Winding Paths, Secluded Depths, Jade-Porcelain Bones

Liu Dongqing, not yet in the late stage of Qi Refining, finally ascended Departure Peak—and reached the grounds of Rising Mist Dao Academy, far higher than the courtyard where Manager Hou resided.

Mist was the fog that rose among mountains.

Where Rising Mist Dao Academy stood, dense mountain mist surged up in billowing streams, then transformed into layer upon layer of overlapping clouds, forming a sea of clouds that enclosed the higher reaches of Departure Peak, a land of "interwoven black and white."

This was already high upon Departure Peak.

When he looked up, a boundless world of cloud haze lay not far before him, as though a few more steps would carry him into an immortal realm.

When he looked down, he could no longer even make out the rough outline of Sunward Dao Academy. Even Manager Hou's broad courtyard had dwindled to a faint little speck.

As he led Liu Dongqing onward, even Manager Hou deliberately softened his footsteps, while his breathing was nearly imperceptible.

Liu Dongqing followed his example.

One before the other, the two proceeded with utmost care. After passing cluster after cluster of buildings, they finally stopped before another compound hidden deep along winding paths.

Manager Hou stepped forward.

He knocked, spoke, the door opened, and he murmured a few words to someone who was clearly a servant Dao Slave.

Before long, a middle-aged Daoist who resembled a steward opened the side gate for them. Solemn-faced, he led them deeper into the compound.

Perhaps because his mind was occupied, Liu Dongqing had no leisure to appreciate the exact scenery of the inner disciples' residence. He only remembered passing through courtyard after courtyard, walking along a bluestone path that seemed to have no end.

The sole strange thing that drew some of Liu Dongqing's attention was the temperature where Rising Mist Dao Academy stood.

Though they were higher up the mountain, though it was still deep in the night, Liu Dongqing felt only a gentle warmth enveloping him. The temperature was more than a degree higher than at Sunward Dao Academy down at the foot of the mountain.

Liu Dongqing understood what that meant: the fire-aspect spiritual qi here at Rising Mist Dao Academy was incomparably denser than at the mountain's foot.

The moment Liu Dongqing realized this,

he suddenly felt that every footstep he took upon the bluestone path had an echo. That sound struck against his heart, as though stirring desires that had previously been faint and feeble.

I once sought only to remain in Sunward Dao Academy, so I would not become a menial or a Dao Slave—unable to turn my life around, living a life worse than death.

Now that I have mastered the supreme mystic arts of the Crimson Crow and Ghost Vine lineages, the tide has turned for me. I should set my sights higher as well.

If I could have such high walls and grand courtyards, such a place rich in spiritual qi for cultivation...

What a splendid thing that would be...

By the time Liu Dongqing reined in his surging desires and composed himself,

they had already reached the end of the path.

A small hall, clearly far taller and broader than all the other rooms, stood at the path's end.

Its doors stood wide open. Incense candles curled along the four walls, illuminating the hall as brightly as day. Thus, Liu Dongqing easily spotted at a glance the charred corpse Manager Hou had just handed over to the Dao Slave, lying upon the floor.

And he just as easily saw Zhang Qiwei, seated upon the cloud couch in the center. Though she wore a loose Great Crimson Daoist Robe, it could not conceal her full, graceful figure.

Red best set off one's complexion.

Thus, the Great Crimson Daoist Robe made Zhang Qiwei's skin seem like ivory-white jade—snow-pale, yet gleaming with the moist, exquisite luster of jade and porcelain glaze.

Her face, her neck, her hands, even her bare feet exposed as she sat cross-legged with one leg folded over the other—were all like this.

Not to mention her radiant features, which to Liu Dongqing were almost as breathtaking in his heart as Rising Mist Dao Academy had been at first sight.

It was not beauty imagined, but real beauty that could be witnessed with one's own eyes.

Even Zhang Qiwei's furrowed brow did not diminish that beauty in the slightest. Instead, it added a touch of worldly charm, as though she possessed the joys, angers, sorrows, and desires of mortal life.

