Chapter 429: Heavenly Demon from Beyond

His Majesty the Jade Emperor truly always finds new ways to surprise.

I had thought that by tricking Hua Youming into the academy, I could smoothly guide him onto the right path and, incidentally, help the trial incarnations of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother fall for each other, sparking a flame of righteousness.

But Hua Youming's sudden move of blocking the entrance was something Li Changshou hadn't anticipated.

Not only that, Hua Youming also forcibly set a standard, blocking out most of the uneducated youngsters from influential families. Looking at the smug smile on Hua Youming's face, he himself likely couldn't even recognize a hundred characters.

Li Changshou chuckled to himself, just about to notify the general in charge of the Hua Residence to come over, when Xia Ningshuang, who had already entered the academy, rolled her eyes and turned back, addressing Hua Youming who was blocking the entrance:

"Young General, what a show of power."

Hua Youming raised an eyebrow slightly, saying calmly, "Young Lady Xia, what sharp words."

Xia Ningshuang showed no anger. Her rather slender figure leaned against the academy gate, arms crossed, and she said coolly:

"The academy's teacher is a true great sage. The rules he set certainly have their reasons. Isn't it gilding the lily and deliberately causing trouble to forcibly add another restriction?"

The group of adults at the very front all nodded in agreement.

Hua Youming stood with his hands behind his back, head held high, and declared loudly: "Precisely because the teacher in this academy is a great sage of this era, we should be even stricter! Those born wealthy but barely able to read, what can they learn by entering? It would be better to give these spots to peers in this city who have truly studied and learned principles, so we can cultivate more talent for our city! Don't you all agree?"

The young men below, dressed in貂皮 and jade, immediately agreed wholeheartedly. Though none dared to speak in front of their elders, they secretly gave Hua Youming a thumbs-up.

"That's incorrect," Xia Ningshuang said calmly. "How can temporary ignorance represent a lifetime of ignorance? Most of the rankings here are based on the city's official positions, which are often inherited by brothers or passed down from father to son. Would cultivating seven children from influential families benefit this city more, or would cultivating seven impoverished children with ambition but no outlet for it benefit this city more? It's not impossible that the academy's teacher allowed those ranked higher to enter first precisely for this consideration."

Hua Youming was stunned. His eyes darted about, then he immediately countered: "As you just said, temporary ignorance doesn't mean a person will be ignorant their entire life. Then, temporary lack of success doesn't mean a person won't achieve great accomplishments in their life!"

"Young General, do you know what you're saying?" Xia Ningshuang's fingertip wrapped around a strand of her hair, and a faint cold smile played at the corner of her mouth behind her veil. "Your words are already heretical; I fear General Hua will hang you up and beat you."

"Hmph," Hua Youming said, raising his head, "What fear have I!"

The adults below exchanged glances. They also didn't quite understand what these two young people were talking about, but it all sounded quite reasonable.

Just then, a burst of laughter came from within the academy. A middle-aged scholar in loose robes strode out, his figure graceful and ethereal, his long, unbound hair swaying in the wind. An aura of peace and tranquility resonated everywhere.

The crowded people outside the gate quickly bowed. Many women's eyes lit up, while the children and youngsters curiously observed the legendary great sage.

The one who appeared was naturally Li Changshou... or rather, his paper avatar.

"Hahahaha! What a debate between the privileged and the humble! What is this Young General's name?"

"Hua Youming!"

"Full of vigor, I am most pleased."

Li Changshou, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, smiled: "Youming, could you tell me truthfully, are these thoughts truly from your heart, or are you simply being stubborn and deliberately trying to avoid joining my academy?"

Xia Ningshuang called out, "He's just being deliberately stubborn!"

Hua Youming wanted to retort, but facing the teacher before him, he genuinely didn't want to lie, so he said: "Please don't be offended, Teacher! My father is the city's defender, and I, too, will become a general protecting this place in the future. I should naturally practice martial arts, wield a bow, and ride horses diligently, so that I can soon gain the strength to slay dragons and capture tigers! I have no desire to learn to read!"

Li Changshou smiled gently: "How does General Hua know that I don't teach martial arts here?"

