Chapter Thirty-One: Leader of the Eight Immortals

The hour of the Boar had passed.

The midnight sky was dotted with countless stars.

Within the Academy of Arcane Arts, lanterns had long been hung from branches or floated above the bridge.

Night was deep, and most disciples had already fallen asleep; the entire academy was shrouded in silence.

Moonlight silently spilled upon the narrow stone path, casting mottled shadows of the trees. This interplay of light and shadow also fell upon Tian Jizi.

Tian Jizi was hurrying, heading alone toward a place called the Hall of Lingering Mist.

Today, the academy had compared the robes of over a thousand disciples in connection with the Purple-Gold Thread incident involving the Kelin Demon School, but not a trace of success was found.

Just as Tian Jizi was about to rest, he suddenly heard that the Immortal Masters were gathering in the Reception Hall—the Lingering Mist Hall—because a distinguished guest had unexpectedly arrived.

This piqued his curiosity.

The Lingering Mist Hall was located in the western section of the academy. From the dormitories, one crossed the Sacred Path of Spirit, passed through four lofty pavilions—Pavilion of Contemplating Immortals, Pavilion of Gathering Immortals, Pavilion of Equal Immortals, and Pavilion of Imperial Immortals—before reaching the hall capable of holding over a hundred people.

From afar, Tian Jizi saw the hall nestled within a grove embraced by verdant trees, adjacent to several small bridges and flowing streams—a quiet and somewhat secluded part of the academy.

Though the hour was late, the Lingering Mist Hall glowed brightly with light.

Accompanied by the gentle murmur of the stream, Tian Jizi quickened his pace across a finely crafted wooden bridge, guided by lanterns on either side.

He had no time to admire the vivid carvings of ancient legends on the bridge—tales of battles between immortals and demons from millennia ago, now only relics of history. Even the brutal stories that had sealed the word “demon” centuries ago were mere paintings in the gallery of the past.

The world had long lost those clear-cut struggles of black and white. For the Immortal Realm and the Sacred Court, enemies were no longer demons or monsters; at most, they were things labeled “demonized.”

Outside the hall’s great doors, mist swirled. Two male disciples in academy robes stood as guardians on either side.

Stepping forward, Tian Jizi was stopped by the disciple on the left.

“Registrar, the Immortal Masters are deliberating inside. They have instructed us not to allow outsiders to disturb them.”

Tian Jizi asked, “Am I not allowed in either?”

The disciple on the right replied, “Sorry, Registrar, only Immortal Masters may enter.”

Just then, the door creaked open slightly, and Immortal Master Yu Ran, accompanied by a female disciple, emerged.

Seeing Tian Jizi, Yu Ran quickly said, “Master Jueguang was about to find you. Your arrival is timely.”

At this, the two guards immediately stepped aside.

Yu Ran gestured toward the female disciple and told Tian Jizi, “I must go to greet the guests. She will escort you inside.”

With that, Yu Ran soared away on a cloud. After respectfully bowing to Yu Ran, Tian Jizi followed the female disciple into the hall.

Inside, the Lingering Mist Hall was illuminated by countless candles. Immortal Masters clad in robes of various colors were seated in two groups facing each other. At the front center stood two grand chairs.

Master Jueguang sat on the right, leaving the left chair vacant for the arriving guest.

Tian Jizi bowed deeply to the Immortal Masters.

Jueguang, surprised by Tian Jizi’s swift arrival, remarked, “Fate truly is extraordinary; I had only just sought you, and you were already here.”

He then pointed to the left chair in the front row.

“Please sit here. You will participate in the discussion to come. This matter concerns you.”

Tian Jizi stepped forward.

“Immortal Masters, your late-night gathering—is it related to the Purple-Gold Thread from earlier today?”

Jueguang nodded.

“A few high-ranking immortals have suddenly arrived. It is likely more than just that.”

“What else is there?”

“The guests tonight are all familiar to you. That is why you were summoned.”

Tian Jizi nodded and took a seat nearby.

