In the Dusk Dynasty was a certain incomparably luxurious palace. Atop the gate, the words “Imperial Teacher Residence” could be seen. These words were personally written by the emperor, and they emanated a majestic and graceful aura and represented supreme power and position.
The Dusk Dynasty’s imperial teacher was a first-rank official and was on equal footing with the numerous princes and marquises. One could say that this was the highest possible position one could reach as an official.
Each imperial teacher was a good teacher and helpful friend of the emperor. Only when the current emperor left the throne would the imperial teacher be changed. At present, the seventh generation imperial teacher was in office. In the residence were numerous pavilions, rock gardens, ponds, beautiful flowers, and birds. This place was as luxurious as the royal garden.
In the main hall of the residence, a valiant-looking middle-aged man was seated atop the main seat. He was dressed in a yin and yang robe. His hair was tied up, leaving only a few loose strands hanging down his head, looking like a high priest of some daoist sect.
This person was none other than the Dusk Dynasty’s current imperial teacher, Meng Youfang. He was a peak Great Saint and a formation grandmaster. Additionally, he was also extremely good at painting and calligraphy. He was known as the three-mastery imperial teacher, with the three masteries being formation, calligraphy, and painting.
The imperial guard leader who had his teeth slapped away by Xiang Shaoyun stood in the main hall, respectfully kneeling before the imperial teacher. With a pitiful appearance, he said, “Lord imperial teacher, that Xiang Shaoyun is already in the city. He refused to heed the summons and had even injured us. He is too arrogant!”
“He has quite a temper. But after killing my junior brother, he will be punished regardless of who his master is,” said Meng Youfang murderously. He said, “Report all this to the emperor. Also tell the emperor that it has been confirmed that our court official, Hua Ruren, was killed by Xiang Shaoyun. Beg for the emperor to make a decision on this matter.”
“Yes, lord imperial teacher,” said the leader before leaving the hall.
After the imperial guard left, Meng Youfang returned to the rear court. A separate space had been created there, and that place was the personal cultivation spot of his master, the previous imperial teacher.
Upon arriving at the rear court, the imperial teacher knelt down and respectfully said, “Teacher, Xiang Shaoyun, the killer of my junior brother, is here in the city. I had some people go ask for the emperor’s help in dealing with him, but I’m afraid that the emperor will have misgivings in dealing with him. Master, what should your disciple do?”
If it was any other person, the imperial teacher would definitely make a move personally to avenge his junior brother. However, Xiang Shaoyun was the disciple of that lord. If he was to make a move, he would offend that lord. The imperial teacher was not likely to be able to survive that lord’s wrath.
Thus, he decided to report the matter to the current emperor. If the current emperor was to make a move himself, perhaps that lord would have some misgivings as well. However, he was also afraid that the emperor would hold back and fail to kill Xiang Shaoyun. Thus, he was here to ask for his master’s guidance.
An elderly voice rang out, “If the emperor refuses to kill him, have the Four Night Saints execute that man.”
“Yes, master,” said Meng Youfang. He did not dare to ask too many questions and withdrew immediately.
…
Xiang Shaoyun was unaware that someone was trying to kill him. He was casually strolling around Imperial Dusk City. The city was expansive, filled with numerous interesting objects that served as a feast to his eyes. Of course, regular objects would not be able to catch his attention. Only saint-grade objects could.
At any other place, a saint-grade object would be a treasure the numerous organizations would hide as their prized collection. They would not easily take out such a treasure for any transaction. But in Imperial Dusk City, there was a certain place known as the Saintly Forest Courtyard. It was a place where saint-grade objects could be traded.
Apart from that, the Saintly Forest Courtyard also had a Saint Ranking that served to test the young Saints of the world. Those who passed the test and left their names on the ranking would receive a gift that would either be saint-grade objects or saint-grade techniques. In accordance with one’s placing, one would obtain different rewards.
Xiang Shaoyun had long heard of the Saintly Forest Courtyard. He planned to first pay it a visit before going to the Righteous Buddhist Sect. He wanted to witness the Saint Ranking for himself. It was rumored that those capable of leaving their names on the ranking were among the best young Saints in existence. Regular Saints weren’t even comparable to them.
Standing before the Saintly Forest Courtyard, Xiang Shaoyun looked at the crude door and sensed the aura coming from inside. He gasped inwardly, Any organization would need to gather strength for over 100,000 years before it could progress into a dynasty. A regular organization wouldn’t be able to make such a place public.
He recalled his previous life’s ambition to create his own dynasty and gasped at how ambitious he had been.
Xiang Shaoyun started walking toward the Saintly Forest Courtyard. But right as he approached, he was stopped by the guards, who said, “Who are you? Please look at the guide and decide if you’re qualified to enter.”
Every single guard was a Saint. Witnessing such an impressive display of power, even Xiang Shaoyun felt his horizons broaden. He looked at the written guide on the board to the side and instantly understood the reason the guards stopped him. One needed to have certain qualifications to enter.
The first requirement was to possess a Saintly Forest Token. The second requirement needed one to at least possess the cultivation level of a Saint. Without meeting at least one of the requirements, one would not be allowed entry.
Xiang Shaoyun naturally did not have the Saintly Forest Token. Thus, his only option was to fulfill the second requirement. To fulfill the second requirement, he had to survive a full-powered attack from the Saint Realm guard before him.
“I don’t have the token. I’ll have to trouble you,” said Xiang Shaoyun.
“Ok. Please come this way. We will be exchanging some pointers in there,” said the Saint.
Xiang Shaoyun entered the courtyard with the guard. Right after he entered his stance, the guard attacked.
“Take my punch!” the guard roared as a sparkling fist shot at Xiang Shaoyun like a flying mountain.
The punch was comparable to the attack of a mid-stage Saint. New Saints would have a hard time surviving this punch. Facing the incoming fist, Xiang Shaoyun casually sent his palm out.
Boom!
With a muffled rumble, a shockwave rippled out. Xiang Shaoyun remained still, whereas the guard was forced to take several steps backward.
A respectful look covered the guard’s face as he said, “You pass. This is a Saintly Forest Token. After carving your name onto it, you’ll be able to enter.”
Xiang Shaoyun accepted the wooden token. The token was made of an extremely rare saint-grade wood. Regular weapons would not be able to leave any mark on it. To leave one’s name on it, one had to utilize Saint Realm strength.
Right before the guard’s face, Xiang Shaoyun drew on the token with his finger and wrote his name down. When the guard saw the name on the token, a look of astonishment covered his face.
