So there was such a secret behind it.

“I wonder what kind of reward this fraudulent Golden Core will provide?”

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Qingpei couldn’t help but wonder. After all, it did mention the term “Golden Core.” Judging from the two magic treasures the system had provided before, even if the Alchemical Spirit Gourd was virtually useless for refining pills, it had proved unexpectedly effective when used as a weapon.

When he had knocked out that Foundation Establishment stage cultivator who blocked his way, Xiao Qingpei hadn’t really noticed this aspect. At the time, he had deliberately distracted his opponent with words, then seized the opportunity to ambush him, so the knockout was hardly surprising. Sword cultivators might have powerful attacks, but that didn’t mean their defenses were equally formidable!

But a few days ago, when he had sent the evil sword’s sword spirit into unconsciousness with a single blow, Xiao Qingpei instantly realized that this gourd from the system might have some special effect he hadn’t yet discovered.

Of course, that evil sword had been sealed for too long and had forcibly broken its own seal, so its power was not even a tenth of what it had been at its peak. And no matter how extraordinary that evil sword might be, it was still just a sword—its full power could only be unleashed by someone wielding it.

Even so, that sword spirit shouldn’t have been knocked out so easily by the gourd! The two simply weren’t on the same level!

Unless…

This gourd possessed a “hundred percent stun” special effect!

Though Xiao Qingpei suspected as much, he hadn’t had a chance to test it.

His mind racing, Xiao Qingpei didn’t let these thoughts slow him down. He flew straight to Yun-ni City. Immortals and mortals lived side by side within the city, but the place where disciples of the Celestial Cloud Palace cultivated was devoid of ordinary people.

This place was called the Cultivation Academy.

Stepping down from the clouds, Xiao Qingpei immediately drew the attention of all the Qi Refining disciples inside.

They quickly cupped their fists in salute: “Greetings, Uncle-Master Xiao!”

After the incidents of “Aren’t all sword cultivators supposed to have perfect sword-hearts?” and the shattering of the Sword Dao Stone, which led to obtaining the ancient celestial sword, Xiao Qingpei’s name was now thunderously famous among these Qi Refining disciples.

The first incident was a joke born of Xiao’s limited experience, but since others saw him as someone with a perfect sword-heart, it wasn’t funny at all—if anything, it made people feel strangely stifled.

Especially for those who had just entered the sect but already thought highly of themselves and looked down on others—this quip struck deeply. It didn’t harm the body or life, but it was devastating to the heart, on par with a heart demon.

As for obtaining the ancient celestial sword, aside from being utterly astonishing, it subconsciously convinced everyone of Xiao’s unparalleled talent in swordsmanship.

After all, the Sword Dao Stone had stood in Yun-ni City for generations, yet no one had ever discovered its secret except for Xiao Qingpei.

Thus, this so-called sword cultivator—who didn’t even meet the standard for an entry-level disciple—was now regarded within the Celestial Cloud Palace as the second coming of Jian Lin Taisheng!

That’s why, upon his arrival, all the Qi Refining disciples treated him with such respect.

You must understand: anyone admitted to the Celestial Cloud Palace, aside from their innate talent, came from a distinguished background! Even if an ordinary Foundation Establishment sword cultivator showed up, these disciples wouldn’t give them a second glance.

If that weren’t the case, the last Foundation Establishment sword cultivator assigned to teach swordsmanship wouldn’t have been driven away.

“Please, there’s no need for such formality,” said Xiao Qingpei, his face uncharacteristically wreathed in smiles. “I’ve been assigned to teach swordsmanship. If any of you would prefer someone else, I can always request the Palace to send a different senior brother as instructor.”

He knew that only by appearing friendly—making them think he was wary of their backgrounds—would these Qi Refining disciples dare to act out.

To his surprise, however, they all behaved obediently, each one hastily insisting they would never dare.

“Weren’t there supposed to be some particularly arrogant and unruly disciples from the family of that Nascent Soul Patriarch among them? The very ones who drove out the last swordsmanship instructor—why are they so well-behaved now?”

Puzzled, Xiao Qingpei set the question aside, inquired about the person in charge, and went off to find them.

As a newcomer, it was only proper to introduce himself.

Although the sword cultivators of Celestial Cloud Palace shunned him, not all the other cultivators did.

He couldn’t afford to be the first to commit a breach of etiquette.

Besides, once he’d done everything by the book, if someone still insisted on making trouble, he would have no qualms about taking more forceful action.

The director of the Yun-ni City Cultivation Academy was an elderly cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, surnamed Shan, given name Chuanwu. Xiao Qingpei’s visit to Senior Brother Shan Chuanwu did not go unnoticed by certain onlookers.

“That Xiao fellow really throws his weight around!” someone remarked. “He stole Senior Brother Xu’s teaching position and doesn’t even bother to apologize!”

The post of sword instructor at the Cultivation Academy was a drudge’s task, but handled well, it could catch the eye of a Nascent Soul Patriarch!

It might even lead to meteoric advancement—a single step to the heavens!

For among the disciples cultivating here was the youngest daughter of that very Nascent Soul Patriarch.

Late in life, the patriarch had this daughter, whom he doted on immensely, even though he could defy death itself. Originally, he had wanted her to cultivate at his side, but her rebellious phase could not be contained, and the patriarch, unable to resist her willfulness, finally relented, albeit not allowing her to leave Yun-ni City or train anywhere except within the Cultivation Academy.

Yet the patriarch protected his daughter so zealously that even the Xu family was unaware of her true identity. All they knew was that she was admitted two years ago when the Celestial Cloud Palace last recruited disciples.

If that weren’t the case, Xu Jiansheng wouldn’t have gone to such lengths, pulling family strings behind the scenes just to secure the position of sword instructor at the Academy.

They had learned that the Nascent Soul Patriarch’s youngest daughter was deeply enamored with swordsmanship.

For Xu Jiansheng, this had seemed a cooked duck—success was all but certain. Who could have foreseen that a single casual word of praise from the patriarch would cause the duck to fly away at the last moment!

Naturally, those watching Xiao Qingpei from afar were all from Xu Jiansheng’s faction.

Yet, hearing his companions voice indignation on his behalf, Xu Jiansheng himself remained silent from start to finish.

“Senior Brother Xu, are we just going to let this go?”

“What else would you suggest?” Xu Jiansheng retorted coldly. These people didn’t realize that the upheaval was due to a single word of praise from the Nascent Soul Patriarch regarding Xiao Qingpei’s sword talent. But as a member of the Xu family, he understood perfectly well!

In a sense, although the patriarch hadn’t personally suggested it, assigning Xiao Qingpei to teach swordsmanship at the Academy was clearly in line with the patriarch’s wishes.

“Senior Brother Xu, I mean, we could attend his classes too. He may have exceptional talent, but that doesn’t mean he’s capable of fully articulating his understanding of the sword. Besides, this Junior Brother Xiao is truly lacking in experience…”

“Let’s do as you suggest!” Xu Jiansheng agreed at once. After all, he still had an old score to settle with Xiao—the time he’d been knocked out cold!