The Four Spirits Refining Body, with the Azure Dragon residing in the east, embodies the essence of wood.

Jiang Wang savored the surge of vitality, feeling the qi and blood within him flourish. Whether it was a mere illusion or not, the newly formed Dao Yuan in his Tongtian Palace felt noticeably more nimble, significantly easing the arduous task of arranging his array points.

To directly utilize wood-elemental qi to invigorate the flesh, even before breaching the Heavenly Gate, was undeniably one of the advantages bestowed by the cultivation methods of the military school.

The Four Spirits Refining Body technique, by employing metal-elemental qi to forge bone, fire-elemental qi to temper the form, water-elemental qi to nourish flesh and blood, and wood-elemental qi to amplify qi and blood, presented a complete and perfect system, straying not from the Great Dao.

For Jiang Wang, there was no inclination to switch to the military school, nor did he entertain the notion of using qi and blood to forcefully impact his meridians. However, the enhanced power of his qi and blood could undoubtedly nourish his Dao Yuan, thereby accelerating his speed in condensing Dao Swirls.

Previously, he could only undertake meridian-impacting cultivation two or three times a day. The remainder of his time was solely dedicated to honing his swordsmanship and delving into Dao scriptures. But now, his Purple Qi Comes from the East Sword Technique had also encountered a bottleneck. For him, at this current stage, dedicating a portion of his focus to body refinement would not impede his overall cultivation progress.

The prospect of the Zhou Tian Star Dou Foundation Array Diagram, while seemingly brilliant, was indeed a path of great difficulty and slow progress.

Yet, Jiang Wang was not beset by anxiety. From a very young age, his father had instilled in him the wisdom that a ninety-nine-year-old ginseng could fetch a hundred taels of silver, but if one were willing to wait just another year, the price of a hundred-year-old ginseng would be measured in gold.

To wait was not to be idle, for some futures were truly worth the patience.

Therefore, despite the numerous rumors circulating within the Dao Academy – tales of Fang He Ling on the verge of condensing his second Dao Swirl, or others who had already breached their meridians and were poised to surpass him –

Jiang Wang remained steadfast on his chosen path, unhurried and deliberate. Morning bells and evening drums, day and night, he pressed on.

…

October, also known as the Dew Moon, signifies the passage of autumn into winter, a time when dew becomes abundant, thus earning its name.

For the inhabitants of Maple Forest City, the most significant event of this October was undoubtedly the Three Cities Dao Discussion.

The Three Cities Dao Discussion, as the name suggested, was a joint showcase and competition among the Dao Academies of three neighboring cities, intended to foster exchange of ideas and mutual refinement. In truth, it also served as preparation for the annual county Dao Academy examination held in November. Dao Academies throughout the Zhuang State engaged in similar activities, though under different appellations.

For instance, the “North Wind and Snow” organized by Qinglan City and Bailu City in the Daishan County area, drawing its name from the saying “October of Mengdong, the north wind is lingering,” boasted a far more elegant and captivating title. It had even blossomed into a renowned event within Daishan County, attracting numerous spectators each year. In reality, it was merely a performance and competition involving five surrounding cities.

In contrast, the “Three Cities Dao Discussion” was considerably more straightforward and practical. There was simply no other way; the three nearby cities were Wangjiang City, Maple Forest City, and Sanshan City.

Maple Forest City, goes without saying, embodied practicality in its very nature. The fiery red maples beyond the city walls presented a breathtaking spectacle, yet the only poem of any renown describing its beauty was penned by a passing cultivator from Qinglan City.

Wangjiang City was inherently driven by profit and paid no heed to matters of elegance whatsoever. Sanshan City was even simpler, its populace still scornfully referred to as mountain barbarians.

Such was the foundation of the three cities, leaving little room for discourse on refined matters. However, with years of development, it had gradually evolved beyond mere student exchange, and to a certain extent, even served as a reflection of the three cities’ strength, influencing the distribution of resources by the Zhuang Court, and thus acquiring an intense significance.

This year, it was Maple Forest City’s turn to host, and the entire city, from the city lord down to the common folk, regarded it with utmost importance. The major restaurants had already adorned themselves with lanterns and festive streamers, the government had bolstered law and order, and petty thieves had vanished for a time.

Within the Maple Forest City Dao Academy, a selection process was naturally underway.

…

“That’s the situation.” Wei Quji rarely appeared alongside Dong A simultaneously, but neither was inclined to be seated, so both stood upon the stage.

“According to established practice, our city Dao Academy will select two students from each of the first, third, and fifth years to participate in this showcase,” Wei Quji, with his dark complexion and piercing gaze, was truly intimidating when not smiling. “Let me make this clear, you must emerge victorious. Should you falter, do not blame me, Wei, for meting out harsh consequences.”

The so-called first-year students had been cultivating within the Dao Academy for approximately a year. In reality, the primary participants were chosen from the previous class of disciples, all of whom had been cultivating for over a year. The same applied to the third-year and fifth-year students. The reason for the absence of students above the fifth year in the Dao Discussion was that those who had failed to advance to the county Dao Academy after more than five years had generally abandoned their hopes of cultivation and instead sought worldly wealth.

