Chapter 39: Control Essence Art

The other first-year participant in the Three Cities Discussion of the Dao was actually already an inner academy disciple from the previous intake, barely qualifying within the one-year limit.

As for the third-year representatives, both were people Jiang Wang knew well—Li Jianqiu and Wang Changxiang.

Besides Zhang Linchuan, the other fifth-year representative was a senior disciple Jiang Wang did not recognize.

Because dao merit points were consumable, rankings on the Dao Merit Board did not perfectly reflect true strength. At least on Dong A’s side, he had his own standards of judgment.

Of course, Zhang Linchuan still served as the leader for this tournament, and both Wei Quji and Dong A placed their hopes of winning the championship on him.

If Zhu Weiwo were present, perhaps they would not need to do this. But now Zhu Weiwo could not be found, so Dong A could only keep a tight watch on Zhang Linchuan instead.

Regarding this, Zhang Linchuan stated that the pressure was immense.

The Three Cities Discussion of the Dao would begin on the tenth day of the tenth month. Before then, everyone—including Zhang Linchuan and Jiang Wang—had to undergo “special training.”

This did not mean using some method to forcibly squeeze out the students’ combat power in a short period of time. That was not the proper path.

Even if one won the tournament before their eyes, they would lose the students’ future.

Instead, Dong A personally gave guidance tailored to each participant.

That alone was an enormous benefit, and it also showed how seriously Dong A regarded this event.

Dong A personally taught one class every ten days. Every such class was guaranteed to be packed full.

Many senior disciples who spent years outside completing missions would specifically return to the academy for that day.

Jiang Wang had never missed a single one.

But Dong A’s lectures were aimed at the entire academy. Naturally, he could not specifically accommodate Jiang Wang’s progress, so Jiang Wang found the lessons very difficult and gained relatively little from them.

Though he had already met Dong A many times, Jiang Wang still did not dare behave casually before him.

Not exactly tiptoeing around, but certainly respectful and proper.

This powerhouse was famously upright and uncompromising. He would openly contradict high officials in New Peace City if he wished.

Even Wei Quji became somewhat uncomfortable whenever Dong A was present, let alone a mere student like Jiang Wang.

“You’ve opened your meridians for quite some time already. Why haven’t you established your foundation yet?” Dong A asked directly as soon as Jiang Wang sat down.

Jiang Wang braced himself and said, “Perhaps this disciple’s aptitude is too dull…”

Dong A had already reached out a hand before he even finished speaking.

“Forget it. I’ll see for myself.”

Jiang Wang did not dare resist and could only hope Dong A would not discover his secret.

Of course, even if he did discover it, the problem would not be too severe.

Dao academy disciples and the academy head shared a relationship akin to master and disciple. In the future political structure of the State of Zhuang, they would naturally be viewed as one faction.

Fundamentally, their prosperity and decline were intertwined.

As long as it was not some issue of principle, Dong A would not do anything to him.

Moreover, the Gate of Heaven was both a barrier and a concealment.

Before it was opened, the situation hidden deep within the Heavenly Palace was not so easily investigated.

Unless Dong A personally acted to forcibly break open Jiang Wang’s Gate of Heaven from the outside.

But if that happened, Jiang Wang would also be ruined.

Dong A would never do such a thing.

The moment Dong A’s hand touched Jiang Wang’s spine, he frowned.

“You’re already extremely slow in establishing your foundation. Why are you also cultivating a body-tempering method?”

The great orthodox traditions such as Daoism, Legalism, and Confucianism naturally possessed broad-minded tolerance and did not forbid disciples from studying cultivation methods of other schools.

What concerned Dong A was whether Jiang Wang might become distracted and neglect the fact that cultivation itself was the foundation of everything.

Jiang Wang answered, “This disciple has never slacked in morning or evening meridian cycling. It’s only because my blood and qi are limited, allowing me only two sessions a day, that I also cultivate a body-tempering art. I hoped to strengthen my blood and qi so I could perform more meridian cycling sessions, gather more dao essence, and establish my foundation sooner.”

“Two meridian cycling sessions per day are already sufficient. More dao essence is not necessarily better. Proper control is the true path.”

In the end, these were only minor matters, so Dong A merely pointed them out responsibly while using a secret technique to sense the situation inside Jiang Wang’s Heavenly Palace through his spine.

“The foundation formation diagram you’re using is not the Origin Returning Formation?”

Dong A suddenly asked.

So it was still discovered!

Strangely, Jiang Wang actually felt a sense of relief in his heart.

Trying to hide anything before an experienced powerhouse like Dong A truly was harder than ascending the heavens.

“Yes.”

Jiang Wang honestly admitted it.

