Chapter 24: Secret Aid from the Academy?

The gate of the Wang Family Old Residence was shut tight, silent as a stone.

Inside the residence, the atmosphere of preparing for battle was tense to the extreme.

But outside the residence, the whole Luo Bay County, because of the presence of the Wan family's Body Refining Ninth Layer expert, instead appeared unusually calm.

Beneath this calm, an unstoppable undercurrent surged.

The Wan family's actions were overbearing and cruel; many small clans and forces in the county had long held deep resentment toward them.

Usually, people dared to feel angry but did not dare to speak it out.

Now the Wang family, relying on their Body Refining Sixth Layer strength, actually defeated and killed two Body Refining Eighth Layer cultivators.

Although this drew harsher retaliation from the Wan family, it was like throwing a stone into dead water, finally stirring up a little ripple.

Some better-informed people, or rather, the heads of small families who usually acted respectful toward the Wan family but harbored dissent, began secretly contacting each other.

Their eyes held probing looks, and their words were spoken cautiously.

"Have you heard? That old family head of the Wang family is truly... hard to fathom."

"That's right, they actually killed two of the Wan family's stewards, tsk tsk."

"But this time they've kicked a hornet's nest—Wan Hong himself has come, and he's a Body Refining Ninth Layer Peak expert."

"Yeah, the Wang family is probably in danger this time."

"But not necessarily—maybe... the Wang family still has other tricks up their sleeve."

"Shh! Keep it down! Wan family people are everywhere—be careful, speaking carelessly could bring trouble."

Low whispers spread in the dark corners, the words carrying fear but also mixed with a faint hope barely perceptible.

They hoped the Wang family could hold out.

They didn't want anything else; they just wanted someone to blunt the Wan family's vigor.

Thus, these small figures surviving in the cracks could also breathe a little easier.

Of course, this hope could only remain a hope.

To have them now step forward to help the Wang family? That they absolutely dare not do.

Wan Hong's might weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.

Inside the Wang Family Old Residence, Wang Shan certainly did not know what those people outside were secretly discussing.

But he clearly understood that merely shutting the doors and holding out would definitely not be a long-term solution.

Wan Hong's patience is limited.

Once that fellow loses his patience, he will launch a fierce attack no matter the cost; relying solely on the upgraded Misty Spirit Gathering Array probably won't hold out for long.

We must find a way—seek external aid, or at the very least obtain more information about the enemy.

He thought of a person—the steward of the Shangguan family, Shangguan Hong.

Last time they traded the Sharp Metal Talisman and the Earth Escape Talisman; although they weren't close friends, they had at least met and left a decent impression.

The Shangguan family is a major power near Heitu City, with deep resources and well-informed news.

Perhaps they could offer some help; even just giving some information about Wan Hong would be good.

But who should we send?

Now the entire Wang family is under close watch by the Wan family's spies; certainly there are monitors everywhere near the residence gate.

The sons with high cultivation are too conspicuous and easily spotted.

Those with low cultivation fear they lack the ability to accomplish the task.

Wang Shan's gaze fell upon a clever-looking boy among the grandsons.

Wang Mingyuan, son of Wang Zhitao, is fifteen years old and has not yet begun formal cultivation.

However, he thinks quickly and is fairly agile.

Most importantly, he is young, so his presence is relatively inconspicuous.

"Mingyuan." Wang Shan called him in a low voice.

"Grandfather!" Wang Mingyuan ran over at once, his face showing the nervousness and admiration typical of a youth.

Wang Shan looked at him, a flicker of reluctance crossing his eyes, but he quickly became resolute.

He softly explained the task clearly, especially emphasizing its danger.

"Grandfather, I'm not afraid!" Wang Mingyuan puffed out his small chest, "For the family, I'm willing to do anything!"

Wang Shan nodded with relief, handing him a letter already written and a few broken spirit stones.

"Remember, safety comes first; if you feel something is off, retreat immediately, understand?"

"Grandson understands!"

The night was deep.

