Dong A’s small courtyard.

As the third Dao vortex was about to form, Jiang Wang felt no anxiety about achieving his first minor heavenly cycle. It was a natural progression, a confidence he now possessed. However, he did have concerns about the instantaneous Dao technique he would imprint upon entering the Zhou Heavenly Realm.

This would be the first instantaneous Dao technique a cultivator would imprint, and its impact on battle was almost decisive.

Until one could completely deconstruct a Dao technique, no matter how skilled or swift, it would still require a few breaths of time. In a fierce battle, even a single breath could be fatal.

The reason Jiang Wang’s magical long sword was so precious was because it had an imprinted Golden Light Arrow. The Golden Light Arrow was not powerful, but the sword’s array patterns allowed it to achieve a near-instantaneous effect, making it useful in combat.

However, its long cooldown time was an undeniable drawback.

After completing the minor heavenly cycle, the Tongtian Palace would be able to support the imprinting of an instantaneous Dao technique.

Of the low-level Dao techniques he had learned in the Dao Academy, none were satisfactory enough, lacking the practicality of the Wave Triple Fold from Wangjiang City Dao Academy.

Dong A likely lacked the time and resources to invest in the development and innovation of low-level Dao techniques. Such achievements were usually the result of the Dao Academy’s accumulated knowledge, and the Maple Forest City Dao Academy, having been established for a short time, did not have sufficient foundation.

“Fire or Wood Dao techniques, which do you prefer?” Dong A asked.

As his teacher, he was naturally aware of Jiang Wang’s dual cultivation paths.

Wood Dao techniques often provided stronger binding abilities, while Fire Dao techniques were more violently offensive.

Jiang Wang already had an idea. “For my first instantaneous Dao technique, I prefer Fire. A more violent attack would better integrate into my current combat system.”

Dong A nodded. “The Guo National Dao Academy recently deciphered a Grade C, Upper class Dao technique.”

He extended a finger, and a spark of fire leaped to life.

The spark was lively and agile, twisting slightly before transforming into a flame flower, blooming on his fingertip.

Although Dong A was most skilled in Wood Dao techniques, a low-level Fire Dao technique was not difficult for him.

Jiang Wang could sense the scorching heat of the flame flower, despite its seemingly serene and gentle appearance.

“Flame Flower,” Dong A explained. “Ever since Zuo Guanglie created the ‘Flame Flower Incinerates the City’ Dao technique, various nations have attempted to decipher it. The Guo National Dao Academy only achieved results recently. This Flame Flower is derived from Flame Flower Incinerates the City. It is of the highest class among Grade C Dao techniques.”

Jiang Wang was extremely satisfied, more than he could have hoped for. Aside from those with extraordinary talent, Grade C Dao techniques were, in a sense, the upper limit for eighth-rank Zhou Heavenly Realm cultivators.

This Dao technique was already a Grade C, Upper class, and it was also a Flame Flower, the foundation for the Dao technique Flame Flower Incinerates the City.

“Teacher Dong, I’ll take this Dao technique,” Jiang Wang said immediately.

Dong A took out a small booklet and tossed it to Jiang Wang. “Inside are the hand seals, and… some of my thoughts on this Dao technique. Take it back and read it yourself. It’ll deduct all your remaining Dao merits.”

Deducting Dao merits was expected. The Dao Academy taught some conventional Dao techniques for free, but Dao techniques like the Flame Flower were naturally not among them. Many would break their heads trying to exchange for it, but it was not even listed on the Dao merit board.

The Guo National Dao Academy had only just deciphered it, and it was currently only circulating among powerhouses of Dong A’s level. To be willing to pass this Dao technique to Jiang Wang showed how highly he was regarded.

After the Three Mountains City incident, Jiang Wang already had very few Dao merits left, so he was getting a great deal.

Although Dong A was upright and often seemed aloof, his care for his disciples was genuine.

Jiang Wang respectfully accepted the booklet and placed it in his robe.

Logically, having achieved his goal, he should take his leave. But inexplicably, he sat down cross-legged again. “Teacher Dong…”

“Speak plainly.”

“Do you know… about the human tribe abducting the water tribe and extracting their Dao veins?” Jiang Wang cautiously watched Dong A’s expression.

With his usual caution, he would not have asked such a question. But over time, Dong A had earned his trust.

“And then?” Dong A did not even raise his eyebrows.

“Don’t you find such a thing hateful?”

