This place, an underground cavern, where the very earth had been meticulously shaped by mortal hands, etched with its own cryptic patterns.

Fiery red lava, like a serpent’s blood, flowed sluggishly along the fissures, dividing the ground and forming a vast and intricate array diagram.

The Second Elder, his eyes stark white orbs devoid of color, sat upon the ground, his voice a malevolent whisper. “Last night on Bull Head Mountain, it seems there was more than one living soul.”

The White Bone Emissary, standing to one side, heard this and responded with a nonchalant tone. “And what of it? Besides misleading clues and deadly traps, Bull Head Mountain is now barren.”

“Heh heh heh… that Fang family boy, you simply let him return?”

“What else was there to do?”

“Do you truly believe Dong A will shield him?”

“If Dong A offers no protection, then aside from the unfortunate demise of Fang He Ling, we suffer no loss whatsoever. If Dong A chooses to protect him, we can witness the Dao Academy and the Jixing Si clash. Why should we not?”

The Second Elder cackled strangely twice, then patted the ground beside him. “Come, sit with this old man for a spell.”

Beneath them, the lava pulsed, a terrifying power contained within its slow, surging flow.

“I am accustomed to standing,” the White Bone Emissary replied.

“The youth of today, each one cleverer than the last. Looking upon you all, I often feel my years weigh upon me.”

“You were born with the Nether Eye, born with the ability to traverse yin and yang. Naturally, you cannot comprehend the struggles of those like us, the mediocre.” The White Bone Emissary’s face was perpetually hidden beneath his mask. “Insufficient talent leaves us no choice but to rely on our wits.”

The Second Elder, a faint smile playing on his lips, lifted his head to gaze at him. “Emissary, do you also believe this old man to be an arrogant fool?”

The White Bone Emissary subtly avoided eye contact, his response measured. “You are, of course, not an arrogant fool. But you should be clear on this: neither am I.”

“Your demeanor and that of the Holy Maiden are truly cast from the same mold.”

“Is that so? Then it is my honor.”

“When the Dao Child awakens, she may ascend to the position of Holy Queen. Though you stand as equals now, you will forever be beneath her at that time. Does that not displease you?”

“There is no displeasure nor pleasure in it,” the White Bone Emissary smiled gently. “All is for the sake of the sect. Where is the concept of high or low, noble or humble?”

Having spoken these words, he turned and departed. All that needed to be said had been said. Lingering here, constantly wary of those eyes, was an unpleasant experience.

Once the White Bone Emissary had gone a distance, the Second Elder suddenly spread his arms, as if embracing something unseen. “Who could have imagined that the Nine Sha Xuan Yin Array would leave behind such pure Yin Sha? Zuo Guang Lie’s death was truly fortuitous, a decree of the heavens!”

The lava in the ground fissures suddenly reversed its flow, gathering at his feet, coalescing barely into the shape of a skull.

“Then, Lu Yan,” the lava skull spoke, its voice low and hoarse. “Who is the arrogant fool?”

“Heh heh heh heh, that would be you, of course! To provoke Ye Ling Xiao, is that not arrogant enough?”

The Second Elder, whose true name was Lu Yan, lowered his head, casting his Nether Eyes upon the ground fissures.

“The plan has reached this stage. There must be no more missteps…”

The skull instantly dispersed, the lava resuming its slow flow. As if nothing had ever occurred.

“Dean! It’s bad!”

Just as Jiang Wang reached the entrance of Dong A’s small courtyard, he saw a senior brother rushing straight in. Standing in the courtyard, gasping for breath, he exclaimed, “The Jixing Si have come to our Dao Academy to apprehend someone! Dean Song is blocking them at the Dao Academy gate! Dean Song ordered me to immediately inform you!”

“Understood.” Dong A stepped out of the doorway, walking calmly and unhurriedly towards the outside.

Jixing Si? Jiang Wang’s heart stirred. He guessed they were likely here for Fang He Ling. With their secret sentry having vanished in such a manner, an explanation was certainly required.

He resided in Flying Horse Alley, always entering the Dao Academy through the back gate, and thus was unaware of the commotion at the front.

The reporting senior brother led the way, with Dong A following behind, calmly inquiring about the course of events. Infected by his composure, the senior brother’s emotions also settled, and he recounted the matter from the beginning.

The matter itself was not complex. The Jixing Si had suddenly arrived, claiming that a secret sentry responsible for tracking Fang He Ling was missing and they wished to take Fang He Ling back for investigation. Xiao Tie Mian, who was teaching a class at the time, intercepted them, demanding that the Jixing Si produce evidence before discussing any arrests. The two sides were at an impasse, which later alarmed Vice Dean Song Qi Fang. The Chief Si of the Jixing Si, Dan Cha, also personally rushed over. As the situation had escalated to this level, Dong A had to be summoned.

