68: Chapter 64 Imminent Mountain Rain_1 68: Chapter 64 Imminent Mountain Rain_1 On the walls of the cave, a somber white light shimmered, as if one had entered the body of some gigantic skeletal beast.

Walking through the long corridor, one would see that the interior held another universe.

In the central cave, a crimson carpet was spread out.

The Bone Messenger, masked, and the voluptuous Miao Yu, in her red dress, both stood on either side.

Behind them gathered a few figures in black robes, vaguely forming two groups.

The crimson carpet stretched all the way to the end.

At the end, bones formed the steps and flesh made up the platform; and on top of the platform, there was a chair, sinister with bone spikes.

Upon the chair sat a skull, fragile and withered, as if a single gust of wind could blow it apart.

But a voice unexpectedly arose from the hollow mouth of the skull, “Who can tell me where that Dark Candle has gone?”

An elder in black robes fell to the ground with a thud, “I am incompetent!”

The voice remained hollow, devoid of any trace of emotion, “Then who can tell me, who is responsible for this disastrously failed mission?”

Using his peripheral vision, the robed elder glanced at the Bone Messenger but saw that he remained utterly still, with no intention of speaking up for him.

With no choice, the elder knocked his forehead hard against the ground, “I… deserve death.”

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly looked up, his face filled with terror, “Great Elder!

Please…”

A cavernous chill seemed to pass through.

A set of black robes crumpled to the ground and beneath it, nothing was left but a pile of bone dust.

And just like that, he was dead.

“Indeed, you deserved death,” continued the skull, “The Bone Tao has struggled to pass down its teachings to this day, many of its cultivation techniques are incomplete.

The Dark Candle is a treasure of our order, its secrets passed down quietly, it could have been the power to aid me, to restore what we’ve lost in our techniques.

Yet you proved so incompetent, allowing it to slip through your fingers!”

At this point, the Bone Messenger spoke up, “If I recall, the Holy Maiden had made some preparations.”

Miao Yu smiled seductively, “Thanks to your initial moves, I could prepare my follow-up.

However, it’s been several days now.

My people haven’t sent any news either, and I don’t know if they’ve been killed by Wei Quchibi or eaten by some stray cat or dog.”

The Bone Messenger laughed, “What initial moves?

What are you talking about?”

“Enough,” the skull atop the bone chair interrupted, “Since Wei Quchibi has used the Dark Candle as bait, it shows he knows that we, of the Bone Tao, have trampled on his face, but he is not clear on what the Dark Candle means to us.

Once he has his fill of killing, he will lose his interest in the Dark Candle.

I want you to search high and low, to find out in whose hands the Dark Candle has fallen.”

“Yes,” they all bowed their heads.

“Also, I will be making some big moves in the country above the clouds soon, so during your proceedings, be more discreet.” After saying this, the skull atop the bone chair suddenly collapsed, its bones scattering, littering the seat.

Miao Yu waved her hand and the people in the cave dispersed, leaving only herself and the Bone Messenger.

The Bone Messenger first hummed, “Using his body as a conduit to conjure the phantom of Netherworld Pass, is it just to show off in Yun Country?”

“Who knows?” Miao Yu’s brows slightly furrowed, “Lately, the Great Elder seems to care less about finding the Dao child.”

“Hahaha.” The Bone Messenger walked away with his hands behind him, “With the Dao child gone, he acts with the authority of the Holy Leader.

If the Dao child returns, he will be just a Great Elder indeed.

What do you think his choice will be?”

…

Every time Jiang Wang went to the academy, he was somewhat distracted.

It was simple—he hadn’t established his foundation.

No matter how fascinating the teachings, he could only practice them in his mind, unable to quench his thirst for knowledge, much less understand them deeply.

Compared to other students, Jiang Wang preferred to attend the classics courses, where elders explained the principles of the great Dao and the scriptures of the sages.

He actually enjoyed them.

But he dare not miss the courses at the academy, especially since this class was conducted by Xiao Tiemian.

No one could remember Xiao Tiemian’s real name anymore.

Although he was only a Grade-7 of the Tongtian Realm, his mastery and seasoned experience in various fundamental Dao Techniques was indeed profound.

The class hadn’t started yet, and sitting on his mat, Jiang Wang was already zoning out.

He was still recalling last night’s challenge in the blessed land, but he couldn’t glean any more details.

Because as soon as the battle started, he hadn’t even managed to draw his sword when an arrow ended his movements.

He fell from Qing Jade Stand to rank twenty-five, the Sky Light Stand.

His monthly cultivation points were reduced by another hundred, leaving him with only 1650 points.

Added to the remaining 190 points from his previous extrapolation of the Four Spirits Body Refinement Technique, he had a total of 1840 cultivation points.

Outside of the Taixu Illusion Realm, he still had four hundred points of Dao merit left on the merit board.

This was all of Jiang Wang’s assets related to his cultivation path.

Zhao Rucheng, although he wouldn’t use the Channel-opening Pill from the academy to open his veins, had still exchanged for one, probably to hide something.

