Chapter 46 The Academy

Hearing Qin Changsheng's refusal, the Taoist-robed youth showed no surprise. He nodded and said, "In that case, I will not force the matter. If Brother Qin has free time, you are welcome to visit the Buddhist sect to catch up."

"Certainly." Qin Changsheng nodded.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the Taoist-robed youth turned and left.

Watching the retreating figure of the Taoist-robed youth, Qin Changsheng was filled with deep emotion.

"We harbor no deep-seated enmity. If you didn't constantly harbor thoughts of killing me, we could actually have been friends. What a pity, though. Even when you drape yourself in the robes of Buddhism, your heart remains that of a demon, and the intent to kill still lingers within you. Let us see what realm you can ultimately reach in the future."

To think that he and the Taoist-robed youth were once enemies. Now, after meeting and probing one another, they still chose to maintain the facade of friendship.

The Taoist-robed youth had become a monk.

It was hard to imagine just how much effort the little monk and the Taoist-robed youth had put in as they mutually influenced and corrupted each other's paths back then.

At that time, both were nearing the Soul Formation stage, and each clearly regarded the other as a whetstone.

Whoever reached the Soul Formation stage first back then would have won.

In hindsight, the one who reached the Soul Formation stage first was the little monk. However, the little monk had still underestimated the Taoist-robed youth, imperceptibly allowing the Taoist-robed youth to plant countless demonic seeds within his Dao heart.

In the end, the little monk used Buddhism to seal the demon within the Taoist-robed youth, while the Taoist-robed youth influenced the little monk's Buddhism.

Both had their victories and defeats. What left people utterly astonished, however, was that in order to rid themselves of each other's influence, both chose to cultivate the other's Dao.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.

To resolve the seal through integration, and to break the curse through learning.

These were the choices they made.

"Two freaks. We shall see whose comprehension is more thorough when they reach the Sage realm."

Qin Changsheng understood it now. By that time, the Taoist-robed youth would have mastered forbearance, while the little monk would have learned how to fight and kill...

The two of them would undoubtedly bring about a terrifying enhancement in strength.

"Next, it is time to go look up some old friends."

Qin Changsheng turned and walked into Zhou City.

First, he visited the inn where he had once stayed with Nangong Ruoxi, but time had passed and everything had changed beyond recognition.

The inn had changed hands several times over, and not a single person recognized him.

Qin Changsheng did not mind; he had come purely for nostalgia, not to reminisce with acquaintances.

After staying at the inn for a night, Qin Changsheng left the next day.

He successfully gathered some news: Nangong Ruoxi had become the Saintess of the Academy and had taken the First Sword Immortal as her master.

He also heard news regarding Wang Yuyan. Years ago, Wang Yuyan had come to Zhou City, fought a battle with Nangong Ruoxi, and then vanished.

She had probably gone looking for him, or perhaps secluded herself to comprehend the Laws.

"Nangong Ruoxi wouldn't go so far as to kill Yuyan, so there is no need to worry for now."

"It is said, however, that the White-Clothed Sword Immortal has entered seclusion to prepare for a breakthrough to the peak of the Tribulation Crossing stage, intending to attain immortality? Tsk tsk tsk, I should go pay a visit to this old friend of mine."

Thinking of the White-Clothed Sword Immortal, he clenched his fists.

"While Yuyan is absent comprehending the Laws, it is time to settle some old scores."

Although he harbored such intentions, he did not rush immediately to the Xuantian Sect, for he needed to make some preparations. The best course of action was naturally to learn more spells—whether for self-preservation, fleeing, or combat, he needed to master a few.

Now that he had acquired the Undying Golden Body, he also needed to refine this defensive technique to the consummate level. He was well aware of just how powerful the little monk's Undying Golden Body was; virtually no one in the same realm could pierce its defense.

If he were to operate it using immortal Qi and the Laws when the time came, even if he stood right in front of White-Clothed, White-Clothed would be unable to kill him. This was probably something the Taoist-robed youth had never anticipated.

