Ling Xiao’s heart stirred with excitement.
On Tianlong Continent, cultivation methods were too broad and lacked specificity, making it hard to specialise.
Coming to Qingxu Academy was the right choice. Strengthening specific weaknesses could greatly enhance his progress.
“The Healing Department typically refers to alchemists, including pill refiners and potion makers. They’re easy to understand: not great at offence or defence, but exceptional in support and healing, with the best endurance in battle. I hear Brother Ling is skilled in alchemy?” Feng Yanran asked.
“I know a bit,” Ling Xiao said modestly.
“Excessive modesty is just pride,” Feng Yanran said with a wry smile. “To be honest, this is Qingxu Academy’s weak point compared to Divine Phoenix Academy. Both academies have businesses in the imperial city, selling pills and such. Academies need funds to grow. Right now, Qingxu is struggling, especially since Divine Phoenix Academy recently gained a new teacher, Sun Shang, recommended by the True Demon Empire. He was the Holy Dynasty’s imperial physician, known as the Heavenly Healer!”
“That’s him!” Ling Xiao’s heart sank. The Holy Emperor had treated Sun Shang well, yet he betrayed them for the Sea Clan.
“You know him, Brother Ling?”
“Yes, we have some bad blood.”
At the Martial Arts Festival, Sun Shang poisoned Butterfly Girl, a grudge Ling Xiao still held.
“Be careful, then. Divine Phoenix Academy is protective. With your feud, they won’t let you off easily,” Feng Yanran warned.
“No need to worry, Yanran. Tell me about the other two departments.”
Ling Xiao didn’t want to dwell on Tianlong Continent grudges. He’d settle that score eventually, no rush.
“Alright. The Control Department is unique. Some excel in arrays and formations, others in secret art scrolls. Some have special martial souls or bloodlines. Their attacks may be weak, but they can dominate the battlefield, making enemies suffer.”
“The Spirit Department, or Channeling, is rare. These people have martial souls or bloodline abilities that connect to special spaces, allowing them to control beasts or unique creatures in battle.”
Hearing Feng Yanran’s words, Ling Xiao felt a storm brewing within.
He had dabbled in all six abilities but never systematically trained them, leaving his skills disorganised.
Had he come to Divine Phoenix Continent earlier, he might be stronger now.
But the risk of death would’ve been higher too.
Back then, his cultivation was low. Against the Heaven-Human Realm martial artists common here, his Martial Vein Realm was like an ant.
“After my introduction, which department will you choose, Brother Ling?” Feng Yanran asked.
“Can I not choose?” Ling Xiao pondered.
It wasn’t greed; he felt none suited him perfectly. He balanced offence and defence, excelled in alchemy and arrays, and had exceptional soul power. No single department fit.
“Haha, I’m not surprised,” Feng Yanran said with a smile. “Don’t worry. Whichever department you join, you’ll get foundational training. Courses overlap; they just differ in focus. Even in the Attack Department, you can study defence, just less deeply.”
“No, you misunderstand,” Ling Xiao shook his head. “If I choose something, I want to excel at it.”
“Brother Ling, don’t take offence, but being too greedy often leads to mediocrity. It’s a common tale,” Feng Yanran cautioned. “Versatile talents exist, but most can’t master more than two areas. Choosing all six is overreaching.”
“I appreciate your concern, but my mind’s made up. Can I choose this way?”
Ling Xiao knew his unique Mountain River Martial Soul ensured he wouldn’t be mediocre but exceptional in all areas.
“You can, but you’ll need to pass a highly difficult test. If you succeed, you can join the Comprehensive Department, which is small but allows studying multiple or all six departments’ courses,” Feng Yanran sighed. “But you know, everyone has the same time. With equal talent, if others focus on one area while you juggle six, who’ll achieve more? I don’t need to say, right?”
“I understand your kindness, but I won’t change my mind.”
“Fine, follow me.”
Feng Yanran felt some disappointment. She thought Ling Xiao was farsighted and pragmatic, but he seemed overly ambitious and stubborn.
“Such a pity. With his talent in the Attack Department, he could become a top swordsman, a regional hegemon. But splitting focus six ways is self-destructive,” she thought, unable to persuade him. Ling Xiao’s stubbornness was unyielding; once decided, not even ten dragons could sway him.
“You’re in the Comprehensive Department, aren’t you, Yanran?” Ling Xiao asked suddenly.
“You can tell?” Feng Yanran was astonished again, feeling she had no secrets before him.
“It’s not surprising. You excel in offence and have some defensive skill, likely balancing both,” Ling Xiao said casually.
What was difficult for others seemed trivial to him.
Feng Yanran thought she hid her abilities well, but Ling Xiao saw through her.
“Correct. Just studying two departments, I’m struggling to keep up. Teachers advised me to focus on Attack; my cultivation would be higher now,” she sighed. “That’s why I urge you not to be greedy. Two is the limit. More is ruinous.”
Ling Xiao just smiled faintly, saying nothing.
His secrets couldn’t be shared with Feng Yanran, so explanations were futile. He let it go.
Soon, she led him to a majestic palace with six doors, symbolising the six departments.