He refused to elaborate, so Jiang Wang didn’t ask any further.

According to this kid’s boast, he will use the super invincible and most perfect Channel-opening Pill to open his channels, but unfortunately, he only has one and can’t share it with Jiang Anan.

Jiang Wang then asked him how many Dao Merit Points were needed to exchange for this “super invincible and most perfect” Channel-opening Pill.

Zhao Rucheng didn’t specify an amount, he just patted his shoulder and told him to work hard.

In short, raising a sister richly is a responsibility with a long road ahead.

During his moment of distraction, Xiao Tiemian had already ascended the podium.

Jiang Wang quickly gathered his spirits, pretending to be earnest and diligent in listening to the lecture.

“Some people, don’t get too cocky just because you’ve made a little achievement, letting your tail lift into the sky.

The path of cultivation is very long, young people, you need to look ahead,” Xiao Tiemian coughed, “Alright, now let’s talk about the specific applications of Stone Skin Art in combat…”

Jiang Wang felt a nervous jolt in his heart, unable to understand why he was being targeted again, but he didn’t dare show it on his face and became even more earnest.

As soon as class ended and Xiao Tiemian left, Huang Azhan approached from a corner.

“Aaah, that deadpan face!

He’s targeting you like this, can you stand it?

Come with me tonight to smash his windows, what do you say, are you in?”

Seeing Huang Azhan, Jiang Wang immediately understood why he was being targeted.

It was probably a case of ‘the city gates catch fire, and the fish in the moat suffer.’”

He hung out with Huang Azhan often, so Xiao Tiemian had noted them together.

“If you want to go, go by yourself,” Jiang Wang of course wouldn’t accompany him in doing something foolish.

“I’m telling you, I have a meticulous plan this time…”

“Stop!” Jiang Wang cut off his lengthy speech and changed the subject, “We’ve made arrangements to dine with senior brother Li Jianqiu, you coming?”

“Hmph, you just don’t believe me.

I tell you, last time I was drunk, otherwise with just his Xiao…” Huang Azhan hurried to catch up when he saw Jiang Wang turning to leave, “I’m in!”

Zhao Rucheng casually threw out a sentence: “Let’s split the bill for the meal.”

Huang Azhan pretended not to hear, wrapping an arm around Ling He’s shoulder and starting to discuss his comeback plan again.

Ling He was good-natured; even though he definitely wouldn’t stoop to join him, he also didn’t outright disdain him.

Young Master Zhao really had no way with this elder brother from the previous term, his skin was incredibly thick and impervious to drilling.

The organizer of this meal was Li Jianqiu; he invited Jiang Wang and informed him that he could bring some friends.

The venue was Su Huai Zhai, a restaurant with a higher grade than Wangyue Lou, but it specialized in vegetarian cuisine.

Jiang Wang and his buddies, typically hearty meat-eaters and heavy drinkers, naturally didn’t frequent it much.

Upon entering the private room, they found only Li Jianqiu sitting alone.

Since everyone was already acquainted, there was no need for much formality, and they got straight to enjoying the delicacies.

Du Yehu was the one who disliked vegetarian food the most, especially those dishes that attempted to mimic the taste of roasted chicken or beef, which he thought were utterly pretentious.

His rationale was, why go through all that trouble when you could simply eat the real meat?

Zhao Rucheng summarized it with the word “taste,” but arguing with Du Yehu was futile.

Luckily, Du Yehu wasn’t present, and nobody else had such qualms.

During the meal, Huang Azhan shared an anecdote.

It was said that after Lin Zhengren returned to Wangjiang City, he couldn’t have been more pleased with himself.

At a reception to cleanse himself of dust, he publicly boasted that he was unrivaled at the Three-City Dao Debate, claiming that no one from San Shan City or Fenglin City was his match.

Zhu Weiwo had not been back at the Dao Academy for long when he heard this news, and without hesitation, he grabbed his spear and left, traveling alone by boat down Green Willow River, following Qing River straight to Wangjiang City.

By now, they should have already clashed.

Jiang Wang doubted, “Judging by Lin Zhengren’s performance at the Three-City Dao Debate, he doesn’t seem like that kind of person.

He probably wouldn’t say such things, right?”

Li Jianqiu laughed, “Senior brother Zhu just used that as an excuse to beat him up, who cares if he said it or not!

Since the rumor is out there, let’s presume he did.”

As someone who had more contact with Zhu Weiwo, Li Jianqiu naturally understood him better.

Although Jiang Wang had only met him once, he felt Li Jianqiu’s words were very much in line with Zhu Weiwo’s style.

“Domineering!”

“Impressive!”

“Senior brother is mighty!”

“Enough, he isn’t here, and your flattery is useless if he can’t hear it,” Li Jianqiu waved his hand and directly cut to the chase, “Recently, San Shan City has been plagued by a beast calamity.

Yesterday, their City Lord offered a bounty, calling for experts to help eliminate the Fierce Beasts.

This is the largest operation in San Shan City in recent years, and I plan to form a team to go.

What do you say, would you like to join me?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep