“Nice.
Upgrade now,” Jiang WuShang muttered softly under his breath.
A moment later, a warm golden light surged from the void, entering his body and washing over his meridians.
[Ding!
System Level Up Completed!] [Distributing Rewards:] – 1x Peak Qi Gathering Guard – 1x One-Time Use Enlightenment Card – 1x Qi Foundation Breaking Pill ‘System, can’t you give me a Foundation Realm guard directly?’ Jiang WuShang complained mentally.
[Ding!
Host, I cannot grant a Foundation Realm guard directly, but you can upgrade your Shadows.] ‘Upgrade them?
How?’ Jiang WuShang asked, a cold glint in his eyes.
He knew better than anyone that Shadows were immortal—they couldn’t be truly killed.
Upgrading their strength meant building an unkillable army obeying his every command without hesitation.
[Ding!
Sending Material List for Shadow Upgrade to Host.] A flash of golden light entered Jiang WuShang’s forehead, filling his mind with detailed recipes and rare materials needed for the upgrade process.
‘Great.
Once I gather these materials, upgrading them will yield an absolute trump card.’ “Jiang WuShang, we have arrived in Lu Town,” Wang Ru’s voice announced from outside, bringing him back to reality.
“Find a high-grade inn to stay for the night,” Bai Lu instructed.
“Understood, Miss,” Wang Ru replied, pulling the horses to a stop moments later.
“This is the largest inn in Lu Town.” “Alright.
Jiang WuShang, let’s check in,” Bai Lu said, turning to him.
Jiang WuShang nodded.
“Lead the way.” They secured two rooms for the night—Bai Lu and Wang Ru shared one, while Jiang WuShang occupied the other.
Entering his room, Jiang WuShang stretched his arms, feeling his meridians settle.
“Shadows, step forth.” The shadows beneath his feet flickered, and two dark figures materialized out of the gloom.
“At your command, Master,” they chorused quietly.
“Guard me while I cultivate,” commanded Jiang WuShang.
“Except for those two, no one is allowed near this room.
Give one warning—if they don’t listen, kill them on the spot.” “Understood, Master,” the Shadows bowed and dissolved back into the surrounding darkness.
Night passed peacefully, and soon the faint morning sun broke across the horizon.
Knock, knock!
The crisp sound of knocking made Jiang WuShang open his eyes from his meditation.
“Bai Lu, please come in,” he called out.
The door opened, and Bai Lu stepped inside, pouting slightly.
“Jiang WuShang, you really don’t bother with formal greetings, do you?” Jiang WuShang smirked, leaning back smoothly.
“You told me not to call you ‘Young Miss,’ so shouldn’t I address you directly?
Otherwise, people might think I’m courting you.” Bai Lu’s face flushed a delicate pink, a wave of flustered embarrassment washing over her.
[Ding!
1 target (Bai Lu) reacted to Host!
Emotion Points +5!] [Ding!
Total Emotion Points Earned: +5 Points!] “That…
I will remember, Jiang WuShang,” Bai Lu stammered, turning her face away.
“Are we ready to depart?” Jiang WuShang asked, stepping forward.
“Y-Yes,” Bai Lu stammered.
He called me by my name…
so directly.
Seeing her cheeks grow redder, Jiang WuShang leaned in slightly, his dark eyes calculating as he deliberately pressed her boundary.
“Your face is burning red—are you feeling unwell, or are you just intimidated?” Bai Lu froze, her chest heaving as she backed away nervously.
“I-I’m fine!
Wait—your aura!
You broke through?!” “Yeah.
I broke through to the 8th Level of Qi Gathering,” Jiang WuShang said calmly, pulling back his aura smoothly.
Bai Lu swallowed hard, trying to regain her composure.
“Breaking through quickly is good, but you need to consolidate your cultivation!
Rushing will ruin your foundation.” “I’ll keep that in mind,” Jiang WuShang smiled thinly, noticing her genuine concern.
[Ding!
1 target (Bai Lu) reacted to Host!
Emotion Points +5!] [Ding!
Total Emotion Points Earned: +5 Points!] “Let’s depart now!” Bai Lu said hastily, turning around toward the carriage to hide her flustered expression.
“Wang Ru, are we close to the Capital City?” Bai Lu asked once they were settled inside the carriage.
“If nothing unexpected happens, we will reach the Capital gates by noon,” Wang Ru called back, whipping the reins.
By midday, the grand, towering gates of the Capital City came into view.
“Head to the Bai Palace in the northeast district,” ordered Bai Lu.
“The Bai Palace?” Jiang WuShang asked casually.
“Is that a royal palace?” “It is my personal estate,” explained Bai Lu.
“You can stay there tonight and report to Azure Academy tomorrow.
No one will dare bother you there.” “Sounds good to me.” The carriage navigated through the bustling streets before pulling up to a majestic compound.
Bai Lu led him into the sprawling estate, bringing him to a luxurious courtyard chamber filled with thick spirit-gathering formations.
“Jiang WuShang, this is where you’ll stay tonight.” “It’s a great place.
I like it,” Jiang WuShang noted, feeling the dense Qi in the air.
