Loyal Heart Roaming the Skies

Another first-year participant in the Three Cities Debate was actually a student from the previous year, barely stepping on the tail of the first year. The two representatives of the third year, Li Jianqiu and Wang Changxiang, were both acquaintances of Jiang Wang.

Another person outside of Zhang Linchuan, a fifth-year student, was a senior brother that Jiang Wang did not know.

Because 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 opinion, he had his own judgment criteria.

Of course, this debate was still led by Zhang Linchuan, and he also had expectations for Wei Quji and Dong A to win. If Zhu Weiwu was present, they might not have to work so hard, but now that Zhu Weiwu could not be found, Dong A could only keep a close eye on Zhang Linchuan.

In response, Zhang Linchuan expressed that he was under a lot of pressure.

The Three Cities Debate began on the tenth day of October, and before that, including Zhang Linchuan and Jiang Wang, everyone had to undergo "special training."

It was not a way to squeeze students' combat power to the limit in a short period of time, which was not the right way. Even if they won the current competition, they would lose the students' future. Instead, Dong A personally gave guidance to each participant, which was a great benefit and showed Dong A's importance.

Dong A would personally give a lecture every ten days, and the class was always full. Many senior brothers who were usually on missions outside would come back to the academy on that day. Jiang Wang never missed a single class.

But when Dong A lectured, he faced the entire academy and could not cater to Jiang Wang's progress, so he found it difficult to understand and did not gain much.

Jiang Wang had already met Dong A many times, but he still did not dare to be presumptuous in front of him. He was respectful, as this strong man was known for his straightforward personality and even dared to contradict high-ranking officials in Xin'an City. Even Wei Quji was not very comfortable in Dong A's presence, let alone Jiang Wang, a small student.

"It's been a while since you opened your meridians, why haven't you laid your foundation yet?" As soon as he sat down, Dong A asked directly.

Jiang Wang nervously replied, "Perhaps the disciple's talent is dull..."

Dong A had already reached out his hand, "Never mind, I'll take a look myself."

Jiang Wang did not dare to resist and could only hope that Dong A would not discover his secret. Of course, even if he did, it would not be a big problem. Academy students and the dean had a teacher-student relationship and would be regarded as a whole in the future officialdom of Zhuangguo. 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 Door was both a barrier and a cover. Before the Heavenly Door was opened, it was not easy to investigate the situation hidden deep inside the Tongtian Palace. Unless Dong A personally intervened and broke Jiang Wang's Heavenly Door from the outside, but in that case, Jiang Wang would be ruined. Dong A would not do that.Dong A frowned as soon as his hand touched Jiang Wang's spine. "Your foundation building is already slow enough. Why are you also practicing body refining techniques?"

As a prominent Daoist, like the Daoist scholars, they had a broad-mindedness and did not mind their disciples practicing other schools of techniques. What Dong A was concerned about was whether Jiang Wang would be distracted by this and neglect the fundamental practice.

Jiang Wang replied, "Disciple has never been slack in advancing towards meridian establishment. It's just that due to the limit of my qi and blood, I can only cultivate twice a day. Therefore, I also practice body refining techniques to strengthen my qi and blood, so that I can cultivate more meridians and gather more Dao elements to achieve foundation establishment as soon as possible."

"Twice a day is enough for meridian cultivation. It's not the more Dao elements, the better, but the control that matters." In the end, these were just trivial matters, so Dong A only commented responsibly. He used a secret method to sense the situation in Jiang Wang's Tongtian Palace outside of his spine.

"Is the foundation building array you used not the Return to Origin Array?" Dong A suddenly asked.

He was found out again! Jiang Wang felt an inexplicable relaxation in his heart. It was really difficult to hide anything in front of an experienced strongman like Dong A.

"Yes." Jiang Wang honestly admitted, "The foundation building array I used is much more complicated than the Return to Origin Array, which is also the reason why I have not achieved foundation establishment yet."

