Southern Region of the Xianjing Continent, above Longtan Grand Commandery.
Star Skiff belonging to the Immortal Realm Nine Luminaries Division streaked across the sky. Ye Li sat upright on it, looking at the pale blue panel floating in front of him.
[Current Martial Arts Level: Early Stage of the Dao Evolution Realm, Early Eighth Layer (2%)]
[Current Malice Points: Points]
Clearly, given the current situation, it's unlikely that the 300,000 Malice Points I have will be enough to advance my cultivation level.
However, if you're just adding a few more cards to your hand, it's more than enough.
We could see if there are any suitable Dao Evolution Realm martial arts techniques, or perhaps it wouldn't hurt to try our luck with the Treasure Tool Roulette after all this time...
Ye Li pondered deeply, silently calculating how to maximize the returns from the hundreds of thousands of Malice Points he possessed.
This is a stark contrast to when he had millions of Malice Points.
Back then, there was no need to think too much; you could just frantically add points to your cultivation level.
However, just like money is never easy to save.
Ye Li felt that instead of pondering how to better utilize these meager gains, it would be better to see if there were any other Dao Evolution Realm targets within the Xianjing Continent.
If all else fails, something at the Cosmic Birth Realm isn't out of the question either... He couldn't help but sigh softly.
Holding onto the idea that even a small mosquito bite is still meat.
Ye Li took out the Token belonging to the Dragon Pool Nine Luminaries Division and examined it with his mind, intending to clear up all the combat missions within the territory in the next few days.
The Star Skiff sped along and soon arrived at the territory of the Dragon Pool Nine Luminaries Division.
As soon as the Star Skiff came to a stop, Lin Huaijin, dressed in Official Robe, personally led his men to greet it. Behind him followed Chen Chuan and three others, whose injuries had improved considerably. All of them stared intently as the young man stepped off the Star Skiff.
"We have met General Ye!"
Once Ye Li had completely disembarked from the Star Skiff, Chen Chuan was the first to clasp his hands in a salute, his voice booming like a bell, and the crowd behind him echoed his greeting excitedly.
He triumphed in the Jade Mountain Refinement, displaying his might at the Sword Master Ceremony!
Two monumental feats have swept across the entire Nine Luminaries Division Xianjing Continent like an avalanche!
Without a doubt, our Lord Ye is now the most dazzling rising star in the Xianjing Continent!
"No need for such formalities."
Ye Li nodded to them, his tone quite friendly.
When they slew the demon in Qingping City, Chen Chuan and his companions spared no effort, indicating that there was still a basic level of friendship between them.
Moreover, he still needs to search for targets to kill throughout the Dragon Pool, and he will need these colleagues who are familiar with the area to act as guides and scouts.
After speaking, Ye Li collected his thoughts and turned to look at Lin Huaijin, who was also smiling, and then asked:
"Prefect Lin, is there any news regarding the recommendation from the Capital City?"
"I knew you'd be eager to ask this." Lin Huaijin smiled, stroked his beard, and turned to lead the other man into the prefectural governor's residence.
"Come with me."
The other four tactfully waited outside.
Given their rank, they were clearly not qualified to listen to the prefect and the lieutenant general discuss important matters.
"..."
After Ye Li took his seat at the residence, Lin Huaijin poured himself a cup of tea and smiled with a hint of emotion:
"It's truly commendable that you understand my good intentions. Rest assured, the Capital City has given clear information that someone will come to pick you up in a couple of days to go to [Shiguang Academy] for further studies!"
"Shiguang Academy?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow slightly.
He had only been in Dasheng territory for a short time and didn't really know much about this title.
Lin Huaijin was clearly aware of this as well, and immediately nodded in agreement, adding:
"It is a renowned place of cultivation within the Great Sheng Dynasty, boasting the most impartial promotion system in the entire dynasty, and incredibly abundant resources!"
