Slap!

Fei Banqing smacked Ye Guan’s head. “What nonsense is in that head of yours?”

Ye Guan was flustered. “W-weren’t you trying to dual cultivate with me?”

Fei Banqing glared at Ye Guan before tearing his shirt apart. 

There was a red fist mark on Ye Guan’s chest, and the skin around the fist mark was torn.

Fei Banqing took out a white jade bottle. She opened it before gently tilting it toward the wound. Moments later, a dark green liquid poured out of the jade bottle and onto Ye Guan’s chest. 

The liquid felt cool and comfortable.

Ye Guan was slightly embarrassed. 

Indeed… could dual cultivation even heal injuries?

Fei Banqing glared at Ye Guan and said, “You better thank your lucky stars that he still hasn’t mastered his Profound Fire Fist. Otherwise, his fist would have punctured a hole in you and scorched your organs.”

“Why did you even take such a risky move?” asked Fei Banqing.

Ye Guan thought about it for a while before answering, “There are two reasons. Firstly, it was the simplest and most direct method. Secondly, he had been looking down on me. He’s arrogant, so there is an extremely high chance of success. I would have gotten injured in exchange for his life.”

Fei Banqing went silent. 

Ye Guan revealed a look of disappointment. “I had intended to kill him; what a pity!”

Fei Banqing said, “You still have a chance.”

Ye Guan asked, “The academy doesn’t restrict fighting between students?”

Fei Banqing shook her head and replied, “Doing that would be tantamount to giving up on martial arts. Of course, there is a limit to the fighting. If it goes overboard, we will naturally intervene. However, he used Sun Xiong against you, but he did it so cleanly that there‘s nothing we can use against him. It is all Sun Xiong’s fault for being too stupid.”

Ye Guan nodded. “I understand.”

“You better cultivate once you’re done taking care of your injury,” said Fei Banqing before standing up. She was about to turn around and leave, but she suddenly kicked Ye Guan’s waist upon recalling his words earlier. “I’m your tutor, so don’t even think about nonsensical ideas, do you understand?”

Ye Guan was slightly embarrassed. He had truly misunderstood!

Anyway, Fei Banqing departed, and Ye Guan decided to set the matter aside and looked down at his stomach. It seemed that Fei Banqing’s medicine was extraordinary because the injury had more or less healed.

Ye Guan took a deep breath before taking out a Sky-rank cultivation manual. As soon as he opened it, the Sky-rank cultivation manual turned into a white light that sunk into his glabella.

Moments later, Ye Guan started cultivating and the spiritual energy in the air rushed toward him. 

Ye Guan smiled upon sensing the rush of spiritual energy. What an awesome Sky-rank cultivation method!

At this rate, it would take him less than a month to reach the Divine Path Realm. 

Ye Guan seemed to have thought of something, and he decided to ask, “Master Pagoda, what do you think of my talent?”

Little Pagoda sounded calm as it said, “It’s not great.”

Ye Guan stiffened. He had no idea what to say.

Little Pagoda exclaimed, “I have heard some rumor about how someone of your age has already become an Imperial Realm cultivator. For your information, An Imperial Realm cultivator is as strong as a hundred Imperial-rank demonic beasts.”

Ye Guan’s expression changed. He seemed moved as he said, “It seems that I am still a frog in a well. I have to work even harder!”

With that, he stopped talking and focused on cultivating. 

Meanwhile, the mysterious voice in the pagoda asked, “He’s very talented, so why did you say that?”

Little Pagoda calmly replied, “Have you already forgotten how his father fell back then? He fell because he got too arrogant. Do you want that lad to become arrogant as well?”

The mysterious voice went silent. 

Little Pagoda continued, “In this world, you should not always rely on external assistance. ”

The mysterious voice replied, “I agree…”

…

Meanwhile, an old man and a young man stood face to face on a mountain peak.

Tutor Xiao gazed at Nan Xuan without saying anything, while Nan Xuan was silent as well. 

Moments later, Tutor Xiao finally spoke, “There was only one reason why he dared to challenge you despite his injuries. He was probably confident in his chances of killing you.”

Nan Xuan remained calm as he replied, “I’m also confident.”

