The people in the cabin turned to look, and there, at a distance on the lake, several heads with long, deep-green hair emerged. Their ears were fin-like, their hair damp and flowing, their skin fair and their features absolutely beautiful, with shallow green, vertical pupils that added a touch of ethereal, wild grace. Several merfolk were raising their voices in song, their tones delicate and clear, comparable to those of a concert soprano. As the song filled the air, the listeners involuntarily conjured up vivid, idealized images in their minds, growing increasingly enchanted and yearning. Zhang Yuanqing's mind flashed with a series of romantic visions—Guanyu, Xiao Yuan, the Master of Zhishā, Anni, each revealing alluring poses—then swiftly shifted to towering piles of gems and cash, and finally to the young businessman in awe, exclaiming, "You're the boss!" Yet he did not fully lose himself to these images. His star official body was resilient, and having practiced the "Pure Yang Body-Cleansing Scroll," he possessed strong resistance to such enchanting, illusionary arts. Others, however, were far less fortunate. "Let me go, let me go..." The cry broke through Zhang Yuanqing's gentle immersion. Turning to see, he spotted a young man with messy hair, average height, and unremarkable features, having removed his short-sleeved shirt, untying his belt as he rushed toward the deck. His companion, swift and decisive, firmly pinned the ordinary young man to the ground. This companion appeared to be a swordsman, possessing steel resolve and completely immune to the song. The ordinary young man struggled fiercely on the ground, crying out, "Don't stop me! They're calling me! I must end my youth on the beautiful mermaid! Wuuu— I'm thirty now, and I've never even touched a woman! Wuuu—" Zhang Yuanqing recognized him—Lingjing ID: San Yang Kai Tai Ba. So flamboyant a name, yet a mere "chicken" in terms of romance? Zhang Yuanqing couldn't help but mentally marvel. The companion urged, "Stay calm, stay calm! Teacher Song Man said they're mermaids. They won't fulfill your romantic fantasies. Please, just don't cause trouble for everyone." "What's so terrible about death? Isn't it exactly what I've always longed for—to say goodbye to my virginity before I die?" The ordinary young man struggled violently, weeping and pleading, "Every time I see a girl, I'm terrified. I stammer when I speak. Even if they offer themselves willingly, I'm too afraid to touch them. I just lose my strength whenever I hold a girl's hand—do you know that? Do you really know that!" "I know, I know," his companion stammered, somewhat embarrassed. "But I really advise you not to say it out loud..." "Then I shall say it—I shall say it!" cried Mrs. San Yang, sobbing. "If you consider me a friend, then just let go of me." The song stirred his longing for women and revealed the deep unrest within him, causing him to break down emotionally. At that moment, the manager seated at the control console, steering the boat, extended his arm out of the window and gestured toward the distant mermaids to drive them away. The several mermaids, with their absolutely stunning appearances, immediately ceased singing, exchanged a light, silver-sounding laugh, and dove into the lake, van The song faded, and the spiritual travelers aboard broke free from their vivid imaginings, their emotions settling. Yangang Kai's wife's piercing sobs suddenly stalled; her face, streaked with tears and nose runs, went utterly still. What have I done? What have I said?! He carefully lifted his head, observing the trainees' reactions, and saw that every trainee on the ship was now looking at him. ... This ordinary-looking young man, his lips now trembling: "Teacher Song Man, can I withdraw early? I want to go home..." Song Man smiled gently and said: "No, we can't. Without completing the main storyline, no one can leave." "Then, will you promise not to speak of today's events?" Yangang Kai's wife pleaded. "No, we can't," said Sun Miao Miao, with pity. "There's Yuan Ting among the trainees." Yangang Kai's wife felt her vision blur. ... Fuzhou. The mortuary of the Public Security Bureau, the bright, glaring light of the overhead lamp casting a sharp, clear illumination over the broken body on the stage. A circle of people gathered around the body, all silently gazing at the blood-streaked, shattered form, their expressions grave. The medical examiner, dressed in a white coat and wearing a mask and gloves, had just completed the autopsy. "Death time is approximately nine o'clock last night. The food still present in the stomach indicates the person had just eaten and was engaged in vigorous activity shortly before death—though not in a state of combat." "Caused by a sudden, powerful force concentrated on the chest and abdomen, directly rupturing the heart," the examiner said. She removed her mask, revealing a mature, poised face—none other than Yashiki no Koi. Across from her, the woman in a black dress softly remarked, "The spirit has vanished entirely—soul dispersed. The intense physical exertion likely stemmed from fleeing or escaping. The residence is now in disarray, with furniture severely damaged, consistent with the arrow rain I experienced during my last visit to the Sōkai Blossom Festival." Her tone was gentle, her manner refined and graceful, befitting a lady of good breeding. Following the deaths of two Night-Wanderers, the Star Officials of Fuzhou Branch were found dead in their homes this morning, and the initial assessment points to the Pure-Yang Master as the perpetrator. "We've now reached the level of Star Officials..." remarked Master Gao Feng, who was dressed in a worn hiking suit, sighing. She was sketching out what the Pure Yang Master would do next, based on his character and manner of conduct. After a while, Xia Shu Zhi Lian's eyes regained their clarity, and she said, "Having regained the rank of Star Official, he will remain hidden for a time, seeking out the Master of Dreams and comprehensively enhancing his abilities. He will not focus closely on any one family or individual for the moment." The Senior Monks High Peak nodded slightly and turned to Yin Ji, saying, "What about Red Ying Senior?" "Master is currently analyzing the star patterns in the adjacent room. She wishes to use the blood of the deceased as a medium to pinpoint the murderer's location," Yin Ji said, pausing as the door to the mortuary opened. A mature woman in a white half-dress stepped in, her complexion serene. She had a gentle expression and subtle fish-mouth wrinkles, yet her beauty remained undiminished—instead, it radiated a quiet, refined grace. "Master, do you have any results?" Yin Ji approached. The two, in contrast, differed in temperament—one in a white dress, the other in black—appeared like mother and daughter. Hong Ying Senior Monk gently shook her head, her brows slightly furrowed: "The Star Observation Technique offers no insights." At her level, she no longer requires any tools—her accuracy in star-based divination far surpasses that of physical instruments. "Even you can't pin him down?" Senior Monk Gao was astonished. "Even if he employs techniques to conceal his aura, he couldn't possibly block your Star Observation Technique." The gap in their positional standing is too vast. After a moment of thoughtful silence, Hong Ying's tone grew serious: "It's not him—it's someone actively shielding the pure yang Master's presence. Only a sovereign who specializes in the Yin energy could achieve such a feat." The black moon symbolizes concealment. It can disrupt divination, forecasting, and insight-based abilities. Should such a sovereign be protecting him, then even if the pure yang Master passes by, no one would notice him—everyone would simply perceive him as an ordinary person. Among the celestial bodies, the sun stands supreme, while the moon, as the Yin force, governs and counteracts the stars. Hearing this, everyone grew serious. Xia Shu zhi lian suddenly remarked, "It makes sense now. Though he was completely re-created by Yuan Shi Tianzhu, he didn't choose to remain hidden—he instead made a fresh appearance in a short span and defeated two Ye You Shen. Clearly, someone must be supporting him." "Who is supporting him?" Yin Ji furrowed her brows. "Perhaps it's the Night Rose," said Hong Ying, the senior abbot, slowly. "Does the Night Rose intend to use the Pure Yang Master to counter the Taiyuan Sect?" High Peak, the senior abbot, pondered. "At present, it seems so," said Hong Ying, "but the Star Official is particularly skilled at strategic planning, especially at the level of the Night Rose's leader. Only the Sect's Master or the Grand Abbot could possibly match him." She was referring to the Grand Abbot of the Taiyuan Sect. Seeing the others' spirits dampened, Hong Ying smiled and said, "I have a plan that might draw out the Pure Yang Master." ... The water shimmered with ripples, and the scene was just as the saying goes: 'The water is clear and the ripples are gentle The wind blowing towards them was refreshing and cool, gently lifting the hair of the female trainees, each of whom was a beautiful woman, bringing a sense of joy and contentment. Yangyang, however, sat motionless in the corner, her gaze vacant, as if her spirit had departed. Zhang Yuanqing was surrounded by the Peony Immortal and the Little Immortal from Niulanshan, both of whom warmly inquired about his recent life, clearly