The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 90 - 87: Clearly Stated

Chapter 90: Chapter 87: Clearly Stated

Stepped into the grand entrance of the Mountain River Academy.

"Gold and jade in glorious shine, brocade and silk in dazzling display. Who would have thought, behind such a mundane gate, such splendor awaits. Even the Imperial Palace pales in comparison," Jin Mingxuan exclaimed.

"The Emperor of Northern Zhou had this built to curry favor with Mountain Master Meng, who, it is said, became so perturbed that he announced a retreat, has seldom been seen since, and now lives in a hut at the mountain’s summit. Let’s go and register," Qing Yu said, pulling Jin Mingxuan along.

All the necessary information about the academy had been discussed by Feng Jiu with Qing Yu before their departure.

The Emperor of Northern Zhou really went to great lengths for Meng Shanhe, a revered Confucian figure who cared little for power. The Mountain River Academy, in terms of scale and architecture, could slightly surpass even the Emperor’s own palace in Northern Zhou.

Moreover, due to the continuous support and renovations from former students who had made successful careers after leaving the academy, it was not surprising that such standards were maintained.

However, the rumor that Meng Shanhe secluded himself in a hut at the summit was just that—a rumor.

According to Feng Jiu, at the summit of Datong Mountain was where the true Mountain River Academy lay, now the central headquarters of the Confucian sect. Only students who had achieved Vast Righteous Qi were permitted to ascend the summit and receive teachings from various Confucian masters, up to and including the Great Grandmaster Meng Shanhe himself.

The two newcomers followed other students to register at the Li Sheng Pavilion, where Mr. Qingzhu resided.

However, Qing Yu and others did not meet Mr. Qingzhu himself but were attended to by some senior students handling their registration.

After confirming their identities, each of them received a key to their rooms and set off to find their new residences at the academy.

"Yellow Character Hall, Room Jia Five, Brother Meng, what’s your room number?" Standing before a large courtyard, Jin Mingxuan tossed his key in the air and asked Qing Yu.

"The same, Yellow Character Hall. All the new students stay here. Room Bing Three," Qing Yu replied, glancing at the tag hanging from his key.

"It doesn’t make sense," Jin Mingxuan scratched his head and said, "I know Brother Meng’s literary talent; how could you end up in Bing Three?"

The room assignment was simple and straightforward, based on entrance scores, starting from Jia One and moving downwards.

"Maybe it’s all those visits to Tianyue Workshop; my mind’s a bit foggy," Qing Yu casually dismissed.

"Let’s head to our rooms and settle in."

The two said their goodbyes and departed for their respective rooms.

...

"The Vast Righteous Qi of Mountain River Academy really has some tricks," Qing Yu thought.

After returning to his room, he took a moment to regulate his breathing and adapt to the unique environment of the academy.

Having personally experienced this environment, Qing Yu realized that Lu Qifeng’s words were true. Within the academy, anyone harboring ill intentions would feel a slight sense of oppression.

This sensation would intensify over time and with the severity of the evil thoughts until it either crushed the individual or reformed them.

To avoid this peculiar suppression, only experts above the Divine Origin Realm, who could control their mental state and prevent malicious thoughts, were immune. However, they could still be sensed by the Confucian Master seated at the summit, Mountain Master Meng.

Others, even if they could temporarily control their malevolent thoughts, could not maintain this control throughout their actions; they certainly could not stay undercover for long.

Qing Yu was somewhat unique compared to other people below the Divine Origin Realm; his mental state had actually reached the threshold of the Divine Origin Realm, although his True Qi was still lacking. Thus, he could stay undercover for extended periods and go undetected.

Lu Qifeng had sent Qing Yu here just to give it a try, not really expecting him to thrive in this special environment without any side effects.

...

That night.

Dressed neatly, Qing Yu left his room and headed towards Xuanzi Courtyard, where the senior students who had joined the academy the previous year resided.

Following the room numbers, Qing Yu stopped in front of Room Xuan Yi and knocked lightly.

"Who is it?" came a strained voice from inside, as if suppressing pain.

"Senior Brother Feng Jiu, it’s Junior Brother Meng De. I have some questions and would be grateful for your guidance," Qing Yu called out.

"Come in, the door is unlocked."

Qing Yu pushed the door open and saw Feng Jiu slumped on the floor in front of his bed, his face contorted, looking at Qing Yu who entered with complex eyes.

Turning to lock the door behind him, Qing Yu chuckled softly, "How’s the taste of the Black Sky Tribulation?"

"Black... Black Sky Tribulation?"

"It’s that sensation of emptiness and itchiness you’ve experienced during your cultivation," Qing Yu found a spot to sit, "I know you’ve tried enduring it in secret. But after mastering the Black Heaven Book, with the Three Constellations and Twenty-Eight Stars coalescing into a complete Heavenly Phenomenon Map, the power of the ’Black Sky Tribulation’ naturally far surpasses anything before."

"You’ve been plotting against me!" Feng Jiu shouted.

"You guessed that much already, didn’t you? But you clung to a sliver of hope, unwilling to let go. You thought this ’Black Sky Tribulation’ was merely a difficult part of the cultivation process, that it would end once mastered."

"You should know, there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Why would I go out of my way to help a powerless sick Prince like you if I were only interested in obtaining these minor benefits?"

"So, do you submit? Feng Jiu."

Qing Yu stood up and crouched to meet Feng Jiu’s eyes.

"I submit..." Feeling the increasingly unbearable emptiness and itch, Feng Jiu finally spat the words out.

As he uttered those words, the last bit of strength in Feng Jiu’s body collapsed along with his will, "Save me..."

"That’s good." Qing Yu raised his hand and injected him with pure True Qi.

The "Black Sky Tribulation" dissipated under Qing Yu’s True Qi, followed by an infinite sensation of Pure Land. With the enhanced power of the Black Sky Tribulation, the ensuing Great Joy also increased significantly.

Taking the opportunity, Qing Yu quickly performed the Mind Control Technique to reinforce Feng Jiu’s spirit of enduring humiliation.

After a while, Feng Jiu, brought back from an unprecedented state of bliss, returned his focus. Qing Yu, who had been meditating with closed eyes, also opened his eyes.

"Awake? Good, let me explain the Black Heaven Book."

Feng Jiu sat upright across from Qing Yu, listening attentively.

"The power cultivated from the Black Heaven Book is not called Inner Strength, but ’Tribulation Power,’ the ’Tribulation’ from ’Black Sky Tribulation.’ The introduction of the Black Heaven Book clearly states the Four Laws of Existence..."

Qing Yu’s mouth twisted into a subtle smile, "The first law of the ’Four Laws of Existence’ is called ’No Master No Slave,’ which describes our relationship. I am the Tribulation Master, and you are the Tribulation Slave. A Tribulation Slave cannot leave their Tribulation Master; if the Tribulation Master dies, so does the Tribulation Slave."

"The second law states that there’s a loan for every borrowing. You’ve likely experienced the wondrous uses of Tribulation Power. It can produce the corresponding Inner Strength just by knowing the details of any Cultivation Technique. Not only that, but it can also generate corresponding Physical Strength. However, all these must be repaid."