Chapter 112: Purple Cloud Academy

While Shen Qingyun headed north, Hei Kui and Wu Shi embarked on their journey back to the Sha Kui Sect. Humiliation, such profound humiliation! Before he had pledged his allegiance to the Sha Kui Sect, his fierce reputation alone was enough to stop children from crying. Yet now, he had been cowed by a junior—a junior who had only just reached the Foundation Establishment stage!

"Where do you think you are going?"

As Hei Kui traveled with Wu Shi on their flying spiritual artifact, a massive shadow swept past them with incredible speed. A gloomy voice resonated in Hei Kui's ears.

The flying artifact came to an abrupt halt. A bone-chilling cold surged from the base of his spine straight to his crown.

"The... the Northern Underworld Demon King."

Hei Kui’s voice trembled slightly as he slowly turned to look behind him, but there was nothing there. Just as he let out a sigh of relief, thinking he had suffered an auditory hallucination, the massive shadow appeared silently behind him. Its enormous wings unfurled, blocking out the light of the sky. Hei Kui felt the surroundings plunge into darkness. His legs could not stop trembling, and a fine layer of cold sweat broke out across his forehead.

"You seem... quite afraid of this King?"

The Northern Underworld Demon King, having transformed into a Northern Underworld Eagle, hovered in the air without even needing to flap his wings. His voice was calm, yet laced with a chilling intent.

"Not at all. I was just surprised to find you here, Your Majesty," Hei Kui said, forcing himself to remain calm.

"Oh? If I am not here, then tell me, where should I be?" A crimson light flashed in the Demon King’s eyes as he stared at Hei Kui, as if observing prey.

"Shouldn't you be at the Cangyun Sect at this hour, waiting for news, Your Majesty?" Hei Kui asked with a strained smile.

"I am indeed waiting for news at the Cangyun Sect—news regarding that young disciple of your sect named Wu Shi," the Demon King said slowly. "However, he is currently unconscious on your flying artifact. And you—you are not on the path to the Cangyun Sect. Can you provide this King with a reasonable explanation?"

"I..." In that instant, Hei Kui felt the weight of a dangerous gaze pinning him down. His muscles stiffened, and he could not utter a word.

"Do not rush. Take your time to think. This King has all the time in the world!"

***

Elsewhere, as Shen Qingyun journeyed north, his pace suddenly faltered, a strange look appearing in his eyes.

"What is it?" Feng Chuxun asked, his gaze filled with confusion. Why had he suddenly stopped?

Shen Qingyun lowered his head, lost in thought for a moment, before looking up and casting a glance toward the sky. "Since you have come, you might as well show yourself. Hiding is meaningless."

Feng Chuxun looked at him, blinking in surprise. Was there someone there? He had sensed nothing.

"Heh, one truly cannot underestimate you."

The void where Shen Qingyun had been looking twisted, and a man wearing a dragon robe with a majestic bearing stepped out. The man seemed to carry an inherent aura of authority, exuding a dignity that made one feel an urge to submit.

Feng Chuxun’s eyes narrowed. He stepped to Shen Qingyun’s side and whispered, "Who is he?" To appear without even him noticing—this was certainly no ordinary figure!

Shen Qingyun looked calmly at Qin Haotian and said softly, "The Lord of the Tianlan Dynasty, King Qin."

"What!"

Feng Chuxun’s eyes widened in shock. His heart trembled, and he immediately stepped forward, bowing and cupping his hands toward Qin Haotian. "Cangyun Sect disciple, Feng Chuxun, pays his respects to King Qin!"

Even though Feng Chuxun was known for his composure, he could not maintain it before the Lord of the Tianlan Dynasty. He offered a level of courtesy he had never even shown his own master, yet it felt entirely natural to him, as if it were the only right thing to do.

"Rise," Qin Haotian said, thinking to himself that this was the normal reaction. He then looked at Shen Qingyun, and seeing his continued calm, he felt a sense of frustration. How could two people who appeared to be of similar age have such a vast difference?

However, on second thought, Qin Haotian felt relieved. The intelligence he had received described Shen Qingyun as mysterious, as if he had appeared out of thin air. If he were not like this, he would not be worthy of that air of mystery.

"Yes," Feng Chuxun said as he rose. He looked at Shen Qingyun and whispered, "Why did you not show respect when meeting King Qin?"

Shen Qingyun curled his lip, slightly disdainful. "If you had seen how vast this world truly is, you would realize that a dynasty lord is nothing more than that. Bowing to him is something only those who have yet to see the world would do."

Feng Chuxun: "..."

*Fine, you are right, are you happy now?* Feng Chuxun felt that Shen Qingyun’s disdain was directed specifically at him.

Qin Haotian heard their conversation and could not help but twitch his mouth—he could hear them clearly. However, precisely because of Shen Qingyun’s words, Qin Haotian raised his estimation of the young man’s status to another level. Shen Qingyun’s background was certainly not simple; otherwise, he would never dare to speak such words!

Qin Haotian descended and waved his sleeve, causing a table to appear in the middle of the road. With another wave, a tea set appeared. He then sat cross-legged at the table right in front of Shen Qingyun and Feng Chuxun.

Qin Haotian remained silent, simply watching Shen Qingyun calmly.

Shen Qingyun’s lips curled, and he walked over to sit at the table as well.

"You come over too," Qin Haotian said to Feng Chuxun; it would not do to leave him standing aside.

Feng Chuxun nodded and sat down. He felt as though he were in a dream; it was all too surreal. As the ruler of a dynasty, King Qin lacked any arrogance, appearing more like a senior interacting with a junior.

