His Majesty the Jade Emperor truly always managed to create new surprises.

Li Changshou had thought that once he convinced Hua Youming to enter the academy, he could smoothly guide him toward the right path, while letting the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother’s mortal incarnations develop feelings for each other early, sparking righteous flames.

But Hua Youming suddenly blocking the door was something Li Changshou hadn’t anticipated.

Not only that, Hua Youming forcefully established a standard that kept out most of the uneducated noble youths; seeing the satisfied smile on Hua Youming’s lips, he probably…

Didn’t know a hundred characters either.

Li Changshou secretly chuckled. Just as he was about to notify the General of the Hua family to come, Xia Ningfrost, who had already entered the academy, rolled her eyes, turned back, and said to the door-blocking Hua Youming:

“The Young General is quite imposing.”

Hua Youming’s eyebrow corner lifted slightly as he said calmly: “Miss Xia has quite a sharp tongue.”

Xia Ningfrost didn’t get angry. Her somewhat slight frame leaned against the academy gate as she crossed her arms and said calmly:

“The academy’s teacher is truly a great sage. His rules surely have their reasons. You forcefully adding another restriction, isn’t that drawing legs on a snake, deliberately making things difficult?”

The group of adults at the front all nodded in unison.

Hua Youming clasped his hands behind his back, chest out and head high, declaring loudly: “It’s precisely because the teacher in the academy is a contemporary sage that we should have stricter requirements! Those born to wealth and privilege who barely know any characters, what can they learn here? Better to give these spots to those in our city who have truly studied books and learned principles – that’s how we can cultivate more talents for our city! Everyone, am I right?”

The group of fur-and-jade-wearing young men below immediately agreed wholeheartedly; though none dared speak up in front of their elders, they secretly gave Hua Youming a thumbs up.

“This statement is wrong,” Xia Ningfrost said calmly. “How can being uneducated at one time represent being uneducated for life? The ranking here is mostly arranged according to the city’s official positions, positions passed down between brothers or from father to son. Which would benefit our city more – cultivating seven talents from noble families, or seven from poor backgrounds who are full of ambition but have no outlet? When the academy’s teacher let those ranked higher enter first, perhaps this was his consideration.”

Hua Youming was stunned. His eyes rolled around before he immediately argued:

“As you just said, being uneducated at one time doesn’t mean someone will be uneducated for life. Then being unsuccessful at one time doesn’t mean someone will never achieve great merit in life!”

“Does the Young General know what he’s saying?” Xia Ningfrost twirled a strand of dark hair with her fingertip, her lips curling in a slight cold smile behind her veil. “Such words are already heretical – you might get strung up and beaten by General Hua.”

“Hmph,” Hua Youming raised his head. “This young master fears nothing!”

The group of adults below looked at each other, unable to understand what these two young people were saying, but feeling that both made sense somehow.

Just then, loud laughter came from within the academy.

A middle-aged scholar wearing loose robes stepped forward, his bearing ethereal and transcendent, his loose hair dancing in the wind, an aura of peace and tranquility rippling everywhere.

The crowded people outside hurriedly bowed, many women’s eyes shining, while children and youths curiously examined this legendary sage.

The one making an entrance was naturally Li Changshou’s… paper avatar.

“Hahaha! What a fine debate between privilege and poverty! What is this Young General’s name?”

“Hua Youming!”

“Full of sharp spirit – my heart is greatly pleased.”

Li Changshou tucked his hands into his sleeves and smiled: “Youming, can you tell me truthfully – are these principles truly what you think in your heart, or are you just arguing forcefully because you don’t want to enter my academy?”

Xia Ningfrost called out: “He’s just arguing forcefully!”

Hua Youming wanted to retort, but facing this teacher, he didn’t want to lie from his heart, so he said:

“Please don’t blame me, teacher! My father is this city’s garrison commander, and I will also become a general guarding this place in the future. I should practice martial arts and archery, ride horses, and develop the strength to slay dragons and capture tigers early! As for recognizing characters… I don’t want to learn!”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “How does General Hua know I don’t teach martial arts here?”

