A Sudden Upheaval at Moonlight Pavilion

Nan Feng returned to the Blacksmith Village to repair Old Chen's hammer and stayed in the village for two days.

The hammer handle was replaced with a century-old piece of ironwood. The hammerhead was quenched with Immortal Power, and the original cracks were all welded shut.

The old man tapped the anvil three times with his hammer, listened to the sound, and said, "That's more like it."

He then took the hammer to the village entrance to show off, telling everyone he met, "My son made this himself; it's even sturdier than Soul Tool."

Tie Zhu nodded incessantly beside him. He couldn't suppress the level 38 Soul Power in his arm, and it was only after Old Chen poked him twice with the handle of a hammer that he finally calmed down.

Old Chen didn't see Nan Feng off on the day he left the village.

The old man squatted beside the blacksmith's forge, stirring the charcoal fire, and without even looking up, tossed out a remark.

"If there's something to do in Heaven Dou City, go take care of it. Don't keep running back to the village. I'm an old man in my seventies; I don't need you worrying about me every day."

Nan Feng stood at the village entrance for a while, didn't say anything, and then turned and left.

It was noon when we arrived at Heaven Dou City.

Nan Feng didn't rush to the academy; instead, he stopped at a teahouse in the east of the city for a while. Two days ago, Huyan Bao sent a message saying that the Elephant Armor Sect Master had agreed to annul the engagement and that Nan Feng should name the terms for the alliance.

Nan Feng wrote a note in the teahouse and asked someone to take it back. It had two lines of text.

The booklet on Iron Armor Forging Technique should be sent first. I've prepared the introductory chapter on Immortal Dao cultivation methods; I'll give it to you when you arrive.

After seeing the messenger off, he headed towards the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

As soon as I arrived at the South Gate, I saw Ye Lingling standing under the Old Huai at the entrance, waiting for me.

She wasn't wearing her teacher's robe today, but rather a plain blue casual outfit, holding a scroll of documents in her hand. Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the locust tree, falling on her shoulders and the documents.

Seeing Nan Feng approaching, she handed the document forward.

"Xue Beng a look at His Majesty's draft edict and see if there are any changes needed."

Nan Feng took it and scanned it.

The imperial edict was written in a very standard and orderly manner. In essence, it appointed him as the "Heaven Dou Immortal Master" and granted him full access to all resources of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

The entire academy is fully cooperating with the Immortal Dao Alliance in promoting its cultivation system.

The wording was very polite, and a sentence was added at the end, "The immortal master is not bound by the academy's teaching position and is free to come and go as he pleases."

Nan Feng glanced at Ye Lingling after seeing this sentence.

"You added it?"

Ye Lingling's expression remained unchanged.

"It was Professor Qin Ming who suggested it. He said you definitely wouldn't want to be bound by the college rules, so we should just include it in the rules to prevent anyone from using your teaching position as an excuse later."

Where is Qin Ming?

"I'll be waiting for you inside. His Majesty Xue Beng is also there." Ye Lingling paused, then added, "His Majesty came in person this time, without any entourage, just two attendants."

Nan Feng folded up the draft of the imperial edict and put it away, then followed Ye Lingling inside.

The main building of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy is a three-story stone building with wisteria climbing its exterior walls and the names of past deans engraved on the steps.

Nan Feng went up to the second floor, where Qin Ming was already waiting at the end of the corridor.

This core teacher of the academy was in his forties, possessed the Lie Yan Lion King Martial Soul, and Soul Power level of 68. Among the Soul Master that Nan Feng had seen in the academy, he was considered top-tier.

Qin Ming didn't stand on ceremony when he saw him and pushed open the door to the adjacent council chamber.

"Come in and let's talk."

In the council chamber, Xue Beng sat at the head of the long table.

Even after several years on the throne, the sharp features of this emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire had not yet been smoothed out by the power of the imperial family.

His brows carried a sharp edge, as if he had just emerged from a coup.

When he saw Nan Feng enter, he stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and didn't put on any airs of an emperor.

"Immortal Master, we meet again."

Nan Feng returned the greeting and sat down at the other end of the long table.

The Xue Beng was straightforward.

"Is the imperial Lingling something you've already seen? If there's anything you want to change, tell me in person."

"There's nothing to change," Nan Feng said, placing the draft edict on the table. "But one thing needs to be made clear. The academy's resources are open to me, and I must leave something for the academy in return."

"I will hand over the introductory chapter of the Immortal Dao Cultivation Method to Teacher Qin Ming tomorrow. How to teach it, who to teach, and the pace will be determined by the academy itself. I will not interfere with the teaching; I will only provide the method."

