Within the cavern’s walls, a chilling white light emanated, as if one had entered the belly of some colossal skeletal beast.

Passing through the long, winding tunnel, one beheld a world of its own within.

In the cave’s heart, a crimson carpet was unfurled. The Bone Messenger, masked and unsettling, and the alluring, red-robed Miao Yu, stood on either side.

Behind them, several black-robed figures were clustered, subtly divided into two factions.

The crimson carpet stretched to its end.

At the end, bone formed the steps, and flesh, the platform. Upon this high platform rested a throne of grotesquely jutting bone spurs.

Upon the throne sat a skeleton. Frail and withered, it seemed that even a slight breeze could scatter it to pieces.

Yet, a voice echoed from the skeleton’s empty mouth: “Who can tell this seat where the Nether Candle has gone?”

An old man in black robes fell to his knees with a thud: “Your subordinate is incompetent!”

The voice remained hollow, devoid of all emotion: “Then who can tell me, who was responsible for this disastrous operation?”

The old man in black robes glanced furtively at the Bone Messenger, but the messenger stood motionless, offering no assistance. He could only slam his head against the ground with a resounding thud: “This subordinate… deserves to die.”

Before the words had fully left his lips, he suddenly looked up, his face contorted in utter terror: “Grand Elder! I beg…”

It was as if an eerie wind swept through the cave.

A black robe slumped to the ground, and beneath it lay only a pile of bone dust.

He was dead, just like that.

“Indeed, he deserved to die,” the skeleton continued. “The Path of White Bones has endured a difficult legacy, with many incomplete techniques. The Nether Candle is a treasure of our sect, a hidden inheritance that could aid this seat in completing our lost arts. Yet, you have proven so utterly useless, letting this chance slip by!”

At this moment, the Bone Messenger spoke: “If I recall correctly, the Holy Maiden had prepared a contingency.”

Miao Yu offered a bewitching smile: “It was only with the Messenger’s initial moves that I could set my own contingency. But alas, several days have passed now. My people have brought no news. Perhaps they were slain by Wei Quji, or devoured by some wild dog.”

The Bone Messenger chuckled: “What initial moves? I know of none.”

“Enough,” the skeleton on the bone throne said. “Wei Quji using the Nether Candle as bait proves he knows that our Path of White Bones has offended him. But he does not understand what the Nether Candle truly means to us. Once he has killed enough people, he will no longer care so much about the Nether Candle. I command you to scour the land, seeking out who holds it now.”

“Yes,” the assembly responded, heads bowed.

“Furthermore, I have grand plans for the Cloud Kingdom. Keep your actions discreet.” After saying this, the skeleton on the throne instantly crumbled. Its bones scattered, leaving only a heap on the bone seat.

Miao Yu waved a hand, and the people in the cavern dispersed, leaving only the Bone Messenger and herself.

The Bone Messenger scoffed: “The Third Elder sacrificed himself to summon a phantom of the Gates of Hell. Was it for him to simply flaunt his power in the Cloud Kingdom?”

“Who knows?” Miao Yu’s brow furrowed slightly. “The Grand Elder seems less concerned with finding the Chosen of the Path these days.”

“Hahahaha.” The Bone Messenger walked away, his hands clasped behind his back. “Without the Chosen, he acts as the sect’s master. When the Chosen appears, he will be nothing more than the Grand Elder. Which do you think he will choose?”

…

Each time Jiang Wang came to the Academy of Arts, he felt somewhat distracted.

It was simply because he had yet to establish his foundation. No matter how eloquently the instructors spoke, he could only practice in his mind, a mere quenching of thirst, unable to gain any profound understanding.

Compared to the other students, Jiang Wang preferred the lessons on scriptures, listening to the old scholars explain the principles of the Great Dao and the sages’ classics. He found this far more enjoyable.

But he dared not miss these lessons at the Academy of Arts, especially those taught by Xiao Tiemian.

Xiao Tiemian’s given name was long forgotten. Though only a seventh-grade cultivator of the Tongtian realm, his mastery over basic arts was truly profound, skilled, and seasoned.

Before the class even began, Jiang Wang sat on his cushion, already lost in thought.

He was still replaying the previous night’s challenge in the Blessed Land, but he couldn’t analyze any further details.

Because from the start of the battle, he hadn’t even had time to draw his sword before an arrow ended his movements.

He had fallen from the Azure Jade Altar to the Light Heaven Altar, ranked twenty-fifth. His monthly Merit production decreased again, by one hundred, leaving him with only 1650 points. Added to the 190 points left over from deducing the Four Spirits Body Tempering Technique, he had a total of 1840 Merit points.

Outside the Illusory Realm of the Great Void, he still had four hundred Dao Merit points left in the Dao Merit List. These were all of Jiang Wang’s assets related to cultivation.

Although Zhao Rucheng wouldn’t use the Dao Academy’s Meridian Opening Pill, he still exchanged for one, probably to hide something. He didn’t want to elaborate, and Jiang Wang didn’t ask.

