Entering Qinfeng Academy

"You didn't inform him?" Fu Qingyang's brows furrowed. He scrutinized his subordinate closely, then pulled out his cell phone. A few seconds later, Elder Dog's gentle, mellow voice came through the speaker, tinged with urgency: "How is Yuanshi?" "Fear didn't harm him, merely provoked him," Fu Qingyang said, glancing at his trusted subordinate. "He handled it rather well. Elder Dog, how did you know he ran into Fear Heavenly King at the mall?" Zhang Yuanqing immediately pricked up his ears. "After the Palace Mistress wounded Fear, I kept using animals to monitor his movements and saw with my own eyes that Yuanshi Tianzun and a young woman had entered that clothing boutique," Elder Dog explained with a sigh. "Fortunately, Fear Heavenly King harbored no murderous intent; otherwise, no one could have saved Yuanshi." Fu Qingyang grunted in acknowledgment and hung up. "Use an Evil-Breaking Talisman to cleanse yourself. Fear Heavenly King must have marked you. Try to stay indoors as much as possible from now on, and I'll see if I can find you an Illusionist class magical artifact," Money Prince advised with earnest gravity. To a Spirit Realm walker of Fear Heavenly King's caliber, face masks and sunglasses were completely useless; only altering one's physical appearance would work. Among all the classes, the disguise arts of an Illusionist were the most infallible. Unless someone possessed a specialized skill or there was an overwhelming gap in level, it was virtually impossible to see through. "I have a similar artifact," Zhang Yuanqing politely declined, then asked, "Can an Evil-Breaking Talisman cleanse a mark left by a Heavenly King?" "A mark is a support skill with a singular purpose, limited scaling, and simple principles. An Evil-Breaking Talisman is more than enough," Fu Qingyang replied. Zhang Yuanqing let out a sigh of relief. Fu Qingyang fixed his eyes on him and asked in a low voice, "Who was that young woman Elder Dog mentioned?" *My future brother-in-law's gaze just turned frosty in an instant...* Zhang Yuanqing hurried to say, "That was my aunt. I went to the mall with her today." Fu Qingyang's gaze returned to its profound, calm warmth. "Boss, how will Fear Heavenly King be dealt with?" Zhang Yuanqing asked. "The Alliance Chiefs will handle it—either by reaching an unspoken understanding, or by casting everything aside to fight to the death." Fu Qingyang pondered briefly before continuing, "Under normal circumstances, the Palace Mistress will pursue Fear Heavenly King three times. If Fear retreats and never sets foot in Songhai again, the matter will be settled. If Fear obstinately continues to cause trouble, he will cross the line, and the Grand Marshal and the Palace Mistress will join hands to hunt him down, which would spell certain death for Fear Heavenly King." *Three warnings, and after three, a life-and-death struggle? So this is the tacit understanding and bottom line among demigods?* Zhang Yuanqing nodded in realization. *So the Grand Marshal is guarding the Zoo not just to prevent Fear Heavenly King from staging a diversion, but also waiting out the three warnings? Wait, that's why Fear Heavenly King coerced me into rescuing Demonic Eye—he knew all along that the Grand Marshal was lying in ambush at the Zoo.* *Fuck. What a helpless feeling to watch the villain plot his schemes yet be unable to expose them. Ah, before demigods, even I, this Tianzun, am nothing more than a pawn...* Zhang Yuanqing said, "Then does that mean we won't have to worry about Fear Heavenly King sneaking into Fujia Bay in the future?" "Why would he sneak into Fujia Bay? Fear Heavenly King has already achieved his goal, and there is no conflict of interest between him and us to warrant killing us. Furthermore, the Grand Marshal will be staying in Songhai for a while." Fu Qingyang's tone was steady. *That's good. I can return to Fujia Bay, even if I've been marked by Fear,* Zhang Yuanqing thought. "Then, Boss, I'll go home first to check on my aunt," he said. "Go ahead," Fu Qingyang nodded. Zhang Yuanqing walked away briskly. But when he reached the doorway, he suddenly turned back, took out his phone, and scanned the QR code at the cash register. After a brief thought, he paid one hundred thousand yuan. He had a rough idea of the boutique's prices; Fear's tailored suit was probably worth that much. "Boss, I'm taking off!" Zhang Yuanqing left with a sullen face. Fu Qingyang stood in the store, watching Yuanshi's departing back with a bewildered