“The formation diagram this disciple is using is far more complicated than the Origin Returning Formation. That is also why this disciple has been unable to establish his foundation for so long.”

“Nonsense.”

Dong A rebuked him sharply.

“There are many foundation formation diagrams in this world superior to the Origin Returning Formation. Do you know why our Jade Capital Mountain lineage still generally uses it for foundation establishment?”

“Because it is stable, safe, and efficient. It can be steadily used in Heavenly Palaces of any size. It is the most universally applicable foundation formation diagram!”

“A matter as important as foundation establishment—how could you simply assume things on your own without consulting your teachers?”

Heat rose to Jiang Wang’s face, and shame filled his heart.

Was it not all because after Fang Pengju’s betrayal, he had become like a startled bird?

It was not to the point that he constantly imagined persecution everywhere, but he no longer dared expose his fortuitous encounters.

Ultimately, he still had not fully established the trust a disciple should have toward a master.

That day, when Dong A saw his injuries, he had immediately sealed off the dao academy. That had indeed moved Jiang Wang deeply.

But over the course of his past relationship with Fang Pengju, had he not also experienced countless moments of gratitude and emotion?

Just as he was about to explain which foundation formation diagram he used, Dong A waved his hand.

“Forget it. Since things have already reached this point and so much time has already been spent, there’s no use saying more.”

After thinking for a moment, he removed a green jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Jiang Wang.

“This jade pendant contains a secret art that can help improve your control over dao essence, allowing you to complete your foundation establishment sooner. Wearing it regularly also helps clear the mind and sharpen perception. Take it.”

“This disciple is ashamed.”

Seeing that it was a personal item worn by Dong A himself, Jiang Wang repeatedly declined.

“This is Instructor Dong’s treasured possession. How could this disciple take away something you cherish?”

Dong A rubbed the jade pendant. A trace of remembrance actually appeared upon his usually cold and stern face.

“It was a gift from an old friend. That old friend has long since turned to dust.”

He quickly returned to normal and placed the jade pendant firmly into Jiang Wang’s hand.

“This item is useless to me now. Take it.”

“The future of the State of Zhuang belongs to all of you.”

Holding the jade pendant, Jiang Wang sank a trace of consciousness into it and immediately felt a secret art flow into his mind.

Its name was—

Control Essence Art.

Jiang Wang tightly clenched the jade pendant and deeply bowed to the ground.

“This disciple thanks Master!”

Dong A was not someone who enjoyed displays of deep master-disciple affection.

He briskly pulled Jiang Wang up, gave him a few more pointers regarding cultivation matters, then waved him away.

…

Since he had to cultivate under Dong A’s guidance today, Jiang Wang once again asked Ling He to pick up Jiang An’an for him.

So now, there was no need for him to make a special trip to the school. He could simply head straight to the dormitory.

The newly obtained secret art held tremendous significance for Jiang Wang.

Now that his body tempering had achieved results and his blood and qi were abundant, he could perform four meridian cycling sessions each day, gathering four dao essence beads.

Only, the Zhou Tian Star Foundation Formation Diagram became more complicated the farther it progressed.

With his current ability to control dao essence, arranging formation nodes nearly exhausted his mental strength every time.

In truth, this had become the true problem restricting his speed of foundation establishment.

And the Control Essence Art could help Jiang Wang control dao essence with the least expenditure of mental effort, allowing him to arrange formation nodes with ease instead of wasting effort fruitlessly.

Dong A had seen the problem at a glance and provided the solution.

A single sentence from a master surpassed ten years of bitter labor.

Jiang Wang carefully tied the Control Essence Jade Pendant around his waist, planning never to remove it for the rest of his life.

Dong A regarded him as a prized disciple of the future and willingly gifted him a cherished personal possession.

At this moment, was Jiang Wang not also beginning to regard Dong A as someone he could rely on?

“You’ve got an invitation.”

When Jiang Wang went to pick up Jiang An’an from Ling He, Ling He suddenly spoke.

Jiang Wang held Jiang An’an in one arm while taking the invitation with the other.

Only after reading it did he understand why Ling He’s expression was so grave.

The invitation was from Fang Zehou.

The strongest contender for the position of the next Fang family patriarch.

Fang Pengju’s uncle.

Fang Heling’s father.

And the location of the banquet—

Moonwatch Tower.

The very place where Fang Pengju had once set a trap and poisoned him several months ago.

…

(Thanks to book friend Wulie123 for the Alliance Leader reward, and thanks to book friends Jinzhe49, Shura Tangsan, 20180727093006600, Life’s Defeated Dog Azhan, Huang Azhan, and Yan Ergou for their rewards!!!)

