Chapter 2014: Estrangement

Donghua Academy was the best educational institution in the Donghua Domain. No other academies could compare. Likewise, those that cultivated there were the most excellent cultivators, not some beginners or intermediate cultivators.

Unless some unusually enchanting characters were chosen by the academy’s great figures to be taught by their sides and personally overseeing their cultivation, the minimum level for potential disciples in Donghua Academy was the Saint Realm. Those in the Saint Realm had already transcended the ordinary and moved into sainthood, proving that they could shed their roots from the world, thus allowing them to pass through the threshold of Donghua Academy.

This premier academy in Donghua was not here to cultivate its future generations but to cultivate top-notch individuals who would be qualified to rule Donghua Heavens in the future.

Those who came out of Donghua Academy were generally already at the top of Donghua Domain, whose cultivations were extraordinary.

Ye Futian and the others stepped into Donghua Academy. This academy was different from all the other academies that Ye Futian had been to before. In other academies, their many disciples could be seen walking around everywhere on campus. But Donghua Academy was different; they didn’t see many disciples milling around. For disciples in this realm, they spent most of their time cultivating rather than wandering leisurely around the academy.

Furthermore, this academy was like a city, boundless and massive. Inside the academy and looking into the distance, many magnificent ancient temples were built on top of an ancient peak. Immortal spirits abound with waterfalls and flowy clouds… One could even catch a glimpse of some sacred beasts.

Looking up, there were islands floating with buildings on them. They were the palaces in which powerful men cultivated. Among the clouds and mist, it truly resembled an earthly wonderland.

Ye Futian was a little emotional. This was the top academy in Divine Prefecture. It was like a place for the divines to cultivate. The power of the Great Path lifted up those floating islands, and the aura of the Great Path was everywhere, permeating throughout the vast and endless Donghua Academy.

In the distance, there was a range of vast and endless divine mountains, full of mystery. Ye Futian knew that there were many secret cultivation locations inside that ordinary people would never reach. Donghua Academy had the best cultivation resources within the Donghua Domain.

The general background of the establishment of this academy originated from Donghuang the Great’s desire to preach. It could be said that the supporting force behind it was the Great Emperor, with the full support of the Domain Chief’s Manor. In just a few hundred years, the first academy in Donghua Domain had been established.

Ye Futian was not the only one who had come here for the first time. In fact, most of those who entered the academy now were here for the first time. They were rather thoughtful when they saw the sight in front of them. No wonder that Renhuang from Wangshen Watchtower wanted to poke around with his divine consciousness before. He must have been curious, but it had caused powerful individuals in the academy to feel averse to this.

“A great place. No wonder it’s the number one Holy Land of Donghua Domain,” Li Changsheng said with a smile, unreserved in his praise.

Wangshen Watchtower was created by his master, the Millet Emperor, once upon a time. The only place that could be considered as a secret place was that watchtower, which was still quite a distance away in its reputation from Donghua Academy, which had an extraordinary background. The foundation of Wangshen Watchtower, in comparison, was not as great.

“Paradise on earth! Cultivating at a place like this must be refreshing,” Jiang Yueli expressed her sentiment.

“I heard that the Fluttering Snow Palace is located in an extremely harsh and cold environment, which has snowfalls all year round, but it also serves as training to one’s character; is that true?” Li Changsheng asked. Jiang Yueli nodded, “Yes, the cultivation environment of Fluttering Snow Palace is comparable to that of the Desolate God Palace, the worst environment in the Donghua Domain to cultivate.

“But it had also nurtured many goddesses. The palace lord herself is worthy of being an outstanding woman in Donghua Domain,” praised Li Changsheng. The Sword Goddess was definitely a legend in Donghua Domain.

“Where are we going?” Li Changsheng turned to look at Leng Qinghan and asked.

“There.” Leng Qinghan pointing ahead, where there were many floating islands in the void, standing there like temples. Among the many floating islands, one was the most conspicuous. A palace, towering into the firmament, stood upon it as if it were a temple connecting to the heavens.

Li Changsheng’s eyes drifted there, and his assessment was sharp as his eyes penetrated the space. He looked at the temple, and whispered, “Is this Donghua Pavilion?”

“Mmm,” Leng Qinghan nodded.

