Volume 1, Chapter 146 – Borrowing Men

On the distant plains stood a towering academy complex. Even from dozens of li away, with Shi Lan’s eyesight she could still make out the pavilions and towers within that academy and the streams of figures walking among them.

At the main gate of the academy stood an archway ten zhang tall. On a jade plaque more than five zhang long were four large black characters: “Taixu Academy.”

At a single glance, those four characters seemed to be carved directly into one’s mind, impossible to forget.

At the very center of the academy stood a statue a thousand zhang high. Its features seemed veiled by a thin gauze, making it impossible to see clearly.

A matchless, majestic righteous aura slowly flowed over the statue, pressing down in all directions, warding off all evil.

Of the information on Taixu Academy, Shi Lan did not know much. She only roughly knew that it was apparently the standard-bearer among the Confucian powers of the Chengtian Domain, the one holding up the main banner.

In terms of power ranking, it was said to be third-grade.

Aside from this basic information, there was nothing else.

Bai Weiyang sat astride a somewhat unusual flood-dragon horse, with several dozen Demon-Suppressing Army cavalry riding behind him, and slowly made his way to the deck.

Shi Lan swept a glance over the people behind Bai Weiyang and was a bit surprised to find that aside from the ten-thousand-man commanders, all the others were thousand-man commanders. There was not a single centurion. The flood-dragon horses they rode also differed from ordinary ones.

The flood-dragon horse under Bai Weiyang was even more robust than the usual kind. Its body was also pitch black and covered in dark scales, but those scales carried a faint, dim luster, and the spirit in its eyes was especially lively.

Even from three zhang away, Shi Lan could smell the powerful, dragon-like blood and qi on this horse. That feeling reminded her of the flood dragon she had seen outside Twin Moon City.

The flood-dragon horses under the others were also far more magnificent than the common sort, their essence, energy, and spirit completely different.

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A road of golden light unfurled, stretching down from the deck all the way to the ground.

Bai Weiyang did not speak. He simply beckoned and urged his mount onto the golden light.

A riderless flood-dragon horse slowly moved to a stop beside Shi Lan. It gave a very humanlike toss of its head, signaling for her to mount, leaving her momentarily at a loss.

The ten-thousand-man commanders and the other thousand-man commanders were already following Bai Weiyang down the warship along the golden path. Seeing Shi Lan seemingly dazed, the flood-dragon horse stretched out its head and nudged her, as if urging her on.

Shi Lan came back to herself and swung onto its back.

Once she was seated, the flood-dragon horse leapt forward almost impatiently, catching up with Bai Weiyang’s group and trailing at the very end of the line.

The group did not move quickly. Bai Weiyang was deliberately holding the flood-dragon horses back, keeping their speed no different from that of ordinary galloping horses.

…

“Hey! Hurry it up, clean this entire gatefront spotless. We’ve got important guests arriving soon!”

At the academy gate, a middle-aged scholar in long robes directed a group of simply dressed menials as they started cleaning dust that could barely be seen.

“Sir, what kind of important guests? Why so nervous?”

“Is it people from another academy?”

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A few of the menials took the chance while sweeping to gather around the middle-aged scholar, asking with respectful faces.

“Off with you, off with you. Why do you care about all that? Is that your business?” The middle-aged scholar waved his hand and urged them on. “Move faster.”

Most of these menials were in their thirties or forties; there were very few young people, only two or three.

After nearly a quarter of an hour, a group of young disciples in simple Confucian robes walked to the academy gate.

Behind them followed several dozen teachers in formal dress, wearing tall caps and broad sashes.

The sight made the menials peeking from the corner inwardly start. Some truly important figure must be coming.

After those several dozen teachers, an elderly man in blue robes slowly stepped out. Seeing this elder, the menials all sucked in a sharp breath.

“Even Elder Lin himself has been alarmed?!”

“Could it be that some great scholar has come to visit our Taixu Academy, or a Nascent Soul Realm expert has arrived? For Elder Lin to personally go out to welcome them, even an ordinary Myriad Phenomena Realm expert wouldn’t get that kind of face.”

A young menial stared at the elder, a trace of unwillingness rising in his eyes as he clenched the broom in his hand.

…

As the distance between them and the academy shrank, that nameless restlessness in Shi Lan’s heart slowly calmed down. She felt much more at ease.

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Under the sunlight, that massive statue seemed to glow with a layer of gentle white light, its aura very warm.

The flood-dragon horses slowly came to a halt before the academy gate. Sitting on his mount, Bai Weiyang cupped his hands toward the elder. “It has been a long time, Mister Lin.”

“I sensed the general’s sword qi from a hundred li away. I wasn’t certain then, but now that I see you, I know it truly is an old acquaintance.” The elder smiled slightly and returned the salute.

Watching the elder’s courteous manner, the young menial hidden in the crowd looked with envy at the handsome man seated on horseback, thinking to himself, “If one day I could also make a great scholar return my salute with a smile, I would have no regrets in this life.”

His gaze passed over each of the armored figures one by one. When it reached the end of the line, a flicker of doubt crept into his eyes. After studying closely, that doubt only deepened and slowly turned into shock.

Looking at the elder before the academy gate, Shi Lan could not help but frown slightly. Lin Yusheng turned out to be someone from Taixu Academy.

Remembering what Lin Yusheng had told her back in Purple Flame City, the furrow between Shi Lan’s brows slowly eased.

At that time, Lin Yusheng had said that in his early years he had had some dealings with a few Demon-Suppressing Generals. She had listened and then forgotten, not taking it to heart. Now it seemed he had not been speaking idly.

Lin Yusheng gave the Demon-Suppressing Army a quick once-over and soon saw Shi Lan at the very end. Her clothing had changed greatly, but he still recognized her at a glance, his expression shifting slightly.

Sensing Shi Lan’s cultivation, a hint of surprise flashed in Lin Yusheng’s eyes. Her rate of growth was far more astonishing than he had expected.

After a brief silence, Lin Yusheng still nodded and greeted her. “Miss Shi Lan, we meet again.”

“Mister Lin.” Shi Lan inclined her head slightly.

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Hearing the name “Shi Lan,” the young menial gripping the broom could no longer suppress his emotions. His face was full of shock.

The menials beside him noticed his expression and all spoke up in concern.

“Yuan Bai, what’s wrong?”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“Why don’t you go rest first? There’s nothing left to do here anyway.”

The young menial lowered his head. His thoughts churned for a long moment before he finally shook it. “I’m fine…”

So that’s how it is…

After greeting Shi Lan, Lin Yusheng looked back toward Bai Weiyang and stepped aside. “General, please come inside and talk.”

“No, time is short. This general will be brief. The demon race is powerful. I have come this time to borrow men.” Bai Weiyang shook his head.

Lin Yusheng turned and straightened, the smile fading from his face. “How many men does the general wish to borrow?”

“As many as you can lend, I will take.” Bai Weiyang replied calmly.