Does Senior Brother know the exact route to the Celestial Master Sect?”

Bai Qingzhou shook his head. “I do not. However, detailed maps are usually available for purchase in the market towns. If you intend to travel by spirit vessel, it would be best to study a map first before deciding which direction to take.”

He Zuo and He Li exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with delight.

“Thank you for answering our questions, Senior Brother!”

The two of them sat down together.

Watching their happy expressions, Bai Qingzhou fell into thought. For some reason, his mind could not help but return to a certain matter...

After a while, he came back to himself and continued the lesson.

“Since we have mentioned spirit vessels, let me explain a little more. Spirit vessels are generally developed and maintained by powerful regional forces. Within our Limitless Alliance, for example, there are several spirit vessels that constantly travel between the various market towns, transporting cultivators to and fro.

“A spirit vessel is also an exceptionally sturdy defensive artifact. A Foundation Establishment cultivator is stationed aboard each one to protect the safety of the journey. Therefore, whenever we travel, choosing a spirit vessel is generally the best option.”

As soon as he finished speaking, several small hands shot into the air.

“Senior Brother! How much does it cost to ride a spirit vessel?”

“Senior Brother, what is a Foundation Establishment cultivator?”

“Senior Brother, what exactly is a magical artifact?”

And so the questions continued, one after another. Bai Qingzhou merely smiled and answered them all without the slightest impatience.

After spending several years frequenting the market towns, his ability to express himself had long since improved. He could explain most questions with precision and clarity. Moreover, he had often worked outside the sect and had personally witnessed many of the things he described. He was not simply speaking from books, and his explanations were therefore vivid and remarkably concrete.

His words greatly awakened the disciples’ desire to explore the world beyond the mountain.

Seeing the bright, eager light in so many of their eyes, Bai Qingzhou felt immensely satisfied. He knew that he had achieved his purpose: he had planted the seed of freedom in the hearts of his disciples...

[End of chapter]

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