Volume One: First Steps on the Path Chapter Forty-Seven: Preparations for the Opening Lecture

The two, already famished, no longer bothered with conversation on their way back and instead quickened their pace toward the dormitory.

It didn’t take long before they returned together. At Wang Dongdong’s invitation, Ye Junze once again entered Wang Dongdong’s room. The moment they stepped inside, Wang Dongdong, who had been hungry for quite some time, wasted no time in pulling out his phone to order food. After making the rounds through the menu, he seemed to recall something and asked for Ye Junze’s preference. Ye Junze waved his hand and said, “Anything’s fine. Just order whatever you like.”

Hearing this, Wang Dongdong ordered a selection of dishes as per their usual habit. To him, only when the matter of eating was settled could he truly relax.

After placing the order, the two sat and waited, chatting idly about cultivation while anticipating their lunch.

They didn’t have to wait long before their meal was delivered from the familiar service. Seeing the food arrive, both men fell silent and began to eat.

Ye Junze, who had been quietly focused on his meal, seemed to recall something, pausing mid-bite. He looked up at Wang Dongdong and said, “By the way, did you know there’s an entertainment district on the other side of campus?”

Wang Dongdong swallowed quickly and looked up. “I’ve heard people mention it, but I haven’t been there yet. Have you?”

“I just went yesterday,” Ye Junze replied.

Wang Dongdong’s interest was piqued. “You’ve been? What’s it like? Tell me about it.”

“It’s pretty nice,” Ye Junze said, drawing out his words with a hint of mystery. “But—”

“But what? Come on, tell me!” Wang Dongdong pressed eagerly, caught up in anticipation.

Seeing Wang Dongdong’s impatience, Ye Junze couldn’t help but recall his own reaction the day before. It seemed that no one enjoyed being left in suspense. With that, he decided not to keep him guessing any longer. “But I think the most important place in the entertainment district is Anze Market.”

“Anze Market? What’s that?” Wang Dongdong asked, confused.

“It’s a market the school specifically built for cultivators. Inside, you’ll find everything you could need for your practice—magical tools, elixirs, talismans, formation arrays, you name it. Of course, if you’ve refined any pills yourself or found any magical items, you can also sell them there,” Ye Junze explained.

Wang Dongdong nodded, indicating he understood.

“You should check it out when you have time. It’s really worth a visit,” Ye Junze continued.

“I will. I’ll definitely go,” Wang Dongdong replied.

With their conversation concluded, Ye Junze lowered his head and resumed eating.

No matter how much food they ordered, it was never enough for their ever-growing appetites—especially after having gone hungry for so long. So it wasn’t long before they’d finished every dish on the table.

Sated, the two slouched in their chairs, looking completely spent as if digesting their meal. After a while, Ye Junze recalled that classes would officially begin tomorrow, and he needed to prepare. He rose and said, “I’ll head back and get ready for tomorrow’s lessons.”

“Alright, see you, Ye. Good luck tomorrow,” Wang Dongdong said, standing as well.

Ye Junze nodded, waved off any need for a farewell escort, and returned to his own room.

Back in his own quarters, Ye Junze quickly washed away the weariness of the morning and then settled into his usual routine of cultivation.

...

While Ye Junze was cultivating, elsewhere in the Department of Daoist Arts—in the room where Li Xi had once visited—a meeting was underway. Unlike last time, today the room was filled with many new faces. Some sat composed and detached, as though untouched by the world’s concerns, while others argued heatedly among themselves.

As the debate grew more and more heated, the man at the head of the table cleared his throat. Instantly, the room fell silent.

All eyes turned to him: the man Li Xi had once addressed as Director. Observing the sudden quiet, he spoke: “Enough. Other matters can wait. Right now, our priority is the new students. Are all preparations for tomorrow’s classes complete?”

“Yes, Director. Everything has been arranged,” someone at the table replied respectfully.

“Good. I hear we have some promising newcomers this year. Let’s hope they grow well,” the Director continued.

“With you leading the Department of Daoist Arts, Director, these students are sure to thrive,” someone else chimed in. Others quickly echoed, “Exactly, with you in charge, success is certain.” The chorus of agreement rose, and soon the room was noisy once more.

The Director’s expression remained unchanged; his eyes narrowed slightly, as if deep in thought. After a moment, he opened his eyes, clapped his hands gently, and signaled for silence. The crowd, expecting an announcement, quieted down again and waited.

But instead of making any declaration, he simply cleared his throat and said, “That’s all for today. You’re dismissed.”

With a collective sigh of relief, people excused themselves and gradually filtered out. Once the last person had left, the vast room was empty save for the Director, who gazed into the distance, eyes fixed on some unknown point.

“Let’s hope this year it can be achieved,” he murmured.

As soon as he finished speaking, the door slammed shut, plunging the room into darkness so complete that nothing inside could be seen.