Watching the mysterious figure in the Daishan ghost mask depart, Fu Baosong pondered, “He seems to know me.”

The old Dean sighed and picked up the two volumes of Daoist arts left on the chair. “He said his name was Zhang Linchuan. Does that ring any bells?”

Fu Baosong thought for a moment and replied, “Back when Maple Leaf City still stood, during that Three-City Dao Discussion, Maple Leaf City had a senior brother who practiced lightning techniques named Zhang Linchuan. He ended up losing to Senior Brother Lin Zhengren.”

The Dean glanced at his disciple. He was well aware of Lin Zhengren’s attitude towards Fu Baosong and understood that Fu Baosong had never gotten along with the Lin family. Yet, Fu Baosong never spoke ill of them behind their backs. Even when mentioning Lin Zhengren, he always addressed him as “Senior Brother.” This child never lacked the courage to confront darkness head-on but never resorted to malicious scheming behind the scenes.

It was precisely these details that led him to choose Fu Baosong, rather than the more talented Lin Zhengren, to inherit his life’s work.

These thoughts flashed through his mind. The Dean of Wangjiang City Dao Academy said, “That’s impossible. I know Zhengren’s strength very well. Even Zhengren as he is now would never be as powerful as that person just now. Moreover, the entire Maple Leaf City region was swallowed by the Netherworld, leaving not a blade of grass alive. How could that Zhang Linchuan have survived?”

Thinking of Maple Leaf City, which had become a ghost domain overnight, Fu Baosong felt a pang of sorrow. He casually speculated, “Perhaps it’s an alias, or just a coincidence in name.”

“Let’s hope it’s just a coincidence,” the Dean sighed with an emotion that Fu Baosong didn’t understand. Then, he placed the two volumes in Fu Baosong’s hands. “Take them and study them carefully.”

Fu Baosong looked up at him. “Teacher, this…”

The Dean patted his shoulder, stopping his refusal. “My talent is limited, and this is as far as I’ll go in my life. You have a brighter future and are more deserving of these Daoist arts. Master them as quickly as possible, so that the Decaying Wood Art isn’t given away in vain. This is an order.”

Fu Baosong had been stubborn since he was a child. Sometimes, even the Dean of Wangjiang City Dao Academy couldn’t persuade him on certain matters.

But he would always obey the Dean’s orders, no matter how unwilling he was.

Fu Baosong clutched the two Daoist arts tightly in his hands. “Baosong will certainly work hard.”

The Dean nodded with satisfaction and added, “Now, go ring the academy bell and seek assistance from the experts throughout the Wangjiang City region.”

“Teacher,” Fu Baosong hesitated. “It seems too late to seek help now. Besides, if we anger that person, he might…”

“It’s certainly too late to seek help now. But we must spread the word about the Decaying Wood Art being stolen. Otherwise, if that person commits any evil deeds in the future and exposes the Decaying Wood Art, you and I will be implicated no matter what.”

The old Dean said, “Besides, it’s impossible to do anything about that person now, and he should know that. Judging from his style, he’s a man of principles and won’t return to the academy for revenge.”

Fu Baosong understood his teacher’s concerns and nodded. “I’ll go right away.”

The Dean added from behind him, “Remember, when the City Lord and the others arrive later, you must remember that I gave away the Decaying Wood Art. This is my unique Daoist art, and I have the right to make decisions about it.”

“But the truth is…”

“This *is* the truth!” The Dean interrupted him sternly. “This is also an order.”

Having a stranger steal a unique Daoist art was a big deal. But if the Dean himself gave away his own Daoist art for the safety of the academy’s students, no one could criticize him.

But if Fu Baosong gave away the Daoist art, he might be accused of being cowardly and afraid of death, which would be detrimental to his future development in the imperial court.

The old Dean was taking the blame upon himself, shielding his disciple from the storm. He was considering everything, as if Fu Baosong was his own son.

Fu Baosong gritted his teeth and finally left.

The nine rings of the City Dao Academy’s bell immediately alarmed the experts of the Wangjiang City region.

The City Dao Academy was the most vital place in the entire city region. If it fell, none of them could escape responsibility.

The Wangjiang City Lord, who was in the Inner Mansion Realm, arrived swiftly. The Wangjiang City Chief Constable of the Criminal Investigation Division, who was at the peak of the Soaring Dragon Realm, also arrived shortly after.

Fortunately, the Wangjiang City Dao Academy hadn’t suffered any substantial losses. Only the Dean had been forced to hand over a unique Daoist art.

As for the villain who broke into the City Dao Academy at night, after clarifying his approximate strength, the Wangjiang City Lord had already decided on the course of action.

They had to pursue the matter for the sake of the city’s reputation, but the enforcement would be more bark than bite. After all, the opponent was at least in the Inner Mansion Realm, and few people in the entire Wangjiang City region could deal with him. And as the City Lord, he couldn’t possibly put aside everything and personally pursue the villain.

In any case, the City Dao Academy hadn’t suffered any substantial losses, and the City Dao Academy itself wasn’t strongly pursuing the matter.

In a few words, the City Lord, the Dean of the City Dao Academy, and the Chief Constable of the Criminal Investigation Division, these three highest-ranking officials in the city region, had already reached a tacit understanding and made arrangements.

Issue a wanted notice, strengthen patrols, and send a few teams of cultivators to make a show of force, and that was it.

Jiang Wang left the Wangjiang City Dao Academy without much joy at completing his intended goal.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” Jiang Yan’s voice echoed in the Tongtian Palace. “Coercion, enticement, threats… I thought only I was capable of doing these things.”

“Mock me if you want,” Jiang Wang said unmoved. “I will take back what the Zhuang Kingdom owes me.”

“At any cost?”

Jiang Wang didn’t answer his question directly but said, “I didn’t lie to them just now. If they still refuse to give it to me when the time comes, I will give up.”

“You still feel guilty,” Jiang Yan laughed. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have explained yourself to me.”

“It would have been better if that Dean was a heinous villain. That way, no matter how you tortured him, even if you destroyed his will, you wouldn’t have to feel guilty.”

“I have a secret technique that can incite the evil thoughts in people’s hearts. After the target commits evil deeds, you can go and deal with him without any guilt. How about it? Do you want to learn it?”

“You have more choices, you can become stronger faster, why tie your own hands?”

“By what standards are you holding yourself to? Who cares?”

“Don’t you feel tired living like this?”

“Why not let go of yourself…”

“Stronger, easier, and more free…”

Jiang Yan was unusually active tonight, chattering endlessly.

The feeling of guilt that arose when facing Fu Baosong became a temporary flaw in Jiang Wang’s defenses.

Jiang Yan keenly noticed this and tried to expand this flaw.

Throughout the entire process, he didn’t use any secret techniques. He simply manipulated emotions with words.

Because using any secret techniques at this moment would be equivalent to declaring war directly. He wasn’t willing to engage in a soul battle with Jiang Wang right now.

But Jiang Wang remained silent.

His eyes grew calmer and calmer as he walked silently through Wangjiang City in the dark of night.

The nine rings of the Wangjiang City Dao Academy’s distress bell rang at this moment.