```
The pale-faced demon's entire corpse was split in half, but because his right arm had already been chopped off, the two halves of the corpse did not appear symmetrical.
Jiang Wang stood before the corpse, his hand relaxed, and the longsword in it shattered into countless pieces that fell to the ground.
Its mission had been completed.
This mediocre material of the longsword could not endure the infusion of Path Origin for such a long time.
And Jiang Wang once again clearly felt that the inside of Tongtian Palace was empty. Those lively and adorable creatures were all gone, not a single one left.
Before the ownerless gray fog spread, Jiang Wang returned to the official road. He noticed that a portion of the fog had drifted toward the side of the road but was slowly dissipated by an invisible force.
Jiang Wang knew that this must be the power of some array pattern inscribed onto the official road.
After waiting for a while, thundering roars approached from a distance, and Zhang Linchuan leaped forward several times, landing beside Jiang Wang.
"Jiang Junior Brother didn't leave this place, did he?" he asked.
Despite going through a battle, his clothes were still neat, and even his hair bun was meticulously preserved. His every move displayed his natural elegance.
"I encountered… that demon from before in Tangshe Town."
"If you slashed his blood, he would definitely come to retrieve it; otherwise, he would have to flee Zhuang Country."
"I killed him."
Zhang Linchuan's eyebrows twitched, "What?"
Jiang Wang pointed in the direction where the pale-faced demon had been executed, "It's just that I don't know if the corpse is of any use or if we can find any clues."
Zhang Linchuan recovered from his surprise and shook his head, "These people are soul-deficient, it's useless to search their souls while alive, let alone after death. I just killed a few, and it's the same."
"I see," Jiang Wang was not disappointed; killing that white-faced demon was enough for him.
He didn't complain about Zhang Linchuan choosing to pursue the enemy first instead of staying to protect him. He wasn't some delicate person who needed protection, and Zhang Linchuan wasn't his nanny.
Moreover, if it hadn't been for the pressure from Zhang Linchuan, the white-faced demon would never have lacked the will to fight and chosen to flee at first opportunity. And his companions wouldn't have given Jiang Wang a chance for a one-on-one duel.
Zhang Linchuan glanced at the place where the gray fog had dissipated, somewhat emotively, "The array pattern on this official road has been corroded; we must report to the authorities so they can send someone to repair it quickly."
The two horses hadn't run off either; Jiang Wang gave a flick of the reins, and the horses started to run lively.
At this moment, he felt that deep within Tongtian Palace, in some unfathomable place, suddenly a Path Origin fell, then another, and another, a total of five in a row. And they were fuller, rounder.
Although it hadn't completely replenished the consumption from before, it was still an unexpected joy.
Only now did he more profoundly understand the lessons taught by those seasoned practitioners.
The so-called Path Origin, the beginning of the Great Dao. The birth of Path Origin is not a simple sublimation of vital energy, but a perfect fusion of will and power, the most sincere response of the spirit of all things to the essence of heaven and earth.
…
When they returned to the Taoist Sect, it was still early, so both of them went directly to Dong Ah's place to report.
The door was open, but the courtyard was empty except for Fang Helling pacing back and forth, looking utterly bored.
Seeing the two come in empty-handed, his eyes lit up.
Fang Helling first properly greeted Zhang Linchuan, then pretended to offer consolation, "It seems Brother Zhang didn't obtain much this trip… Even a genius like Brother Zhang would indeed have a hard time bringing along a newcomer who doesn't understand anything."
Of course, he didn't consider himself a newcomer. With a century-old family like the Fang Family, which had produced numerous cultivators, he had been exposed to and was familiar with battles among cultivators. But this Jiang surnamed came from a small town, what insights could he have?
Jiang Wang couldn't be bothered with him.
Zhang Linchuan, on the other hand, had the leisure to tease, "Oh? It seems Helling had a sizeable gain this time."
"Not bad, I suppose," Fang Helling said with forced modesty, soon eager to boast.
It turned out that when they went to Fulai Inn to investigate, someone had been spying on them in the dark. However, Li Jianqiu boldly made a move and captured that person alive. What originally seemed an unlikely investigation suddenly had direction because of this captive!
Of course, it was hard to tell what role Fang Helling had played in this.
"Where has Brother Li gone?" asked Zhang Linchuan.
Fang Helling paused awkwardly for a moment before saying, "He's in his room, Master Dong is using a secret technique to search his soul."
Dong Ah conducting a soul search, with Li Jianqiu attending, and Fang Helling not even having the privilege to watch… This demonstrated the contributions he made on this trip.
Zhang Linchuan and Jiang Wang didn't want to disturb them, so they had to wait in the courtyard with Fang Helling.
Jiang Wang remained silent, closing his eyes to send the Path Origin within Tongtian Palace to its rightful suspended position, while Zhang Linchuan chatted idly with Fang Helling.
Fang Helling was naturally proud, after all, Dong Ah had previously mentioned that the mission merits would be split nine-to-one. Jiang Wang clearly hadn't gained anything, while they returned with a captive. This was the first step in the gap widening.
After a short wait, Dong Ah, dressed in a black Taoist robe, strode out with Li Jianqiu.
Meeting Fang Helling's expectant gaze, Li Jianqiu shook his head.
Dong Ah said, "This person's soul is deficient, I only found some scattered fragments, nothing of importance."
```
Fang Helling hurried to show off, saying, "With such thorough precautions, the people behind this must have a strict organization! This matter is definitely not simple!"
Dong Ah did not express agreement or disagreement, but looked towards Zhang Linchuan.
Zhang Linchuan then recounted what had happened after they went to Tangshe Town, without any exaggeration. As for the details of Jiang Wang's two battles with the pale-faced demon, Dong Ah did not ask, and Jiang Wang did not need to tell.
