A high god's caliber was certainly different, with just a few pointers, Ah Lian was able to successfully attend Sir Chong Xu's class without incident the next day. However, despite passing the test, she was someone that Sir Chong Xu would not pay any attention to as her foundation was still lacking. Sir Chong Xu did not say anything and continued with the day's lesson.
When Sir Chong Xu was not looking, Tian Luo whispered, "You had me worried for a moment. I thought that you would get lectured again today."
*****
Tian Luo had always slept like a log, oblivious to the world around her once she entered dreamland. So she did not know that Ah Lian went out in the middle of the night to practice, and even had a chance meeting with high god Rong Lin.
*****
Although Ah Lian managed to master the illusion technique, she was somewhat distracted and did not look very happy, leaving an excited Tian Luo muttering to herself. Tian Luo soon realized that she was not getting any response and asked, "Ah Lian, what's wrong with you?"
What's wrong? Ah Lian frowned and looked a little depressed, much worse than when getting lectured by Sir Chong Xi. Yesterday she had met the high god Rong Lin. It should have been a joyous occasion, however her lack of aptitude and understanding seemed to have provoked that high god despite his best efforts to enlighten her; she was disappointed with herself.
Yi Zhang noticed the forlorn Ah Lian and commented, "She just practiced for a few days and merely passed the the test. What is she so proud for?" She was disappointed that Ah Lian did not do anything embarrassing this time.
Yi Gui listened but did not say a word.
For the new disciples of Ninth Heavenly Pavilion Academy, besides the intense schoolwork, there are also various trainings that they have to attend. Ah Lian knew that she needed to be more diligent than the rest of the disciples as her foundation was weal, but unfortunately she did not have the extra time to learn anything else.
Unlike Ah Lian, Tian Luo was at the Ninth Heavenly Pavilion Academy to gain some knowledge and experience, whiling the time away. Although she did not want to be sent packing home, she did not set such high expectations on herself like Ah Lian. Her virtuous mother had always emphasized that a woman only needed to be good at cooking and embroidery, it didn't matter if she were bad at other things.
Pulling Ah Lian to the side, Tian Luo said, "If you don't want to go, just treat it as you are accompanying me instead....."
As Tian Luo was her only friend in the academy, the kindhearted Ah Lian relented and followed her to the cooking club.
Almost all of the clubs at the academy had high requirements, but this cooking club was the most lax in accepting new members. As there were not many members who ended up joining the coking club each year, there was no competition to see who was more qualified to enter; the only requirement was to pay the enrollment fee.
Tian Luo was just about to pay for Ah Lian's enrollment fee when she was stopped by the latter, "It's ok. I can do it myself."
Ah Lian understood Tian Luo's temperament well; instead of boasting about her wealth, she tended to feel insecure because of her family's newfound affluence. She felt ashamed for inadvertently displaying this to Ah Lian, whom she valued as a genuine friend, a rarity.
Feeling slighted, Tian Luo expressed, "You're not treating me as an equal friend!" Ah Lian gently disagreed, "No." Tian Luo felt a surge of sadness, "So, you disdain my wealth." Ah Lian remained silent, allowing Tian Luo to pay the club fee, feeling unable to refute.
******
After joining the cooking club alongside Tian Luo, Ah Lian unexpectedly found herself drawn to the allure of culinary arts. Despite her initial lack of talent in the art of illusion, cooking turned out to be a somewhat rare gift for her. The club boasted six or seven new disciples, a small group that couldn't afford laziness and remained diligent under the watchful eye of their short and stout instructor, Immortal Elder Nan He, known for his irritable disposition. His temper rivaled that of Sir Chong Xu's, and many female disciples bore the brunt of his scoldings.
Rumors circulated about some withdrawing from the club due to his harshness. Remarkably, Ah Lian never faced his wrath, and even Tian Luo, initially a target of his scolding, found reprieve thanks to Ah Lian's intervention. Under Ah Lian's guidance, Tian Luo improved to the point where Immortal Elder Nan He had no reason to chastise her anymore.