In Dong A’s small courtyard.

The third Dao Star was about to be established, and Jiang Wang was not worried about whether he could complete the first minor Heavenly Cycle. It was a natural process, and he now had that confidence.

However, he still had doubts about the instantaneously cast Dao technique that would be engraved after entering the Heavenly Cycle realm.

This was the first instantaneously cast Dao technique that a cultivator engraved, and the impact of instantaneously cast Dao techniques on combat was almost decisive.

Before being able to completely dissect the Dao technique itself, no matter how skilled or fast a Dao technique was, it would still take a few breaths of time. And in fierce battles, a gap of one breath was enough to be fatal.

The reason why Jiang Wang’s magic weapon long sword was precious was because it was engraved with a Golden Light Arrow. The Golden Light Arrow was not powerful, but the sword’s array patterns made it achieve a near-instantaneous effect, giving it practical significance in battle.

However, the long cooldown time was an unavoidable drawback.

After completing the minor Heavenly Cycle, the Tongtian Palace would be able to support him in engraving an instantaneously cast Dao technique.

However, among the low-level Dao techniques he had learned in the Dao Academy, there was indeed nothing satisfactory, lacking the kind of highly applicable Dao technique like the Three Wave Ripple from Wangjiang City Dao Academy.

Dong A could not have the energy to invest in the research and innovation of low-level Dao techniques. This kind of thing was often the result of the Dao Academy’s accumulation over time, but the Maple Leaf City Dao Academy had not risen for long, and its foundation was not sufficient.

“Which do you prefer, fire or wood Dao techniques?” Dong A asked.

As a teacher, he was naturally aware of the directions in which Jiang Wang practiced.

Wood Dao techniques were often more binding, while fire Dao techniques were more violently offensive.

Jiang Wang had long had an idea: “For the first instantaneously cast Dao technique, I hope it is fire-based. A more violent attack can better integrate into my current combat system.”

Dong A nodded: “It just so happens that the State Dao Academy has recently deciphered a C-grade high-quality Dao technique.”

He extended a finger, and a spark of fire jumped up.

The spark was lively and agile, and with a slight twist, it transformed into a flame flower, blooming on his fingertip.

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

Jiang Wang could sense the burning heat of the flame flower, even though it looked so serene and gentle.

“Flame Flower.” Dong A explained: “Since Zuo Guanglie created the ‘Flame Flower Burning City’ Dao technique, people in various countries have been trying to decipher it, and the State Dao Academy only had results not long ago. This Flame Flower comes from Flame Flower Burning City. It is the highest grade of C-grade Dao techniques.”

Jiang Wang was very satisfied, couldn’t be more satisfied. Leaving aside those with extraordinary talents, in a sense, C-grade Dao techniques were the upper limit for eighth-grade Heavenly Cycle realm cultivators.

This Dao technique was already of the highest grade in C-grade, especially since it was a Flame Flower, the basis for the Flame Flower Burning City Dao technique.

“Teacher Dong, it’s this Dao technique.” Jiang Wang said immediately.

Dong A took out a small booklet and tossed it to Jiang Wang: “This contains the hand seals, and, well, some of my thoughts on this Dao technique. Take it back and read it yourself. It will deduct all your remaining Dao merits.”

Deducting Dao merits was proper, the Dao Academy taught some conventional Dao techniques for free. But Dao techniques like Flame Flower were naturally not among the conventional ones. Many people racked their brains to exchange for it, but it was not on the Dao merit list at all.

The State Dao Academy had just deciphered it, and it was currently only circulating among powerful figures like Dong A. It was clear how much he valued Jiang Wang to pass on this Dao technique.

Since Three Mountains City, Jiang Wang’s Dao merits had already been running low, and this time he had gotten a great bargain.

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 bosom.

Logically, the purpose of this trip had been achieved, and he should bid farewell and leave.

But inexplicably, he sat down cross-legged again: “Teacher Dong…”

“Speak directly if you have something to say.”

“Do you know… about the matter of humans capturing aquatic creatures and extracting their Dao meridians?” Jiang Wang carefully watched Dong A’s expression.

With his caution, he would not have asked such a question. But over this period of time, Dong A had built trust in his heart.

