Chapter 82: The Plum Blossom Poles

Chapter 82: Plum Blossom Stakes

“What is this?” Layton pointed at the dozens of round wooden pillars standing upright before him, each only as thick as a bowl. Had this guy spent the whole morning fiddling with these? “These are Plum Blossom Stakes!” Ye Tian replied earnestly.

“What?” Layton didn’t quite understand. “Stop guessing, just go up and walk a couple of rounds.” Ye Tian smiled. “What, walk a couple of rounds?” Layton glanced to the side, noticing a platform that must have been prepared for him by Ye Tian. “Go on up,” Ye Tian urged.

“Are you sure?” “I’m sure!” Layton lowered his head, realizing he had underestimated Ye Tian. What on earth was going on in his mind? He nervously climbed onto the platform, hesitating for a long time before he set foot on it.

“Don’t worry, it’s sturdy!” Ye Tian said, then pushed himself up lightly and landed gracefully on one of the pillars. “Come over!” “Alright!” Layton shakily took a step, slowly retracted it, and placed his other foot onto another pillar.

“Keep your balance, it’s fine.” Before Ye Tian finished speaking, Layton fell with a thud. “Are you alright?” Ye Tian quickly jumped over and squatted on a pillar. “You’re insane!” Layton couldn’t help but exclaim.

“This is just the basics. Only when you master these can you traverse the stars.” Ye Tian spoke seriously, “Get back up here!” Thud! Thud! Thud! Layton climbed up time and again, only to fall back down each time.

“Calm your mind,” Ye Tian said softly. “Imagine the ground beneath your feet is flat.” Standing on the platform, Layton took a deep breath and cautiously stepped out, steadily moving to another pillar. “Haha, I did it, I did it!” Before his laughter ended, he fell again with a thud.

“Are you alright?” Ye Tian asked. “I’m fine, I know what to do now!” Layton said joyfully. “Then follow your instincts,” Ye Tian said seriously. “Mm!” Layton quickly got up and started climbing the platform again.

“Right, get used to it for now. Tomorrow the platform will be removed!” Ye Tian said, then jumped down. “If you want to get up, you’ll have to do it like me.” “No way!” Layton, lying on the platform, looked utterly defeated. “There’s no time,” Ye Tian said calmly. “Alright!” Layton replied, slowly walking back up.

“Eat, aren’t you hungry?” Ye Tian gnawed on roasted chicken, eyeing the tearful Layton holding his own chicken. “Or are you not hungry?” “Nonsense! Try staying up there all afternoon—I’m starving!” Layton grumbled.

“Then eat, it’s delicious.” Ye Tian said, taking big bites of his chicken, specially made for Layton. “I’d like to eat, but how can I? Just standing still and not falling is already hard enough, and now I have to eat up here? That’s impossible!”

“Oh, I forgot to mention—you can’t come down yet. You can only come down when I say so, so you’d better figure out how to eat something up there.” Ye Tian spoke without looking up.

“What! What about sleeping?” “Sleep up there.” “Convenience?” “Take care of it up there.” “Are you trying to kill me?” Layton was about to explode.

“You said you’d listen to me, are you going back on your word?” “But you never said you’d torture me like this!” Layton protested.

Ye Tian tossed aside his chicken, pushed himself up onto the Plum Blossom Stakes, and quickly walked to Layton’s side. “Do you know how much dedication from those before you has been poured into these Plum Blossom Stakes? Do you think these humble pillars can really improve your abilities for no reason?”

“This is just the beginning—the real challenge is yet to come. If you can’t handle even this, how can you become an Archmage or pass the upcoming promotion exam?”

“Talent is only part of it. Diligence is what leads to success.” Ye Tian spun lightly atop the stakes. “When you can walk freely on the Plum Blossom Stakes, you will enter a new realm—a world you’ve never seen before. Keep going.” With that, he jumped down. “I’m right here, don’t worry about getting hurt—I have the best medicine!”

The night wind was anything but quiet; it howled past. Layton, who had felt a bit sleepy, couldn’t get any rest; in truth, he never did. Cold and hungry, he had no choice but to try and keep warm, and the best way was to keep moving.