With that, Li Changshou drew his hands from his sleeves, beckoned a fallen leaf with his left hand, and then flicked it casually. The leaf shot skyward with a whistling sound, exploding with a clap of thunder dozens of feet in the air.

Hua Youming's eyes widened.

Li Changshou smiled, "Want to learn?"

"Mmm, mmm, mmm!" Hua Youming nodded repeatedly.

"I'll teach you," Li Changshou tucked his hands back into his sleeves, chuckled softly, and turned back into the academy.

Hua Youming's eyes shone, and he followed in immediately, causing Xia Ningshuang to roll her eyes dramatically.

As soon as Hua Youming entered, more than ten young boys and girls surged forward. Once twenty people had entered the academy gate, it closed on its own.

An hour later, the academy gate opened again, and thirteen people walked out dejectedly. No matter how they thought about it, they couldn't fathom the great sage's criteria for selecting disciples, but they had certainly been screened out.

The seven who remained were four boys and three girls: a pair of childhood sweethearts who were betrothed, a pair whose destinies were linked in the Hall of Marriage, a pair who were naturally the trial incarnations of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, and... one who simply filled a spot.

At the center of the academy, in a transparent bamboo house, the seven youngsters sat cross-legged behind individual low tables. A gentle breeze stirred, bamboo leaves rustled, and the curtains on either side of the bamboo house gently billowed. The teacher, seated in a rocking chair with a purple clay teapot, softly discussed pre-prepared topics, captivating the seven young listeners.

Behind the teacher, a rockery and flowing water tinkled, and the distant and near sounds of birds chirping and frogs croaking could be heard.

It was indeed the prime of youth, a time to cherish the moments and not linger in sorrow.

Li Changshou chatted about various topics for a while, secretly activating the spiritual roots of the other five, giving them a sense of sudden enlightenment. This was merely a small trick to maintain his reputation as a great sage.

As the sun began to set, Li Changshou stood up and said gently: "Unconsciously, it is already this hour. You may all return home. Outside the gate are seven cloth bags, containing the academy's clothes and a few scriptures for your upcoming studies. Starting tomorrow, come to the academy on odd-numbered days of each month for lessons, arriving at sunrise and returning at sunset. Remember to bring your own meal. I will only teach you for three years; how much you gain in these three years depends entirely on yourselves. I will teach you what you wish to learn, but you must also learn what I teach. Do you understand?"

Xia Ningshuang smiled: "Teacher, do you mean that each of us can propose a subject we wish to learn, but all of us must study all of these subjects together? Is that right?"

"Ningshuang is truly intelligent," Li Changshou smiled. "Precisely so."

Hua Youming, at the table next to Xia Ningshuang, pouted his lips, snorted softly, and muttered, "She just has a bit of petty cleverness."

Xia Ningshuang's pretty face darkened, and she made a pinching motion with her fingers towards Hua Youming, looking menacing.

Li Changshou smiled: "Next class, when you three young ladies enter the academy, you may no longer cover your faces with veils."

The three young ladies lowered their heads and replied, "Yes."

"Go back, see you tomorrow."

Li Changshou waved his hand, his hands behind his back, and was the first to leave the bamboo house, leaving the seven youngsters whispering in awe.

"Teacher!" Hua Youming rushed to the side of the bamboo house, lifted the curtain, and called out loudly: "Teacher, what is your name!"

The other six couldn't help but be surprised. They thought back carefully and realized they had indeed never heard the name of this great sage, only knowing him as a great sage and a reclusive master.

"Me?" Li Changshou turned his head, showing a profile and a faint smile. "Mu Qinghua. This academy will hereafter be known as Muhua Academy."

"Mu Qinghua…" Xia Ningshuang murmured, a hint of contemplation in her eyes.

Meanwhile, in the Hall of Enlightenment in the Heavenly Court, Dong Mu Gong, who was meticulously reading a memorial, suddenly felt a chill down his neck, and his Dao heart rippled slightly. What was that about? Hadn't the Water God said that he had investigated clearly and begun guiding them? Mu Gong was somewhat puzzled. He took a sip of hot tea and continued with his official duties.

At the same time, in an 'inn' within a certain market town in the Central Divine Continent.

"Five Zhuang Temple, Zhenyuan Immortal, Ancestor of Earth Immortals... so that's how it is."

