...
The next day, the couple personally took Zhang Yi and Zhang Zhao into the West Splendor Academy established by the Dong Shen Temple in the West Splendor Sect, where they were greeted by the academy's dean upon receiving the news from afar.
Zhang Jian gave a few instructions, then let Zhang Yi and Zhang Zhao enter the academy.
Nearby, Zhang Jian saw many luxurious carriages arriving to send their children to school. One by one, the young lads jumped down from the carriages and stepped through the ancient and aromatic doors of the academy in the dim morning light.
Zhang Jian and Qi Yuhua knew that this enlightenment academy was established by the Dong Shen Temple and had existed for a century.
Its influence was considerable!
Nobles from nearby would send their grandchildren into this academy for enlightenment once they reached the appropriate age.
The academy's teachers were renowned, and it provided an opportunity to connect with the Dong Shen Temple, which might lead to cultivation in the future.
Just as he was returning from the West Splendor Academy, Zhang Jian suddenly pulled open the curtain of the sedan chair and saw a familiar face.
After whispering a word to Qi Yuhua, Zhang Jian stepped out of the sedan chair.
"Brother Zhan!"
He was the first to greet the figure.
The figure was none other than the scholar from Jixian County who had come to the capital with Zhang Jian and Shi Lun to take the imperial examination years ago.
Three years had passed, and Zhan Xiong had evidently prepared well, arriving early for the examination in the capital.
"Brother Zhang!"
Recognizing Zhang Jian at a glance, Zhan Xiong's eyes lit up with surprise, and he stepped forward joyfully.
Looking Zhang Jian up and down, he couldn't help but sigh:
"In three years, Brother Zhang, your demeanor has become even more distinguished!"
Zhang Jian smiled slightly, looking at Zhan Xiong, he said with a smile: "Brother Zhan, you seem to be in good spirits. It looks like you're confident about passing this time!"
Zhan Xiong waved his hand.
"Brother, don't tease me. The Ministry of Rites Examination is solemn and serious, I can only do my best; dare not speak of passing!"
Zhan Xiong's words were impeccable, his caution making Zhang Jian nod inwardly with approval.
Glad to meet an old schoolmate, Zhang Jian chatted for a bit more. Zhan Xiong, however, asked about the He family's recent activities, clearly still thinking of the He family's young lady over the past three years.
Zhan Xiong might not know that He Yanxia had already been married.
Zhang Jian thought for a bit and chose not to reveal the truth to Zhan Xiong.
The suffering of separation in the mortal world is bitter, and the pain of unattainable desires is even greater.
As a friend, Zhang Jian hoped that even if Zhan Xiong learned the truth, it should be after the Ministry of Rites Examination, to avoid affecting the spring exams.
But Zhan Xiong was apparently not willing to give up. After parting with Zhang Jian, he still asked people around for information.
Seeing this, Zhang Jian shook his head silently.
Then, after Zhang Jian returned to the Observatory Platform, he soon received an imperial edict.
He had been promoted.
The Chief of the Imperial Household, Chao Mu himself, came to deliver the edict.
After three years, he was finally promoted from a Senior Sixth-Rank Lecturer to a Junior Fifth-Grade Imperial Tutor, also serving as Vice Dean of the Sports and Arts College, an office now on par with the second-in-command, Huang Liangzhong.
To be promoted one grade in three years wasn't particularly fast.
But the officials of the Sports and Arts College were respected for their integrity, and with his current qualifications, he was more than capable of holding a significant position if assigned elsewhere.
Court officials sent out as local officials often got promoted by two grades, and Fourth or Third-Grade local officials were considered Dukes of their regions.
And this wasn't his limit.
According to standard procedures, after staying in the capital for a few years, new Advanced Scholars from the Sports and Arts College usually got opportunities to observe government affairs or serve as Chief Officers, gaining experience for several years.
Given his current rank, however, merely serving as a Chief Officer in any department would be beneath him.
...
At this moment, in a luxurious mansion on the outskirts of the Imperial City, several figures were gathered, taking turns using Secret Techniques to investigate the earth veins of Haojing.
"The frequency of patrols by the gods within Haojing City is too high. Around several special Earth Qi nodes and Dragon Vein nodes, there are temples of Dong Shen Temple or shrines of deities stationed there. We can't get close; it is impossible to explore the mysteries within the Dragon Vein in a short time!"
