Volume One: First Steps on the Path Chapter Sixty-One: A Rising Star of Daoist Arts

"Uncle Liu, look, this is the statistical result from yesterday's Daoist comprehension class," Yin Jia said, taking out the mirror artifact used during the lesson.

"Alright, let me see," Director Liu replied, raising his head to gaze at the mirror artifact before him.

After watching for a while, he praised, "The students this year seem quite impressive. It's only the first day, and so many have already grasped Dao seeds. Not bad, not bad."

Yin Jia concurred, "Yes, with the spiritual energy continuously reviving these past two years, the new students' talents are improving year by year."

"Hmm," Director Liu responded, then focused again on the mirror artifact.

"Huh?" He uttered a puzzled sound, apparently noticing something unusual.

"What's the matter, Uncle Liu?" Yin Jia asked, hearing his tone.

"I just saw a few students who have mastered special Dao seeds. It's somewhat surprising," Director Liu answered.

"Oh? Are you referring to those who have mastered the Dao of Thunder and the Dao of Yin and Yang?" Yin Jia asked, as if familiar with the matter.

Director Liu nodded, agreeing with Yin Jia's assessment, and replied, "That's right. You seem well informed."

"I am. In fact, I’ve interacted with the student who mastered the Dao of Thunder," Yin Jia said with a hint of pride.

"Is that so? Then, tell me about these students," Director Liu prompted, noticing Yin Jia's smug expression.

"Alright." Yin Jia set aside her playful demeanor and answered earnestly.

"The student who mastered the Dao of Thunder is named Ye Junze. You must have seen him," Yin Jia began.

Director Liu nodded and gestured for her to continue.

Noting his interest, Yin Jia went on, "Right after the Daoist comprehension ended, this student had already grasped the Dao of Thunder, and his compatibility was exceptionally high."

She adopted a mysterious tone, "Then I investigated privately, and guess what I discovered?"

"What is it? You little rascal, don’t keep me in suspense, just say it," Director Liu replied helplessly.

Yin Jia smiled sheepishly. "I just wanted to make things more lively so you wouldn’t get bored."

"Alright, alright. You always have clever ideas. Go on, what else did you find?" Director Liu responded affectionately.

"It turns out that when this student first received the Xuan Tian Dao Canon, he easily cultivated a Small Circulation. From the moment he got the canon to accomplishing all this took only about half an hour," Yin Jia said, her voice full of admiration.

"Is that even possible?" Director Liu seemed genuinely shaken by her words, unable to contain his astonishment.

"Yes, I couldn't believe it either at first. But remembering how quickly he grasped Dao during his first comprehension, I stopped doubting," Yin Jia replied.

Director Liu pondered for a moment, then couldn’t help but praise, "That means this child is truly gifted."

"Indeed. Perhaps this year, our Daoist Department will shine in the academy competition because of him," Yin Jia said with a smile.

Director Liu nodded in agreement and added, "If that's the case, nothing could be better. For years we've been overshadowed by other departments. Although those fellows don't say much, I can clearly sense their mockery. If we could use these students to humble those who have grown arrogant, it would be perfect."

"Uncle Liu, rest assured. This year is the one. With proper guidance, these students will surely stand out in the academy competition," Yin Jia comforted him.

Hearing her cheerful words, Director Liu was obviously pleased and laughed, "Good, good. But even so, don’t put too much pressure on them. A string pulled too tight is bound to snap."

"Of course, you can trust me, Uncle. I know how to handle it," Yin Jia responded.

"That's good. I'll remember this Ye Junze. I'll keep an eye on him. Now tell me about the others," Director Liu requested.

"Alright." Yin Jia replied respectfully.

Yin Jia continued, "The other two students who mastered the Dao of Yin and the Dao of Yang—one comes from a noble family."

"Oh? Another child of a noble house? Don't tell me it's from the Lin family again," Director Liu said, his tone tinged with displeasure and disdain, as if recalling something.

Yin Jia quickly tried to appease him, "Oh, Uncle, why are you still hung up on that? Don't worry, this time it's not the Lin family."

Hearing that, Director Liu's expression softened considerably and he replied irritably, "After what that Lin family did, how could I still have a good temper?"

