The Terrifying Path of Immortal Cultivation

Most of the students live outside, and only a small number live within the academy. They usually only come here during class.

Li Qing stood out in the crowd because he was wearing a uniform that was not typical of academy students.

Many people's eyes fell on him. At this moment, Li Qing had returned to his normal height, but his appearance had changed slightly.

In particular, his facial features had been subtly adjusted, and even acquaintances from the past would not be able to tell that he was different. He appeared to be around 20 years old.

He walked towards the gate of Jixia Academy, where an old man was stationed. Upon seeing him, the old man smiled faintly and said, "Young man, if you are not a student or teacher of Jixia Academy, you cannot enter."

"Whom are you here to see?" The old man's face was kind as he asked.

Li Qing looked at him and could sense the unique Confucian Essence Qi within the old man. He smiled and said, "Sir, I am here to see the master of the academy."

The old man looked at Li Qing and was surprised to hear his words. He looked him up and down and asked, "May I ask for your name and your relationship with the master?"

At this moment, some students nearby seemed to have overheard their conversation and cast curious glances at them.

A young man standing at the gate of Jixia Academy, claiming to see the master, seemed out of the ordinary.

Upon seeing the gazes of the students, the old man sternly looked at them and reprimanded, "Do not stare impolitely, do not eavesdrop! Have you all become so disrespectful?"

Hearing the old man's scolding, the students hurriedly rushed into Jixia Academy.

Some murmured, "Old man Zheng is really old-fashioned."

"Old man Zheng is showing his authority!"

"Run quickly..."

Various strange shouts filled the air, and a strange smile appeared on Li Qing's face.

Old man Zheng cleared his throat and looked at Li Qing, "Young man, you haven't answered me yet?"

Li Qing smiled and took out a piece of paper from his pocket, on which was printed a pattern.

He showed it to Zheng, "Please ask the master to recognize me based on this."

Zheng looked at the paper handed to him by Li Qing, which depicted a token. His brow furrowed suddenly, as if he had recognized what it was.

"The master's token?" His eyes showed a hint of surprise as he looked Li Qing up and down.

Li Qing smiled faintly, "Please ask the old man to pass it on for me."

Upon hearing this, Zheng nodded slightly, "Alright, young man, please wait a moment."

Zheng turned and left, disappearing into the gate of Jixia Academy.

Li Qing stood by the gate, observing the students with great interest. He noticed that many cultivators were hidden among them. Most of the students had solemn expressions, and there seemed to be a sense of estrangement between them and the people around them.

Not only were there Confucian students, but also the aura of other schools.

"There are quite a few people here. One out of ten is a cultivator. Jixia Academy graduates a batch of people every year, and they are scattered throughout the country. It's quite astonishing."

Li Qing silently calculated various pieces of information. He had made some progress in his recent research on the Jade Tablet.

This thing might not only be used for cultivation techniques, but also for unraveling various conspiracies.

"If I write down everything I see and hear as a diary, and combine it with the various information I collect, as long as the information is sufficient, the Jade Tablet will be able to analyze the truth within it."

"This means I have the ability to unravel conspiracies, which will be very important in this intricate world."

"There are countless powerful methods and numerous hidden dangers. My wisdom may not necessarily be a match for them."

As he immersed himself in his thoughts, a voice rang out, "Who are you? Why are you blocking the gate of the academy? Is this a place where you can block the door?"

The stern voice made Li Qing furrow his brow as he looked at the speaker.

A young student in white clothes, with a hint of arrogance on his face and a condescending air between his eyebrows.

With a pair of gloomy eyes, thin lips, and a black mole at the corner of his mouth, which marred an otherwise handsome face.

Li Qing glanced at him, sneered, and then looked away.

He would respond impolitely to impolite people as well.

Seeing Li Qing's disdain, the young man's face turned red and purple. "Why don't you answer me?"

Li Qing looked at the person in front of him and thought to himself, "How can there be such an annoying person in this world, a typical troublemaker."

With a cold laugh, he said, "Why should I answer you? Do I know you?"

"Is this academy's gate your family's property?"

"Which law states that I cannot stand here?"

"Does my standing here have anything to do with you?"

"Go home and sleep, don't cause trouble everywhere."

Li Qing said indifferently, waving his hand as if shooing away a fly.

His expression and actions were like a sharp sword, provoking the young man's pride, and his face turned angry.

"You..." The young man pointed at Li Qing, trembling with anger.

Some students nearby listened to Li Qing's retort and watched the young man fume, a hint of a smile appearing at the corners of their mouths.

At this moment, a voice sounded, "What's all this noise?"

"No arguing in front of the academy. Don't you know that?"

Old man Zheng walked out with a stern expression, looking at everyone.

The angry young man immediately suppressed his temper and bowed to Zheng, saying, "Teacher Zheng, this person is blocking the gate of the academy, seriously affecting the solemnity of the academy. I was trying to drive him away."

The young man with the black mole hurriedly interjected, as if trying to place himself on the moral high ground.

Old man Zheng's gaze turned cold, and he immediately understood what was going on. "Zhou Xinglong, there must be a reason for someone to stand here."

"Just because someone is standing here, you want to drive them away. What kind of reasoning is this?"

"Since when did my academy casually drive away passersby? Where have you read in your books?"

Zhou Xinglong was scolded by old man Zheng and was left dumbfounded.

Li Qing sneered on the side, making Zhou Xinglong's face turn red, leaving him speechless.

"Go inside, the morning class is about to start."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xinglong could only glare at Li Qing and then turned to walk into the academy.

Old man Zheng shook his head and said to Li Qing, "Young sir, please follow me. The master wants to see you."

Li Qing nodded and followed old man Zheng into Jixia Academy.

He had a purpose in making a remarkable move at the academy.

One must not harbor malicious intentions, but one must not be without vigilance.

Although it seemed that there were no bad people among the Confucian cultivators, he had obtained the token from the Dragon Palace.

He needed everyone to know that he had entered Jixia Academy. Under the deterrent effect, at least the people in the academy would not act recklessly.

Entering openly, he would leave openly.

The academy was a model for the world and could not carry out punishment without teaching.

A gentleman may deceive with a square, and rules and reputation were restraints.

As a modern person, Li Qing had seen a lot about this ancient system.

"I hope everything goes smoothly."