With the deal with Princess Rou finalized, Ye Feng returned to his dwelling.
Ye Feng entered his dwelling and took a bottle of pills from his space belt. Looking at the last four green pills inside, he muttered, "I'm glad I was able to make this deal with the princess. With these Pure Cleansing Pills, I'll be able to increase my cultivation much faster."
"Normally, absorbing large amounts of monster cores to increase one's cultivation was ill-advised. The energy within those cores contained a trace of ferocious energy, which could contaminate a cultivator's Saint Force. After absorbing such energy, a cultivator would usually need to spend time purifying their Saint Force."
"However, with the Pure Cleansing Pills, I don't need to worry. These pills not only purified my body but also cleansed my Saint Force."
Ye Feng filled a bathing barrel with water before swallowing one of the Pure Cleansing Pills. He stepped into the barrel, closed his eyes, and relaxed his body. Soon, streams of impurities began to seep out of his pores, while his Saint Force became purer and more refined with every passing second.
______
In princess Rou's Dwelling
Xiu and Ya were helping Rou dress in her room when a sudden knock echoed from the door.
"Knock, knock."
"Enter."
The door opened, and Mie walked into the room. She cupped her fist and said, "Princess, how may I assist you?"
Rou smiled kindly at her and replied, "Mie, I want you to take the yellow space belt and deliver it to Ye Feng."
Mie blushed deeply when she heard Ye Feng's name. Both Xiu and Ya were surprised to see her blush so intensely. They were curious about her reaction, but neither of them commented on it because Rou was present.
Mie slowly walked over and grabbed the yellow space belt. She then cupped her fist again toward Rou and said.
"I will be on my way, Princess."
Rou nodded and replied.
"You may leave."
Mie left the room and gently closed the door behind her.
______
With Fu
After finishing his class for the day, Fu headed toward his dwelling. However, one of the academy staff members suddenly stopped him. It was Hong, one of the Zhang clan followers who had been present in Bowen's dwelling the day before.
Hong smiled warmly at Fu. "Student Fu, how have you been lately?"
Fu cupped his fist respectfully. "Thank you for asking, Instructor. I'm doing well."
Hong nodded with a kind smile.
"Well, Student Fu, I was hoping you could help me with something."
Fu looked at Hong with curiosity and asked, "What do you need help with, Instructor?"
Hong kept smiling at Fu and began to explain, "You can call me Instructor Hong, Student Fu. You see, I am a sword practitioner, just like your friend, Student Ye Feng."
Fu's eyes flickered with caution at Hong's words. 'Could he be after Brother Feng, like those other academy staff who had ambushed him in the past few weeks?' he wondered, though he kept his expression carefully neutral.
Hong continued, "Ever since I saw student Ye Feng, face off against former students Zhang Wei and Zhang Bo in the fighting arena, I've taken an interest in him. I want to test his sword skills—after all, I am a sword practitioner as well."
Fu stared at Hong intently, measuring him, but Hong seemed unfazed by the scrutiny and simply kept smiling.
Hong waved his hand above the space ring on his wrist, and a faint, ethereal glow radiated from it. In an instant, a rank-three monster core materialized in his palm, thrumming with fierce, raw energy. Fu's eyes widened at the sight, and Hong's low chuckle echoed softly, as if he were savoring Fu's astonishment.
"If you can bring Ye Feng to the isolated training ground in the southern part of the academy, I will give you this monster core." Fu's eyes glinted with desire as they locked onto the core.
Seeing the unmistakable greed in Fu's gaze, Hong's smirk widened. "So, what's your answer, student Fu? Will you accept my request?"
Fu smiled and nodded, reaching out to take the monster core. But Hong shook his head, still smiling. "Bring student Ye Feng to the training ground tomorrow after class, and then the monster core is yours."
Fu's expression tightened with annoyance, but he forced a nod. "Fine. I'll bring him tomorrow after class to the isolated training ground in the southern part of the academy."
Hong nodded to Fu in satisfaction before turning and leaving. Fu walked back to his dwelling, his mind racing. 'My gut tells me this isn't going to be simple. I need to meet brother Feng and tell him everything this guy just said.'
