From Five Animal Exercises to being hailed as a saint and ancestor

The hustle and bustle and bloodshed of Baiwei City.

With Chi Xiao's execution, the situation gradually calmed down.

However, the aftershocks of this storm are far from over.

At the Crimson Flame Army's encampment, the eldest disciple, Yan Jin, sat alone in the army commander's tent, his face ashen.

Just now, he clearly sensed the violent yet familiar aura of his master, Chi Xiao.

Like a candle flame that has been extinguished, it vanished suddenly from the world.

He clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, and a complex and unfathomable light flashed in his eyes.

There was relief, there was fear, but more than anything, there was a sense of powerlessness and resignation that the tide had turned.

Without hesitating for long, he straightened his armor, took a deep breath, walked out of the tent, and headed straight for the camp where the envoy was staying.

The envoy sent by the royal city was Xia Wenyuan, a powerful prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, known for his tough methods and meticulous thinking.

Inside the tent, Prince Xia Wenyuan was leisurely sipping tea.

After listening to Yan Jin explain his purpose and his willingness to provide evidence of Chi Xiao's crimes over the years, such as conducting forbidden experiments and abducting geniuses, he was satisfied.

He put down his teacup, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"It is truly a blessing for the Great Xia that General Yan Jin was able to see the error of his ways and expose his master's evil deeds."

Xia Wenyuan's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

"However, mere words are insufficient proof. How can I trust someone who once aided and abetted tyranny?"

Yan Jin's heart sank, knowing that the most crucial moment had arrived.

He knelt on one knee, head bowed: "This humble general is willing to accept any inspection, only seeking to atone for his crimes and serve the dynasty!"

Xia Wenyuan nodded, a wisp of purple-gold imperial dragon energy swirling around his fingertips.

"In that case, let me place a 'Royal Heart Lock' on you. This lock will help you calm your mind and spirit."

"From this day forward, your life and death will be entirely in my hands. Are you willing?"

Yan Jin's body trembled almost imperceptibly.

The Emperor's Heart Lock! He knew what this meant; from now on, he would be completely reduced to the prince's loyal bodyguard, his life and death no longer in his own hands.

But does he have a choice?

With Chi Xiao dead, if he doesn't find a stronger backer, neither the power that brought Chi Xiao down nor the laws of the dynasty will let him go.

"This humble general thanks Your Highness for the reward!" He gritted his teeth and squeezed out these words from his throat, filled with endless humiliation and helplessness.

A flash of dragon energy appeared at Xia Wenyuan's fingertip and entered Yan Jin's brow.

Yan Jin felt a tightness in his soul, as if he had been put in an invisible shackle.

His aura became purer and more sustained, and the slight abnormalities left over from Chi Xiao's transformation were completely purified and concealed.

The following day, as the morning sun once again shone upon Baiwei City.

Luo Wuyai and the unconscious Shi Mang had vanished without a trace, as if they had evaporated into thin air.

Even Shangguan Hong and Qin Feng didn't know when they left. The Underworld was mysterious and unpredictable, coming and going like the wind, leaving no trace.

They were like travelers in the dark, who, having completed their mission, quietly disappeared.

Prince Wenyuan, accompanied by Yan Jin whose aura was "pure", officially arrived at the City Lord's Mansion.

Zhang Xinghan had regained consciousness, but his face was sallow and his breath was weak. He barely managed to get up and pay his respects with the help of his attendants.

"Minister Zhang has suffered."

Xia Wenyuan offered a slight helping hand, his tone conveying just the right amount of concern.

"When Baiwei City suffered this calamity, my dear minister turned the tide and his contribution was indispensable."

"Your Highness is too kind. This is my duty, but unfortunately my abilities are limited, which has caused suffering in the city and fear among the people. I am ashamed to have failed the trust of the dynasty."

Zhang Xinghan, his voice weak, presented a jade slip containing photographic evidence and several other items that he had prepared beforehand.

"This is evidence of Chixiao's crimes that I secretly collected, as well as... a partial record of what happened last night."

He never mentioned the specific cooperation between the Underworld and the Academy, only admitting that he sensed something was wrong and secretly sought help from the Royal City.

Xia Wenyuan took the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes, and then asked casually.

"I heard that a mysterious powerful figure appeared last night, decisively killing that traitor Chi Xiao with a single axe stroke?"

"I wonder who this extraordinary person is. Does Minister Zhang know their background? The dynasty will reward them handsomely."

Zhang Xinghan looked bewildered and ashamed.

"Your Highness, last night I was seriously injured by that villain Chi Xiao. My mind was blurred, and I only vaguely saw a terrifying axe light with unparalleled power. I did not see clearly who made the move."

"Perhaps... the experts at the academy see it more clearly."

He cleverly steered the question toward Qinglu Academy.