Once the three were seated, a cloud of auspicious mist rose, lifting them into the sky. In an instant, the small wooden table seemed to possess an ethereal charm.

"Come to think of it, this is our second meeting, is it not?" Qin Haotian flicked his fingers, and the three teacups on the table floated before them, the teapot pouring tea into each.

Shen Qingyun lowered his gaze to the tea; it was filled with spiritual fragrance. The tea was not of the highest grade, but it was certainly not low, making it a perfect choice for hospitality.

He sipped the tea before speaking. "Indeed. Though, our first meeting was not particularly pleasant."

Qin Haotian paused, then chuckled. "Having one's biological son killed—I imagine that would not be pleasant for any father, would it?"

"But you, King Qin, did not show any signs of anger over Qin Yun’s death," Shen Qingyun said, taking another sip.

"There were reasons for it, and it is a long story," Qin Haotian said, a hint of melancholy appearing on his majestic face as he sighed.

Shen Qingyun interrupted him. "If it is a long story, then do not tell it. There is too much trouble in imperial households, and I have no interest in your complications."

"Yet you did involve yourself with my youngest daughter, did you not?" Qin Haotian said, unbothered, smiling instead.

Beside them, Feng Chuxun drank his tea cup after cup, acting like a well-behaved child. However, his eyes darted back and forth between the two men. So, the Lord of the Tianlan Dynasty was this approachable. Shen Qingyun had met King Qin before, and he dared to speak to him in this manner; he was likely the only person in the entire Tianlan Dynasty to do so.

"Everything happens for a reason. I saved her, and thus a karmic bond was formed. I had no choice but to intervene," Shen Qingyun said flatly.

Qin Haotian was stunned and shook his head in silence; he could not fully grasp the meaning of Shen Qingyun’s words.

As he drank his tea, Shen Qingyun glanced at Qin Haotian. He had spoken deliberately. If he were to tell a father that he had seen his daughter’s body in its entirety, it would be another matter entirely. Regardless of whether Qin Haotian would turn hostile and demand his life, Shen Qingyun could not bring himself to speak of such things regarding a maiden.

The scene fell into silence. Feng Chuxun continued to drink the tea, and gradually, he found the flavor better than wine—it was refreshing and clarifying, though it did make him feel quite bloated.

"I hear you are currently being hunted by the Northern Underworld Demon King?" Qin Haotian said suddenly.

Shen Qingyun smiled faintly. "If my current situation can be called an escape, then yes, I am being hunted."

Qin Haotian smiled slightly. Had it not been for Qin Taiqing sending someone to notify him, he would not have known about this at all. By the time he reached Mount Luofu, Shen Qingyun had long since departed. Upon hearing of what Shen Qingyun had achieved after his Foundation Establishment—killing a Spirit Phase expert with a single halberd—his curiosity about the young man only deepened.

Recalling how highly Qin Ning had spoken of him, Qin Haotian could not help but want to understand Shen Qingyun better.

"Do you need help?" Qin Haotian asked. He did not elaborate, as he believed Shen Qingyun would understand.

"Before I answer, may I ask you a question, King Qin?"

"Ask away," Qin Haotian raised an eyebrow.

"Between you and the Northern Underworld Demon King, who is stronger?" Shen Qingyun’s question made Feng Chuxun’s eyes narrow, and he looked at Qin Haotian with anticipation. How strong must the Lord of the Tianlan Dynasty be, when even the Cangyun Sect Master he admired so much was willing to bow before him?

"Are you not afraid that I might kill you for asking that?" Qin Haotian looked directly at Shen Qingyun.

"If you intended to kill me, you would not have come here," Shen Qingyun responded.

The smile faded from Qin Haotian’s face, and he stared intently at Shen Qingyun. Shen Qingyun did not falter, returning his gaze with equal calm.

Seeing this, Feng Chuxun was startled. He stopped drinking his tea, looking from Shen Qingyun to Qin Haotian, his mouth opening and closing without knowing what to say. There was no place for him to speak here.

After a long while, Qin Haotian suddenly laughed. "Hahaha! Good, truly worthy of someone my daughter praises so highly. Good, good, your courage is extraordinary!"

After a pause, Qin Haotian continued, "In truth, the gap between my strength and the Northern Underworld Demon King’s is not large. I am at the Law Realm, and so is he."

Shen Qingyun nodded. He knew the power of the Law Realm. If the Northern Underworld Demon King was at the Law Realm, things would be difficult! Shen Qingyun’s heart sank slightly.

"So, do you need my help?" Seeing Shen Qingyun’s expression, Qin Haotian asked with a confident smile.

"Please, tell me," Shen Qingyun signaled.

Qin Haotian was satisfied with Shen Qingyun’s attitude and slowly uttered four words: "Zixiao Academy."

Shen Qingyun arched an eyebrow and repeated, "Zixiao Academy?"

Qin Haotian nodded. "Indeed, Zixiao Academy. One of the three great academies of the Southern Region—it is the strongest entity in the region! Were it not for the fact that the academy exists solely to cultivate students, every dynasty in the Southern Region would likely have to bow to it. The three academies are filled with the chosen elites of the Southern Region. Though it is not the enrollment period, with my recommendation, Zixiao Academy will surely give some face."

"In that case..." Shen Qingyun thought for a moment before nodding. "Then I shall trouble you, King Qin."

"It is no trouble. Just remember the Tianlan Dynasty once you have made a name for yourselves in the academy!" Qin Haotian waved his hand.

***

"No wonder your Sect Master wanted to protect him; the reason lies here." The Northern Underworld Demon King shifted back into his human form, his eyes filled with coldness as he looked down at Hei Kui in the deep pit. "Very well. You are all useless. It seems I must take action myself!"