One's True Heart Was Made for Killing

Their conversation went on for an astonishingly long time.

Even as Han Qi answered his questions, the Confucian Celestial Phenomenon Realm cultivator occasionally challenged him in return.

Li Shun stood quietly to one side, watching for a long while before he gradually began to see what was happening.

This was no ordinary disciple seeking one-sided instruction from a teacher. Judging by the resonance of liqi stirred by their exchange, it was more like a debate between equals walking the same path.

Only after two hours did their discussion of the Way come to an end.

The Confucian Celestial Phenomenon Realm cultivator rose and gave the watching Li Shun a slight nod.

There was neither the arrogance of a great master nor any forced warmth in his eyes. It was an ordinary greeting between two people who had met by chance.

Then he swept his sleeve, turned, and strode straight out the door.

Silence returned to the secluded training hall, leaving only Li Shun and Han Qi.

"That was Chen Mo, a disciple of the Investigate Things, Gain Knowledge lineage."

Han Qi offered only that brief introduction.

Looking at the empty doorway, Li Shun could not help saying gravely, "A Celestial Phenomenon Realm cultivator would rank among the greatest powers in the Great Qian court and beyond, capable of governing an entire region. Yet at the Imperial Academy, he is still a disciple."

Han Qi chuckled. "What realm do you think I'm in?"

Li Shun studied Han Qi closely.

The aura around Han Qi drifted like clouds and mist, impossible to pin down. Li Shun could not gauge its depths at all.

But as Li Shun understood it, anyone qualified to serve as a Confucian scholar at the unfathomable Imperial Academy—and to earn the wholehearted respect of a Celestial Phenomenon Realm