Chapter 1426: Chapter 1427: I am an Elder of the Heavenly God Academy Revealing Myself
“Are there other academies? What does that mean?”
“Could you elaborate? Is the Heavenly God Academy not the only one?”
A cultivator couldn’t help but ask.
“Certainly not. Within the Cangtian Realm, there is only the Heavenly God Academy, but outside the Cangtian Realm, the lands are vast and boundless, with countless sects and forces. Naturally, other academies exist. However, these matters are too distant and irrelevant to us. Most cultivators spend their entire lives unable to leave the Cangtian Realm!”
Nangong Menglu spoke lightly, her gaze firmly fixed on Li Xiaobai. What she said was the truth; even stepping into the Ancient Battlefield only allowed brief interaction with cultivators from other regions, far from glimpsing the broader picture. Yet this old man unraveled the truth in one statement—could he possibly be from beyond the realm?
“Not so, not so! The great world is full of wonders. We cultivators must tread over ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains to witness the magnificence of myriad peaks bathed in dazzling colors!”
Li Xiaobai spoke flamboyantly, spouting grandiose rhetoric, yet somehow exuded an air of credibility.
“So, does this mean Senior has visited other realms?”
Nangong Menglu asked.
“No, no, not at all. This old man has never even left Cangtian City. I’m merely saying that the world is vast, and we ought to take a look…”
Li Xiaobai chuckled heartily as he replied.
The cultivators present fell silent. Suddenly, they realized how out of place they were compared to these two. One was a mysterious elder, the other a genius from the Heavenly God Academy. Their awareness of the world and perspective were leagues beyond theirs, discussing topics that they hadn’t even heard of before.
Cangtian Realm’s outside world?
They knew such a place existed, but as Nangong Menglu stated, no one ever considered exploring it. The local clan rivalries alone were enough to drain their energy; where would they find the strength to investigate that distant expanse?
Beyond the Heavenly God Academy, there were other academies? This must be a matter of contention between high-level forces—far beyond their reach.
“Ahem, have some tea!”
“Outside realms are too distant. On the path of cultivation, focusing on what’s in front of us is what truly matters.”
“Freshly harvested Enlightenment Tea Leaves—please savor them together.”
Bai Hua coughed twice, waved his hand, and several golden leaves appeared in the void, radiating dazzling brilliance. Dao rhythm coursed through them, with vein patterns resembling mysterious symbols operating in precise harmony, as if alive.
Nangong Menglu and Li Xiaobai’s conversation had become far too profound and esoteric—utterly beyond the scope of the group. The discussion of realms outside caused Bai Hua discomfort; if it continued, this gathering might no longer be a tea party for gifted cultivators but rather a showcase for the two outstanding figures. Bai Hua couldn’t allow the focus to shift away from himself.
Moreover, letting the topic persist meant subtly admitting his ignorance, which was unacceptable. As disciples of the prestigious clans within the city, their duty was to strengthen their respective sects—such distant matters weren’t their concern.
A stream of water flowed through the void, enveloping the golden leaves and dividing them before spiraling gracefully into the tea cups of those present. His water control technique was exquisite, showcasing Bai Hua’s exceptional abilities.
“Marvelous technique!”
“Senior Brother Bai Hua surely deserves the title of Baihe Sect’s genius—this move is truly impressive!”
“The true measure of mastery lies in subtle details; the simplest actions often reveal one’s cultivation level!”
“…”
The cultivators transitioned from their earlier awkwardness to marveling at Bai Hua’s skill.
The rhythmic Dao energy radiating from the golden leaves enchanted them immediately. Just catching a whiff brought on a sense of clarity and serenity—it was undoubtedly extraordinary.
“These Enlightenment Tea Leaves are harvested once every three years, and only the tender tips from the Enlightenment Tea Tree’s summit are picked—this represents the most concentrated essence. It so happens this year marks the third harvest, so I’ve managed to acquire some by fortune. We’re blessed with a rare treat!”
Bai Hua smiled warmly.
“Excellent tea!”
Even Nangong Menglu, who was typically critical, couldn’t help but brighten upon tasting it. The moment the tea entered her mouth, she felt a sudden lightness in her body.
The cultivators eagerly drank the tea in their cups and then began to carefully sense its effects. Gradually, they felt as if they had touched a certain threshold, perceiving faint wisps of smoke that enhanced their insights. Within mere breaths, they shattered the chains binding their breakthroughs.
With just one cup of tea, they advanced!
“This…”
“I’ve actually advanced. I just broke into the Transcendent First Layer but, unbelievably, leveled up again—jumping two levels in one go?”
“What kind of tea is this? Senior Brother Bai Hua offered us such an extraordinary treasure—what a rarity!”
The cultivators opened their eyes wide, faces filled with shock and disbelief. They began wondering if Bai Hua had mistakenly used something even more precious. This level of transcendence was absurd—it was almost incomprehensibly luxurious.
“Ah, this…”
“I don’t know either…”
Even Bai Hua was flustered. Enlightenment Tea was meant to impress, but it wasn’t supposed to be this potent. How could a mere sip lead to spontaneous breakthroughs? And yet it had! Not only did it benefit the surrounding cultivators, but Bai Hua himself found clarity—his insight was boosted, rendering past cultivation puzzles void and granting him profound understanding. This couldn’t be attributed solely to Enlightenment Tea’s effects!
It wasn’t as simple as Bai Hua grabbing the wrong treasure—even if he had, he didn’t own anything remotely capable of such miraculous powers.
“No, this isn’t Enlightenment Tea. Earlier, I noticed a faint trace of smoke—an aura distinct from the tea leaves. It emanated from another artifact!”
Nangong Menglu’s eyes sparkled with divine light as she scanned the area before locking onto the source. Her expression shifted dramatically.
They saw the old man holding a cup of tea in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. He leisurely tapped ashes off the cigarette, entirely absorbed in his enjoyment and wearing a look of pure contentment.
The wavering smoke they had sensed earlier emanated from the object this elder was leisurely puffing on!
Once again, it was that old man!
The crowd was stunned. Though they already knew the elder was extraordinary, he continued to amaze them. What was the mystical object he held, and why did it possess such divine effects?
“Uh…”
“Aren’t we supposed to be savoring tea? Why are you all staring at me?”
Li Xiaobai noticed the group’s gaze and was genuinely puzzled, oblivious to the divine nature of the artifact in his hand, as though his actions were entirely ordinary.
“Many thanks to Senior for your grace, allowing us to achieve breakthroughs here and now. Your generosity today will never be forgotten!”
The young cultivators bowed fervently. None of them were foolish—they understood clearly that the elder deliberately manifested this divine effect to guide them to new levels of cultivation.
This was nothing short of a Living Immortal! To elevate a gathering of young prodigies on the spot—just how profound must his cultivation be?
Fu Tao’s gaze was equally overwhelmed with awe. They had truly struck gold—this elder was a treasure in himself!
“With such selfless intentions, if my guess is correct, Senior must be from the Heavenly God Academy?”
Nangong Menglu’s beautiful eyes gleamed as she asked. For a senior to enlighten a group of juniors, there could only be one logical explanation—it meant they were connected. Aside from the Heavenly God Academy, she couldn’t think of any other affiliation.
“Sigh, I initially planned to interact with you all as a common person, but it seems my cover has been blown. I accidentally revealed a precious item; no point hiding anymore. I am an elder of the Heavenly God Academy—it’s time to come clean!”