Qin Ming nodded in agreement.

"That would be best. I'll be in charge of implementing it at the college, with Lingling assisting. We'll start by selecting thirty students from the upperclassmen to try it out. If it works well, we'll expand the program."

After listening, Xue Beng thought for a few moments, then picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip.

"Alright. There's one more thing. I plan to have the Ministry of Rites officially bestow the title of Immortal Master. It won't just be used within the Heaven Dou Empire, but will also be announced to all forces across the continent. What do you think?"

Nan Feng was taken aback for a moment.

He originally thought that "Heaven Dou Immortal Master" was just an honorary title, something that sounded good. But Xue Beng's actions were tantamount to putting him in a position officially recognized by the Heaven Dou Empire, a position that the entire continent could see.

Old Huai muttered something under his breath inside the tower.

"This emperor is shrewd. He's elevated you to a high position; anyone who wants to touch you will have to think twice about the Heaven Dou Empire's reaction."

Nan Feng knew what was going on, so she didn't refuse.

He does need an official identity to promote the Immortal Dao Alliance. The Heaven Dou Empire is willing to endorse it, saving him the trouble of running around.

"Okay. But when you report it, include the Immortal Dao Alliance, don't just list my name."

Xue Beng chuckled.

"I knew you'd say that. It's already in the draft."

After finishing their business, Xue Beng put down his teacup and changed his tone.

He waved for Qin Ming and Ye Lingling to leave first. Only he and Nan Feng remained in the council hall.

Xue Beng leaned back in his chair, looking at Nan Feng with a much more serious expression than when they were discussing business earlier.

"Immortal Master, there are no outsiders here, so I'll tell you the truth. You saved Heaven Dou twice, once during the coup and once at Jialing Pass. Heaven Dou will remember this kindness."

"But Heaven Dou can't offer you much right now. The Empire has just recovered from the shadow of the Spirit Hall, the national treasury is not full, and the army is still being reorganized. Besides resource access and official status, I don't have much else to offer you for the time being."

Nan Feng didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.

The Xue Beng continued.

"So I won't talk to you about empty words like ' Heaven Dou will always be your support.' I'll just say one thing."

"As long as I sit on the throne, the resources of the Heaven Dou Empire will always be open to you. Whatever materials, connections, or intelligence you need, just send a message. Conversely, when Heaven Dou is in trouble, you lend a hand. Let's do it this way."

Nan Feng watched the Xue Beng for a while, then nodded.

"Make a deal."

Xue Beng stood up and extended his hand to Nan Feng. Nan Feng shook his hand. Xue Beng's grip was strong and firm, unlike the weak and perfunctory gestures of some nobles.

After shaking hands, Xue Beng called Qin Ming and Ye Lingling back in, affixed his personal seal to the draft edict on the spot, and handed it to Qin Ming.

"Take it to the Ministry of Rites for the formal procedures, and issue it within three days."

Qin Ming accepted the imperial edict and left. Ye Lingling stayed behind and took out a list from her sleeve, handing it to Nan Feng.

"This is the first batch of thirty people to try out the Immortal Dao Cultivation Method. Take a look and see if there are any you want to transfer."

Nan Feng scanned the list, pausing for a moment when he saw the last line.

The list ended with the name "Ye Lingling," followed by the note "Trial Training Coordinator and First Batch of Students."

He looked up at Ye Lingling. Ye Lingling looked at him, her expression unchanged.

"I need to cultivate myself too. Your Immortal Dao cultivation method has an evolutionary effect on the Nine Heart Begonia, so why not cultivate it?"

"Your Martial Soul Core has already been imbued with the Primordial World golden light, so your cultivation will be faster than others." Nan Feng handed the list back to her. "But don't be rash. Immortal Dao cultivation and Soul Power cultivation are two different systems; you can't rush it at the beginning."

"Understood." Ye Lingling put the list away and added a sentence.

"By the way, Huo Wu sent a message yesterday saying that Blazing Fire Academy also wants to send someone to exchange ideas on Immortal Dao cultivation methods."

"Her exact words were, 'Tell that Tower Simpleton Nan Feng to stop focusing solely on Heaven Dou; Chihuo is waiting too.'"

Nan Feng rubbed his temples.

Huo Wu's nickname "Tower Simpleton" spread from the Nuoding Academy all the way to the Blazing Fire Academy, and now it's estimated that half the continent knows about it.

The Old Huai inside the pagoda laughed so hard that the immortal wood trembled.

"Tower Simpleton, that's a fitting name. You're just a blacksmith idiot who goes around forging weapons for people."

