Devour

Chapter 436 Taotie Academy

The celestial horses, majestic and spirited, pulled the canopy-covered chariot. The wind-fire wheels, accompanied by long, low hums of wind and thunder, moved with lightning speed, like a crimson auspicious cloud drifting in from the horizon. The chariot gradually slowed down, carrying the Holy Lord of the Heavenly Gate, and landed steadily on the summit of Burial Bone Peak.

With a smile, Master Li waved to the Sword-wielding Heavenly King sitting in the carriage and said, "Sword One, it's been many years. I hope you're well. Judging from your cultivation, you are no less than me."

The Sword-wielding Heavenly King nodded slightly and replied, "Li Boren, after so many years of silence, it's rare that you've summoned my abandoned sword. Have you encountered some great trouble?"

Master Li solemnly said, "The Five Remnant Mountains have been destroyed, the Taotie has emerged, the Sun Chaser has infiltrated, the Emperor's son is about to win the decisive battle, and the Emperor's power is unstoppable. The situation is becoming increasingly turbulent, and one major event after another is imminent. Without the help of our old friend, we will certainly not be able to proceed!"

The Sword-wielding Heavenly King snorted lightly, his face, slicked back like an actor's, showing no change in expression. He said calmly, "Things are different now. Since the establishment of the Burial Bone Sword Tomb, I have been invited to join the ranks of the Dharma Protectors of the World-Honored One. As for the Heavenly Gate, besides guarding the City of Good Assembly, it is also a sharp sword under the World-Honored One's command."

He glanced at the solitary grave atop the mountain with a complex expression, then said in a deep voice, "This grave contains only Ao Qiushui's clothes and her old sword. Her inner core is hidden deep within the Sword Spirit Pit, awaiting a destined person. That peerless and elegant Lord of Xiaoyao City back then has given away everything!"

The Heavenly King with the Sword turned his gaze to Master Li and shouted, "Li Boren, do you have any regrets?"

When questioned, Master Li answered without hesitation: "I will pursue the Way for eternity, even unto death!"

The Heavenly King with the Sword said loudly, "Granting your request is fine in itself. If I don't go to hell, who will? However, Shanhui City cannot be without a master, and the Heavenly Sword cannot be without a sage to lead it."

Master Li nodded slightly and said solemnly, "Scholars will do their utmost to find a suitable candidate. Please rest assured, my old friend!"

The Sword-wielding Heavenly King disagreed, adding, "Those whose virtue and ability match their position are rare in this world. Let's talk about it when you find one."

Master Li turned to look at Cheng Bai and Bei Tingjun coming down the mountain and said leisurely, "This year's invitation to the Immortal Gathering is a multi-pronged approach, aimed at finding like-minded people."

Cheng Bai met his gaze from afar, urging him with a smile, "Master, we cannot linger any longer. How about we set off for Taotie Academy immediately?"

Master Li understood and expressed his approval: "Scholar, please arrange the affairs here, and we will leave the city together later."

He turned to the Sword-wielding Heavenly King and whispered a few words of advice: "In this way... I trouble you, old friend, to appease the World Honored One's teachings after this. We'll meet again another day." After saying this, he and Cheng Bai and his group departed.

The Sword-wielding Heavenly King stared at their retreating figures and murmured, "It's that kid again. Lately, the title of 'White Emperor' has become increasingly renowned."

After a short wait, two figures arrived from the foot of the mountain, one after the other, like the wind. They were Jian Kuang and Da Hui Zun Zhe.

As Jian Kuang approached, he abruptly stopped, bowed respectfully, and said, "Disciple Jian Er greets Master."

The Venerable Mahamati followed closely behind, also stopping, and clasped his hands together, chanting: "Mahamati greets the Protector of the Way, the Heavenly King with the Sword."

The Heavenly King with the Sword nodded to the Venerable Great Wisdom in greeting. Seeing that the two of them looked somewhat strange, he asked, "Why are you two in such a hurry?"

Sword Madman reported truthfully: "The inner core of the last city lord, which was treasured in the Sword Spirit Pit, has been taken away by Bai Di, the sect leader of the Devouring Heaven Sect."

The Venerable Dahui said in a deep voice, "Ao Qiushui was the former Dragon King and also a protector of my sect. How could her inner core easily fall into the hands of heretics?"

The Heavenly King with the Sword said nonchalantly, "So what? It seems that Master greatly appreciates the White Emperor and may have intentionally guided him to retrieve it. Everything in the world is predestined, so let it be. Besides, the World Honored One clearly stated that he would not interfere."

The Venerable Dahui was both amused and exasperated, and had no choice but to reveal the truth: "Alas... Heavenly King, it's not just the inner elixir! The White Emperor stole this humble monk's sword of wisdom."

Sword Maniac almost thought he had misheard, and exclaimed in astonishment, "What? A Venerable One with such profound cultivation could have his magic weapon snatched by a mere junior?"

The Heavenly King with the Sword was also surprised, but then advised, "There's no point in saying more. The White Emperor has already gone with the Master to attend the Immortal Gathering. Many geniuses from Taotie Academy are gathered here. If you wish to retrieve your magic treasure, Venerable One, you need to act with caution."

