Stepping inside the grand double doors of the Alchemy Hall, Bai Ru turned to Jiang WuShang.
“Intern Jiang, follow me.
I’ll take you directly to my grandfather’s private quarters.” “Lead the way,” Jiang WuShang replied calmly.
Bai Ru led the group up several flights of carved stone staircases toward the top floor.
The sharp scent of medicinal earth and burning spirit herbs grew stronger with every step.
Stopping before a heavy wooden door, Bai Ru knocked twice.
“Grandpa, I have brought Intern Jiang and the others to meet you.” “Come in,” a deep, dignified voice resonated from within.
“Yes, Grandpa,” Bai Ru answered, pushing the doors open.
Before stepping across the threshold, Jiang WuShang held up a hand, stopping Master Lu, Lu Jun, and Bai Ru.
“You three wait out here for a moment.
I need to discuss a few private matters with Grand Master Bai first.” Without waiting for their reply, Jiang WuShang stepped into the chamber alone and pulled the door shut.
Sitting cross-legged on a woven straw mat was Grand Master Bai, his eyes open and keen.
Jiang WuShang offered a polite bow.
“Greetings, Grand Master Bai.” “Intern Jiang,” Grand Master Bai observed him curiously.
“I heard you requested a private audience.
What is it you wish to discuss?” Jiang WuShang looked straight into the old man’s eyes, his expression calm and unbothered.
“The Dean and you…
what exactly are you two planning behind the scenes?” Grand Master Bai’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“How do you know I am aligned with the Dean?” “I can sense the Dean’s presence quite clearly,” Jiang WuShang said with a faint smile.
“Which means I naturally sensed yours as well.
That day, you two were standing together in the shadows watching me—you simply chose not to reveal yourselves.” Grand Master Bai let out a dry laugh.
“So you noticed us…
It is true we were together that day, but what do you mean by ‘planning’?
We are nothing more than two old bones trying to preserve the academy.” “I know the complete truth regarding Jiang Bai and the Vice-Dean,” Jiang WuShang stated bluntly.
“I am simply curious how you two intend to handle the impending rebellion.” Grand Master Bai stroked his long white beard, a subtle gleam in his eyes.
“To be frank, neither the Dean nor I possess a concrete plan to deal with their hidden forces.
However…
I do know who can deal with them.” “Who?” “You,” Grand Master Bai smiled warmly.
“I know full well why Bai Lu brought you into our circle.” Jiang WuShang chuckled softly.
“She is your grand-niece, so it’s natural you would know.
But if you want my assistance in resolving this mess, you two must agree to a few of my conditions.” “By ‘you two’, you mean myself and Bai Lu?” Grand Master Bai asked.
“No,” Jiang WuShang corrected smoothly.
“I mean you and the Dean.
Bai Lu is already one of my people—do not count her alongside you two.” Grand Master Bai stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Very well.
State your conditions.
If they are within reason, we can certainly agree.” Jiang WuShang turned his gaze toward a blank patch of empty space in the corner of the room, his smile widening.
“That concealing artifact is useless, Dean.
You might as well step out so we can speak face to face.” Whoosh!
The air distorted, and an elderly man in regal academy robes emerged from thin air, holding a glowing spirit jade in his hand.
He stared at Jiang WuShang with genuine astonishment.
“This is an Earth-Rank Concealment Artifact…
and yet it couldn’t hide my presence from you for even a second?” [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 60] “The artifact isn’t useless, Dean,” Jiang WuShang explained lightheartedly.
“It’s simply that I possess a unique physique.
My sensory perception can pick up any living soul nearby, regardless of artifact concealment.
Ever since my enlightenment, my senses have become sharper than ever.” The Dean sighed in admiration, stepping forward.
“Very well, Intern Jiang.
Tell us your conditions.” Jiang WuShang held up a finger.
“First, regarding Class C9: I have taken four disciples under my personal wing.
They have all reached the 3rd Level of the Qi Gathering Realm and possess combat power capable of matching 4th Level cultivators.
I intend to take two more personal disciples to complete my core group.
You two will suggest candidates.
If they meet my standards, I will accept them.” “WHAT?!” Both the Dean and Grand Master Bai gasped, their eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.
