Chapter 12: Using it without being filled

“The Dao is hollow, yet its use is never exhausted. Deep and profound! It seems to be the progenitor of all things. Soften its sharpness, resolve its complexity, harmonize its light, and merge with its dust. Limpid and clear! It seems to exist. I know not whose child it is, but it predates the Emperor.”

The old Taoist's voice was extremely soft, yet it resonated clearly in the ears of every person in the lecture hall. When he finished the last word, his brow and eyes suddenly drooped, looking as if he might fall asleep at any moment, appearing entirely like a man in the twilight of his years.

Jiang Wang did not dare to be negligent. He followed his senior brothers in paying respectful salutations before rising from his seat.

Despite his unremarkable appearance, this elderly man was Song Qifang, the Vice Dean of the Fenglin City Dao Academy. More accurately, before Dong Ala arrived, he had been the Dean of the Fenglin City Dao Academy, having been rooted in Fenglin City for decades. Though he was over eighty years old, his cultivation had remained stuck at the Seventh Grade Realm, unable to open the Heaven-Earth Gate. Consequently, he had long since lost the desire for advancement, turning instead to the scriptures, devoting himself entirely to teaching the Dao. Thus, he was deeply loved by all.

After Dong Ala's arrival, he did not compete for power but cooperated fully, allowing Dong Ala to smoothly take control of the academy. In return, Dong Ala treated him with the utmost respect.

In the entirety of Fenglin City, no one surpassed Song Qifang in terms of prestige and moral standing.

...

Even after walking out of the lecture hall's gates, Jiang Wang's heart could not find peace; instead, he was immersed in a profound sense of emotion.

What is the Dao? It is invisible and intangible, yet omnipresent and infinite. How does one perceive it, understand it, and pursue it? The more one pursues, understands, and recognizes it, the more one feels their own ignorance and insignificance.

One can only sigh, "Deep and profound!"

Ling He recited the words as she walked, wishing she could chew over them repeatedly. Although Zhao Rucheng had never placed much importance on his studies, he also appeared lost in thought. Only Du Yehu was yawning incessantly, looking as if he had just finished a nap.

Every term, ten students were selected for the Inner Academy. In terms of basic breathing techniques alone, Du Yehu's progress was second only to Jiang Wang, who had already achieved external manifestation of his Dao meridians; one had to admit he was exceptionally gifted. However, he truly could not focus on those so-called Great Dao classics. Conversely, as soon as the classes shifted to techniques and spells, he immediately became lively and spirited.

The Inner Academy was indeed the true Dao Academy. This was no exaggeration. Back in the Outer Academy, there was only the teaching of simple martial techniques, with Inner Academy senior brothers coming by periodically to provide guidance. Once admitted to the Inner Academy, there were scripture lessons every five days and technique lessons every ten days. The former was for studying scriptures, the latter for practicing techniques. Both were taught by senior Daoists. Furthermore, if any cultivation difficulties arose during daily life, one could consult the masters at any time. The martial techniques that previously had to be exchanged for contributions in the Outer Academy were now open to Inner Academy disciples without restriction.

However, this held little attraction for the Inner Academy disciples. It wasn't that martial arts were weak, but rather that the entire cultivation world of the Zhuang State was centered on Daoist cultivation methods. Even if the Fenglin City Dao Academy collected some martial techniques, they served merely as a transitional supplement during the Outer Academy period; naturally, they were not particularly strong and were far inferior to the power of Daoist arts. Thus, few people would go out of their their way to seek them.

...

"Senior Brother Jiang, please wait!" A voice rang out from behind.

Jiang Wang turned around and recognized Fang Heling, who had been selected for the Inner Academy in the same cohort—a man from one of the three great families of Fenglin City, whose cousin was none other than Fang Pengju.

Strictly speaking, he had no right to be selected for the Inner Academy, but it was an almost unspoken rule that the three great families must occupy one slot per term. Fang Pengju's selection was naturally legitimate, but as for Fang Heling, one could only wonder what price the Fang family had paid in secret.

This was the reality. Although cultivation was a path toward the transcendent, as long as a path was walked by humans, it would never be free from complex social relations; it could never be truly pure. Even the Fenglin City Dao Academy was no exception.

