One of the participants in the upcoming San Cheng Dao Debate was technically still a first-year student, although he was already nearing the end of that stage and had entered the inner courtyard. As for the two third-year representatives, they were both people Jiang Wang was familiar with—Li Jianqiu and Wang Changxiang.
Aside from Zhang Linchuan, the fifth-year student representing the academy, the other was a senior Jiang Wang did not recognize.
Because Dao Merits were consumable, rankings on the Dao Merit Board didn't fully reflect one's strength. At least on Dong Ah's side, he had his own system of judgment.
Nonetheless, Zhang Linchuan remained the primary focus for this debate, and Dong Ah placed high hopes on both Wei Quji and Zhang to win the championship. Had Zhu Weiwo been present, perhaps things wouldn't have been so pressured—but since he was nowhere to be found, Dong Ah had no choice but to keep a close eye on Zhang Linchuan.
To that, Zhang Linchuan responded, "The pressure is immense."
The Dao Debate was scheduled for the tenth day of the tenth month. Before then, everyone participating, including Zhang Linchuan and Jiang Wang, had to undergo "special training."
This training wasn't about pushing students to their limits for short-term combat gains—that would be misguided. Even if one won the battle, it would come at the cost of their future. Instead, Dong Ah personally guided each contestant. That alone was a tremendous privilege and revealed just how seriously he took this event.
Once every ten days, Dong Ah would give a lecture. These sessions were always packed—many senior disciples who were usually out on missions would rush back just to attend. Jiang Wang never missed a single one.
But since Dong Ah's lectures were directed at the entire academy, he couldn't cater to Jiang Wang's individual progress, which made them difficult for Jiang Wang to follow, and the gains were limited.
Although Jiang Wang had met Dong Ah several times by now, he still didn't dare to be casual around him. While he wasn't exactly tiptoeing, he maintained a respectful demeanor. Dong Ah was famous for his stern and upright character—even high officials in Xin'an City didn't escape his blunt critiques. Even Wei Quji was uneasy in his presence, let alone a mere student like Jiang Wang.
"You've been in the vein-opening stage for a while. Why haven't you established your foundation yet?" Dong Ah asked bluntly as soon as he sat down.
Jiang Wang braced himself and replied, "Perhaps this disciple is simply dull in aptitude…"
Dong Ah reached out directly. "Forget it. I'll see for myself."
Jiang Wang didn't dare resist, and could only hope Dong Ah wouldn't discover his secret. Then again, it wouldn't be the end of the world if he did. Students at the Dao Institute shared a master-disciple bond with the Headmaster, and in the bureaucracy of Zhuang Nation, they were seen as a united front. As long as the issue wasn't one of principle, Dong Ah wouldn't turn against him.
Moreover, the Gate of Heaven and Earth acted as both a barrier and a concealment. Before the gate was opened, the state of the Tongtian Palace hidden within couldn't be easily investigated—unless Dong Ah forcefully tore open his gate from the outside, which would ruin Jiang Wang entirely. Dong Ah wouldn't go that far.
As soon as Dong Ah's hand touched Jiang Wang's spine, his brow furrowed. "Your foundation is already slow—yet you're also cultivating a physical refinement technique?"
The orthodox sects like Dao, Law, and Confucianism were open-minded and didn't forbid students from dabbling in other schools. What concerned Dong Ah was whether Jiang Wang was becoming too distracted, neglecting his primary cultivation path.
Jiang Wang replied, "This disciple practices vein-punching every morning and night, never slacking. However, due to limited vital energy, I can only attempt vein-punching twice a day. Thus, I added body refinement in hopes of enhancing my blood and qi, increasing my daily attempts, and gathering more Dao Yuan to hasten my foundation building."
"Two sessions a day are already sufficient. More Dao Yuan isn't necessarily better—mastery is the true path," Dong Ah said. Since these were minor issues, he only reminded Jiang Wang out of a sense of responsibility. He used a secret technique to sense the condition inside Jiang Wang's Tongtian Palace via his spine.
