Chapter 64: Feixing Academy

On the spirit vessel rushing back to their sect, the two conversed ceaselessly about their experiences since parting ways. Hansu leaned her elbows on the table, chin in her hands, listening intently as Huai Yin recounted, with much color and flair, his heroic exploits—how he had sent several patriarchs fleeing in utter disgrace. Now and then she’d interject, “And then? Really?!” and he would happily continue his tale. The vessel required no manual guidance; her puppet, Little Ti-bao, was a master at steering, a testament to the purpose of crafting puppets—to liberate their master’s hands.

Yet her hands were not idle for long. Soon, a talismanic letter arrived out of thin air. “It’s an official command from the sect!” Hansu cried in surprise at the familiar pattern emblazoned on the talisman. Such commands were issued only to disciples out in the world, and only for urgent missions.

It was Hansu’s first time receiving such a summons. She quickly opened the talisman and pressed it to her forehead to read the message. “The Fei Xing Academy is to hold the inauguration ceremony for its new headmaster?”

Their conversation interrupted, Huai Yin frowned with displeasure. “What is the Fei Xing Academy?” he asked. Hansu glanced up at him and obediently explained, “There are five great sects in the Luo Xing Realm: the Yao Hua Sect, Zheng Yi Sect, Azure Sky Sect, Golden Sword Sect, and the Fei Xing Academy, which is exclusively comprised of Confucian cultivators. The academy is rather low-key, and as the only Confucian sect in the realm, it seldom interacts with the other four. During the last Hexi Secret Realm gathering, they didn’t attend; rumor has it they hadn’t appeared for a century. Many speculated something was amiss. Now, they’re suddenly hosting a new headmaster’s inauguration—could something have happened to the old headmaster?”

Whatever the speculation, since the sect had sent an official command summoning her to attend, Hansu knew she must go at once. Such was the duty of a disciple: those who partook in the benefits of the sect ought not shirk its calls. Seeing Huai Yin’s clear reluctance and sullen face, Hansu asked, “Will you accompany me, or return to the sect on your own? If you go back first, I can give you my token so no one will stop you. I don’t expect the ceremony to last long; once it’s over, I’ll hurry back and take you through the teleportation array to the Fuhai Realm. What do you think?”

Though Huai Yin was eager to set off, without Hansu he could not proceed. Weighing his options, he naturally chose to follow her. After all, what were a few days more, when he had already waited ten thousand years? Hansu adjusted their course and had Little Ti-bao pilot the spirit vessel north, toward Fei Xing Academy.

Along the way, they encountered many disciples flying sword in hand—all clearly delegates from various sects, heading to the same ceremony. Because the Fei Xing Academy stood apart, rarely involved in disputes, and Confucian cultivators were not lacking in strength, all the sects were keen to maintain cordial relations. Now, after centuries of seclusion, the academy was opening its gates for a grand event; naturally, all the sects attended to show their respect. As Hansu observed, most attendees were Foundation Establishment disciples, with quite a number of Golden Core Masters among them.

Thanks to countless upgrades, Hansu’s spirit vessel was swift indeed, overtaking sword-flying disciples with ease. Were looks capable of harm, they would have been riddled with envy and resentment. Before long, they arrived at the academy. At the gate, several disciples waited to greet guests, guiding them in by sect.

Since Huai Yin had successfully overcome his tribulation, he was now a true eighth-rank beast, equivalent to a human cultivator in the Grand Ascension stage. One more step, and if he succeeded in the ninth-rank tribulation, he would attain the body of an immortal. Beasts could take human form at seventh rank; once transformed and enlightened, they became proper beast cultivators. Given the difficulties of beast cultivation and the dangers before transformation, one rarely saw beast cultivators outside the Fuhai Realm. But there, separated from the other four realms by the sea, beast and human cultivators coexisted peacefully and left each other undisturbed. Thus, Hansu could openly parade Huai Yin about with no one raising an eyebrow. Still, his striking looks and formidable cultivation drew no small number of covert glances.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the academy’s main plaza. Though invitations were sent late, preparations had clearly been made long in advance—tables and chairs for each sect were arranged, and steward disciples guided guests to their seats in order. Hansu was guided by a junior disciple of the equivalent of the Qi Refinement stage—young in years, yet possessing a distinguished bearing, proof that immersion in books refined one’s character as well as the mind.

The junior led Hansu to the Golden Core table of the Yao Hua Sect, where at least two Golden Core representatives from each peak were present. Second Brother Lin Tao and Third Sister Lin Xiu from Lingwu Peak had both come. Hansu took a seat beside Lin Xiu, with Huai Yin by her side. She had rarely seen Lin Tao; he had left to travel the world after her birth, returning only before Hansu’s journey to the secret realm. Afterwards, he secluded himself to form his Golden Core. When Hansu returned after thirty years of being trapped, Lin Tao had already become the second Golden Core disciple of Lord Lanhe, and after his celebratory ceremony, was now the anchor of Lingwu Peak. With Master Lin Qing finally finding a successor, she dumped her responsibilities on Lin Tao and went off to travel, leaving him barely time to breathe, let alone converse with his little junior sister.