“They reached the 3rd Level of Qi Gathering already?!
And can fight 4th Level cultivators?!” the Dean exclaimed in sheer disbelief.
[System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 70] Grand Master Bai stepped forward hurriedly before the Dean could even speak.
“Intern Jiang!
What about my granddaughter, Bai Ru?
She possesses an Earth Low-Rank Talent Root, and her foundation in both alchemy and cultivation is top-tier!” Jiang WuShang pondered for a moment.
“She is decent.
Ask her if she is willing.
If she wishes to become my personal disciple, I will personally guide her growth.” The Dean quickly chimed in, “What about Wang Ru from the upper classes?
Her cultivation base is already quite advanced!” “She has good potential, but she is still too green in actual battle experience,” Jiang WuShang noted.
“Ask her as well.
If she agrees, I will take her.” “Understood!” The Dean nodded eagerly.
“What is your second condition?” Jiang WuShang’s eyes glinted with a sharp, calculating light.
“I want full access to the secret personal archives you two are hiding.
And don’t bother denying their existence.” [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 80] The Dean froze, staring at him in shock.
“How…
how could you possibly know about that?!” “If you two didn’t hold powerful hidden inheritances, do you really think you could have maintained control over the academy for so long against the Vice-Dean’s faction?” Jiang WuShang smiled faintly.
“If I’m not mistaken, those archives contain Heaven-Rank techniques.” The Dean took a deep breath, shaking his head with a rueful smile.
“Nothing escapes you, does it?
Very well.
I possess eight Low-Grade Heaven-Rank cultivation and martial manuals.
As for Grand Master Bai, he holds two High-Grade Heaven-Rank alchemy manuals.” “And for my third condition,” Jiang WuShang’s tone turned stern and commanding, “I want to know the true identity of the faction backing Jiang Bai and the Vice-Dean.” The Dean’s expression sobered instantly.
He shook his head grimly.
“Intern Jiang…
to know of those entities, your current strength is simply far too weak.
You must reach at least the Master Realm before you are qualified to bear that burden.” Jiang WuShang chuckled softly.
“What if I share a secret with you right now that could turn entire realms upside down?
Would you consider me qualified then?” “A secret that could turn realms upside down?” The Dean smirked slightly, clearly skeptical.
“What kind of secret could possibly carry such weight?” “Let the three outside come in first,” Jiang WuShang suggested.
Grand Master Bai turned toward the door and projected his voice: “Bai Ru, Lu Jun, Master Lu—come inside!” The three outside quickly pushed the door open.
Seeing the Dean himself sitting inside the private chamber, Master Lu and Lu Jun were visibly startled, bowing hurriedly.
“Greetings, Dean!” “Now then,” the Dean looked back at Jiang WuShang.
“Tell us this grand secret.” Jiang WuShang smiled.
“I presume Bai Lu already informed you of my cultivation speed—going from a mortal with no cultivation to the 6th Level of the Qi Gathering Realm in just fifteen days?” “Yes, she did,” the Dean nodded.
Grand Master Bai, Bai Ru, and Lu Jun instantly stiffened, their minds exploding in shock.
“WHAT?!” Grand Master Bai gasped.
“Mortal to 6th Level Qi Gathering in fifteen days?!” Bai Ru shrieked, covering her mouth in absolute terror.
“How is that even humanly possible?!” [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: 100] Jiang WuShang folded his arms, his eyes scanning everyone in the room.
“And the secret I am talking about is this: I possess a heaven-defying ability.
I can upgrade the natural Talent Roots of other cultivators…
though it comes at a severe cost to my own talent foundation.” If I tell them it’s completely free of cost for me, Jiang WuShang thought inwardly with a sly grin, these old foxes will treat me like an endless cash cow for the rest of my life.
“WHAT?!” the Dean roared, standing up so fast his chair nearly tumbled over.
[System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 115] “How…
how could such an ability exist in this world?!” Grand Master Bai stammered, his beard trembling violently.
Jiang WuShang turned his gaze toward Lu Jun, who was standing completely frozen in the back.
“Lu Jun, step forward and take off your shirt.
I am going to upgrade your Talent Root right now.” Lu Jun’s breathing hitched instantly, his chest heaving as his pulse skyrocketed.
