The Bailu Academy, located outside Taichang City, was one of the many unremarkable academies in Nanjun. To outsiders, it ranked merely in the middle tier among the numerous academies. If there was anything distinctive about it, it was that it wasn’t built within a major city but rather on the renowned “Yutian Mountain” in Nanjun.
This Yutian Mountain was a famous spiritual mountain in Taichang Prefecture, boasting over a dozen peaks of varying sizes. Though not particularly steep or grand, it enjoyed perpetual spring-like weather, with rare flowers blooming all year round. Several precious spiritual trees and fruits could only thrive on this mountain, earning it a place among Nanjun’s thirteen spiritual mountains.
The Bailu Academy was constructed within the Huan Cloud Peak of this mountain, with sprawling buildings stretching from the mountainside to the summit. The complex was quite extensive, capable of accommodating over a thousand people.
Logically, given the mountain’s prestige, this obscure Bailu Academy had no right to occupy such a prime location, especially since neighboring peaks housed renowned temples and monasteries far superior in status. Strangely, however, since the academy’s establishment over a thousand years ago, none of these religious institutions had ever raised objections. On the contrary, the monks and priests from these temples treated the academy’s students with courtesy, regardless of age, a phenomenon that had puzzled many.
Another peculiarity of the Bailu Academy was the vast disparity in age and background among its students, ranging from six or seven years old to over twenty. Moreover, the timing of admissions was irregular—sometimes every three to four years, other times with gaps of seven or eight years. Once admitted, students rarely left the academy, adding to its air of mystery.
Of course, this mystique was only known to the locals living at the foot of Yutian Mountain. The secular world beyond remained oblivious, and the Bailu Academy remained largely unknown throughout Nanjun, attracting little attention.
On this particular day, two figures ascended the Huan Cloud Peak: a stern-looking middle-aged Confucian scholar and a young man in his twenties with slightly dark skin and ordinary features—none other than Han Li, who had appeared in Gan Manor just a month prior.
“Han Nephew, the Bailu Academy concluded its admissions two months ago. However, since Old Gan mentioned you’ve dabbled in miscellaneous Daoist arts and are aware of the existence of immortal cultivation, I’ve brought you here for a trial. Whether the academy accepts you depends on your own fortune. Master Lu of the Bailu Academy has some ties with me. I’ll introduce you to him first. If he finds no issue, your stay here won’t be a problem,” the middle-aged scholar said calmly as he walked, his sleeves billowing.
“Yes, I’ll follow your arrangements, Master Yan. Uncle Gan has already told me that regardless of whether the academy admits me, he will remember this favor,” Han Li replied with a dutiful demeanor.
At this moment, Han Li’s aura was suppressed to the level of a Qi Condensation cultivator at the third or fourth layer, making it impossible for ordinary cultivators to discern his true strength.
Previously, he had directly asked Gan Chi, a covert agent of the Feng Family, to help him join a local major cultivation sect—whether Buddhist, Daoist, or Confucian.
Gan Chi, though a mere mortal, had been instructed by the Feng Family years ago to befriend worldly cultivators for future use. Thus, while surprised by Han Li’s request, he wasn’t overly troubled. His only concern was that Han Li might harbor ulterior motives, potentially implicating the Gan Family.
However, since the Feng Family secretly controlled all of Gan Manor’s businesses, Han Li could easily render the family destitute overnight by producing the relevant deeds. Moreover, Gan Chi, though aware of cultivation matters, held the Feng Family in deep reverence due to its mysterious origins. After Han Li assured him that infiltrating a cultivation sect wouldn’t cause trouble for Gan Manor, Gan Chi had no choice but to comply.
After several days of planning, Gan Chi settled on this middle-aged Confucian scholar, Master Yan, as the bridge to secure Han Li’s entry into the Bailu Academy.
The choice was strategic: compared to Buddhist and Daoist sects, the academy’s admission criteria were far more lenient. As long as applicants weren’t from demonic sects and had clean backgrounds, they could be accepted even if they already had prior affiliations. Additionally, Gan Chi had once done Master Yan a great favor, and as a Confucian scholar, the latter placed high value on repaying kindness, ensuring he would do his utmost. Other avenues were less reliable.
