Loyal Heart Roaming the Skies

"The Tao is vast and inexhaustible, like the origin of all things. File its edges, untangle its complexities, harmonize its light, and be one with its dust. It is deep and unfathomable, like the existence of something or someone unknown, like the ancestor of the emperor."

The voice of the old Taoist who was lecturing was very soft, but it clearly echoed in the ears of everyone in the lecture hall. When he finished the last word, his eyebrows suddenly drooped, as if he was about to fall asleep in the next moment, looking like an old man in his twilight years.

Jiang Wang did not dare to be neglectful, and respectfully bowed with his senior brothers before standing up and leaving his seat.

Although this elderly man looked unremarkable, he was actually the vice dean of the Dao Academy of Fenglin City, Song Qifang. To be more precise, he was the dean of the Dao Academy of Fenglin City before Dong Alai arrived. He had been rooted in Fenglin City for decades, but he was already over eighty years old and his cultivation had only reached the seventh realm, unable to break through to the heavenly realm. Therefore, he had long lost the desire to strive for advancement, and instead focused on teaching and spreading the Dao. As a result, he was highly respected.

After Dong Alai arrived, he did not compete or resist, but cooperated fully, allowing Dong Alai to smoothly take control of the Dao Academy of Fenglin City. In return, Dong Alai gave him great respect.

In the entire Fenglin City, in terms of reputation and respect, no one could surpass Song Qifang.

...

Jiang Wang's heart did not calm down until he walked out of the gate of the lecture hall, but was immersed in a great sense of emotion.

What is the Dao? It cannot be seen or touched, but it is everywhere, infinite and endless. How can one understand it, know it, and pursue it? The more one pursues, understands, and knows it, the more ignorant and insignificant one feels.

Ling He continued to recite as he walked, as if he wanted to chew on it repeatedly. Although Zhao Rucheng did not usually pay much attention to his studies, he also seemed to be deep in thought. Only Du Yehu yawned continuously, as if he had just woken up from a nap.

Each period, the inner court selected ten students. In terms of basic breathing techniques alone, Du Yehu's progress was only behind Jiang Wang, who had already shown his external meridians. It must be said that he had extraordinary talent. However, he couldn't really understand those so-called great Dao classics. On the contrary, he immediately became lively and energetic when it came to magic and other classes.

The inner court was the true Dao Academy, which was not false at all. Initially, in the outer court, only simple martial arts were taught, and every once in a while, an inner court senior brother would come over to give some guidance. However, after joining the inner court, there was a lecture on the classics every five days and a magic class every ten days. The former was for learning the Dao, while the latter was for practicing magic, both taught by senior Daoists. If there were any difficulties in cultivation, disciples could also consult their elders at any time. The martial arts that had to be exchanged for contributions in the outer court were also open to inner court disciples without any restrictions.However, for the inner disciples of the Dao Academy, it had little attraction. It was not that martial arts were not strong, but the entire Zhuangguo cultivation world was mainly focused on Daoist cultivation methods. Although the Maple Forest City Dao Academy had collected some martial arts, they were only used as a transitional supplement for outer disciples and were naturally not strong enough. They were far inferior to the power of Daoist techniques, so not many people were willing to go out of their way to learn them.

...

"Senior Jiang, wait a moment!" A voice sounded from behind.

Jiang Wang turned around and recognized it as Fang Heling, who was selected as an inner disciple at the same time as him. He came from one of the three major families in Maple Forest City, and Fang Pengju was his cousin.

In fact, he did not have the qualifications to be selected as an inner disciple of the City Dao Academy, but each period of inner discipleship required one quota to be occupied by the three major families. This was almost a default rule. Fang Pengju's selection was naturally legitimate, but as for Fang Heling, who knows what kind of price the Fang family paid behind the scenes.

This was very realistic. Although cultivation was a path to transcendence, in this world, as long as it was a path taken by humans, there would always be complex relationships and it would never be pure. Even the Maple Forest City Dao Academy was no exception.

