Chapter Twenty-Eight: Second Brother, Save Me, Save Me, Save Me…

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【At thirty-two years old, having glimpsed the essence of the sword, you are fortunate enough to be selected by a great Daoist master to be brought into a state of meditative wisdom through the "Dream Realm Technique."】

【The "Dream Realm Technique" originates from the Scripture of Entering Dreams and is renowned for its boundless illusions. When cultivated to its peak, a single thought can manifest mountains and seas, casting the masses into a great slumber.】

【Good fortune arrives: absorbed 10% of true essence, Counter-Attack Points +10.】

Chen Yi scanned the information on the panel, then felt the world spin before his eyes.

So, Counter-Attack Points are not only gained when I am harmed; there is also "good fortune"?

A new method discovered—not bad...

Thinking this, Chen Yi’s consciousness gradually blurred. His little head drooped, and he drifted off to sleep.

At this moment, he was not the only one asleep. Every child in the Qingzheng Hall had fallen into a deep slumber under the influence of Gu Tiangang’s "Dream Realm Technique."

"Unexpectedly, just these few dozen three-year-olds have consumed one-fifth of my true essence."

"It’s almost comparable to the consumption when guiding Meng'er and the others into meditation."

Though he said that, when Gu Tiangang looked at the sleeping children, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face, even reaching the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

Years ago, when Meng'er and the others joined the Taixu Dao, they were already five years old, and their innate talents were uneven. How could they compare to these dozens of gifted children before him?

Especially...

Gu Tiangang looked at Chen Yi, his smile deepening.

He was truly worthy of being someone who had entered the path of the sword; he alone accounted for one-third of the expended true essence.

Do not let his young age deceive you; his future achievements would not be low. To have glimpsed the essence of the sword at three years old, his comprehension and willpower were of the highest caliber.

Even if his physique were ordinary and his cultivation progressed slowly, his combat power would be enough to stand proudly above all his peers.

Moreover, accomplishments in the Dao of the Sword rely more on innate talent and are difficult to cultivate, while cultivation base can be assisted by pills and other precious treasures.

With this in mind, Gu Tiangang quietly slipped out of Qingzheng Hall and tossed out a compass, quickly setting up a protective formation to prevent the foolish people outside from disturbing his pre-selected "Taixu Dao disciples."

Having done this, Gu Tiangang felt his body relax, shedding his previously ethereal, sage-like demeanor. He looked at the sky and fell into deep thought. He had to organize the Taixu Dao doctrines he would teach them before the little ones woke up.

Daoist methods, cultivation techniques, as well as foundational texts on alchemy, artifact refining, and pharmacology—content suitable for the Ninth Grade Mortal Realm flashed through his mind, only to be discarded one by one.

Soon, he patted his forehead. Since he was not adept at teaching these children, he could bring in someone who was.

Thinking of this, Gu Tiangang prepared to head back to the Taixu Dao Sect’s branch in the Capital Prefecture to notify the main mountain sanctuary to send some excellent disciples over.

"Daoist Tiangang, what are you doing?"

At this moment, Liu Gao, who had been waiting not far away, walked over quickly and asked with a puzzled look.

The smile on Gu Tiangang’s face vanished, and he snorted, "You stay here and keep watch. I am returning to the branch to retrieve some Spirit-Nourishing Pills."

"Don't say I didn't warn you: if any of these children suffer the slightest mishap, be careful lest I take your dog life!"

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After saying this, Gu Tiangang flashed away, already a hundred meters away. A voice drifted back from afar: "Remember, pay close attention for me!"

Liu Gao watched his retreating back, secretly complaining. That stubborn old goat—who was it that was shouting before about how it couldn't be done, that this couldn't be taught, and that he wouldn't use backdoors? Now he's telling me to be careful...

However, after glancing at the formation of slaughter outside Qingzheng Hall, Liu Gao helplessly summoned a Black Armored Guard and ordered, "Send another squad of Black Armored Guards here."

"Yes."

...

Just as Chen Yi and the others officially entered the "Xingwu Academy," little Chen Yuan had already finished washing up early and was dressed neatly.

"Grandpa Steward, where are we going?"

Chen Yuan, his small hand held by the head steward of the Marquis of Jingye’s estate, walked through the backyard to a pond outside the main hall in the middle courtyard.