Counting it up, Hansu realized this was the first time she and her second brother had spent any real time together. Unfamiliar, they exchanged only a few words before Hansu turned to chat idly with Lin Xiu. As for Huai Yin, in front of outsiders he always maintained a cold, aloof demeanor; none dared approach him lightly.

Hansu had barely warmed her seat when Lord Yuheng walked over to the Nascent Soul table. Following closely were Lu Tanxian, Ning Xin, and Yu Hanshan. Yu Hanshan naturally took a seat beside Ji You, while—unusually—Ning Xin, instead of sitting by Yu Hanshan, dragged the usually distant Lu Tanxian to an empty table nearby. The two seemed to converse, but with a barrier set, no one could overhear. Judging by their faces—both adept at masking emotion—they merely smiled faintly, betraying nothing.

After an hour, all guests had arrived. The master of ceremonies stepped forward to begin. First, the old headmaster delivered a lengthy, florid speech, summarizing his years in office. Then, representatives of the academy’s factions gave their own addresses, expressing their thanks. Another round of labyrinthine classical prose followed before the new headmaster was presented.

The moment he appeared, a ripple of surprise swept through the crowd. He was simply too young. Although Confucian cultivators advanced through insight rather than spiritual energy alone, and a single epiphany could raise one a whole level, age still mattered. Mastery in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and sword required not just insight but accumulated knowledge; thus, few young cultivators reached great heights.

Yet this new headmaster appeared barely in his twenties. He wore a dark Gaoling brocade robe, belted at the waist with a deep blue geometric sash. His long, flowing hair was tied with a matching ribbon, and his bright, clear phoenix eyes shone with intelligence. Tall, slender, and graceful, he exuded dashing elegance. Of course, for cultivators, appearance could be deceiving, but those with experience could usually estimate age by gaze and bearing. This headmaster, at most, was no older than sixty.

Like those around her, Hansu was deeply astonished by his appearance and address—if anything, her reaction was even stronger. Suddenly, she remembered something of the utmost importance: the new Fei Xing headmaster was to become Lu Tanxian’s most crucial supporter! Because of the upheaval during the Grand Sect Tournament, Hansu had almost come to believe the entire plot had shifted. Lu Tanxian had failed to become Lord Yuheng’s disciple, many backers turned away, and she had led a hard life ever since. Though fortune often favored her with treasures and high-ranked spirit beasts, her status and cultivation hindered her rise. Su Yunmo had not unleashed maniacal vengeance on Lu Tanxian; though her moods were erratic, things moved in a better direction. Su Yunmo no longer tangled with Lord Yuheng, but found her own beloved instead.

Still, some parts of the original plot recurred—Lu Tanxian approached Lord Yuheng, and Su Yunmo remained emotionally unstable, susceptible to inner demons. Yet Hansu, busy leveling up and encountering many people and events unmentioned in the book, had almost forgotten to guard against the plot’s relentless pull.

Now, seeing the new headmaster, Yu Yicong, the previously severed thread grew clear again in her mind. She glanced instinctively at Lu Tanxian, and sure enough, there was a hint of excitement on her face—the thrill of a hunter sighting prey. Hansu knew true danger was still far off; Lu Tanxian was not yet a threat. Nonetheless, she became more vigilant.

Yu Yicong was clearly a man of talent. His speech was refined yet straightforward, elegant but accessible. Even the most unlettered body cultivators nodded along. Though young and not the most powerful, he was clearly suited to lead. Judging by the widespread praise after his address and the respectful manner in which he greeted each sect’s leaders—confident yet courteous—he was received as an equal by all, regardless of age or cultivation. Any discerning observer had to admire him as a remarkable figure.

Once the ceremony concluded, few spared a thought for the former headmaster. Such was his fate: during his tenure, the academy had declined, plagued by repeated troubles and forced to close its gates for centuries. Yet the academy still had to recruit disciples to endure, so he had sent students out to seek talented youths. Because of the academy’s long absence from the world, rumors ran rampant, making recruitment difficult; he was forced to send envoys into the mortal world to search.

In this manner, Yu Yicong was discovered—arguably the most gifted disciple in nearly a thousand years. In a few short decades, he became the academy’s pillar. United around him, the academy gradually marginalized the old headmaster. Bitter though he was, seeing Yu Yicong’s virtue and ability to lead, he could only announce his retirement.

No one remembered his centuries of effort—only the long closure and stagnation under his rule. Now, all hopes were pinned on the new headmaster to usher in a new era.

After the ceremony, there were captivating performances by the academy’s young disciples—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—each so mesmerizing the audience was entranced. Following the performances, a sumptuous banquet was held. The earlier excitement carried over, and the gathering of all five sects brought together many old friends in joyful reunion.

Hansu too encountered friends she hadn’t seen in decades—like the flamboyant “crown prince” of the Zheng Yi Sect and the “princess” of Azure Sky with her two gluttonous companions—many acquaintances from the Hexi Secret Realm now gathered once more. And so, a host of wholly unexpected events began to unfold.

Author’s note: Who else is about to make their entrance?