"Alright, alright, Uncle, calm down." Yin Jia raised her teacup to soothe him, offering it to him.

Her considerate gesture quickly calmed him, and after taking a sip, he waved his hand, saying, "Enough about them. Continue."

"This student is from the Li family," Yin Jia replied, seeing that he was no longer upset. "You must have seen him too, no need to worry."

"You’re right—it's just me overthinking," Director Liu glanced again at the mirror artifact. "Is it the student named Li Ling?"

"Yes, that's him. He mastered the Dao of Yang," Yin Jia confirmed.

"He seems promising. The Li family, being a prominent house, surely has a deep foundation," Director Liu commented.

"That's true. I also found out that this student is a direct descendant. When his cultivation talent was discovered, the Li family invested heavily in him. Sending him to Anze is probably meant as a trial, and unless something unexpected happens, he’ll be their next heir," Yin Jia explained.

"Good, that's clear. What about the other one?" Director Liu asked.

This time, Yin Jia didn’t answer immediately, seeming to contemplate how to reply.

Seeing her hesitate, Director Liu asked curiously, "What is it? Is there something wrong?"

"Not exactly. It’s just that this student’s situation is unusual," Yin Jia said after thinking.

"Why is that?" Director Liu grew more curious, looking at the mirror artifact. The display showed a symbol of a black fish, presumably representing the Dao of Yin, followed by the name Yun Tianhan.

"Is there a problem with this student called Yun Tianhan?" Director Liu asked.

"There is, and there isn’t," Yin Jia replied cryptically.

"You’re sounding like those old pedants, speaking in riddles. Just tell me plainly," Director Liu laughed in exasperation.

"The child’s talent is undoubtedly excellent, otherwise he wouldn’t have mastered a Dao seed so quickly. But his background seems problematic," Yin Jia pondered.

"Background? What kind of problem?" Director Liu queried.

"This child doesn’t have a clear family background like the others, nor has he mentioned his parents. I couldn’t find any information about them," Yin Jia explained.

She continued, "If my guess is correct, he was likely abandoned at birth or his parents died early."

Director Liu thought for a moment after hearing this, then replied, "If that were true, it would be impossible for him to grow up so healthy. Yet he seems to be thriving—why is that?"

"According to my investigation, he was adopted by an old man, and since then, they depended on each other until he came to Anze," Yin Jia answered, recalling what she’d found.

"That’s not unusual. So, his background shouldn’t be a problem then," Director Liu said, puzzled.

"But here’s the crux of the matter—I assigned members of the Enforcement Department to investigate. When they went to Yun Tianhan and the old man’s residence, it was already empty. Neighbors said that after Yun Tianhan left for university, the old man disappeared quietly, leaving no trace—as if he’d never existed," Yin Jia explained.

Director Liu suddenly caught on, "So you’re suggesting that the old man who raised Yun Tianhan might be suspicious?"

"Yes. If he were just an ordinary person, Yun Tianhan wouldn’t have such extraordinary cultivation talent and comprehension. Besides, elderly people rarely move, and if he had, neighbors would’ve noticed something. So I suspect the old man was a hidden cultivator living incognito," Yin Jia shared her theory.

"What you’re saying makes sense. If he wasn't a cultivator, it would be hard to raise such a student," Director Liu remarked after hearing her explanation.

"So, Uncle, should I have the Enforcement Department investigate further? And should we pay special attention to Yun Tianhan?" Yin Jia asked for guidance.

Director Liu waved his hand and said, "Don’t trouble yourself over this. Everyone has secrets. There are countless hidden cultivators out there, and we can’t know everything about everyone. Someone who raises such a talented child and chooses to vanish likely just doesn’t want to be disturbed. As long as they don’t threaten Anze, let them be."

Yin Jia thought for a moment, then nodded. "Understood, Uncle."

"Alright, that’s settled. Anything else?" Director Liu asked.

Yin Jia shook her head. "No, that’s all."

"Good, then head back. Remember not to neglect your own cultivation," Director Liu reminded her.

"Got it, Uncle. I’ll be off now," Yin Jia replied, rising and leaving the room.