expression. Even with his Insight skill, he truly could not fathom this move. *** Zhang Yuanqing didn't hail a taxi home. Instead, he ducked into a secluded stairwell and sent Fear Heavenly King a message: "Big boss, you can't do this. You have severely infringed upon my freedom. As someone who loves freedom, your actions are intolerable to me." He sat on the stairs, waiting and waiting. Half an hour later, Fear Heavenly King sent a reply: "You can choose to rescue Demonic Eye, or choose not to. I didn't force you." [Yuanshi Tianzun: But I had no choice. That isn't freedom.] [Fear Heavenly King: You can also choose death. Life or death, you choose for yourself. That is true freedom.] *In his eyes, I can choose to save Demonic Eye or choose to die, so he didn't infringe upon my freedom? His logic is actually self-consistent?!* *What a moronic Heavenly King! This train of thought is beyond comprehension...* Zhang Yuanqing bared his teeth. Had it been anyone else, Zhang Yuanqing would have assumed the person was spouting sophistry. But this was Fear Heavenly King, the Soldier Master sect's number one idiot; he might genuinely think that way. [Yuanshi Tianzun: Did you mark me? I'm going to cleanse the mark now—well, you know what I mean.] *Could cleansing it remove the curse as well?* He had sworn an oath not to dispel the curse. If dispelling the mark accidentally cleansed the curse, the power of the oath would execute him on the spot, and he would be finished. [Fear Heavenly King: Unless a Day Wanderer intervenes, or you use a Dominator-grade cleansing artifact.] "Phew..." Zhang Yuanqing breathed a sigh of relief and typed another message: "Your suit cost a hundred thousand. Please transfer the money to pay me back." Fear Heavenly King ignored him. [Yuanshi Tianzun: Of course, defaulting on a debt is your freedom, but broadcasting this to the world is also my freedom as your creditor.] [Fear Heavenly King transferred 100,000 yuan to you.] "Humph!" Zhang Yuanqing cheerfully reclaimed his money. Then he took out an Evil-Breaking Talisman and the Ghost Mirror, opening his Star Eyes. In the mirror, his physiognomy appeared normal, showing no looming catastrophe. Judging by his countenance, using the Evil-Breaking Talisman posed no danger and would eliminate the mark. Having this confirmed by both Fu Qingyang and Fear, coupled with the "guarantee" of Astromancy, Zhang Yuanqing was confident there would be no issue. *Fear Heavenly King silently marked me. If I hadn't noticed, he would've tracked down my true identity through the mark. If I did notice and cleansed it, he wouldn't care either...* Zhang Yuanqing muttered to himself and slapped the Evil-Breaking Talisman onto his forehead. A clear yet faint golden light burst forth, then dissolved. Zhang Yuanqing could distinctly feel something within his body being wiped away. *The mark wasn't hard to deal with, but the oath and curse are the real headache. The curse won't lift until I break Heavenly King Demonic Eye out, and I can't actively dispel the curse either, or the oath will kill me.* *Great, so I can't ask the officials or the old crone for help, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Once my level goes up in the future, I'm definitely stringing Fear up and beating him senseless.* *Wait... he said I could consult him anytime. I can totally use Demonic Eye's name as an excuse to pry more intel about the Zoo out of Fear Heavenly King...* Zhang Yuanqing's eyes lit up. *It's not entirely a bad thing!* he thought. *** Late that night, across the street from the Kangyang District Public Security Bureau, inside a café. Zhang Yuanqing met the Palace Master of Halting Slaughter once again. Unlike in the past, when he had been tense and distant, this time he was completely relaxed. He strolled into the café, sat down by the glass wall, and waited for the Palace Master to bring him coffee. Taking the aromatic coffee, Zhang Yuanqing added two spoonfuls of sugar, stirred, took a sip, and nodded with satisfaction. "Tastes pretty good this time." Resting her chin on her hand, the psychotic Palace Master gazed at him with a smile. "You're growing increasingly undisciplined. A kept lover should display the humility befitting one." "Well, our families are longstanding acquaintances anyway, so manners don't matter. What, are you going to string me up and beat me?" Zhang Yuanqing was not in the least intimidated by her threat, even playfully taunting her, "Everyone says you're neurotic and crazy, but you've never gone mad in front of me." The Palace Master of Halting Slaughter sighed softly. "Out with it, what is it this time?" "Do you know Empress Wa?" Zhang Yuanqing asked. Beneath her mask, the Palace Master rolled her eyes upward toward the ceiling. After a few seconds, she shook her head. "Never heard of her." *The difference is immediately apparent. The information demigods possess is far beyond what a Dominator knows...