Chapter 55: Qizhou Slays the Spirit Beast

Song Yueyao gave a faint shake of her head, saying nothing. She didn’t have an answer either.

The Fengshan Meh River trial was exceptionally grueling. If it were a disciple from the Black and White Hall, there might still be a sliver of possibility. But an Outer Courtyard disciple? Only someone who had already reached the Continuation of Soul Realm could stand a chance.

The black-robed scholar was a true Continuation of Soul Realm cultivator, his Soul Form terrifying—so fierce it felt like facing two Soul Inheritance-level masters at once.

For Outer Courtyard disciples, the考核 wasn’t about killing the black-robed scholar. It was simply to achieve a completion rate of fifty percent. Even slaughtering nearly half the villagers would count as a successful trial.

This wasn’t just a test of strength—it required stealth, ambush tactics, raw power, and agile movement. It was extremely difficult.

After all, slaughtering so many people would almost certainly alert the black-robed scholar. Once he moved, even Black Palace disciples would have to flee.

“Hear there are two Imperial Clan members here,” Lin Feifei mused. “Could it have been them? If they’ve reached the Peak Zhou Tian Realm, with their unparalleled Pulse-Opening Technique and Circulation Technique, they might just have a shot against a Continuation of Soul Realm cultivator.”

That was the only possibility she could think of. If even the Imperial Clan couldn’t manage it, no one else stood a chance.

“We’ll see,” Song Yueyao said.

Guided by Huang Lichai, the two women arrived at the Outer Courtyard. Su Yehua was already there, having gathered the crowd.

As the two arrived with Huang Lichai, a ripple went through the crowd. People craned their necks, eager to catch a glimpse.

“It’s Song Yueyao!”

Du Qiuyue spotted her instantly, her eyes gleaming with admiration.

“Who are they?”

“That pale-haired girl is Song Yueyao, the Grand Master’s granddaughter. One of the most prodigious geniuses in the Black and White Hall. Rumor has it she’s under twenty now and already at the Divine Travel Realm…”

Du Qiuyue whispered in envy. A true prodigy—Ninth-Rank Combat Body, a first-rate genius.

Li Yuanzhao nodded in understanding, though he didn’t look overly surprised. Twenty years old and already at Divine Travel Realm? Mother had told him that Uncle Jiuzhong had reached the same realm at just thirteen. By seventeen, he was a Master. By nineteen, he’d already achieved the seventh realm, Three Immortalities—before sacrificing himself in battle.

That was the only true prodigy in history.

After hearing of Uncle Jiuzhong’s legendary feats, Li Yuanzhao found most so-called geniuses… rather underwhelming.

“Where’s your Hao brother?” Du Qiuyue scanned the crowd, whispering. “Why isn’t he here?”

Li Yuanzhao shook his head. “He’s probably off somewhere playing chess.”

“Chess…” Du Qiuyue’s lips twitched in amusement.

At that moment, Song Yueyao and Lin Feifei swept their gazes across the crowd.

“The Grand Master’s granddaughter, huh…” Jiang Ye narrowed his eyes, studying the two graceful figures. A strange light flickered in his pupils. “Not bad-looking. If I captured her, made her my imperial consort, Song Yufeng might be inclined to support me out of concern for his granddaughter. Too bad she’s a few years older than me… but still, with Tancheng Palace as a dowry, I’ll take the loss.”

As he mused, Song Yueyao’s gaze swept through the crowd—landing on him instantly.

Though all wore the same Academy uniform, the sheer power of his Qi flow gave him away. Only an Imperial Clan member would emit such a dense, dragon-like aura. No ordinary Circulation Realm cultivator could match it.

Jiang Ye smiled faintly, showing a flash of white teeth, and gave a slight nod in greeting.

Song Yueyao’s expression remained calm as she turned away. Not him.

She scanned the crowd again, one face after another. Her brows furrowed.

None of them.

“No,” Song Yueyao said to Huang Lichai beside her.

Huang Lichai blinked, then quickly whispered, “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she replied.

Huang Lichai turned to Lin Feifei, who merely shook her head, her expression resigned.

“Could it not be a Class A Academy disciple?” Huang Lichai wondered aloud, turning to Su Yehua. “Are all the Class A Academy disciples here?”

Su Yehua knew what he was looking for. She glanced over the crowd and noticed a few missing faces—namely, the perpetually sleeping playboy, and two mediocrity nobles from lesser families. She didn’t think they were likely suspects.

“This is strange…” Huang Lichai murmured, then leaned in and whispered a few words to Su Yehua. She nodded slightly, then raised her voice with authority.

“Everyone, turn around.”

The crowd stared, bewildered.

Su Yehua didn’t explain. With her icy gaze and sharp will, the students obeyed instantly. They’d already learned the hard way how strict their beautiful instructor could be.

Song Yueyao and Lin Feifei were forced to look again. Both women frowned. Every face seemed familiar—after all, they were all in identical Academy uniforms—but upon closer inspection, none felt quite right.