"Is something the matter?" Jiang Wang asked indifferently.

"Ah, it's nothing much." Dressed in moon-white robes, Fang Heling cupped his hands, appearing somewhat elegant and poised. "I simply came to apologize for Fang Pengju's wild ambitions. He has been expelled from the family genealogy; our Fang family has no such unrighteous people."

"He is him, and you are you. There is no need to apologize for him, and what he did has nothing to do with you."

Having said his piece, Jiang Wang turned to leave. He truly had no mood to play along with such a young master's theatrics.

But Fang Heling clearly felt insulted. Considering his prestigious background from one of the three great families, he had personally come to apologize to someone of Jiang Wang's lowly origins. Surely, Jiang Wang should be moved to tears of gratitude, or at least look at him with mutual respect and appreciation? Why was he being met with such coldness?

"Why is Senior Brother Jiang in such a hurry?" Fang Heling hurried a few steps to circle in front of Jiang Wang's group, saying with a smile, "I forgot to tell you, Senior Brother Jiang—I only just consumed a Meridian-Opening Pill yesterday, and my Dao meridians have already manifested externally."

He tried his best to restrain himself, but his smugness was palpable.

"And then?" Jiang Wang asked.

Fang Heling froze for a moment before saying, "Among this term's Inner Academy selectees, only the two of us have achieved early manifestation of our Dao meridians. We ought to become closer acquaintances."

He was young after all; although his upbringing had taught him etiquette, his words and tone were already brimming with arrogance. It was the classic sentiment of: *Among the heroes of the world, there are only you and I.*

In truth, he did not hold a grudge against Jiang Wang for Fang Pengju's death. Had Fang Pengju not died, he wouldn't have this opportunity! If it weren't to avoid tarnishing the prestige of the great families and to secure his spot as an Inner Academy selectee, even though his father was the presumptive next patriarch of the Fang family, it would have been difficult to convince the clan to spend such a massive price to acquire a Meridian-Opening Pill.

Had that happened, he would have had to wait until next year to enter the Inner Academy, and even then, it wasn't guaranteed. After all, there were only ten slots a year, and how many eyes in Fenglin City were watching? If the family had other more talented children, his father could not be too obvious about it—Fang Pengju's prior reservation of that spot had been proof of that.

"Oh."

Jiang Wang gave a noncommittal "oh" and simply walked around Fang Heling, continuing on his way.

He knew perfectly well that Fang Heling was the legitimate son of the next patriarch of the Fang family, a direct descendant of the three great families. He also knew that Fang Heling currently had no intention of causing conflict with him; in fact, to maintain the Fang family's reputation, the man would likely act friendly and treat him like a brother.

But on what basis? On what basis could a man like Fang Pengju, who was so talented, struggle desperately for a single Meridian-Opening Pill and fail, becoming increasingly radical and impatient, only for this Fang Heling to possess one just a few days after his death? Everyone knew Fang Heling's background; how could his brothers not know?

If Fang Heling had even a shred of actual capability, the Fang family would never have let Fang Pengju take the lead in the first place!

Even if Fang Pengju had died due to his own betrayal and ingratitude, did this nonsensical young master have the right to trample upon him?

That Jiang Wang did not explode on the spot was already a sign of considerable restraint.

Ling He, Du Yehu, and the others had not even spared him a single glance from beginning to end.

As the group walked away, Fang Heling was left standing alone, the smile on his face slowly stiffening.

He had not expected to be ignored.

Even after swallowing the Meridian-Opening Pill, manifesting his Dao meridians, and entering the Inner Academy, he was still ignored!

He remembered when he first entered the Outer Academy and encountered these prominent figures outside the academy. He had approached them enthusiastically, wanting to greet his cousin's friends and make their acquaintance.

But his cousin hadn't even noticed him, walking away with his arms around these people's shoulders.

He had never forgotten that sense of loss, which was why, immediately after consolidating his meridians, he had come before Jiang Wang and the others.

He didn't know if he was trying to prove something, but at the very least, *you people must look at me.*

Yet, there was nothing.

Clearly, everything had changed, yet it felt as if nothing had changed at all.

"Jiang Wang!"

Fang Heling screamed in his heart.

He tried desperately to control his expression, but his face had already become extremely unsightly.