Mei Ling's open-lecture success dispersed the tense atmosphere that had hung over the city like a fog.

The first heaven blessing might have been luck, or a mistake. But how could the second heaven blessing also be a mistake?

Even a fool would have found the rumors implausible at first, and yet the whispers persisted.

Inside taverns, tea houses, and restaurants, everyone talked about Mei Ling's lecture.

"Can you believe it?" a thin young man asked his friend.

"I can't believe it," his friend responded, shaking his head. "But it seems to be the truth."

"Of course it's the truth. Do you think she would receive a heaven blessing if she had lied?"

A third person, a girl, regarded her friend with a conflicted expression.

"What would you think if I wanted to become a Master Teacher?" she asked in a low voice.

Hmm?

Her two friends widened their eyes and looked at her. They hadn't expected her to be convinced by a single lecture.

Before Mei Ling's open lecture, she had opposed the Master Teacher profession, but now…

She wanted to become one.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm not the only one with this thought," she said irritably.

"I heard the Master Teacher would be the sole major profession in the world. Even the powerful clans and warriors had to respect them."

"Besides, I heard they can know things ordinary people aren't privileged to know. Just like Miss Mei's history lecture."

"Do you think an ordinary person can know such forgotten history?"

She launched a rapid-fire series of questions at her two friends, leaving them speechless.

This kind of sentiment spread across the city. Many younger generations had already been won over by Mei Ling's lecture.

Right in front of the Master Teacher New Building, hundreds of young people gathered to register to become Master Teachers.

"Everyone, calm down," Elder Kang said in a low, commanding voice.

The area quieted as everyone turned to him. Standing beside him, Elder Shen flashed a bright smile.

Their bet had proven right: the Master Teacher profession was the right path forward.

Looking at the enthusiastic crowd, it was evident that everything was moving in the right direction.

Clearing her throat, Elder Kang spoke again. "I know you all want to become Master Teachers, but that's not how it works."

"You must prove yourself through study, keep a clear mind, and be willing to spread your knowledge throughout the world."

"When you hold this heart, you can await the Master Teacher announcement on the awakening day."

"Senior, when is the Master Teacher awakening day?" A small girl asked, her eyes bright with anticipation.

"I don't know yet, but when the time comes, we will announce it. Use this time to prepare. Remember, you have only one chance for the awakening ceremony."

"Senior, thank you." The little girl nodded with a firm resolve flashing in her eyes.

With that, she departed in large strides.

Gradually, the group dispersed, brimming with determination.

They would pass, and they would become Master Teachers. Each one vowed in their heart.

Watching their departing backs, Elder Kang smiled and turned to look at Elder Shen.

"Let's go. We've already missed enough time."

Elder Shen nodded, and they quickly left the Master Teacher Building.

Northeast of the city, near the city wall, Jun Wu led the upgrade of the city's protective formation.

Apart from a few trusted elders from the Array Formation Association and the Yuan Clan elders, no one else remained visible.

The various Grade-1 Array Masters worked with bright smiles on their faces, focused on their tasks.

The arrival of Elder Shen and Elder Kang did not disrupt the tempo; they joined the others and hastened the work on the array formation.

Jun Wu, the heart of the formation, shouldered the largest and most difficult portion of the project.

They worked six hours non-stop to complete the array formation.

"Ah! We're finally done," the Yuan Clan Master muttered, wiping sweat from her brow.

"This is the most complicated array project I've ever worked on," announced the Array Association President with a bright smile.

"Not only you, but everyone," the Yuan Clan Master added.

All the array masters nodded in agreement. Despite the array's high difficulty, the little they could comprehend seemed to improve their mastery.

"Well done, everyone," Jun Wu said, wearing an appreciative smile. He knew they had pushed themselves hard to finish the task.

"With this array, I hope our city will remain safe," he added. "Also, I hope when I call you next time, you won't hesitate to join me."

"Hahaha. Young Master, it is our greatest honor to work with you. Why would we hesitate to join you?" the Yuan Clan Master replied with sincerity.

"Very well," Jun Wu nodded. "I'll be on my way."

The array masters watched him depart for his carriage, their faces lighting with satisfied smiles.

…

Back at his mansion, Jun Wu breathed a sigh of relief.

Now that the necessary array work was complete, they could move to the next phase of the plan.

Just then, Zhang Wei entered the courtyard. "Young Master, the two deans have arrived."

"Very well. I'll go and see them immediately." Jun Wu rose to his feet and walked toward the main hall, with Zhang Wei following closely.

Inside the main hall, Jun Wu sat across from the two deans with a calm smile.

"You did well," the Frostwind Academy Dean muttered, a pleased smile curving his lips.

"Senior, compared to your burden, my work is nothing," Jun Wu replied humbly.

"Don't be humble. It doesn't suit you," the old dean said, rolling his eyes.

Jun Wu chuckled and changed the topic. "Senior, how is the preparation going?"

"All done. We can start fishing out the few remaining spies." The Old Dean replied with a smile full of anticipation.

"I bet those rats won't expect it." The Frostwind Academy Dean added with a mischievous grin.

"Humph! They've caused enough trouble already. My academy has been too lenient in the past, but no more."

For the sake of neutrality and to allow everyone to settle in Mystic City, the old dean had not imposed strict rules on the city.

But who could have known that those who were given a chance to live in the city would later bite the hands that fed them?

"But I don't think the hidden Master realm warrior would surrender easily," the Frostwind Academy Dean said.

"Who cares? If they aren't going to surrender easily, then they have only themselves to blame," the old dean snorted.

Unwilling to continue the conversation, he looked at Jun Wu. "What is your next step?"

This was the main reason they had concluded Jun Wu was finished with the array formation.

"I need to begin my Master Teacher journey," Jun Wu said casually. "Apart from that, we also need to learn who's targeting us."

"We all know the Gong Clan does not have the courage for what they are doing. Someone else is behind this."

The two deans nodded. They weren't fools; they could already guess as much.

"Are you sure you want to leave the city's safety?" the Old Dean asked with a slight frown.

Jun Wu was too important to die a useless death. He was the backbone of the Master Teachers.

"Yes. I need to leave; otherwise, the changes that should appear in our region would be delayed, which might spell trouble for all of us." Jun Wu explained.

"We understand. But you must be careful." The Frostwind Academy Dean spoke solemnly.

Even though they were Imperial Realm cultivators, they did not feel confident about their safety outside the city.

Although they wished he would stay, they knew it was impossible.

"Very well. If you need anything, let us know," the Old Dean agreed reluctantly.

After the two deans left, Mao Yun and Zhang Wei entered the grand hall.

"Young Master, we found three more spies in the outer city," Mao Yun announced.

"Very well. Find out who is behind them, and if you can't, handle them cleanly," Jun Wu replied, turning to Zhang Wei.

"How many men have you gathered?" he asked.

"Young Master, there are already two hundred men ready to deploy immediately."

"That should be enough for now. Starting tomorrow, split them into teams of five to destroy the nearby ruins."

"They must be set ablaze; nothing should be left behind."

"I understand," Zhang Wei nodded.

"Any news from the Gong Clan or the Jun clans?" he asked casually.

Although he distanced himself from the Jun Clan, he still needed to keep an eye on them for any major move.

"The Jun Clan remains quiet, not reacting to the ongoing chaos in the region. As for the Gong Clan…," Zhang Wei paused, then continued, "I heard they are recruiting clans from other cities, using the promotion to Master Realm as a reward."

Jun Wu absorbed the news in silence. Then he spoke with quiet resolve.

"Good. If they're recruiting, it means they're desperate. We will stay vigilant and respond decisively."