* Without pressing further, Zhang Yuanqing said, "I took a trip to Takamagahara—the one from island mythology—and obtained some top-tier magical artifacts inside." "So you came to share your joy with me?" The Palace Master of Halting Slaughter smiled enchantingly. "Good attitude. Consider yourself verbally rewarded." She did not care about treasures at all, merely teasing and praising him with a smile. Zhang Yuanqing said, "The reason I came to see you today has to do with the treasure in Takamagahara. I discovered a Bronze Sacred Tree in there..." He immediately described in detail the connection between Takamagahara and the First Emperor, as well as the tier and properties of the Bronze Sacred Tree. The Palace Master of Halting Slaughter had initially listened with an amused smile, resting her chin on her hand, looking thoroughly unbothered. Yet the more she listened, the quieter she became. The smile faded from the corners of her mouth, and her leaning posture gradually straightened up. When Zhang Yuanqing finished, she furrowed her brows and murmured softly, "I don't know what it is, but I can feel that it is something exceedingly precious and important. The Musician class enjoys a longer lifespan than other classes, yet even a demigod cannot attain true immortality and eternal life. "Yet the First Emperor believed it could grant longevity. If that is true, then it is most likely the pinnacle of treasures for the Musician class. It might very well change my destiny." "Once I come out of Qinfeng Academy, if there are clues, I'd like to go to Takamagahara with you," Zhang Yuanqing said. The Palace Master of Halting Slaughter stared at him for a moment and asked, "Want to repay me?" Her voice was unusually gentle. Zhang Yuanqing hummed an affirmation. The Palace Master covered her mouth with a light chuckle. "Wrong answer. But the sentiment is rare, so I accept." Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "Tomorrow at nine in the morning, I'll be entering Qinfeng Academy. The training lasts seven days." Seeing her nod, he raised his cup, drained the coffee in one gulp, and dissolved into dreamlike starlight. *** Late that night. Taiyi Sect training camp, clubhouse bar. Holding a glass in hand, Yuan Ting—a young man of ordinary features but extraordinary presence—cheerfully remarked, "Tomorrow we're entering Qinfeng Academy! Haha, I've seriously had enough of this training camp. Ever since April this year, I've spent most of my time here. Elder Sun is bloody confused in the head, not acting like a proper human at all... "...Miaomiao, don't be mad. I'm cursing your grandfather, not you." Sun Miaomiao rolled her eyes. "Isn't it your own big mouth that got you into trouble? And then there's Yuanshi Tianzun—what does this have to do with my grandpa? Haven't you noticed? Back in April, when Yuanshi Tianzun joined the official faction, your training camp life began. "Right, Zhao Chenghuang?" She looked toward the cool young man beside her. Zhao Chenghuang ignored her. Yuan Ting slapped his thigh hard. "That makes total sense! My misfortune started the moment Yuanshi Tianzun came on board! Humph, nothing good ever happens when I'm around him. I hope he won't be at Qinfeng Academy." "I think so too. That guy is an absolute jinx; bumping into him brings nothing but bad luck. The Baihui Club attack a while back was proof enough," Sun Miaomiao said. The two clinked their glasses merrily. Qinfeng Academy was a wonderful place: beautiful scenery, lots of strange and exotic critters, a slow pace of life, no battles, and no training—perfect for a vacation. Back when they had first become Spirit Realm walkers and completed their three-month probationary period, they had gone there. Now it was the Saint Advanced Seminar. The teaching atmosphere at Qinfeng Academy was much like a university: study if you felt like it, or don't if you didn't; the instructors were very laid-back. —As long as the instructor wasn't Fire Demon. Thus, in their eyes, Qinfeng Academy was an idyllic vacation resort. *** The desk lamp cast an orange halo that wasn't very