Chapter 153: This Academy Is Truly Extraordinary (Third Update)

However, Pei Qian said softly, "Yekun, do not harbor resentment just because you were expelled, nor try to prove yourself immediately. This is no game."

"The Dean flatters me. Do not assume I harbor resentment simply because I was expelled; I am not that petty," Yekun replied with a smile.

Pei Qian’s gaze narrowed slightly, seemingly carrying a trace of displeasure.

"The hour is late. Since Yekun has chosen to proceed, we should naturally give a young man a chance. Let us go," Zhang Jin said with a light smile, though the sight of that smile gave Yekun an odd feeling inside.

Ji Wenshan glanced at Yekun, shook his head slightly, and turned to walk into Pangkang Lane.

Pangkang Lane had not been this lively for a long time. The influx of so many prominent figures left many of the local residents trembling with anxiety, terrified of offending these people and losing even their meager chance to survive in Pangkang Lane.

Watching the terrified expressions of the surrounding crowd, Yekun frowned slightly. Their pride had long been worn away by hardship. Yet, when he looked at the young, innocent faces filled with curiosity, their parents hastily turned their children's heads away, afraid that a child's ignorance might anger the nobles.

Though it was only his second time seeing this, Yekun still felt a deep sense of astonishment. They all lived together in Ankang Prefecture, yet it felt as though these people were living in purgatory.

After a fifteen-minute walk, the group finally reached their destination!

Yekun stared at the gate, which lacked even a plaque. It was surrounded by withered branches and fallen leaves, dilapidated and clearly neglected for a very long time.

Could the Empty Well be inside? What on earth was this Empty Well? Was it an object, or a person?

"Yekun, the key," Ji Wenshan called out.

"Ah?" Yekun was momentarily caught off guard. How could he possibly have the key to this place?

Ye Shaolong said disdainfully, "Didn't you want to be the dean? You don't even know your own academy?"

Yekun suddenly understood. This place actually was... his future academy!

What a pathetic sight.

Yekun took out the key, walked forward, and unlocked the heavy, faded red doors. The moment he pushed them open, a chilling, evil gust of wind rushed out.

The crowd instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes.

Guan Qing gave a cold shout, "Petty spirits and minor demons, how dare you act presumptuously!"

"Daoist Law, Chapter Ten: Pure Realm!"

A auspicious cloud suddenly appeared in the sky above the academy, instantly crashing down with a deafening roar, enveloping the entire academy in a sea of mist.

"The Vice Dean's Daoist arts have grown even more formidable. To cast Chapter Ten without chanting," Bataishan said with a cupped-fist salute, seemingly attempting to curry favor. Upon hearing this, Pei Qian turned his head away.

"You flatter me, Prefect," Guan Qing replied with a flat expression, leaving Bataishan looking somewhat rebuffed.

Ye Zhao, however, calmly remarked, "The Vice Dean is truly dedicated."

"Head of the Ye family, this academy has been vacant for over a millennium; it is inevitable that some unclean things would linger. A proper cleansing is only natural."

Ye Zhao smiled and said nothing.

Unclean things! Hearing this, Yekun suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine, as if someone were standing right behind him, invisible, with both hands poised around his neck.

After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, the mists finally dissipated, revealing a courtyard that was now much brighter. Outside, the sun was blazing, yet previously, not a single ray of light had penetrated inside.

Why did Yekun suddenly feel like this place was haunted?

Stepping through the gates, what lay before them were simply a few sandy courtyards...

This reminded Yekun of the cultivation academy in Taixi County. Why were they so similar? The only difference was that the surrounding areas were clearly partitioned and meticulously planned, separated by covered corridors.

Compared to the Anjing Academy, this actually looked like a real cultivation academy; the Anjing Academy felt more like a place meant exclusively for nobles.

Well, there was simply no comparison.

Suddenly, Pei Qian spoke up softly from the side, "Yekun, do not underestimate this place. A generation of Sword Emperor was nurtured right here."

"A Sword Emperor? The Primordial Sword Emperor?" Yekun asked in confusion. According to historical records, the Primordial Sword Emperor should have been born in present-day Taijing, and there was no mention of him ever cultivating here.

"History books are written by later generations, so naturally, they undergo slight alterations that do not affect the grand scheme. If this place were world-renowned today, it might well have been recorded in history," Pei Qian said with a sigh, sounding somewhat regretful.

Looking at the sandy courtyards before him, Zhang Jin calmly remarked, "Before Taijing existed, this was the cultivation academy that everyone yearned for."

"When Ankang Prefecture was built, this place was completely preserved. That was the wish of the Primordial Sword Emperor," Ji Wenshan said, his hands clasped behind his back.

At that moment, a distinct voice suddenly rang out from behind them.

"And right here, there is a well. Sealed at the bottom of the well are three ferocious beasts! Back then, the Primordial Sword Emperor defeated them, earning the title of senior disciple. When the founding of Taijing took place, the Primordial Sword Emperor designated this place as the trial grounds for the academy's dean, though now it is nothing more than a decoration."

The group turned around, their eyes widening in astonishment. Everyone cupped their hands and shouted, "Master Moral!"

Master Moral walked forward leaning on his cane, with three wine gourds still hanging from it, clinking merrily with every step he took.

How could Yekun not know Master Moral? He really owed the old man an apology for what happened that day.

Master Moral's arrival caught everyone completely off guard. Yekun hadn't expected it either, though upon closer reflection, his teacher's inexplicable disappearance must have been to find Master Moral, which was why he had now appeared to help.

However, what everyone had just revealed truly shocked Yekun. Before Taijing even existed, this place had been the dream cultivation academy for everyone!

Even the Primordial Sword Emperor had come from here. By all logic, it shouldn't have fallen into such disarray.

Shouldn't it have been renowned throughout history?

"Yekun, long time no see," Master Moral called out to him.

Yekun cupped his hands and greeted, "Senior Moral."

The crowd was stunned once more. How on earth was this Yekun connected to Master Moral? Nonsense!

Master Moral's actions forced everyone to reevaluate Yekun carefully.

"I didn't even get to drink a cup of your wedding wine last time before I had to leave. You'll have to make it up to this old man next time."

"That goes without saying." Hearing that tone, Yekun became even more certain that his teacher had summoned him.

Brother Kun wanted to keep a low profile, but his teacher simply wouldn't allow it. What could Brother Kun do?

Ye Shaolong refused to believe that Yekun actually knew Master Moral. The two of you aren't even from the same world—did you meet in an outhouse or something?!

Well, your father certainly spent plenty of time soaking in one.

The crowd could only marvel in disbelief: when Yekun got married, Master Moral actually attended!

Though those in the know thought otherwise—both Zhang Jin and Ye Zhao knew that Master Moral's appearance at the wedding hadn't been to celebrate, but rather to take someone away.

"Guan Qing, still just a Vice Dean?" Master Moral gazed fixedly at Guan Qing, as if asking, *After all these years, you still haven't managed to push that old codger out?*

Guan Qing cupped his hands respectfully and replied, "This student has failed Master's expectations."