The Star-Plucking Sect was not located within the prefecture capital, but instead dominated an island in a lake outside the city.
Therefore, they had to pass through the city first.
Zuo Muxian familiarly hailed a double-axle carriage.
The carriage rumbled along.
Shen Xiuhan lifted the dark green cloth curtain, silently gazing at the magnificent sights of the prefecture capital outside the window.
The streets were wide and smooth, paved with high-quality greenstone, wide enough for several horses to ride abreast.
The architectural style on both sides was completely different from the low brick and tile houses in the Inner City of Changyun County.
Most were towering five- or six-story pagodas with upturned eaves, lining the streets in dense rows and piercing straight into the clouds.
The plaques above the lintels featured magnificent, gilded characters:
He Family Weaponry, Huo Family Elixir Pavilion, Liu's Sword Shop...
Behind every single name was a deeply rooted family or power!
Shen Xiuhan even caught sight of a small shop at a secluded street corner with a sign that read “Ji Family Elixir Pavilion.”
Though the storefront was not large, occupying a place in Nanxiang Prefecture, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, was already extremely difficult.
The carriage passed through the west city gate and sped westward.
The hustle and bustle of the city was left behind. Looking as far as the eye could see, a shimmering line of light seemed to appear on the horizon.
As they drew closer, a wave of moisture rushed over them.
A vast, boundless lake suddenly unfolded before their eyes!
The sunlight broke through the clouds, spilling onto the clear surface of the lake. Ripples of glittering gold rose and fell like thousands of stars falling into the mortal realm.
And at night, this lake could perfectly reflect the bright, pure moon in its waters, completely flawless. Thus, it was named...
Xingyue Lake!
Just like Cloudwater Lake, Xingyue Lake was also endlessly vast and mist-covered, spanning a thousand li.
Toward the southern side of Xingyue Lake, a total of forty-eight islands of various sizes were scattered about!
Seen from afar, the islands looked like giant turtles crouching on the lake or sharp swords pointing straight to the sky. Enveloped in mist, they resembled a profound ink-wash landscape painting slowly unfolding between heaven and earth.
This was the righteous colossus of Nanxiang Prefecture...
The Star-Plucking Sect!
Zuo Muxian led Shen Xiuhan onto a swift boat.
The clear waters rippled.
Before long, they approached a lush, green island.
Looking up, the island was filled with rugged rocks, flying waterfalls, and flowing springs.
Unidentified spiritual herbs and ancient grasses grew all over the hills. As a gentle breeze blew, a refreshing, subtle medicinal fragrance wafted over them.
Hidden among the ancient trees, simple green-brick and tiled cottages were built along the contours of the mountain.
Tingquan Island!
The swift boat docked at a secluded pier built of white stone.
Just as Shen Xiuhan stepped onto the island with Zuo Muxian, a vigorous figure darted out from the dense forest.
The man wore a blue uniform, a long sword hanging from his waist, and his breathing was deep and steady. He was clearly a patrolling disciple.
“Halt!”
“This is the Star-Plucking Sect's Tingquan Academy. Without...”
Before he could finish his sentence.
Suddenly, the disciple paused. When he clearly saw the face of the young man in white, his body shook violently, and he hurriedly bowed and clasped his hands respectfully.
“So it is Senior Brother Zuo! Please forgive my blindness, Junior Brother...”
“No need for such politeness.”
Zuo Muxian smiled nonchalantly, turned to point at Shen Xiuhan beside him, and said:
“This is Junior Brother Shen. He is entering our Tingquan Academy to cultivate with my recommendation letter.”
“I will report to Uncle Wen myself. You just take him to register, collect his cultivation technique, uniform, and token.”
Hearing that it was the chief disciple's recommendation, the disciple's eyelids twitched, and he hurriedly clasped his hands in response:
“As you command, Senior Brother Zuo! Lei Jun will see to it immediately!”
After giving his instructions, Zuo Muxian looked at Shen Xiuhan, seemingly wanting to advise him further.
But his expression suddenly changed. He turned his head and coughed violently twice, a sickly flush appearing on his pale face.
“Phew...”
Zuo Muxian caught his breath and let out a self-deprecating, bitter laugh:
“My body is just too weak. Holding out until here was my limit... Junior Brother Shen, rest easy and enter the academy. If you run into any trouble, you can come to Chiming Island to find me...”
“Remember, anything at all!”
Hearing this, a warm current flowed through Shen Xiuhan's heart.
He did not act overly courteous. With a solemn expression, he nodded, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply:
“I will always remember your great kindness, Senior Brother!”
“Good!”
Zuo Muxian nodded and waved with a smile. “I'm off.”
