The main gate of the Heavenly Dao Academy was a hundred meters wide, towering into the clouds.
A magnificent and imposing aura radiated from the gate.
On each side of the gate stood two statues of men.
One man held a horsetail whisk, wearing a Daoist robe, exuding a majestic presence.
The other man stood on a blue tiger, his right hand raised above his head, with a blade intent condensed in his palm.
“These two are the founding ancestors of our Heavenly Dao Academy,” Li Menghe explained at the side.
“The one on the left is Ancestor Blue Tiger, and the one on the right is the One-Force Sage. It’s said that in the Desolate Era, they were the pioneers of the Heavenly Dao Academy. Together with others, they founded this academy in an age when beasts ruled and drank blood, with the intent to train more talents for our human race.”
“Admirable,” Mo Tianming nodded.
“But later, after Grand Emperor Zhen Wu brought prosperity to the human race, our Heavenly Dao Academy also began to accept students without discrimination. People of other races could also join,” Li Menghe continued. “Vice Dean Li thinks highly of you both, so you should work hard.”
“Sister Li, if you have time tomorrow, could you show us around the academy?” Xu Zimo asked.
He mainly wanted to look for the location of the Nine-Curve God Flame, but it wasn’t convenient to ask directly, lest others think he had ulterior motives.
“That…” Li Menghe hesitated for a moment, then said, “Let’s see how the academy arranges things for you. If there’s nothing important, taking you around shouldn’t be a problem.”
Entering the Heavenly Dao Academy, even though night had fallen, the academy was still bustling.
Above their heads, countless islands and pavilions floated in the air.
Some people sat under the sky absorbing the essence of stars and moon, some flew on swords, and others rode ancient beasts whose overwhelming aura filled the heavens.
The Heavenly Dao Academy was vast beyond sight, with around a hundred thousand students.
Its prosperity, liveliness, and resources were unmatched by any other academy on the Primordial Heartlands.
When the group arrived at the Oasis Courtyard, they saw it was a quiet residence.
All around were spirit-gathering formations, and the spiritforce was abundant.
Various flowers, plants, and trees were planted in the surroundings.
In the center of the courtyard stood several large ginkgo trees.
The courtyard walls were built from Silver Moon Stone, and inside there were three rooms.
Whether in environment or in construction materials, everything was top-class.
“Alright, rest here for the night,” Li Menghe said.
“Thank you, Sister Li,” Mo Tianming said gratefully.
Watching Li Menghe’s departing figure, Mo Tianming turned to Xu Zimo with a smile.
“So Brother Xu is actually a prodigy of the True Martial Sacred Ground. I’ve been disrespectful.”
“Brother Mo is not simple either,” Xu Zimo smiled.
Back in the Heavenly Dao Tower, Xu Zimo had clearly sensed that mysterious power within Mo Tianming.
It was definitely imperial might.
After all, he had met Grand Emperors before, and this feeling could not be mistaken.
“Everyone has secrets. I look forward to getting along with you in the future. As fellow students of the academy, we should look after each other,” Mo Tianming said with a smile.
The two chatted briefly before each returned to their rooms.
…
At that moment, within the Heavenly Dao Academy, in a brightly lit great hall.
More than a dozen figures with overwhelming presence sat together.
Vice Dean Li Changhe sat to one side.
At the head seat sat a woman.
She wore a blue and white long robe and a thin veil that half-covered her face.
Because the robe was loose, her figure could not be clearly seen.
From the head seat downward, powerful teachers lined up on both sides.
“I heard the Heavenly Dao Tower caused quite a stir today,” the woman’s voice was pleasant, and she chuckled.
“Dean,” Li Changhe nodded.
“Two people passed the tenth floor of the Heavenly Dao Tower today, so I came to ask for your opinion.”
“What did Stellar Ancestor say?” the woman asked.
“The ancestor gave two opinions,” Li Changhe said. “That young man named Mo Tianming carries imperial might, and is surely extraordinary. His future is limitless. As for the other, Xu Zimo, he couldn’t see through him.”
“Couldn’t see through?” The woman at the head slightly frowned. Her skin was fair, and the slight furrow of her willow brows gave her a different kind of charm. “In this world, there are few people even the ancestor cannot see through.”
“I’m curious as well, but those were exactly the ancestor’s words,” Li Changhe nodded.
“What do you all think?” the woman asked, looking at the others on both sides.
“Since the ancestor spoke so highly of them, I think we should train them both well.”
“Yes, perhaps this era’s Grand Emperor will come from our Heavenly Dao Academy.”
“I agree. If we have a Grand Emperor in this era, some people won’t dare go too far.”
“Vice Dean, what do you think?” the woman asked Li Changhe.
“My suggestion is to focus on cultivating Mo Tianming. As for Xu Zimo, we should give him consideration,” Li Changhe said.
“Mo Tianming is a rogue cultivator, if we train him, he’ll be ours. Xu Zimo, however, is likely the Holy Son of the True Martial Sacred Ground, as you all know. No matter what, he won’t stay in the academy.”
“True enough,” a teacher below nodded. “We can train both, but Mo Tianming is more worth the effort.”
“In that case,” the woman at the head waved her hand slightly and said, “Venerable Min, Mo Tianming will be under your guidance. Before Heaven’s Will forms, I want you to do everything possible to help him.”
“I understand,” a refined-looking man stepped forward and agreed.
“And Venerable Nu?” The woman looked around the hall, frowning slightly.
“He’s probably not here,” someone replied.
“I’ll go call him.”
“No need. Just pass the word along, have Xu Zimo report to him tomorrow,” the woman said.
“That’s settled.”
The others had no objections, though they were inwardly curious why Xu Zimo was being sent to Venerable Nu.
After all, people in the academy had complicated feelings about that man.
“Venerable Jin, how is your matter going?” After finishing the discussion, the woman turned her gaze to a man in golden robes in the hall.
“It’s troublesome. I’m afraid it won’t last much longer,” Venerable Jin sighed.
“How much longer is ‘not much longer’?” the woman asked.
“Seven days, at most seven days,” Venerable Jin thought for a moment and replied firmly.
“I understand. You may all go,” the woman said after a moment of silence, waving her hand.
“Dean, several forces in the north are already restless,” Venerable Jin added.
“They all want to take a bite of this meat. But are they not afraid of breaking their teeth?” the woman snorted coldly.