As Xu Qing walked out of the main entrance of the imperial palace, his audience with the emperor was officially over. However, his heart was in turmoil. He felt like there was a wild animal inside of him trying to break out. He did his best to maintain control, keeping his facial expression calm as he walked toward the Captain and Plumdark, who were waiting for him outside. He even smiled.

The Captain seemed distracted, presumably by Xu Qing’s performance. In contrast, Plumdark remained focused.

Therefore, all it took was a single look at Xu Qing for Plumdark to make the decision to leave with him. The Captain stayed, claiming that he wanted to wait for Ningyan. However, given the way the Captain was eying Planet Ancient Emperor with such longing, Xu Qing could imagine that he was probably planning some big job. The look in his eyes was the one that appeared when he was gathering information.

Xu Qing’s audience with the emperor had resulted in significant gains. First, he acquired a title that came with a lot of destiny aura. Second, he confirmed the identity of the imperial preceptor. And third, he acquired The Emperor’s Sword.

That said, Xu Qing wasn’t pleased with his performance, as some things hadn’t gone smoothly. Of even greater significance was that he couldn’t allow his thoughts to calm down. If he did that, his mind would fill with killing intent toward the Crown Prince of Violet and Cyan.

Plumdark, with her keen senses, had picked up on that. It didn’t matter how Xu Qing tried to hide it, she could sense… that there was a tempest raging within him. Thus, she took his hand just as he had done with hers in Forbidden by the Immortal. Warmth seeped into him.

“Let’s go home,” she said.

They exchanged a glance as the wind stirred their hair. Xu Qing took a few breaths, then started walking. As he did, he quietly explained all the details of what had happened.

Plumdark listened attentively. When they got back to Ningyan’s mansion, they stood on the shore of the lake. Plumdark spoke, her voice soft and gentle.

“You handled yourself well when you saw the crow. And I agree with your conclusions. There’s no way the emperor doesn’t know the crow’s true identity. And that means… the two of them must have some sort of deal with each other.

“The fact that the sword wouldn’t stir against the crow isn’t very surprising. The sword is intended to benefit the public, not be used for private situations. It can sense transformations to the destiny aura of humankind, and can be used in critical moments to prevent catastrophes.

“The areas you’re not content with during your meeting with the emperor are, frankly, harmless. I suspect the emperor and the crow are playing a game of Go with each other, and each is focused on their own game pieces.

“When it comes to your killing intent toward the crow, the reality is that until you’re absolutely certain you can kill him, you need to keep yourself safe. Endure the killing intent. That’s the most important thing.

“Our trip here to the imperial capital is destined to be full of twists and turns. But remember, Ah Qing, you’re not in this alone. Whatever you do… I’ll be here with you. If you want to kill the crow, then let’s wait until the right opportunity comes along, and we can do it together!”

The surface of the lake shimmered as a fish jumped out of the water, then splashed down, causing ripples to flow out in all directions.

Xu Qing looked at Plumdark and nodded.

“Okay,” Plumdark said with a smile. “I know you came back early because you’re worried about that pill. Why don’t we go check the pill furnace?” As the sunlight shone onto her fair skin, it was like a veil that perfectly highlighted her beauty. She was like a blooming orchid, consummately beautiful.

Xu Qing’s heart started beating faster as Plumdark clasped his hand and walked with him to the pill concocting workshop. The pill furnace in the workshop was in good condition, and the pill was fine. Another weight slipped away from Xu Qing’s heart.

Time passed. Soon it was evening, and the sky was filled with red clouds.

The session of enlightenment on Planet Ancient Emperor had originally been scheduled to last for a day. But after the second layer of sealing was opened, that time shrank down. By the time evening arrived, the event was over. After, news spread quickly about the results of the enlightenment.

After Xu Qing’s departure, three more heavenly marquis legacies appeared. What was more, there was an additional individual who gained enlightenment of a heavenly king legacy.

It was Tenth Prince! That news caused quite a stir.

As for Ningyan… he came out empty-handed. When he came back, Ningyan didn’t look the least bit dejected. He was actually in high spirits, thanks to what happened with Xu Qing. After all, Xu Qing’s glory would rub off on him. That said, if you looked deep into his eyes, you would see disappointment lurking there. The desire to prove himself to his father was something that had long existed in his heart.

