Chapter 22

Another first-year student participating in the Three Cities Debate was actually a student from the previous term, barely making it within the one-year period. The two third-year representatives were both acquaintances of Jiang Wang: Li Jianqiu and Wang Changxiang.

The other person besides the fifth-year student Zhang Linchuan was a senior that Jiang Wang did not know.

Since Dao Xun is a consumable item, the ranking on the Dao Xun list does not fully reflect one's strength. At least in Dong A's eyes, he has his own criteria for judgment.

Of course, this time the debate would still be led by Zhang Linchuan, and he also had high hopes for Wei Qiju and Dong A to win the championship. If Zhu Weiwu were here, they might not have to, but now that Zhu Weiwu is nowhere to be found, Dong A can only keep a close eye on Zhang Linchuan.

In response, Zhang Linchuan said he felt a lot of pressure.

The Three Cities Debate would begin on the tenth day of the tenth month. Before that, including Zhang Linchuan and Jiang Wang, everyone would undergo "special training."

It was not about using any method to squeeze out the students' combat power in the short term, as that was not the right path. Even if they won the current competition, they would lose the future of the students. Instead, Dong A himself would personally provide guidance to each participant, which was a great benefit and showed his emphasis.

Dong A would give a lecture every ten days, and the lecture hall would always be full. Many seniors who were often on missions outside would specially return to the Dao Academy on that day. Jiang Wang had never missed a single lecture.

However, Dong A's lectures were for the entire Dao Academy, and of course, he could not specially cater to Jiang Wang's progress, so Jiang Wang found it very challenging and gained little.

Jiang Wang had met Dong A many times, but he still dared not be rash in front of him. Although he did not tiptoe, he was very respectful. This strongman was known for his straightforward personality and would not hesitate to contradict even high officials in Xian'an City. Even Wei Qiju was not at ease in Dong A's presence, let alone Jiang Wang, a mere student.

"Have you been opening your meridians for some time now? Why haven't you laid the foundation yet?" Dong A asked directly as soon as they sat down.

Jiang Wang steeled himself and replied, "Perhaps the disciple is dull-witted..."

Dong A immediately reached out, "Forget it, I'll check myself."

Jiang Wang did not dare to resist and could only hope that Dong A would not discover his secret. Of course, if he did, it wouldn't be a big problem. Dao Academy students and the Dean had a master-disciple relationship, and in the future political arena of Zhuangguo, they would be seen as one. Essentially, they would rise and fall together. As long as there were no fundamental issues, Dong A would not do anything to him.

Moreover, the Heavenly Gate was both a barrier and a cover. Before it was opened, the situation deep within the Tongtian Palace was not easy to investigate. Unless Dong A personally broke through Jiang Wang's Heavenly Gate from the outside, but that would destroy Jiang Wang. Dong A would not do that.

As soon as Dong A's hand touched Jiang Wang's spine, he frowned, "You are already very slow in laying the foundation. Why are you also practicing body cultivation techniques?"

For major sects like Dao, Confucianism, and Buddhism, it was natural to have a broad-minded attitude and not to discourage disciples from practicing techniques from other schools. What Dong A was concerned about was whether Jiang Wang would be distracted and neglect the fundamental cultivation.

Jiang Wang answered, "The disciple practices meridian opening morning and night without slack. However, due to limited qi and blood, I can only open meridians twice a day, so I also practice body cultivation techniques to strengthen my qi and blood, allowing me to open meridians more times and gather more Dao Yuan, hoping to lay the foundation sooner."

"Opening meridians twice a day is already sufficient. Dao Yuan is not the more the better; control is the key." These were minor issues, so Dong A only pointed them out with a responsible attitude. He used a secret technique to sense the situation inside Jiang Wang's Tongtian Palace.

"Is the foundation array diagram you are using not the Guiyuan Array?" Dong A suddenly asked.

It was discovered! Jiang Wang felt a strange sense of relief. It was almost impossible to hide anything from a seasoned expert like Dong A.

"Yes," Jiang Wang admitted frankly, "The foundation array diagram the disciple is using is much more complex than the Guiyuan Array, which is why the disciple has not been able to lay the foundation for so long."

"Nonsense," Dong A scolded, "There are many foundation array diagrams better than the Guiyuan Array in the world. Do you know why our Yujing Mountain lineage still generally uses it? Because it is stable, safe, and efficient, suitable for any scale of Tongtian Palace. It is the most widely applicable foundation array diagram! How could you not consult your teacher and just act on your own for such an important matter?"

Jiang Wang's face turned red with shame. It was because of Fang Pengju's betrayal that he had become overly cautious. Although he did not have constant paranoid thoughts, he no longer dared to reveal his extraordinary encounters.

In the end, he had not fully established the trust a disciple should have for a teacher with Dong A.

When Dong A saw his injuries that day, he immediately sealed the Dao Academy, which indeed moved him. But during his time with Fang Pengju, had he not experienced many touching moments?

He was about to tell Dong A what foundation array diagram he was using, but Dong A waved his hand, "Forget it, it's too late now. Time has been wasted, and there's no point in talking more."

He thought for a moment, then unfastened a green jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Jiang Wang, "This jade pendant contains a secret technique that can help you improve your control over Dao Yuan, allowing you to complete the foundation sooner. Wearing it long-term can also help clear your mind and enhance your spirit. Take it."

"The disciple is hesitant," Jiang Wang refused, seeing it as a personal item, "This is a beloved item of Master Dong, how can the disciple take it?"

Dong A caressed the jade pendant, and a hint of nostalgia appeared on his usually stern face, "A gift from a deceased friend, now turned to dust."

He quickly returned to his usual state and firmly placed the jade pendant in Jiang Wang's hand, "This item is no longer useful to me. Take it. The future of Zhuangguo is yours."

Holding the jade pendant, Jiang Wang's mind sank into it, and a secret technique named "Kongyuan Jue" flowed through his mind.

Jiang Wang clutched the jade pendant and bowed deeply, "The disciple thanks the master!"

Dong A was not the type to indulge in emotional displays, so he quickly pulled Jiang Wang up and gave him some advice on cultivation before dismissing him with a wave of his hand.

...

Today, because he was training with Dong A, Jiang Wang asked Ling He to pick up Jiang Anan. So he did not need to go to the private school and could directly return to the dormitory.

The new secret technique was of great significance to Jiang Wang. Now that his body cultivation was successful and his qi and blood were abundant, he could practice meridian opening four times a day and absorb four Dao Yuan each time. The only problem was that the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Array Diagram became more complex as he progressed. With his current control over Dao Yuan, each time he arranged the array points, it almost exhausted his mental energy. This was the real issue that later constrained his rapid foundation laying.

The Kongyuan Jue could help Jiang Wang control Dao Yuan with the least mental effort, making it easier for him to arrange the array points without wasting unnecessary effort.

Dong A saw the problem at a glance and provided a solution. One word from the master was worth ten years of hard work.

Jiang Wang carefully tied the Kongyuan jade pendant to his waist, planning to never take it off.

Dong A regarded him as a future outstanding disciple and was willing to give him a personal item. At this moment, Jiang Wang also considered Dong A as his support.

"There's an invitation for you."

When picking up Jiang Anan from Ling He, Ling He suddenly said.

Jiang Wang held Jiang Anan in one arm and took the invitation with the other, then understood why Ling He's expression was so serious.

The sender of the invitation was Fang Zehou.

The most likely successor to the Fang family, Fang Pengju's uncle, and Fang Heling's father.

The banquet was to be held at Wangyue Tower.

The place where Fang Pengju had set up a trap to poison him a few months ago.

...

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