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 39: Control Essence Art

The other first-year participant in the Three Cities Discussion of the Dao was actually already an inner academy disciple from the previous intake, barely qualifying within the one-year limit.

As for the third-year representatives, both were people Jiang Wang knew well—Li Jianqiu and Wang Changxiang.

Besides Zhang Linchuan, the other fifth-year representative was a senior disciple Jiang Wang did not recognize.

Because dao merit points were consumable, rankings on the Dao Merit Board did not perfectly reflect true strength. At least on Dong A’s side, he had his own standards of judgment.

Of course, Zhang Linchuan still served as the leader for this tournament, and both Wei Quji and Dong A placed their hopes of winning the championship on him.

If Zhu Weiwo were present, perhaps they would not need to do this. But now Zhu Weiwo could not be found, so Dong A could only keep a tight watch on Zhang Linchuan instead.

Regarding this, Zhang Linchuan stated that the pressure was immense.

The Three Cities Discussion of the Dao would begin on the tenth day of the tenth month. Before then, everyone—including Zhang Linchuan and Jiang Wang—had to undergo “special training.”

This did not mean using some method to forcibly squeeze out the students’ combat power in a short period of time. That was not the proper path.

Even if one won the tournament before their eyes, they would lose the students’ future.

Instead, Dong A personally gave guidance tailored to each participant.

That alone was an enormous benefit, and it also showed how seriously Dong A regarded this event.

Dong A personally taught one class every ten days. Every such class was guaranteed to be packed full.

Many senior disciples who spent years outside completing missions would specifically return to the academy for that day.

Jiang Wang had never missed a single one.

But Dong A’s lectures were aimed at the entire academy. Naturally, he could not specifically accommodate Jiang Wang’s progress, so Jiang Wang found the lessons very difficult and gained relatively little from them.

Though he had already met Dong A many times, Jiang Wang still did not dare behave casually before him.

Not exactly tiptoeing around, but certainly respectful and proper.

This powerhouse was famously upright and uncompromising. He would openly contradict high officials in New Peace City if he wished.

Even Wei Quji became somewhat uncomfortable whenever Dong A was present, let alone a mere student like Jiang Wang.

“You’ve opened your meridians for quite some time already. Why haven’t you established your foundation yet?” Dong A asked directly as soon as Jiang Wang sat down.

Jiang Wang braced himself and said, “Perhaps this disciple’s aptitude is too dull…”

Dong A had already reached out a hand before he even finished speaking.

“Forget it. I’ll see for myself.”

Jiang Wang did not dare resist and could only hope Dong A would not discover his secret.

Of course, even if he did discover it, the problem would not be too severe.

Dao academy disciples and the academy head shared a relationship akin to master and disciple. In the future political structure of the State of Zhuang, they would naturally be viewed as one faction.

Fundamentally, their prosperity and decline were intertwined.

As long as it was not some issue of principle, Dong A would not do anything to him.

Moreover, the Gate of Heaven was both a barrier and a concealment.

Before it was opened, the situation hidden deep within the Heavenly Palace was not so easily investigated.

Unless Dong A personally acted to forcibly break open Jiang Wang’s Gate of Heaven from the outside.

But if that happened, Jiang Wang would also be ruined.

Dong A would never do such a thing.

The moment Dong A’s hand touched Jiang Wang’s spine, he frowned.

“You’re already extremely slow in establishing your foundation. Why are you also cultivating a body-tempering method?”

The great orthodox traditions such as Daoism, Legalism, and Confucianism naturally possessed broad-minded tolerance and did not forbid disciples from studying cultivation methods of other schools.

What concerned Dong A was whether Jiang Wang might become distracted and neglect the fact that cultivation itself was the foundation of everything.

Jiang Wang answered, “This disciple has never slacked in morning or evening meridian cycling. It’s only because my blood and qi are limited, allowing me only two sessions a day, that I also cultivate a body-tempering art. I hoped to strengthen my blood and qi so I could perform more meridian cycling sessions, gather more dao essence, and establish my foundation sooner.”

“Two meridian cycling sessions per day are already sufficient. More dao essence is not necessarily better. Proper control is the true path.”

In the end, these were only minor matters, so Dong A merely pointed them out responsibly while using a secret technique to sense the situation inside Jiang Wang’s Heavenly Palace through his spine.

“The foundation formation diagram you’re using is not the Origin Returning Formation?”

Dong A suddenly asked.

So it was still discovered!

Strangely, Jiang Wang actually felt a sense of relief in his heart.

Trying to hide anything before an experienced powerhouse like Dong A truly was harder than ascending the heavens.

“Yes.”

Jiang Wang honestly admitted it.

