Chapter 284: We Came to Learn, Not to Eat Dog Food

“Bingyan.”

“Disciple is present.”

Upon hearing her master call her name, Bingyan immediately stood up and gave a slight bow to the Carefree Great Sage.

She had not intended to attend this lecture in the first place. After all, she had already comprehended the truth of the Great Dao—becoming a Great Sage was merely a matter of time.

With her current cultivation speed, she would definitely break through to the Half-Saint realm within ten years.

Wendao Academy never lacked resources or spiritual herbs to aid a cultivator’s advancement.

It was perception and talent that determined whether a genius could take the next step.

The Carefree Great Sage asked sternly, “As I recall, you were always the most enthusiastic participant in my past lectures. Why haven’t you asked a single question this time?”

Bingyan replied respectfully, “To be honest with Master, this disciple simply does not know what to ask.”

As soon as she said this, everyone present froze and turned toward Elder Bing with puzzled expressions.

The Carefree Great Sage’s expression grew serious as he asked slowly, “I’ve heard that in recent years, you’ve rarely cultivated at Wendao Academy, instead following that brat Chu Feng around the world. Is it because of that that you’ve fallen behind in cultivation?”

There was no hint of blame in his tone, but the look in his eyes carried implicit reproach.

Bingyan shook her head. “That’s not it.”

???

The Carefree Great Sage looked puzzled, slightly displeased. “Then what is it? Don’t tell me you already comprehend everything I’ve taught?”

Bingyan could tell her master was displeased, so she patiently explained, “To be honest with Master, this disciple has already comprehended the truth of the Great Dao.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but to everyone present, it was like a stone stirring a thousand ripples.

“Is that true?”

“How is that possible?”

“I remember Sister Bing only entered the Nirvana realm a few years ago. At most, her sword intent should just now be approaching perfection.”

“…”

Whispers broke out all around, voices filled with shock and doubt.

Even Bingyan’s own true disciples looked at their master in disbelief.

The Carefree Great Sage’s expression turned strange. “If that’s the case, then draw your sword against me.”

“Yes, Master.”

Bingyan took half a step back and said respectfully, “Master, please be careful.”

As she finished, she extended two fingers in a sword form and pointed toward the Carefree Great Sage.

Clang!

A streak of sword light flashed.

The Carefree Great Sage’s face instantly turned solemn. He raised his hand and unleashed a sword aura to block the strike.

Boom——

The two sword auras collided in mid-air with a thunderous crash.

The Carefree Great Sage’s eyes widened in astonishment as he stared at Bingyan. The surrounding disciples and peers were left dumbfounded.

Among them were several Nirvana cultivators who immediately recognized that both sword auras contained the true meaning of swordsmanship.

“Good… very good!”

The Carefree Great Sage quickly came back to his senses and looked at Bingyan with excitement. “I had been worried that Heavenly Spirit Academy would have no one to succeed me, and those fools at the Holy Institute would look down on us. But now, seeing your accomplishment, I can head to the Holy Institute with peace of mind.”

“Master flatters me. This disciple was simply fortunate.”

Bingyan remained as calm as ever and didn’t let the praise make her lose composure.

The Carefree Great Sage smiled and said, “Bingyan, how did you come to comprehend the truth of swordsmanship? Why not share it with your fellow disciples here, so our Heavenly Spirit Academy might produce more Nirvana geniuses who grasp the Great Dao?”

The Nirvana cultivators nearby all turned expectantly toward Bingyan.

Even if the Carefree Great Sage didn’t ask, they had already planned to approach her privately.

Unfortunately, Bingyan’s only reply was silent refusal.

The Carefree Great Sage immediately understood. “Since it’s inconvenient, I won’t force you.”

Everyone showed expressions of regret and a touch of frustration.

Bingyan’s cheeks reddened slightly. “It’s not that I’m unwilling, but my method isn’t something others can replicate.”

“Hahaha…”

The Carefree Great Sage burst into laughter. “Bingyan, you underestimate the geniuses of our Heavenly Spirit Academy. As long as you’re willing to share, I’m sure they’ll gain insight from it.”

Many people nodded in agreement.

“That’s right, Senior Sister Bing, please let us broaden our horizons.”

“Senior Sister Bing, just tell us—whether we learn it or not is up to us.”

“…”

Bingyan hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod. “To be honest, my comprehension of the Great Dao truth came entirely from a visualization painting.”

As she spoke, the storage ring on her hand flickered, and a scroll appeared.

No one asked what kind of visualization it was—they all stared unblinking at the scroll.

Whoosh—

Bingyan unfurled the painting and casually tossed it into the air, where it suspended itself.

It depicted a woman of unmatched beauty—nation-toppling and peerless.

Everyone stared closely and saw that the figure in the painting was none other than Elder Bing, her bearing transcendent, sword suppressing all eight directions.

A few sharp-eyed disciples even began quietly reading aloud the poetic verses inscribed on the scroll.

Unknowingly, they began to feel as if the sword in Elder Bing’s hand was piercing out from the painting, filling them with alarm and dread.

In an instant, everyone present was frozen in place, as if trapped by Elder Bing’s sword aura.

Moments later—

Bingyan put away the visualization painting, and only then did the crowd snap out of their daze.

The Carefree Great Sage murmured, “Bingyan… who painted this visualization?”

Bingyan replied respectfully, “To be honest, Master, it was painted by my Dao companion, Chu Feng.”

Hiss——

A collective gasp echoed across the room.

The male cultivators thought inwardly:

We came here to study, not to be force-fed dog food.

The female cultivators thought:

So envious of Elder Bing—why don’t I have a Half-Saint Dao companion?

The Carefree Great Sage sighed deeply. “Chief Chu truly deserves to be called the peerless sage of Wendao Academy. I am not his equal.”

It was the first time Bingyan had ever seen her master sigh like this, and she instinctively asked:

“Master, are you alright?”

The Carefree Great Sage shook his head. “I’m fine. I just feel… old. It’s time I went to cultivate at the Holy Institute. Wendao Academy should be left to you young ones now.”

Only then did Bingyan realize her earlier words had been tactless. Her master had always been proud, viewing himself as the foremost of his generation at Wendao Academy—being overshadowed by her husband must have struck a nerve.

“Master, you’re still young. Given time, you’ll surely…”

“Enough. Don’t say things you don’t mean. All of you may leave. I want to be alone.”

With that, the Carefree Great Sage turned and walked into his study, leaving his disciples exchanging helpless glances.

After respectfully saluting his chamber, they quietly dispersed.

That night, as the Carefree Great Sage meditated alone in his study, he suddenly sensed the arrival of a Great Sage’s aura.

His eyes snapped open. “Which old bastard dares disturb this Great Sage at night?!”

“Carefree brat! Come out and fight your Brother Jinchi!”

Jinchi Great Sage’s voice echoed from outside.

Already holding in a stomach full of frustration, the Carefree Great Sage welcomed the challenge with pleasure.

Unfortunately, it didn’t end well for him—by the next day, he announced he would be entering seclusion for several days.

The disciples of Heavenly Spirit Academy didn’t think much of it.

Until half a month later, when all nine Chiefs of Wendao Academy unexpectedly paid a visit to the Dean…

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