In front of the Grand Academy Hall, over a thousand scholars, along with the Imperial Supervisors, the Director of the Archives, and the libationers, all stared in shock, their gazes turning toward the source of the laughter.
One scholar asked in confusion, "What did he just refine?"
Another scholar beside him was equally baffled. "It sounded like he said 'yuanqi thread'... Maybe I misheard!"
The Imperial Supervisors, Director of the Archives, and libationers all wore awkward expressions, caught between laughter and tears.
Libationer Barrett chuckled. "What a curious kid. Yuanqi thread is the foundation of all sword techniques—he hadn't even refined it, so how did he become a scholar at our Academy? Did he bribe some examiner to get in?"
"Libationer Barrett, you weren't at the Academy recently, so you wouldn't know him."
An Imperial Supervisor laughed, "That troublemaker's name is Quinn Shepherd, an abandoned one from the Great Ruins. He beat Daoist Rowan and was personally appointed as an Academy scholar by the emperor. If the emperor gives the order, who would dare keep him out?"
"An abandoned one from the Great Ruins beat Daoist Rowan, and the emperor personally appointed him?"
Libationer Barrett glanced at Daoist Rowan and sneered, "Rowan, did you throw the match? Did the emperor take a bribe too?"
Daoist Rowan was both embarrassed and angry. Back then, Quinn Shepherd had blasted him out of Pure Sun Hall, pierced two sword cases, and made a fool of him in front of the emperor, ministers, colleagues, and scholars. How could that be throwing the match?
Is that what you call throwing a match for a bribe?
The price would be a bit too steep, wouldn't it?
But Libationer Barrett was, after all, a senior libationer—second only to the Grand Rector—and not someone to offend lightly. Daoist Rowan could only keep his mouth shut, lest he invite trouble. Besides, Barrett was infamous at the Academy for his booming voice and ruthless tongue. Most rumors and gossip at the Academy originated with him, earning him the nickname 'Big-Mouthed Ba' behind his back.
Argue with him, and by the next day even the chickens in the coop would know how you embarrassed yourself.
Not far away, Fu Yuanqing was secretly delighted: "So that's my junior brother from the same sect! He looks so clueless. Our master really is useless, picking such a blockhead—he must be easy to bully!"
"After seven or eight years of bitter cultivation, I've finally refined the yuanqi thread!"
Quinn Shepherd could barely contain his joy, his excitement overflowing as he gazed at the yuanqi thread before him. Now, at last, he no longer had to use those crude, oversized 'yuanqi threads'—his threads could be delicate and refined.
Between his fingers, the yuanqi thread flowed lightly, fine as a hair—absolutely perfect.
A closer look would reveal that Quinn Shepherd's yuanqi thread was truly unique.
This yuanqi thread was actually made up of countless, impossibly slender strands of sword qi linked together, each one constantly shifting and winding around itself. Yet, when the thread moved, it was astonishingly nimble, with no sign that it was structured at all.
"I wonder how far my yuanqi thread can reach?"
Quinn Shepherd glanced around, wanting to test how far his yuanqi thread could extend. Suddenly, his gaze swept past the Imperial Preceptor, and he paused in surprise.
The Imperial Preceptor was watching, his gaze fixed on the yuanqi thread moving between Quinn's fingers. Sensing Quinn's attention, the Preceptor lifted his eyes, and their gazes met.
The Imperial Preceptor smiled and murmured, "Interesting..."
Quinn looked away, abandoning his idea—there were too many people here for him to experiment.
After waiting a while, the Imperial Preceptor spoke: "All right. Now I'll teach you the second foundational sword form—the Roaming Sword Form. When swords fly through the air, they are not bound by limits; their shapes are not fixed, so swords can roam like dragons, snakes, fish, or phoenixes, or dance like immortals and gods. Why cling to old foundational techniques?"
Quinn was shaken. The second foundational sword technique created by the Imperial Preceptor was just as fresh and eye-opening, as if a door had opened onto a broader world.
Coming to the Academy was the right choice. The Grand Rector truly had foresight, Quinn thought to himself.
At the mountain gate, Master Danyang looked up. Above, Jade Peak rose with layer upon layer of palaces, deep and imposing. The mountain's grasses and trees were tinged jade-green by the Nine Dragons' qi. Occasionally, fragments of the Imperial Preceptor's voice drifted down on the wind, and each time Master Danyang heard them, he felt a sudden clarity.
"Master Danyang, uncle."
Dao Heir Lucas Lin also faintly heard the voice from the mountain and hesitated. "Is the one lecturing up there the Imperial Preceptor? Even hearing just a few words benefited me greatly. I think he..."
Master Danyang smiled. "Speak freely."
Dao Heir Lucas Lin gathered his courage. "I haven't heard all his advice to the scholars, but his swordsmanship has reached an incredible level. Our Dao Gate's techniques are profound and all-encompassing, but his insights surpass ours. I believe the Imperial Preceptor truly wants to advance dao techniques and divine abilities. If so, why are we blocking the gate?"