bright, creating a hazy dimness. On the high-backed chair beside the desk sat a figure cloaked in black robes, reclining languidly. His body was bathed in the orange light, while his face remained concealed in shadows. "The Chief observed the celestial signs by night and beheld the trajectory of the future," the Great Protector's hoarse, low voice resounded in the gloomy study. "He says that once you enter Qinfeng Academy, as long as you keep an eye on Jiaoren Lake, you can retrieve that supreme treasure for him. "However, you must remember that this journey is fraught with perils and may entail a blood disaster. The Chief said that being cautious and acting with clean, decisive swiftness are key to resolving the crisis." "'Cautious, clean, and decisive...'" the person on the other end of the line murmured. "Understood. Await my news, Great Protector. I will retrieve that supreme treasure for the Chief." *** Jiangnan Province, Leather City. A middle-aged man with graying hair sat on the living room sofa, speaking with earnest concern: "Aotian, once you enter Qinfeng Academy, remember to watch your words and actions. Think before you speak. Dad isn't asking you to be everyone's friend; I only ask that you don't make enemies." The handsome young man slumped lazily across the opposite sofa and replied in an all-disdainful tone, "That depends on how many brainless villains are in the academy. I promise not to proactively slap anyone's face." The middle-aged man quietly covered his face. A well-preserved, beautiful woman carrying a plate of cut fruit walked over and consoled her husband in gentle tones: "Hubby, give it up. Aotian's personality is set in stone. Just give up. Rather than wasting time on him... it's getting late. Let's head upstairs and work hard to start an alt account. Yes, an alt account—that's how people say it nowadays. We're still young." Father Xiahou still thought his son's personality could be salvaged, but Mother Xiahou had long since despaired. Although Aotian was remarkably gifted and already a Level 5 Saint at such a young age, his disposition was truly abysmal. Whenever the clan elders heard the name Xiahou Aotian, veins would throb on their foreheads. The Xiahou clan's old ancestor had even declared in golden words: *Never bring this kid to see me again!* The reason was that when Xiahou Aotian advanced to Saint, it happened to be his second anniversary of becoming a Spirit Realm walker. While that talent couldn't compare to monstrous freaks, it was indisputably first-rate. The Xiahou clan's old ancestor was delighted and expressed a desire to see this outstanding descendant. Xiahou Aotian was equally delighted. Overnight, he forged a ring designed to hold souls. The moment he met the old ancestor, he pulled it out and said: "Old Ancestor, hurry up and shed your mortal body to enter the ring! From now on, you'll be my Grandpa Spirit! In the future, I'll reshape a flesh body for you and lead you to stand atop the mortal realm! Oh, by the way, do you happen to have a disciple who betrayed his master and destroyed his lineage?" From that day on, Xiahou Aotian was banished to the cold palace by the old ancestor. Recalling the past, Father Xiahou let out a mournful sigh. "Honey, you're right. Let's go." The Xiahou parents embraced each other and headed upstairs. *** The next day, at nine in the morning. Zhang Yuanqing put away the Yata no Kagami that Fu Qingyang had sent over via a bunny girl. After verifying that everything was prepared, he placed his hands on the shoulders of Blood Rose and Commandery Princess Yinyao respectively. Then, he heard the familiar Spirit Realm notification chimes. [Ding! Spirit Realm map is opening. Entering the Spirit Realm in 30 seconds. The Spirit Realm you are entering this time is "Qinfeng Academy." Number: None.] [Difficulty Level: Unknown] [Type: Multiplayer] [Main Mission: Study for seven days] [Remarks: Non-Spirit Realm items cannot be brought inside.] [Spirit Realm Introduction: A guild Spirit Realm belonging to Baihui. Formerly a royal academy during the Qin dynasty, Baihui remodeled it into Qinfeng Academy to train members after clearing the realm.] "Commandery Princess, I'm taking you to broaden your horizons and experience the atmosphere of a modern academy," Zhang Yuanqing said, gently squeezing her delicate shoulder. Commandery Princess Yinyao was somewhat displeased, yet thinking of the upcoming academy trip, her heart filled with anticipation. Soon, ripples washed over the scenery before his eyes.