Chapter 132: Bamboo Shoots After the Rain

While Ye Junze was quietly enjoying his solitary, delicious meal, a highly confidential meeting was taking place within the Department of Daoist Arts.

The gathering was held in the same room where Li Xi, Yin Jia, and the others had been previously. By now, a significant number of people had assembled inside.

Director Liu, seated at the head of the table, surveyed everyone seated around him and spoke up: "Is everyone here?"

Hearing the question, Li Xi, who was sitting nearby, replied, "Reporting to Director Liu, Lei Fan said he had some matters to attend to, but he will be here shortly."

Director Liu nodded to show he understood and let out a soft sound of acknowledgment. He then asked, "What about the others?"

"Uncle Liu, the rest should be arriving soon as well," Yin Jia replied this time.

Director Liu nodded. "Very well, let us wait a little longer."

The others present had no objections and nodded in agreement.

They did not have to wait long before the room door was opened from the outside. Looking up, the person leading the group was indeed Lei Fan, accompanied by several unfamiliar faces—presumably the remaining individuals who had not yet arrived.

As soon as Lei Fan entered, he cupped his hands in a salute, his tone filled with apology. "Director Liu, my apologies. Something came up, and it delayed me a bit."

The people following him also offered their apologies in turn.

Director Liu waved his hand in dismissal. "It is fine. As long as you have arrived, that is all that matters. Please take your seats."

The group quickly found their places and sat down.

Observing the assembled crowd, Director Liu spoke again: "Is everyone present now?"

Li Xi looked up and scanned the room, as if counting the attendees. After a moment, he nodded and turned to Director Liu. "Director Liu, everyone is here now."

"Good." Director Liu nodded with satisfaction, cast an appreciative glance at Li Xi, and continued, "Since everyone has arrived, let us begin."

The people around the table nodded in unison and replied, "Yes, Director."

Director Liu nodded and went on. "The primary purpose of calling everyone here today is to discuss the Academy Grand Tournament scheduled for two months from now, and to review the events of the first week of classes for the freshmen of the Daoist Arts Department. I hope all the teachers present will report everything you know truthfully."

Most of those present were teachers, and hearing this, they nodded to signify their understanding.

Director Liu waved his hand, looking at the group. "Let us save the most important matters for last. Everyone, please start by discussing what happened during your classes this semester."

He then seemed to recall something and added, "The senior students should not have too many issues, so let us start with the teachers of the first-year students."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, having no objections.

Director Liu’s gaze swept across Li Xi, Yin Jia, Lei Fan, Sun Yu, and Fang Lin. "So, teachers of the first year, who would like to go first?"

"Allow me to start," Li Xi said, standing up. He looked first at Director Liu and then at the other teachers. "If I have missed anything, I hope the other teachers will help fill in the gaps."

Yin Jia smiled and replied, "That goes without saying."

Lei Fan gave an honest, hearty laugh. "No problem at all, leave it to Old Lei."

Sun Yu, with a face full of gentle warmth, waved his hand like a spring breeze. "Gladly."

Fang Lin also said with a smile, "Don't worry, if you leave anything out, I will be sure to remind you."

Li Xi nodded. "Then I thank you all."

Yin Jia waved his hand nonchalantly, urging him, "Alright, just get on with it."

Li Xi, unbothered, turned back to face Director Liu and the other teachers and administrative staff of the Daoist Arts Department. He spoke slowly: "As you are all aware, the enrollment situation for our department this year resulted in sixty new students. After nearly a week, forty of these freshmen have successfully broken through to the early stage of Qi Refining, while the remaining twenty are already on the verge of doing so."

Everyone present looked visibly surprised, and joy appeared on their faces. It was as if they had not expected the news brought by Li Xi to be so delightful. If what Li Xi said was true, the aptitude of this year's freshmen was indeed remarkable. The fact that so many had broken through in just a week truly astonished the teachers. After all, although the previous year's class had fewer students, the number of those who had managed to break through the early stage of Qi Refining in the first week could be counted on one hand.

