The Unique Guardian Beast Master in Cultivation World

However, no matter how important the Imperial Examination is, it only lasts a few days. When the gong signifying the end of the exam sounds, it means the end of the Imperial Examination.

Thousands of exam candidates, whether pleased or somber, deep in thought, with various emotions, submit their answer sheets one after another.

Feng Qing’an was among them, handing in the examination paper he had hastily written and then leaving the examination hall in a rather casual manner. When he walked out of the Gate of the Imperial Examination Hall, he was greeted by housekeeper Zhao and a group of warriors.

Among them, he saw Black Mountain and Bai Yao. As for Ming Long, he had been with him all the time, never leaving his side, even during the Imperial Examination. Even the officials who searched candidates couldn’t do anything about it.

“Seeing that the young master looks refreshed, I figure you must have done well. You are certain to top the list when the results are released!”

Stepping forward, housekeeper Zhao, with his increasingly youthful face, congratulated with a smirk.

“The papers inside are not yet fully collected. It’s too early to say that. I was just making up the numbers. Participation was the main focus!”

Feng Qing’an humbly responded that he was really there just to participate this time. The content written in the paper was completely improvised because he wasn’t planning to take the examination again, so he didn’t care about the usual taboo topics, offenses, etc. that regular candidates have to be aware of. He wrote whatever came into his mind, it was extremely casual.

However, when the list of examinees was released, the name that was prominently placed at the top of the list, silenced Feng Qing’an as it was unsurprisingly, his name.

This completely ended Feng Qing’an’s plan to continue the Imperial Examinations. There was no more intention to keep going. Everything has been set, so what’s the point?

Felling lazy and casual, Feng Qing’an had become even more free-spirited, carrying several Dao Sutras or Buddhist scriptures and sightseeing near Fengtian city, feeling very at ease. Occasionally, he would meet a few true people and discuss scriptures with them.

After half a month of sightseeing, Feng Qing’an remembered that there was a well-known Longyin Academy near Fengtian city. On a whim, Feng Qing’an wanted to go there for a visit.

“Have you noticed?”

Just as Feng Qing’an spurred his horse and led the warriors toward Longyin Academy, a voice suddenly sounded in his heart halfway through the journey.

Those who could communicate with him without his permission, aside from Dong Huang, were none. But her words were cryptic and Feng Qing’an was momentarily stumped.

“Notice what?”

Feng Qing’an, who had by now relaxed and was waiting for Dong Huang to descend, asked curiously.

“The crack that connects the two worlds of Yomi. I thought you noticed.”

Dong Huang’s tone was slightly playful. In her view, what happened to Feng Qing’an was both accidental and inevitable, everything had been arranged.

“I really don’t know about that.”

Feng Qing’an was dumbfounded by her words. He remembered Dong Huang mentioning before that there was a tiny crack near Fengtian city that connects the human world and Yomi, which may allow her to descend. However, he didn’t know where the crack was, and Dong Huang only had a sense of its presence.

“You’re approaching it now.”

“Really? Then remind me when I am really close to it!”

Feng Qing’an became interested. The Yomi Crack, when hidden, could only be glimpsed by certain spirits with special divine powers like the Ghost Wolf.

When it opens, anyone who has passed the threshold of cultivation can see it. The Yomi Crack near Fengtian city was most likely hidden, but where could it be?

Or maybe it was just like the crack near his home? Right in the middle of the traffic?

“Okay!”

Dong Huang agreed.

However, it wasn’t until he arrived at Longyin Academy that Dong Huang’s voice sounded again.

“You’re already very close. But, I was wrong. What exists here is not a small crack, but a sealed gateway between two realms. There might have been a ghost tide here a long time ago!”

“A ghost tide?”

Upon hearing this, Feng Qing’an’s expression instantly became serious. The ghost creatures in the netherworld, if they want to reach the human world, are subject to various stringent restrictions. The primary one being the requirement of a portal that would allow them to safely pass through, that is, a spiritual rift.