After making up his mind, he turned around and walked toward Ye Feng's dwelling to tell him about his meeting with Hong.
_______
In Ye Feng Dwelling
After using the Pure Cleansing Pill to purify his body and saint force, Ye Feng took a bath to wash away the remaining impurities clinging to his skin.
"KNOCK, KNOCK"
A sharp knock echoed at his door. Startled, he quickly donned his academy robe and hurried to answer it. When he opened the door, he found Mei standing there.
Mei blushed when she saw Ye Feng. 'Oh… why can't I control myself? I'm starting to remember last night's dream again… this is so embarrassing.'
Ye Feng sighed inwardly. 'Man, this maid blushes every time she looks at me… This is going to be troublesome sooner or later.'
Mei tried to steady herself and cupped her fist. "Young Master Ye, the princess asked me to deliver this space belt to you." She extended the space belt toward Ye Feng. He nodded and accepted it, saying, "Thank you."
Mei blushed once more. "Young Master Ye, please excuse me… I must take my leave." Ye Feng nodded politely and gestured for her to go.
________
After closing the door of his dwelling, Ye Feng sat in the lotus position and took out all the items stored in his space belt.
After emptying the space belt, Ye Feng saw a scroll and the thirty bottles of pills he had requested from the princess as part of their deal. A smile spread across his face as he saw the ten bottles of Pure Cleansing Pills, ten bottles of Soul-Nourishment Pills, and ten bottles of Saint-Concentrating Pills.
Ye Feng carefully unrolled the scroll and began to read, his eyes scanning each line with keen interest."
"Dear Young Master Ye."
"I hope you are satisfied. I have fulfilled my part of the deal by delivering the thirty bottles of pills you requested. Now, for your part, I want you to go to the isolated training ground in the northern part of the academy tomorrow. You will be shadowed by Instructor Zhao and our men. I am certain the Zhang clan's followers will try to attack you there, but you need not worry—Instructor Zhao and our men will protect you. They will also create a significant commotion during the fight. Because of this disturbance, the academy headmaster will arrive and deal with the Zhang clan followers. Thank you for your cooperation."
"—Princess Su Rou"
Ye Feng nodded after reading the princess's letter. He carefully stored the scroll back inside the space belt, along with the pill bottles. Selecting one bottle of Saint Concentrating Pills, he thought, 'It's better to use these to cultivate my Saint Force. I need to increase my strength and advance my cultivation as quickly as possible. If the princess's plan doesn't unfold as expected, my life could be at stake.'
After making up his mind, Ye Feng swallowed a Saint Concentrating pill and closed his eyes. Focusing inward, he began cultivating his Saint Force, letting the pill's energy flow through him.
Ye Feng swallowed the Saint Concentrating pills one after another, his focus absolute as he continued to cultivate. Suddenly, a powerful aura burst forth from his body, shaking the air around him. A wide smile spread across his face. 'I… have broken through into the 8th layer of the Saint realm!'
He composed himself and resumed cultivating, using the Saint Concentrating pills.
_________
With Mei
Mei returned to Princess Rou's dwelling and joined the other maids in cleaning. Xiu and Ya exchanged a sly glance, their eyes sparkling with mischief. After a subtle nod, they approached Mei, their steps light but purposeful.
Ya smiled mischievously and teased Mie, "Hey Mei, how's Young Master Ye? Was he happy to see you again? Did you two… have fun together?"
Mei blushed furiously at Ya's teasing words. Xiu, covering her mouth to stifle a giggle, leaned closer. "Come on, Mei," she urged, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Tell us! Was he fun? Naughty? Don't hold back—we want every detail!"
Blushing furiously, Mei snapped, "Shut up, both of you! I can't take it anymore!"
Ya and Xiu burst out laughing, while Mei glared daggers at them. Once they finally stopped, they turned to Mei. Ya spoke seriously, her tone softer now: "Listen, Mei, we're just worried about you. You know we're maids—we belong to the Su royal family. We're their servants for life."