Director Liu’s expression betrayed a joy he could not hide, though he suppressed it to maintain composure, feigning a calm demeanor as he said, "Not bad, not bad at all. It is clear that the aptitude of this year's freshmen is truly excellent."

Although his tone was flat, only he knew how overjoyed he was inside.

However, the news Li Xi had to report was clearly not over yet.

He then dropped another bombshell on the group.

"Among those forty students who have broken through the early stage of Qi Refining," Li Xi continued, "seven have already reached the middle stage of Qi Refining."

The group, sitting firmly on their wooden chairs, could no longer hide their shock upon hearing this. They exclaimed in disbelief, "What?!"

A middle-aged man, who appeared to have some seniority, looked at Li Xi and said, "Young Li, are you certain? You should know that lying here is not tolerated, and you are well aware of the consequences of such deceit."

Li Xi looked at the middle-aged man, but his response was directed at everyone. "With so many seniors present, I would naturally not dare to speak a single half-truth. If there was any falsehood in what I just said, I would willingly accept punishment."

Director Liu waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "I naturally trust what Li Xi says. Everyone, please do not doubt him."

Although the middle-aged man nodded, he still couldn't help but argue, "But how is it possible for them to cultivate so quickly? Even with the many Spirit Gathering Arrays installed in our academy, such a rate of cultivation is truly mind-boggling."

Director Liu smiled and said dismissively, "Don't forget that over the past two years, the recovery of spiritual energy in the world has been much more rapid than in previous years. Having gone through this, some people's physical aptitudes have naturally undergone immense transformation. For those with exceptional talent, such a speed of cultivation is not a difficult task. Of course, this also has much to do with our Spirit Gathering Array."

The middle-aged man pondered this for a moment, then slowly nodded. "That is true. I understand now."

Seeing that the man was no longer dwelling on the issue, Director Liu turned back to Li Xi. "In that case, the seven people you mentioned must have quite exceptional talent?"

Li Xi replied respectfully, "Yes. At the very least, the cultivation talent and aptitude for the Dao they have displayed so far are indeed far superior to ordinary people."

"Excellent, truly excellent. What are the names of these seven? Tell us so that we old fellows may get to know them," Director Liu said with satisfaction.

Li Xi nodded and replied, "Reporting to the Director, these individuals are Ye Junze, Yun Tianhan, Li Ling, Fan Yan, Lu Renjia, Bai Shi, and Yan Qing."

The people in the room began to repeat the names Li Xi had just mentioned.

Director Liu’s reaction, however, was slightly different. He let out a soft exclamation: "Oh? Ye Junze is among them again?"

Li Xi nodded. "Indeed. I have mentioned him to you before, Director; I assume you still have some impression of him."

Director Liu nodded, indicating he remembered.

Seeing this, Li Xi turned to the others. "That is all for my report on the current cultivation progress of this year's freshmen."

Director Liu smiled and praised him. "Well done. Is there anything else to add?"

Li Xi shook his head to indicate there was not.

Seeing this, Director Liu signaled with his hand, "Very well, you may sit down."

Li Xi slowly took his seat.

"Does anyone else have anything to add?" Director Liu asked, his gaze sweeping over Yin Jia, Fang Lin, Sun Yu, and Lei Fan.

Yin Jia stood up and answered, "Then let me discuss their performance in class."

"That would be good." Director Liu nodded. He then seemed to recall something and looked at the others, saying, "In that case, the rest of you may also share your observations on how the freshmen performed in class this past week."

Fang Lin and the others replied, "Yes."

Subsequently, Yin Jia recounted the performance of the outstanding students in his class one by one, sharing his own thoughts throughout the process.

With Yin Jia having set the precedent, it was easy for the rest to follow. Each of them, following Yin Jia's lead, took their turn to speak at an unhurried pace.

As they spoke, the joy on Director Liu's face became almost tangible, as if he were extremely satisfied with the performance of this year's freshmen. And that was only what he displayed on the surface; the joy in his heart had reached a torrential peak.

*Truly like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, one after another,* Director Liu thought to himself.