He was a bona fide disciple of the Taoist academy, not a criminal, and there was no need for him to be interrogated.
Dong Ah heard this and just nodded, saying, "Jiang Wang has done well."
To those familiar with Dong Ah's character, this seemingly indifferent comment was already rare praise.
For this mission, both teams led by Zhang Linchuan and Li Jianqiu had submitted new clues, but neither had any follow-up, so naturally, the mission could not be considered completely successful. However, Dong Ah awarded each of them five points of Dao virtue as an incentive.
For Zhang Linchuan and Li Jianqiu, they were simply leading new disciples on their introductory Ninth Grade missions; it was good if there were gains, but no matter if there weren't. Their own senior brothers had guided them in the same way at the beginning.
For Jiang Wang and Fang Helling, five points of Dao virtue was not a small amount, equivalent to half-completing a task of the lowest level, Ninth Grade.
The rewards for Ninth Grade tasks ranged between ten and one hundred points, while Grade-8 tasks offered between one hundred and five hundred points, varying with the difficulty of the task.
Dong Ah was decisive. After determining that the mission had temporarily concluded, he ordered the disciples to disperse.
After the matter was settled, Fang Helling enticed Zhang Linchuan and Li Jianqiu to go out for a few drinks. Jiang Wang thought about it and decided to take a look at the Hall of Dao Virtue.
...
The location of the Hall of Dao Virtue was directly opposite to the Shrine Hall, signifying its significance.
The entire hall was empty and void of anything else, except for the Dao Virtue Ranking List that hung over the altar, faintly shimmering with a clear radiance.
There were no guards, as the Dao Virtue Ranking List had its own protective power. It was a spiritual treasure in itself, or to be more precise, the one hung in the Taoist academy Hall of Dao Virtue in Fenglin City was a subsidiary list of the main Dao Virtue Ranking List that received nationwide reverence in the country's main Taoist academy.
Jiang Wang had specifically made a trip to broaden his horizons.
In front of the Dao Virtue Ranking List stood a medium-statured Taoist in hemp robes, with his hands clasped in front of him, staring fixedly at the list.
From the back, Jiang Wang could not see his face, but in the inner academy, anyone Jiang Wang was not familiar with had higher cultivation than him.
Because they were all his senior brothers.
Jiang Wang did not disturb him and went over to the Dao Virtue Ranking List by himself, focusing his spirit and intently watching the list. With a slight ripple of the clear light, various pieces of information flowed through his mind.
This was just a subsidiary list, and only information related to the Fenglin City Taoist academy could be seen. It was said that the main Dao Virtue Ranking List encompassed everything imaginable, but that was still quite distant for Jiang Wang.
There were many choices for redemption on this subsidiary list of the Fenglin City Taoist academy, enough to dazzle Jiang Wang. However, the prices of those redeemable items made him want to turn around and leave.
The cheapest Channel-opening Pill cost one hundred Dao virtue points each, and while its value was certainly more than that, they, as disciples of the Taoist academy, received some support from the Taoist Sect. The price for a second Channel-opening Pill was one thousand five hundred Dao virtue points. That was probably the true price of the pill.
Beyond that, even the cheapest standard magic longsword started at five hundred Dao virtue points!
Jiang Wang looked at his own five Dao virtue points... well, he had come here only to expand his horizons.
The so-called Dao Virtue Ranking List, since it was a ranking, naturally had a hierarchy. Only now did Jiang Wang realize that to him, the unfathomable Zhang Linchuan ranked only third on this Fenglin City's Dao Virtue List.
Ranked second was a man named Wei Yan, who was not a disciple of the academy but a military officer in the City Guard Army. Judging by his name, he might be related to Wei Quchibi.
And Zhu Weiwo, with one thousand three hundred Dao virtue points ranked first, was also widely recognized as the Big Senior Brother of the entire Fenglin City Taoist academy, always as elusive as a dragon. Jiang Wang had always heard of him but never seen him.
It's worth noting that Wei Yan, who was ranked second, had only seven hundred Dao virtue points, which, put next to Zhang Linchuan's score, seemed a chasm apart, yet they were both far behind Zhu Weiwo.
Jiang Wang continued to browse, and when he saw Li Jianqiu's name at the seventeenth place, he severed his connection with the Dao Virtue Ranking List.
"A new brother to the sect?"
The senior brother from before seemed to have been waiting for him intentionally.
At the voice, Jiang Wang turned his head and saw a face with a warm smile.
"Greetings, senior brother. I am Jiang Wang, newly advanced to the inner gate not long ago."
"Greetings to you too, my name is Wang Changxiang." Wang Changxiang's appearance was not striking, but his smile made him very approachable. "Then, until next time."
"Until next time." A thought struck Jiang Wang; he had just perused the Dao Virtue Ranking List, and this man was ranked seventh, far above Li Jianqiu.
Of course, the Dao Virtue Ranking List only accounted for Dao virtue, not personal strength. But in some way, it indeed reflected something.
Back in the outer gate, he and his sworn brothers had stood out from the crowd, seemingly invincible. It was only upon entering the inner gate that they realized how vast and profound the world was.
From those he had met so far, Li Jianqiu, Zhang Linchuan, Wang Changxiang—everyone had their own unique temperament, but each was an exceptional figure, and Jiang Wang humbly acknowledged he was far from their match.
If the Fenglin City Taoist academy was already teeming with such talents, what about the broader Qinghe County, or the entire Zhuang Country?
And those heavenly prodigies whose fame touched the skies, making the heroes of all nations look up to them—what manner of magnificence would they exhibit!
Thinking of these did not discourage Jiang Wang; instead, it ignited an endless fighting spirit within him.
At least for now, he had set foot on the path to transcendence, had entered the same arena as those dazzling figures. What was there to fear then?