Master Danyang smiled. "Dao Heir, it's not enough to listen to words—you must also observe deeds. The Imperial Preceptor's talent is unquestioned; years ago, even the Dao Lord called him a once-in-five-hundred-years genius, destined for sainthood. But what if he fails to become a saint and instead does evil?"
Dao Heir Lucas Lin was confused.
Master Danyang sneered. "With his power, he could easily advance divine abilities and dao techniques. But he is ambitious—he wants to subjugate all the sects, leaving them no way to survive. That's one. Second, the Imperial Preceptor even uses the Cult of the Heavenly Demon's teachings! The Cult is a false path, pretending to be saintly but practicing demonic arts. The Imperial Preceptor stands with the Cult—he is the enemy of the righteous!"
Dao Heir Lucas Lin was shaken. "Good and evil cannot coexist. The more talented he is, the greater the threat if he stands with the demonic path!"
Master Danyang nodded. "His primary schools, universities, and the Academy have benefits, but also drawbacks. You were taught by the Dao Lord from childhood, all the way to now. The teachers and Imperial Supervisors at the Academy—can they match the Dao Lord's skill and insight? The Preceptor's system gives many a chance to become experts, but it also cuts off the path for true geniuses. That's why our Dao Gate opposes him."
His face grew solemn. "Dao techniques and divine abilities are advanced by geniuses like the Imperial Preceptor. Most people spend their lives mediocre, only learning and using, never innovating. The Preceptor has cut off the road for geniuses, causing lasting harm! His schools make everyone skilled for a while, but also mediocre—like mooncakes stamped from the same mold. Who can produce a Dao Heir like you? Sects exist for a reason; if he can't see that, our Dao Gate will oppose him to the death."
Dao Heir Lucas Lin agreed, his fighting spirit burning.
Master Danyang smiled. "You may oppose the Imperial Preceptor, but don't oppose his dao techniques and divine abilities, lest you limit your own perspective."
This time, the Imperial Preceptor lectured for a full two days, without sleep or rest. Many couldn't keep up, nodding off or even falling asleep in front of the Grand Academy Hall, while others went off to rest.
Quinn Shepherd and several other scholars with strong cultivation still looked energetic and focused. However, while Quinn was only at the Five Luminaries realm, the others were divine ability users at the Six Directions or Seven Stars realms.
The third foundational sword form taught by the Imperial Preceptor was called the Drill, and it was extremely unusual.
With a single sword, the tip spun rapidly, able to pierce any diamond body or defensive technique. When multiple swords were used, they combined into a massive drill sword form—utterly unstoppable!
Over two days, he taught only these three sword forms, then stopped and let the Academy scholars ask questions, which he answered. Once he finished, the Imperial Preceptor stood and smiled at the Young Heavenly Demon Patriarch. "I'll give these scholars half a day to sleep, rest, and eat. After that, I'll leave the rest to the Grand Rector."
The Young Heavenly Demon Patriarch smiled. "The Preceptor's talent is unmatched. Did you discover any true talent this time?"
The Imperial Preceptor nodded. "Only one or two truly grasped my sword techniques. The Grand Rector should be able to see it as well. By the way, are you really resigning?"
The Young Heavenly Demon Patriarch nodded. "My life is nearly spent; there's no need to cling to power any longer."
The Imperial Preceptor sighed. "When have you ever craved power? If you wanted office, I'd give you my own position! But you never cared for it. You're half my teacher, and if you go, I'll be sad. I'll have one less companion on this path."
The Young Heavenly Demon Patriarch smiled. "All banquets must end—birth is joining, death is departing. It's time for us to part ways."
The Imperial Preceptor looked up at the sky and murmured, "Are there really immortals above? If you become an immortal and watch over the era we created, how wonderful that would be..."
He shook his head, boarded the tower ship, and it slowly departed from the Academy.
The kitchen staff wheeled a cart to the Grand Academy Hall, letting every scholar sit on the ground to eat. Then, at the Young Heavenly Demon Patriarch's command, all scholars were sent to their quarters to rest for half a day—when the bell rang, they would wake.
Quinn Shepherd and the others returned to their quarters. Passing by Wayne Shen's residence, they saw Wayne still awake, training diligently.
"Senior Shen is worth learning from..."
Quinn Shepherd was greatly encouraged. At his quarters, he set down the sleeping little fox, then paced slowly, activating the Overlord Three-Core Technique. His speed gradually increased as he slipped into a half-awake, half-dream state of cultivation.
Soon, Wayne Shen saw Quinn Shepherd dash past his door, and hurried after him. Quinn's eyes were half-open, half-closed, sprinting wildly across the mountains. Wayne was stunned: "Sleepwalking?"