Considering how much Xu Qing had on his mind, he was in no position to offer comfort.

On that night, there were quite a few people in the mansion who couldn’t sleep.

Xu Qing and Plumdark were working on the medicinal pill, which had reached the final, critical stage in the concocting process. If everything went well, the pill would be finished by the following night.

The Captain was lost in thought, and occasionally took out a jade slip to record notes. He also drew a lot of pictures, all of them related to the research he had started doing on Planet Ancient Emperor. This was a relatively rare situation for him. When he planned big jobs, he would usually gather a lot of information, but wouldn’t necessarily plan things out in detail.

But this was different. After all… in all of his previous lives, he had always failed and died at Planet Ancient Emperor.

Ningyan spent the night in the shrine hall, where he sat cross-legged in front of the portrait of his mother. Speaking in an undertone, he talked about what had occurred after she passed away. And though he never said the words, “I miss you,” it was obvious from everything he said about how he felt.

Kong Xianglong was also in a contemplative mood. He had witnessed most of what happened with Xu Qing, and already heard stories. Although he was truly happy, he also had a goal for himself. He wouldn’t allow himself to fall behind Xu Qing.

The only person who didn’t have a lot on their mind was Wu Jianwu. Not being in the mood for cultivation, he just snored the night away.

The night passed without incident.

The sun rose and a new day began. Everyone seemed to have cleared their minds during the night. Ningyan was in high spirits, and remained in the shrine hall working on breathing exercises and cultivation.

The Captain’s eyebrows danced up and down as he rushed out to gather more information.

Xu Qing’s pill was complete. When he opened the pill furnace, a blood-red pill floated out, covered with golden striations.

Plumdark inhaled sharply. Eyes gleaming with anticipation, she waved her hand and simultaneously took out a geomantic compass. The compass was what she had been working on recently, and it was designed to bolster her senses. Taking the blood pill, she put it into a slot in the middle of the compass. As soon as the pill clicked into place, blood-red light flared, and the compass vibrated. The concentric rings on the compass began to rotate, whereupon Plumdark sat down cross-legged, put both hands on the compass, and then cast her senses outward.

Her senses were immediately boosted dramatically, and everything around her seemed to vanish except for that one lamp connected to her by destiny. In fact, that lamp… was now clearer than ever.

Xu Qing sat down cross-legged off to the side to act as dharma protector. At the same time, he considered what he would be doing next.

For one, I need to help Plumdark find that lamp. But also… I should go visit the Imperial University.

The Imperial University was the most prestigious educational establishment for humans. Xu Qing had heard about it a lot recently, and knew that whether it was the imperial princes or the officials, they had all spent time studying there. And it was common for chosen disciples from the superpower sects to long for such qualifications.

In some respects, the Imperial University was actually like a sect of its own. However, it was the most orthodox type of sect imaginable, meaning that it did not foster sectarianism. All techniques and all types of knowledge were there to be studied.1

On the way here, Princess Anhai mentioned the Imperial University and said that it emphasizes different schools of thought…. There are several thousand different schools of thought, some more prominent than others. All of them have their own dao, and their own systems of understanding regarding the world and cultivation.

By using different methods and different directions, they seek to identify the most suitable paths for humankind to use to rise to prominence in cultivation.

The different schools of thought don’t have entrance requirements. As long as you qualify to go to the Imperial University, you can join any of them. Everything is set up to further the academic interests, so your background and status don’t matter there.

The Imperial University is a standalone dimension; when you enter it, you’re automatically clad in a special daoist robe and mask that covers your aura. You’re also prohibited from revealing who you really are. It’s only when you graduate that your true identity is revealed. If you have the ability, you can even establish your own school of thought, with the goal of attracting students and earning approval of your theories….

These rules for the Imperial University were established by Emperor Dark War, despite many objections. But over the years, the university has churned out countless techniques, as well as one chosen disciple after another. It’s a place where human philosophy can flourish, where a hundred flowers can blossom, and where people can talk freely about their personal dao…. 2

Thinking back to everything Princess Anhai had told him, and then considering what he had seen in the presence of the emperor himself, Xu Qing had to admit that he really didn’t understand Emperor Dark War.

The clay fox said that the emperor is up to something big. But what is it…?

After a while, a new thought occurred to him.