The Dragon-Qilin drank its fill of water, then looked at Quinn Shepherd: "I'm still a bit hungry..."
I'll take you to refine medicine.
Quinn led the Dragon-Qilin toward the Treasury Hall, planning to buy herbs for Redfire Spirit Pills. Across from Jade Dragon Lake, a Daoist watched them leave, muttering, "Has the dragon-lion by the mountain gate come alive? Why did it go drink from Jade Dragon Lake? Who is that youth? Doesn't he know the lake's water is reserved for the imperial family? Well, as long as he doesn't jump in for a bath, a few sips don't matter."
As Quinn passed by the Royal Courtyard, he saw a crowd of scholars gathered, waves of cheers rising from them.
Quinn glanced from afar; even students from the Scholars' Residence had run over, and many from the Divine Abilities Residence were present, crowding the entrance of the Royal Courtyard until it was packed tight.
Suddenly, with a loud bang, a figure was sent flying into the air, landing headfirst into the ground. A voice called out, "Another one down!"
Quinn jumped in shock. The one whose head was driven into the ground was a young lord from the Royal Courtyard—a prince's son. Who would dare strike so hard?
Let me have a go!
A girl's voice came from the crowd. Quinn had already walked away, when another loud crash sounded—a green-clad girl was sent flying, smashing through the wall of the Hall of Radiant Light ahead, leaving only her long legs sticking out.
Seems to be a princess...
Quinn glanced back at the crowd, thinking, "This technique looks familiar—it's Senior Barrett's battle-method."
Libationer Barrett pioneered battle-method arts, combining martial techniques with spell arts, making them more powerful than either alone. This innovation propelled him into the ranks of sect leader-level experts. Today, no one surpasses his mastery of battle-method arts.
The only drawback of battle-method arts is that their moves are less flexible and varied than pure martial techniques or spells. That's why, despite reaching sect leader-level strength, Barrett hasn't advanced further.
Could it be Lynn? Why is she fighting the young lords and princesses?
The Dragon-Qilin, starving and weak, its belly shrunken, made Quinn suppress his urge to watch the match and continue toward the Treasury Hall to buy herbs. Only when the hall's apothecary handed over the herbs did he notice the giant beast behind Quinn, staring in astonishment.
Quinn retraced his steps with the Dragon-Qilin, analyzing the herbs' medicinal properties along the way and refining a batch of Redfire Spirit Pills.
The Dragon-Qilin quickly devoured them, but one batch wasn't enough. It looked at him, still hungry, so Quinn refined another batch and finally managed to satisfy the enormous beast.
Revitalized, the Dragon-Qilin followed at his side, grinning: "If you ever need anything, just let me know. I'm a great fighter."
Quinn shook his head and headed for the Royal Courtyard. Lina the Spirit Fox scoffed, "You don't even dare fight a cow, and you call yourself a fighter?"
The Dragon-Qilin instantly wilted.
The crowd in front of the Royal Courtyard had grown even larger. A scholar exclaimed, "Still no one in the Royal Courtyard can defeat her? Ever since the Seventh Princess returned from her training outside, she's like a different person—her skills have improved at lightning speed."
"Combining spells and martial skills with the imperial Nine-Dragon Emperor Art, the Seventh Princess can basically sweep through the Royal Courtyard. I wonder if she'll go block the doors at the Scholars' Residence and Divine Abilities Residence next?"
"Not sure about Divine Abilities Residence, but I doubt she could manage at the Scholars' Residence—after all, there's that demon inside."
"Yeah. Haven't seen that demon for three months—he probably died outside. At least he's rid our Scholars' Residence of a big menace."
"That demon's skills might not be enough to beat the Seventh Princess."
...
"Make way, make way!"
The scholars felt a commotion behind them and turned in surprise. A massive half-dragon, half-qilin beast muscled its way through, shoving aside anyone blocking its path. Some scholars who were nudged by the Dragon-Qilin were knocked off their feet and sent flying from the crowd.
The gigantic beast pushed its way to the Royal Courtyard gate, opening up a path and leaving the scholars stunned and a little fearful.
Even the royals inside the Royal Courtyard, though used to strange sights, couldn't help but stare wide-eyed at the imposing Dragon-Qilin.
The Dragon-Qilin shook itself, fluffed up its fur, and grinned, "Master, these clueless ones have already cleared a path. Please go ahead."
Quinn strode to the Royal Courtyard gate, scolding, "Too ostentatious! Way too flashy! Don't do this again! Sorry, everyone—my apologies!"
Everyone's expressions froze.
Quinn looked into the Royal Courtyard and saw Lynn Ling self-sealing her Five Luminaries Treasury, dueling Heir Prince Gavin Min. Gavin was Barrett's other chosen scholar, but after only a few moves, he couldn't withstand Lynn's explosive power and was sent flying.