A city’s leader spoke with such directness, and the students of the Dao Academy arrayed below inevitably felt a surge of nervousness. Some students who had harbored aspirations of showcasing their talents in this Three Cities Dao Discussion immediately began to falter in their resolve.

“A single victory for a first-year student will be rewarded with ten Dao marks. Twenty for a third-year student, and fifty for a fifth-year student.” Dong A’s expression remained stern, adding these words to further impress upon the students the importance of the event.

One with a dark mien, the other with a cold countenance, the two individuals complemented each other. It was clear that the two most influential figures in Maple Forest City were both emphasizing the significance of this performance.

This not only involved the distribution of resources but also reflected their governance and was a matter of their personal prestige.

Especially after the entire Xiaolin Town was laid to waste, Maple Forest City urgently needed to make a strong declaration of its continued strength.

“Next, I will directly call out names. Should you feel your strength is insufficient and wish to withdraw, speak now.” Since this Dao Discussion held such weight, Dong A did not employ a voluntary registration method but instead directly named the participants: “This Dao Discussion will be spearheaded by Zhang Linchuan…”

Below the stage, Zhang Linchuan sighed and rubbed his forehead, muttering, “The pressure is immense.”

“The pressure is immense, you say?” Dong A’s gaze had already fixed upon the stage below. With the cultivation of a fifth-rank expert, let alone a murmur, even if someone merely broke wind, he could identify the source in an instant.

“But my confidence is boundless!” Zhang Linchuan immediately declared.

Only then did Dong A relent, continuing to read out the names of others.

“Senior Brother Zhang is indeed worthy of being Senior Brother Zhang, even the dean acknowledges you as the foremost individual in our Dao Academy!” Huang Azhan flattered in a low voice.

Zhang Linchuan had arrived at the academy quite late that day, so he simply didn’t bother going to the front row and instead stood with Jiang Wang and the others. Perhaps it was in an attempt to go unnoticed by the dean, yet he was still singled out in the very first moment.

“If Zhu Weiwo and Wei Yan were both here, would it even be my turn to exert myself?” Zhang Linchuan glared pointedly at Huang Azhan; he had no desire to be slashed by Wei Yan with a blade tomorrow.

But he immediately covered his nose with a handkerchief: “How long has it been since you last bathed?”

“How can a man waste time on bathing?” Huang Azhan spoke with righteous indignation, then lowered his head and sniffed a few times, “There’s no smell…”

Zhang Linchuan moved forward two steps in distaste.

Wei Yan was from the Ministry of War and naturally could not participate in a Dao Discussion between academies. This was understandable. But why was Zhu Weiwo absent? Such a prominent figure, shouldn’t he be present at such a crucial time?

Jiang Wang pondered and asked: “Why can’t Senior Brother Zhu participate?”

“Oh, it seems he went to hunt down the Soul-Devouring Demon.” Zhang Linchuan said casually.

“!!!”

“!!!”

Jiang Wang, Ling He, and Huang Azhan all stared in stunned silence simultaneously.

Hunt down?

The Nine Great Demon Lords! Their names struck fear into the hearts of many! They had ravaged nations, committed countless atrocities, and were universally recognized as the villains of the world. Even Xiong Wen, though ranked among them through cruel means and considered the weakest of the Nine Great Demon Lords, was still a sixth-rank expert who had breached the Heavenly Gate and was qualified to be called a Tenglong cultivator!

Ninth-rank cultivators utilize Dao Yuan to arrange array points and construct Dao Swirls to forge their foundation. Dao veins and true spirits leap within the Dao Swirls, marking the Meridian Realm.

Eighth-rank cultivators build three Dao Swirls and fashion a minor Heavenly Cycle within the Tongtian Palace. This is the Heavenly Cycle Realm.

Seventh-rank cultivators establish three minor Heavenly Cycles of Heaven, Earth, and Man, completing the great Heavenly Cycle, then penetrate the flesh, cleanse the Tongtian Palace, and awaken the Dao vein Great Dragon. Only then can the Heavenly Gate be glimpsed! This is the Tongtian Realm.

The Heavenly Gate that closes the Tongtian Palace is also referred to as the first great hurdle in cultivation. Only by breaching the Heavenly Gate can one comprehend the heart and perceive true nature, allowing the Dao vein to ascend.

Before reaching the sixth rank, any disciple’s formal Dao robe in a Dao Academy was merely hemp cloth, signifying a heart undeterred by hardship and ready to forge through challenges.

And after reaching the sixth rank, the powerful cultivators of the middle three ranks could wear the Tenglong Dao robe. The Tenglong, Inner Palace, and Outer Pavilion realms were distinguished only by subtle differences in detail.

This was a symbol of identity, an embodiment of honor.

Any cultivator qualified to wear the Tenglong Dao robe could be called a formidable expert.

Furthermore, Xiong Wen was an existence of such notoriety, a master among Tenglong realm cultivators.

And now, Zhu Weiwo, a mere student of a city Dao Academy, was actually pursuing him?