Jia Nan Academy

"Oh? Someone from Jia Nan Academy?"

After the ceremony, Yun Zimo had been idly overseeing everything in the sect. He hadn't expected that, barely a month later, he would actually have visitors.

Upon hearing that the guest was an Elder from the renowned Jia Nan Academy of the Northwest Continent, he pondered for a moment and decided to meet him.

Though he didn't know how a place dedicated to education and a sect that remained aloof from the world could have any intersection, he would not neglect the proper etiquette of a host.

"Hall Master Yun, a pleasure, a pleasure."

The white-bearded elder, dressed in simple robes with only a Jia Nan Academy badge pinned to his chest, flashed a look of surprise when Yun Zimo appeared. He stood up and greeted him with a warm, cupped-hand salute.

"My hospitality has been lacking; I hope Elder Lin will forgive me."

On his way over, Yun Zimo had already learned that this was Elder Lin of Jia Nan Academy.

"I never imagined that Hall Master Yun would be a Dou King powerhouse at such a young age, and that you manage such a vast sect with such perfect order."

"Not at all, not at all. It is all thanks to the various elders and disciples performing their duties; I am merely sitting here as a hands-off manager."

The two appeared to be having a pleasant conversation. After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Elder Lin finally stated his purpose.

"Exchange students?"

Yun Zimo murmured softly, looking at the smiling Elder Lin with a mix of confusion and hesitation.

While he knew that certain academies on the Dou Qi Continent had exchange programs, they had always been between academies. How could the Misty Cloud Sect, a sect that lived apart from the world, also be...

"Elder Lin, forgive my bluntness, but hasn't this exchange program always been between academies? Why this year..."

Unable to find an answer, Yun Zimo voiced his confusion.

"If it were the Misty Cloud Sect of the past, you naturally wouldn't qualify."

There was a hint of disdain in Elder Lin's tone, yet strangely, it carried no trace of malice.

"You..."

Yun Zimo stopped the Misty Cloud Sect elder behind him from lashing out; he wanted to hear what this so-called qualification actually was.

"Hall Master Yun, what do you think is the duty of an academy?"

Elder Lin asked a question that seemed deceptively simple.

"To teach and nurture, to educate without discrimination, to give a chance to those with talent but no opportunity, and to provide a brighter future for those with potential?"

Yun Zimo thought for a moment before answering.

A look of satisfaction appeared in Elder Lin's eyes; he nodded, then shook his head.

"The Middle Way—that is the essence of academy education. Guiding students to freely and harmoniously stimulate their own potential, to have the ability to pursue a broader and brighter world; to align with the heavens without losing order, and to understand reason without reaching extremes—that is the original intent of an academy."

"What we do is merely guide generation after generation of students to make the choices that best suit them."

Yun Zimo vaguely understood, but still asked, "Is the so-called qualification based on the attitude toward teaching one's disciples?"

"Yes and no."

Elder Lin chuckled.

"Whether a force uses the Middle Way as its principle for conduct, and whether its actions respect the laws of nature—that is the qualification."

"There are countless powerful forces on this continent, but those who uphold the Middle Way are few and far between."

"The Misty Cloud Sect, though only a minor force, unexpectedly showed us the possibility of promoting the Middle Way. All of this began a year ago, which also happened to be when your reputation spread. After discussion by the academy elders, it was decided to temporarily list the Misty Cloud Sect as an affiliate of the academy and include you in the exchange student program."

Yun Zimo pondered; the academies on this Dou Qi Continent were truly different from the schools of his past life. It sounded as if the term "academy" was merely a form or title; even certain sects or empires could become an "academy."

Seeing Yun Zimo nod, Elder Lin took out a gold-stamped document. It was an exchange letter personally signed by First Elder Su Qian of Jia Nan Academy, bearing the seal of the Inner Academy Dean, with the unique aura of a Dou Zun powerhouse lingering upon it.