He pondered silently: The Kelin Demon School’s sudden attack on the Academy of Arcane Arts was clearly not as straightforward as it appeared.

Any demon school reaching the academy would have to come through Sheng Pingning of the Unified Dao, and if outsiders had arrived via the Unified Dao, the Immortal Realm’s Sacred Court would surely not remain indifferent.

Could tonight’s visit be an emissary sent to investigate the day’s disturbances?

Since the Dao Spirit Star Lord’s imprisonment, the academy had been leaderless.

Though the Star Lord often secluded himself in meditation, Master Jueguang had been managing daily affairs through consultations with other Immortal Masters. Still, a vacant headmaster position could not be a permanent situation.

Once guilt was determined, the Sacred Court would strip the Star Lord of his role and appoint a new headmaster in his place. Perhaps the Sacred Court had already taken action.

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For all these years, the Sacred Court refrained from acting against the Star Lord, likely out of respect for his achievements in founding the realm. Had he been merely an ordinary headmaster, several replacements would have come by now. Even the position of head of Sheng Pingning’s foremost Academy of Immortal Arts would have long since become a stepping stone for cultivating officials, rather than a pure center of immortal study as it was now.

Although the Dao Spirit Star Lord seldom intervened directly, Master Jueguang had always respected his decrees. Once leadership changed, the “Star Lord’s imprint” on the academy since its inception would be erased, and Jueguang himself, despite his current authority, would be sidelined.

In that case, the academy’s future would be at best uncertain, at worst beyond its own control.

Tian Jizi, as the registrar and a disciple who would soon complete his studies and leave, need not concern himself too much with these matters. Yet, he could not stand idly by. If his fortunate destiny could bring some measure of protection to the academy, why not?

As Tian Jizi contemplated, the Lingering Mist Hall’s doors suddenly opened. The two guardian disciples entered and respectfully stood inside the doorway.

At the same moment, a swirl of pale azure immortal aura drifted into the hall. The murmuring Immortal Masters immediately fell silent; the entire hall was as quiet as a tomb.

Immortal Master Yu Ran stepped forward and bowed toward the entrance.

“Three High Immortals, please enter!”

Master Jueguang quickly rose and hurried to the door to welcome them. All present Immortal Masters stood in greeting.

“I am Jueguang, a humble Immortal Master of the Academy of Arcane Arts. We respectfully welcome the honored presences of Medicine King, Pure Yangzi, and the Compassionate Mystical Law Sovereign to our academy!” Jueguang said, bowing deeply.

As the aura dispersed, three figures drifted inside.

On the left stood a dignified middle-aged man clad in a flowing blue robe. A long sword was strapped to his back; his eyes shone with profound immortal power.

On the right was a slightly younger woman, dressed in a robe woven with white and pink, her arm adorned with a lotus flower. She cast a proud glance around the hall.

Her imposing presence made even many seasoned Immortal Masters avert their eyes in humility.

Though these two were undoubtedly High Immortals, they showed great reverence toward the third figure seated between them.

In the center sat a man in a worn wooden wheelchair, clearly afflicted with impaired legs. The wheelchair was simple in design, with a small gourd hanging from one handle. Though it could be moved by immortal power, the sword-bearing man steadied the chair with both hands out of respect for the bald man.

Surprisingly, compared to the two standing figures, this man was plain and unremarkable, appearing in his sixties, dressed in tattered clothes.

His face was covered in an unkempt beard, and his hair was thinning and patchy.

After greeting the three Immortals, Jueguang walked over to the wheelchair-bound man and bowed deeply.

The man merely nodded and waved his hand in a casual, ritual manner.

Noticing Tian Jizi behind Jueguang, the wheelchair man smiled and said, “Nephew, how are you? I hope all is well.”

Tian Jizi hurried forward and knelt.

“I am your nephew, Tian Jizi. I respectfully welcome my uncle, my uncle-brother, and my aunt, the three High Immortals.”

The man, addressed as uncle, said, “Nephew, I know something of the matter concerning Caihe. You have suffered.”

