“Damn it!
I have never been humiliated like this in my entire life!” Inside a dimly lit, lavishly decorated chamber, Jiang Bai roared in rage, slamming his fist onto the heavy mahogany table.
The surface shattered into splintered pieces under his Qi.
“Jiang WuShang…
you’re a dead man!
A dead man!” “Han’er, do not lose your composure so easily,” a soft, melodious voice echoed through the room.
“If you fly into a rage over such trivial setbacks, how do you expect to achieve grand designs in the future?
I will personally handle the situation in Azure Academy.
Do not worry.” From behind a silk screen stepped a woman clad in resplendent royal robes.
She possessed an ethereal, goddess-like beauty—poised, breathtaking, and radiating an invisible aura of authority.
Jiang Bai breathed heavily, forcing himself to calm down.
“Royal Mother…
I am not merely angry, I am disappointed.
I thought the Vice-Dean could secure my position, but who knew he was so utterly useless?
He didn’t even dare to speak up in front of that old bastard Dean!” “Do not concern yourself with the Dean,” the Royal Mother said calmly, her eyes glinting with cold ambition.
“No matter what games they play, absolute power remains in our hands—we merely lack the formal title of authority.
Once that useless Vice-Dean replaces the Dean, two decades of careful planning will finally come to fruition.
Taking over this entire martial world will then be as simple as turning our palms.
Our hidden armies are growing restless; action must be taken soon.” Jiang Bai clenched his fists tightly.
“Mother…
can’t we just assassinate Jiang WuShang to vent my anger?” “No,” the Royal Mother replied firmly.
“The Dean is watching him closely now.
Striking him directly inside the academy would only invite unwanted scrutiny.
Use him as a stepping stone instead.
Have confidence in your own strength—sooner or later, you will crush him like the ant he is.” Jiang Bai took a deep breath and bowed.
“Understood, Royal Mother.
I will take my leave and prepare for the Class Assessment.
I will personally crush him and his trash class on the arena floor.” “Go on,” she nodded gently.
As soon as Jiang Bai stepped out of the chamber, the gentle expression on the Royal Mother’s face vanished, replaced by an icy, merciless calm.
“North Dark Warden,” she commanded in a low tone.
The shadows behind her stirred.
Dense black aura condensed in the air, coalescing into the towering figure of a middle-aged man.
He wore a ferocious, crimson-eyed oni mask, his long dark hair cascading over his shoulders like shrouded mist.
“Your orders, Saintess,” the North Dark Warden’s deep voice echoed as he dropped to one knee.
“Follow my son and guard him from the shadows,” the Royal Mother ordered coldly.
“Remember: you are forbidden from setting foot inside Azure Academy where the Dean’s perception can reach.
If you are discovered, it could spark our war prematurely.” “As you command, Saintess.” The Warden bowed, his form dissolving instantly into nothingness.
Meanwhile, inside the classroom of Class C9 at Azure Academy.
“Yes, Master!” Qin Fan said, quickly pulling off his robe and turning his back to Jiang WuShang.
“It’s going to hurt,” Jiang WuShang warned smoothly, placing his palm directly onto Qin Fan’s back.
“System, upgrade!” A brilliant golden light flared from Jiang WuShang’s palm, surging straight into Qin Fan’s meridians.
“ARGHHH!” Qin Fan let out a bloodcurdling cry, his muscles tensing as his spirit root was forcefully reshaped and cleansed.
“Next, Su Lurong…
step forward.” Using 75 Emotion Points, Jiang WuShang systematically upgraded the natural talent roots of Qin Fan, Long Chen, and Su Lurong to Earth Low-Rank.
Seeing all four of his disciples standing tall—their spiritual aura palpably denser than before—Jiang WuShang smiled with satisfaction.
“Now that all of your talent roots have been upgraded, it’s time to pass on tailored martial techniques.” He looked at each of them in turn.
“Qin Fan, you excel in the spear.
I will teach you the Azure Dragon Spear Technique—it will magnify your strike power exponentially.
Long Chen, Su Lurong, both of you wield swords.
I am giving you the perfected version of the Nine Swords of the Azure Dragon.
It contains no flaws and will serve as the core of your sword intent.” He then turned to Lu Ruie.
“Ruie, your physical constitution possesses a rare potential to awaken an Elemental Body.
I will impart to you the Five Elements of the Azure Realm.
Your breakthrough speed between stages may be slightly slower, but your raw combat power will allow you to easily overwhelm opponents three to four minor stages above you.” All four disciples bowed deeply, their voices ringing out in unison: “Thank you, Master!
We will never disappoint you!” “Good,” Jiang WuShang nodded.
He raised his hand and flicked four beams of golden light from his fingertips.
The refined memories, manual diagrams, and movement paths of the techniques shot directly into the minds of the four disciples.
“Now, sit in meditation and cultivate,” Jiang WuShang instructed sternly.
“By the end of this month, I expect every single one of you to reach at least the 4th Level of the Qi Gathering Realm.
We are going to destroy everyone in the Class Assessment, turn this class of so-called ‘losers’ into a legend, and claim our place as the true elites!” Tears of absolute devotion welled up in the eyes of all four disciples.
“Yes, Master!” [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 45] “Cultivate diligently.
I will see you tomorrow,” Jiang WuShang said, turning on his heel and walking out of the classroom.
Exiting Class C9, Jiang WuShang strolled down the hallway toward Class B6.
“Brother Jiang!
You’re here!” Lu Jun called out, stepping out into the corridor.