"The academy has allocated ten spots: six for the Outer Academy and four for the Inner Academy. Those below the level of Dou Grandmaster may enter the Outer Academy for exchange and study, while those below the level of Dou King may accompany me to the Inner Academy to study for a year."

Elder Lin stated the academy's quotas.

"However, we hope that Hall Master Yun can also go to the academy for an exchange. Many of the old fellows at the academy are quite curious about a twenty-year-old Dou King like you!"

"Well, the message has been delivered. Once this year's enrollment ends, you will return to the academy with them."

"Oh? Jia Nan Academy has started enrollment as well?"

Elder Lin paused his steps. Did Yun Zimo mean he wanted someone to enroll in Jia Nan Academy?

"This is the route for the enrollment teams. Starting tomorrow, ten teams will depart from the Jia Ma Imperial Capital to conduct enrollment in the ten cities with the widest reach."

Placing a jade slip gently on the table, Elder Lin stood up, offered a salute, and took his leave.

"A mere elder has the cultivation of a Dou King; Jia Nan Academy is truly worthy of being the number one academy in the Northwest Continent!"

After Elder Lin left, Yan Shi sighed with a hint of envy.

"Why didn't you join an academy for further study back in the day?"

Yun Zimo toyed with the jade slip, asking with some curiosity.

"Not enough talent, and I was too old."

Yan Shi spoke of his own dark history without a care.

"Besides, the recruitment staff that year were all incredibly arrogant. I couldn't stand it, so I beat up a student from Jia Nan Academy. After that, I never participated in any faction's recruitment again."

Yun Zimo chuckled in surprise; he hadn't expected this seemingly simple-minded fellow to have such a history of settling scores with swift, decisive action.

Gently patting Yan Shi on the shoulder, Yun Zimo pondered and decided it would be best to report to Yun Shan first, then convene the elders for a discussion.

"An invitation from Jia Nan Academy?"

Yun Shan flipped through the exchange letter, his deep gaze sweeping over the dean's seal, confirming that Elder Lin was indeed from Jia Nan Academy.

"You are the acting sect leader; decide everything yourself. Leave the distribution of the quotas to the elders to discuss, and announce the final result to the disciples."

"Remember, don't let those little brats go out and lose face for the sect."

Yun Shan gave this specific instruction, as he was well aware of the petty schemes harbored by those old fogies led by Yun Leng...

In the assembly hall, Yun Zimo looked at the restless elders sitting on both sides and couldn't help but smile lightly.

"Why are you all so restrained today? Speak your minds. Please consider carefully how these exchange student quotas should be distributed."

"Great Elder, why don't you lead the way!"

Seeing that everyone remained silent, Yun Zimo called out to Yun Leng directly.

Great Elder Yun Leng, who had been under Yun Zimo's close scrutiny for a year, only wanted to keep a low profile, but since he had been named, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak.

"I believe that the disciples who go to Jia Nan Academy for training must have the best talent and character in the sect. There is no need for overly strict requirements on strength, as they represent the image of the sect after all."

Seeing that Yun Zimo's expression remained unchanged, Yun Leng exchanged a quiet glance with the other elders; none of them knew what Yun Zimo was thinking.

"Grant aerial access and allow the disciples to ride flying beasts down the mountain."

Yun Zimo spoke suddenly, then looked at the Great Elder with approval.

"The Great Elder is right; character is what matters most."

"The elders will lead the training missions. Do not reveal the purpose of this trip; it will serve as a perfect test of this year's results."

Many elders' hearts sank. Yun Zimo clearly didn't want those pampered brats going out and embarrassing the sect. This move alone would weed out a large number of disciples from prominent families.

The Misty Cloud Sect had always been lenient; as long as no fundamental principles were violated, the Punishment Hall wouldn't cause too much trouble. But since this trip represented the sect, naturally...

"A month from now, I will personally escort these disciples to Jia Nan Academy."