Chapter 272 - 138: Luo Feng’s Shock: Zhang Su Actually Has Upper Third-Grade Gang Power?

Young and full of spirit, thinking you’re different from everyone else.

Thinking you can defy fate through sheer effort.

Once that spirit fades, you end up just like the rest of them.

Zhang Su didn’t hear their mutterings.

Even if he had, he wouldn’t have cared.

He followed the bluestone path back to Courtyard Number Eight.

The courtyard was quiet; none of the others had returned yet.

Only the old pagoda tree in the center of the courtyard was RUSTLING in the wind.

Zhang Su stood in the courtyard. He had originally planned to ask Luo Feng about practicing Martial Arts on Mixed Element Peak.

But he had been delayed at the Martial Arts Arena.

Besides, since their "paths were different," he figured Luo Feng might not be as friendly toward him as before.

Just as Zhang Su was about to head back to his room, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Luo Feng walked in.

His robes were still damp in a few spots, clearly from when he was waiting on the Official Disciples at the Martial Arts Arena.

Seeing Zhang Su standing in the courtyard, Luo Feng paused for a moment in surprise.

"Junior Brother Zhang, you’re back?"

Luo Feng’s tone was no different than before, still holding a measure of warmth.

"Senior Brother Luo."

Zhang Su nodded.

Luo Feng didn’t say anything more and went straight to his own room.

About an hour later, Luo Feng came out of his room.

He was holding a small booklet.

Luo Feng walked up to Zhang Su and handed the booklet to him.

"Junior Brother Zhang, this is for you."

"Me?"

Zhang Su was a little surprised.

He took the booklet and opened it.

The pages were filled with densely packed writing.

The content was very detailed, covering all sorts of common knowledge about Mixed Element Peak.

Moreover, some of the ink hadn’t even dried, a clear sign it had just been written.

Zhang Su looked up at Luo Feng.

The other man’s fingers were still stained with ink, and there were a few smudges on his cuffs.

"It’s a handbook for newcomers I wrote. Since you just arrived at Mixed Element Peak, Junior Brother Zhang, you must be completely in the dark about everything."

"Besides, since you’ve got that pride about you, you’re bound to work hard at your Martial Arts. Just think of it as me trying to ride your coattails early. If you really do get promoted to a Direct Disciple in the future, just give me a little boost."

Luo Feng said with a smile.

Zhang Su looked at Luo Feng, his heart stirring slightly.

In truth, Zhang Su knew that his actions were somewhat maverick and unsociable.

At the Martial Arts Arena, all the other Named Disciples were fawning over the Official Disciples. He was the only one who just stood there and did nothing.

In the end, he even turned and left.

In the eyes of the other Named Disciples, such behavior was antisocial and a bit arrogant.

He would most likely be ostracized by the other Named Disciples.

He hadn’t expected that not only would Luo Feng not distance himself, but he would actually offer help.

The common knowledge in this booklet was exactly what Zhang Su desperately needed right now.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Luo."

Zhang Su said, cupping his fist to Luo Feng.

"Hah, it’s nothing. I just don’t know how long you can keep that spirit of yours. In any case, having that drive is a good thing..."

Luo Feng waved his hand dismissively.

But a hint of loneliness and disappointment flickered in his eyes.

He too had once been full of that same spirit.

When he first arrived at Mixed Element Peak, he had been full of vigor, believing he could become an Official Disciple, or even a Direct Disciple, through hard work.

But alas...

Luo Feng said no more and turned back to his room.

The door closed, leaving Zhang Su alone in the courtyard.

He looked down at the booklet in his hands and was silent for a moment.

Then, he turned and went into his room.

The room was a bit dark, so Zhang Su lit an oil lamp. He sat at the table and carefully read through the newcomer’s handbook Luo Feng had written.

The contents of the booklet were written in great detail.

From the layout of Mixed Element Peak to the purpose of its various locations, the benefits available to Named Disciples, and all the different rules—everything was written down.

Zhang Su read, silently committing it all to memory.

According to the handbook, he now knew how to go about practicing Martial Arts.

Mixed Element Peak had a Martial Arts Hall located on the eastern side of the mountainside, not far from Courtyard Number Eight.

The Martial Arts Hall housed various Martial Arts Secret Manuals, and Named Disciples could purchase Martial Arts with silver.

If there was something they couldn’t understand and wanted guidance on, they could also spend silver to consult the Instructors in the Martial Arts Hall.

The Instructors’ fees were not cheap.

In short, for a Named Disciple in the Upper Sect to practice Martial Arts, they had to spend silver.

Without silver, you could do nothing.

Official Disciples, however, were different.

They could redeem several Martial Arts for free, and they also had a few opportunities each month to consult Instructors without charge.

On this point alone, Official Disciples were far better off than Named Disciples.

In fact, the difference between the two could be seen in the disparity of their treatment.

Named Disciples received almost no benefits.

Aside from a title and a place to live, they had to pay for everything themselves.

Only Official Disciples could barely be considered true disciples of the Upper Sect.

The gap between the two was immense.

However, there was one free public lecture given by an Instructor each month.

Whether you were an Official Disciple, a Named Disciple, or even a servant, you could attend.

The public lecture was held in the great lecture hall of Mixed Element Peak. It was held once a month at an unfixed time, so one had to keep an eye out for it.

However, the Martial Arts the Instructor lectured on were specific and might not match what a disciple was practicing.

Sometimes the lecture was about Martial Techniques, other times about Martial Arts.

If you got lucky, you could learn something.

If not, you could only wait for the next one.

So, it all came down to luck.

After finishing the booklet, Zhang Su truly and deeply understood the hardships of being a Named Disciple.

Being a Named Disciple only meant you didn’t have to do menial chores.

In reality, they were no different from the servants.

Everything had to be bought with money.

Fortunately, Zhong Wangji had left Zhang Su a considerable amount of silver.