One of them, a wealthy official holding a Compass, appeared somewhat helpless.
The other two Geomancy Masters dressed as wealthy officials also turned their eyes towards the leading figure in green attire.
They felt the danger too!
"Do we have to get close to those places?"
The figure in green, donned in a noble's garb, had an inherent aura of a Military General, with a brawny presence and eagle-eyed gaze.
The chubby Geomancy Master said gravely, "Mr. Dong, this is only preliminary surveying. If we wish to confirm if the rumors are true, it is best to physically approach the East Mausoleum and survey the feng shui of the Dragon Vein there!"
He was the Tie Bi Daoist, a renowned Geomancy Master at the frontier, known for his legendary ability to see through the world's mystic points, with great skill in dragon-seeking and gold-splitting.
He possessed a wondrous book called "Turtle Origin Strategy" and had significant magical power!
The other two Geomancy Masters, disguised as wealthy officials, were practitioners versed in geomancy within the Cultivation Realm. They had been invited here by a special powerful individual through various means.
The figure in green was their superior, also disguised as a subordinate to evade the eyes of the Black-clothed Guards and the gods of Haojing.
"Approaching to observe is impractical. Another Primordial Spirit Master is hidden deep within the East Mausoleum. Getting close would almost certainly result in detection!"
The figure in green shook his head.
"Is there another way?"
The two Geomancy Masters shook their heads, but Mr. Tie Bi frowned.
Seeing his demeanor, the figure in green's gaze shifted. "Speak your mind!"
Tie Bi Daoist gravely replied, "Maybe we can switch from passive to active by devising a method to budge the Earth Qi within Haojing's earth veins. By disturbing the Dragon Vein, if there's truly an issue, the Dragon Qi inside couldn't maintain its balance when suddenly stimulated, and there would definitely be changes within, allowing us to glimpse its mysteries!"
"Moreover, if the Daqian Dragon Vein truly relies on a special ritual to sustain its vitality, disturbing the Dragon Vein might influence the entire ceremony, potentially exposing its flaws!"
Upon hearing this, the figure in green's eyes brightened.
"With such a good plan, what are we waiting for?"
Yet, there was a trace of hesitation in Tie Bi Daoist's eyes.
"Is there a problem? Speak up!"
The figure in green waved a hand.
"First, we require several rare feng shui artifacts that can curse; second, this act would harm harmony with heaven, affecting a wide range, and the spellcasters won't die well, with misfortune extending over generations..."
Tie Bi Daoist's eyes were calm.
Hearing this, the figure in green glanced at Tie Bi Daoist, sneering.
"You have no descendants, correct? State your terms, and if it succeeds, the Master will surely satisfy your request!"
Tie Bi Daoist nodded slightly, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.
"What I want, the Master will surely give!"
"A mere Spirit-Seizing Technique!"
Tie Bi Daoist's amicable face bore a faint smile.
At this point, he was not secretive towards the other two Geomancy Masters, directly stating his demand.
"Spirit-Seizing Technique!"
Upon hearing this, the figure in green was surprised to glance at Tie Bi Daoist, yet he understood. So, the latter had this in mind.
Spirit-stealing is a kind of Forbidden Technique. Some cultivators with certain Dao practices, having felt restricted by their natural aptitudes, unable to advance, would turn to other cultivators by attempting to seize their Spirit Roots and aptitudes for themselves.
Or they would occupy the bodies of exotic beasts, harnessing their new forms to cultivate anew, seeking the elusive Path of Longevity.
This is a sinister method, not particularly hard to cultivate, but its success rate was low.
Plus, there was a risk of backlash.
But someone like Tie Bi Daoist, who had long abandoned everything, seeking only longevity, wouldn't mind the slim chance of success when driven to madness.
To them, it presented a slim chance at survival.
The figure in green's gaze was steady. "It seems you've already found a Tripod Furnace ahead of time!"
The plump Geomancy Master, looking like a wealthy official, had a smile in his eyes.
"A few days ago, I saw two little fellows, both with remarkable talents and inborn Spirit Roots. One of them might even possess a special constitution. Seizing it, even with some loss, could prolong my path to longevity!"
He wasn't secretive, for having the aid of the figure in green would greatly enhance the prospects of success.
Upon hearing this, the figure in green nodded and said.
"Alright, I'll mention this to the Master. If conditions allow, the Sect will also lend you a hand."