Master Jueguang stepped forward.

“Please take your seats, esteemed Immortals. Take your time to renew old acquaintances.”

The wheelchair man gestured to the man with the sword, who pushed the chair to one of the grand chairs at the front. The woman assisted the wheelchair man to stand.

Once standing, he withdrew an iron cane from the wheelchair’s armrest.

At the same time, the wheelchair seemed to activate a mechanism, folding into a small ornament no larger than half a palm, hanging from the dragon-headed handle of the iron cane.

Steadying himself on the cane, the man sat down in the left grand chair.

Yu Ran gestured toward the two standing Immortals and said, “Please be seated.”

But they did not respond, remaining respectfully standing behind the chair. Yu Ran said no more.

Jueguang sat in the right grand chair and said, “I apologize for the late hour and the lack of preparation. I beg the Medicine King’s forgiveness.”

The man with the iron cane took a deep breath.

“Jueguang, I, Iron Cane Li, never come to the Three Treasures Hall without cause, especially at this hour. If not for Tai Bai Jin Xing’s sudden summons, this crippled old man would not trouble the academy or disrupt the presence of Lü Dongbin and He Xiangu.”

“How dare you! The arrival of Iron Cane Li, leader of the Eight Immortals, truly honors the Academy of Arcane Arts. It is a pity we had no time to prepare. Please forgive us.”

Jueguang bowed respectfully.

“Since this is a direct dispatch from Tai Bai Jin Xing, it must be an important matter.”

Iron Cane Li chuckled.

“They say the Dao Spirit Star Lord has keen insight. You, Jueguang, manage tens of thousands of disciples daily. Have you not guessed Tai Bai Jin Xing’s purpose?”

“I dare not presume, but since you came in such haste, it must be that the academy has failed in some duty. Please, Medicine King, enlighten us so we may improve.”

Iron Cane Li’s voice grew lower.

“Your academy had a busy day, yes?”

Jueguang replied honestly.

“Yes, indeed, some trouble arose today.”

“Do tell.”

Jueguang explained.

“At midday, a group of mortals intruded upon the Academy of Arcane Arts and caused a disturbance.”

“Surely it is more than just a disturbance,” Iron Cane Li said. “The academy was peaceful before, but troubles have been mounting. Tai Bai Jin Xing is concerned.”

Jueguang bowed his head.

“If Tai Bai Jin Xing is troubled, then I must reflect deeply.”

Iron Cane Li continued.

“Your Dao Spirit Star Lord has been imprisoned in the Prison of Raging Flames for nearly a hundred days. Whether he held the position officially or not, such a vast academy cannot be without a headmaster.”

The hall was so silent one could hear the faint crackle of burning candles.

“Therefore, Tai Bai Jin Xing dispatched me to notify all Immortal Masters: starting tomorrow, He Xiangu will temporarily assume the position of headmaster.”

Jueguang showed no surprise.

But Yu Ran asked, “Even a temporary replacement requires official documents. Moreover, He Xiangu, a High Immortal who spends her days aiding mortals, how can she manage both her duties and the academy’s affairs?”

Iron Cane Li waved his hand.

“Do not worry about that. He Xiangu was once a mortal herself before her enlightenment. You Immortal Masters, though spiritual, should not look down on her.”

“Not at all. The Academy of Arcane Arts cannot go a day without a head. If the renowned He Xiangu is willing to oversee some academy affairs, we Immortal Masters will welcome her gladly.”

“Since there are no objections, that is good. Tai Bai Jin Xing will be reassured. As for the official documents, do not fret; the appointment papers will arrive within three days. Tonight, the Immortal Mistress and I came so she may begin familiarizing herself with the academy’s daily workings as of tomorrow.”

Jueguang answered, “Naturally. I shall do my utmost to assist the Compassionate Mystical Law Sovereign in managing the academy.”

Iron Cane Li smiled.

“Very good. That is one matter settled. To be honest, aside from this official business, I came tonight with a semi-official, semi-private matter.”