"If you perform exceptionally well, you might even catch the eye of a Supreme Being in the Immortal Realm and become their disciple!"
He paused, his expression becoming more candid, and said, "Now that things have come to this, I have nothing to hide from you."
"The noble lady who promoted me to the Dragon Pool County is none other than the legitimate royal family of the Great Sheng Dynasty! Third Princess Ling'an!"
"It was her suggestion that you pursue your studies at [Shiguang Academy]. If you can gain her favor, you will no longer have to endure so-called hardships and can directly assume an important position in the court!"
"How about it? Would you like to go?"
This statement is clear enough.
The Great Sheng Dynasty does not have an absolute primogeniture system; it has always been a system where the most capable rise to the top. Due to the special nature of its bloodline, there is no possibility of usurping the throne.
Therefore, the throne will only fall to one of the Eldest Princess, the Second Prince, or the Third Princess!
If Ye Li could help Princess Ling'an ascend the throne, he would be doing a great service to the emperor, and the benefits he would gain would be immeasurable!
Legend has it that the current Imperial Preceptor of Great Sheng was able to become an immortal and pave the way to the Path Opening Great Clarity Realm thanks to the strong support of the former emperor!
Even if the support doesn't succeed, the numerous resources that Princess Ling'an can access are enough to greatly benefit Ye Li at this stage.
Therefore, the most important thing about this trip is not further study at [Shiguang Academy], but whether or not we can gain the special favor of that Third Princess!
Hearing Lin Huaijin's question, Ye Li did not answer directly, but instead asked:
"Approximately how many Domain Lords are among the students of the Shiguang Academy?"
If it's just a bunch of noobs fighting each other, he wouldn't even bother to go and take a look.
Fortunately, upon hearing this, Lin Huaijin's expression immediately turned serious, and he pondered for a moment before saying:
"The admission requirements of the two major academies in the Capital City are extremely strict. A domain lord at the Dao Evolution Realm Xianjing Continent might be considered a second-rate expert in Immortal Realm Continent, but within the Shiguang Academy, they are merely considered average. There are even Venerables among them."
"After all, there aren't many age requirements there, the number of disciples is small, and what they teach isn't just Martial Dao training, but also knowledge of national policies and literature."
At this point, the old man coughed twice, and continued meaningfully:
"Furthermore... as far as I know, many powerful individuals are usually sent there to learn a thing or two before being appointed to important positions by the Great Sheng."
"You only need to wander around among them once to obtain the title of [Disciple of Shiguang]. If someone in higher-ups wants to promote you in the future, it will become much easier, and you won't have to worry like I did."
"I see..." Ye Li finally understood.
This academy is similar in nature to the top universities on Blue Star, only at a higher level and directly connected to the power center of the Great Sheng Dynasty.
But to be honest, I'm not really interested.
There's nothing else going on in the Xianjing Continent at the moment. Once we've cleared up the combat missions in Longtan Grand Commandery, there's no need to stay here any longer.
For Ye Li, waiting passively for something to happen is far less effective than taking the initiative.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to travel to the Capital City and visit this so-called Shiguang Academy while you're there.
If it doesn't suit my taste, I'll just look elsewhere.
Moreover, with the added advantage of being the Third Princess, he might have the authority to access the files of powerful factions like the Xuanming Sword Sect.
That would significantly increase the room for maneuver...
With this in mind, Ye Li nodded slightly and finally agreed to the matter:
"Alright then, someone will arrive from the Capital City in a couple of days, and I'll set off with them."
"That's wonderful!" Lin Huaijin clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes filled with undisguised joy.
At this point, he could already see the incredibly bright future ahead of the boy!
It should be noted that [Shiguang Academy] often holds martial arts competitions with several top Mountain Gate. With Ye Li's formidable combat strength, which can directly overwhelm Zhou Qingyan, even if he cannot stand out in that prestigious place, he will surely become famous throughout the Capital City!
No matter how you look at it, it's an auspicious sign of boundless future!