Cautiously, he moved step by step. Falling now meant there was no platform—Ye Tian had chopped it up for firewood, and the roaring flames nearby told the tale. At least it was bright enough; otherwise, Layton would surely fall.

At dawn, Ye Tian lit a cigarette, glanced at the still-dozing Layton, smiled, and closed his eyes to rest. “Gray, I’m hungry. Get me something to eat.” Layton hadn’t eaten a bite of yesterday’s roasted chicken—it was impossible up there—so he was starving early in the morning.

“Wait, don’t come down.” Ye Tian instructed, then set about lighting a fire and preparing a beggar’s chicken for Layton. Soon, a fragrant beggar’s chicken was tossed up to Layton, who ate it with difficulty.

“Walk around a bit,” Ye Tian said. Layton started walking carefully. After a night of “warming exercise,” his movements were a bit more practiced—not so wobbly as before. “Hurry up!” Ye Tian called, and Layton had to pick up the pace.

Ye Tian remembered he still had to accompany Layla shopping today. He glanced at Layton and said, “I’m heading out for a bit. Don’t stop; keep walking until you can’t anymore!” With that, he turned and left.

“Gray, where have you been?” Layla asked anxiously when Ye Tian returned outside. She’d been waiting a long time. “Oh, just some minor errands. Sorry, let me change and we’ll head out now,” Ye Tian replied.

“Alright, I’ll wait for you!” the girl said shyly. After the time it takes for incense to burn, Ye Tian came out freshly groomed. “That was fast,” Layla exclaimed.

“I’m not as delicate as you girls.” Ye Tian rolled up his sleeves.

“You don’t understand. We only dress up for people we like!” Layla said discontentedly. “I’ll take you shopping first, and then I need to stop by the herbal shop.” “What for?” Layla asked curiously. “To buy some ingredients for the ointment I used yesterday,” Ye Tian grinned.

“You’re hurt?” The girl was startled and grabbed Ye Tian’s hand. “Not me—it’s for Layton,” Ye Tian explained.

“What are you two up to?” Layton and Ye Tian had become a spectacle on campus. The once noble mage had fallen to cleaning alongside his male servant—how could people not gossip?

“I’m helping Layton prepare for his promotion exam,” Ye Tian explained with a smile. “But you’re not a mage—how can you help?” Layla asked, puzzled.

“The mountain man has his own tricks. Don’t ask—just know I’m confident I can help him pass his promotion exam, as long as he listens to me!” Ye Tian said, grinning.

“Really?” The girl’s skepticism was clear. “Let’s not talk about it. Let’s go shopping,” Ye Tian said, eager to get on with his busy day. “Mm, let’s go,” the girl blushed and murmured.

The town outside the academy was huge; Ye Tian and Layla could spend a day shopping and still not see it all. The shops were dazzling, and every student or mentor who came here was wealthy. Those without money wouldn’t come, for the mage profession was a gold-burning one.

“Ah!” Shopping is a woman’s nature, regardless of age. Layla’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the goods. “Hurry!” She pulled Ye Tian to a stall, slowly appreciating the wares.

“Miss, this one is quite nice!” The merchants here were surprisingly refined; no one looked down on Layla for her plain clothes. Instead, they enthusiastically introduced their items. “Look at this—teardrop sapphire earrings. They’re the best I have!”

“So beautiful!” The teardrop-shaped sapphire shimmered in the sunlight. “How much?” “Fifty silver coins!” The stall owner smiled. The sapphire wasn’t of high quality and was small, but it was genuine, so the price was fair.

“I’ll buy it!” Before Layla could hand it back, Ye Tian took out a gold coin and handed it over. “Thank you! Here’s your change,” the vendor said, giving back fifty silver coins. “No, that’s too expensive!” Layla jumped.

“It’s fine—it’s a thank-you gift,” Ye Tian said, cheerfully pocketing the change.

“No, it’s too precious.” Layla insisted.

“Alright, if you don’t want it, I’ll throw it away!” Ye Tian took the earrings from her hand and tossed them far away.

