Chapter Forty-Five: Visitors from the Academy
Another year had passed—spring.
When Shen Yu and Yu Wenwen returned from beneath the Nine Heavens Waterfall to the lands of humanity, they realized that spring’s warmth and blooming flowers had long since replaced winter’s chill. The southern wilds had always been shrouded in gloom and desolation; now, feeling the fresh breath of spring from the outside world, their spirits grew lighter.
Yu Wenwen’s exquisitely beautiful face appeared somewhat dimmed, her white robes unusually stained with dust, yet her eyes shone ever brighter, her presence growing ever more ethereal and elusive.
Shen Yu said, “Shall we go to Nanhe City? You should rest first.”
Yu Wenwen shook her head, replying, “The Grain Rain is near; the grand competition must be about to begin. We should return to the Dao Sect as soon as possible.”
Shen Yu nodded gently, saying nothing.
Within the demon realm, Yu Wenwen had mentioned the Dao Sect’s grand competition, to be held as the Grain Rain approached. Unexpectedly, this competition was connected to another sacred land in Linghuang—the Central Plains Academy.
Each time the Academy opened the Lingyun Rankings, the great sacred lands of Linghuang would select their strongest young disciple to travel to the Central Plains, to the mighty Tang Dynasty, and there, in the renowned three-story academy building, receive the saintly baptism.
The young disciples who underwent this holy baptism would experience a transformation, breaking away from the ranks of ordinary cultivators. Such an extraordinary opportunity naturally stirred the ambitions of all the favored sons and daughters of the sacred lands; if they advanced further, they might one day become the strongest cultivators on the Linghuang Continent.
Yet, the Academy imposed a requirement: those who received the saintly baptism must go to the northern frontier and, upon the wall of the Desolate City, inscribe their vow upon the Great Dao, pledging to defend the seal. Should they break this promise, their path would end.
This was a pact made between the Academy and the nine sacred lands to protect countless human souls, a legacy carried on for thousands of years.
Shen Yu spoke, “It is a great opportunity. You must strive for it.”
Yu Wenwen paused, then asked, “You’re not participating?”
Shen Yu replied calmly, “A disciple at the Golden Core stage—would there be any need?”
Yu Wenwen returned to herself, finally recalling his cultivation level.
After Shen Yu entered the Dao Sect, he had performed countless extraordinary deeds, so she unconsciously regarded him as a peer of her own realm. Yet in truth, Shen Yu was only at the Golden Core stage.
Thinking on this, Yu Wenwen grew ever more aware of Shen Yu’s terrifying potential, and said earnestly, “If you had begun cultivation ten years earlier, the one representing the Dao Sect at the Academy this time might well have been you.”
Shen Yu remained silent.
They flew swiftly, not pausing, and at dawn the next day, arrived before the gates of the Dao Sect.
Several gatekeeper disciples were astonished at the sudden arrival of the two.
Yu Wenwen hurried toward the True Crossing Hall, intending to report the demon tribe’s matters to the sect and, it seemed, to finally freshen up.
Before leaving, she hesitated, then said, “The matter in Nanhe City is troublesome.”
Shen Yu understood her meaning.
In the demon realm, Yu Wenwen had never mentioned the Shen family’s old residence, but he knew the matter would eventually come to light in the Dao Sect. If things were truly as Li Chan had said, she could not predict what consequences Shen Yu would face.
Shen Yu cared little, merely waving his hand gently.
The mountain path up to the Dao Sect was quiet, and as he passed by some disciples, he received odd glances.
Shen Yu’s expression was serene as he made his way toward the Abyssal Sage Hall.
He stopped abruptly beside a waterside pavilion—the very spot where he had first arrived at the Dao Sect, and been tested for his Dao heart and constitution.
He gazed ahead.
Chen Jianzhi, accompanied by several disciples from the Hall of Pure Law, stood blocking the way at the pavilion.
Their eyes were filled with caution, hands raised, brandishing their spiritual treasures and immortal swords.
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Chen Jianzhi said, “Ten years ago, the Shen family tragedy in Nanhe City—both the Central Plains Academy and the Great Li Dynasty sent people here days ago. Today, they’re all in the Law Enforcement Pavilion. We hope you’ll cooperate with the investigation.”
Shen Yu’s expression remained calm as he nodded slightly.
He had anticipated that the truth could not be concealed, but hadn’t expected that in just a few months, the Academy from distant Central Plains would have sent someone so quickly.
A sullen-faced youth stood beside Chen Jianzhi, barking, “The matter has already been exposed. Why do you still feign composure?”
Shen Yu did not even glance at him.
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A sharp smack.
The youth casually tossed a silvery magical device—much like the chains used in mortal prisons to shackle criminals. With contempt, he said, “Put it on yourself, so you won’t disgrace yourself further.”
Chen Jianzhi frowned, feeling displeased.
This magical device was unnecessary. Normally, disciples who violated sect rules had their spiritual power sealed; this device was used only for those who committed unspeakable crimes, meant more to humiliate than to restrain.
Even so, Chen Jianzhi kept silent.
The youth’s name was Fang Wen, younger brother to Fang Hen, the Hall’s senior disciple. He relied on his brother’s status, behaving arrogantly and rudely, and now, encountering Shen Yu, he sought petty revenge.
Shen Yu did not even look at the chain-like device, and said indifferently, “Let’s go.”
Chen Jianzhi nodded, but was interrupted by a harsh shout.
“Did you not hear what I said?”
Fang Wen, ignored from start to finish, grew darker in countenance and even more hostile in tone.
Shen Yu strode past him, expression as tranquil as ancient waters, not sparing him a glance, as if he were merely a stone by the roadside.
Fang Wen instinctively raised his right hand, intending to swing the chain, but Chen Jianzhi grabbed him sharply.