"Nonsense." Dong A rebuked him, "There are many foundation building arrays in the world that are superior to the Return to Origin Array. Do you know why our Yujing Mountain faction still generally uses it for foundation establishment? Because it is stable, safe, efficient, and can be used in any size of Tongtian Palace. It is the most widely applicable foundation building array! For such an important matter as foundation establishment, how can you think for yourself without asking your teacher?"

Jiang Wang's face grew hot, feeling ashamed. Wasn't it because he had become a frightened bird after Fang Pengju's betrayal? Although he was not constantly paranoid about being persecuted, he no longer dared to reveal his adventures openly.

In the end, he had not fully established a trust relationship with Dong A as a disciple to his teacher.

The day Dong A saw his injuries, he immediately sealed off the Daoist temple, which did indeed move him. But, had he experienced less touching moments during his time with Fang Pengju?

He was about to tell Dong A what foundation building array he was using, but Dong A had already waved his hand. "Forget it, time has been wasted, and there's no point in saying more."

He thought for a moment, took off a green jade bead from his waist, and handed it to Jiang Wang. "This jade bead records a secret technique that can help you improve your control over Dao elements and enable you to achieve foundation establishment earlier. It also has the effect of clearing the mind and calming the spirit when worn for a long time. Take it."

"Disciple is grateful." Jiang Wang repeatedly refused when he saw that it was such a precious item that Dong A cherished. "This is Master Dong's beloved item. How can I take it away?"Dong Amo rubbed the jade bead with a hint of nostalgia on his usually cold face. "What was given by a friend has now turned to dust."

He quickly regained his composure and without a doubt, handed the jade bead to Jiang Wang. "This item is of no use to me anymore. You can have it. The future of Zhuangguo belongs to you."

As Jiang Wang held the jade bead, he felt a secret technique flow through his mind called the "Elemental Control Technique."

Jiang Wang tightly grasped the jade bead and prostrated himself before Dong Amo, "Thank you, Master!"

Dong Amo did not like to show affection between master and disciple and pulled Jiang Wang up. He gave him some advice on cultivation and then waved his hand to dismiss him.

...

As Jiang Wang had to follow Dong Amo for cultivation today, he had asked Linghe to pick up Jiang Anan. He did not need to go to the private school again and went directly back to his dormitory.

The newly acquired secret technique was significant to Jiang Wang. He had already achieved a successful physical cultivation and had abundant Qi and blood. He could do four meridian cultivation practices a day, swallowing four Dao elements. However, the Star Chart Formation became more complex as he progressed, and with his current control over Dao elements, every formation point required a considerable amount of mental energy. In fact, this was the issue that hindered his rapid foundation establishment.

With the "Elemental Control Technique," Jiang Wang could control Dao elements with minimal mental effort, making it easy for him to lay out the formation points without wasting energy.

Dong Amo saw the problem at a glance and provided a solution. A single sentence from his master was worth ten years of hard work.

Jiang Wang carefully tied the Elemental Control Jade Bead around his waist and decided to never take it off.

Dong Amo saw him as a promising disciple and was willing to give him his personal belongings. At this moment, Jiang Wang also saw Dong Amo as his reliance.

"You have a letter of invitation."

Linghe suddenly said when they picked up Jiang Anan.

Jiang Wang held Jiang Anan in one hand and took the invitation to read it. He then understood why Linghe's face was so solemn.

The invitation was from Fang Zehou, the most powerful contender for the next head of the Fang family, the uncle of Fang Pengju, and the father of Fang Heling.

The banquet was to be held at the Moon Viewing Tower.

Several months ago, Fang Pengju had set up a trap to poison him in that place.

...

(Thanks to the palm sect reward from book friend Wu Lie123, thanks to book friends Jinzhe forty-nine, Shura Tang San, 20180727093006600, the loser in life Ah Zhan, Huang Azhan, and Yan Er Gou for their rewards!!!)