Chapter 136: Sleepwalking

In front of the Imperial Academy Hall, over a thousand scholars, along with officials from the Imperial Academy, the Secretariat, and the ritual masters, all stood stunned, their gazes turning towards the source of the laughter.

A scholar asked blankly, "What has he refined?"

Another scholar nearby also looked somewhat bewildered. "He seemed to say 'primordial qi filament'... I might have misheard!"

The officials from the Imperial Academy, the Secretariat, and the ritual masters also wore embarrassed, exasperated expressions.

Ritual Master Bashan couldn't help but laugh. "An interesting little fellow. The primordial qi filament is the foundation of all sword techniques. How did he become a scholar of my Imperial Academy if he hasn't even refined it? Which examiner did he bribe to get in?"

"Ritual Master Bashan, you weren't at the Imperial Academy recently, so you don't know him."

An Imperial Academy official chuckled, "That rascal's name is Qin Mu, an abandoned citizen from the Great Ruins. He defeated Daoist Lingyun and was personally appointed a scholar of the Imperial Academy by the Emperor. With the Emperor's personal appointment, who would dare prevent him from entering?"

"An abandoned citizen from the Great Ruins defeated Lingyun, and was personally appointed by the Emperor?"

Ritual Master Bashan looked at Daoist Lingyun and sneered, "Lingyun, did you go easy on him? Did the Emperor also accept a bribe?"

Daoist Lingyun was both ashamed and angry. He had been forced out of the Pure Yang Hall by Qin Mu at the time, his two sword cases emptied, and had been greatly humiliated in front of the Emperor, civil and military officials, as well as his colleagues and these scholars. And this was considered 'going easy'?

Is that how one goes easy after taking a bribe?

Wouldn't the cost be too steep?

However, Bashan was, after all, a ritual master, a figure second only to the Grand Ritual Master, and he could not be easily offended. Daoist Lingyun could only keep a straight face and remain silent, to avoid inviting trouble. After all, Ritual Master Bashan was notoriously loud at the Imperial Academy and spoke without mercy. Rumors and all sorts of messy information within the Imperial Academy were mostly spread by him, which is why he was secretly called "Bashan the Big Mouth." If one argued with him, even the chickens in the coop would know of one's embarrassing affairs by the next day.

Not far away, Fu Yuanqing felt a surge of pleasant surprise. "That's my junior martial brother from the same sect! He looks foolish. My master is also quite incompetent, to have found such a simpleton. He looks easy to bully at first glance!"

"After seven or eight years of arduous cultivation, I have finally refined the primordial qi filament!"

Qin Mu was overjoyed, unable to contain his excitement as he looked at the primordial qi filament before him. He could now finally stop manifesting ridiculously thick "primordial qi filaments"; now his primordial qi filaments could also be very fine. Between his fingers and palm, the primordial qi filament flowed gently, as fine as a hair, and was perfectly formed.

If one looked closely, one could see that Qin Mu's primordial qi filament was unique. This primordial qi filament was actually composed of countless incredibly thin sword qi connected together. Each strand of sword qi was constantly changing and circling, yet the primordial qi filament moved with incredible flexibility. It was impossible to discern that the primordial qi filament actually had a structure.

"I wonder how far my primordial qi filament can extend?"

Qin Mu looked around, wanting to test how far his primordial qi filament could extend. Suddenly, his gaze swept over Imperial Preceptor Yankang, and he was slightly taken aback. Imperial Preceptor Yankang was looking at his hands, his gaze fixed on the primordial qi filament moving between his fingers and palm. He seemed to sense Qin Mu's gaze, and slightly raised his eyes. Their eyes met.

Imperial Preceptor Yankang smiled and whispered, "That's interesting..."

Qin Mu withdrew his gaze, abandoning his idea. There were too many people here, making it impossible for him to experiment.

Imperial Preceptor Yankang waited for a while longer, then spoke. "Alright. Now I will teach you the second basic sword form, the Wandering Sword Form. A sword's flight in the air is unrestricted, and its form is also unrestricted. Therefore, a sword can wander—like a dragon, a snake, a fish, like a phoenix soaring through the sky, or an immortal treading upon the void. Why should we be bound by the basic sword techniques of our predecessors?"

Qin Mu's spirit was invigorated. The second basic sword technique developed by Imperial Preceptor Yankang was still refreshing and eye-opening, as if a door had been pushed open, revealing an even vaster world.

"Coming to the Imperial Academy was the right decision," he mused inwardly. "Grandmaster had foresight."

In front of the mountain gate, Daoist Danyang looked up and saw layers of palaces on the Jade Peak, looking profound. The plants and trees on the mountain were lush, imbued with the Nine Dragon Qi, turning them jade-colored. The voice of Imperial Preceptor Yankang from the mountain occasionally carried a few phrases by the wind, which, upon hearing them, gave him a sense of sudden enlightenment.

"Uncle-master Danyang."

Daoist Lin Xuan also vaguely heard the voice coming from the mountain. He hesitated, then said, "Is the person lecturing on the mountain Imperial Preceptor Yankang? I only heard one or two of his sentences, but I benefited greatly. I actually think he..."

Daoist Danyang smiled, "Speak freely."

Daoist Lin Xuan gathered his courage and said, "Although I haven't heard all of his advice to the scholars, his sword techniques have indeed reached an incredible realm. Although the cultivation methods passed down in our Daoist sect are profound and all-encompassing, his insights surpass those of our Daoist sect. Your disciple believes that Imperial Preceptor Yankang might genuinely want to promote the development of Daoist arts and divine abilities. If that's the case, why should we block his way?"

