What a Small World

While quite a few young cultivators had advanced their cultivation after drawing inspiration from the Dharma Manifestation during this period, their progress was utterly insignificant compared to Yang Lingrui's rocket-like speed.

Even top-tier geniuses like He Shenglai, Su Lingyun, and Xiao Yize had never achieved such an exaggerated rate of progress when they were at this stage.

This forced Yang Lingrui to begin suppressing his cultivation, lest exposing it prove too astonishing and bring trouble upon himself and the Yang family.

But if he were to break through via the Dao Stone, everything would become perfectly explainable.

This was precisely why Yang Lingrui was so eager to set out for the Chengtian Academy as soon as possible.

On the night before their departure, Zi He came to visit him at his cave dwelling.

Key figures of He Shenglai's caliber all had designated lodgings in the imperial capital. The rest of the young cultivators were scattered across several scenic peaks.

"What is wrong with you these past few days? Your face turns pale one moment and red the next, and the spiritual power inside you is churning restlessly."

Zi He, who practiced a pupil technique, saw right through the abnormality beneath Yang Lingrui's disguise. He assumed something had gone awry with the youth's cultivation.

"Well..." Yang Lingrui pondered briefly before saying, "I am about to break through again."

"Huh?"

Zi He was startled. With a skeptical look, he reached out and placed his fingers on Yang Lingrui's wrist.

"Good grief! You really are about to reach the ninth layer! You haven't been secretly practicing some demonic art behind everyone's back, have you?!"

"Sigh... there is no helping it. Geniuses have their own troubles. You probably wouldn't understand," Yang Lingrui said, spreading his hands with a helpless expression.

"I do not know what kind of troubles geniuses have, but that smug attitude of yours makes me really want to slap you twice."

Zi He was utterly speechless.

Once their banter ended, both of them grew solemn.

"You obtained that item, didn't you?"

As a Slaying Guard of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, Zi He had access to certain inside information.

He knew that on the day of the Dharma Manifestation, their ancestor's "Intent" had not been taken away by the Wangchao.

It was the Western Consort herself who had spoken, so the imperial court did not pursue the matter further.

An insight regarding the Qi Gathering realm simply wasn't worth making a massive fuss over.

Besides, obtaining the insight was one thing, but fully comprehending it was another.

Given Li Yuande's unparalleled talent, it would take at least ten years of solid groundwork to completely absorb his lifetime of Intent.

"Yes."

Although Zi He had not spoken explicitly, Yang Lingrui knew exactly what he meant.

"Good. It is fine as long as you have it!"

Zi He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He leaned back in his chair, unhooked his wine gourd, and took a deep swig.

"The day you left the Wangyue Region, the ancestor spoke to me."

His expression turned deeply serious. "He said the path to Heaven Connecting is treacherous. Since our family can no longer walk it, we must become the foundation stones, paving the way for future fellow Daoists."

"At the time, I did not fully understand. But after witnessing the final stretch of the ancestor's journey, I have come to grasp his meaning."

"It is confidence, it is awareness, it is hope. Yet it is also unwillingness, regret, and utter helplessness..."

"I will not give you empty words like 'do not let us down.' You are yourself; you will not become a second Li Yuande."

"But Lingrui, out of personal selfishness, I must ask one thing of you..."

At this point, Zi He's emotions stirred violently.

With a slightly trembling voice, he said, "I hope that when you achieve great success in your cultivation, you can look upon the scenery from higher places on behalf of the ancestor. Roam freely and joyfully across this heaven and earth!"

By the end of his words, Zi He's voice was choked with emotion.

Upon hearing this, Yang Lingrui stood up and bowed deeply to him. "Having received such profound grace, Lingrui swears he will fulfill this vow!"

The next day, the two of them, along with the other young cultivators who had attended the ceremony, headed toward the Chengtian Academy, located in the east of the imperial capital.

Yang Lingrui's condition was much more relaxed now.

Yesterday, Zi He had crafted an external appearance for him based on his physique and the structure of his Qi channels. After refining and absorbing this false guise, Yang Lingrui could temporarily use it to alleviate the pressure of suppressing his realm.