"The formation diagram you're using for foundation—is it not the Guiyuan Array?" Dong Ah suddenly asked.
So, he had seen through it! Surprisingly, Jiang Wang felt a strange sense of relief. Hiding something from a seasoned powerhouse like Dong Ah was nearly impossible.
"Yes," Jiang Wang admitted honestly. "The diagram I'm using is far more complex than the Guiyuan Array. That's also why my foundation is delayed."
"Nonsense," Dong Ah rebuked. "There are plenty of diagrams more advanced than the Guiyuan Array. Do you know why the Yujing Sect universally uses it? Because it's stable, safe, efficient, and suitable for any size of Tongtian Palace. It's the most versatile foundational diagram out there! This is such an important matter—how could you not consult your elders and just act on your own?"
Jiang Wang flushed with shame. It all stemmed from the paranoia he developed after being betrayed by Fang Pengju. Though he wasn't plagued by delusions of persecution, he no longer dared to speak freely about his fortuitous encounters.
Ultimately, he had not yet fully established a disciple's trust in a master when it came to Dong Ah.
That day, when Dong Ah sealed the academy upon seeing his injuries, Jiang Wang had been moved. But hadn't he also been moved during his time with Fang Pengju, only to be betrayed?
He was about to tell Dong Ah which formation he was using when Dong Ah waved it off. "Enough. The time is already spent—no point talking further."
After a moment of thought, Dong Ah removed a green jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Jiang Wang. "This jade contains a secret art. It will help you better control your Dao Yuan and hasten your foundation. Wearing it regularly also helps clear your mind. Take it."
"This disciple is unworthy," Jiang Wang said, backing away. "It's your personal item—how could I take what you cherish?"
Dong Ah stroked the jade, and for once, the stern face softened with a trace of nostalgia. "It was a gift from an old friend… who now lies beneath the earth."
He quickly returned to his usual tone and pressed the jade into Jiang Wang's hand. "It's no use to me anymore. Take it. The future of Zhuang Nation belongs to your generation."
As soon as Jiang Wang's consciousness touched the jade, a secret technique flooded his mind—its name: The Art of Yuan Control.
Jiang Wang bowed deeply and declared, "Your disciple thanks you for your great kindness, Master!"
Dong Ah wasn't one for sentimental displays. He promptly pulled Jiang Wang up, gave a few more cultivation pointers, and waved him off.
…
That day, since he was training with Dong Ah, Jiang Wang had asked Ling He to pick up Jiang An'an for him. So now he didn't have to detour to the private school and could return directly to the dormitory.
The new secret art was of immense value. Now that his body refinement had succeeded and his vital energy was strong, he could attempt vein-punching four times a day, absorbing four units of Dao Yuan. However, the Starry Zodiac Diagram grew more complex the further he progressed. With his current level of control, placing each array point drained him mentally. That was the true bottleneck stalling his foundation.
But The Art of Yuan Control would help him manage Dao Yuan with minimal effort, allowing him to set array points with ease and avoid exhausting himself unnecessarily.
Dong Ah had spotted the issue in a single glance—and provided a solution. A master's guidance was worth ten years of blind effort.
Jiang Wang carefully fastened the jade to his waist, vowing never to take it off.
Dong Ah had treated him as a future star of the sect, even parting with something so personal. And now, Jiang Wang was beginning to see him as a true mentor and pillar of support.
"You have an invitation," Ling He said when Jiang Wang arrived to pick up Jiang An'an.
Jiang Wang accepted it with one hand while holding An'an with the other. When he saw the sender, he understood the solemn expression on Ling He's face.
The invitation came from Fang Zehou.
The strongest contender for the next head of the Fang family—uncle of Fang Pengju, and father of Fang Heling.
The banquet venue? The Moonwatching Tower.
The very place where, just months ago, Fang Pengju had tried to poison him.