With the help of his father Wang Zhitao, Wang Mingyuan found a dark corner where the array's light was faintest and quietly climbed over the courtyard wall.

He moved like an agile night cat, carefully avoiding any possible watchful gazes.

Using the darkness and familiar streets, he sneaked toward the Shangguan family's inconspicuous outpost in Luo Bay County.

Along the way, every step made his heart pound.

Several times he felt as if a gaze was lurking in the dark, frightening him into hiding in the shadows for a long while, afraid to move.

Relying on his quick wits and familiarity with the terrain, he finally reached his destination safe and sound.

He slipped the letter into the previously agreed-upon crack.

Then, without lingering, he immediately returned along a more concealed route.

The next day, Wang Shan received the Shangguan family's reply through the agreed-upon method.

The paper was fine spirit paper, but the characters were written messily, obviously written in haste.

The content was also very brief, and the wording was extremely cautious.

The Shangguan Family's reply was roughly as he had anticipated, full of the smooth, pragmatic attitude of a big clan.

The letter first expressed "sympathy" for the Wang Family's plight.

Then, shifting tone, it made clear that the Shangguan Family, as an outside force, could not conveniently intervene in the Luo Bay County local families' feud, especially since the opponent was the powerful Wan Family.

This basically amounted to a clear refusal of the possibility of providing actual help.

However, the letter's ending was not completely useless.

The Shangguan Family hintedly reminded Wang Shan of a few things.

It said that Wan Hong had a violent temper, was especially concerned with saving face, and liked to use strong-arm tactics in his actions.

Moreover, he was especially skilled in a sinister martial technique called the Black Fiend Claw, which is very powerful, so one must be on guard against it.

At the letter's end, the Shangguan Family said it would "closely monitor the situation's development."

After reading the letter, Wang Shan silently put it away.

He understood this very well in his heart.

The Shangguan Family's behavior is typical of not wanting to offend either side—not wanting to provoke the Wan Family, nor wanting to completely discard the Wang Family, which might still be of some use.

Giving a bit of trivial information counts as selling a favor, showing the attitude of "I've already done my best."

As for "closely monitoring the situation's development," bluntly put, it just means watching the spectacle from the sidelines.

If the Wang Family can pull through, then naturally they can continue their interactions.

If the Wang Family cannot hold out, then it's just a matter of keeping an eye on things.

Although he was a bit disappointed, Wang Shan wasn't too upset.

This was already within his expectations.

The cultivation world values strength.

Without sufficient strength or benefit, who would help you take a risk?

At least, Wang Shan learned that Wan Hong excels at the Black Evil Claw.

That also counts as useful information.

Wang Shan is analyzing the information given by the Shangguan family and also making further preparations.

Meanwhile, several hundred li away, in Heitu City.

Tianru Academy.

In a quiet courtyard of the inner courtyard.

Wang Xuanqing is here.

He has just taken the vice‑dean as his teacher, a promising genius youth.

But now he is very anxious, pacing back and forth in the room.

His face has lost its usual calm, filled only with worry and fear.

Through some connections within the academy, he learned of the major incident that occurred in Luo Wan County.

His grandfather used strong means to kill two body‑refining eighth‑layer cultivators of the Wan family.

This news made him both surprised and proud.

But the following news is that the Wan family dispatched Wan Hong, a peak ninth‑layer body‑refining cultivator, to lead a team to Luo Wan County to take revenge.

Peak ninth‑layer body refinement!

What level is that?

In the entire Luo Wan County, and even the surrounding area, he is the most powerful existence!

Although grandfather has reached the seventh layer of body refinement, facing the ninth‑layer peak, the difference… is too great!

The family is in great danger!

Wang Xuanqing's heart feels like it's on fire; he can't sit still or stand steady.

He understands that relying on himself alone, he can't change anything.

His only hope is his teacher, the vice‑dean of Tianru Academy.

He took a deep breath and tidied his somewhat messy clothes.

He quickly walked out of the room and headed toward the vice‑dean's study.

"Teacher!"

Wang Xuanqing knelt with a "plop" outside the study, his voice trembling with tears.

