Chapter 32

Another first-year student participating in the Three Cities Discourse was actually a student from the previous term, barely making it within the one-year period. The two third-year representatives were both acquaintances of Jiang Wang: Li Jianqiu and Wang Changxiang.

The other person besides the fifth-year student Zhang Linchuan was a senior that Jiang Wang did not know.

Since Dao Xun is a consumable, the ranking on the Dao Xun list does not fully reflect one's strength. At least in Dong A's judgment, he has his own criteria.

Of course, this time the discourse is still led by Zhang Linchuan, and he also hopes that Wei Qiju and Dong A will win the championship. If Zhu Weiwu were here, they might not have to, but now that Zhu Weiwu is nowhere to be found, Dong A can only keep a close eye on Zhang Linchuan.

Regarding this, Zhang Linchuan expressed that he feels a lot of pressure.

The Three Cities Discourse begins on the tenth day of the tenth month. Before that, including Zhang Linchuan and Jiang Wang, everyone will undergo "special training."

This is not about squeezing out the students' combat power in a short period, which is not the right way. Even if they win the current competition, they will lose the future of the students. Instead, Dong A himself will personally provide guidance to each participant, which is a great benefit and shows his emphasis.

Dong A gives a lecture every ten days, and the lecture hall is always full. Many seniors who are often on missions outside will specially return to the Dao Academy on that day. Jiang Wang has never missed a lecture.

However, Dong A's lectures are for the entire Dao Academy, so he cannot specifically cater to Jiang Wang's progress. Therefore, Jiang Wang finds it very challenging to follow and gains little from it.

Jiang Wang has met Dong A many times, but he still dares not be rash in front of him. Although he does not tiptoe, he is very respectful. This strong figure is known for his straightforward and righteous character, and even the high officials in Xian'an City dare to contradict him. Even Wei Qiju feels uneasy in Dong A's presence, let alone Jiang Wang, a mere student.

"Have you been opening your meridians for some time now, why haven't you laid the foundation yet?" Dong A asked directly as soon as they sat down.

Jiang Wang steeled himself and replied, "Perhaps the disciple is not very talented..."

Dong A had already reached out, "Forget it, I'll check myself."

Jiang Wang did not dare to resist, hoping that Dong A would not discover his secret. Of course, if discovered, it wouldn't be a big problem. Dao Academy students have a master-disciple relationship with the Dean, and in the future, they will be seen as one in the political arena of Zhuangguo. Essentially, they share the same fate. As long as there are no fundamental issues, Dong A would not do anything to him.

Moreover, the Heavenly Gate is both a barrier and a cover. Before the Heavenly Gate is opened, the situation deep within the Tongtian Palace is not easily detectable. Unless Dong A personally breaks through Jiang Wang's Heavenly Gate from the outside, but that would destroy Jiang Wang. Dong A would not do that.

As soon as Dong A's hand touched Jiang Wang's spine, he frowned, "You are already very slow in laying the foundation, why are you also practicing body cultivation techniques?"

Like the Dao, Confucianism, and other major schools, they have a grand demeanor and do not forbid their disciples from practicing techniques from other schools. What Dong A is concerned about is whether Jiang Wang will be distracted and neglect the fundamental cultivation.

Jiang Wang replied, "The disciple practices meridian opening morning and night, never slacking off. However, due to limited qi and blood, I can only open meridians twice a day, so I also practice body cultivation techniques to strengthen my qi and blood, allowing me to open meridians more times and gather more Dao Yuan, hoping to lay the foundation sooner."

"Opening meridians twice a day is already sufficient. Dao Yuan is not the more the better; control is the key." These are minor details, so Dong A only pointed it out with a sense of responsibility. He used a secret technique to sense the situation inside Jiang Wang's Tongtian Palace.

"Is the foundation array diagram you are using not the Guiyuan Array?" Dong A suddenly asked.

It was discovered! Jiang Wang felt a strange sense of relief. In front of such an experienced strong figure like Dong A, it is almost impossible to hide anything.