Huang Lichai sighed in resignation. “Have the ones who haven’t arrived come find me later. Let them show themselves to Yueyao and the others.”

“Understood,” Su Yehua said.

Huang Lichai left, leading the two girls toward the Class B Courtyard.

On the way, a figure carrying a wild rabbit strolled casually down the path—Li Hao.

“You’re from which academy?” Huang Lichai called out.

Li Hao looked up, surprised. He didn’t recognize them. “I’m from Class A Academy. Who are you?”

“Class A Academy?” Huang Lichai’s eyes lit up. He turned to the two girls.

Song Yueyao and Lin Feifei studied Li Hao. Fair-skinned, delicate features, a handsome youth with rosy lips and white teeth. But the rabbit in his hand, and the grass stains on his uniform, gave him a rather untidy air.

After a long look, both shook their heads.

“Not him.”

Huang Lichai waved dismissively. “Nothing. Go on.”

Li Hao shrugged, confused, and walked past them, the rabbit swinging from his hand.

Then—something clicked.

That Qi energy… it felt familiar. Hadn’t he sensed it before—back in the cave by the Meh River?

Back at Class A Academy, Su Yehua saw him and immediately sent him to find Huang Lichai.

Once Li Hao learned what was going on, he recounted the encounter. Su Yehua didn’t doubt him. She herself didn’t think Li Hao was the one—after all, the boy had spent half the month sleeping through classes. Only because he was from the Li Clan had she spared him from punishment.

“Hao brother, where were you?” Li Yuanzhao asked as soon as Li Hao returned to his seat.

Li Hao filled him in. He felt a bit disappointed, but relieved—thankfully, the Academy wasn’t going to hold him accountable.

As for the reward? The Chi Xiao Sword was impressive—capable of wounding a Spirit Soul. A rare weapon for the Divine Travel Realm. Even in the Divine General’s Residence, only a few dozen such blades existed.

Too bad. He was already at the Fifteen Li Stage—far beyond needing it.

…

On the waterfall, Shen Yunqing and Zhao Zongyuan had also received the news, both stunned.

“Who did it?”

“Could it be that kid? He was last seen heading toward the Meh River area.”

Shen Yunqing shook her head. “That region has the Meh River, yes—but it’s still possible to return to the academy, just by taking a longer route. He probably just took a wrong turn.”

“Still… he learned your movement technique so fast. I can’t read him at all. Maybe he’s not even in the Circulation Realm.”

“Even so, completing the realm isn’t the same as destroying it. We don’t know the exact requirements. And the latest report says Yueyao herself was a witness. Old Huang took her to the Outer Courtyard, and she found a boy in the Class B Courtyard who looked similar—but verification proved he wasn’t the one.”

“Strange… could it have been a Black and White Hall disciple?”

“Who knows? In any case, the truth will come out soon. It won’t stay hidden.”

“True,” Zhao Zongyuan agreed. “Sigh… the Fengshan Meh River was perfect for new disciples’ trials. Now it’s gone. We’ll have to use the other Meh River instead—though that one’s way harder.”

“Just bad luck for them,” Shen Yunqing said.

…

…

Several days later.

The Class A Academy disciples gathered in the courtyard, preparing to sneak out for a little fun. But Su Yehua caught Li Hao before he could slip away, forcing him back to his seat.

“Tomorrow is your first trial since enrollment,” Su Yehua announced, her tone calm and firm. “You’ll be sent out to slay Spirit Beasts in the wild!”

Her gaze swept over the crowd. “Martial cultivators must endure battle, blood, and fire. We’ve already arranged everything for you. All you need to do is report to the site and participate firsthand. Only then will you truly understand the flaws in your techniques when facing Spirit Beasts—and learn how to fight, how to kill.”

The disciples exchanged glances, eyes gleaming with anticipation. Many were eager to try.

Slain Spirit Beasts? This was the dream of countless young cultivators.

To ride the winds, sword in hand, cutting down demons—how glorious!

“These missions vary in difficulty,” Su Yehua said, holding up a stack of papers. “We’ll assign Academy Scores based on the task’s difficulty. Those scores can be exchanged at the Military Scripture Pavilion of the Black and White Hall for weapons, Treasures, Combat Scriptures, and forbidden techniques!”

“But remember—assess your own strength. Don’t be greedy. This is also a trial of self-control for any true martial practitioner.”

She called over a returning student and began distributing the mission sheets.

Li Hao received one, flipping through it idly.

All the tasks were Demon-Slaying Missions, scattered across different provinces and cities. The ability to secure connections across the realms showed just how deeply rooted the Tan Palace Academy’s influence truly was.

It was like sending students out on corporate internships—except with real danger.

Then—Li Hao’s eyes narrowed.

A mission list caught his attention.

Demon-Slaying Mission 23: Qizhou

Enter the Demon-Subduing Bureau. Assist local Spirit Beast extermination squads in hunting down Spirit Beasts. Evaluation given by local commander.

Maximum Score: 10

Qizhou!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end