Dong A’s face remained impassive. After hearing the account, he had already arrived at the front gate. Two Jixing Si cultivators were restraining Fang He Ling, with Xiao Tie Mian blocking their path, preventing them from leaving. Fang He Ling had a bruised ring around his right eye, indicating he had already suffered some hardship.

On the other side, the venerable Dean Song Qi Fang, surrounded by a crowd of teachers and students, was confronting Dan Cha, who led a large contingent.

“Elder Song,” Dan Cha’s words were respectful, yet his face held not an ounce of deference. “May I inquire as to your intention in obstructing this Si’s enforcement of the law?”

Song Qi Fang, advanced in years, adjusted his eyelids, just as he was about to speak. The crowd suddenly parted.

“Dean Dong has arrived!”

“Dean Dong, please make a decision for us!”

Even Dan Cha himself, his expression suddenly became solemn.

“Surname Dan, where do you intend to take this academy’s student?” Dong A asked calmly.

“Dean Dong,” a smile played on Dan Cha’s face. “The Jixing Si suspects that the Bing Wu No. task, which caused heavy losses to the Dao Academy students previously, harbors other hidden secrets. Therefore, we specially dispatched a secret sentry to monitor this person, Fang He Ling, day and night. However, just last night, a secret sentry of the Jixing Si, a Zhou Tian realm cultivator, suddenly went missing. The students of the City Dao Academy are all future pillars of Zhuang Country. For the safety of the Dao Academy disciples, we have decided to first take Fang He Ling back for investigation.”

“You claim Fang He Ling is connected to the disappearance of your secret sentry. Do you have evidence?”

Dan Cha felt this was utterly absurd. “That secret sentry went missing precisely while monitoring him! What more evidence is needed? Whether he is involved or not, we will know after a single trial!”

“Then you intend to use torture, or perhaps a direct soul search?”

Dan Cha forced a smile. “Dean Dong jests. The Jixing Si has always enforced the law justly, acting in accordance with regulations. How could we possibly do such a thing?”

Dean Dong showed not the slightest respect. “You, a mere Chief Si, what is there to jest about with this academy?”

Speaking of which, the Dean of a City Dao Academy, the Chief Si of various city domains of the Jixing Si, and the City Lord held high-level positions within their respective city domains. In terms of official rank, the City Lord was slightly higher by half a level, while the Dean and Chief Si should have been equal. However, this varied depending on the specific city domain. It ultimately came down to who possessed greater strength, whose words carried more weight.

For instance, in the past, when Song Qi Fang presided over the City Dao Academy, it was not uncommon for Dan Cha to barge in and apprehend people. But now, Dong A was in charge. How could Dan Cha, a peak Teng Long realm cultivator, hold his head high before Dong A?

“The disciples of the Dao Academy may perhaps become colleagues of the Jixing Si in the future. This Si will absolutely not resort to torture,” Dan Cha promised through gritted teeth.

Dong A looked left and right. “Which teacher is not currently teaching? Accompany Fang He Ling on this trip to the Jixing Si. We, Zhuang Country, have our own laws. We will cooperate with normal questioning. But if they dare resort to those foul methods used in the prisons, this academy will absolutely not tolerate it!”

“Dean, I shall go. Fang He Ling was taken from my class. It is right that I step forward,” Xiao Tie Mian said. He was known for his strictness and held great respect for a Dean with a character similar to Dong A’s.

A tense confrontation, swords drawn, ended just like that. The Jixing Si personnel no longer dared to bind Fang He Ling, simply surrounding him to his left and right. Xiao Tie Mian stood beside him as his companion.

From beginning to end, Fang He Ling kept his head lowered, not uttering a single word. Yet, his eyes held a complex expression.

Before leaving, Dan Cha suddenly spoke. “Ah, Grand Si Ji will be arriving in Maple Forest City before long. He and Dean Dong have had dealings in New An City. Perhaps he will come to visit old acquaintances at that time.”

“Very well,” Dong A’s expression was unreadable. “If the swelling on his face has subsided, then let him come.”

Dan Cha: “…”

He had originally intended to borrow a bit of the tiger’s might. But he suddenly felt that he might have learned something he ought not to have known. He could only lead his people away in haste.

Dong A, like a stabilizing needle in the sea, steadied the morale of the Dao Academy. From beginning to end, he remained calm and collected, yet without losing his domineering presence. Only Jiang Wang, who had followed Dong A from outside the small courtyard, noticed that in a certain instant, Dong A’s hand clenched tightly into a fist behind his back.

“New An City”—this place, having been specifically mentioned, had perhaps struck a nerve. It had struck this upright old man.