According to this kid’s boast, he would use a super-duper perfect Meridian Opening Pill, but alas, he only had one, and couldn’t share it with Jiang An’an.

Jiang Wang then asked him how many Dao Merit points were needed to exchange for this “super-duper perfect” Meridian Opening Pill.

Zhao Rucheng didn’t give a specific number, but patted his shoulder, telling him to work hard.

In short, providing well for his younger sister was a long and arduous road.

Lost in thought, Jiang Wang didn’t notice that Xiao Tiemian had already stepped onto the platform.

Jiang Wang quickly gathered his thoughts, putting on an industrious and attentive demeanor.

“Some people, don’t think that just because you have some small achievements, your tails can wag in the heavens. The path of cultivation is very long, young people, keep your eyes on the long view.” Xiao Tiemian coughed. “Alright, next we will talk about the specific applications of the Stone Skin Art in battle…”

Jiang Wang’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t understand why he was being targeted again. But he dared not show it on his face, and became even more attentive.

As soon as Xiao Tiemian left after the class, Huang Azhan approached from the corner.

“Aaaaargh, this deadpan face! Can you stand him targeting you like this? How about we go smash his windows tonight? Are you in?”

Seeing Huang Azhan, Jiang Wang suddenly understood why he was being targeted. This was probably a case of the city gate catching fire, and the fish in the moat suffering.

He associated with Huang Azhan on weekdays, and Xiao Tiemian had lumped them together.

“Go by yourself if you want.” Jiang Wang certainly wouldn’t play the fool with him.

“Let me tell you, this time I have a meticulous plan…”

“Stop!” Jiang Wang interrupted his long-winded argument, changing the topic: “We have an appointment to eat with Senior Brother Li Jianqiu. Do you want to come with us?”

“Hmph, you just don’t believe in me. I tell you, last time I was drunk, otherwise, with his Xiao…” Seeing Jiang Wang turn to leave, Huang Azhan quickly caught up: “I’m going!”

Zhao Rucheng lazily threw out a sentence: “Everyone splits the bill.”

Huang Azhan pretended not to hear, and put his arm around Ling He’s shoulder, starting to talk about his counterattack plan again.

Ling He was generous and kind. Although he would definitely not collude with him, he wouldn’t deliberately despise him either.

The Young Master Zhao really had no way to deal with this senior brother from the previous session. His skin was so thick that nothing could penetrate it.

This time, the organizer of the dinner was Li Jianqiu. He had invited Jiang Wang, and told him that he could bring some friends.

The location was at Su Huai Zhai. The style of this restaurant was somewhat higher than that of the Looking Moon Pavilion, but it mainly served vegetarian food. Jiang Wang and his meat-loving, heavy-drinking friends had rarely visited it.

Entering the private room, only Li Jianqiu sat alone.

Everyone was already familiar with each other, so there weren’t many formalities. They directly started eating the delicious dishes.

Du Yehu was the most impatient with vegetarian food, especially those with so-called divine skills that used vegetarian dishes to make roasted chicken and beef flavors. He sneered at them. His reason was, why spend so much effort, why not just go eat roasted chicken and beef? Zhao Rucheng summarized it with the word “style,” but it was useless to argue with him.

Fortunately, Du Yehu was not present now, and the others didn’t have his quirks.

During the meal, Huang Azhan told a story.

It was said that after Lin Zhengren returned to Wangjiang City, he was very pleased with himself. At the welcoming banquet, he publicly declared that he was invincible in the Three Cities Dao Assembly, and no one in the Three Mountain City and Maple Forest City was his match. Zhu Weiwo had just returned to the Dao Academy not long ago. After hearing about this, he picked up his spear and left. He took a solitary boat down the Green Willow River, and went straight down the Qing River to Wangjiang City.

They should have started fighting by now.

Jiang Wang was skeptical: “Judging from Lin Zhengren’s performance in the Three Cities Dao Assembly, he doesn’t seem like that kind of person. He probably wouldn’t say those words, right?”

But Li Jianqiu laughed: “Senior Brother Zhu is just finding an excuse to beat him up, he doesn’t care if he said those words or not! Since it has spread, then we will just assume he said it.”

He had more contact with Zhu Weiwo, so naturally he understood him better.

Although Jiang Wang had only met him once, he also felt that what Li Jianqiu said was very much in Zhu Weiwo’s style.

“Domineering!”

“Amazing!”

“Senior Brother is mighty!”

“Alright, the person is not here, he can’t hear your flattering.” Li Jianqiu waved his hand, and directly cut to the topic: “The beast disaster in Three Mountain City has been severe recently. Yesterday, their City Lord issued a reward, inviting experts to help them exterminate the fierce beasts. This is the largest operation in Three Mountain City in recent years. I am preparing to form a team to go there. What do you think, are you willing to come with me?”