Lynn broke open her Five Luminaries Treasury, with nine dragons coiling around her—truly heroic and radiant.
Quinn silently praised her. After the Loulan Golden Palace expedition, Lynn's cultivation and strength skyrocketed—she now crushed the other scholars with ease.
Clearly, after blocking the gate at the Golden Palace, she trained hard and refined her Nine-Dragon Emperor Art, patching up her shaky foundation.
Libationer Barrett taught according to her weaknesses, unlike the Imperial Academy's instructors. By tailoring his guidance, he helped Lynn achieve tremendous growth.
But Quinn noticed that half the Royal Courtyard had been demolished by the princess—who taught her to be so violent?
Cowherd!
Lynn Ling's eyes lit up when she saw Quinn. She waved to the royal heirs in the Royal Courtyard, smiling: "No more matches today—let's settle the score another time." Then she walked over to Quinn.
Quinn praised, "Lynn, you've gotten even stronger in the past month."
Lynn complained, "Where have you been these days? I was so worried about you."
She quickly added, "Barrett was worried about you too! Did you know the old Grand Libationer resigned? The new Grand Libationer isn't Barrett, but that ice-sealed man you and Young General Qin rescued from the Dragon Palace in the Great Ruins."
"Ice-sealed man?"
Quinn's heart skipped—could it be Leonard Goodwin?
Lynn noticed the crowd still watching them. She blushed and whispered, "There are too many people here—let's talk in my room."
Quinn nodded and followed her into the Royal Courtyard. Suddenly, a handsome young man appeared, face stern: "Seventh Sister, you can't just let a man into your room. Use mine instead."
Lynn blushed and quietly agreed.
Luther Ling's face was dark as he said, "Scholar Quinn, please."
Quinn was puzzled, unsure how he'd offended this prince—Luther's look was almost murderous.
They arrived at Luther's residence in the Royal Courtyard, which was arranged like a Jiangnan garden—elegant and refined, with winding streams and hidden paths, far superior to the Scholars' Residence.
It felt like a miniature palace, with palace maids bustling about, serving attentively.
Many of these maids were also Divine Abilities cultivators—beautiful and powerful.
Luther led them to a pavilion with a great view. A maid brought over an incense burner, lit it, and fragrant smoke curled up.
Zither music drifted from somewhere, slow and drawn out, like two old men playing chess, with notes appearing only after long pauses, calming the heart.
"Second Prince, you have exquisite taste," Quinn praised.
Luther Ling's expression softened. "Seventh Sister went Beyond-the-Frontier, and I must thank Scholar Quinn for looking after her. She told me about your Loulan Golden Palace ordeal and how you saved her many times. I am deeply grateful."
Lynn laughed, "Cowherd is really strong—I thought he was dead, and I even cried in front of the Loulan witches."
Luther Ling's eye twitched—cried? She never mentioned that.
"It's nothing, just classmates' friendship. My sister once cried when her cat died too," Luther thought.
"We also met Cowherd's two elders—they praised me for being sensible and were very pleased," Lynn said with a smile.
Luther's eye twitched again—already met the elders? Seventh Sister never mentioned that either!
Lynn said excitedly, "Second Brother, Barrett is truly amazing. After taking us out, my skills improved greatly—you saw it yourself. If Barrett takes me and Cowherd out more often, you wouldn't be able to beat me!"
Luther shook his head: "I asked around—next time Barrett goes out, he'll take other candidates."
Lynn looked disappointed.
Luther looked at Quinn: "Father appointed Leonard Goodwin as Grand Libationer. I heard you have a grudge with him. After he became Grand Libationer, he even asked the Imperial Academy's supervisors about you."
Lynn smiled, "I know about their grudge. Leonard's Junior Protector Sword was swindled by Cowherd, so he holds a grudge."
Luther said, "Scholar Quinn, you'd better return the Junior Protector Sword to Leonard. He's a master of the demonic path, petty and vengeful. My father's appointment is none of my business, but he's far less generous than the previous Grand Libationer—he might give you trouble. I can arrange a meeting to settle things; he should respect me."
Quinn shook his head: "In the Great Ruins, our rule is: if you swindle something, you don't have to give it back."
Luther smiled wryly, "But this isn't the Great Ruins. He's the Grand Libationer—he could make things difficult for you."
Quinn thought for a moment. "I heard Leonard say he's the Crown Prince's Junior Protector. That means he was the prince's childhood tutor, right? Second Prince, do you think Leonard will respect you?"
Luther was startled.
Quinn continued, "Second Prince, if he agrees to settle things, I can break the Great Ruins' rule and return the sword. But I think even if I return it, he won't respect you or resolve the grudge. Besides, aren't you worried he'll make things difficult for you?"