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

“Don’t you find such things hateful?”

“Who is hateful?” Dong A looked at him: “Aquatic creatures also devour humans, do you know that? Should I show you the files of the Arrest and Interrogation Division?”

Under Dong A’s gaze, Jiang Wang felt nervous and stammered for a moment.

“Ah.” Noticing Jiang Wang’s apprehension, Dong A softened his gaze, “We all know that these are just a few cases. Just like the human race itself, there are cannibals, does that mean the entire human race eats its own kind?”

His tone also softened: “But once anything involves two races, the problem is not so simple. These things are hard to say. No matter how close the human and aquatic races are, they are not one family after all.”

Jiang Wang braced himself and said: “The problem is that it is no longer a few cases. I found that people from the Arrest and Interrogation Division…”

“Presumptuous!” Dong A shouted sharply: “How can you say such things?”

His expression was serious: “Jiang Wang, remember this. The most important thing for you now is to cultivate well and perfectly build the minor Heavenly Cycle. Then take the examination for the county academy, the state academy. I don’t care where you heard the news from, these things are not something a city Dao Academy disciple should be concerned about!”

“Yes.” Jiang Wang lowered his head and admitted his mistake: “This disciple understands.”

…

Still in that mountain cave paved with white bones. The appointed time had passed long ago, but the skull on the white bone throne had not yet appeared.

“How much longer do we have to wait?” Miao Yu was still dressed in red, but her expression was a little impatient.

“Let’s disperse.” The White Bone Envoy said: “The Great Elder must be held up by something and will not appear today.”

“Heh heh heh heh…” Today, there was an additional gaunt old man in the cave, whose status was clearly not lower than the envoy and the holy maiden. He faced the direction of the white bone throne, with his hands clasped, and said: “He carries the Ghost Gate Shadow, what could possibly hold him up?”

“Isn’t the Great Elder having a major operation in Yun Country?” The White Bone Envoy’s voice carried a smile: “What does the Country Above the Clouds have, what do you say, Second Elder?”

A holy maiden, an envoy, three great elders, and twelve bone faces. Representing the current high-level power of the White Bone Dao.

In terms of status, the holy maiden was the most transcendent. But in terms of strength, the Great Elder currently held the reins of the White Bone Dao.

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

“Heh heh heh heh…” The Second Elder smiled grimly: “Could it be that Ye Lingxiao has emerged from seclusion? It has been many years since I saw him take action, and I don’t know if his bones have rusted now.”

“Then the Second Elder might as well go and see.” Miao Yu retorted with a smile, and then flicked her long sleeves: “Since the Great Elder can’t come, I’ll take my leave first.”

“What’s the rush, Holy Maiden?” The Second Elder turned his head, a smile on his lips. In his eyes, there was only white.

Miao Yu smiled charmingly: “I’m eager to go back and interrogate the internal spy.”

“Oh?” The Second Elder waved his hand and laughed strangely, “Go, go.”

…

The White Bone Envoy hurried a few steps, caught up with Miao Yu, and said very intimately: “Still asking if Ye Lingxiao’s bones are rusted, Ye Lingxiao is much younger than him! This old geezer, speaking as if they had fought before! Who doesn’t know that when Ye Lingxiao was traveling the world, his master and senior brothers were killed, and he only escaped by pretending to be dead?”

He changed the subject: “But you too, just let him boast if he wants to boast. What’s there to argue about with an old bag of bones?”

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

“Aiyo, Miao Yu. You’ve changed. You didn’t used to treat me like this. You forget the old after finding someone new…” The White Bone Envoy moved closer, lowering his voice: “Did you, find the Dao Heir?”

Miao Yu suddenly turned her head!

The White Bone Envoy jumped far away, taking a defensive stance.

But then Miao Yu smiled enchantingly.

“I would like to treat you better, any way you want. But, dare you accept it?”

Her charming eyes were captivating, and her soft voice was like酥.

“Ay!” The White Bone Envoy clapped his hands, “That’s more like it!”

“Hide your little lover well, don’t let anyone find out…”

He finished speaking with a smile, leaned back, and disappeared into the cave.