Hidden Within

Hidden Within...

The White Deer Institute held a prominent position in the Moon Continent, garnering a reputation that stood just shy of the transcendent powers. Though not many knew the full extent of the Institute's strength, speculation abounded that it housed several formidable figures, an educated guess more than a fact. The Institute rarely tangled with other powers, a circumstance that fueled the assumption of hidden powerhouses within their walls. But these were mere conjectures; the White Deer Institute's unblemished repute was undeniable. Focused on the art of Divine Inscriptions, they imparted knowledge that could bestow unimaginable effects upon Divine Weapons once inscribed. Despite their emphasis on teachings, they abstained from weapon forging, demanding payment in Yuan Meteor Stones from those wishing to learn. This approach ensured a stable stream of income, further solidifying their standing in the world.

Qin Wentian's investigation had borne fruit, unveiling the true nature of the White Deer Institute. However, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The saying, "Small-time hermits hide in remote places; true hermits don't mind attention," perfectly encapsulated the situation. From a seemingly inconspicuous branch of the erstwhile hidden Azure Faction, the White Deer Institute had risen to its current glory.

Reaching the Institute's entrance, Qin Wentian and his companions were greeted by an air of elegance. A queue of people had already formed, patiently waiting their turn.

"Hey, you're here too?" Fan Le's eyes lit up as he recognized the young woman in the jade-green dress.

Observing Fan Le, the young woman's brow furrowed, suspicions brewing within her.

"Are you also here to study Divine Inscriptions?" Qin Wentian inquired, tempering the young woman's doubts. She nodded in response.

"What a coincidence. Hihi, I'm Fan Le. And you, lovely lady?" Fatty extended his hand, only for it to be conveniently ignored.

"Qin Wentian," he introduced with a smile, prompting the young woman's suspicions to ease slightly.

"Leng Ning," she replied. "Is that little pup in your arms a demonic beast? It's quite adorable."

Little Rascal poked its head from Qin Wentian's embrace, fixing its gaze on Leng Ning. Then, with an enthusiastic gleam in its eyes, it bounded from Qin Wentian's arms, making a beeline for Leng Ning.

Before anyone could react, Little Rascal had nestled its head snugly between Leng Ning's twin peaks. It nuzzled contentedly, emitting enthusiastic barks as it settled down, seemingly completely at ease.

"What an adorable little fellow," Leng Ning remarked, her cold demeanor melting away as she gently caressed Little Rascal's fur.

Observing Little Rascal's blissful expression, Fan Le muttered ominously, arms akimbo. What a lecherous puppy.

With a sweep of his gaze across the crowd, Qin Wentian inquired of Leng Ning, "There are quite a number of people here. Are they all aspiring to join the Institute for Divine Inscription studies?"

Leng Ning glanced at Qin Wentian, her question carrying a hint of intrigue. "Are you visitors from other continents?"

"Yes, we've journeyed from a distant place," Qin Wentian responded.

"That explains it. The White Deer Institute opens its doors for recruitment only once a month. You're quite fortunate; your arrival coincides with the recruitment period. They provide guidance for a month, and if your performance in the Dao of Divine Inscriptions showcases potential, you can stay and cultivate here. If not, the White Deer Institute won't prolong your stay needlessly. Of course, for those who exhibit remarkable mastery of Divine Inscriptions, the Institute might extend an offer to join as a guest elder," Leng Ning explained, having formed a favorable impression of Qin Wentian and therefore taking the time to enlighten him.

"By the way, how skilled are you in the Dao of Divine Inscriptions? If you lack talent, there's no sense in squandering Yuan Meteor Stones," Leng Ning added. Her intent wasn't to belittle him but rather to offer genuine advice.

"I'd say I'm decent," Qin Wentian replied humbly. In reality, his expertise in the Dao of Divine Inscriptions was already of a level that would qualify him as an instructor for the students. Not that he intended to boast about it.

"You certainly do seem like you're from a distant place," Leng Ning quipped, rolling her eyes. "Decent? When it comes to the Dao of Divine Inscriptions, not many would dare describe themselves as 'decent.' While you might be easy on the eyes, your words are rather inflated. Perhaps you're unaware that several students here at the White Deer Institute have attained astonishing mastery in the Dao of Divine Inscriptions."

"If you're considering registering for the examination and benefiting from a month of guidance, it will cost you a total of ten third-layer Yuan Meteor Stones," Leng Ning informed them, a charitable gesture on her part.

"That expensive?" Qin Wentian exclaimed, perspiring lightly. In Chu, ten third-layer Yuan Meteor Stones would already be considered a substantial fortune. For many, gathering such wealth could involve countless risky forays into the perilous Dark Forest.

Leng Ning's observation of Qin Wentian's surprise only solidified her suspicion. He seemed like a big fish in a small pond, blissfully unaware of the vastness beyond.

"Yeah, but if you possess sufficient talent and reach a high level of proficiency in the Dao of Divine Inscriptions, you can easily inscribe them onto Divine Weapons and sell them off. Why fret over not recouping your initial investment?" Leng Ning glanced at Qin Wentian before continuing, "Furthermore, Divine Inscriptions are the foundation of the Dao of Formations. For a skilled Divine Inscriptionist, not only can they excel in crafting weapons, but once they attain a high level, they can also establish powerful formations. So, would ten third-layer Yuan Meteor Stones truly be considered a steep price?"

"I see," Qin Wentian nodded. The concept of Formations was entirely foreign to him back in Chu. It seemed that Chu was indeed a confined realm.

"Does the White Deer Institute possess a considerable level of expertise in Divine Inscriptions?" Qin Wentian inquired again, eager to gain concrete information about just how formidable this branch of the 'hidden' Azure Faction might be.

