Song Qifang had sought the Ziqi Donglai Sword Canon. Jiang Wang, in turn, reported this to Dong A.

This was not a matter of airing grievances, but rather because he had defied the intent of the Vice Principal. Such a matter had to be known to Dong A. Otherwise, should Song Qifang employ any hidden stratagems, Jiang Wang would find himself in a predicament.

Of course, Song Qifang might not resort to such measures. He had resided within the Fenglin City Daoist Academy for many years, maintaining a respectable reputation throughout. His request for the sword canon from Jiang Wang could also be seen as a consideration for the Daoist Academy itself.

Yet, the disparity in strength and standing between the two was vast. Jiang Wang had to prepare for every eventuality, preventing trouble before it arose.

Dong A listened, merely raising an eyebrow. “A decaying old man, pay him no mind.”

Jiang Wang inwardly gasped. The Principal was truly direct…

But he was not in a position to weigh in on this matter.

Dong A continued, “How fares your recent cultivation?”

“Before the middle of next month, the disciple should be able to complete the construction of the second Dao Xuan.”

“Not bad. The construction of the Dao Xuan accelerates with each subsequent one. Before glimpsing the Gate of Heaven and Earth, cultivation is largely a test of patience. From the Youmai Realm to the Zhou Tian Realm, the sole bottleneck is the construction of the Minor Zhou Tian. This presents no great difficulty for you. Therefore, upon reaching the Zhou Tian Realm, you should begin considering the Dao Techniques engraved within the Tongtian Palace. You must understand that the first instantaneous Dao Technique engraved in the Zhou Tian Realm holds immense significance for every cultivator. It is not a matter of which is most potent, but rather discovering the one that is most suited to you.”

“The disciple understands.”

Dong A pondered for a moment before adding, “Henceforth, should there be anything akin to the incident in Wangjiang City, you may report it to me in advance. So long as you possess reason and evidence, the Fenglin City Daoist Academy will never abandon its own disciples. Remember, your Senior Brother Zhu may not always be able to shield you. But this academy can.”

Jiang Wang’s heart warmed, truly sensing a paternal affection from Dong A.

But Dong A offered him no opportunity to express his gratitude. After speaking, he waved his hand. “You may go.”

…

In the deep of night, Jiang Wang awoke from his slumbers.

He donned his attire, took his sword, and stepped into the courtyard.

The woman, her face concealed by a black veil, smiled at him. She was still clad in thin garments in the biting winter night, appearing as though a gust of wind might easily carry her away.

“Do you recall the three matters you promised me?” she asked.

Her voice was melodic in the night, yet light and ephemeral.

Jiang Wang was taken aback. “Now? Today?”

The hour had passed; it was already the eleventh day of the winter month. This was the very day of the County Academy Selection.

The three major County Academies served as the most direct reservoir of monks for the National Academy.

Individuals like Lin Zhengren, who secured a National Academy quota through the Three City Discourse, were considered guaranteed admissions. And Zhu Weiwo, who received a direct summons from the National Academy, belonged to a special recruitment. These constituted only a small fraction.

The quinquennial competition of the three major County Academies was the broadest path to entering the National Academy, accepting a hundred monks each session.

All students of the Fenglin City Daoist Academy who had cultivated for more than five years had signed up for this selection, including Li Jianqiu, of course. After their journey to Three Mountains City, their bond had deepened. Today, Jiang Wang was meant to see him off.

The black-veiled woman spoke softly. “The first matter is today.”

Jiang Wang considered for a moment, then turned back to the house. “Wait a moment.”

He left a note for An’an, informing her that he had to depart temporarily, and if he couldn’t return to fetch her today, she should go to Ling He.

In truth, An’an no longer caused much worry. When Jiang Wang was preoccupied, Tang Dun had taken on the responsibility of fetching and sending An’an to school many times. As he put it, he had to do something for his teacher to feel at ease. Moreover, both were receiving guidance in martial arts from Jiang Wang and could barely be considered fellow “senior and junior brothers,” thus their relationship was quite familiar.

Jiang Wang emerged again, closing the door behind him. The black-veiled woman had already floated onto the rooftop, drifting away in the moonlight.

Jiang Wang pursued her. The figure ahead was graceful, seeming within reach, yet always separated by a layer of distance.

“Girl, what should I call you?” Jiang Wang asked as he moved swiftly, maintaining a distance of about four body lengths.

“Did I not say? Call me sister.” The voice from ahead drifted back, pleasing and unreal.

