Chapter 61: Such Praise Is Better Left Unsaid

Qinghe Academy.

Jiang Zhongqiao had originally received a letter from the Tongtian Division and prepared to head to Yunchuan, but unexpectedly, before he could even set off, another letter arrived saying it was no longer necessary.

At this moment, he felt a great deal of curiosity about this girl named Cheng Xi.

He wondered what kind of girl she could be, to make someone with Li Zhi'an's temperament care so much.

Thinking of Li Zhi'an, Dean Jiang's mouth twitched; it was a pity, for Li Zhi'an's ambitions did not lie in this Dao, otherwise, with his abilities, he would have left this place long ago.

"Master."

"Come in."

Fang Xun pushed the door open and entered.

Qinghe Academy was a famous cultivation sanctuary, the head of the Four Great Academies, especially the back mountain, which was wreathed in clouds and mist and rich in Spirit Essence.

As soon as Fang Xun entered, he saw his Master sitting on a blue stone, and he stepped forward to perform the disciple's salute.

Dean Jiang slowly opened his eyes, his gaze like lightning, and looked at his eldest disciple as he asked, "Fang Xun, you have been cultivating with me for over three years; do you know what is most important in the path of cultivation?"

Fang Xun replied with a respectful expression, "Master has often taught this disciple that in the path of immortality, one's state of mind is most important. If the mind is not settled, even with heaven-reaching talent, it is difficult to achieve greatness."

Dean Jiang nodded slightly, "Not bad. State of mind is the root, Spirit Essence is the branches. Have you had any insights from your recent cultivation?"

Fang Xun hesitated slightly before speaking, "Master, in my recent cultivation, I have felt that the circulation of Spirit Essence is not smooth, as if there is some obstruction; I do not know the reason why."

Dean Jiang chuckled, "Your mind has distracting thoughts, so naturally it is difficult for it to flow through."

Fang Xun was startled, not knowing that his Master had already seen it; he sighed softly and said, "This disciple received a letter from home. Currently, the situation in Jindu is volatile and uncertain; the Empress Dowager and the Little Emperor are clashing fiercely in the court. My aunt is still in the palace serving as a Grand Concubine, and this disciple is truly worried. This disciple is dull-witted and has allowed family matters to unsettle my state of mind; I ask that Master not blame me."

"The path of immortality is not the work of a single day. Come with me."

The master and disciple walked to the mountain peak and looked down at the sea of clouds.

Dean Jiang pointed into the distance, "Look at that sea of clouds; it is ever-changing and unpredictable, yet it never leaves its roots. Cultivation is the same; if your heart is like the sea of clouds, though it may change in a thousand ways, you must never lose your original intent."

Fang Xun was thoughtful, "Does Master mean that this disciple needs to calm my mind and focus my spirit in order to break through the bottleneck?"

Dean Jiang nodded. "Exactly. You shall sit in meditation here for three days, observe the sea of clouds, and realize your state of mind. Come see me again in three days. I have important matters to entrust to you, so do not be slack."

"This disciple will strictly obey Master's orders."

Fang Xun sat cross-legged on the spot, closed his eyes, and focused his spirit.

Dean Jiang smiled slightly, transformed into a breeze, and vanished into the sea of clouds.

Several Seals in Tianshuo had shown signs of loosening, and Demons were breaking through the Seals to enter Tianshuo and cause chaos; Li Zhi'an had informed him in a letter that he needed to take precautions in advance.

Dean Jiang was filled with worry; he planned to move up the enrollment this year. Just among the noble families of Jindu, quite a few had emerged with awakened talents, but there was no telling about the common folk. If only another person as brilliant and talented as Li Zhi'an could appear, that would be for the best.

It was a pity that Li Zhi'an refused to leave Tianshuo.

Three days later, Fang Xun finished his meditation and returned to Jindu with Dean Jiang's letter; the news of Qinghe Academy's early enrollment spread instantly throughout Jindu.

Cheng Xi was currently making clothes for Baohua. The clothes that Mulan and the others made were just ordinary fabric, but the one she was making for Baohua was a Dharma Robe.

She had originally made a set, but she had grown taller, and the clothes had become too small.