In the inn room, Ling'e looked at the jade slip she had bought for dozens of spirit stones, examining the information within. Zhenyuan Immortal was a contemporary of the Three Pure Ones, an ancient and renowned powerful being, but half of his fame came from... the death of his friend, Patriarch Hongyun. This was closely related to Zhenyuan Immortal's low profile and rare travels across the Primordial World.

The location of the Five Zhuang Temple was no secret; it was on Longevity Mountain, east of the Western Ox Continent. However, it was shrouded by a great array year-round, impassable even to Golden Immortals of Longevity. Ling'e carefully read the words in the jade slip, sitting cross-legged on the bed, her small brows slightly furrowed. "How can I meet this powerful being?"

Zhenyuan Immortal possessed two extremely formidable treasures: one was the exceptionally rare congenital spiritual root, the Ginseng Fruit Tree, and the other was a special treasure that could be used as a supreme defensive artifact—the Earth Scroll. Legends of the Heaven, Earth, and Human Scrolls had circulated since ancient times in the Primordial World. The Heaven Scroll belonged to the Heavenly Dao, its details unknown. The Earth Scroll was born alongside Zhenyuan Immortal, formed from the primordial membrane of heaven and earth, possessing the power to create worlds and control all things. The Human Scroll was the Book of Life and Death, also known as the Three Lives Nether Scroll, which could determine the fate of living beings. Being able to wield the Earth Scroll, Zhenyuan Immortal's abilities were certainly extraordinary. He was said to be highly skilled in the Dao of the Universe and possessed numerous great cosmos-related divine abilities.

Facing such an elder, trying to be clever was absolutely out of the question; she had to be completely honest. The trial her senior brother had arranged for her, ostensibly to deliver a letter, might also contain the hidden thought of getting some 'ginseng fruit' to extend their master's life. Ling'e carefully assessed her own 'background,' realizing that besides being her senior brother's junior sister, most other aspects were rather ordinary. Unfortunately, her senior brother's identity could not be revealed.

"Sigh, it's so difficult." Ling'e sighed, lying weakly on the bed. She hugged the pillow with her senior brother's portrait pasted on it, rolling around on the bed until her hair was disheveled, then she let out a soft sigh. Should she try her luck at Longevity Mountain? What if this eminent master recognized her as the Heavenly Court Water God's junior sister at a glance and let her in directly? No, that's not right. The trustworthiness of this eminent master was still unknown. Rushing there rashly would have a very low chance of success and could even lead to trouble. She had investigated for over two months, but couldn't find out any of this eminent master's preferences... Whenever someone mentioned Zhenyuan Immortal, it was always 'Earth Scroll,' 'Ginseng Fruit,' and 'Patriarch Hongyun was so tragic,' with no other effective information. This problem was simply too difficult!

'Still, I can't rush it. I need to proceed slowly.' Ling'e sat up, clenching her small fists and gently waving them. Keep investigating! Regardless of the final success or failure, as long as she made all possible preparations within her ability, she wouldn't regret failing. For Master to live tens of thousands more years! For Senior Brother to be at ease with her, and for her to help him share some pressure sooner! Does Zhenyuan Immortal have any female disciples? Ling'e blinked, walked to the windowsill, opened a crack, and looked out at the market town. She was now not too far from Longevity Mountain.

By the pond on Black Pool Peak, Baize had transformed into his true form. A long feather on his head pointed to the image in the pond, sensing Ling'e's fortune. Soon, Baize returned to human form and said to Li Changshou, who was standing beside him: "Water God, rest assured. Ling'e has no misfortune; it's exactly as the divination shows."

Li Changshou slowly nodded, smiling: "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Bai."

"Oh, it's nothing," Baize gestured for him to sit, and they both took their seats, discussing the matters of the Southern Continent. Li Changshou also took the opportunity to 'learn' from Baize, essentially having Baize 'prepare lessons' for him, for the content of tomorrow's official class.

The two talked for a while, then Baize smiled: "Water God, how does it feel to be the teacher of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother?"

"Mr. Bai, please don't say that," Li Changshou said earnestly. "I am merely performing protective duties, and I am protecting the trial incarnations of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, absolutely not their teacher!"

