Ming Qi sent Ouna away and had originally planned to try again to mobilize the mysterious aura within the Mountain and Sea Map to see if he could uncover any clues. Just then, he heard movement outside the door.
With a cold shout, he saw a figure emerge from the shadows not far away.
"Junior Brother Ming, it's me."
The person who came was Tang Qi, which surprised Ming Qi. Tang Qi's expression was not particularly good. Although he had done his best to conceal it, it was still clear to Ming Qi.
"Oh, it's Senior Brother Tang Qi. What do you want to talk to me about?"
The two of them sat down inside. Tang Qi glanced at the wine jug and cup on the table, then sighed and said, "Ouna never drinks, and she's allergic to alcohol..."
Ming Qi was startled, then apologized, "I'm truly rude. I'll apologize to Senior Sister Ouna in person someday."
Tang Qi waved his hand calmly, saying, "That's nothing. I asked you here today because I have something else to tell you."
Ming Qi knew full well that Tang Qi had likely seen Ouna and followed him, but he couldn't quite guess what he was thinking.
After all, to Tianqi Academy, he was still a newcomer, or, to put it bluntly, an outsider.
Ouna, I'm sure, held considerable weight in the hearts of all Tianqi Academy disciples.
"Oh? I wonder what Senior Brother Tang Qi wants?"
Tang Qi sighed and said, "Senior Brother Meng has entered the Tianguan Tower."
It seemed normal for Meng Junyi to enter the Tianguan Tower for the trial, but Tang Qi's expression was a little off.
"Is there something wrong with this?"
Ming Qi truly had no idea. Meng Junyi had entered the Tianguan Tower simply to improve his strength; there didn't seem to be anything particularly interesting going on.
"Senior Brother Meng swore an oath before Tian Qi before entering the tower, vowing not to leave until he reached the twentieth floor!"
Tang Qi's face was filled with worry, as if he was deeply concerned about this matter.
Ming Qi's thoughts shifted. It seemed Meng Junyi had been deeply shaken this time; otherwise, he wouldn't have sworn such an oath before Tian Qi's will. Clearly, today's battle had deeply affected him.
He sighed and said, "Senior Brother is resolute and determined. This trip will definitely yield results. All we have to do is trust you."
Tang Qi's eyes flashed. He looked at Ming Qi with a hint of hesitation before finally saying, "Senior Brother, before he left, told me that during his absence, Junior Brother Ming, all matters within the academy will be decided by you."
"Absolutely not!"
Ming Qi naturally wouldn't agree to this immediately. He had just arrived at Tianqi Academy, and such a thing was absolutely unacceptable. Although Tianqi Academy was relatively insignificant, it was still an academy, nominally on par with other powerful academies.
Seeing Ming Qi's refusal, Tang Qi surprisingly didn't insist. Instead, he said, "Since Junior Brother Ming won't agree, I won't force you. Junior Brother, go to bed early. I'll be leaving now."
With that, Tang Qi stood up and left.
Ming Qi also stood up and escorted Tang Qi to the door.
Tang Qi's sudden visit naturally had more to do than just this one thing. Ming Qi could tell he had something else to say. However, he didn't care. After all, he and Tianqi Academy were now one, and today's battle had brought honor to Tianqi Academy. Tang Qi had no reason to immediately embarrass Ming Qi, no matter what he said.
It was late at night, and the world was still.
In Tianqi Academy, behind a small attic, under the shade of a tree.
Yue Qinglong stood there, facing a white figure floating in the night sky.
"Young Master, what are your plans?"
The white figure's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion, but judging by the tone, it was likely a middle-aged man.
Yue Qinglong, with a mournful expression, complained, "Xueying, I've been with him for a while now, and I have to say he seems to have many secrets. Today, he fought with Zhao Fenghua, and he even produced the mid-grade spiritual weapon, the Wind-Reversing Sword. Judging from this, he seems to have a close connection with Crown Prince Xu. I really don't know where to begin."
"I saw what happened today. The more secrets he has, the greater his value. But, sir, as you've said, we want wholehearted submission, not coercion. It won't be long before the relationship between the Qing and Bai Houses falls apart. If we don't have a few capable individuals by then, you know the consequences."
Xueying's tone was chilling.
"What about my sister? She's now a core leader of the Biyou Sect, isn't she?" Yue Qinglong asked.
"What about you?" Xueying said coldly. "You'll be in charge of the entire Qing Mansion in the future. If you're not exceptionally skilled, how can you possibly surpass the others? The Lord is foresighted; this is paving the way for you. Dongqing is, after all, a girl."
Hearing these words, Yue Qinglong's heart trembled. He was the Qing Mansion's sole heir and its hope, but he wasn't exceptionally gifted. In Xilan Province, where the powerful and talented abound, Yue Qinglong simply couldn't rank among the elite.
After a moment's silence, Yue Qinglong suddenly said, "If all else fails, I'll ask my father to hand the position of Master of the Qing Mansion to my sister!"