Passing through the white mist and treading the stone path up the green mountain, the crowd looked up and beheld four vigorous, powerful characters written high in the sky.

Chengtian Academy!

These four characters were not written on a physical plaque. Instead, the Academy Master had used profound Dao arts to engrave them deeply into the very vault of heaven.

Just by staring at them a moment longer, an overwhelming pressure-as if the blue sky itself were collapsing down upon them-suddenly rose in their hearts!

"Whew... truly terrifying!"

"Just a few glances, and my soul feels shaken. Is this the handiwork of a Spirit Communion powerhouse?"

Many of the young cultivators were startled and quickly averted their gazes.

The Academy instructor leading the way took in their reactions, a hint of pride surfacing on his face.

Chengtian Academy had always claimed to be the premier institution under the Zhuhu banner.

Whether in the sheer number of disciples or the overall strength of their cultivation, the Chengtian Academy stood unrivaled, far surpassing any other force within the Wangchao.

They walked a short distance further. Before they could even spot the Academy's mountain gate, a melodious zither tune reached their ears, instantly lightening everyone's mood.

Following the zither music, spirit birds and exotic beasts conjured from seven-colored ink arrived in quick succession. They surrounded Yang Lingrui and the others, escorting them toward the mountain gate.

"Welcome, heroes of the Wangchao, to our Chengtian Academy!"

"Welcome, heroes of the Wangchao, to our Chengtian Academy!"

At the mountain gate, rows of Academy disciples had already lined up, bowing in unison to welcome the guests.

Unlike the unified schedules arranged for other locations, the Academy allowed them to tour freely during the first few days.

To facilitate this, the Academy had thoughtfully assigned an Academy disciple as a guide to every visiting cultivator.

Male cultivators were paired with female disciples, while female cultivators were paired with male disciples.

These disciples had been rigorously selected for both their cultivation and appearance. One had to admit that the Academy had hit the mark with this arrangement.

"Greetings, Young Master. Please follow me."

"Miss, this way, please."

One by one, the exceptionally attractive Academy disciples stepped forward to lead away their assigned guests.

Yang Lingrui did not care about these arrangements; he merely wished to hasten to the part where he could commune with the Dao Stone.

"Excuse me, are you Young Master Yang?"

Just as he was lost in thought, a remarkably familiar voice sounded beside him.

Yang Lingrui glanced sideways, and his expression froze slightly.

For the guide the Academy had arranged for him was none other than Miss Feng Linghua of the Feng family, whom he had traveled with back in the treasure land!

She joined the Academy too? What a coincidence, Yang Lingrui thought to himself, though his face remained entirely wooden.

"Um... are you... Young Master Yang?" Seeing that the man before her did not react, Feng Linghua inquired once more.

"Oh, yes. Greetings, Fellow Daoist." Yang Lingrui snapped back to reality and bowed to her.

"Oh my, I cannot claim the title of Fellow Daoist!" Feng Linghua quickly waved her hands. "Our cultivation levels are too far apart. You can just call me Linghua, Young Master."

"Very well. Greetings, Miss Linghua."

The moment he finished speaking, Yang Lingrui felt numerous sharp gazes land squarely on him from all directions.

He felt utterly helpless.

Without a doubt, these people were Feng Linghua's admirers within the Academy.

With her top-tier family background, immense talent, and exceptional beauty, her popularity within the Academy was inevitable.

Unfortunately, he was the one who had to endure this sudden wave of unprovoked jealousy. It was an unspeakable, absolute helplessness, born entirely from such a bizarre coincidence.

"What a lucky fellow, actually getting Junior Sister Feng as his guide."

"His realm seems decent enough, but his appearance is thoroughly ordinary. He doesn't even match up to me."

"Lower your voice. He is a guest. Do not tarnish our Academy's dignity."

A few nearby Academy disciples murmured quietly among themselves.

Meanwhile, Feng Linghua stared intently at Yang Lingrui. She was certain she had never met this man before.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, the moment she looked at him, a strange sense of familiarity welled up in her heart.

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