Jueguang said, “Please speak freely, Immortal.”

Iron Cane Li glanced at Tian Jizi.

“Jueguang, you should know who my nephew Tian Jizi’s honored elder is.”

“How could I not? That is Lan Caihe.”

“He has been missing for several months. Do you know of this?”

“Lan Caihe has a kind heart and often descends to the mortal realm to save lives. I have heard as much.”

Iron Cane Li said, “He loves freedom. Though he has dwelled in the Immortal Realm for many years, he has not lost his barefoot immortal ways. Traveling the world is no great matter. But before his whereabouts were lost, I heard that a disciple here named Hua Sheng carries the imprint of Caihe’s immortal arts. Is that true?”

Jueguang pondered briefly.

“Indeed, but it is a long story.”

Iron Cane Li pointed to Tian Jizi.

“Nephew, do you know the details? Please tell us.”

Tian Jizi stood.

“Regarding the Lingxiao Flame incident, though some time has passed, the late Fire and Thunder Immortal once mentioned that within Hua Sheng’s Samadhi True Fire, there indeed exists the mark of my father.”

Iron Cane Li said, “Then this disciple Hua Sheng must be connected to Lan Caihe’s whereabouts. Previously, you were occupied with the Qiankun Guard War and could not attend to Caihe’s affairs. But now that the dust has settled, summon Hua Sheng promptly to investigate. Give me, your uncle, an answer!”

Yu Ran rose.

“Esteemed Immortals, I must confess: Hua Sheng did indeed return to the academy today, but in the afternoon, Master Qingmiao requested leave and took him outside…”

“Unbelievable!”

Lü Dongbin, who had stood silently behind, suddenly shouted.

“How does this Academy of Arcane Arts manage its Immortal Masters and disciples? Hua Sheng bears the mystery of Lan Caihe’s disappearance, yet you let him roam free and lose track of him! Such negligence—do you take my nephew for a nobody?”

Jueguang hurried to explain.

“Pure Yangzi, please calm yourself. I will immediately dispatch people to recall Qingmiao and Hua Sheng.”

Lü Dongbin scolded.

“I have heard of Qingmiao. Despite her youth, she became an academy Immortal Master. She brought the calamity of Ming You into the academy, causing innocent suffering. Now, at such a critical moment, she dares to take disciples out without permission—utter lawlessness! Her guilt should be pursued!”

Jueguang’s face darkened.

“Qingmiao is indeed inexperienced, but Ming You’s power was formidable. None in the academy detected it—not even the Dao Spirit Star Lord. During the Qiankun Guard War, many of us witnessed firsthand that even Great Dao Immortals struggled against Ming You. Qingmiao’s recommendation was purely accidental—any Immortal Master might have been fooled.”

Lü Dongbin snorted.

“So it seems this renowned Academy of Arcane Arts is nothing special!”

Jueguang replied respectfully.

“Pure Yangzi and the Dao Spirit Star Lord are two of Sheng Pingning’s Seven Saints of Formation. You have surely witnessed the Star Lord’s abilities. The Ming You affair had deeper causes.”

As tension mounted, Tian Jizi stepped forward.

“It is no trouble. I am willing to summon Master Qingmiao and Hua Sheng, to have them return promptly.”

Jueguang nodded.

“Good! Then I entrust this to you, registrar. If you leave tonight, they can be found by tomorrow. We shall report back to the High Immortals then.”

“I will depart at once!”

Tian Jizi rose and headed toward the door.

Just as he reached the threshold, a tremendous crash thundered through the hall. The ceiling above him was shattered, a large hole blasted open!

Bricks and wood splinters rained down.

The entire Lingering Mist Hall was thrown into alarm. From the smoke, three figures resembling disciples stood up.

“Where did that foul wind come from? It hurts!”

“Hua Sheng, what are you grabbing? If not for your pigheadedness, would I have fallen?”

“Extinguish Shadow, I’ve been busy all day and feel dizzy. Who knew that when arriving at the academy, we’d encounter wind shear on landing! Such bad luck!”