Feng Province, Wu’an University.
Qin Zhen made his way alone up the small hill where Shi Caiming resided.
Shi Caiming, unusually for him, wasn’t smoking or drinking today; instead, he was looking at a document in his hands.
Qin Zhen approached Shi Caiming, standing tall and straight.
"The Tianshui Tomb in Gan Province is about to be opened. How are the preparations?"
Shi Caiming set down the document in his hand, turned his head, and inquired of Qin Zhen.
Qin Zhen replied, "Everything is ready. We just need to finalize the candidates. We have three spots this year."
Shi Caiming casually said, "Li Fei is currently in Gan Province, give him a slot."
Qin Zhen hesitated, "But, might his current identity be unsuitable? Moreover, he’s on an imperial mission to investigate a case."
Shi Caiming laughed, "What’s wrong with his identity? Is this kid no longer a student of Wuda because he’s been ennobled? He hasn’t even graduated yet. Besides, he signed an agreement back then. Even if it’s brought before His Majesty, I’m in the right."
Saying so, he passed the document he was holding to Qin Zhen.
Qin Zhen took the document and glanced at it; indeed, it was the agreement Li Fei had signed.
"Send this to the Central Cabinet. It’s been many years since I’ve written a memorial. Have someone help me draft one to borrow a person from His Majesty," Shi Caiming said.
With his status, he naturally had the privilege to "directly access the Heavenly Listening."
By sending the agreement to the Central Cabinet and then writing a memorial to the Emperor, nobody could find fault in the matter.
Qin Zhen saw through Shi Caiming’s intentions, "You want Li Fei to gain something in the Tianshui Tomb, don’t you?"
"I want Wuda to reap the most rewards. Isn’t the first place on the Fengyun Leaderboard the most suitable candidate?"
Shi Caiming didn’t admit it directly, but when he mentioned Li Fei’s "first place on the Fengyun Leaderboard," his expression revealed pride.
Such a feat was unprecedented among other universities, and it would be difficult to achieve again for many years to come!
Qin Zhen smiled, but didn’t burst the bubble, turning to leave.
On the lawn, the old man began leisurely drinking again.
It had been half a month since Huang Jin’s murder.
During this half-month, He Jian and others found their investigation into the New Heaven Association progressing much smoother.
In reality, everyone was acutely aware that it was the Entry World Conference flexing its muscles behind the scenes, intentionally passing many clues to He Jian and his team.
When Huang Jin had come to see Li Fei, he’d mentioned that the Entry World Conference had dealings with the New Heaven Association, but didn’t specify what the dealings were.
Upon learning that the New Heaven Association might be connected to the assassination attempt at the Heavenly Altar, the Entry World Conference decisively chose to sever ties with the New Heaven Association.
Liu Jiehui and his group were members of the New Heaven Association but knew too much about the cooperative efforts with the Entry World Conference, which led to their elimination by the Entry World Conference.
The Entry World Conference aimed to cut ties cleanly, while the New Heaven Association, not wanting to let things go as the Conference wished, intentionally lured Li Fei and the others from Feng Province to Gan Province.
Now, with the New Heaven Association killing Huang Jin, they had completely fallen out with the Entry World Conference, so the Conference began assisting He Jian with the investigation.
However, there was one bottom line:
The Entry World Conference would never admit to having had dealings with the New Heaven Association!
Li Fei and He Jian could investigate if they wanted, and the Conference would cooperate, but the clues provided were "castrated," ensuring that the matter would not implicate them.
To this, He Jian’s strategy was to play along for the time being. After all, investigating in Gansheng Province required local support, and with the Entry World Conference’s help, things would go much smoother.
During this process, Li Fei devoted most of his energy to training.
He really wasn’t adept at investigating and, if ever there was a need for his "secret technique," he would step in.
Otherwise, he’d either train on his own or assist Xu Xiaotian with his "Hundred Days Breakthrough" training.
After [Green Bone] advanced to the Qi Change Stage, the next step was to activate a Core Level Extraordinary Ability, after which he could integrate the last Implant.
However, the more Implants integrated, the more difficult it became to activate deep-rooted powers. For Li Fei to activate [Green Bone]’s Core Level Extraordinary Ability, he needed to experience more fierce battles.
But at this stage, an opponent that could exert pressure on him had to be at least a Martial Arts Master, and not just any normal sparring, it had to be a life-and-death struggle.
Thus, Li Fei was somewhat looking forward to the New Heaven’s Martial Arts Master attempting another assassination.
While [Green Bone] couldn’t break through for now, Li Fei focused all his energy on the Saber Technique, fervently practicing the three Tao Power moves: Shi Caiming taught him, originally created by Hao Yi:
On level ground, a middle-aged man in a Taoist robe wielding a sword sparred with Li Fei.
Each move executed by the man consisted of Tao Power; his Sword Moves were grand and majestic, like the rising sun with its brilliant rays!
In comparison, Li Fei’s moves were like tiny candle flames, which could be extinguished with a mere gust of wind.
No matter how he struggled, the candlelight couldn’t contend with the morning sun, and so Li Fei was thoroughly outmatched.
At one moment, countless splendid sword beams completely enveloped Li Fei, then the sword light dimmed, and a huge tree appeared, its branches adorned with flowers formed from flame.
In the next second, the flowers were blown away, turning into a sky full of sparkles that lit up the heavens and the earth.
The middle-aged man, dressed in a Taoist robe, casually thrust out with his sword, and suddenly, stars shone in the sky as if the Milky Way was hanging above.
Amidst such a spectacle, even the fiery tree and silver sparkles seemed dull.
Li Fei was hit by successive bursts of Sword Qi!
He ceased his own attack, and the middle-aged Taoist in front of him also came to a halt, with sword light, stars, and fireworks all stopping.
It was as if the entire world had been paused.
"It’s still too forced."
Li Fei looked at the middle-aged Taoist before him and shook his head.