The study's door opened by itself.

The vice‑dean was sitting behind the desk, holding an old book, calmly looking at him.

"What's the matter that you're so panicked?"

"Teacher! Please save my family!"

Wang Xuanqing cried as he recounted the events and the imminent danger of extermination facing his family.

He kept kowtowing, his forehead quickly turning red.

The vice‑dean listened silently, his brow twitching slightly.

After Wang Xuanqing finished speaking, he slowly set down the book, his fingers lightly tapping the desk.

The study fell silent, except for Wang Xuanqing's soft sobbing.

The vice‑dean thought for a moment.

Tianru Academy has its own rules.

The academy generally does not intervene in outside affairs, especially feuds between local clans.

Otherwise, the academy would have long been in chaos.

But Wang Xuanqing is a student he holds in high regard.

He has high talent and a good nature; his future prospects are limitless.

Moreover, he has heard something about the Wan family's way of doing things.

The cultivation method they practice seems somewhat… heretical, not the orthodox path.

Seeing the family of his proud student being exterminated feels somewhat unjustifiable.

But directly sending academy experts to intervene would have too great an impact and could easily attract gossip.

After repeated consideration, he made a decision in his heart.

"Get up."

He spoke, his voice gentle yet powerful.

Wang Xuanqing lifted his head, eyes still brimming with tears as he looked at him.

"The academy has its rules; I cannot directly send people to manage your Wang and Wan families' feud," the Vice Dean said slowly.

Wang Xuanqing's heart sank instantly.

"But..." the Vice Dean changed the subject, "Since you are my student, I cannot completely ignore you."

He took out two items from his storage ring and placed them on the table.

One is a warm, white jade talisman engraved with intricate runes.

The other is a pale yellow talisman paper, on which complex patterns full of righteous qi are drawn in red cinnabar, as if righteous qi flows within.

"This 【Communication Jade Talisman】, keep it safe."

"It allows you to contact me in an emergency once, no matter the distance. Remember, you may use it only when your family truly faces the brink of extermination."

The Vice Dean's tone was very solemn.

This amounts to giving the Wang family a chance to seek help from the academy, but the conditions are very strict.

"This 【Righteous Qi Talisman】 is drawn by my own hand," the Vice Dean said, picking up the talisman paper.

"This talisman contains righteous qi; it has strong suppressive and intimidating effects against evil and heretical things."

"When used, it can form a short-lived protective shield that blocks the attack of evil qi."

"Try to get this talisman back to your family as soon as possible; perhaps it could be of some use at a critical moment."

This 【Righteous Qi Talisman】 is clearly intended to counter any heretical methods the Wan family might employ, as well as Wan Hong.

Although not directly sending people to help, this is already the maximum assistance the Vice Dean can give without breaking the rules.

"Thank you, teacher! Thank you, teacher!" Wang Xuanqing exclaimed gratefully, continuously kowtowing.

With these two items, at least the family has a bit more hope of survival!

Especially that 【Righteous Qi Talisman】 might truly be able to counter Wan Hong!

"Go, quickly think of a way to send the talisman back. Remember my words: the jade talisman must not be used unless it is the final moment of desperation." The Vice Dean waved his hand.

Wang Xuanqing then kowtowed three more times deeply, carefully stored the jade talisman and talisman paper, and withdrew from the study.

He dared not waste a moment.

He immediately began contacting trustworthy people in the academy, using every means to deliver this 【Righteous Qi Talisman】 that concerns his family's fate, as quickly as possible, into the hands of his grandfather far away in Luo Bay County.

Will this talisman from the Vice Dean of the Heavenly Confucian Academy arrive in time?

Just how powerful is it?

Can it protect the Wang family under Wan Hong's 【Black Fiend Claw】?

Everything remains unknown.

Behind the Wang family's tightly closed gates, Wang Shan is desperately "farming" to accumulate Spirit Plant Points.

He intends to exchange them for the costly 【Array Core Enhancement Module】 and 【Obstacle-Breaking Pill】.

Now, there is also a hope coming from afar, plus an unused trump card.