Chapter 167

There was something familiar about his voice, as if she’d heard it somewhere before.

"I’ll have to trouble you to lead the way, Miss Linghua."

Seeing her lost in thought, Yang Lingrui panicked and cut in quickly, deliberately mixing in a southern region accent.

"Oh! Of course, Young Master Yang. This way, please."

Setting aside her doubts, Feng Linghua guided him into ChengTian Academy.

"ChengTian Academy has Four Academies: Music, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting. Since I’m from the Painting Academy, we’ll start there!"

"Sounds good."

Feng Linghua spent the day showing Yang Lingrui around the Painting Academy. The most impressive parts for him were the Rainbow Corridor and Spirit Eye Pavilion—special places where painting practitioners could gain insights.

The Rainbow Corridor stretched between three mountain peaks like a bridge piercing the clouds. It housed precious ink and brush spirits that could boost a painter’s skills if understood. Perched atop the Painting Academy’s main peak stood the Spirit Eye Pavilion, displaying masterpieces from ChengTian’s greatest painters throughout history. Each contained the essence of painting skill. The academy had a rule: anyone who grasped this essence could become a direct disciple immediately.

Yang Lingrui didn’t understand any of it, simply enjoying the visuals. Though Feng Linghua had made some progress over the years, true mastery remained distant.

Curious about the direct disciple status, Yang Lingrui asked, "How many from your Painting Academy have gained this essence?"

"Just in our Painting Academy, eight have succeeded. Three reached the Condensing Essence stage and now train in the Heavenly Scripture Cave."

Yang Lingrui caught her wording. "Just the Painting Academy? Could others from different disciplines…?"

Feng Linghua nodded. "Only once in ChengTian’s history has a non-painter gained the essence here."

"Who was this genius?"

"Our current leader, Shen Yue—the strongest disciple ChengTian has ever produced!"

"Shen Yue!"

The name triggered Yang Lingrui’s memory—this was the man who’d taken Ye Lan and Li Qingwan after the selection ceremony. During the event, he’d glimpsed Shen Yue’s back among those on the second-level Viewing Platform with He Shenglai.

"You’re truly one of the dynasty’s most remarkable talents, having transcended the Path of Cultivation to seize such fortune!" Yang Lingrui praised sincerely.

"Heh, Young Master Yang’s no less impressive himself!" Feng Linghua giggled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. "The masters say you’re all exceptional talents sifted through the dynasty’s trials – even in this academy, you’d rank among the golden list elites!"

"The masters flatter me too much," Yang Lingrui replied modestly.

After concluding the Painting Academy tour, Feng Linghua escorted Yang Lingrui back to his Residence. "Rest well tonight, Young Master. Tomorrow I’ll show you the Chess Academy."

"My thanks for today, Miss Linghua."

Returning to his cave dwelling, Yang Lingrui swiftly entered meditation. While the academy’s spiritual energy concentration wasn’t the highest in the imperial capital, its balanced flow and refreshing quality made cultivation as soothing as spring rain. This environment particularly helped stabilize his turbulent spiritual power.

The day’s experiences had expanded his understanding, fueling anticipation for tomorrow’s Chess Academy visit.

At dawn’s first light, Yang Lingrui found Feng Linghua waiting outside his stone door. "My apologies for keeping you waiting."

"Not at all – I just arrived," she waved off.

As they strolled toward the Chess Academy, Feng Linghua explained, "While I’m no chess expert, my dear friend here studies chess. She attended the ceremony with you – let’s find her."

At the words "dear friend from the Chess Academy", Yang Lingrui’s mouth twitched involuntarily. "Um… Miss Linghua, this friend wouldn’t happen to be Li Qingwan?"

"Exactly!" Feng Linghua nodded proudly. "Don’t let her gender fool you – Sister Qingwan’s mastery of chess, especially the dragon-slaying technique, earned public praise from the West Concubine herself!"

Yang Lingrui’s breath caught. He’d never imagined Feng Linghua knew Li Qingwan so intimately! His disguise suddenly felt like divine intervention – being recognized by both women simultaneously would have been disastrous.

Thankfully, they soon reached a modest mountain cave. Despite being a direct disciple’s abode, Li Qingwan’s dwelling lacked any ornamentation.

Feng Linghua deftly cast incantations to disable the entrance restrictions. "Sister Qingwan! We need your help!"

The stone door groaned open, revealing Li Qingwan in her signature blue robes. "You imp! How many times must I tell you to study the Four Academies’ texts?"

"Cultivation keeps me busy!" Feng Linghua chirped, linking arms with her. "But first, let me introduce-"

"Greetings, Young Master Lingrui."

"Honored to meet you, Miss Qingwan."

Their exchanged bows carried decades of unspoken history. During the Golden Scales Ceremony, the Nanshan Li Family had overshadowed the struggling Songshan Yangs. Now only Li Qingwan remained of her clan, while the Yangs had risen meteorically.

Feng Linghua blinked in surprise. "You two know each other?"

Li Qingwan tapped her forehead. "Have you forgotten? My family neighbored the Songshan Yangs in Wangyue."

"Oh! Right!" Feng Linghua stuck out her tongue. "Perfect! Old friends should give the best tours – show us the Chess Academy’s wonders!"