Chapter 61 | Ten Years of Study, Righteous Qi Shakes the Heavens

“A little lower...”

“Mmh... yes, right there...”

“I didn't expect your technique to be this good.”

Hearing Chen Ning’s praise, Qing Yan immediately curled her lips in delight.

Not only could she serve tea, fetch water, wash dishes, and cook, but she could also massage her young master's shoulders and pound his back.

She truly was a capable, wonderful maid!

Qing Yan’s soft little hands applied even pressure, making the massage genuinely comfortable.

As the massage relaxed his muscles and stimulated his circulation, his meridians gradually cleared, and Chen Ning even felt all the fatigue from the recent battle seemingly melt away into thin air.

Enjoying Qing Yan’s massage, he opened the system panel.

【Chen Ning】

【Noble Qi: 1,060】

【Worlds Apart in a Single Step (0/200)】

【Condemn by Word and Pen (0/800)】

【All Manifestations: Mountains and Rivers, First Layer (0/300)】

【Demon-Suppressing Pagoda (0/2100)】

【Divine Phoenix Bloodline, Fifth Layer (0/5000)】

【Poem and Wine Sword Art, Blue Lotus Sword Intent (First Layer) (0/500)】

【Turning Clouds into Rain (0/800)】

After reaching the Fifth Layer, the Noble Qi required to upgrade the Divine Phoenix Bloodline had reached a terrifying amount; he likely wouldn't be able to consider it anytime soon.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Ning upgraded the two newly acquired Divine Abilities, Worlds Apart in a Single Step and Condemn by Word and Pen, to Great Perfection.

【Worlds Apart in a Single Step (200/200) (Great Perfection)】

【Condemn by Word and Pen (800/800) (Great Perfection)】

Upon reaching Great Perfection, the effective range of Worlds Apart in a Single Step had increased drastically.

Previously, its range was only about a hundred meters; with a martial artist’s explosive power, they could catch up in an instant even without relying on techniques.

The time he beat up Murong Yu was a prime example.

Now that it was maxed out, its range had reached a full thousand meters, allowing him to cross a distance of one thousand meters in a single step.

Worlds Apart in a Single Step was no ordinary martial arts technique; it was a genuine Confucian technique capable of traversing space.

Now, if any demon or monster wanted to flee before him, it would be virtually impossible.

As for Condemn by Word and Pen having reached Great Perfection...

Chen Ning raised his hand and wrote the character for “Rain” in midair once again.

Bang!

In an instant, a raindrop shot forth like a cannonball, piercing straight through the wall in front of him.

“What happened?!”

Qing Yan jumped in fright.

“Cough, cough, nothing. It might just be raining outside.”

Chen Ning awkwardly covered the wall that had been pierced by the raindrop.

Without him realizing it, this wall had already become riddled with holes...

Worried that the wall might not withstand his next strike, Chen Ning temporarily abandoned the thought of testing his new Divine Ability.

Dismissing the system panel, he opened the dossier sent over by Qin Heng.

The contents of this dossier were everything Qin Heng had gathered regarding Qian Wuhao.

According to the records:

Over the past decade, Qian Wuhao had been stationed near the border almost the entire time.

Due to his illustrious military exploits, the Xuanfeng Dynasty had specially built Prince Qian Manor for him, and his descendants for six generations were granted the right to inherit the princely title. However, because he was never summoned to the capital to be given an important position, Qian Wuhao seemed to have always harbored resentment in his heart.

Compounded by being stuck at the Fourth-Rank Martial Dao Golden Core Realm for a long time without breaking through, his martial Dao Heart gradually succumbed to inner demons, and he ultimately fell into the demonic path.

Most importantly, after falling into the demonic path, Qian Wuhao had somehow managed to continue disguising himself in human form, and had even secretly established pseudo-god temples within the Imperial Capital.

To accomplish all this, someone had surely been aiding him from the shadows.

Qin Heng was currently investigating this matter thoroughly.

Even if he had not yet uncovered the source, every piece of evidence pointed directly toward the only kind of entity capable of such feats: demonic sects.

Though this world had various different cultivation systems, the Demon Cultivators alone were boycotted and reviled by all sects and factions.

This was not only because the cultivation methods of Demon Cultivators were exceedingly bizarre, carrying an immense risk of falling into demonhood.

To attain even greater power, some Demon Cultivators had gone so far as to create forbidden arts that fused their bodies with demons.

Therefore, to any sect, dynasty, or even common mortals who knew nothing of cultivation, demonic sects were reviled like bedbugs and avoided like the plague.

Given the chance, everyone wished for nothing more than to slaughter them down to the last one.

Knock, knock, knock.

Just as Chen Ning was examining the dossier, a sudden knock sounded at the door.

The visitor was none other than Murong Yu.

“You arrived just in time. Brother Murong, do you know any Confucian techniques for repairing things?”

Chen Ning opened the door, his question catching Murong Yu off guard.

“I have indeed learned such a Confucian technique before. Though I wouldn't call myself proficient, repairing a wall or something similar shouldn't be an issue.”

“Fantastic. Come over here, quickly.”

Looking at the wall, Murong Yu fell silent for a moment.

This poor wall was enduring suffering far beyond what it should bear at its age...

A soft halo of light enveloped his palm as he swept it across the surface.

Before long, the Confucian technique known as Mending the Fold After the Sheep Is Lost restored the wall to its original state.

Chen Ning let out a long breath of relief and then asked:

“By the way, why did you come looking for me so early today? Do you have something else you want to debate?”

Murong Yu replied, “Not this time. Today, I came to extend an invitation to Young Master Chen.

Does Brother Chen know how Water Cloud Academy assesses scholars seeking admission?”

“Through poetry of any chosen theme?”

Murong Yu nodded:

“Yes, but that is only the first trial, which tests scholarly knowledge.

Beyond that, Water Cloud Academy has a second trial that tests self-cultivation and virtue.

This second trial not only evaluates scholars entering each year, but even those of us already in Water Cloud Academy must undergo re-examination once every year.

It just so happens that I haven't taken my assessment yet this year, so the Grand Confucians of the academy arranged for me to undergo it together with you, Brother Chen.

As long as Young Master Chen passes the assessment, you will also be a Noble Scholar of Water Cloud Academy from then on.”

“Does the title of Noble Scholar at Water Cloud Academy have any practical benefits?”

Chen Ning asked.

If meeting such strict standards was merely to vie for a title, he had no interest in wasting his time.

“Naturally. After all, Water Cloud Academy is the sacred ground yearned for by countless scholars in the Xuanfeng Dynasty.”

Murong Yu continued:

“Depending on one’s standing, Water Cloud Academy distributes an annual stipend.

For instance, in my position as a Noble Scholar, my annual stipend is three thousand taels of silver.

Not only that, Water Cloud Academy exists independently of the imperial government.

Aside from His Majesty, no one has the authority to arbitrarily punish scholars of the academy at the Moral Establishment Realm or above.

When Young Master Chen slays demons in the Imperial Capital, you can also obtain numerous privileges, even directly mobilizing certain soldiers and officials by virtue of your Noble Scholar status.”