There was a difference between the golden body cultivated by a monk and the one cultivated by Qin Changsheng. After all, once Qin Changsheng cultivated the Undying Golden Body, he operated it using immortal Qi and his origin source, which meant the realm of his golden body's defense would be raised by several layers.

"Then let us go take a look at the Academy. I never expected Ruoxi to become a professional Saintess. When we first met, she was the Saintess of the Mountain-Backing Sect, and years later she became the Saintess of the Academy. I only wonder if she still needs a shield."

The enhancement Nangong Ruoxi had received back then was immense, and such top-tier talent was more than enough for her to serve as a Saintess in the Academy. Qin Changsheng was not overly surprised.

Throughout Zhou City, aside from many top-tier clans of the Great Zhou Immortal Dynasty, the imperial family, and numerous sacred lands, the Academy was one of the most transcendent sacred lands.

For a long time, the Academy and the imperial family had been deeply intertwined, and many Academy disciples would take up official posts in various cities of the Great Zhou Immortal Dynasty after graduating.

Now that Nangong Ruoxi had become the Saintess of the Academy, she would undoubtedly face the pursuit of many factions, among which many members of the imperial family would certainly be included.

If she needed a shield once again this time, the people she would face would definitely not be of ordinary standing. Qin Changsheng threaded through layers of architecture, crossing grand avenues and narrow alleys, and finally found the Academy located within the imperial city.

As a sacred land, it was quite rare for the Academy to be built directly within a city. Moreover, the Great Zhou Immortal Dynasty had bestowed upon the Academy a spiritual mountain brimming with abundant spiritual energy.

The Academy was built atop this spiritual mountain, sharing a top-tier dragon vein with the imperial family. Although it was not located at the dragon's head, its position was exceptionally favorable.

By sheer coincidence, the day Qin Changsheng arrived happened to coincide with the Academy opening its gates to recruit disciples, sparing him the trouble of pondering how to gain entry into the Academy to study those books.

Although he had more direct ways to find Nangong Ruoxi, doing so would carry the suspicion of living off a woman, and following too closely by Nangong Ruoxi's side did not align with Qin Changsheng's low-profile personality. Furthermore, he did not want news of his appearance at the Academy to quickly travel back to the Xuantian Sect and reach White-Clothed's ears, so he had no choice but to find a way to join on his own merit.

Although the Academy was situated within Zhou City, Zhou City was vast enough that the Academy had unusually been granted an entire mountain range, giving it the ethereal appearance of an immortal realm.

Due to the special occasion, Qin Changsheng encountered many people who intended to join the Academy. They were all cultivators with decent innate talent, and those who had reached adulthood were mostly above the Foundation Establishment stage or at the Golden Core realm.

Qin Changsheng also discovered that among these geniuses, there was no shortage of disciples from prominent clans. Although they all looked very young, each of them had powerful protectors by their side, presumably planning to have them enter the Academy and leverage its resources to cultivate these disciples.

"Brother, seeing that your glabella is glowing brightly and you possess extraordinary talent, you are surely destined to join the Academy."

Just as Qin Changsheng was preparing to follow the large crowd to undergo the tests, a young man who looked to be about his age walked over from beside him.

The youth was dressed in brocade robes and held a folding fan, looking very much like a scholar. Yet Qin Changsheng could tell that the youth was undoubtedly a cultivator, and his talent was likely not low. After all, being able to cultivate to the Golden Core realm at this age already made him a genius.

"Oh? Is that so? Then I accept your auspicious words, brother."

Qin Changsheng said with a cupped-fist salute. He did not give the youth the cold shoulder; after all, one does not strike a person with a smiling face.

"I am Zhou Peng, a native of Zhou City. May I ask how you are addressed, brother?"

The youth stated his background and simultaneously inquired about Qin Changsheng's name.

"Qin Changsheng, a rogue cultivator."

Qin Changsheng did not conceal it, directly giving his real name. After all, he was not particularly famous in Zhou City anyway, and once he joined the Academy, very few people would likely pay attention to him.