“Who is hateful?” Dong A looked at him. “The water tribe also devours the human tribe. Did you know that? Would you like me to show you the Criminal Investigation Department’s files?”

Under Dong A’s gaze, Jiang Wang felt nervous and became momentarily speechless.

“Ah.” Noticing Jiang Wang’s anxiety, Dong A softened his gaze. “We all know that these are just isolated incidents. Just like among the human tribe, there are cannibals. Does that mean the entire human tribe feeds on its own kind?”

His tone became more gentle. “But once something involves two races, the issue becomes more complex. It’s hard to say. No matter how close the human tribe and the water tribe are, they are not, after all, one family.”

Jiang Wang forced himself to speak. “The problem is, it’s no longer isolated incidents. I discovered that the people in the Criminal Investigation Department…”

“Preposterous!” Dong A shouted sternly. “How can you say such a thing?”

His expression was serious. “Jiang Wang, remember this. Your most important task right now is to cultivate diligently and perfectly build your minor heavenly cycle. Then, pass the County Academy exam, the National Academy exam. I don’t care where you heard this information, these are not matters for a city Dao Academy disciple to worry about!”

“Yes,” Jiang Wang lowered his head in admission. “Disciple understands.”

……

Still in that bone-paved mountain cave. The agreed time had long passed, but the skeleton on the bone throne had not yet appeared.

“How much longer must we wait?” Miao Yu, still in her red dress, looked impatient.

“Let’s disperse,” the Bone Messenger said. “Grand Elder must be occupied with something. He won’t appear today.”

“Heh heh heh heh…” A gaunt old man stood in the cave, his status clearly no lower than the Messenger or the Saintess. He faced the bone throne and clasped his hands. “He carries the Ghost Gate Shadow. What could possibly hold him back?”

“Isn’t Grand Elder engaged in a major operation in Yun Country?” The Bone Messenger’s voice carried a smile. “What does the Cloud Top Kingdom have? What do you say, Second Elder?”

A Saintess, a Messenger, three Grand Elders, twelve Bone Masks. They represented the current high-level power of the Bone Dao.

In terms of status, the Saintess was the most transcendent. But in terms of power, the one who currently called the shots in the Bone Dao was the Grand Elder.

The Third Elder had sacrificed himself to create the Ghost Gate Shadow. Currently, if anyone in the sect could contend with the Grand Elder, it would be the Second Elder.

“Heh heh heh heh…” The Second Elder cackled ominously. “Could it be that Ye Lingxiao has emerged from seclusion? It has been many years since I last saw him fight. I wonder if his bones have rusted.”

“Then why doesn’t Second Elder go and take a look?” Miao Yu retorted with a smile, then flicked her long sleeves. “Since Grand Elder cannot come, I will take my leave.”

“What’s the rush, Saintess?” The Second Elder turned his head, a smile on his lips. His eyes revealed only the whites.

Miao Yu smiled radiantly. “I’m in a hurry to go back and interrogate the internal traitor.”

“Oh?” The Second Elder waved his hand, cackling strangely. “Go on, go on.”

……

The Bone Messenger hastened his steps, catching up to Miao Yu and said intimately, “Still asking if Ye Lingxiao’s bones have rusted? Ye Lingxiao is much younger than him! This old geezer speaks as if they have fought before! Who doesn’t know that when Ye Lingxiao roamed the world, his master and senior brothers were killed, and he only escaped by feigning death?”

He changed the subject. “But you too, you shouldn’t bother with his boasting. He’s just a bag of old bones. What’s there to argue about?”

Miao Yu glanced at him. “Why are you like those gossiping aunties, always chattering? Also, don’t get so close to me. We’re not close.”

“Aiyo, Miao Yu. You’ve changed. You weren’t like this with me before. New love makes you forget the old…” The Bone Messenger moved even closer, lowering his voice. “Have you… found the Dao Child?”

Miao Yu suddenly turned her head!

The Bone Messenger instantly leaped back, assuming a defensive stance.

But Miao Yu merely smiled charmingly.

“I would love to be nicer to you, as nice as you like. But… do you dare to accept it?”

Her bewitching eyes were seductive, her soft voice like silk.

“Ai!” The Bone Messenger clapped his hands. “That’s more like it!”

“Hide your little lover well. Don’t let anyone discover them…”

He finished speaking with a smile, then casually fell backward and disappeared into the cave.