After speaking, Li Changshou pulled his hands from his sleeves, caught a falling leaf with his left hand, and then casually tossed it. The leaf shot skyward with a sharp whistle, exploding with thunder at a height of several hundred feet.

Hua Youming’s eyes went wide.

Li Changshou smiled: “Want to learn?”

“Mm, mm mm mm!” Hua Youming nodded repeatedly.

“I’ll teach you,” Li Changshou tucked his hands back into his sleeves, chuckled twice, and turned to return to the academy.

Hua Youming’s eyes shone as he followed right behind, making Xia Ningfrost roll her eyes dramatically.

As soon as Hua Youming entered, more than ten young men and women below rushed forward;

When enough twenty people had entered the academy gates, the gate closed by itself.

Another hour passed before the academy gates opened again, and thirteen people walked out dejected;

No matter how they thought about it, they couldn’t figure out this sage’s standard for selecting disciples, but they had been filtered out regardless.

The remaining seven were four males and three females – one pair of childhood sweethearts with an engagement, one pair with destiny in the Marriage Palace, one pair naturally being the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother’s mortal incarnations, and…

One to make up the numbers.

At this time in the center of the academy, in a bamboo house open on all sides, seven young men and women sat behind low tables;

The breeze swept in, bamboo leaves rustling, curtains on both sides of the bamboo house lifting slightly, while the teacher sat in a rocking chair holding a purple clay teapot, warmly discussing some pre-prepared topics that had the seven young people listening intently.

Behind the teacher, artificial mountains and flowing water tinkled, and bird songs, and frog croaks sounded near and far.

This was truly the prime of youth, not to waste these precious years with melancholy.

Li Changshou chatted about everything under the sun for a while, secretly opening spiritual roots for the other five, giving them a sense of sudden enlightenment.

Just a small trick to maintain the reputation of a great sage.

When the sun slanted westward, Li Changshou stood up and said warmly:

“Time has passed without notice. You should all return home now. Outside the gate are seven cloth packages containing the academy’s clothes and some classics we’ll use next. Starting tomorrow, come to the academy on odd-numbered days to attend class, arrive at sunrise, and leave at sunset, remember to bring your meal. I will only teach you for three years – how much you gain in these three years depends entirely on yourselves. Whatever you want to learn, I will teach, but whatever I teach, you must also learn, understand?”

Xia Ningfrost smiled: “Teacher means we can each propose one subject we want to learn, but we all have to study these subjects together, is that right?”

“Ningfrost is truly clever,” Li Changshou smiled. “That’s exactly right.”

At the next table, Hua Youming’s mouth twitched as he snorted, muttering: “She just has a bit of superficial cleverness.”

Xia Ningfrost’s pretty face darkened as she made a pinching motion at Hua Youming with her fingers, looking fierce.

Li Changshou smiled: “Next class, you three girls entering the academy may no longer cover your faces with veils.”

The three young women lowered their heads and agreed: “Yes.”

“Go back now, see you tomorrow.”

Li Changshou waved his hand and was the first to leave the bamboo house with his hands behind his back, leaving the seven young people exclaiming in low voices.

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

The other six were startled, carefully recalling that they indeed had never heard this sage’s name, only knowing he was a sage, a master.

“Me?” Li Changshou turned his head, leaving them with a profile and a faint smile. “Mu Qinghua. From now on, this academy will be called the Muhua Academy.”

“Mu Qinghua…”

Xia Ningfrost murmured, her eyes showing some contemplation.

At the same time, in the Tongming Palace of the Heavenly Court, East Wood Lord, who was carefully reading a memorial, inexplicably felt a chill on his neck, his dao heart rippling slightly.

What was this about?

Hadn’t the Water God said he had already investigated clearly and begun guiding the Jade Emperor’s situation?

Wood Lord was somewhat puzzled, took a sip of hot tea, and continued executing his official duties.

…

Meanwhile, in an “inn” in some town in the Central Divine State.

“Five Elements Mountain, Great Immortal Zhenyuan, Ancestor of Earth Immortals… so that’s how it is.”

In the town’s guest room, Ling’e looked at the jade slip she had spent dozens of spirit stones to buy, examining the information within.