"Shut up," Nan Feng squeezed out through gritted teeth.

He told Ye Lingling, "Let Huo Wu handle the negotiations with the Blazing Fire Academy herself. Please send a message for me saying that once the pilot program at Heaven Dou is running smoothly, I will personally go to Blazing Fire Academy."

Ye Lingling nodded in agreement and left the council hall with the documents in her hand.

Nan Feng sat on the chair for a while, going over the events of the day from beginning to end.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy has officially formed an alliance, and the imperial edict will be issued in three days. The Immortal Dao Cultivation Method will be handed over to Qin Ming tomorrow, Ye Lingling will personally test it. The Blazing Fire Academy will be on the agenda.

The Elephant Armor Sect's manual on Iron Armor Forging Technique should arrive in the next few days. That old man Huyan Bao, is quite efficient. The Holy Dragon Sect has backed down and won't reappear anytime soon.

"Where should we go next?" Old Huai's voice drifted from the tower, carrying a tone of knowing the answer already.

Nan Feng stood up and walked towards the door.

"Moonlight Pavilion."

Old Huai chuckled twice.

"I knew it. You've been dragging your feet on Tang Yuehua's matter for so long; if you don't go soon, people will think you've forgotten about her."

Nan Feng ignored him and bumped into Qin Ming at the corner of the stairs as she went downstairs. Qin Ming was carrying a stack of documents and running upstairs.

Qin Ming saw him and stopped in his tracks.

"Immortal Master—the imperial edict should be completed by tomorrow. I'll keep an eye on things at the Ministry of Rites. Also, give me your introductory guide to Immortal Dao cultivation by tonight; I'll work through the night to compile it into teaching material."

"I'll give it to you before tonight," Nan Feng replied, and walked out of the main building.

In the courtyard of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, several lower-grade students were practicing Soul Power control. When they saw him come out, they all turned their heads to steal glances.

Nan Feng didn't stop, but went straight out of the south gate and headed towards the Moonlight Pavilion in the east of the city.

The Old Huai spoke again from inside the pagoda.

"What are you planning to do about Tang Yuehua's situation? Her unresolved issue is Tang Hao. Tang Hao now has Ah Yin, and although he hasn't fully revived, he's being nourished by the Three Lights Divine Water, and his true spirit is already condensing. If Tang Yuehua finds out about this—"

"She knows," Nan Feng interrupted Old Huai. "Tang Yuehua was present when Tang Hao Tang San to deliver a message. She didn't say anything then, but from her expression, she had already put most of her mind at ease. The rest, she'll have to figure out herself."

Old Huai was silent for a while, then sighed.

"This girl has had a tough life. Her Soul Power has been stuck at level 9 for decades, all because she suppressed it herself. If you can help her get through this, then her life won't have been in vain."

Nan Feng didn't speak again, and quickened his pace Shrinking the Ground to an Inch between his feet.

Moonlight Pavilion is located at the end of the long street lined with sycamore trees on the east side of Heaven Dou City. Every evening, the pavilion's owner, Tang Yuehua, would brew a pot of tea in the courtyard and sit under the old osmanthus tree to watch the sunset.

Nan Feng plans to go and enjoy this pot of tea today.

As soon as he arrived at the entrance of the Moonlight Pavilion, his Treasure-Appraising Spirit Light suddenly lit up.

On the stone steps in front of the Moonlight Pavilion, someone used extremely fine Soul Power to carve a line of small characters, which are almost invisible unless you look closely.

Nan Feng squatted down to examine it, and his brows furrowed.

There are only six characters.

"Tower Master, the Abyss has stirred."

The traces of Soul Power in the engraving carried a familiar chill— the Snow Empress's technique.

Nan Feng stood up and looked up at the sky north of Heaven Dou City.

In the Far North, a dark purple streak appears at the horizon, almost invisible against the backdrop of the sunset. Treasure-Appraising Spirit Light wouldn't mistake it.

Old Huai's voice deepened.

"The gatekeeper beasts in the Far North rift are pushing their way out again. How long has it been sealed off?"

Nan Feng stared at the north for three breaths, then tightened his cuffs.

"Let's go to the Moonlight Pavilion first. After I finish dealing with Tang Yuehua's matter, I'll head north to take a look."

He pushed open the door of the Moonlight Pavilion. Tang Yuehua's gentle voice came from the courtyard.

"The tea is freshly brewed, please come in."

Nan Feng crossed the threshold. The fragrance of osmanthus blossoms mingled with the aroma of tea, wafting towards us.

The dark purple light to the north kept flashing before his eyes.