C96 College of Ming Dynasty

Ying Zhi soared ahead with Qin Buyi trailing close behind him. As they hovered over the Imperial Capital of the Ming Dynasty, the guards caught sight of Ying Zhi and promptly dropped to one knee in salute, "Greetings, Third Prince."

Ying Zhi gestured with an open hand, "Please, rise."

The soldiers stood, their attention shifting to Qin Buyi, who was also airborne. "Third Prince, flying is prohibited within the Imperial Capital for those below the Tribulation Crossing level. The gentleman behind you has yet to reach that stage. What should we do...?"

Ying Zhi interjected, "He's a guest at my estate; the rule does not apply to him."

Unyielding, the soldier insisted, "Third Prince, the regulations must be upheld."

Narrowing his eyes, Ying Zhi pressed the soldier, enunciating each word, "Did my earlier words fall upon deaf ears?"

The soldier maintained his stance, "With all due respect, Third Prince, the First Prince has recently reinforced this ordinance. I must ask that you not put me in a difficult position."

Hearing this, Ying Zhi's expression turned stormy. "Is that so? My words carry no weight anymore, is that it?"

From his robes, Ying Zhi produced a golden token emblazoned with a dragon and flung it at the soldier.

With a swift "Whoosh!" the token cut a swift arc through the air, hurtling towards the soldier.

Catching the token, the soldier was struck by a formidable force.

Staggering back, "Thump, thump, thump," he struggled to regain his composure, his face blanching and a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Upon examining the token, engraved with the golden dragon and the words "As if I myself were present," the soldier immediately knelt, lifting the token above his head.

Ying Zhi's voice was stern, "Now, can we amend the rules, soldier?"

Shaking like a leaf, the soldier acquiesced, "Yes, Your Highness, the Third Prince. You may proceed."

Retrieving the token, Ying Zhi turned to Qin Buyi, "Mr. Qin, after you."

Ying Zhi was seething inside, humiliated by a mere city guard.

In front of Qin Buyi, he had lost face. Yet, he feigned indifference, sharing laughs and conversation with Qin as they made their way to the prince's residence.

Within a quarter of an hour after Ying Zhi and Qin Buyi had departed,

Nan Tianlong arrived with a contingent of guards.

Nan Tianlong declared, "This man has conspired with foreigners in an attempt to undermine the stability of our great Ming Dynasty. Execute him!"

The soldier, his earlier defiance replaced by a deathly pallor, protested, "My lord, this is a grave mistake."

Nan Tianlong paid no heed to the soldier's cries and unsheathed his long saber.

In one swift motion, the soldier's head tumbled to the ground.

Nan Tianlong, gazing at the severed head, muttered, "Foolish creature. Did you think you could provoke the Third Prince with the First Prince's backing?"

His gaze swept over the other soldiers as he warned, "Let this be a lesson. Any further incidents will be met with the same fate."

The remaining soldiers on the city walls bowed their heads, silent and fearful.

It's often said that while the King of Hell is fierce, his minions can be even more troublesome.

Ying Zhi, demeaned by the soldier's insolence, had dispatched Nan Tianlong to handle the matter.

It was a show of force, a signal to all that even in weakness, a prince holds more sway than an ordinary man.

It was also an act of retribution; the Third Prince of the Ming Dynasty would not let an affront by a city guard go unpunished.

The prince's guards swiftly removed the body, leaving no trace of the incident.

Once his task was complete, Nan Tianlong and his men turned and departed.

In the aftermath, the other city guards murmured among themselves,

"Wang Er was always a thorn in our side, thinking he was untouchable under the First Prince's protection."

"He was utterly clueless, disrespecting the Third Prince. He got what he deserved."

"The Third Prince is ruthless. We'll need to tread carefully around him from now on."

"Ha, as if any of the princes are simple men. But only the Third Prince continues to vie for the throne against the First Prince. A man like that is never straightforward."

Within the Third Prince's estate, the prince addressed Qin Buyi, "Mr. Qin, from now on, consider this place your home. The courtyard has been tidied up for you."

Qin Buyi bowed respectfully and replied, "Mr. Zhi, I've long admired the College of the Ming Dynasty's esteemed reputation. Could I trouble you to assist me in securing a nominal position there?"

The College of the Ming Dynasty stands as the premier institution within the dynasty, drawing the brightest minds and producing a wealth of talent for the empire each year. This was the knowledge Qin Buyi had collected upon entering the Imperial Capital and extending his Divine Consciousness.

Though life at the Third Prince's residence was undoubtedly comfortable, it wasn't what Qin Buyi sought. His mission allowed him only one year. To become the most powerful individual in the Ming Dynasty within this timeframe, Qin Buyi would need to make consecutive breakthroughs through the Tribulation Crossing Stage and the Mahayana Stage. The clock was ticking, and achieving the Mahayana Stage within the confines of the Third Prince's estate was out of the question.

Therefore, Qin Buyi needed a place where he could rapidly access resources for cultivation, and the College of the Ming Dynasty was the obvious choice.

Upon hearing Qin Buyi's request, Ying Zhi's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Mr. Qin, you wish to join the College of the Ming Dynasty? That can be arranged quite easily, haha."

Qin Buyi, puzzled by Ying Zhi's elation, inquired, "Mr. Zhi, why does this please you so much?"

Ying Zhi explained, "You may not be aware, Mr. Qin, but the College of the Ming Dynasty has long been the cornerstone of our empire. Should you distinguish yourself within its halls, our efforts to counter the First Prince's influence will be significantly bolstered. Given your cultivation level and talents, it would be beneath you to serve as a mere teacher there."

"How about I recommend you for a position as a senior mentor at the College?" Ying Zhi suggested.

With Ying Zhi's clarification, Qin Buyi grasped the concept of a senior mentor, akin to a graduate advisor at Blue Star University. Yet, the role promised to be far less demanding, requiring him to guide only a select few students annually.

Qin Buyi said, "I'll defer to your judgment, Mr. Zhi."

Ying Zhi was decisive and swift, like a storm. He promptly left the Third Prince's residence after discussing the matter with Qin Buyi to take care of it.

He didn't return until late afternoon, and upon his return, his expression was grim.

Noticing his demeanor, Qin Buyi inquired, "Mr. Zhi, what's the trouble?"

Ying Zhi, clearly frustrated, answered, "Hmph, I hadn't anticipated that the First Prince's reach would extend so rapidly. It seems he's nearly seized control of all the prestigious academies."

With a look of regret, Ying Zhi continued, "Mr. Qin, those obstinate elders at the academy claimed your background was unclear and initially rejected you as a mentor."

"However, after some firm persuasion on my part, they relented, but not without stipulating a condition. To become a master teacher at the academy, you must undergo three rounds of testing."

"It's utterly absurd. When the First Prince has recommended others for the role of master teacher at the College of Ming Dynasty, these stubborn elders never imposed such terms."

"Please, Mr. Qin, stay calm. Give me a little more time to negotiate. I assure you, within a month, I'll have you positioned as a senior mentor at the College of Ming Dynasty."