In the center of the small pond stood a pavilion, connected by a path paved with bluestone that spanned the water. Willow trees lined the bank, and the late spring breeze added much color to the scene. Chen Yuan looked around, thinking he had been brought here to play, and a smile appeared on his little face.

"Where is Great-Grandfather?"

"Is he playing hide-and-seek with me?"

The old steward wore a black long gown; his face was slightly aged, but his posture was upright, his gait smooth as he walked. He turned his head to look at the naive Chen Yuan, sighed inwardly, and forced a smile.

"That's right, Young Master Yuan. Let's hide first, and when the Master comes to find us, won't that be fun?"

"Mm-hmm."

Chen Yuan looked around excitedly, wanting to find a hiding spot he deemed suitable—preferably one where Great-Grandfather couldn't find him.

"Grandpa Steward, where are we hiding?"

"I know a place the Master doesn't know about. I’ll take you there."

"Great, great!"

The old steward took his hand, crossed the bluestone path, arrived at the pavilion, and pressed his hand against a wooden pillar on the side.

*Boom.*

As if a mechanism had been triggered, the pavilion shook. Chen Yuan watched, dumbfounded, as the stone table in the pavilion slowly rose, his mouth forming an 'O'.

"Grandpa Steward, how did you do that? That's amazing!"

Chen Yuan was even more excited, thinking that if he hid in there, Great-Grandfather would definitely not be able to find him.

"Amazing, right? Don't rush; there's even more amazing stuff."

As he spoke, the old steward's hands trembled. He resisted the urge to look back, pushed Chen Yuan into the deep, dark passage beneath the stone table, and pressed the button on the side.

"Ah, Grandpa Steward?"

"Where is this?"

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"Great-Grandfather, it’s so dark here, Yuan'er is scared..."

The stone table slowly descended, blocking Chen Yuan’s wailing voice.

*Clack.*

Not until the pavilion returned to its original state and that voice could no longer be heard did the old steward let out a long breath. Even though his hands had been stained with countless blood, he still could not bear to harm such an innocent child. Especially since Chen Yuan was the child of the Eldest Miss...

*Cough, cough.*

At this moment, Zhou Tiance walked from behind, his back hunched, stepping into the pavilion step by step. He asked with an indifferent expression:

"Chenku, you are wavering."

"Chenku dares not."

The old steward’s real name was Chen Ke, but after entering the Marquis of Jingye’s estate, his past identity was no longer important.

"Daring not is not the same as not wavering."

Zhou Tiance stared coldly at the stone table, as if he could see the helpless Chen Yuan below.

"He carries not only the bloodline of the Marquis of Wuan but also the bloodline of my Zhou family."

"Even if it is thin, the ancestors in the ancestral hall acknowledge him; otherwise, they would not have allowed him to obtain the items for the 'Catching the Zhou' ceremony."

Chenku gritted his teeth, his cheeks bulging slightly, remaining silent.

"I know what you are thinking," Zhou Tiance coughed a few times and slowly turned to look at him. "But considering your years of dedicated service to the estate, I will forgive you this once."

"If there is a next time, you know what the outcome will be!"

After speaking, without waiting for the old steward to reply, Zhou Tiance continued, "For the next few days, let him get used to that place, then release them."

"This old servant obeys," Chenku bowed.

"Chenku, deep illnesses require strong medicine. Yuan'er will understand in the future."

Zhou Tiance’s expression softened slightly; he patted the steward’s shoulder and turned to walk out.

"There are only three months left until the Wuliang Mountain sanctuary recruits disciples; you must put in more effort."

"If Yuan'er succeeds, you know how to deal with Wanyi’s second son."

"As for Chen Yi..."

A piece of trash whose foundation-building assessment was only mediocre—what does it matter even if he joins the "Xingwu Academy" and enters the Taixu Dao?

Chenku remained silent for a long time before sighing, sitting down before the stone table, and waiting quietly.

At this time, little Chen Yuan’s face was covered in tear tracks. He looked fearfully into the deep, silent, long corridor, wiped the tears from his face, and carefully walked inside. To bolster his courage, or perhaps to make himself feel less afraid, he began to sing the song Chen Yi had taught him.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are..."

Second Brother, help, help...