Cave Abode Grounds

Xu Yan held a jade slip as he slowly flew through the mountains, looking around in every direction.

In the heartland of the Hundred Academies, clouds and mist coiled between the peaks. From the foothills to the summits of every spiritual mountain, palaces, pavilions, towers, and terraces rose one after another, while disciples and Dao masters moved everywhere in a constant stream.

Between the peaks, immortal birds and crimson-crowned cranes occasionally flew past, ethereal and removed from the mortal world.

Mountain streams wound their way through the landscape, and the trees stood lush and green. Nourished by the heaven-and-earth aura here, even their branches looked so tender they seemed ready to drip with water.

"What an immortal treasure land. The heaven-and-earth aura is so abundant; cultivating here is nothing like cultivating outside."

Before long, the jade slip in Xu Yan's hand gave off a faint burst of silver light. It seemed he had found the mountain gate of the Talent Academy.

A spiritual peak several hundred feet tall stood not far away. Compared to the spiritual peaks of the other Dao Academies, it was slightly shorter, not to mention the Upper Three Academies.

Xu Yan had previously glimpsed the grounds of the Upper Three Academies from afar. They were truly magnificent, and from foothill to summit, figures could be seen everywhere. They were exceedingly lively.

But this place was rather peculiar.

The entire Talent Dao Academy was wreathed in a thin veil of mist. Through it, several palaces and halls could vaguely be seen atop the mountain. They looked extremely ancient and simple, nothing like a Dao Academy established within the last century.

Moreover, Xu Yan did not see a single person.

His brows furrowed slightly as he landed steadily at the foot of the mountain.

According to the rules of the Hundred Academies Dao Rules, newly enrolled disciples had to climb the mountain on foot from its base to pay respects to the seal-bearing Dao master, offer tea, and perform the proper rites. The seal-bearing master would then offer a few pointers and bestow spiritual items upon them, encouraging their cultivation.

Xu Yan climbed the peak, yet did not see a single person along the way.

The ancient trees on the mountainside grew exceptionally thick, and many wild beasts roamed through the woods.

It was not until Xu Yan was nearly at the summit that he saw a handsome young Dao attendant holding a broom and diligently sweeping the mountain gate.

"May I ask... senior brother?" Xu Yan stepped forward and called out.

The young Dao attendant raised his head and stared at Xu Yan in astonishment, as though he had seen something utterly incredible.

The two stared at each other wide-eyed, speechless for a moment.

Suddenly, delight appeared on the young Dao attendant's face. He sized Xu Yan up, noticed the jade slip in his hand, and immediately asked with animated delight, "Senior brother, are you here to join the Talent Academy?"

"Yes. This disciple is Xu Yan, and I have just emerged from the Dragon Ridge Immortal Treasury. I bear this jade slip to pay respects to the senior in charge of the Talent Academy and seek instruction in the path of Ancient Edict Script!"

Xu Yan spoke each word with ringing force.

"Please wait a moment, Senior Brother. I'll go report this!"

The young Dao attendant immediately threw down his broom. His body transformed directly into a jade ruler, which shot into the mountain in flight.

"An artifact spirit?"

Xu Yan's expression froze slightly in surprise.

Not long afterward, Xu Yan saw the artifact spirit return with a white-haired old man walking slowly beside it.

Xu Yan did not dare be negligent. Thinking the seal-bearing Dao master had personally come out to receive him, he immediately cupped his hands and bowed. "This disciple is Xu Yan. How could I trouble the Dao master to personally come welcome me? I am truly overwhelmed."

"Junior Brother, you are mistaken!" The white-haired old man smiled as he came down, hurriedly helping Xu Yan up. "That will not do, that will not do. This old man is Wang Heng, also a disciple of the Talent Academy, not some Dao master."

"Ah?"

Xu Yan turned his head, his expression stunned.

By the Hundred Academies' rules, someone of this age and foundation should have graduated long ago. Even if he remained at the Dao Academy, he ought to be serving as an elder or an instructor.

Knowing Xu Yan's doubts, Wang Heng promptly explained, "Do you find it strange that someone my age is still a disciple? To my shame, I began halfway through life, entering the Dao path only at fifty. My foundation was ordinary. I have studied at the Talent Academy for thirty years, yet I still have not dared claim graduation. Seal-Bearer Gongsun did not disdain me and allowed me to remain at the academy to cultivate, while also looking after newly arrived junior brothers."

Wang Heng hurriedly took Xu Yan by the arm and led him into the mountain.

