Hearing this, Qi Yun's expression became solemn. He nodded seriously and deeply engraved his master's words in his heart.
He recalled the group of disciples from the Myriad Phenomena Academy. Although they were young, all of them had a calm demeanor and a righteous look in their eyes. In particular, that Uncle Master Yan, who was sitting in a wheelchair, was unfathomable. The sense of embarrassment that had arisen in his heart because of the small episode just now instantly vanished. Instead, it was replaced with sincere admiration and curiosity.
"Disciple understands." Qi Yun nodded seriously. His gaze could not help but once again turn in the direction of the courtyard where the Myriad Phenomena Academy's disciples were staying.
At the same time, inside the courtyard.
After the disciples had settled their luggage, they gathered in twos and threes in the courtyard. After the events just now, the atmosphere had relaxed. This was coupled with the fact that they were now less afraid of the upcoming competition and had a bit more vigor to try it out.
Dongfang Xiao was still excitedly describing the strange people and strangers he had seen at the inn just now.
"...... That person who drives the corpses. That coffin beside him looks so cold! And those few people from the southern regions. It looks like there is something moving inside the jars hanging on their waists!"
Zhong Shengwan was checking whether the talisman leaves she carried with her were damp while saying calmly,
"Don't cause trouble. With the competition ahead, it is most important to conserve your energy."
Shen Cuiyu was standing alone under an ancient tree. She had studied Yin Spiritualism and was more sensitive to auras than others. At this moment, the entire inn area was filled with the young generation's outstanding figures from the Hundred Schools of the Mystic Path. There were numerous auras, strong or weak, righteous or strange, all mixed together. It was like a surging undercurrent...
The winds of a coming storm were already blowing.
Just as everyone was settling down and the conversation was gradually coming to an end, a commotion came from not far away.
The disciples followed the sound and saw a figure being surrounded as they slowly walked through the moon gate. After entering the inn, they headed towards a relatively independent courtyard.
"This is... Liu Ruyan?!"
A disciple cried out in a low voice.
After several months, everyone saw Liu Ruyan again.
Back when she was still in the Myriad Phenomena Academy, she claimed to be the "reincarnation of the Mystic Lady" and was extremely flamboyant. Now, she was even more so!
She was wearing a water blue brocade palace outfit. The material was precious and the stitches were very fine. It was not something that an ordinary official family could use. Clearly, it was a reward from the palace.
The three or four maidservants following closely beside her had their heads bowed. Their footsteps were very regular, silently showing off Liu Ruyan's extraordinary status.
Not far away, the disciples from other sects who were here to participate or watch the ceremony also noticed the commotion here. Whispers could be faintly heard.
"See that? That is Liu Ruyan who messed up the Heaven Worship Ceremony previously..."
"Her? Didn't they say that her status as the Mystic Lady was fake? The rain prayer failed and even enraged the Emperor. Why is she... "
"Shh! Lower your voices! The noble in the palace said that Liu Ruyan was suddenly unwell that day, which led to a misunderstanding. Everything that happened previously is now over."
"But this... Isn't this too much of an understatement? After making such a huge mistake, she can actually still escape punishment. Even..."
"I heard that the Empress personally approved her to enter the harem. Her favor is still strong."
"Look at the scene. With all the people around her, if one did not know, they would think that she is a newly promoted noble in the palace!"
The whispers were filled with doubts, confusion, and even a hint of veiled unfairness. However, more of it was a kind of awe towards power and silence when it came to assessing the situation.
Liu Ruyan seemed to be going somewhere else. Her gaze casually swept past the courtyard but when she saw Shen Cuiyu's figure, her footsteps suddenly stopped.
That faint smile on her face that was appropriate for a superior disappeared in an instant, as though it was an ice flower that was blown off by the cold wind.
There was undisguised hatred and anger in the depths of Liu Ruyan's eyes as she stared at Shen Cuiyu.
The two of them were separated by a not too near distance as they looked at each other from afar.
It was as though there was an invisible string that was suddenly tightened in the air.
Liu Ruyan deeply looked at Shen Cuiyu. Her eyes were complicated, mixed with hatred, fear, and a hint of indescribable pride.
"Long time no see, Shen Cuiyu."
Liu Ruyan's lips opened and closed slightly, almost imperceptibly. Like a snake spitting out its tongue, no sound was made but the shape of several words was clearly passed.
Shen Cuiyu understood her lip movement - Let's wait and see.
Shen Cuiyu's face was calm, like the water of a deep pool. There was not even a ripple.
She indifferently retracted her gaze, as though she had just casually glanced at an unimportant passerby.
However, in that brief moment just now, Shen Cuiyu had quickly investigated the spiritual energy around Liu Ruyan. The result was the same as before - there was nothing. There was still not a trace of spiritual energy fluctuations.
This did not make Shen Cuiyu feel relaxed. Instead, it deepened the doubts in her heart.
Liu Ruyan knew that she could no longer be like before and steal Shen Cuiyu's credit by stealing spiritual energy. However, she was still so confident now, even carrying a cold hatred as though she had the victory in the bag...
Why was this so?
Did Liu Ruyan find a new target to absorb from or... With the support of the unfathomable Empress behind her, did she find a strange and unpredictable method that did not rely on spiritual energy?
Qi Yun had clearly engraved his master, Wang Qian's, warning to "get in touch with the Myriad Phenomena Academy's disciples" in his heart.
After dinner, he found an excuse and brought some local specialty sugar cakes to the courtyard where the Myriad Phenomena Academy's disciples were staying.
Inside the courtyard, everyone was sitting around a small bonfire in the stone pavilion. The flames were dancing, reflecting the young and energetic faces.
They were surrounding Senior Brother Xu Qingfeng, asking him about the experience of the previous Heavenly Pivot Ceremony in a flurry.
Qi Yun naturally sat on the side and distributed the sugar cakes to everyone. He also followed the Myriad Phenomena Academy's disciples and respectfully called out,
"Senior Brother Xu."
At that time, Xu Qingfeng had just tilted his head to drink a mouthful of water. Hearing this, he almost choked and coughed violently. It took him a long time to catch his breath. Looking at Qi Yun, who was clearly a round older than him, he waved his hands with a helpless smile,
"Qi... Brother Qi, don't call me that. You're making me feel guilty. Let's just address each other according to our own relationships."
When the disciples saw this, they let out a kind laugh.
The topic returned to the competition. Xu Qingfeng tried his best to recall and said,
"To be honest, the content of the preliminary round is not difficult. It has been several years, so my impression is a little fuzzy. In our batch... It seems like they tested us on a basic question of 'Searching for Dragons and Marking the Nodes'?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the disciples around the fire had different reactions. Some immediately revealed a happy expression. Clearly, they were experts in this area or had guessed the question beforehand. Most of them, however, instantly slumped their shoulders and let out a wail.
"I'm done for! If they test us on Searching for Dragons and Marking the Nodes in the preliminary round this year, I can just return home!" A round faced disciple said with a mournful face, "I failed Mr. Li's Feng Shui class four times! Four times!"
Immediately, someone beside him echoed with empathy,
"Me too! Those mountain ranges and the auspicious and inauspicious water mouths made my head hurt!"