Daoist Danyang smiled. "Daoist, besides listening to his words, one must also observe his actions. That is the way to conduct oneself in the world. No one denies Imperial Preceptor Yankang's talent. In his early years, when he met the Daoist Lord, the Daoist Lord also expected him to be a once-in-five-hundred-years genius, and that he would become a saint in the future. This shows how highly the Daoist Lord regarded him. But what if he doesn't become a saint, and instead commits evil?"

Daoist Lin Xuan looked puzzled.

Daoist Danyang sneered, "With his power, he could absolutely promote divine abilities and Daoist arts, but he has a wolf's ambition. He wants to subjugate all major sects, leaving no way out for them. That is one point. Secondly, Imperial Preceptor Yankang is actually using the doctrines of the Heavenly Demon Sect! The Heavenly Demon Sect is a false path, acting as a demonic sect under the guise of saints. Imperial Preceptor Yankang, by associating with the Heavenly Demon Sect, is an enemy of our righteous path!"

Daoist Lin Xuan felt a chill in his heart and said, "Righteousness and evil cannot coexist. If he associates with the demonic path, the more talented he is, the greater the threat!"

Daoist Danyang nodded and said, "His establishment of primary schools, universities, and the Imperial Academy certainly has benefits, but it also has drawbacks. You have been taught by the Daoist Lord since childhood, and he has continued to teach you until now. Can the teachers and Imperial Academy officials in Imperial Preceptor Yankang's primary schools, universities, and Imperial Academy possess the same abilities and insights as the Daoist Lord? Imperial Preceptor Yankang's establishment of primary schools, universities, and the Imperial Academy seemingly gives many people the opportunity to cultivate and become masters, but it also cuts off the path for true geniuses. This is the fundamental reason our Daoist sect opposes him." His expression serious, he said, "Daoist arts and divine abilities are advanced by geniuses. Geniuses like Imperial Preceptor Yankang. Most people are mediocre throughout their lives, only knowing how to learn and apply, without any significant achievements or pioneering spirit. Imperial Preceptor Yankang has cut off the path for geniuses, causing far-reaching harm! His promotion of these primary schools, universities, and the Imperial Academy makes everyone appear to be a master, all quite formidable, in the short term, but also makes everyone mediocre. They are like mooncakes, all pressed from the same mold. Who can produce figures like a Daoist Scion? Sects exist for a reason. If he doesn't realize this, our Daoist sect will be his enemy to the death."

Daoist Lin Xuan agreed, his heart ablaze with fighting spirit.

Daoist Danyang smiled, "You may be hostile towards Imperial Preceptor Yankang, but do not be hostile towards Imperial Preceptor Yankang's Daoist arts and divine abilities, lest you narrow your own horizons."

Imperial Preceptor Yankang's lecture this time lasted for two full days, non-stop. Many people couldn't keep up and grew drowsy; some simply fell asleep in front of the Imperial Academy Hall, while others went off to rest. Qin Mu and a few scholars with profound cultivation remained energetic, listening attentively. However, he was in the Five Elements Realm, while the others were practitioners of divine abilities in the Six Harmonies and Seven Stars Realms.

The third basic sword form taught by Imperial Preceptor Yankang was called 'Drill' and was also extremely peculiar. When a single sword was used, the sword tip rotated rapidly, adept at breaking through all defensive methods like the Vajra Body. When multiple swords were used, it was even more terrifying: many swords formed a massive drilling sword form, unyielding and unstoppable!

In two days, he only taught these three sword forms. Afterwards, he did not teach any more. Instead, he allowed the Imperial Academy scholars to ask questions, which he then answered. Once the questions were answered, Imperial Preceptor Yankang stood up and smiled at the Young Grandmaster. "I will leave these scholars half a day to sleep, rest, and eat. The rest will be handled by the Grand Ritual Master."

The Young Grandmaster smiled, "Imperial Preceptor, your talent is unparalleled. Did you discover any talents this time?"

Imperial Preceptor Yankang nodded and said, "Only one or two have truly grasped my sword techniques. The Grand Ritual Master should be able to discern them. By the way, are you really going to resign from your post?"

The Young Grandmaster nodded. "My life is not long. There's no need to cling to power anymore."

Imperial Preceptor Yankang sighed, "When have you ever coveted power? If you wanted to be an official, I could even yield this Imperial Preceptor position to you! It's just that you weren't willing. You are half my master. If you leave, I will be very sad. Another one of my Daoist companions will be gone."

The Young Grandmaster smiled, "There's no banquet that doesn't end. We are born into the banquet and disperse at death. You and I should part ways as well."

Imperial Preceptor Yankang looked up at the sky and murmured, "Are there really immortals in heaven? If you become an immortal in heaven and watch this era that you and I have created, how wonderful that would be..."

He shook his head, boarded the longboat, and the longboat slowly departed from the Imperial Academy.

The cooks from the dining hall pushed carts to the front of the Imperial Academy Hall, instructing each scholar to sit on the ground and eat in front of the hall. Then, with an order from the Young Grandmaster, the scholars were instructed to return to their residences and rest for half a day, waking when the bell rang.

Qin Mu and the others returned to the scholars' quarters. As they passed Shen Wanyun's residence, they saw that Shen Wanyun was still awake, diligently cultivating and practicing.

"Senior Brother Shen is worth learning from..."

Qin Mu was greatly encouraged. He returned to his residence, put down the sleeping fox, then slowly paced, activating the Overlord Body Three Elixirs Art. His speed gradually increased as he entered a state of semi-conscious cultivation.

Not long after, Shen Wanyun saw Qin Mu rush past his door with a whoosh. He quickly chased after him, only to see Qin Mu, eyes half-open, half-closed, sprinting wildly across the mountains and fields. Shen Wanyun was stunned. "Sleepwalking?"