Xiu nodded sadly, and Mei lowered her gaze, feeling the weight of their words.
Ya continued softly, "We don't have a choice in matters like who we sleep with or who takes our virginity. After all, we are maids—we serve our master. If he commands us to be with someone, we must obey. Xiu and I… we lost our virginities that way, and over time, we ended up with many men."
Mei nodded, a heavy understanding settling over her. Deep down, she knew that one day, she too might be forced to give her virginity to powerful men she had never even met.
Xiu tilted her head curiously. "Do you like Young Master Ye?"
Mei's cheeks flushed crimson. She hesitated before whispering, "He… he is very handsome… but last night I dreamed… he took my virginity."
When Ya and Xiu heard Mei's words, they were taken aback for a moment before bursting into laughter. Mei glared at them sharply, her irritation clear at their reaction.
"Oh my, you really like him a lot—so much that you even dream about him like that," Ya giggled, and Xiu couldn't help but join in. Mei's face turned crimson at Ya's words.
Xiu leaned closer and whispered teasingly, "Mei, I think you should go and sleep with Young Master Ye."
Mei's eyes widened in shock. Ya nodded solemnly. "We're just maids, Mei; love isn't really for us. You're lucky the princess chose you to come to the academy before losing your virginity. This… this is your chance to give it to someone you actually like."
Mei remained quiet, lost in thought over what Xiu had said. Seeing this, Ya and Xiu exchanged a glance and silently decided to leave her alone.
________
With Fu
Fu walked toward Ye Feng's dwelling. When he arrived, he knocked on the door:
"KNOCK, KNOCK.'"
Ye Feng opened the door, and when he saw Fu, a smile spread across his face. "Well, if it isn't Brother Fu! It's been a while."
Ye Feng stepped to the side, and Fu returned his smile before entering the dwelling.
Ye Feng closed the door of his dwelling and settled on the opposite side of Fu. From his space belt, he retrieved two wine bottles. Handing one to Fu, he lifted the other to his lips and began drinking, the rich aroma of the wine filling the quiet room.
"So, what brings you here today, brother Fu?" Ye Feng asked, glancing at Fu as he took a big gulp from his wine bottle.
Fu smiled and raised his own bottle to his lips. After swallowing, he said, "I came to tell you that one of the academy instructors approached me today. He wants to meet you at the isolated training ground in the southern part of the academy."
Fu then told Ye Feng about his encounter with Hong. After finishing his story about their conversation, Ye Feng remained quiet for a moment before a wide smile slowly spread across his face.
"Maybe this is exactly what I was waiting for… a chance to re-enter the Asura Sword Spirit World."
Ye Feng then took out two empty scrolls and began writing. After finishing, he handed the two scrolls to Fu with a wide smile.
"Listen, Fu. I want you to give the blue scroll to the headmaster and the green scroll to the princess."
Fu looked puzzled and asked, "The princess?"
At that moment, Ye Feng realized that he had forgotten to tell Fu about his meeting with the princess.
"Yes, do you remember the girl we saved in the Dragon Forest during the Monster Core Hunting Competition?"
Fu nodded, and Ye Feng continued, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"She is one of the princesses of the Hidden Dragon Kingdom."
Ye Feng then told Fu about his meeting with the princess and the deal they had struck. After hearing everything, Fu smirked. "Wow, you're one hell of a lucky guy, Brother Feng."
Ye Feng simply chuckled.
"I know you want the rank three monster core. I already have a plan, and if you do your part, that core will be yours." Fu listened attentively as Ye Feng revealed his plan, and his smile slowly widened with every word.
Fu looked at Ye Feng with admiration. "You're a genius, Brother Feng. Leave it to me—I'll deliver the scrolls to the princess and the teacher."
Ye Feng smiled and told him where Rou's dwelling was located. After finishing their wine, Fu said his farewell and left.
______
In front Rou's Dwelling
Fu arrived at Rou's dwelling and knocked on the door. After a moment, the door opened, revealing Ya. When Fu saw her, he couldn't help but blush at how pretty she was.