“What are you doing!” Layla shrieked, rushing to retrieve them. Ye Tian laughed and held her back, opening his hand to reveal the earrings still safe in his palm.

“You’re so wicked!” Layla pounded his arm, and Ye Tian took it with a smile. “Wear them—they suit you,” he said.

“You help me put them on,” she teased.

“You should do it yourself. I don’t know how.” Ye Tian gently placed the earrings in her hand. She sighed, but took them and put them on. “Do they look good?” “Yes, you look stunning!” Ye Tian praised.

They continued shopping. Layla and Arcana had very different personalities: Arcana would buy whatever caught her eye, price be damned; Layla simply looked carefully and rarely bought anything. “Didn’t you find anything you liked?” Ye Tian asked.

“It’s not that, they’re just too expensive,” Layla said quietly. “Plus, they wouldn’t suit me.” She smiled.

“Silly girl, shopping is about buying things. Otherwise, what’s the point? Don’t try to save for me—I don’t know where to spend all my money anyway.” Ye Tian patted her head.

“No, I can’t. Your money is hard-earned; I can’t just use it.” Layla said seriously.

“Alright, you don’t have to use it, but whatever I buy, you have to keep.” Ye Tian replied.

“That depends on what it is. If it’s too expensive, I won’t take it!” Layla giggled, then ran ahead. “Wait for me—I remember there’s a clothing shop up ahead. Let’s check it out!” Ye Tian suggested.

“Yes, yes!” The girl had no resistance to beautiful clothes and obediently followed Ye Tian into a luxurious clothing store.

“Welcome!” A slightly plump middle-aged man put down his work and greeted them.

“May I ask what style the lady prefers?” he smiled. “I’m the owner here—just call me Fred.”

“May I browse first, Mr. Fred?” Layla asked politely.

“Of course.” Fred showed no displeasure, smiling as he watched Layla examine each piece of his work.

“This one,” Ye Tian suddenly pointed at a princess dress.

“No, I’m not used to it. That doesn’t suit me!” Layla glanced at it and quickly waved her hands. “Try it—it’ll look great!” Ye Tian encouraged.

“Really?” Layla was tempted.

“You’ll know if you try,” Ye Tian said. Fred had already taken the dress down and carefully handed it to Layla.

“Really?” “Really—I guarantee it!” Ye Tian said seriously. Layla hesitated, then went into the fitting room.

“Sir, anything you fancy?” Fred asked Ye Tian, noticing he was also looking at the clothes. The shop had both women’s and men’s styles.

“The clothes are nice, but not for me. Call me Gray.” Ye Tian smiled.

“What style are you looking for, Mr. Gray?” Fred asked.

“It’s not that the clothes aren’t good-looking, but I prefer something I can move freely in. These…” Ye Tian looked at the beautiful formal wear—lovely, but cumbersome for any movement.

“We don’t have that sort here,” Fred said, a bit embarrassed. To a tailor, not being able to offer the best to a client was the greatest failure.

“Heh, my requirements are a bit odd,” Ye Tian said, scratching his head.

“No, it’s not Mr. Gray’s fault—it’s my oversight. I’ve always pursued perfection in clothing, but forgot its essence is comfort. Thank you—you’ve shown me the path ahead.” Fred said sincerely.

“Mr. Fred, you flatter me—I didn’t say anything special.” Ye Tian scratched his head. Just then, Layla came out, nervously clutching her skirt. “Can… can you look?” she asked shyly.

Ye Tian grinned and took her to the mirror. Layla froze—the elegant, noble girl in the mirror was herself, but she hardly recognized it. “See? I told you—you look wonderful in it!” Ye Tian said, beaming.

“Is that really me?” Layla gasped, covering her mouth.

“As real as can be!” Ye Tian laughed. “Mr. Fred, we’ll take this one. Let’s look at some others.”

“No, I don’t want it—not even this one,” Layla hurried to say.

“No worries—ah, I accidentally tore off the tag!” Ye Tian raised a slip of paper.

“You did it on purpose!” Layla huffed.

“Well, nothing to be done—let’s buy it, then?” Ye Tian shrugged.