“When the Great Emperor unified the land of Divine Prefecture, he also established book depositories. I heard that two such book depositories were established in Donghua Heavens—one in the Domain Chief’s Manor and the other in Donghua Academy. What’s the difference between these two book depositories?” Li Changsheng asked.

Ye Futian showed a look of interest. After he came to Divine Prefecture, the first place he really settled in was Dongyuan Pavilion. At that time, he already knew that every continent in Divine Prefecture had such a holy land, and Donghua Heavens was no exception.

Donghua Heavens seemed to be quite unique in that it had two book depositories, one located in Domain Chief’s Manor and one in Donghua Academy.

“The one at Domain Chief’s Manor is more comprehensive while the one in Donghua Academy is more suited for high-level cultivators above the Saint Realm. It was not open to outsiders, so its user base is smaller than the one at Domain Chief’s Manor,” Leng Qinghan explained.

Li Changsheng nodded. Only the Donghua Academy disciples had the opportunity to access the book depository at Donghua Academy, and there were not many of them.

“Let’s go,” Leng Qinghan said and immediately stepped into the void, heading in that direction. The two principalities followed her and soon came to this floating island. Of course, there was more than just the depository, but this book depository was the most obvious structure on the island.

On this floating island, there were many palatial compounds and a giant open area. At this time, many cultivators were gathered, forming a lively scene. It was quite different from the deserted area outside of Donghua Academy when they first arrived.

When Ye Futian and the others arrived, they saw some familiar faces. The cultivators of the ancient royal family of Yan were already there. Their prince, Yan Hanxing and Yan Dongyang were both present. Aside from them, Ye Futian also saw the cultivators from Ling Xiao Palace. Ling He was there also, chatting up the cultivators of the ancient royal family of Yan. It seemed that the two were quite amicable.

Seeing this, coldness flashed across Ye Futian’s eyes. Last time, on Turtle Deity Island, the cultivators of Lingxiao Palace plotted against them when they clashed with the ancient royal family of Yan. He found their close proximity this time intriguing.

Moreover, he was extremely disgusted with Ling He and still wanted him dead. However, in Donghua Heavens, he couldn’t possibly do anything of the sort.

The cultivators of Lingxiao Palace and Yan’s ancient royal family also turned to look at them, squinting slightly. Ling He’s malice toward Ye Futian had only gotten stronger since their last battle.

As long as Ye Futian was around, he would never be able to raise his head.

When he saw Ye Futian walking together with the cultivators from Fluttering Snow Palace, Ling He felt even more upset.

But he quickly concealed his emotions and looked at the cultivators of Fluttering Snow Palace. “Greetings to all the goddesses.”

Jiang Yueli and the others nodded slightly. Ling He looked at Qin Qing and said, “Qin Qing, I heard that you would come, so I arrived a little earlier. Finally, I am meeting you.”

“You’re too kind.” Qin Qing nodded in acknowledgment. Obviously, she was grateful that Lingxiao Palace had deliberately befriended them over the years. Ling He and had always maintained a good relationship with them. However, she had felt a little uncomfortable at Turtle Deity Island previously. She understood that Ling He was proud and narcissistic, but other than that, she suddenly felt that Ling Xiao Palace had an ulterior motive for approaching them. They did not simply want to forge a good relationship with them.

He seemed to have felt the distance in Qin Qing’s tone. Ling He’s desire to kill Ye Futian was much stronger.

The cultivators of the ancient royal family of Yan also looked at Jiang Yueli and the others. Yan Hanxing said, “It was a hasty meeting that day on Turtle Deity Island. Although I met the goddesses, we did not have a chance to talk at length. I have long admired Goddess Jiang, and this time, in Donghua Heavens, I must implore the goddess for some instruction.”

“The prince is too indulgent. We are at the same level of cultivation, so there is no instruction to speak of,” Jiang Yueli responded.

“Of course there is, and the gap is considerable,” said Yan Hanxing. His cultivation was in the Ninth Realm and was actually higher than Jiang Yueli. However, Jiang Yueli’s Great Path was perfect, which was not something he could compete with. Therefore, unless he broke through the shackles of Renhuang, it would be difficult for him to beat Jiang Yueli!