“Hmph, bastard.”
Feeling Chen Jianzhi’s warning gaze, Fang Wen angrily withdrew his hand, but could not resist cursing, “You truly are a bastard. How can someone who murdered his own parents dare to live in this world?”
The venomous curse rang clear in everyone’s ears.
Some knew of the Shen family’s tragedy in Nanhe City—though the story was spread by disciples from Qing Emperor City, who bore grudges against the Dao Sect, so few took it seriously.
Yet for a Dao Sect disciple to say it so openly, many drew deep breaths, tension rising.
Chen Jianzhi’s frown deepened.
He had witnessed Shen Yu’s ruthless skills during the Four Halls demonstration; Fang Wen truly had no sense of danger.
Shen Yu halted.
He turned, his pitch-black eyes fixing on Fang Wen.
Then, suddenly, he smiled.
The crowd shuddered without reason; Fang Wen involuntarily retreated two steps, overcome by an inexplicable dread.
Shen Yu stepped forward.
In the next instant, Fang Wen spewed blood, as if struck by a heavy blow, his body bent, flying back over ten yards, landing hard on the ground.
The surge of spiritual power came from behind the crowd. Chen Jianzhi, furious and surprised, turned to see—
Yu Wenwen stood in the distance, lowering her right hand, her expression indifferent.
The Hall of Pure Law disciples finally reacted, glaring at Yu Wenwen.
Chen Jianzhi spoke solemnly, “Sister Yu, why so harsh on Brother Fang?”
“Such brainless creatures deserve to be beaten.”
Yu Wenwen swept her gaze over them, then raised her voice slightly. “Do you believe the words of those from Qing Emperor City?”
The truth remained uncertain.
Except for Chen Jianzhi, the disciples all instinctively lowered their heads.
For one, Yu Wenwen’s prestige among the young disciples had grown deep over the years; for another, Fang Wen had insulted someone before the facts were clear, truly embarrassing the Law Enforcement Pavilion.
Chen Jianzhi did not argue. The scene was silent.
Shen Yu broke the silence, “Why have you returned?”
Yu Wenwen approached, saying, “On the way back, I heard disciples discussing the matter, so I came.”
Shen Yu noticed her robes were still unchanged, even the hem stained with new dirt, evidently she had not yet returned to the True Crossing Hall before rushing here.
He brushed the dust from her shoulder and said, “Since you’re back, you should change clothes first.”
Yu Wenwen accepted his intimate gesture naturally, shaking her head, “I’m uneasy.”
Chen Jianzhi, listening to their conversation and seeing their closeness, clenched his fists in his sleeves, unable to hold back, “Sister Yu, do you know what he’s done?”
Yu Wenwen replied calmly, “I do. But what does it matter to you?”
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Chen Jianzhi wanted to say more, but Shen Yu interrupted.
“Lead the way.”
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Hall of Pure Law, Law Enforcement Pavilion.
Upon entering the hall, Shen Yu felt several scrutinizing gazes.
Dao Chen, the Law Enforcement Elder from the Hall of Pure Law, sat at the center; Zhou Yi of the Hall of Derivation, Xu Qingmei of the True Crossing Hall, and others were also present.
No disciples were allowed inside—not even Yu Wenwen.
The elders’ expressions were grave, the atmosphere oppressive.
On the left sat a refined scholar with a gentle smile, Lu Wenyu from the Central Plains Academy.
Beside him was a rugged, resolute man exuding martial energy—Hu Bufeng from the Great Li Dynasty.
Their arrival at the Dao Sect was naturally due to the Shen family massacre, an event that shook the Great Li Dynasty.
Shen Yu stood in the hall, his demeanor unperturbed.
After a long silence, Dao Chen spoke first, “You did not choose to flee. I am glad.”
Shen Yu did not know what he meant—he had done nothing wrong from beginning to end. Why would he even consider fleeing?
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Outside the Law Enforcement Pavilion.
As a steward of the Pavilion, Chen Jianzhi was not qualified to attend the questioning, but his mind was elsewhere.
“I don’t understand why you care so much about him,” Chen Jianzhi said earnestly. “I don’t believe I am any worse than him.”
Yu Wenwen gazed ahead, answering without hesitation, “No, you are not his match at all.”
Chen Jianzhi’s face darkened.
He had visited the Flying Peak of the Abyssal Sage Hall, where Shen Yu, calm and serene, had spoken similar words. But hearing it today, coming from the woman he admired for years, brought a far greater sense of defeat.
Chen Jianzhi’s handsome face grew pale, unable to conceal his disappointment. “Why? Just because he beat me and Senior Fang in the Four Halls demonstration? If I kept—”
Yu Wenwen cut him off, “If you and I were of the same realm, and competed, what would the result be?”
Chen Jianzhi paused, thought carefully, then said, “Out of ten matches, you would win seven.”
Yu Wenwen glanced at the hall, fell silent for a moment, then said, “Do you know, in the past few months, I competed with him a hundred times, with all my strength, and never won once.”
She paused, speaking with utmost seriousness, “I never even touched the hem of his robe.”
Chen Jianzhi’s eyes widened, “Impossible! He’s just—”
He instinctively wanted to protest, but seeing Yu Wenwen’s gaze, he closed his mouth, his confidence utterly shattered.
Yu Wenwen had no reason to lie to him; indeed, she never stooped to falsehood.
Chen Jianzhi admired her for this very character, so he knew the weight of her words.
After a long while, he murmured in despair, “But what does it matter? Since the Academy and the Great Li men have come, it means the matter is real. How could he escape punishment?”
“Your talent is high, but your heart is too narrow, not free enough, not straightforward enough. That’s why I don’t like you.”
Yu Wenwen shook her head, saying, “He is like a man, but you, you are like a woman.”
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