However, the size of this rift also strictly limits the strength of the ghost creatures that can pass through it. Under normal circumstances, Ghost Kings almost can’t find a spiritual rift to reach the human world.

But there is nothing absolute in this world. No matter how rare, the occasional rift that can allow a Ghost King to pass safely may appear between the two realms. Even if it does not exist, one can temporarily enlarge the size of the rift by means of blood sacrifices and other methods.

A Ghost King’s arrival often symbolizes a terrifying ghost tide, with exposed bones in the wild and ceased cock crowing within a thousand miles. A Ghost King, unable to linger in the human world for long and can only temporarily stay, will inevitably kill off the spirits near where it descends. It robs the spirits of their souls and consumes their blood, flesh, and energy.

Unless there is a power that can counteract it, the arrival of a Ghost King signifies a disaster more terrifying than a natural disaster. Even slightly closer spirits would be devoured and robbed of everything from their flesh to their souls.

The previous appearance of a ghost tide here, as Donghuang said, might imply that a Ghost King had descended here. However, it must have been a long time ago. Now before Feng Qing’an’s eyes, there was only the imposing Longyin Academy filled with loud readings and righteous energy that spanned thousands of miles in the sky.

“How worthy of its reputation is the famed Longyin Academy!”

Gazing at the academy filled with golden lights everywhere before him, Feng Qing’an exclaimed with admiration.

The reason why there is an academy here can be glimpsed from Donghuang’s words. The initiator of this academy had the idea of suppressing the spiritual rift with the power of righteousness from the beginning.

The suppressive effect of righteousness is satisfactory from the misjudgment of Donghuang. If it weren’t for his proximity, Donghuang even mistook this place as a minor rift that doesn’t tolerate any ghost creature.

However, other ghost category creatures from the netherworld can’t cross because of the presence of this righteousness. Even if they do, they are seeking their own death, as the righteousness would burn their bodies like a fierce fire until they completely turn to ashes.

But Donghuang is different from the netherworld’s ghost creatures. She belongs to the Innate rank and even has merit on her. To her, this righteous energy is like a non-existent, the same as its effect on the Human Race.

Longyin Academy, located outside Fengtian City, occupies a large area, encompassing several mountains outside the city. It has palaces, towers, courtyards, houses, squares, and even flowing springs and cascades. It can be considered a small city in the mountains.

Only the people living there are not many. However, even so, when Feng Qing’an led the group, he bumped into several student scholars.

“Feng Qing’an?”

“Is he Lord Chengwen’s brother?”

“Indeed!”

“I just started my career, but my name is already well-known in Da Jin. No matter where I go, I will not worry about being unrecognized!”

Being recognized before he even entered the door, Feng Qing’an wasn’t surprised. Who made him bear a face so similar to his older brother’s? With his brother’s reputation in Da Jin, it’s hard for him to keep a low profile even if he wants to.

“Hahaha, who let you have a brother whose talent and beauty outshine all in Da Jin!”

A student in a grey and white robe laughed upon seeing Feng Qing’an.

Knowing his older brother, yet not a hint of flattery on his face despite his brother being a high-ranking official, he asked Feng Qing’an about his purpose at the academy with an air of neither humility nor haughtiness.

“Wind case master, I wonder if you are here to visit some teachers?”

“Indeed, there are a few teachers I would like to visit. However, seeing the grand air of the academy today, I wish to stay here for some time!”

Feng Qing’an nodded and took the opportunity to make a request. Donghuang is about to come down. Although the location is a bit special, it doesn’t matter to Donghuang. Fengtian city isn’t that interesting, compared to that, Longyin Academy is more intriguing.

“Does Wind case master want to study at the academy?”

“Not continuing with the Imperial Examination?”

Upon hearing Feng Qing’an’s words, the academy students who happened upon him were surprised. Doesn’t living in the academy mean wanting to study at the academy?