Chapter 302 - 150: Guardian Dao Skills: Art, Skill, Technique, Dao! In the Scripture Pavilion, an Advance of the ’Daoist Technique’ Divine Talisman Fire

「The next day.」

Daoist School Street.

"Master Jiu, Master Jiu, slow down!"

Zhao Jiu walked all the way to the end of the street. Elder Liang panted beside him, sweating profusely as he followed, glancing left and right like a thief.

It wasn't his fault, though.

After all, every reputable Daoist School on this street with its doors open had seen them march straight in as if they owned the place, making a beeline for the Celestial Blade Daoist School...

The stares they received were sharp enough to devour a man. For an Immortal Robe Martial Artist in his seventies or eighties, the palpable pressure felt like needles on his back.

But Zhao Jiu was a different story.

Ever since going to Golden Turtle Island to confront the Celestial Blade School for Ji Xiu, and then following Prefecture Commander Gu Baichuan to the Prefecture Yamen yesterday with the archives from Anning County, he had presented witnesses and evidence in court, openly challenged the Grandmasters leading the fishing and medicine guilds, and secured Ji Xiu's acquittal.

He had completely cast off all restraint. With no more reservations, he was committed to this path, for better or worse.

Especially now.

As he arrived at the entrance of the Celestial Blade Daoist School, he saw Cai Ling'er and Ye Ningzhi—the two daughters of the Grand Lineages who had spent all of yesterday helping him with testimony at the Jiangyin Prefecture Yamen. And when he heard from them what Ji Xiu had done...

His expression became even more priceless:

"Sixty-three Daoist Schools and sixty-three Grandmasters couldn't stop a single son of the Ji Family?!"

HISS!

At that moment, Zhao Jiu finally understood why the disciples from every Daoist School had looked at him as if they wanted to eat him alive.

A Martial Artist at the Perfection of the Power Stage had taken the No. 1 spot in the Martial Arts district, claiming the title of top dog and humiliating their masters so thoroughly they couldn't even hold their heads high.

But their younger generation was a disappointment. Not a single one of them was skilled enough to win back some face for the old-timers.

All they could do was watch as he trampled on their signboards and once again raised the prestige and reputation of the 'Celestial Blade'.

Even if the school didn't open to teach disciples, as long as that sign hung there, it was 'Jiangyin First'.

"According to Young Master Lu and the others from Anning County, Ji Xiu went to the Beicang Marquis's Mansion."

"That guy..."

"How does he manage to win the favor of nobles wherever he goes?"

"He even managed to hook up with a lady from the Beicang Marquis's Mansion! My heavens..."

Cai Ling'er was impeccably dressed, with Lu Yu and others from the Wind and Cloud Daoist School by her side.

Lu Hongyu and Wei Zhi stood beside this daughter of a Grand Lineage. Seeing her looking so radiant, flanked by attendants who were all Immortal Robe Martial Artists, they felt somewhat out of place. Her style was completely different from what they were used to in the county.

But thanks to their connection with Ji Xiu, they were at least familiar faces. So, upon running into each other, they recounted everything that had happened the previous night.

After hearing the story, Cai Ling'er stomped her foot.

"I spent the entire day running around for him at the Prefecture Yamen. After everything was settled, I was planning to find him today, see if he had a place to stay, and bring him back to my guild."

"Now it seems like that was completely unnecessary."

"The Beicang Marquis's Mansion is a high branch to climb. I've lived in the Prefecture for so many years, and besides meeting the Marquis once with my father when I was little, I've never set foot inside again."

"But look at him! A complete stranger to the city, and he moves right in."

Cai Ling'er pouted, her words dripping with jealousy. Beside her, Ye Ningzhi shook her head.

"Senior Brother Ji broke the spine of Daoist School Street's younger generation in a single night. For the next thirty years, the future pillars of Jiangyin Prefecture's youth won't be able to hold their heads high."

"It's only natural that the Marquis's daughter would feel a sense of admiration after witnessing such a display."

"Wasn't that lady a genius herself back in the day? Geniuses are drawn to one another. Your martial arts are mediocre, so you wouldn't understand."

At these words, Cai Ling'er's almond-shaped eyes went wide, and she rolled them dramatically.

"Yes, yes, you're right about everything. Your precious Senior Brother Ji is always right and oh-so-great."

"Like he's such a good person."

Remembering her first encounter with Ji Xiu, Cai Ling'er twitched her lips. After a long moment, she returned to the topic at hand.

"But after Prefecture Commander Gu Baichuan finished helping him yesterday, he actually arranged a spot for him in the 'Mansion Courtyard'."

"That spot isn't easy to get. Even the Captain of a Grand Lineage can only secure one for their direct heir. We should let him know, tell him to take the qualification and enroll in the 'Mansion Courtyard' first."

"Once he has the status of a Prefecture Student, plus the favor of this Lady Beicang, he'll have firmly established himself."

"Unfortunately, this year's Prefecture Examination is in two or three months. It's a joint exam for all the prefectures, so there will be an abundance of geniuses. I heard it's even harder than previous years."

"In the past, you'd have to be a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster to have a sure shot. But now, I hear several cultivators at the Qi Sea realm have emerged from the Three Mansions!"

"There's also a True Inheritance disciple from a True Sect, and even a Young Lord from the Cangdu Protectorate has come to join the fun. If it weren't for all these variables, he might have actually had a fighting chance."

"But as it stands, I'm afraid he'll just have to build up his strength, train harder, and wait for the next opportunity."

Cai Ling'er sighed, the pearl on her earring swaying and glinting. Her eyes held a trace of pity.

"It's not good to talk too much here. It's not safe."

Listening to the two women's discussion, Zhao Jiu felt a chill run down his spine and grew rather uncomfortable.

Taking the gifts that Lu Yu, Lu Hongyu, and the others had prepared, he then turned to the two women.

"Let's go. We need to tell Brother Ji the good news that the Prefecture Yamen has rescinded his wanted status and that he's received a spot in the Mansion Courtyard."

"I just don't know if we'll even be qualified to enter the Marquis's Mansion's gates if we present our business cards."

As he thought about it, Zhao Jiu couldn't help but mutter to himself in apprehension.

...

Jiangyin Prefecture, Northern Garrison Command.

Located on North Xuanwu Street in the Prefecture City, its entrance was flanked by a pair of imposing xiezhi stone statues.