"Yes." Jiang Wang admitted honestly, "The foundation array diagram the disciple is using is much more complex than the Guiyuan Array, which is why the disciple has not been able to lay the foundation for a long time."

"Nonsense." Dong A scolded, "There are many foundation array diagrams better than the Guiyuan Array in the world. Do you know why our Yujing Mountain lineage still generally uses it for laying the foundation? Because it is stable, safe, and efficient, suitable for any scale of Tongtian Palace. It is the most widely applicable foundation array diagram! For such an important matter as laying the foundation, how could you not consult your teacher and just act on your own?"

Jiang Wang's face turned red with shame. Wasn't it because after Fang Pengju's betrayal, he became like a frightened bird? Although he did not have the delusion of being persecuted all the time, he no longer dared to reveal his extraordinary experiences.

In the end, he had not fully established the trust a disciple should have for a teacher with Dong A.

When Dong A saw his injuries that day, he immediately sealed the Dao Academy, which indeed moved him. But, during the time he spent with Fang Pengju, did he not experience many moving moments?

He was about to tell Dong A what foundation array diagram he was using, but Dong A waved his hand, "Forget it, now that time has been wasted, there's no point in talking more."

He thought for a moment, then took a green jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Jiang Wang, "This jade pendant records a secret technique that can help you improve your control over Dao Yuan, allowing you to complete the foundation sooner. Wearing it long-term can also help clear your mind and enhance your spirit. Take it."

"The disciple is honored." Jiang Wang, seeing it was a personal item, repeatedly refused, "This is Master Dong's cherished item, how can the disciple take it?"

Dong A caressed the jade pendant, and his usually stern face showed a hint of nostalgia, "A gift from a deceased friend, now just dust."

He quickly returned to his usual state and firmly placed the jade pendant in Jiang Wang's hand, "This item is no longer useful to me, take it. The future of Zhuangguo is yours."

Holding the jade pendant, Jiang Wang's mind sank into it, and a secret technique flowed through his heart, named "Kongyuan Jue."

Jiang Wang held the jade pendant tightly and bowed deeply, "The disciple thanks the master!"

Dong A, not one for emotional displays, quickly pulled Jiang Wang up and gave him some advice on cultivation, then waved him off.

...

Today, because he was practicing with Dong A, Jiang Wang asked Ling He to pick up Jiang Anan. So he did not need to go to the private school and could directly return to the dormitory.

The new secret technique was of great significance to Jiang Wang. Now that his body cultivation is successful and his qi and blood are abundant, he can practice meridian opening four times a day, swallowing four Dao Yuan each time. The only problem is that the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Array Diagram becomes more complex as it progresses. With his current control over Dao Yuan, each time he arranges the array points, it almost exhausts his mental energy. This is the real issue that has been holding him back from quickly laying the foundation.

The Kongyuan Jue can help Jiang Wang control Dao Yuan with the least mental effort, making it easier for him to arrange the array points without wasting effort.

Dong A saw the problem at a glance and provided a solution. One word from the master is worth ten years of hard work.

Jiang Wang carefully tied the Kongyuan jade pendant to his waist, planning to never take it off for the rest of his life.

Dong A sees him as a future outstanding disciple and is willing to give him a cherished personal item. At this moment, Jiang Wang also regards Dong A as a support.

"Here is your invitation."

When picking up Jiang Anan from Ling He, Ling He suddenly said.

Jiang Wang held Jiang Anan in one arm and took the invitation with the other, and then he understood why Ling He's expression was so serious.

The sender of the invitation was Fang Zehou.

The most likely successor to the Fang family, Fang Pengju's uncle, and Fang Heling's father.

The banquet is held at Wangyue Tower.

The place where Fang Pengju set up a trap to poison him a few months ago.

...

(Thank you to the reader Wulie123 for the support, and to the readers Jinzhe49, Shura Tangsan, 20180727093006600, Ren Sheng Bajian Azhan, Huang Azhan, and Yan Erdou for their donations!!!)