Ya noticed his reaction and gave him a charming smile. "Hello, how can I help you?"
Fu quickly tried to suppress his blush. He reached into his space belt and took out the green scroll.
Fu smiled at Ya. "Ye Feng asked me to deliver this scroll to the princess."
Ya raised her eyebrow for a second, then smiled and nodded. She took the scroll from Fu and gave him a slight nod.
"Thank you for delivering this scroll, young master."
Fu smiled back. "No worries, miss. See you around."
Fu then turned around and left, heading to deliver the other scroll to the headmaster.
Ya giggled when she saw Fu hurry away, his face still red with embarrassment. "That was cute. Oh well, I should give the scroll to the princess."
Ya closed the door behind her and hurried toward the princess's room. She knocked twice, "KNOCK, KNOCK."
"Enter," came the princess's voice.
Hearing the command, Ya opened the door and stepped inside, her footsteps soft on the floor as she approached the princess.
"Princess, someone just came and delivered this scroll; he said it was from young master Ye." The princess raised an eyebrow as she took the scroll from Ya and began reading it.
"Dear princess Rou"
"An academy instructor asked my friend Fu to bring me to meet him at the isolated training ground in the southern part of the academy. I am certain, the instructor is a follower of the Zhang clan. I wish to face him in a one-on-one battle. I would also appreciate it if you refrain from letting your men interfere—unless my life is in serious danger. I want to see how much I have grown in strength. Thank you for your understanding."
"-- Ye Feng."
After reading the scroll, the princess narrowed her eyes at Ya. "Who delivered this scroll? And what does he look like?"
Ya hesitated, her voice slightly trembling as she began describing Fu's appearance. As she spoke, Princess Rou listened intently, then gave a slow nod of recognition.
The princess then said to Ya, "Summon Senior Zhao. I want him here immediately."
Ya cupped her fists and hurried from the room to carry out the order.
______
Headmaster Office
Fu entered the headmaster's office. The headmaster smiled warmly when he saw Fu bow slightly with cupped fists.
"Student, greet your teacher," the Fu said respectfully to Chen.
Chen chuckled and nod his head.
"It's unusual for you to come to me of your own accord, Fu," the headmaster said, leaning back slightly. "What brings you here today, child?"
Fu chuckled, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. "Teacher Ye Feng asked me to deliver this scroll to you."
He handed the blue scroll to the headmaster, who took it with a nod and began reading.
"Drear headmaster."
"According to what Fu told me, the Zhang clan followers will be making their move against me soon. I want you to be there in case things go wrong, but I don't want you to act immediately. I want to try entering the Asura Sword Spirit World again. I've attempted it many times but failed each time. I suspect that I need to be under tremendous pressure—similar to the kind I felt when fighting the puppets in the pagoda. Facing the Zhang clan followers might provide that. Thank you for understanding and for all your help."
The headmaster smirked, then nodded in quiet satisfaction. 'Let's see what you made up, kid,' he thought. Turning to Fu, he said, "Come on, Fu. I want to see how much you've improved with your saint weapon." Without another word, both Fu and the headmaster left the office, making their way toward the isolated training ground.
Fu summoned his saint weapon, and the headmaster mirrored him as they stepped onto the training ground. Without hesitation, Fu lunged forward, his weapon slicing through the air. Metal clashed against metal—CLANK! CLANK! CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!—each strike echoing across the empty training ground, sparks flying with every contact.
The headmaster skillfully blocked every strike Fu launched with his saint weapon. "Good," he said, his eyes sharp. "You've improved. But remember—your weapon isn't just the axe blade. You must use every part of it."
Fu nodded, absorbing the advice. A new determination lit his eyes as he readied himself and charged at the headmaster again.
They continued training until the sun dipped below the horizon. Finally, the headmaster decided it was enough for the day. "Good work, Fu. You're improving. That will be enough for today."
Fu cupped his fist and replied respectfully, "Thank you for today, teacher."
The headmaster smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
Fu began making his way back to his dwelling, while the headmaster returned to his office, each lost in their own thoughts.