Great Immortal Zhenyuan was of the same generation as the Three Pure Ones, one of the earliest renowned powerful beings in heaven and earth, but half his fame came from… the death of his good friend Elder Red Cloud;

This was closely related to Zhenyuan’s low-key behavior and rare movement through the primitive world.

The location of Five Elements Mountain was no secret, right on Mount Changshou at the eastern edge of the Western Cattle Gift Continent, but it was covered year-round by a great formation that even Golden Immortals of eternal life couldn’t enter.

Ling’e carefully read these words in the jade slip, sitting cross-legged on the bed, her small brows lightly furrowed.

“How can I get an audience with this powerful being?”

Great Immortal Zhenyuan had two extremely formidable treasures – one was the extremely rare primordial spirit root ‘Ginseng Fruit Tree’, and the other was a special treasure that could be deployed as a supreme defensive treasure —

The Earth Book.

Since ancient times, the Primordial World has passed down legends of the Three Books of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. The Heaven Book belonged to the Heavenly Dao, its details unknown;

The Earth Book was born alongside Great Immortal Zhenyuan, transformed from the membrane of heaven and earth, possessing the power to create worlds and control all things;

The Human Book was the Book of Life and Death, also known as the Three Lives Netherworld Book, able to determine the fate of living beings.

Being able to wield the Earth Book, Great Immortal Zhenyuan’s abilities were naturally extraordinary. It was said he excelled in the Dao of Space and Time, possessing many grand spatial divine abilities.

Facing such a senior, tricks absolutely wouldn’t work – she must be completely honest.

This trial arranged by Senior Brother, though seemingly just delivering a message, might well contain thoughts of getting some ‘Ginseng Fruit’ to extend Master’s life.

Ling’e carefully considered her own “background,” finding that besides being Senior Brother’s junior sister, most aspects were rather ordinary.

Moreover, Senior Brother’s identity couldn’t be revealed.

“Ah, how difficult!”

Ling’e lamented, lying listlessly on the bed, hugging a pillow with Senior Brother’s portrait, rolling back and forth on the bed until her beautiful hair was disheveled before finally letting out a soft sigh.

Should she try her luck at Mount Changshou?

What if this master recognized at a glance that she was the Heavenly Court Water God’s junior sister and let her indirectly?

But that wasn’t right either – whether this master could be trusted was another matter. Going rashly would have too low a chance of success, and might encounter some trouble.

She had investigated for more than two months but couldn’t find out anything about this master’s preferences…

Whenever people mentioned Great Immortal Zhenyuan, it was always ‘Earth Book’, ‘Ginseng Fruit’, and ‘Elder Red Cloud was too tragic’, with no other useful intelligence.

This task was simply too difficult!

‘Still, can’t be hasty, must proceed steadily.’

Ling’e sat up, clenching her small fists and waving them gently.

Continue investigating!

Regardless of final success or failure, as long as she did her utmost preparation within her abilities, there would be no regrets even in failure.

For Master to live several tens of thousands more years!

For Senior Brother to feel at ease about her, to let her help share some of his burdens sooner!

Did Great Immortal Zhenyuan have any female disciples or such?

Ling’e blinked, walked to the windowsill, opened a small gap, and looked out at the town.

At this time, she wasn’t too far from Mount Changshou.

By the pond of Black Pool Peak, Baize transformed into his original form, the long feather on his head pointing to the image in the pond, sensing Ling’e’s fortune and misfortune.

Soon, Baize returned to human form and said to Li Changshou standing nearby:

“Water God can rest assured, Ling’e faces no calamity, exactly as the divination showed.”

Li Changshou nodded slowly and smiled: “Master Baize, thank you for your trouble.”

“Ah, it’s nothing,” Baize made a welcoming gesture, sitting down with Li Changshou to discuss matters of the Southern Continent.

Li Changshou also took the opportunity to learn from Baize, essentially having Baize help him ‘prepare lessons’ for tomorrow’s formal start of classes.

After they talked for a while, Baize smiled: “Water God, how does it feel to be the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother’s teacher?”

“Master, please don’t speak that way,” Li Changshou said seriously. “I’m only doing some protective duties, and protecting their mortal reincarnations undergoing tribulation, absolutely not their teacher!”