Tutor Xiao replied, “Can you do what he did to Sun Xiong? Can you defeat Sun Xiong in a short amount of time?”

Nan Xuan went silent. 

Tutor Xiao shook his head slightly and said, “I’ve heard about what happened in Nanshan Mountain Range. It’s not strange that you want to seek revenge. However, you’re too impatient. In addition to blowing your cover, you also made an enemy out of Sun Xiong. Sigh…”

Nan Xuan clenched his right fist without saying anything. 

Tutor Xiao flipped over his palm, and a scroll appeared in front of Nan Xuan. 

Nan Xuan was startled. “What is it?”

Tutor Xiao calmly said, “Open it.”

Nan Xuan’s expression changed upon opening the scroll. 

“A Sky-rank Mysterious Art!” he gasped.

Tutor Xiao nodded. 

Nan Xuan immediately bowed. “Thank you, Tutor.”

Tutor Xiao replied, “Let me bring you to a place where you can cultivate in peace.”

With that, they disappeared from the mountain peak.

…

Meanwhile, Ye Guan was still cultivating in the hall of his palace.

“Ye Guan!”

However, a shout from the outside startled him awake.

Ye Guan looked out and saw a young woman smiling at him. The young woman was wearing a black dress, and she was standing outside with her hands on her back. Overall, she looked charming and elegant.

Ye Guan immediately got up and ran toward her. 

He threw his arms around her and laughed boisterously. “Sister Nan!”

The young woman was none other than Ye Nan—Ye Xiao’s daughter. 

Ye Nan glared at Ye Guan and said, “I’ve heard that you arrived here several days ago, so why did you not look for me?”

Ye Guan chuckled hollowly. “I’m sorry, it’s my fault.”

Ye Nan didn’t seem to mind as she stood on her toes and compared her height with Ye Guan’s height.

She smiled at the result and said, “You’re taller than me now.”

Ye Guan smiled and asked, “Sister Nan, how have you been?”

“I’m doing good, but I’m a bit homesick. After all, I can only go back home during the annual vacation,” replied Ye Nan. Afterward, she stared deeply at Ye Guan and said with a smile, “I’m really happy to see you here.”

Ye Guan examined Ye Nan and asked for confirmation, “Truth Realm?”

Ye Nan nodded and confirmed. “Yes!”

Ye Guan looked around before taking out a storage ring and handing it over to Ye Nan. 

Ye Nan gasped upon seeing what was inside. “Gold spiritual crystals?”

“There are about two thousand of them here. They’re yours,” said Ye Guan.

However, Ye Nan shook her head and refused. “This is too much…”

Ye Guan smiled at her and explained, “I’m sure it’ll only be a matter of time until you reach the All-Truth Realm with the gold spiritual crystals in there.”

The idea sounded great, but Ye Nan was still hesitating. 

At that, Ye Guan became slightly unhappy. 

“Sister Nan, since when were we so distant?” he asked, seemingly aggrieved.

Ye Nan rolled her eyes at him and said, “Fine!”

She finally accepted the storage ring. 

Ye Nan looked around. She was happy as she said, “I really didn’t expect that you’ll become Tutor Fei’s disciple. You even have a palace for yourself. I’m so jealous of you…”

Ye Guan smiled at her and suggested. “If you’d like, you can stay here.”

Ye Nan shook her head and said, “No, that would be against the rules.”

However, it seemed that Ye Guan wasn’t the only one who had a surprise for the other because Ye Nan also took out a basket and handed it over to Ye Guan. 

Ye Guan froze before asking, “What is this?”

“Open it and see!” Ye Nan urged with a smile.

Ye Guan opened it and found a fragrant roasted chicken in the box. 

Ye Guan was thrilled. 

Ye Nan smiled and exclaimed, “Surprise! It’s your favorite!”

Ye Guan didn’t stand on ceremony. He sat down and started devouring the dish. 

Cultivators could fast for an extended period of time, but it was only truly applicable to powerful cultivators. A cultivator at Ye Guan’s realm still had to eat.

Fasting is nonsense! I have to eat, and I want to eat good food. If given the chance, I’ll even eat dragon meat!