The Venerable Mahamati knew this made sense, and said reluctantly, "Alright, my disciples, the Great Mighty King and the Golden Light King, have also been invited, so I will accompany them on this trip."

The biggest beneficiary of this trip, Cheng Bai, was sitting calmly at the tea table inside the Xuanren Flying Armor, leisurely brewing ginseng tea and savoring it.

Master Li was in high spirits as he spoke about the local customs and culture along the way: "Taowu Academy is located in the northeast of Donghua Shangzhou, bordering the Donghun Dynasty, which dominates most of the eastern part of the continent."

Bei Tingjun replied, "I have heard a little about it. The Northern Ice Continent only has the so-called 'Four Great Powers.' Not to mention the experts, in terms of territory and national strength alone, the four countries combined are not as strong as a single true dynasty in the Eastern Continent. Therefore, the Eastern Continent has a higher overall strength."

Cheng Bai said thoughtfully, "So, the Eastern Soul Dynasty can be considered the most powerful nation in the Eastern Continent?"

Master Li agreed, saying, "Ordinary countries are not considered very powerful in the Five Continents. But dynasties are different. They have a wealth of talented people under their command and are powerful enough to rival the Nine Gates and Ten Sects, thus ranking among the top powers here."

Cheng Bai then inquired, "Who are some of the most famous experts in the Eastern Soul Dynasty?"

Master Li briefly explained: "According to Confucian scholars, only those who can be listed on the Sage List have the potential to become 'masters.' There are two worth mentioning from the Eastern Soul Dynasty: one is the current emperor Zhu Tai, who is ranked fifty-seventh on the Sage List; the other is Grand Marshal Zhuge Weihou, who is ranked sixtieth."

Cheng Bai was not familiar with the names of the two experts, and thought to himself: "If we don't count behind-the-scenes figures like Sister Yingying from the Northern Ling Sword Sect, the Eastern Soul Dynasty is even slightly stronger in terms of apparent combat strength."

He was quite curious about the distribution of power, and after a moment's thought, he asked, "Is Taotie Academy adjacent to it, and does it not belong to any country?"

Master Li's eyes flashed with undisguised pride as he smiled and said, "That place was once a small country with only one city. Since the establishment of the academy, it has gradually evolved into a neutral state like a sacred land. No matter how many neighboring countries have conquered it, no one has ever dared to invade it."

Even though Bei Tingjun was always critical of the human race, he now agreed, saying, "Taowu Academy is a peaceful and blessed place that welcomes students from all directions. Talented people from all continents come from afar to study, as if on a pilgrimage."

Master Li smiled and said, "The academy upholds the principles of education for all and teaching according to aptitude, thus enabling everyone from royalty and nobility to commoners to succeed. Its culture has spread far and wide, benefiting three thousand countries, and its influence has deeply penetrated people's hearts!"

Cheng Bai gazed at the scenery outside the Xuanren Flying Armor and instructed the artifact spirit, "According to the map, we're almost there. Slow down and approach."

The gardens ahead are as beautiful as a painting, and the buildings rise in layers against the mountain, exuding an elegant and dignified charm.

As you approach the academy, a subtle, yet palpable, scholarly atmosphere wafts through the air like a gentle spring breeze. The ancient and serene ambiance seems to hold a treasure trove of ancient culture; even before entering, it captivates and enchants the soul.

Surrounded by ancient trees, verdant bamboo, and lush green grass, the academy's buildings, nestled among towering peaks, create a tranquil and serene atmosphere. The buildings, with their upturned eaves peeking through the trees, blend seamlessly with the verdant foliage, their blue tiles and white walls complementing the surrounding greenery.

Occasionally, the melodious sound of bells will startle the cranes, causing them to take flight gracefully, adding a touch of dynamism to the magnificent scenery far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world.

Cheng Bai exclaimed in amazement, "What a blessed land!"

Master Li, in a cheerful mood, laughed and said, "The academy looks quiet, but it has everything you need, from tea and wine shops to carriage and post stations. In your spare time, you can explore around and experience the local customs."

Under Master Li's guidance, the Xuanren Flying Armor slowly swept across the sky and landed at the Tinghe Terrace in the academy.

Several spirit boats rested quietly on the platform, among which a purple and white spirit boat, resembling a sleeping behemoth, was the most eye-catching.

The ship's hull was smooth and lustrous, like ancient jade, understated yet not ostentatious, and it was 110 meters long. Golden runes were faintly visible on its surface, and the protective light flowed around it.

Its entire structure possesses both the majestic grandeur of a royal capital and the ethereal purity of a transcendent celestial palace, making all others pale in comparison.

The small, nimble flying armor landed beside the spirit boat, its spirit showing no sign of weakness.

Cheng Bai led his team out of the cabin. With a slight thought, he retrieved his magic weapon. He glanced at the spirit boat next to him and recognized it immediately: "It is the Jade Capital Spirit Boat of Cai Youling, the son of Emperor Suihuo. It was the one that advanced in the Ninefold Abyss."