“Yes, yes,” Baize smiled with narrowed eyes. “Water God speaks truly. Then how does it feel to be the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother’s protector?”

Li Changshou sighed: “It’s mentally exhausting, and I dare not teach anything carelessly. The words will be remembered by His Majesty and Her Majesty, easily producing unknown effects. Let’s take it one step at a time, mainly focusing on bringing about their mortal life’s marriage. For now, I’m thinking about how to explain to His Majesty after he returns to the Heavenly Court why his marriage in this life was still to the Queen Mother.”

“Indeed not easy, Water God you…”

Baize’s words suddenly stopped as he frowned at Li Changshou.

Though eyes couldn’t see it and immortal sense couldn’t perceive it, at this moment, Li Changshou seemed to be enveloped by a descending aura of the Dao;

Carefully sensing this aura, Baize felt like he had entered a boundless chaotic world, while he himself was like a grain of sand, yet he felt this world contained countless supreme principles and endless mysteries.

The Sage’s Dao aura!

Baize’s eyes showed some acceptance, knowing this must be the Grand Pure Sage conversing with Li Changshou. Such fortune couldn’t be envied – he could only continue living his days following the Water God.

Moments later, Li Changshou opened his eyes and slowly exhaled.

“Master Baize, do you know what abilities the Demons Beyond Heaven possess?”

“Hmm?” Baize was startled.

Just then, there was a slight spatial disturbance on Small Jade Peak, two primordial treasure auras flashed briefly before quickly vanishing.

Baize immediately said: “The Demons Beyond Heaven are not beings of the Primordial World, most being descendants of the primordial demon gods from before the world’s creation. They are changeable and unpredictable, treacherous and cruel toward the Primordial World and its beings, knowing only destruction, intending to return the Primordial World to chaos. Since the world’s creation, there has been a war between Primordial beings and Demons Beyond Heaven in ancient times, though the latter were no match. Water God, is the battle at Xuandu City pressing? Should we go provide aid?”

“Elder Brother can handle things at Xuandu City,” Li Changshou opened his left hand, slowly condensing a cloud of mist, within which appeared a blurry scene…

An ancient city floated in the void, surrounded by thick grey mist;

Countless black shadows were now rushing out from the mist, endless and fearless of death, charging toward the ancient city’s perimeter.

Brilliant lights flashed throughout the ancient city, countless grand formations operating; those black shadows whose shapes couldn’t be seen were impacting these formation light barriers.

In the center of the ancient city was a seven-colored vortex – that was the entrance to the Primordial World.

Within the formations, figures could be seen flying about everywhere, constantly repairing formation gaps while shooting out streams of light.

The battle situation was generally stable.

Suddenly, the outer grey clouds shook as indescribable pitch-black giant beasts flew out from the Sea of Chaos, charging straight at the formations, tearing open a gap on the great city’s left side.

Immediately, countless black shadows poured in through the gap.

The ancient city erupted with streams of light as another batch of guards flew out from the city, directly eliminating most of the black shadows;

But in the chaos of battle, several dozen black shadows still clustered together and charged into that seven-colored vortex.

Within the vortex, lightning flashed and thunder roared!

Just as more black shadows were about to charge through the formation gap, two streams of black and white qi quietly appeared, directly dissolving the black shadows before the gap…

The primordial supreme treasure Taiji Diagram appeared, instantly completely enveloping the ancient city!

Between yin-yang forces and reverse-forward flows, those indescribable pitch-black giant beasts exploded in an instant…

The Grand Magus’s figure stood proudly before the city, the figures within clearly relieving their tension.

Just as someone was about to turn to chase after the black shadows that had escaped earlier, from all directions in the grey qi, countless rainbow-colored tentacles reached out…

The Grand Magus turned his head and said:

“No need to chase, others will deal with them. Quickly repair the formations – the tough ones are coming.”

The scene changed.

A black shadow came from the void, crashing into a narrow small world, followed immediately by a purple divine lightning!

This divine lightning seemed able to directly pulverize this small thousand world, but the thunder gently trembled, transforming into a magnificent lightning screen that enveloped this small thousand world like a cage.