“Rest up so you can prepare for your report tomorrow,” Bai Lu said softly before taking her leave alongside Wang Ru.
Jiang WuShang sat on the edge of the bed, narrowing his eyes.
He felt a faint, immensely powerful aura lingering high in the cloud layer above the estate.
‘Someone is watching this palace from the void…
Dean level strength.’ Jiang WuShang smirked faintly, choosing not to reveal his awareness.
“Shadows, guard the courtyard perimeter.
If any bugs try to crawl into my chamber tonight, execute them cleanly in front of our viewer.” “Yes, Master,” two voices whispered from the gloom before vanishing.
The next morning, Jiang WuShang stepped out into the quiet courtyard.
Lying near the entrance were two cold, lifeless bodies clad in royal guard armor.
“Shadows, report.” A shadow detached itself from the wall.
“Master, these assassins sneaked in last night.
They were eliminated before they reached the door.
They carried Royal Palace Guard medallions.
The watcher in the sky witnessed the entire kill.” “Good work.
Hide back in my shadow.” Jiang WuShang walked toward Bai Lu’s main quarters to inform her.
Knock, knock!
“Who is it?” Before she could finish, Jiang WuShang pushed the door open deliberately to test her reaction time.
Bai Lu had just stepped out of her bath.
She was wearing a translucent white silk nightgown that clung to her damp body.
Instead of showing any flustered embarrassment, Jiang WuShang stared at her with a cold, predatory, and calculating gaze, completely unbothered by her state.
Bai Lu blinked, realized what he was looking at, and slammed the door shut with a loud BANG!
[Ding!
1 target (Bai Lu) reacted to Host!
Emotion Points +5!] [Ding!
Total Emotion Points Earned: +5 Points!] “Ah!
W-Wait a minute!
I’ll be right out!” Bai Lu squeaked frantically from inside, her heart beating furiously against her ribs.
She scrambled to put on her thickest formal robes, her cheeks burning hot.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, unable to meet his calm, piercing eyes.
“J-Jiang WuShang…
why are you looking for me so early?” she asked softly.
Jiang WuShang casually pointed down the hallway.
“Take a look over by the courtyard entrance.” Bai Lu walked out, glanced toward the courtyard, and froze.
Two corpses clad in royal guard armor lay pooled in their own blood.
“Assassins…” Bai Lu muttered, her flustered expression instantly vanishing, replaced by a cold glare.
“It seems they got the news already.” “My fake godbrother and the Vice-Dean?” asked Jiang WuShang.
“Yes,” Bai Lu said grimly.
“Will they dare to come after me inside Azure Academy?” “No,” Bai Lu answered with absolute certainty.
“If they do that, it would be an open challenge to the Dean of Azure Academy—the second strongest expert in the realm.
They would face immediate execution.” “Good to hear.
Are you coming with me to report at the academy?” Bai Lu misinterpreting his question slightly, blushing.
“Are you asking me to accompany you as a date inside the academy?” Jiang WuShang chuckled coldly.
“No.
I meant as an escort.” Bai Lu’s smile faded slightly.
“Ah…
No, I can’t.
If my enemies spot you traveling with me directly, it will draw too much target attention to you.
Wang Ru will accompany you instead.” “Alright then.
See you whenever, Bai Lu,” Jiang WuShang waved casually as he turned to leave.
As soon as Jiang WuShang walked out, the space behind Bai Lu rippled, and an elderly man with plain white hair stepped out from the void.
“Miss Lu,” the old man greeted softly.
Bai Lu turned around.
“Dean…
you were here protecting him last night?
Did you kill those assassins?” “No, I did not kill them,” the Dean replied, looking down at the two dead guards with a grave, deeply shaken expression.
Bai Lu frowned.
“Are you saying two 9th Level Qi Gathering cultivators died at his hands without making a single sound?” “He didn’t kill them either,” the Dean shook his head.
“He was meditating inside his room the entire night.” “Then who was it?” Bai Lu asked in confusion.
“It was a creature born from deep darkness.
It looked identical to the ancient records of a Samsara Demon,” the Dean murmured, a rare flicker of profound fear passing through his ancient eyes.
[Ding!
1 target (Dean of Azure Academy) reacted to Host!
Emotion Points +5!] [Ding!
Total Emotion Points Earned: +5 Points!] “A Samsara Demon?!” Bai Lu gasped, her face draining of color.
“Are you certain?!” “Yes,” the Dean nodded heavily.
“Furthermore…
those creatures obeyed his every command.
They addressed him as ‘Master.'” Bai Lu stood in silence for a long moment before turning to the Dean with a resolute gaze.
“Dean, regardless of what secrets he holds, please ensure his safety while he is inside Azure Academy.” “Rest assured, Miss Lu,” the Dean replied, bowing slightly.
“Given his mysterious background and monstrous talent, he is more than suitable for our plans.” With a shimmer, the Dean dissolved back into the air.
Bai Lu walked over to the balcony, staring up at the blue sky as the morning breeze rustled her hair.
“Jiang WuShang…” she whispered softly, “Just how many more secrets are you hiding?”