“Brother Jun,” Jiang WuShang greeted him.
“I wanted to ask you something.
Do you know where I can acquire alchemy materials inside the academy?” Lu Jun tapped his chin.
“I know Azure Academy has a dedicated Alchemy Hall, but as for who is currently in charge or how to request high-grade materials…
I’m not entirely sure.
We should probably ask Master Lu for the details.” “Alright.
Do you know where he is right now?” “I know his favorite spot.
Follow me,” Lu Jun chuckled, leading the way.
The two walked toward the commercial quarter of the academy until they arrived before a lavish, aromatic pavilion labeled: DRUNKEN HALL.
Jiang WuShang glanced at the sign, eyebrows raised.
“Brother Jun…
are you sure we’re going to find a respected Master in a tavern?” “Trust me, he lives here,” Lu Jun said with a wry smile.
“Wait out here for a second; I’ll drag him out.” Lu Jun pushed open the doors and headed straight for a private room on the second floor.
Sliding the door open, he found Master Lu lounging with a jar of fine wine in hand.
“Old man, get up,” Lu Jun said bluntly.
“I need you for something.” Master Lu nearly choked on his wine, glaring up at him.
“Brat!
Watch your tone!
Is that how you speak to your father?!” “Brother Jiang is looking for you,” Lu Jun replied, ignoring the scolding.
“Come out, it’s urgent.” Master Lu paused, setting his wine jar down.
“Intern Jiang?
Why is he looking for me?” “You can ask him yourself.
Hurry up,” Lu Jun turned and walked out.
Sighing helplessly, Master Lu reluctantly set aside his vintage jar and followed his son down to the entrance of Drunken Hall.
Seeing Jiang WuShang waiting outside, Master Lu adjusted his robes and cleared his throat.
“Intern Jiang, Lu Jun mentioned you were searching for me?
What seems to be the matter?” “Greetings, Master Lu,” Jiang WuShang bowed politely.
“I’m looking to access the Alchemy Hall.
I need to acquire some specific materials for pill refining.” Master Lu stared at him in surprise.
“For pill refining?
Don’t tell me…
are you also an Alchemy Apprentice capable of concocting spiritual pills?” Jiang WuShang blinked in confusion.
“An Alchemy Apprentice?
What is that?” Master Lu raised an eyebrow.
“Intern Jiang…
have you never studied under a master alchemist?” Jiang WuShang shook his head.
“No, never.” “Ah, that explains it,” Master Lu clarified.
“In the cultivation world, anyone formally studying under an Alchemist is categorized as an Alchemy Apprentice.
An apprentice’s limit is usually refining Rank-9 pills.
To officially earn the title of an ‘Alchemy Master’, one must successfully refine a Rank-8 pill.” “I see,” Jiang WuShang nodded thoughtfully.
“Well, I haven’t studied under anyone, but during my six hours of Sudden Enlightenment yesterday, I absorbed all the alchemy texts on the ground floor.
I just want to get my hands on some materials and test a few things out.” Master Lu stroked his beard, chuckling in awe.
“To master theoretical alchemy formulas just through enlightenment…
marvelous.
Very well, come with me; I will guide you to the Alchemy Hall myself.” As they began walking, Jiang WuShang fell into step beside Master Lu.
“Master Lu…
aside from standard alchemy materials, do you happen to know where I could find certain rare natural treasures around Azure City?” “Natural treasures?” Master Lu glanced at him with curiosity.
“I know Azure City and its surrounding territories like the back of my hand.
Tell me what you’re looking for, and I can point you in the right direction.” Jiang WuShang recalled the requirements for the first stage of the primordial body manual he had memorized: Purple Star Dust, Samara Demon Core, Essence of the Sun Tree, and Blood of the Battle Rhino.
“Master Lu, I am searching for Purple Star Dust, a Samara Demon Core, Essence of the Sun Tree, and the Blood of a Battle Rhino.
Do you know where these can be found?” Master Lu stopped dead in his tracks, his jaw nearly dropping to the floor.
“What?!
Why on earth do you need Purple Star Dust and a Samara Demon Core?!
And those other materials…
I’ve barely even heard of them!” Jiang WuShang smiled casually.
“I need them to forge a specialized body-refining foundation.
Is it difficult to obtain them?” “Difficult?!” Master Lu exclaimed, staring at him like he was a madman.
“Are you out of your mind?!
Purple Star Dust possesses the most terrifying heat-attribute nature in existence—melting it requires temperatures exceeding active molten lava!
As for a Samara Demon Core, it is condensed entirely of ancient Dark Qi!
The moment it touches flesh, it can dissolve a cultivator into a pool of black blood within seconds!” Jiang WuShang remained unfazed, his expression calm and confident.
“Don’t worry, Master Lu, I know how to handle them safely.
Just tell me where they can be located.” Master Lu sighed heavily, rubbing his temples.
“You really are a monster…
Fine.
Purple Star Dust can occasionally be gathered near the borders of the Samara Realm.
As for a Samara Demon Core…
you can only obtain one by entering the Samara Realm and slaying a Samara General.
But…
you cannot enter that realm right now.” Jiang WuShang frowned slightly.
“The Samara Realm?
I’ve never heard of it.
Where is this place?” “It’s natural that you don’t know yet,” Master Lu replied grimly.
“It is a forbidden zone under strict seal.
You will learn more about it when your cultivation reaches the higher tiers.
For now, let us focus on visiting the Alchemy Hall first.” “Alright,” Jiang WuShang nodded, following Master Lu down the path.