Cheng Xi had bought some Heavenly Silkworm Silk from Chi Laicheng; the crystal-clear threads each emitted a faint silver light, as if condensed from moonlight.

Such quality exceeded Cheng Xi's expectations; she had not expected to see Heavenly Silkworm Silk of this quality here.

Using Heavenly Silkworm Silk to refine a Dharma Robe would not only be incredibly tough, but it would also increase Baohua's attributes, making it a perfect fit for her.

Having Heavenly Silkworm Silk was not enough; she also needed Fire Phoenix Feather, Dragon Scale Powder, and other items. The others were easy to talk about, but the Fire Phoenix Feather and Dragon Scale Powder were not easy to find.

So she went to see Lao Wutou again, but unexpectedly, Lao Wutou was closed today. She went to see Liang Popo next door, but it turned out Liang Popo was not there either. The one tending the shop was her daughter-in-law, a dull and slow-witted young woman who knew nothing when asked, so Cheng Xi had no choice but to leave.

There was no other way, so Cheng Xi had to go find Li Zhi'an.

Hearing that Cheng Xi was looking for her, Li Zhi'an came out of the yamen. The Bi'an on the main gate flickered in and out of view, its pair of eyes occasionally peeking at Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi met the Bi'an's eyes, and she saw it vanish with a 'whoosh'.

Cheng Xi:?

Li Zhi'an swept a glance at the direction where the Bi'an had disappeared before walking toward Cheng Xi, "Why don't you come in?"

Cheng Xi shook her head, "I have something I want to ask you. I want to buy Fire Phoenix Feather and Dragon Scale Powder; do you know where I can buy them?"

"You have to go to the Nanming Volcano to find Fire Phoenix Feather, and you can buy Dragon Scale Powder in Ghost Street," Li Zhi'an said, looking at Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi was stunned, "Where is the Nanming Volcano?"

"Outside the Seal," Li Zhi'an said.

Cheng Xi:...

That meant she couldn't get them for the time being.

Cheng Xi frowned.

"Are you in a hurry to use them?" Li Zhi'an asked, looking at Cheng Xi's furrowed brow.

Cheng Xi nodded, "Baohua has grown taller; I need to remake her Dharma Robe."

"Grown taller?" Li Zhi'an looked at Cheng Xi in astonishment, "I have never heard of a wooden person being able to grow taller."

What had Cheng Xi used to make her? How could she actually grow?

Cheng Xi met Li Zhi'an's strange expression, her mouth twitched, and then she said, "Yes, she underwent a mutation. Although this kind of thing is extremely rare, it is not unheard of."

Li Zhi'an thought that made sense; all things in the world had their rules, but it was not as if there were no things that could break the rules.

It was just that, once something—whether person or object—could break the norm, it was extraordinary.

Thinking of this, she looked at Cheng Xi and said, "Chi Laicheng has some other materials; why don't you make do with those for now? You can't let Baohua have no clothes to wear."

As soon as Li Zhi'an said this, a wooden head suddenly poked out from Cheng Xi's sleeve. Before Cheng Xi could react, she grabbed Cheng Xi's sleeve like she was on a swing and jumped onto Li Zhi'an's arm, climbed up his arm to his shoulder, and sat down, not moving.

Cheng Xi's face darkened, "Baohua, come back!"

What does this look like!

Baohua turned a deaf ear, tilting her head to look at Li Zhi'an. This was the person willing to make clothes for her, and they were Dharma Robes!

Li Zhi'an smiled and said to Cheng Xi, "You have raised Baohua very well."

Ordinary people could not raise such a spirited and clever wooden puppet.

Cheng Xi kept a wooden face; such praise was better left unsaid.

Li Zhi'an looked at Cheng Xi and smiled, "Come inside with me to take a look?"

Cheng Xi refused to move.

Upon seeing this, Baohua jumped down from Li Zhi'an's shoulder, took short steps, and zipped into the Tongtian Division in a flash.

Cheng Xi:...

Li Zhi'an stepped forward, looked at Cheng Xi, and said, "Let's go, Baohua is very cute, and the person who raised her to be like this is even cuter."

Cheng Xi gave Li Zhi'an a suspicious look; had he been possessed?