Meanwhile, Ye Guan asked Little Pagoda, “Master Pagoda, have you seen a dragon before?”

Little Pagoda replied, “Yes.”

Ye Guan sounded envious as he said, “Master Pagoda, I really admire you. It seems like you’ve already seen everything that the world has to offer. You’re really incredible!”

Little Pagoda didn’t know what to say.

Ye Nan arranged her skirt and sat next to Ye Guan before proceeding to stare at the latter while he was eating.

Ye Guan was an adopted son, so most members of the Ye Clan weren’t really fond of him when he was still a child. However, Ye Nan had spent most of her time playing with Ye Guan when they were still children, so they grew extremely close.

Ye Nan could still remember how Ye Guan often covered for her whenever she got into trouble because of her mischievousness as a child. She would then repay Ye Guan by cooking for him while he was in the middle of serving punishment on her behalf. 

All of a sudden, Ye Guan turned to look at Ye Nan and asked, “Sister Nan, are you not going to eat?”

Ye Nan shook her head and replied, “I got it for you.”

Ye Guan grinned and devoured a chicken leg.

Ye Nan chuckled at the sight. “Do you know how impressive you were on the Life or Death Stage? Many of my female friends are infatuated with you right now.”

Ye Guan shook his head and smiled. I was risking my life for a goal, and my goal wasn’t to look cool.

Ye Nan smiled at him and asked, “How are things going between you and Nalan Jia? Are you living under the same roof?”

Ye Guan was appalled, and he quickly retorted. “Excuse me, our relationship is wholesome, just so you know!” 

Ye Nan rolled her eyes at him and said, “What, pure? You have to be bolder. Let me tell you. Every woman out there wants their men to be a bit cheeky toward them. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Ye Guan was rendered speechless. 

Ye Nan shook her head and laughed at Ye Guan’s dumbfounded look. 

“You’re so dense,” she said.

With that, she lifted her basket and said, “I’ll bring you food when I’m free. I’m off.”

Ye Guan stared at Ye Nan’s departing figure, and his expression grew increasingly solemn. 

Eventually, he stood up to look for Fei Banqing. 

I really have to be cautious! There’s a chance that my enemy will go after those who are close to me and use them against me.

It was bullshit that had to be avoided at all costs. 

It didn’t take Ye Guan long to find Fei Banqing and he explained his concerns.

Fei Banqing was rather calm as she said, “Don’t worry. No one is daring enough to commit murder in the academy.”

Ye Guan went silent. He was unconvinced. But I had done it before…

Fei Banqing seemed to have seen through Ye Guan’s thoughts. She shook her head and said, “I’ll ask the other tutors in the academy to look after your sister. I’ll also give her a sound transmission talisman. If anything happens to her, I’ll personally head over.”

Ye Guan bowed deeply and said, “Thank you, Tutor.”

However, it seemed that Fei Banqing wasn’t done just yet as she said, “I heard that Nan Xuan and his tutor went to one of the training towers.”

Ye Guan frowned. “Training towers?”

Fei Banqing nodded. “There are nine training towers in the academy. The towers are great places to cultivate because they have nine levels of difficulty. There’s apparently a mysterious reward upon reaching the ninth level of the towers.”

Ye Guan’s curiosity was piqued as he asked, “What kind of reward?”

Fei Banqing shook her head at Ye Guan. “I don’t know.”

Ye Guan was confused.

Fortunately, Fei Banqing quickly explained, “Only those under the age of twenty-four can enter those towers. Those towers were built by powerful cultivators from the Main Academy many years ago, so we don’t know what the mysterious reward is…”

Ye Guan’s curiosity intensified as he exclaimed, “I’ll go and try my luck!”

“Entering a tower requires high-grade purple spiritual crystals,” advised Fei Banqing.

“It’s fine,” said Ye Guan with a nod. However, his expression soon turned complicated as he said hesitantly, “Tutor, why did you sound like you’re short of money? Am I right? I still have—”

“Short your head!” Fei Banqing shooed him impatiently. “I have a lot of money! Hurry up and get to a training tower!”

Ye Guan was dumbfounded by Fei Banqing’s excessive reaction.