By the brook,
Meng Bai was simmering a pot of soup,
while Bian Linghan roasted a piece of fox meat.
Though he had hesitated to take the meat strips left behind by the students of Thunder Academy that day, the humble ceramic pot they had provided proved to be a great help to Meng Bai.
With a pot to cook soup, he could enjoy warm water to keep his body heated at any time, and the soup made from several small fish and some tubers looked remarkably delicious.
As for Bian Linghan, whose archery skills were on par with Lin Xi's, hunting prey was easier for her than for most students, and she had not gone hungry these past two days.
A pot of fragrant fish soup was ready.
"Where on earth has Lin Xi gone? He hasn't shown his face at all," Meng Bai muttered to himself as he lifted the pot of fish soup with two dry branches, preparing to sit aside and savor it.
But in that moment of turning, he froze, the pot of soup wobbling precariously before him, threatening to spill at any moment.
Bian Linghan turned her head in suspicion; just a glance was enough to make her spring to her feet.
Up the slope, a figure stood a few hundred steps away.
It was Lin Xi, who had vanished for two days.
Drenched in water, his black cloak and the garments beneath it hung heavily, while water dripped from his hair and brows. His face appeared exceedingly pale and haggard. Upon seeing Meng Bai and Bian Linghan, he managed a faint smile, but in the next breath, he collapsed to the ground like a stone.
…
Meng Bai spilled half the pot of fish soup, and Bian Linghan neglected the fox meat roasting over the fire; their faces turned ashen. As they desperately rushed toward the fallen Lin Xi, Mu Shan Zi, looking disheveled, emerged from a nearby thicket clutching an egg of an unknown bird.
Upon seeing Lin Xi sprawled on the ground, the golden spoon of the Zhi Ge faction was momentarily taken aback.
"Lin Xi, what on earth happened?"
Bian Linghan's heart tightened instantly. She rushed to help Lin Xi up, but upon touching his body, she found his skin as cold as ice, devoid of warmth.
Except for the slightly warm breath he exhaled, his entire being felt almost frigid.
"Don't worry. Just get me to the fire and feed me something… I've been meditating up there for over two days without food," Lin Xi forced a smile at Bian Linghan and Meng Bai, weakly adding, "Helping me to the fire should not be against the rules."
"You went to meditate on the snow-capped peaks?" Bian Linghan's breath caught at his words, involuntarily glancing up at the distant, mist-shrouded mountains, their towering ice peaks obscured from view. Meanwhile, Meng Bai, noticing the numerous meat strips hanging from Lin Xi, was utterly perplexed and instinctively asked, "Why didn't you eat any of the meat you brought?"
"The meat up there was frozen too hard to chew."
"…" Hearing Lin Xi's response, Meng Bai was momentarily stunned, finally grasping what Lin Xi had been up to during his two-day absence.
Bian Linghan also understood why Lin Xi appeared as if he had been soaked in ice water. The black cloak of the academy was designed to provide excellent insulation against cold and repel rain; even raindrops would slide off without penetrating. Lin Xi's current state was undoubtedly due to the ice and snow that had accumulated on him, melting only after his descent.
"Lin Xi, have you lost your mind? How reckless to meditate in such a perilous place for over two days!" Bian Linghan exclaimed, a mix of shock and concern flooding her voice as she and Meng Bai hurriedly assisted Lin Xi toward the fire.
Mu Shan Zi, lingering at the edge of the thicket, witnessed Lin Xi's condition and heard Bian Linghan's reprimands, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What the hell… Lin Xi, you've really gone too far!" The well-educated golden spoon swallowed hard, unable to suppress a crude exclamation, then shook his head and turned to leave.
At that moment, Lin Xi, still dripping with water, gazed at the nearby fire, a hint of satisfaction and pride gracing his face. He slightly turned his head, speaking in a tone only Bian Linghan could hear, "It may seem mad, but it was worth it. My soul power has increased significantly… I should have reached the intermediate soul master level… and I've also grasped the essence of the wind and snow; my archery skills should see considerable improvement."
"You grasped the essence of the wind and snow?"
Bian Linghan's body jolted at his words. While Meng Bai might not comprehend their significance, she, possessing the innate talent of a true Windwalker and having undergone special training alongside Lin Xi, understood their profound meaning.
…
At Tian Shu Peak, Vice Dean Xia and the somewhat troubled Xiao Mingxuan were examining a scroll depicting a series of simple yet clear illustrations.
The illustrations captured the decisive moment of Lin Xi's final thrust against Wan Yan Mu Ye in their battle, vividly rendered across several segments.
"Can you discern how he executed that decisive thrust?" Vice Dean Xia asked after a long contemplation, exhaling deeply as he turned to Xiao Mingxuan.
Xiao Mingxuan shook his head, his response straightforward: "How could I possibly know? Given his cultivation level, it defies all logic."
"It seems this can only be attributed to talent," Vice Dean Xia replied with a smile. "His progress appears remarkably swift."
