Chapter 443 — A Flower Born of Nothing

Many of the ignorant masses were burning incense and praying again, beseeching the statue to keep them safe. Those skilled in war win no shining fame, and their names go unknown. The Headman, Tuxing Feng, and the others had died to save the people of this place, yet no one knew of it, no one burned incense in their memory.

The statue that had come to destroy the world, meanwhile, enjoyed a thriving incense, truly a mockery. "Xu Shenghua was not wrong. The people of Jingping, in their birth and age, sickness and death, will all become offerings to the statues, letting the True Gods gather power as they wait to wake.

" Shen Mu walked toward the capital. Their savage fighting in the Shenduan Mountains, the many powerful figures who had lost their lives, all of it had been no more than buying time.

Sooner or later these statues would wake amid the worship of the ignorant masses, unleash their power, and wipe out this mortal world. "And what I must do is make the Imperial Preceptor's reforms fiercer still, oil poured on the fire, and wait for the day these statues wake.

" It was time again for the Grand Academy to select its scholars. This time the selection was a grand affair; tens of thousands of scholars from all over the realm hurried to the capital.

The emperor and the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping came to the Grand Academy in person, and among those who attended were the Dao Master Lin Xuan of the Daoist sect, Ma Rulai of the Great Tingming Temple, and the Hermit of Qingyou of Little Yujing. Shen Mu, as leader of the Youmo Cult, was among them too.

Seeing how many scholars flooded into the Grand Academy, Emperor Yanfeng proposed opening other academies to share its duties: the Jiangling Academy, the Yongjiang Academy, the Lanjiang Academy, and the Tiansheng Academy. Scholars from the grand academies everywhere could sit the examinations at these four. The four academies selected scholars from every region; once they entered, they studied the arts of the Dao and divine powers, and when their learning was complete they could take office in the court or the provinces. The Youmo Cult took the name of the Tiansheng Academy, and Shen Mu, as its leader, became the first Grand Libationer of the Tiansheng Academy, rising to the fourth rank. For this, Shen Mu labored hard.

He built the Tiansheng Academy in the mountain estate where Granny Zhu lived, and it was not until the blazing heat of summer that the academy was finished. He established its various schools, drew talent from every region, and the students of the Youmo Cult's own school became the first Tiansheng scholars. Shen Mu also invited Xiong Xiyu, her daughter, and Yu Zhaoqing to come and teach, and from time to time he brought in Dao Master Lin Xuan, Ma Rulai, the Hermit of Qingyou, the Fox Immortal, and others to expound the Dao and give instruction. Thus the Tiansheng Academy was no ordinary place.

One day the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping came to visit. "The Grand Libationer's Tiansheng Academy is bustling indeed," he said.

"A great clamor. " Shen Mu smiled.

"You do not climb the Hall of Three Treasures without a reason, Heavenly King. What business brings you here this time? " The Imperial Preceptor paused a moment. "I mean to take the chance to destroy the Upper Heaven.

I will go first to the Western Lands to scout the way, and I need someone who knows the Western Lands. " Shen Mu was briefly startled, and sent for Xiong Xiyu. "Do you wish to return to the Zhentian Palace in the Western Lands, Palace Mistress?

" the Imperial Preceptor asked, coming straight to the point. Xiong Xiyu was both startled and delighted.

"The Zhentian Palace has been seized by thieves.

Is the Imperial Preceptor confident you can help me take it back? " The Imperial Preceptor nodded.

"I must go to the Upper Heaven to cut off future trouble.

The Upper Heaven lies in the Western Lands, so I can help you retake the Zhentian Palace along the way.

" Something stirred in Shen Mu's heart, and he looked at Xiong Xiyu. She set her teeth.

"Jingping has pacified the Snow Plains and the Grasslands, and sooner or later it will send its armies west. If this can mean fewer battles, I am willing to submit to Jingping as a vassal.

" The Imperial Preceptor said, "Then let the Palace Mistress make her preparations, and we will set out at once. Will the Cult Leader come as well? This journey to the Western Lands is not for war but to scout the way, and the Cult Leader could be of help.

" Shen Mu hesitated. Xiong Xiyu looked at him pleadingly. He smiled.

"It would be good to see the Western Lands. I have an agreement with the Poison Master Mu Yingxue. She asked me to come and see her. But before that, I need to go to the Wasteland Ruins to summon a soul.

" The Imperial Preceptor was briefly startled, then nodded. "Then the Palace Mistress and I will go on ahead.

If you meet that person, give him my thanks on my behalf, and pay him the courtesy of a half-disciple. " Shen Mu nodded.