Chapter 237: Ye Beigong

The square that was once packed with people quickly became almost empty.

However, after people excitedly discussed and left together, a few individuals still sat motionless on the square.

“Four Books and Three Swords…”

Watching Mu Feng’s gradually retreating back, Liu Lei clenched his fist tightly and let out a cold snort.

The powerful Eighteen Battle Puppets Restriction had once given him high hopes. Unexpectedly, the higher his hopes were, the greater his disappointment turned out to be. Thinking of Mu Feng’s title and honor of Four Books and Three Swords, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated.

The more talented and powerful Mu Feng became, the slimmer the hope for revenge seemed! The humiliation he suffered at Wangjiang Tower might never be avenged.

“Second Lord, some things can’t be rushed. As long as we wait patiently, there will always be an opportunity.”

Sitting beside Liu Lei, Li Yang carefully observed his expression and then continued, “Yesterday, Wang Mazi replied that the matter is nearly settled. That little beauty will have no choice but to submit by tomorrow morning at the latest. According to the plan, it’s about time for us to show up. If we appear too early, we might give ourselves away; too late wouldn’t be good either. Second Lord, what do you think…”

“Brother Lu, tomorrow morning…”

Ignoring the fawning Li Yang, Liu Lei habitually turned around, intending to invite Lu Xuanfeng, known as the Ghostly Talented Scholar. To his surprise, he found that the latter had already quietly slipped away at some point. Instantly, Liu Lei’s face darkened even more.

Through his family’s connections, he had barely managed to build a relationship with Lu Xuanfeng, the Ghostly Talented Scholar. To win his favor, Liu Lei had spent considerable effort recently. It was precisely to welcome him that they encountered Mu Feng at Wangjiang Tower, leading to the conflict. Had all his efforts been in vain?

Liu Lei, who had always been successful in Jiangling Prefecture, looked grim. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he felt. With a cold snort, he abruptly stood up. “Li Yang, lead the way. Let’s go!”

“Alright, Second Lord, rest assured. Let’s return to the manor first today, and tomorrow will surely bring you success!”

The thin and small Li Yang exchanged knowing glances with the other young men, then merrily led the way ahead. Beneath his cheerful smile, the black mole on his chin seemed even larger and more conspicuous.

After leaving Jiangwu Hall Square, Mu Feng and the gentle Wen Feixue walked together slowly, completely unaware of Liu Lei’s resentful gaze from behind. They tread on the bluestone path, slowly walking under the miles of shade provided by the trees within the Scholastic Palace. Along the way, with Wen Feixue’s explanations, Mu Feng came to understand many things.

As expected, among the five high-level officials responsible for evaluations, the official wearing a black gauze hat was the supervisor dispatched by the Tongtian Empire to the Scholastic Palace. The expressionless, indifferent Old Woman was the powerful Chief Steward of the Scholastic Palace, in charge of its daily operations. The white-bearded elder sitting on the far left was Qi Guoyuan, a master renowned for his calligraphy within the Scholastic Palace, who was highly respected.

“And who is that woman in white who always wears a veil?” Mu Feng quickly asked the biggest question on his mind.

“Fair lady, gentlemen’s good match. Young Master Mu, among all the people at Tiance Platform, is she the one you care about the most?” Wen Feixue smiled, her eyes sparkling, deliberately pausing as she looked at Mu Feng without saying more.

“Miss Feixue, what are you talking about?” Mu Feng shook his head with a bitter smile. After a moment, he continued sincerely, “The reason I specifically asked you about that woman in white is that, for some reason, her figure seemed vaguely familiar, as if I’ve seen her somewhere before.”

“Impossible. This is your first time in Jiangling Prefecture. How could you have seen Miss Kexuan?”

Wen Feixue adamantly shook her head in denial. But seeing Mu Feng’s serious expression, which didn’t seem like a joke, she couldn’t help widening her eyes in confusion. “That woman in white is named Ye Kexuan. Although she is young, she is already a well-known talented woman in our Xiangshan Academy, excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Secretly, she also has another identity: she is the cherished daughter of our Xiangshan Academy Lord, Ye Beigong. She usually either cultivates quietly or immerses herself in studying, rarely going out. Young Master Mu, how could you possibly have seen her? Where and when did you meet?”

“Ye Kexuan…”

Mu Feng silently repeated the name, committing it to memory. Looking at the puzzled Wen Feixue, he gave a faint smile. “Oh, I see. Then it’s very likely that I mistook her for someone else. By the way, Feixue, who is Tuoba Tiandu?”

Having learned the identity of the woman in white, Mu Feng did not wish to say more and quickly changed the subject.

“Tuoba Tiandu?”

Wen Feixue, who had been all smiles, suddenly stopped in her tracks, her expression changing. “Young Master Mu, where did you hear about this person? Have you had any dealings with him?”

“No, I just overheard people mentioning him by chance,” Mu Feng shook his head.

Seeing the usually poised Wen Feixue react so nervously, he couldn’t help but grow even more curious about the person named Tuoba Tiandu. Though inwardly startled, he remained calm on the surface, quietly waiting for Wen Feixue’s explanation.

Sure enough, hearing this, the tense Wen Feixue visibly relaxed. “That’s good then. Young Master Mu, you might not know, but Tuoba Tiandu is no ordinary student. He is a legend passed down among thousands of students. It is said that although he is young, he joined the Scholastic Palace long ago. He didn’t join any school of thought, nor did he choose to be an Unfettered Cultivator. Instead, he became a direct disciple under Academy Lord Ye Beigong, known as the First Senior Brother, with the title Six Books and Six Swords. His cultivation is said to have long broken through to the True Human Realm, and he is called Tuoba the True Human!”

“What? Six Books and Six Swords? True Human Realm?”

Mu Feng was astonished, finally understanding why Tuoba Tiandu received such high praise within the Scholastic Palace.

Stepping into the Elite Realm meant a completely different status and position, setting one apart from the masses of ordinary people, hailed as elites among men. Stepping into the True Human Realm was a state that hundreds of millions of cultivators could only dream of achieving in their entire lives, becoming an unparalleled existence capable of summoning wind and rain, and covering the sky with one hand. In some places, such individuals were even regarded as gods.

Could there really be such an astounding student within the Scholastic Palace?

Mu Feng was deeply shocked. Although he had long known that the ancient Xiangshan Academy housed hidden talents, it was at this moment that he truly understood how formidable an ancient Scholastic Palace could be.

If a young disciple was already so powerful, then how formidable must the Academy Lord of Xiangshan Academy be?

Mu Feng felt full of anticipation and respect for the mysterious Academy Lord who had not yet appeared.

The grand Scholastic Palace, its unique approach to scholarship, the prodigious disciples… all of this demonstrated the Academy Lord’s capabilities.

Although he had not yet had the chance to meet him, Mu Feng was certain that the Academy Lord named Ye Beigong was absolutely extraordinary. Though his scholarly achievements were unclear, his personal cultivation might even surpass that of top experts like the Blind Master and Ghost Mother.