“‘Sister’ is too general, it cannot refer to someone as special and distinct as you,” Jiang Wang replied with great sincerity and conviction.

He had specifically posed such a question to Zhao Rucheng before, and Zhao Rucheng had instructed him to answer in this manner.

“Yo.” The black-veiled woman paused deliberately. When Jiang Wang caught up alongside her, she turned her head and glanced at him with a look that was both flirtatious and joyful. “Who taught you to say that?”

“No, no.” Jiang Wang looked away. “I just said it myself.”

“When men lie, they usually avert their gaze and dare not look at me.”

*Dare not look at you?* Jiang Wang thought, and deliberately turned his head to meet her gaze, his eyes steady.

“To conceal their guilty conscience, they sometimes become unusually assertive.”

*I’d best remain silent,* Jiang Wang thought.

“Hehe.” The woman changed the subject. “Since this is our first encounter, and I have seen your bare form…”

In the face of Jiang Wang’s slightly reddened countenance, she altered her words. “…the lotus behind your bare form, then, you may simply call me White Lotus.”

“Very well, Miss White Lotus.” Jiang Wang was relieved, resolving to speak only when necessary.

But he soon asked again, “What are we going to do?”

“You will know when we arrive,” White Lotus, who had casually bestowed upon herself a name, replied perfunctorily.

“Then, where are we going?”

“You will know when we arrive.”

“…”

There were no further words along the way.

White Lotus seemed to be deliberately testing the limits of Jiang Wang’s speed. After leaving Fenglin City, she continued to accelerate until Jiang Wang displayed clear signs of fatigue before slightly slowing down.

The sky gradually changed, and the scenery receding on the side of the road also transformed.

Jiang Wang couldn’t help but say, “Are we heading towards Three Mountains City?”

“You will know when we arrive.” White Lotus seemed to be intentionally teasing, and upon finishing her sentence, she was amused by herself.

Jiang Wang had to suppress a bellyful of doubts and follow along.

When White Lotus finally stopped, the sun was already high in the sky.

Gazing at the peak before him and hearing the faint roar of beasts, Jiang Wang suddenly felt uneasy and said, “What do you intend to do on Yuhang Peak?”

White Lotus looked at him, her eyes seemingly smiling. “Fear not, I will not do anything that violates your principles, nor will I lead you to your death.”

“So, what exactly is it?”

“Come with me first.”

“Wait? We are going to Yuhang Peak? So many ferocious beasts, just the two of us?”

White Lotus seemed to have been prepared long ago. She bent down and slipped into a rock cave. After a moment, she emerged with two animal hides.

She put on one herself and tossed the other to Jiang Wang.

“Put it on.”

It was likely a tiger hide. It felt good, but it didn’t seem to have been processed very carefully, and it carried a faint, unpleasant odor.

“What are we to do with this? Pretend to be ferocious beasts?” Jiang Wang felt that everything today seemed a bit absurd.

“Did you not ask me how to reach Yuhang Peak?” White Lotus wrapped herself in the enormous animal hide—it appeared to be fox fur or something similar, with beautiful patterns—and walked past Jiang Wang. “This is the answer.”

“No.” Jiang Wang had a headache. “Could it be that by wearing animal hides, the ferocious beasts will regard us as one of their own?”

“Ferocious beasts possess no consciousness. Did you not know?”

“That is what you say, but…”

“Is it not too preposterous? You did not expect that you could sneak in with such a simple method in the face of such a formidable assembly of ferocious beasts? Sometimes, what defeats us is not the true predicament, but the predicament of thought.”

White Lotus produced a tube of ointment, rubbed it on her hands, took a small amount, gestured for Jiang Wang to extend his hand, and also smeared a little on the back of his hand.

She explained as she rubbed, “In addition to this ointment that masks our scent, only a tiny amount is needed, and you will not be detected by the ferocious beasts.”

Her fingers were cold, possessing a very subtle softness, and they traced a few circles on the back of his hand before withdrawing.

“Simply put, difficulties have solutions, while fools are incurable,” she concluded at last.

“I always feel like you are scolding me…” Jiang Wang muttered as he put on the tiger hide.

At this moment, his eyes froze.

He froze before a rock cave in the distance. He saw, faintly, a few killer rock bees going in and out.

But he clearly recalled how, not long ago, the City Lord of Three Mountains City, Dou Yuemei, had slain these very ferocious beasts.

“These killer rock bees… were they not all killed?” Jiang Wang asked.

There was a hint of panic in his voice that he himself had not noticed.

“What do you think?”

White Lotus’s voice, as if smiling.