Leng Ning found herself at a loss for words. Rolling her eyes, she opted not to respond, leaving Qin Wentian laughing awkwardly.

"Everyone," a short while later, an elderly man emerged from the White Deer Institute, smiling as he addressed the crowd. "Follow me inside."

The crowd nodded and followed the elderly man into the institute.

In actuality, the White Deer Institute was a part of the Bailu Clan. However, the name "Institute" appealed to them more. Within the premises stood pavilions and structures, connected by small bridges arching over flowing waters, evoking an atmosphere of serenity and lushness.

The elderly man led the group to a stone wall. On this wall, numerous outlines of Divine Inscriptions were etched, emanating a sharp and captivating aura that compelled the gazes of all present to linger on the intricate markings.

The potency of Divine Inscriptions stemmed from a mystical source. Only when runic lines intersected and interwove, forming a complete image of a Divine Inscription, would wondrous effects manifest.

With a single glance, Qin Wentian deduced that the Divine Inscriptions on the stone wall were all of the second rank, skillfully inscribed by a master. Each stroke of each outline was nearly perfect, and even if Qin Wentian were to attempt it himself, he could only make marginal improvements.

"If the outlines flowed more elegantly, with a twist at the end of the curl in that final intersection, it would achieve even greater perfection. What a missed opportunity," Qin Wentian murmured, prompting Leng Ning, who stood nearby, to freeze. To her, the inscriptions on the stone wall were already marvelously exquisite—something she herself wouldn't have been capable of creating. Yet, according to Qin Wentian's words...this fellow was truly audacious. Especially with the way he carried himself, as though he genuinely believed his judgment to be superior, rendering Leng Ning momentarily speechless.

"What grand claims," a mocking voice drifted over. Qin Wentian shifted his gaze and saw a young man in yellow robes observing him with a cold smile. "This Divine Inscription has already achieved the pinnacle of perfection. Every stroke of its outline seamlessly converges to create a flawless image. But in your estimation, there's room for further improvement?"

As he spoke, the young man turned his attention to Leng Ning, his laughter tinged with mockery. "Leng Ning, is this a friend of yours?"

Leng Ning furrowed her brows. This fellow was here too. Clearly, he sought to cause trouble after spotting her with Qin Wentian and his group. Although the Divine Inscription seemed impeccable, she could discern a slight gap from perfection. The yellow-clad youth probably recognized this as well. Yet, his words suggested otherwise—clearly, he was here to provoke.

Yan Kong, what business is it of yours?" Leng Ning replied with an icy tone.

"Indeed, it's none of my concern. I just thought your kindness might be taken advantage of by strangers. What a group of braggarts." Yan Kong burst into loud laughter, drawing the attention of many in the vicinity.

Fan Le squinted, locking his gaze onto Yan Kong. With a mere third-level Yuanfu cultivation base, he would be crushed like a bug under Chu Mang's palm. How could he dare to be so arrogant?

"Hey babe, who's this dimwit?" Fan Le asked Leng Ning, leaving her slightly taken aback. "Dimwit?"

"If he knows it's none of his business, why is he still yapping here? If not a dimwit, then what?" Sympathy glinted in Fan Le's eyes as he looked at Yan Kong. This prompted Yan Kong's expression to stiffen as he shot a cold, incisive glare at Fan Le.

"Ha!" Leng Ning attempted to stifle her laughter, but a hearty chuckle escaped her lips. She realized that this fatty was not as irritating as she'd initially thought.

"Leng Ning, you're quite the beauty, you know?" Fan Le grinned. His eyes drawn to the sound of Leng Ning's infectious laughter, he then gave her figure an appraising look.

The crowd's gazes momentarily froze as they sweatdropped. This guy... even if he wanted to make a move, did he have to be so brazen?

Qin Wentian immediately turned and walked away, feigning ignorance of this shameless character.

"Idiot," Yan Kong coldly muttered as he glowered at Fan Le. He then shifted his focus to Leng Ning, remarking, "Leng Ning, I must commend your 'taste'."

Leng Ning hadn't anticipated Fan Le's overt forwardness and was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Quiet down," at that moment, the elderly man leading the group interjected, hushing the commotion. As the crowd hushed, a young lady materialized beside the elderly man. She sported a form-fitting, long black robe that traced the contours of her body, outlining her curves in a visually striking manner. Her figure was equally remarkable as Leng Ning's, with her bosom appearing even fuller. Her elegant, fair neck resembled that of a graceful crane—a heavenly combination of allure and modesty.

Fan Le's eyes sparkled, his adoration for the Moon Continent growing exponentially. Gorgeous women were as abundant as the stars here, and all of them possessed unparalleled allure. Fatty's delightful days were about to begin!

"Bailu Yi, the most exceptional Divine Inscriptionist of the younger generation at the White Deer Institute. She's not only capable of inscribing third-ranked Inscriptions, but her outlines are intricate beyond comparison. Moreover, she's been pursued by an array of exceptional suitors. You guys don't stand a chance at all," Leng Ning whispered in a hushed tone, having noticed the desire in Fatty's eyes.

Qin Wentian pondered Bailu Yi's presence. She indeed radiated a certain allure, a woman whose appearance would etch itself into memory with ease. What struck him even more was her astonishing talent in inscribing third-ranked Divine Inscriptions at such a young age. He was well aware of the arduousness of comprehending and engraving such high-level inscriptions.

"Not bad at all," Qin Wentian casually remarked, leaving Leng Ning utterly flabbergasted. To inscribe third-ranked Divine Inscriptions and earn a mere "not bad"? She was practically a prodigious "monster."

Before her stood a remarkably handsome man, shamelessly delivering his assessment with a straight face. It was as if his words were a matter of fact, spoken with unwavering confidence.