On the side, Lei Jun watched with immense astonishment in his heart!
Senior Brother Zuo is the future successor to the sect master!
When does he ever show such a warm and friendly attitude to some nameless new disciple?
Just what is the background of this kid surnamed Shen?
Though shocked, his reaction was not slow. Once Zuo Muxian boarded the boat and sailed toward Chiming Island,
the stern expression on Lei Jun's face was instantly replaced by a warm, welcoming smile.
“Junior Brother Shen, is it? You truly are a handsome and striking young man! Come, keep close to me. Let's go register. From now on, we're family...”
...
After registering his cultivation level, place of origin, age, and other information, and receiving a dark blue uniform, Lei Jun led Shen Xiuhan toward the Main Administration Hall, introducing the layout of the Tingquan Academy along the way.
Green bamboo lined both sides of the mountain path, and clear springs bubbled merrily.
As they walked, Lei Jun said enthusiastically:
“In our Tingquan Academy, there are a total of seventy-seven inner sect disciples registered in the sect's official rolls, and every single one is an expert who has broken through to the Anjin Rank.”
“However, most of our fellow disciples have taken on duties assigned by the sect. They are stationed in the prefecture capital or various counties, guarding the sect's mines, medicinal fields, and other properties while receiving a stipend to cultivate.”
“Currently, only about thirty of us are actually staying on Tingquan Island.”
Hearing this, Shen Xiuhan was secretly astonished.
In Changyun County, once a martial artist advanced to the Anjin Rank, they would become honored guests of any major family!
If they joined a family, they would be guest elders.
If they established their own martial arts hall, they would be highly sought after.
Yet, such powerful experts were merely the baseline for ordinary disciples in the Tingquan Academy.
In the Tingquan Academy alone, there were dozens of them!
And if one factored in the other three academies of the Star-Plucking Sect...
Hiss!
The foundation of a prefecture capital sect was truly terrifying.
Completely unaware of Shen Xiuhan's thoughts, Lei Jun continued:
“Our Academy Head is a man of mystery. Unless there's a major event in the sect, he rarely interferes with the mundane affairs of the island.”
“Therefore, the one who actually holds the authority over the academy's operations, punishments, and rewards is our Chief First Senior Brother, Wen Zheng!”
Mentioning this name, a look of pride involuntarily appeared on Lei Jun's face, and his tone unconsciously rose:
“Junior Brother, you just came from a county below. Do you know of the major events that have occurred in the prefecture capital in recent years?”
Shen Xiuhan clasped his hands. “I am ill-informed. Please enlighten me, Senior Brother Lei.”
Lei Jun chuckled, then looked around before lowering his voice, his expression turning solemn.
“There's no harm in letting you know. In recent years, the demonic colossus of Guangwu Prefecture, the Yinsha Sect, has been acting increasingly rampant and unscrupulous.”
“They frequently use demonic arts and evil medicines to entice those whose cultivation has hit a bottleneck, those whose lifespans are near their end with no hope of breaking through, or naturally rebellious traitors with wild ambitions.”
“They absorb them into their demonic sect, secretly establishing branch altars and halls in various prefectures and counties. Relying on them, they spread demonic teachings in the shadows, instigating the ignorant populace in an attempt to dig up the very foundations of our righteous path!”
“Although the Biwu Sect of Guangwu Prefecture has tried their best to contain the demonic sect, the demonic influence is overwhelming, and they are struggling to cope.”
“Fearing the disastrous consequences of losing a neighbor, the various sects of the surrounding prefectures have dispatched their experts and geniuses to aid the Biwu Sect.”
Speaking up to this point, a look of pride flashed in Lei Jun's eyes.
“And our Senior Brother Wen of the Tingquan Academy, early last month in Gudu County of Guangwu Prefecture, flattened a branch altar of the Yinsha Sect with his three-foot green blade!”
“In that battle, Senior Brother Wen decapitated two demonic hall masters and six incense masters with his sword, and slaughtered hundreds of demonic lackeys!”
“It's just a pity that the altar master managed to escape in the end...”
His tone was full of regret, but the pride in his voice was impossible to hide.
Shen Xiuhan found it slightly amusing. Following his lead, he cupped his hands and praised:
“As expected of the Chief First Senior Brother, he is truly terrifying...”
“Haha, of course!”
Lei Jun burst into hearty laughter.
He felt that this Junior Brother Shen spoke very agreeably, and the more he looked at him, the more pleasing he found him. His desire to chat grew, and he enthusiastically continued:
“So, with the Academy Head ignoring mundane affairs and Senior Brother Wen far away in Guangwu Prefecture slaying demons, the one currently acting in charge of the academy's affairs is our Second Senior Brother...”
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