Chapter 767: Body of the Great Dao

March 17th, the 48th year of Hongguang.

The first exchange tournament between Tianqu University and Hongyi University concluded successfully.

Ever since the first Martial Dao Exchange Tournament was held, a tournament has been held every year thereafter.

However, while it initially involved only the three Daoist sects and twelve universities, it has now evolved to include Pudu Temple, thirteen universities, and two Daoist sects.

In the few months before the National Martial Dao Exchange Tournament begins, some universities hold exchange matches among themselves to hone their students and serve as a form of internal selection.

This year marks the first time Hongyi University has held an exchange tournament with Tianqu University; as a "newly promoted university," Hongyi University took the initiative to send students to compete at Tianqu University.

There are a total of 15 participating students from Hongyi University, including 5 commoner students and 10 students from noble families.

This ratio is not because the school intentionally allocates more spots to noble children, but rather because they were selected based on the students' comprehensive performance.

Although Hongyi University claims to treat all students equally, when it comes to acquiring resources, noble children find it easier to earn credits—and thus exchange them for resources—by relying on their families' support and connections.

If commoner students want to catch up to them in resource acquisition, they have no choice but to risk their lives!

Under these circumstances, commoner students occupy only one-third of the 15 spots.

Yet, in the exchange tournament between the two universities, the five commoner students from Hongyi University performed exceptionally well.

Whether it was their on-the-spot adaptability or their sheer drive and ruthlessness, they were clearly stronger than the other students!

Students trained using the most brutal "Jianghu sect-style" educational method are indeed stronger in temperament than those raised through "greenhouse education."

The five commoner students from Hongyi University are led by Zhang Yan, a junior. (See Volume 3, Chapter 110, "Hongyi")

Zhang Yan has just broken through to the mid-stage of Qi Transformation; he has the highest cultivation base and the strongest combat power among all commoner students at Hongyi University, and is called "Senior Brother" by the commoner students.

In this exchange tournament, he fought his way to the finals, ultimately losing to a fifth-year student from Tianqu University who was at the peak of the Qi Transformation stage.

After the tournament, the participating students from both universities arranged to eat together.

Of course, because the commoner students and noble children at Hongyi University are practically at daggers drawn, the meal arrangements were separate.

Everyone made their own separate plans with different people.

In the end, Zhang Yan and his group only managed to invite three students from Tianqu University.

After the meal, Zhang Yan called one of the Tianqu University students aside:

"Brother Zhuo, you've been considering this for half a year—have you not made up your mind yet?"

This Tianqu University student is named Zhuo Buping, and he is the champion of this two-school exchange tournament.

In the national martial arts exchange tournament two years ago, he fought his way to the second round of the main competition, only to encounter Li Fei and be eliminated. (See Volume 3, Chapter 14, "The River Flows Eternally")

Zhuo Buping's family background can also be classified as commoner; he has a naturally bitter expression, and upon hearing Zhang Yan's question, his expression looked even more bitter.

Half a year ago, he and Zhang Yan met at the previous National Martial Dao Exchange Tournament.

After the competition ended, Zhang Yan took the initiative to find him and invite him to join the New Heaven Society!

At the time, Zhuo Buping did not agree immediately, saying he needed to think about it.

"If Brother Zhuo has any difficulties, feel free to speak plainly."

Zhang Yan looked open and honest.

Zhuo Buping shook his head and switched to using internal force to transmit his voice:

"On the 1st of this month, anomalies occurred simultaneously in over two hundred villages and towns across five northern provinces. Tens of thousands of people suddenly fell into a coma, ultimately resulting in nearly a thousand casualties, and many others were left with lifelong ailments. A week ago, the imperial court announced the cause: all of this was the work of the New Heaven Society, which has just been defined as a cult organization. Does Brother Zhang have anything to say about this?"

Zhang Yan was not surprised to hear this; he still looked at Zhuo Buping calmly and transmitted his voice using internal force:

"These were indeed the work of the New Heaven Society."

Zhuo Buping flared with anger: "And you still dare to invite me to join you?!"

Zhang Yan remained calm and shook his head:

"Has Brother Zhuo ever considered that during the snow disaster at the beginning of the year, these five provinces were the hardest hit, and the local government was corrupt and incompetent, leading to situations where people in remote villages froze to death?

If the New Heaven Society hadn't spent a massive amount of spell-casting materials to set up arrays in the vicinity and provided them with incantations to ward off the cold, many of them would not have survived the disaster, and the final death toll would have been several times higher than it is now!"

Zhuo Buping was stunned and retorted mockingly: "So, you're saying the New Heaven Society didn't harm them, but actually saved them?"

Zhang Yan countered: "Isn't that the case?"

Zhuo Buping: "."

For a moment, he could not find a reason to refute the other party, but he subconsciously felt that this was wrong.

"Brother Zhuo, have you ever thought about how many spell-casting materials the New Heaven Society had to produce to complete this across five provinces and two hundred villages and towns? With so many materials, could there be no one behind the scenes helping us? Why would those people help us?"

