"The Dao treasure of our academy is not a genuine Dao treasure. It's a cluster of Dao treasure energy condensed from the Dao treasures of the Changling Main Court. Every fifty years, it needs to be condensed once from the Main Court; otherwise, it will dissipate."

Jian Wuheng revealed a wry smile and whispered, "If it is opened too many times, it may dissipate completely before fifty years! This time, it's because over the years, there has always been leftover Dao treasure energy accumulating to a certain scale. That's why we're allowed to go in and comprehend and absorb it!"

"Just Dao treasure energy?!"

Jiang Chen was startled, a look of shock appearing in his eyes.

Just the energy condensed from the Dao treasure having such marvelous effects—what powers must the genuine Dao treasure exhibit then...

No wonder the Changling Main Court can become a top force on the Canglan Continent. With these Dao treasures, as long as there are no accidents, nurturing cultivators is truly a breeze!

"We should hurry back!"

Yun Tao urged once more.

The group no longer spoke; Yun Tao, Jiang Chen, and Ouyang Ruoxue flew towards Southern Maniac Mountain, while Jian Wuheng took Zhang Qian to his residence.

This was also instructed by Jian Cangqiong; Zhang Qian has no master. If left to find a place to enter the Dao treasure Secret Realm himself, he could unintentionally be disturbed, wasting this opportunity!

...

South Maniac Mountain Peak.

"Did Young Jiang spare He Tianwei?"

By the stone table under the Old Locust Tree, Hu Yiqiu looked at the opposite Sang Zhenye with surprise and suspicion.

"Yes."

Sang Zhenye gently nodded.

"Is that kid up to some trick again?"

Hu Yiqiu muttered, "That was once a realm... Being called the master of a realm wouldn't be an overstatement. His wisdom may still surpass ours, so there must be a reason for doing this."

"Mr. Jiang said he would explain when he returns; it seems he might have discovered something."

Sang Zhenye nodded lightly.

Swish!

A figure leaped over from the mountain path, and Dao Yeming took a seat on the stone stool, speaking oddly, "I heard from the Punishment Hall's students that Jiang Chen helped He Tianwei?"

"Wait, the kid is at the mountain foot!"

Hu Yiqiu glanced at the foot of the mountain, speaking softly.

"Younger brother, you're... you're a monster. You gained such great benefits, yet you show no reaction whatsoever!"

A bizarre shout came from the mountain path.

Hu Yiqiu and the others exchanged a glance, smiling lightly, their eyes flashing with a hint of appreciation.

Although Jiang Chen was once a realm master, he is merely a cultivator at Divine Infant Realm Early Stage. Despite his outstanding disposition, it's quite impressive that he doesn't show any outward emotion when receiving such a reward!

Under the gaze of the three, three figures appeared at the top of the mountain path.

"Master! Elder Sang, Elder Xi Nu!"

"Master..."

"Three Elders!"

Upon seeing Hu Yiqiu and the others, Jiang Chen and his companions cupped their fists in greeting.

"Young Jiang, go ahead, what's going on?"

Hu Yiqiu waved his hand, looking at Jiang Chen with curiosity. "I heard you wouldn't even spare Sun Zheqi, so why help He Tianwei?"

"He Tianwei... has a problem!"

Jiang Chen said softly, "In the Task Hall, He Tianwei bafflingly had the audacity to challenge Elder Sang. This... a Divine Infant Realm Peak student daring to challenge a Late Integration Realm elder, especially given their poor relationship—it's rather strange!"

"This..."

Hu Yiqiu and Dao Yeming, astonished, turned and looked at Sang Zhenye.

Sang Zhenye nodded lightly, "At the time, I didn't think much of it, but now in hindsight, it seems that kid wasn't afraid of me. What might he be relying on?"

"To make a weaker person fearless toward someone several realms above them requires one of two supports: either the strong person is about to die or has lost the ability to threaten the weaker, or the weaker has found a backer stronger than that strong person."

Jiang Chen said softly, "And Elder Sang is in good health, so the explanation must be the second one!"

"A backer stronger than Elder Sang?! How could that be possible! If stronger than Elder Sang, wouldn't they..."

Hu Yiqiu waved dismissively, speaking with disbelief but midway through, his expression changed, revealing a look of shock.

"Could it be... Elder Lu and the rest have someone at the Integration Realm Peak behind them?"

Dao Yeming's expression grew serious.

"This is merely speculation."

Jiang Chen continued, "The second point that struck me about He Tianwei was his extreme terror when Elder Sang mentioned expulsion from the academy. Certainly, being expelled is frightening, losing a great cultivation environment. Yet the fear he exhibited seemed as if his life were ending—could it be that expulsion equals death?"

"This..."

Sang Zhenye recalled the scenario, his face turning stern, "Indeed, He Tianwei's fear was extraordinarily intense, far beyond simply losing a good cultivation environment!"

"This... What does this mean? Would He Tianwei rather die than leave the academy?"

Hu Yiqiu's eyes flashed with a hint of absurdity.

"Let's set that aside—I want to discuss a third point I discovered."

Jiang Chen spoke again, "At the Task Hall, after Sun Zheqi appeared, He Tianwei fell silent, and his gaze towards Sun Zheqi was filled with deep apprehension and fear."

"Apprehension!?"

"Fear?"

Hu Yiqiu and the others showed slight changes in expression, a trace of astonishment in their eyes.

"Younger brother, how did you notice these? I didn't notice anything!"

Yun Tao looked at Jiang Chen in a daze.

Ouyang Ruoxue's gaze towards Jiang Chen was indeed filled with a similar expression.

Ignoring Yun Tao, who was accustomed to being ignored, Jiang Chen looked solemnly at Hu Yiqiu and the others, "Combining these three points, I have a bold conjecture!"

The expressions of Hu Yiqiu and the others shifted slightly, Jiang Chen's grave demeanor bringing immediate seriousness to them.

"In Elder Lu's mysterious faction, He Tianwei should merely serve as a pawn, which is why he's afraid of expulsion. Once expelled, he loses all value; knowing the secret without value, he'd be eliminated by them!"

"As for Sun Zheqi, he probably has contact with their core people. Since entering the academy, Elder Lu's faction's moves against Southern Maniac Mountain seem to have been orchestrated by Sun Zheqi; who actually leads them needs further assessment!"

Jiang Chen analyzed the day's two individuals deeply.

"This... Are you saying Sun Zheqi might hold a position equal or even superior to that of Elder Lu?"

Hu Yiqiu showed astonishment in his eyes.

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