Soon, Shangguan Hong brought Yao Mengkang and other key disciples to pay their respects to Prince Wenyuan.

Upon entering the hall, everyone sensed Yan Jin's presence and immediately became alert, creating a slightly tense atmosphere.

Xia Wenyuan seemed oblivious, smiling as he defended Yan Jin.

"Everyone need not be nervous. General Yan Jin has long understood the greater good and has been secretly collecting evidence of Chi Xiao's crimes for many years, but he has just had no opportunity."

"General Yan Jin also deserves much credit for the successful elimination of the traitors this time."

These words made Shangguan Hong, Yao Mengkang, and others sneer inwardly.

Last night they were mortal enemies, and today they've become "righteous" heroes?

This dynasty truly had no regard for appearances, but they showed no sign of it on their faces, simply paying their respects according to custom.

As usual, the prince inquired about the "mysterious strongman" from the previous night.

Shangguan Hong, Yao Mengkang, and others had already agreed on a unified story, all saying that the battle was fierce at the time.

He only felt an indescribable axe intent descend, and Chi Xiao was already beheaded without even seeing the face of the person who made the move.

It's speculated that it might be a reclusive master who intervened to help those in need.

Seeing that he couldn't get any information out of him, Xia Wenyuan didn't pursue the matter further.

Instead, it praised the disciples of the academy for their fearlessness in the face of danger and their courage in fighting against evil.

He bestowed a generous reward, including pills, spirit stones, and several high-quality spiritual artifacts, thus settling the matter.

Back at their temporary camp, everyone was finally able to catch their breath.

Elder Qin Feng was the most seriously injured. Not only were his internal organs damaged, but his arm and leg were also broken and fractured. He needs a long period of rest and precious pills to help him recover. He will be unable to use his martial arts for the time being.

He lay on his bed, pale-faced but with bright eyes, comforting the disciples who came to visit him.

Xu Ziyi was placed in another quiet room, still unconscious.

Last night, before leaving, Luo Wuyai carefully checked her condition.

"The little girl's life is no longer in danger; the vitality and power contained in that drop of mysterious liquid are beyond imagination."

"Not only did it protect her heart meridian, but it also formed a peculiar balance and seal in the confrontation with the power of that vixen Zhao Xiaoman. Her own will was bound within her body, making it difficult for her to perceive the outside world."

"But her body has been activated and she's been passively cultivating. I don't know when she'll wake up."

"Perhaps in the next moment, perhaps in years... fortune may be a harbinger of misfortune, and misfortune may be a harbinger of fortune."

"In this state, her body is constantly passively absorbing and refining the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and that power."

"Once she wakes up, her cultivation level may experience a qualitative leap, but it's also possible that she will never wake up again. It all depends on whether you can awaken her will."

Yao Mengkang sat by Xu Ziyi's bedside, holding her hand.

Feeling her steady breathing and the two strange, intertwined forces within her body, I felt a mix of emotions.

He would rather she wake up immediately, even if it meant losing all her cultivation.

After this battle, the disciples of the academy seemed to have been reborn.

They have lost some of their naivety and impetuosity, and gained more composure and perseverance.

Even the most carefree Huo Ling'er had a hint of seriousness in her expression.

They truly witnessed the cruelty and unpredictability of the cultivation world, and understood the weight of power and responsibility.

Yao Mengkang's changes were the most significant.

Not only did his cultivation break through to the Spirit Sea Realm, but he also achieved the legendary Boundless Spirit Sea, resulting in a qualitative leap in his strength.

More importantly, his character underwent a tempering.

Xu Ziyi's serious injury, her struggles with powerful enemies, and her life-or-death choices all made him more clearly aware of his own path and pursuit.

That calm and reserved demeanor already hinted at the presence of a powerful figure.

After resting for two days at Baiwei City, despite Qin Feng's serious injuries and Xu Ziyi's coma.

However, with the assessment date for the Heavenly Dao Academy approaching, the team had to set off again.

The Xuanhuang Boat slowly rose into the air and sailed away from the city that had just experienced a thrilling ordeal.

The atmosphere on the boat was quite different from when we arrived.

The initial excitement and anticipation of a newcomer have faded, replaced by a sense of heaviness and solemnity.

Most of the disciples were meditating and adjusting their breathing, digesting the gains and insights they had received.

Yao Mengkang stood on the deck, glancing back at the gradually shrinking Baiwei City, his gaze resolute.

The road ahead is still long; the path to becoming a strong person has only just begun.

He clenched his fists, turned and walked into the cabin. He needed stronger power to protect and to pursue.

The Xuanhuang Boat transformed into a stream of light, carrying hope, pain, and growth.

Heading towards the vast, and inevitably more magnificent, capital of the Great Xia Dynasty.