Zhang Yan continued, "How could we have made moves in over two hundred villages and towns simultaneously without a single piece of news leaking out? Yet why did none of this information reach the central government?"

Zhuo Buping looked at him: "Are you trying to say that you have your people inside the imperial court?"

Zhang Yan shook his head: "That is not the only reason; it is also because many people, in order to protect their own official positions, took the initiative to help us conceal the news."

Zhuo Buping frowned.

Zhang Yan sneered: "We were able to succeed not only because of our ability, but also because of the corruption and incompetence of our opponents!

You only hear the imperial court say that the New Heaven Society caused thousands of casualties, but the court will never tell you how many commoners, who could have survived through government relief, ultimately died in the snow disaster because of the corruption and inaction of local officials!"

Zhuo Buping: "."

He pondered for a moment, finally clearing his thoughts:

"However, if you also go about things by sacrificing others at will, how are you any different from the imperial court you despise?"

A trace of anger appeared in Zhang Yan's eyes: "I already said just now, if the New Heaven Society hadn't acted, those people would have died in the snow disaster long ago! It was the New Heaven Society that saved more people! And when has a change of dynasty ever happened without bloodshed and sacrifice? Only by experiencing the pangs of labor can we change to a new heaven!"

Zhuo Buping was silent for a few seconds, then finally shook his head:

"Sorry, Brother Zhang, I don't think I can accept your style of doing things."

A look of disappointment appeared on Zhang Yan's face:

"Brother Zhuo, with your talent, if you had enough resources, you would certainly be able to become a Dao Foundation powerhouse, and in the future, you might even have the chance to go further. Are you really content to be forever stepped on by those noble children who are inferior to you in every way?"

In Zhuo Buping's mind, the face of that noble child who was in the same match as him when he participated in the National Martial Dao Exchange Tournament appeared, demanding that he intentionally lose the match as if it were his right.

He subconsciously clenched his fists, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

In the end, he still said to Zhang Yan: "Sorry."

Zhang Yan sighed, did not try to persuade him further, and turned to leave.

Directly opposite the restaurant where the two were eating, there was a residence.

In the main hall, two middle-aged men sat opposite each other drinking tea.

One of them wore a pale white long gown, a jade hairpin in his hair, and jade ornaments at his waist, possessing quite a scholarly air.

If Zhuo Buping from the restaurant across the street were here, he would recognize at a glance that this man with the scholarly air was none other than his university's president—Qi Zhou!

"Zhuo Buping? That's a good name, and his temperament is also quite good. What does Brother Qi think?"

The man sitting opposite Qi Zhou said while drinking tea.

Both Zhuo Buping and Zhang Yan used internal force to transmit their voices during their conversation, but the dialogue between them seemed not to have escaped the two men present; it was all overheard!

Qi Zhou smiled slightly and picked up his teacup to take a sip:

"To be praised by you, he is indeed quite good."

The man sitting opposite him wore a gray coat, and his face looked very ordinary; if one looked closely, one would find that his features seemed hidden in a fog, not clearly visible.

This person put down the teacup in his hand: "With such talent, is Brother Qi not considering cultivating him well?"

Qi Zhou said indifferently: "I can only guarantee him a fair competitive environment; how much he can achieve in the end is up to him."

"Fair?"

The man with the blurred face sneered, "In the current environment of Tianqu University, where is there any fairness to speak of? Why must Brother Qi deceive yourself?"

Qi Zhou shook his head, not wanting to argue with the other party on this topic.

Inside the restaurant, Zhang Yan and Zhuo Buping were no longer talking, so the two in the room shifted their attention elsewhere.

It just so happened that a storyteller was performing in the first-floor hall of the restaurant:

"... saw the Marquis of Jing'an erupt with golden light, transforming into a ten-thousand-foot giant sword, piercing straight into the clouds as if to poke a hole in the sky!"

"Above the nine heavens, there were five-colored auspicious clouds, and celestial maidens scattering flowers... Golden springs gushed from the earth, and the entire Blue Spirit City was filled with golden lotus flowers..."

This storyteller was talking about the national live broadcast from half a month ago, where the Marquis of Jing'an, Li Fei, broke through his realm on the spot.

He spoke for a full three minutes about the various visions during this breakthrough, embellishing it so much that it sounded as if Li Fei wasn't just breaking through, but ascending to heaven in broad daylight!

Yet, the audience in the restaurant listened with great interest, and even many Jianghu people who understood martial arts did not feel that the storyteller was bragging.

It seemed that the breakthrough of the Marquis of Jing'an, Li Fei, should indeed be accompanied by such phenomena!

"After breaking through, the Marquis of Jing'an flew into the sky in one step and shouted to that great demon head of the New Heaven Society: 'You dog thief, do you dare to fight me for another three hundred rounds?!'"