After all, while the Great Jin’s cultivation sects weren’t as exclusive as those in the Tiannan Region, they weren’t easily accessible to low-level rogue cultivators either.
Upon hearing the name “Bailu Academy,” Han Li discreetly investigated its location on Yutian Mountain. One night, he flew over to inspect the mountain’s spiritual veins from afar and found them satisfactory.
Though the spiritual veins here paled in comparison to his cave dwelling in Tiannan, which housed numerous spiritual eye artifacts, they were still superior to the other veins near Taichang City.
Had it not been for the fact that frequently relocating spiritual eye trees and similar treasures would degrade their purity, and that prolonged detachment from spiritual veins would diminish their efficacy, Han Li could have simply carried a couple of spiritual eye artifacts and settled on any mediocre vein. There would have been no need to infiltrate a major sect.
Thus, Han Li assumed the identity of a distant relative seeking refuge under Gan Chi’s care. On the surface, he was a low-level rogue cultivator with a spiritual root and some rudimentary knowledge of magic, eager to pursue the path of immortality and seeking Gan Chi’s help to join a major sect.
Gan Chi approached Master Yan, a renowned Confucian scholar teaching at a prestigious academy in the city. Out of gratitude, Master Yan agreed to assist, leading to their current journey.
“Hmm! It seems Brother Gan has gone to great lengths for his nephew. But then again, among mortals, those with spiritual roots are one in ten thousand. It’s only natural he’d favor you. Even I, lacking a spiritual root, would have long entered the Bailu Academy to pursue immortality,” the scholar remarked wistfully.
Han Li smiled but chose not to respond.
The scholar fell silent and led Han Li upward. As they neared the mountainside, the clear, resonant tolling of a bell echoed from a neighboring peak, invigorating the spirit.
“The Green Cicada Bell of Baoling Temple is indeed a rare treasure. But striking it three times a day seems a bit ostentatious for the temple’s monks,” the scholar mused, pausing to glance at the taller peak before shaking his head.
Hearing that the peak belonged to a Buddhist sect, Han Li’s eyes gleamed with contemplation. To his perception, the so-called treasure was merely a high-tier magical artifact—nothing extraordinary.
Adjusting the long bundle on his back, he followed the scholar upward. Soon, they reached a platform on the mountainside, where a lush bamboo forest came into view. Amidst the verdant greenery stood red walls and white buildings, exuding an air of elegance. Several white stone paths led deep into the forest, culminating in a towering vermilion gate.
“Let’s go. The main gate is usually closed. We’ll take the side entrance,” the scholar said, guiding Han Li onto a smaller path into the bamboo forest.
After several twists and turns, they arrived at a ten-foot-tall black wooden door. The scholar exhaled lightly and knocked twice.
The door swung open silently, revealing a young man in a white Confucian robe.
“Ah, Master Yan! Are you here to see Master Lu?” The young man, a Qi Condensation cultivator at the third layer, addressed the mortal scholar with surprising deference—a sight that intrigued Han Li.
In the Tiannan Region, such deference from a cultivator to a mortal would be unthinkable. Clearly, Confucian traditions enforced strict hierarchies, compelling even cultivators to show respect. However, Han Li suspected this only applied to low-level practitioners; higher-ranking cultivators would never stoop to such behavior.
“Yes, I’ve come to see Brother Lu. Is he available?” the scholar asked calmly.
“Master Lu is currently entertaining a distinguished guest in his study. Let me announce your arrival,” the young man replied before producing a message talisman. After whispering into it, he sent it flying into the distance as a streak of fire.
Moments later, Han Li sensed a powerful divine sense sweep over them before retracting just as swiftly.
Han Li deduced this was Master Lu. Judging by the divine sense’s strength, the man was at the early Core Formation stage—higher than the expected late Foundation Establishment. This minor discrepancy gave Han Li pause.
For his purposes, the weaker the cultivator, the better, as they’d be less likely to see through his disguise.
Shortly after, a man’s voice, calm and composed, resonated from above: “Brother Yan? Your timing is perfect. I have a distinguished guest here—why not join us? And bring the young man with you.”
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