"Yes, yes," Baize said, narrowing his eyes and smiling. "The Water God is right. Then, how does it feel to be the protector of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother?"

Li Changshou sighed: "It's mentally exhausting, and I dare not teach anything carelessly. What I say will also be remembered by His Majesty the Jade Emperor and Her Majesty the Queen Mother, which can easily lead to unknown influences. We'll take it one step at a time; the main goal is to facilitate their destined marriage in this lifetime. Now, I'm still trying to figure out how I'll explain to His Majesty why his marriage in this life is still with the Queen Mother when he returns to the Heavenly Court."

"Indeed, it's not easy, Water God, you..." Baize's words suddenly stopped, and he frowned, looking at Li Changshou. Though he could not see with his eyes nor perceive with his immortal consciousness, at this moment, Li Changshou seemed to be enveloped by a descending Dao韵. Carefully sensing this Dao韵, Baize felt as if he had entered a boundless, chaotic world, and he himself was like a grain of dust, yet he also felt that this world contained countless profound truths and endless mysteries. A Saint's Dao韵!

Baize's eyes showed a hint of calm. He knew this must be the Grand Pure One conversing with Li Changshou. Envy was futile; he could only continue to idle by the Water God's side.

A moment later, Li Changshou opened his eyes and slowly exhaled. "Mr. Bai, do you know what abilities the Outer Realm Fiends possess?"

"Hmm?" Baize was startled.

Just then, on Little Qiong Peak, there was a slight disturbance in the cosmos, and the Dao韵 of two congenital treasures flashed, then quickly disappeared. Baize immediately said: "Outer Realm Fiends are not creatures of the Primordial World; most are descendants of the congenital demon gods from before the creation of heaven and earth. They are highly variable, cunning, and cruel towards the Primordial World and its living beings, knowing only destruction, intending to return the Primordial World to chaos. Since the creation of heaven and earth, there was a war between Primordial World creatures and Outer Realm Fiends in ancient times, but the latter were no match. Water God, is the battle in Xuandu City getting intense? Do we need to go to reinforce them?"

"Grandmaster should be able to handle things in Xuandu City," Li Changshou opened his left hand, and a cloud of mist slowly condensed, revealing a blurry image within...

An ancient city floated in the void, surrounded by dense gray mist. Countless black shadows were currently rushing out of the mist, boundless and fearless, charging towards the outskirts of the ancient city. Bright light flashed from all over the ancient city, as countless great arrays were operating. The indistinct black shadows were impacting the light barriers of these great arrays. At the center of the ancient city was a seven-colored vortex, which was the entrance to the Primordial World. Within the great arrays, figures could be seen flying everywhere, constantly repairing breaches in the arrays and striking out with streaks of light. The battle was generally stable.

Suddenly, the gray clouds on the periphery vibrated, and monstrous, unidentifiable black beasts flew out of the chaotic sea, crashing directly into the great array, tearing open a gap on the left side of the grand city. Immediately, countless black shadows poured in through the gap. The ancient city erupted with streaks of light, and another group of guards flew out from the city, directly annihilating most of the black shadows. But in the chaotic battle, dozens of black shadows still huddled together and rushed into the seven-colored vortex. Inside the vortex, lightning flashed and thunder roared!

Just as more black shadows were about to rush into the array's gap, two wisps of black and white energy quietly appeared, directly dissolving the black shadows in front of the gap... The congenital supreme treasure, the Taiji Diagram, appeared, instantly enveloping the entire ancient city! With the power of yin and yang, in reversal and compliance, those unidentifiable black beasts instantly exploded...

The Grandmaster's figure stood proudly before the city, and the people within the city visibly breathed a sigh of relief. Just as someone was about to turn to pursue the black shadows that had fled earlier, colorful tentacles emerged from the gray mist on all sides...

The Grandmaster turned his head and said: "No need to pursue them. Someone else will deal with them. Quickly repair the array; tough opponents are coming."

The scene shifted. A mass of black shadows came from the void, crashing into a small, narrow world, followed closely by a purple divine thunder! This divine thunder seemed capable of shattering this small thousand-world, but the lightning gently vibrated, transforming into a magnificent curtain of thunder, enveloping this small world like a cage.