"Is there something you need?" Jiang Wang asked indifferently.

"Ah, nothing." Fang Heling, dressed in a white robe, arched his hand with a hint of grace, "I just want to apologize for Fang Pengju's ambition. He has already been expelled from the family tree, and our Fang family has no one who is so unrighteous."

"He is him, and you are you. You don't have to apologize for him, and what he did has nothing to do with you."

Jiang Wang finished speaking and left. He really wasn't in the mood to accompany this kind of playboy.

But Fang Heling apparently felt insulted. With his noble background as one of the three major families in Maple Forest City, he personally apologized to Jiang Wang, a person from a humble background. Jiang Wang should at least be grateful or sympathetic, right? Why did he show such a cold attitude?

"Senior Jiang, where are you in such a hurry?" Fang Heling hurried a few steps and circled around Jiang Wang and his group, smiling, "I forgot to tell Senior Jiang that I just took the Open Meridian Pill yesterday and my meridians are now visible outside."

He tried to restrain himself, but his pride was still evident.

"And then?" Jiang Wang asked.

Fang Heling was stunned for a moment before saying, "In this period of inner discipleship, only the two of us have shown our meridians outside early, so we should get closer to each other."

He tried to maintain his manners, but his words and actions already revealed that he regarded Jiang Wang as nothing. As the saying goes, the only heroes in the world are you and me.

He really didn't care about Fang Pengju's grudge against Jiang Wang. If Fang Pengju didn't die, he wouldn't have the chance he has now! If it weren't for the sake of maintaining the reputation of the three major families and securing the quota for inner discipleship in the Maple Forest City Dao Academy, even though his father was already the next patriarch of the Fang family, it would be difficult to convince the family to spend such a huge price to buy the Open Meridian Pill.If he wanted to enter the inner sect, he would have to wait until next year, or maybe he wouldn't be able to enter even then. After all, there were only ten spots available each year, and how many eyes were watching over Maple Forest City? If there were other children in the clan who were better than him, his father couldn't be too obvious about it. Previously, Fang Pengju had already reserved that spot in advance, which was clear evidence.

"Oh."

Jiang Wang made a sound of agreement and walked past Fang Heling without a care.

Of course, he knew that Fang Heling was the legitimate son of the future clan leader of the Fang family, one of the three major families. He also knew that Fang Heling currently had no intention of conflicting with him, and even for the sake of maintaining the reputation of the Fang family, he would probably still treat him as a brother. Everything was peaceful.

But why? Why was someone as outstanding as Fang Pengju struggling to get an opening meridian pill, becoming increasingly irritable and even crazy, while this Fang Heling had obtained it just a few days after his death? No one knew anything about Fang Heling's background, but could he and his brothers not know?

If he had made some progress, the Fang family would not have relied on Fang Pengju!

Even if Fang Pengju had betrayed him and died, did this ignorant young master have the right to trample on him?

Jiang Wang showed remarkable restraint by not immediately reacting.

Ling He, Du Yehu, and others did not even look at him from beginning to end.

The group left, leaving Fang Heling standing in place, his smile slowly stiffening.

He didn't expect to be ignored like this.

After he had taken the opening meridian pill, revealing his meridians and entering the inner sect, he was still being ignored!

He remembered when he had just entered the outer sect and met these important figures outside the Daoist Academy, he eagerly went up to say hello to his cousin's friends and get to know them.

But his cousin didn't even notice him and walked away with those people.

He never forgot the disappointment he felt at that time, so he came to Jiang Wang and others as soon as his meridians were stabilized.

He didn't know what he wanted to prove, but at least, you people must look at me.

But nothing happened.

Everything seemed to have changed, but nothing had really changed at all.

"Jiang Wang!"

Fang Heling shouted in his heart.

He tried his best to control his expression, but his face was already very ugly.