“The formation diagram this disciple is using is far more complicated than the Origin Returning Formation. That is also why this disciple has been unable to establish his foundation for so long.”

“Nonsense.”

Dong A rebuked him sharply.

“There are many foundation formation diagrams in this world superior to the Origin Returning Formation. Do you know why our Jade Capital Mountain lineage still generally uses it for foundation establishment?”

“Because it is stable, safe, and efficient. It can be steadily used in Heavenly Palaces of any size. It is the most universally applicable foundation formation diagram!”

“A matter as important as foundation establishment—how could you simply assume things on your own without consulting your teachers?”

Heat rose to Jiang Wang’s face, and shame filled his heart.

Was it not all because after Fang Pengju’s betrayal, he had become like a startled bird?

It was not to the point that he constantly imagined persecution everywhere, but he no longer dared expose his fortuitous encounters.

Ultimately, he still had not fully established the trust a disciple should have toward a master.

That day, when Dong A saw his injuries, he had immediately sealed off the dao academy. That had indeed moved Jiang Wang deeply.

But over the course of his past relationship with Fang Pengju, had he not also experienced countless moments of gratitude and emotion?

Just as he was about to explain which foundation formation diagram he used, Dong A waved his hand.

“Forget it. Since things have already reached this point and so much time has already been spent, there’s no use saying more.”

After thinking for a moment, he removed a green jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Jiang Wang.

“This jade pendant contains a secret art that can help improve your control over dao essence, allowing you to complete your foundation establishment sooner. Wearing it regularly also helps clear the mind and sharpen perception. Take it.”

“This disciple is ashamed.”

Seeing that it was a personal item worn by Dong A himself, Jiang Wang repeatedly declined.

“This is Instructor Dong’s treasured possession. How could this disciple take away something you cherish?”

Dong A rubbed the jade pendant. A trace of remembrance actually appeared upon his usually cold and stern face.

“It was a gift from an old friend. That old friend has long since turned to dust.”

He quickly returned to normal and placed the jade pendant firmly into Jiang Wang’s hand.

“This item is useless to me now. Take it.”

“The future of the State of Zhuang belongs to all of you.”

Holding the jade pendant, Jiang Wang sank a trace of consciousness into it and immediately felt a secret art flow into his mind.

Its name was—

Control Essence Art.

Jiang Wang tightly clenched the jade pendant and deeply bowed to the ground.

“This disciple thanks Master!”

Dong A was not someone who enjoyed displays of deep master-disciple affection.

He briskly pulled Jiang Wang up, gave him a few more pointers regarding cultivation matters, then waved him away.

…

Since he had to cultivate under Dong A’s guidance today, Jiang Wang once again asked Ling He to pick up Jiang An’an for him.

So now, there was no need for him to make a special trip to the school. He could simply head straight to the dormitory.

The newly obtained secret art held tremendous significance for Jiang Wang.

Now that his body tempering had achieved results and his blood and qi were abundant, he could perform four meridian cycling sessions each day, gathering four dao essence beads.

Only, the Zhou Tian Star Foundation Formation Diagram became more complicated the farther it progressed.

With his current ability to control dao essence, arranging formation nodes nearly exhausted his mental strength every time.

In truth, this had become the true problem restricting his speed of foundation establishment.

And the Control Essence Art could help Jiang Wang control dao essence with the least expenditure of mental effort, allowing him to arrange formation nodes with ease instead of wasting effort fruitlessly.

Dong A had seen the problem at a glance and provided the solution.

A single sentence from a master surpassed ten years of bitter labor.

Jiang Wang carefully tied the Control Essence Jade Pendant around his waist, planning never to remove it for the rest of his life.

Dong A regarded him as a prized disciple of the future and willingly gifted him a cherished personal possession.

At this moment, was Jiang Wang not also beginning to regard Dong A as someone he could rely on?

“You’ve got an invitation.”

When Jiang Wang went to pick up Jiang An’an from Ling He, Ling He suddenly spoke.

Jiang Wang held Jiang An’an in one arm while taking the invitation with the other.

Only after reading it did he understand why Ling He’s expression was so grave.

The invitation was from Fang Zehou.

The strongest contender for the position of the next Fang family patriarch.

Fang Pengju’s uncle.

Fang Heling’s father.

And the location of the banquet—

Moonwatch Tower.

The very place where Fang Pengju had once set a trap and poisoned him several months ago.

…

(Thanks to book friend Wulie123 for the Alliance Leader reward, and thanks to book friends Jinzhe49, Shura Tangsan, 20180727093006600, Life’s Defeated Dog Azhan, Huang Azhan, and Yan Ergou for their rewards!!!)

(End of Chapter)