"Not just swift, but exceedingly rapid." Having access to the genuine data, Xiao Mingxuan glanced at Vice Dean Xia and continued, "Even without any elixirs, based on the actual accumulation of soul power, a month of his training would likely require an ordinary person at least a month and a half to catch up."
Vice Dean Xia nodded. "So, if he encounters Wan Yan Mu Ye again, he should still emerge victorious?"
Xiao Mingxuan pondered for a moment before affirmatively nodding. "That should be the case."
"The time should be about right now." Vice Dean Xia nodded again, rising to his feet. "I will go meet them."
Xiao Mingxuan also stood, his expression grave as he nodded in agreement. "Alright."
…
After a full seven days of waiting, the convoy departing from the Imperial City of Zhongzhou, led by Deputy Director Yan Shaoqing of the Ministry of Personnel, Commander Feng Qianhan of the Ministry of Martial Affairs, and General Ye Shaofeng of the Zhongzhou Guard, finally met with Vice Dean Xia, who could represent the academy in discussions.
In the vast hall adorned with azure stone tiles, reminiscent of an endless azure river, Vice Dean Xia looked at these important figures among the nobility of Yun Qin and inquired, "What brings you to see me?"
Though they had kept him waiting for seven days, Deputy Director Yan Shaoqing, the second-in-command of the Ministry of Personnel, displayed no impatience. He regarded the true authority before him and slowly conveyed the emperor's edict: "I trust Vice Dean Xia is already aware that the Grand Princess was attacked at the Eastern Tombs, and two of the assailants hailed from Da Mang. The underlying reason relates to the diminished strength of our Yun Qin in recent years; otherwise, Da Mang and Tang Zang would not have dared to confront us so openly. His Majesty is greatly concerned; if the Grand Princess can be attacked, who might be next…" Thus, His Majesty requests Vice Dean Xia to lend more effort and support from Qing Luan Academy."
Given that the other party had undoubtedly anticipated this message, and considering the seven-day delay had diminished the shock of the assassination, Yan Shaoqing found himself somewhat awkward as he spoke. He couldn't shake the feeling that even though he had leaped over the Dragon Gate, he was still dealing with a true old dragon, and they were not on the same level.
Nonetheless, he pressed on with sincerity: "His Majesty believes that the training methods and elixirs of Qing Luan Academy are true treasures of the Yun Qin Empire. Over the years, the three major academies have produced many outstanding talents. If these training methods and elixirs were bestowed upon the most elite students among the three academies—those who have contributed the most to Yun Qin and demonstrated the greatest loyalty—the results would likely be even more beneficial and could improve the current situation."
Vice Dean Xia listened calmly, shaking his head gently as he replied, "Please convey to His Majesty that we do not agree with his perspective. Such actions may indeed give rise to even more formidable talents, yet they could also stifle some practitioners who might have proven invaluable. We at Qing Luan Academy have meticulously considered how to allocate these resources to our students, ensuring they are provided to the right individuals, enabling them to maximize their potential."
This response was entirely expected. Yan Shaoqing's gaze shifted to Ye Shaofeng, who was now expected to speak. He hoped this young commander of the Zhongzhou Guard, having been somewhat humbled by a rather ordinary lecturer at the academy, would still manage to speak with conviction.
Ye Shaofeng cleared his throat twice before speaking slowly, "Vice Dean Xia, yet His Majesty has already issued an edict, and even the Chief Minister has agreed… As loyal subjects, we can only comply; after all, we must try it out."
Vice Dean Xia continued to shake his head gently. "His Majesty should also be willing to consider my opinion."
"But the emperor's will is resolute," Ye Shaofeng's expression hardened again, causing Yan Shaoqing and Feng Qianhan to reflect on the rationale behind the Chief Minister's decision to send him. "Not to mention, many of the elixirs and resources of the academy are provided by His Majesty. Now that His Majesty is in distress, he wishes for the academy to contribute more. Does Vice Dean Xia truly not wish to heed His Majesty's words and give it a try?"
Upon hearing this firm statement, Vice Dean Xia merely smiled, countering, "Do you believe my contributions and sacrifices for Yun Qin are insufficient? If you can find someone who has done more than I, I might be inclined to accept your current assertions."
Ye Shaofeng fell silent, for the truth was indisputable. In the entire Yun Qin Empire, perhaps only Director Zhang had contributed more and garnered greater glory than him. However, if Director Zhang were still alive, he would be even less likely to accept what Ye Shaofeng had said.
"His Majesty is wise and would not issue baseless edicts," Yan Shaoqing interjected respectfully, looking at Vice Dean Xia. "He has already anticipated that you would hold such an opinion. He simply wishes for me to convey that while you and some professors may share this view, many others in the academy have previously expressed dissent regarding the teaching methods at Qing Luan Academy. Moreover, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Martial Affairs have meticulously compiled statistics on the military achievements and promotions of students from Thunder Academy and Qing Luan Academy over the past decade. It cannot be denied that during this time, the performance of students from Thunder Academy has overwhelmingly surpassed that of those from Qing Luan Academy."
After a pause, Yan Shaoqing continued, "His Majesty believes the reason lies in a confidential teaching reform implemented by Thunder Academy a decade ago."