“B-Brother Jiang…
are you serious?!
You’re not joking with me?!” In his wildest dreams, Lu Jun had never dared to imagine possessing an Earth-Rank Talent Root.
“When have I ever lied to you?” Jiang WuShang smiled warmly.
“Come over here.
It’s going to be painful, so brace yourself.” “YES!” Lu Jun stripped off his upper robe without a second thought and sat cross-legged on the floor, trembling with anticipation.
Jiang WuShang stepped forward, placing his right palm firmly onto Lu Jun’s bare back.
“System, upgrade!” BUZZ!
Using 75 Emotion Points, a brilliant golden light burst from Jiang WuShang’s palm, surging straight into Lu Jun’s meridians!
“AAAAAARRRRGHHHH!” Lu Jun threw his head back and roared in agonizing pain as his spiritual root was cleansed and re-forged into an Earth Low-Rank Talent Root.
BOOM!
A sudden rush of violent Qi erupted from Lu Jun’s body.
The sudden influx of spiritual purity shattered his bottleneck on the spot, pushing his cultivation straight into the 7th Level of the Qi Gathering Realm!
“Done,” Jiang WuShang said, casually retracting his hand.
[System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 40] (Cost: 75 Emotion Points used) Dead silence descended upon the room.
The Dean and Grand Master Bai stared at Lu Jun’s surging 7th Level Qi in utter, horrified astonishment.
“This…
this is truly a divine miracle…” the Dean gasped, his face turning solemn.
He snapped his head toward Bai Ru, Master Lu, and Lu Jun.
“You three!
Listen to me very carefully!
Not a single word of what transpired in this room today is to leave your lips!
If news of this ability leaks out to the upper realms, it will ignite a catastrophic war that will burn this entire domain to ash!” “Y-Yes, Dean!” the three bowed in absolute terror.
Jiang WuShang dusted off his sleeves.
“Now, I have one final condition.” “Speak!
Whatever it is, we will fulfill it!” the Dean declared without hesitation.
“I need specific rare materials,” Jiang WuShang stated.
“Name them!
As long as they exist within the Azure Mortal Realm, I will mobilize all resources to gather them for you!” “I need Purple Star Dust, a Samara Demon Core, Essence of the Sun Tree, and the Blood of a Battle Rhino,” Jiang WuShang listed calmly.
The Dean and Grand Master Bai both choked on their breath.
“What?!” the Dean yelled in shock.
“Why on earth do you need those suicidal materials?!
Are you seeking death?!” “I have my own essential uses for them,” Jiang WuShang replied smoothly.
“Just tell me where they can be found.” Grand Master Bai stepped forward, sighing deeply.
“You can find Purple Star Dust and Samara Demon Cores connected to the Samara Realm.
Lucky for you…
I actually happen to possess a small vial of Purple Star Dust in my private vault.
However, we do not have a Samara Demon Core.
As for the Essence of the Sun Tree and the Blood of the Battle Rhino…
those can only be acquired when the Sun Realm opens at the end of this year.” Jiang WuShang nodded, committing the details to memory.
“Where exactly is the Samara Realm located?” The Dean looked at him with a deeply serious gaze.
“Intern Jiang…
do you know how many realms exist in our universe?” “There are thousands of lower Mortal Realms, and plenty of upper divine realms above them,” Jiang WuShang answered casually.
“Correct,” the Dean nodded grimly.
“There are countless Mortal Realms and Upper Realms…
but what do you think exists in the space between them?” Jiang WuShang tilted his head.
“Void space?
Endless dark cosmos?
I haven’t traveled far enough to know for certain.” “It is not merely empty void or black space,” the Dean whispered in a chilling tone.
“Between the Mortal and Upper Realms lies a boundless, vast dimension…
a realm ruled entirely by the ancient Samara Demons!” “A Boundless Realm of Demons…” Jiang WuShang murmured, his interest thoroughly piqued.
The Dean stared intently into Jiang WuShang’s calm eyes, a terrifying thought dawning in his mind.
He leaned forward, his voice trembling slightly with awe.
“Young friend…
allow me to ask you one final question…” The Dean swallowed hard.
“With abilities that defy the very laws of heaven and earth…
are you a Chosen One sent by the heavens?”