showing genuine interest and a deep sense of friendship. "Newly promoted saints must attend the Advanced Research Program to gain prestige, so they can be promoted to the position of steward," said the Peony Immortal with a warm smile. "Once the program concludes, I'll be a steward myself." "Congratulations!" replied the Little Immortal from Niulanshan, extending her hand to shake. "Well done!" Zhang Yuanqing turned to the steward sitting two long benches away, Tianxia Guihuo, asking, "And you? You're not currently serving in Kangyang District, are you?" "Just consider it a refresher course," Tianxia Guihuo replied calmly, "and take the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved vacation." Zhang Yuanqing immediately turned to the Red Chicken Brother of Tianxia Guihuo, who was continuously speaking provocatively, and asked, "How exactly did you get in here?" "The Sauce-Braised Elder insisted on sending me in, saying it would help me make more friends and also allow me to learn a bit," the Red Chicken Brother paused his profanity and said, "By the way, after I returned from the Yishan Sea, I no longer have any副本 responsibilities to attend to, so I've been idle lately—now I'm just here to enjoy myself." He then exhaled sharply, looking at Tianxia Guihuo and asked, "You really never get angry? I've been saying 'cang nimu' all along—how have you managed not to react at all? I've never seen a fire master like you. How is that even possible?" Tianxia Guihuo replied coldly, "Immature!" You haven't tried the scenario where the Bull People must die, have you? You're just like a two-year-old puppy challenging a lone wolf... Zhang Yuanqing silently assessed this, then glanced at Xiahou Aotian, who was showing off on the deck, before deciding not to On the other side, the three-yang-kai-miss, who had lost her soul, heard a gentle voice nearby: "Are you from the Tanzhou branch?" Mechanically, she turned her head and saw a young man with ordinary features, yet possessing a faintly ethereal and mysterious aura, whose smile was especially warm and harmless, instantly making her feel at ease. "Yes," he nodded, his expression weighed down. Yuan Ting murmured, "Hmm," and asked, "Given your status and abilities, finding a girlfriend should not be difficult. You mentioned just now that every time you see a girl, you become extremely nervous—your legs go weak. Is there any psychological issue behind this? If you don’t mind, could you tell me about it? I swear, I’ll keep it completely confidential." The three-yang-kai-miss stared at him, then suddenly cried out, "I remember now! You’re Yuan Ting—the great announcer of Taiyuan! Please stay away from me! Don’t come near!" The swordsmanship companion immediately moved Yuan Ting aside, comforting the wounded friend. The students burst into laughter, and the ship cabin filled with lively energy. The Chicken-Heart Island, the first destination reached by the group, was named for its shape resembling a chicken's heart. As the boat docked at the shore, Ms. Song Man stood up and said, "This island is home to many undead corpses and restless spirits, known for their strong aggression. It's specifically prepared for night wanderers who have completed their internship but still lack a spiritual attendant or a corpse. So, please, everyone, avoid going there." Zhang Yuanqing gazed at the Chicken-Heart Island, its dense forest under the blazing sun yet exuding a quiet, eerie stillness. From the perspective of the night wanderers, the island was enveloped in a steady, rising mist of cold energy. Fu Qingyang had mentioned that when the queen of the merfolk clashed with the faculty, cracks appeared in the lakebed cliffs, and stones fell away—something he had personally witnessed. The merfolk lake stretched endlessly, and the only island formations with underwater rock walls were four in number. The island where the academy is located seemed unlikely, as the queen of the merfolk would not reside near the shore. Zhang Yuanqing continued to analyze mentally. "How much Sun Miaomiao asked curiously. "Based on quality, the price ranges from two to five million." Song Man smiled, "The price is quite reasonable—it's a special benefit for the official night tour deity." Since they couldn't reach the island, the group merely watched from afar and soon lost interest. As the cruise departed Chicken-Heart Island, it soon arrived at a beautiful island, whose center was a lush forest and whose edges featured neatly arranged flower beds. The flower beds bloomed with vibrant, colorful flowers, bees buzzing in circles, and butterflies dancing gracefully. Even before the boat had docked, the female trainees had already fallen into a state of floral enchantment, exclaiming