"The leader of the New Heaven Society did not dare to reply and could only retreat."

"When the Marquis of Jing'an landed again, the referendum of the Blue Patrol Pavilion continued, and the councilors of Feng Province took the stage one after another to vote; everyone was conquered by the divine bravery of the Marquis of Jing'an. In the end, the Marquis of Jing'an received 74 votes and was successfully elected as a member of the Feng Province Blue Patrol Pavilion!"

"..."

In the room, Qi Zhou looked at the man opposite him with a smile that was not quite a smile.

"If you want to laugh, then laugh."

The man with the blurred face said irritably.

"Hahaha."

Qi Zhou did indeed laugh out loud, "To think that a dignified True Person would be slapped in the face like this by a junior."

The person opposite him was none other than the leader of the New Heaven Society, the newly promoted True Person Qiming!

However, "True Person" is an honorific for the highest achievers among Daoist sorcerers; as the leader of the New Heaven Society, and with the New Heaven Society having just been defined as a cult, he, as the head of this cult, naturally could not receive the honorific of True Person.

This great demon head, who had just been defined as the "Fourth Evil Demon," was actually sitting opposite the president of Tianqu University, and the two seemed to have a deep relationship.

After laughing for a while, Qi Zhou asked curiously:

"I wanted to ask from the beginning, how did Li Fei manage that that day?"

Blocking a full-force strike from a True Person with a Dao Foundation cultivation base—such a thing was truly unbelievable!

"His constitution is very special; perhaps it is some kind of Dao Body."

Qiming said.

"A Dao Body?"

"Born with Dao principles."

"How could such a constitution possibly exist?!"

Qi Zhou's expression changed.

He was at the Grandmaster cultivation realm, having forged a Martial Dao Domain and condensed the embryonic form of Dao principles.

Yet this was the result of his lifelong cultivation, and he still hadn't managed to touch the edge of Dao principles.

And now Qiming was telling him that someone was born possessing Dao principles?

This was as unacceptable as someone being born a Martial Saint!

"Other than that, I cannot think of any other possibility."

Qiming said with a complex tone.

He recalled the scene that day: Li Fei's life force plummeted, then surged, then plummeted again, and then surged.

Not only that, Li Fei himself was not affected by the curse power, and his body remained almost completely intact.

Regarding this strange phenomenon, Qiming could think of no other explanation than Dao principles.

"If he possesses Dao principles, why is he not yet a Martial Saint? Not a True Lord?"

Qi Zhou asked.

Possessing complete Dao principles meant stepping into the peak realm; this was common knowledge in the cultivation world.

"First, it is possible the Dao principles within him have not been fully activated. Second, he cannot fully control the Dao principles within him."

Qiming gave his own explanation.

Qi Zhou frowned and pondered bitterly.

After a long while, he laughed at himself: "Doesn't that mean that what I have struggled my whole life to seek, he was born with, and he is destined to reach the peak in the future?"

Qiming looked at him: "Isn't life just like that?"

"Things that many commoners struggle their whole lives to seek, those children of the powerful and noble are born with."

"..."

Qi Zhou was silent for a moment, then asked: "How do you intend to handle this?"

Qiming had meticulously designed a plan, using Qi Jin's "Star Destiny Technique" to tamper with Li Fei's fate, thereby bypassing the protection of others to place a curse directly on Li Fei.

But after failing on the 1st and retreating, he immediately took the initiative to eliminate all the traces he had left on Li Fei.

Not only did he not dare to repeat the same trick by starting from fate, he didn't even dare to cast curses on Li Fei remotely at will.

Because the imperial court must have been on guard, and it was possible they could follow the trail through Li Fei to find him!

That day, Qiming's plan fell short of success; he not only missed a perfect opportunity but also placed himself in a rather dangerous situation.

This was the price he had to pay for his failed plan!

Li Fei had faced his curse head-on and did not die, so certain connections between him and Li Fei would persist.

If it were any other True Lord, it might be difficult to grasp this connection.

But the Imperial Preceptor Yunshu's Dao principle was "Analysis."

As long as Yunshu was given enough time, the other party could potentially lock onto Qiming through the clue of Li Fei!

This was also the reason why Qiming had to rack his brains to target Yunshu.

It was a pity that the excellent situation had been ruined by Li Fei.

Now, Li Fei had truly become a "ticking time bomb" for Qiming!

Yet this True Lord of the Curse Dao dared not easily take action to curse Li Fei to death, because he worried that Li Fei had traps set by the imperial court.

Once he stepped into one, it would be hard to escape.

For Qiming, Li Fei had to be killed, but he could not do it himself.

And yet, Li Fei had already broken through his realm—a double breakthrough at that—and possessed such a hard-to-kill "Dao Body."

If he let a Martial Master take action, it would be hard to have the certainty of a guaranteed kill.

That was why Qiming had come to find Qi Zhou.

PS: The new volume is starting; I might update less these two days while I organize my thoughts.

(End of chapter)