At that moment, more than a dozen disciples emerged from the palaces atop the mountain, all looking at Xu Yan with curiosity.

Xu Yan had yet to understand what was happening.

Then Senior Brother Wang Heng began introducing them in a rapid stream.

"Junior Brother Xu, now that you have come to the Talent Academy, we are family from this day onward." Wang Heng spoke brightly. "This is Huang Caiying, Senior Sister Huang. She excels in Mystic Gate formations."

"Hello, Junior Brother!" Huang Caiying propped one hand on her waist and raised an eyebrow at Xu Yan.

Xu Yan nodded in response and returned her greeting with a cupped-hand bow.

"This is Junior Brother Xu Yao. He is skilled in alchemy."

"Senior Brother Wang, slow down. Don't frighten Junior Brother." Xu Yao walked out with a smile and cupped his hands toward Xu Yan. "Welcome to the Talent Academy, Junior Brother. After more than ten years, we finally have a new face."

"This is Senior Brother Liu Yu. His artifact forging skills are unparalleled. He once created a Spirit-Born Embryo Artifact and became renowned throughout the Hundred Academies!"

"Junior Brother has both talent and an excellent foundation. You are bound to achieve great things in the future!"

Xu Yan was directly surrounded by the dozen or so people and ushered into the hall.

They looked him up and down, nodding from time to time.

"Senior brothers and sisters, may I ask where Seal-Bearer Gongsun is? Having just entered the academy, if I do not go pay my respects, would that not be a breach of etiquette?" Xu Yan composed himself and immediately asked.

"Master went to the immortal city a few days ago to purchase spiritual materials. He likely will not return for several more days." Liu Yu was a middle-aged man with thick brows and large eyes. His entire body radiated the scorching aura of the Fire Element Dao Method, clearly showing that he spent his days before the artifact-forging furnace.

Huang Caiying seemed thoughtful. She smiled and said frankly, "Junior Brother, please do not take offense. The Talent Academy has not had a new disciple for over a decade. Your senior brothers and sisters are amazed to see you and may have been somewhat discourteous. Please do not take it to heart."

"You are too kind, Senior Sister." Xu Yan shook his head.

As they spoke, the white-haired elder Wang Heng emerged from a side chamber.

He carried a tray bearing a Talent Academy token and a clean set of black Eight Trigrams Dao robes.

"Junior Brother, there are many vacant cave abodes in the back mountain. This token can unlock the formations, so choose one for yourself," Wang Heng said.

"Thank you for the trouble, Senior Brother." Xu Yan accepted the tray and put the items into his Qiankun Bag.

"Let's not all crowd around here. Go do what you should be doing!" Seeing everyone surrounding Xu Yan, Huang Caiying immediately spoke up.

Wang Heng also said, "Junior Brother Xu has only just arrived. If there is anything you do not understand, feel free to ask. Though the Talent Academy is small, it lacks none of the necessary facilities."

Alchemy rooms, artifact-forging pools, formation grounds—every place and every item that should be there was present in the Talent Academy.

After greeting Xu Yan, everyone went back to their own business, leaving only Wang Heng behind.

Xu Yan immediately felt much more at peace. Earlier, with more than a dozen people surrounding him and all speaking at once, his head had been buzzing.

On the way to the back-mountain cave abodes, Xu Yan asked, "Senior Brother, is there only one teaching Dao master in the Talent Academy—the seal-bearer?"

Wang Heng looked somewhat awkward. Smiling, he asked, "Junior Brother, which path do you wish to study?"

"Ancient Edict Script." Xu Yan focused his gaze.

"Edict Script?" Wang Heng's expression shifted. "There are many translated books on basic Edict Script in the library. Junior Brother may read those first. If there is anything you do not understand, you may ask me. This old man dares not boast about anything else, but I do have some understanding of Edict Script. Once Master returns, he will certainly teach you personally."

"Then I shall trouble Senior Brother for the next few days." Xu Yan cupped his hands.

"It is nothing." Wang Heng led Xu Yan to the back mountain.

It was midday. The back mountain was lush and verdant, with towering ancient green trees blotting out the sky and sun.

On the mountainside, many man-made cave abodes could vaguely be seen. Clear spiritual aura curled around them, while formations lay dormant beneath the earth veins.

"Junior Brother has only recently emerged from the Immortal Treasury, so I will not disturb you further. Rest for a few days for now. Once Master returns, I will bring you to pay respects to him," Wang Heng said.

"Safe journey, Senior Brother."

Xu Yan drew a deep breath and watched Wang Heng leave, then swept his gaze across the various cave abodes.