excitedly and asking Song Man. Then, one by one, they crossed the fifteen-meter stretch of sea to land on the island. "It's such a pity we couldn't bring our phones." "Wow, this is exactly my dream paradise—I simply don't want to leave!" The reactions of the Peony Immortal and the Niulanshan Little Fairy, the two royal beasts, were the most enthusiastic, nearly bringing tears of joy. The boat docked, and Song Man led the academy members ashore, strolling through the flower beds with a smile. "The medicinal herbs grown on Lingzhi Island are rich in spiritual energy. Each year, the island's harvest is distributed in quantity to the wooden spirits of various branches, or entrusted to scholar families who then formulate them into pills." As they continued deeper, soon passing through the flower beds, they arrived at a grove of fruit trees. "These are the Bloodberry trees—the fruit has rich, sweet, juicy flesh, but…" Before she could finish, Song Man heard a crisp "crunch," and turned sharply, her face pale. There, Red Rooster stood beneath the tree, chewing on a red berry with great enthusiasm. "Who authorized you to eat like that?" Song Man asked, stunned. "You said the flesh was sweet and juicy, right? It's fresh—how much per pound?" Red Rooster beamed. Song Man remained silent. "But it's toxic…" Red Rooster's joyful expression froze instantly. Suddenly, he clutched his throat and slowly collapsed, spewing white foam, his eyes rolling back. Xiahou Aotian, Sun Miaomiao, Zhang Yuanqing, Yuan Ting, and others quietly withdrew their hands from the tree branches. "Quick, save the people! The fire master has weak self-healing abilities and is vulnerable to toxins." "Leave him be—after all, he won't die from the poison. Just let him remember this lesson..." The students discussed among themselves. Suddenly, she grabbed Zhang Yuanqing, hidden among the crowd, and shouted angrily, "What's in your belly?" "Nothing," he replied. "Are you blind? I can see every single feather flying around you!" Song Man roared. "It was Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun who asked me to steal it, saying it's perfect for white-braised chicken." "Oh, don't blame me! It was actually Xiahou Aotian who wanted to eat it," Zhang Yuanqing said. "I... I..." Suddenly, a roar of a tiger echoed from deep within the forest, startling the birds into flight. A fearsome aura swept in with the mountain wind, causing the trainees to stir and become agitated. Song Man shouted in frustration, "What are you waiting for? Run!" The sages each employed their own methods, swiftly retreating back to the ship cabins. The managers acted swiftly, launching the rowboats and cutting through the waves. As the boats sailed farther away, everyone turned to look back and saw a magnificent, two-meter-tall spotted tiger standing on the shore, roaring angrily at the vessels. Upon returning to Qin Feng Academy, the trainees were already parched and famished. The beautiful teacher, who had mentally blacklisted Hongji Ge, led the students to a café and smiled warmly, saying, "Everyone must be thirsty now, right? The café also sells juice—freshly squeezed from fruits grown at Lingjing. The entry-level juice is 500 yuan per cup, and the premium one is 1,000 yuan per cup." Was the pricing at Qin Feng Academy this extravagant? It truly felt like they were treating the students as tourists. Still, it made sense—here, classes were held at most four times a year, and without higher prices, the academy simply couldn't break even. Zhang Yuanqing thought this over, then hurried to Summer Hou Aotian's side and asked, "Main character, are you thirsty?" As a fangshi, Summer Hou Aotian wasn't particularly robust. After three hours of sightseeing, he was already parched. He nodded immediately. Then, he saw Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun turn his head and shout loudly, "The class monitor has invited us to enjoy the premium juice. Today, the juice for Summer Hou公子 will be on the house." "What?!" Summer Hou Aotian was furious. Before anyone could object, the trainees began clapping, applauding the class president's generosity. "I didn't say a word—I just wanted you to stay quiet, don't make me suffer!" Summer Hou Ao Tian's嘴角 twitched as he stood with his hands behind his back, calmly saying, "That's nothing!" "Oh, I've seriously injured Zhao Fei's brother and father," Zhang Yuanqing said. Sun Miaomiao looked utterly speechless. "You really know how to create trouble." H Zhao Chenghuang nodded slightly at the side. Yuan Ting added, "What happened? Tell me, and I'll keep it confidential." At that moment, the door of the room rang. Who is it? Zhang Yuanqing opened it, only to be surprised by the visitor. It