Perhaps because desire had surged within him today,

Liu Dongqing suddenly became somewhat "bold." He stared at Zhang Qiwei's figure for several more moments, as though only after taking in every detail did he, like Manager Hou, lower his head halfway, lift the hem of his robe, and step into the hall.

What followed was a brief silence lasting more than ten breaths.

Then Zhang Qiwei's crisp, cool voice rang out, like silver pearls falling onto a jade plate.

"Is this Junior Brother Liu from Sunward Dao Academy?"

At her words, Liu Dongqing did not raise his head. He continued staring at the dark patterns on the hall floor as he clasped his hands and bowed. "I am."

"To defeat the strong while weak, to kill across a minor realm—you have given me another edge in my struggle for position. Not bad. Very good. When you leave, remember to visit the steward and collect some spirit stones and Azure Light Spirit Beads."

Liu Dongqing raised his clasped hands higher.

"Many thanks for Senior Sister's reward!"

The next moment, curiosity suddenly entered Zhang Qiwei's voice.

"Still, I wonder, Junior Brother, how did you manage to kill across realms? This man was middle-aged and only at the sixth level of Qi Refining. His aptitude was somewhat poor, but his realm was there nonetheless..."

As she spoke, not only Zhang Qiwei, but even Manager Hou, who had maintained the same respectful posture, involuntarily turned his head to look at Liu Dongqing.

Liu Dongqing remained silent where he stood. He merely raised his head to face Zhang Qiwei directly. After three breaths, he slowly raised one hand in a Daoist finger sign.

Within the heavenly light, an Azure Flame Flying Bird emerged, bathing in fire.

Yet compared to when he had fought before, the Azure Flame Flying Bird Liu Dongqing condensed now lacked not only the dazzling radiance of Heavenly Light Bewildering Spirit—even its spiritual form, which had already been vague enough to retain only an impressionistic outline, was now another measure rougher.

Any vaguer, and one might no longer recognize the form of a bird.

Yet through the condensation of the flying bird's spiritual form, the solidity and purity of Liu Dongqing's Little Azure Light Incantation mana were displayed in full.

Under Liu Dongqing's gaze, Zhang Qiwei's eyes brightened for an instant. But only for an instant—she immediately lost all curiosity in Liu Dongqing's azure flame spiritual form.

"Passable..."

After offering that reluctant praise, Zhang Qiwei turned back to Manager Hou.

"Junior Brother possesses such talent, yet it took more than three years before I learned of it. Senior Brother Hou, that is a dereliction of duty on your part as the outer sect steward."

At her words, Manager Hou bent at the waist, his figure seeming exceptionally hunched.

"I am ashamed! Old Hou is deeply ashamed! Come to think of it, I have wronged Junior Sister. And this is far from the only matter in which I have neglected my duties."

Following Manager Hou's words, Zhang Qiwei looked once more at the charred corpse on the ground.

"No, I miscalculated in this matter!

I underestimated the ferocity of the inner sect struggle for position. Senior Brother Zhao even extended his reach into Sunward Dao Academy. He would not spare even outer sect junior brothers who merely supplied the foundation and did not fully count as part of the faction.

Fortunately, Junior Brother Liu proved himself capable, causing his schemes to backfire.

It does not matter. I will take this matter upon myself. At worst, I will retaliate in kind. From here on, it will ultimately be a situation where I attack and he defends.

But...

No matter how many such victories we gain, they are merely hollow displays of momentum.

When the struggle for position reaches its end, the sect will ultimately judge cultivation. What he and I are truly competing in is our foundation.

Junior Brother Liu's fields have been utterly destroyed. Finding enough Jade Cloud Fruit at this critical moment is the foremost priority."

Ever since entering the hall, Zhang Qiwei had controlled the rhythm of the conversation.

Only at this moment,

the instant the final note of Zhang Qiwei's last word still echoed through the hall, Liu Dongqing's voice rang out clear and bright before she could even call upon him.

"Senior Sister, allow me to report that I have made new progress in improving the Jade Cloud Fruit—"