"Nonsense!"
From the shadows, Xueying suddenly shouted, silencing Yue Qinglong.
"Remember, women are the most fickle in this world."
Xueying's relentless approach left Yue Qinglong feeling deeply uneasy. Even so, she was still his sister, not an outsider!
But as soon as he thought of this, a sudden chill ran down his spine. Since Xueying said so, could this also be Father's intention?
Could it be that Father didn't trust his sister either?
Yue Qinglong was momentarily flustered, completely bewildered.
"Alright, that's all I have to say. It won't be long before a major change occurs in Bikong City. You must prepare everything before then. Several of the candidates I gave you are entering the Biyou Sect this time. Don't let Master down."
After Xueying finished speaking, without waiting for Yue Qinglong's reaction, she vanished silently into the night.
After a long pause, Yue Qinglong returned to his room with a solemn expression.
Sitting in his room, Yue Qinglong fell into deep thought.
In the daytime battle, Ming Qi had fought across levels, and even after enduring Zhao Fenghua's Soul-Binding Finger, he was still able to continue fighting. This was already astonishing. But what shocked him even more was that he not only withstood the opponent's Soul-Pulling Finger, but was also able to unleash a strange sword formation under Zhao Fenghua's ultimate move, the Ten-Finger Soul-Hooking Silk. This was unprecedented.
Yue Qinglong knew Zhao Fenghua intimately. He was well aware that Zhao Fenghua's most powerful move wasn't the Soul-Pulling Finger. Both the Soul-Pulling Finger and the Ten-Finger Soul-Hooking Silk were powerful moves capable of directly shocking an opponent's soul.
"Should I send him some medicine?"
At this moment, Yue Qinglong held a crystal-clear white jade box.
"But it seems inappropriate."
He knew that although he had spent some time with this youth, who looked several years younger than him, he didn't believe he knew him well enough. Would offering him a favor rashly resent him?
Furthermore, he had already noticed his connection to the inner sect. Would this make him wary of him?
Yue Qinglong was at a loss for words.
And so, a day passed.
The next day, explosive news spread throughout the Biyou Sect: a genius had emerged from the Tianqi Academy!
A nameless individual at the seventh level of the Acquired Realm fought Zhao Fenghua, at the peak of the ninth level, to a draw! At one point, he even beat Zhao Fenghua to a bloody pulp, a horrific sight!
Furthermore, despite being only at the seventh level of the Acquired Realm, this unknown individual was capable of unleashing sword formations that even innate masters were wary of!
While rumors abounded, no one knew this unknown individual's true name, so some gossipers dubbed him the rather unconventional title: the Handkerchief Genius!
The reason was simple: after beating up Luo Zheng and the "Little Spear Tyrant" Ge Chuncheng, this individual would always wipe the blood off his hands with a handkerchief. This unbelievable gesture, which captivated countless young women, instantly became the most striking symbol of this unknown individual, Ming Qi.
"Handkerchief Genius?!!"
At Ming Qi's residence, he was stunned when he heard this mystical name from Ouna and the others.
This was just a habit he'd had as a killer in his previous life. Every time he killed someone, he'd throw a handkerchief to cover their face. Naturally, he continued this habit in this world.
Ouna smiled charmingly, chuckling slightly at Ming Qi's expression.
Ouna, Sang Yue'er, Tang Qi, Qiu Ling, and the others had come to see Ming Qi's injuries. When they learned that Ming Qi, despite being struck by Zhao Fenghua's Soul-Binding Finger, hadn't suffered the same fate as Tie Mohan, they were relieved.
After a few more words, they each returned to their training. After all, revitalizing Tianqi Academy and restoring its former glory wasn't something one could achieve with mere words; it required the sacrifice of blood and tears.
Sitting down, Ming Qi pondered.
As soon as Meng Jun entered the Tianguan Tower, Ouna and Sang Yue'er were both at the sixth level of the Acquired Realm. A challenge from a master would be no match for them. Qiu Ling had some strength, but she was too rigid. As for Tang Qi, Ming Qi wasn't sure of his true strength. The last one was Yue Qinglong. Ming Qi felt his identity was too mysterious, but he didn't care. He had established a foothold in the Biyou Sect. His next priority was to seize the opportunity to break through and advance quickly, perhaps even reaching the Xiantian realm.
Reaching the Xiantian realm would allow him to ascend directly into the inner sect, gaining access to better resources and treatment, and perhaps even receive personal guidance from some of the veterans.
Although Ming Qi had considerable knowledge of cultivation, it was limited to the Acquired Realm; he knew very little about the Xiantian realm.
He also knew that all his knowledge and memories of cultivators came from that mysterious night. He had never forgotten that night, but he had never remembered what happened. It was just that the additional memories had completely changed him.
"That dream? Could it be real?"
Ming Qi repeatedly tapped the table, gazing hazily out the window.