was Song Man, elegant and alluring, holding a bottle of wine in her left hand and two highball glasses delicately tucked between her fingertips. "Would you like to invite me in for a chat?" she lifted the bottle, smiled warmly, and revealed two small dimples in her cheeks. Indeed, she was a wood spirit—no, a beast queen—of the type most passionate about reproduction. Zhang Yuanqing felt his head spin—quite literally. He didn't want to be entangled at this very moment. Wood spirits and water ghosts were among the most diverse and complex in terms of temperament. Some wood spirits, in particular, possessed a vibrant vitality and an intense desire for reproduction. Song Man's very presence clearly embodied this trait. "Professor Song, do you have a boyfriend?" Zhang Yuanqing asked, hoping to subtly suggest that she learn to cherish herself. Song Man shook her head, then smiled seductively. "If you'd like to be my boyfriend, then right now I already have one." "Hi, you're so charming—you're a true female sea king..." Zhang Yuanqing remained composed. "But I'm actually in a relationship." Song Man didn't back down. She stepped forward, her full-bodied form half-pressing against Zhang Yuanqing, and smiled. "That doesn't prevent us from enjoying some romantic moments." Zhang Yuanqing shook his head, his expression growing colder. "Song Man, I'd like to rest now." Song Man stared at him for several seconds, then sighed with quiet disappointment. "If you need me during these seven days, I'd be delighted to share some intimate moments with you—just let me know anytime." With that, she picked up her wine bottle, her graceful figure swaying as she walked away. Zhang Yuanqing closed the door and lay down on the bed, waiting for time to pass. Half an hour later, he secured the windows, drew the curtains, and changed into the Qin Feng Academy uniform—essentially a pair of pure black t-shirts and cotton pants, with the words "Qin Feng Academy" embroidered on the chest. Despite Song Man's repeated assertions that silkworms are spiritual realm creatures and that the paint is also sourced from the spiritual realm, this outfit truly wasn't Believe me, check its item attributes: 【Name: Qinfeng Academy Uniform】 【Type: Clothing】 【Function: Warmth】 【Description: The uniform crafted by Qinfeng Academy teachers.】 【Note: In fact, it doesn't provide much warmth—on the contrary, it's quite cool, since it's just an ordinary garment, and thus comes with no cost.】 After donning the uniform, Zhang Yuanqing first headed to the restroom, examined his facial features, and confirmed there was no sign of calamity. Immediately, he removed his transmutation ring, and in his mind, a celebrity's appearance came to life. His face shimmered and rippled, transforming into that of a fresh, well-groomed young star. Then, he activated the Star-Flight technique, becoming a beam of light and moving gracefully along the corridor, instantly entering his night-time journey. Rushing out of the dormitory building and sprinting along the main campus road, passing one building after another, he soon reached the Ji'er Lake. The night sky was clear, with a full moon high above, and no stars visible. The surface of Ji'er Lake was dark and serene, and a gentle evening breeze blew softly. This place is actually quite suitable for barbecue, but Red Chicken Brother absolutely disagrees with barbecue—besides steamed or boiled dishes, he only knows about fresh-pressed, raw preparations. He thinks the chef is crude, even unrefined. Zhang Yuanqing thought this over while donning his Yin-Yang robe and leaping into the lake. Indeed, just as he approached the Hundred Beasts Island, he noticed that the underwater island was not a gentle slope formed of silt and mud, but rather a sheer cliff. This island stood like a solitary cliff rising from the water. He glided along the cliff, taking considerable time, until he finally located the stone gate as described by Fu Qingyang. Two stone gates were embedded into the rugged cliff face, six meters high and two meters wide. At the tightly fitted seam between the stones, there was a circular opening the size of a bowl, within which a black bird in flight—resembling a swallow—was clearly visible. The flame patterns, cloud motifs, and jade disc at the edges were identical to those he had seen before, yet they were reversed. He felt a surge of joy in his heart upon finding it. As he reached to retrieve the jade disc, he suddenly sensed, through the feedback from his Yin-Yang robe, an unusual current approaching swiftly. A moment of alertness passed through him. He quickly swam beneath a projecting outcrop of rock to hide, and then turned to watch the direction from which the current was coming.