Deep within the Wasteland Realm, the Qilin Volcano stretched across the land like a slumbering tiger. Crimson rock veins coiled through it like dragon sinews, and at times, bursts of earth fire rose into the air, dyeing the clouds above in shades of scarlet ink and cinnabar.
Some claimed this mountain was the spine of an ancient Qilin that fell in primeval times, its sacred bones turning to stone over countless ages. Others said that a Great Sage of True Fire once refined pills here, and when his cauldron overturned, it scorched the land into this charred wilderness.
Yet now, in this seemingly desolate place, faint traces of earth fire intertwined with Dao resonance. It was because the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy planned to establish its new sect ground here.
The next day, Yang Cheng stood at the mountain's base, his black robe fluttering in the hot, shifting wind.
"Anande… he will be one of Great Zhou's greatest enemies in the future."
Behind Anande were figures like Chen Jimin—people not easily dealt with.
To Yang Cheng, the matter of the Dao Academy's location would not be decided so easily.
Li Xiang might be the founder of the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy, but behind the academy stood the Great Yan Dao Palace.
And Chen Jimin had deep ties within that palace.
In the end, the decision over where to establish the Dao Academy might turn into a contest of power.
Even as he stood there, Yang Cheng's thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Before parting ways with Li Xiang, he had asked, "Senior, have you ever heard of the Myriad Despair Divine Water?"
Li Xiang had answered, "Of course I have."
"Then… does the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy possess it?" Yang Cheng had asked again.
Li Xiang shook his head. "No, it does not."
The reason Yang Cheng asked was to determine whether the Myriad Despair Divine Water could possibly originate from Western Luo.
By right, something like the Myriad Despair Divine Water shouldn't exist within the Wasteland Realm at all.
But Western Luo had long maintained secret dealings with the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy, and the Zhuang Clan's ties to Western Luo were murky and unresolved.
That was why he suspected there was a hidden connection.
For now, he set that thought aside and began walking up the mountain.
There weren't many people around. After all, very few even knew that the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy planned to descend into the Wasteland Realm.
Those who did were among the realm's most powerful and influential figures.
As Yang Cheng reached the mountainside, he immediately spotted several familiar faces—among them, Chen Jimin and Anande.
His appearance didn't go unnoticed.
When the crowd recognized him, shock spread through their ranks.
"The Crown Prince of Great Zhou—Yang Cheng?" someone whispered.
At present, Yang Cheng's name already resounded across the world; not a single influential figure here could fail to recognize him.
Instinctively, some of them tensed, but then relaxed.
Today's gathering was for a competition in the Alchemy, not martial combat. No matter how terrifying Yang Cheng's martial talent was, it hardly mattered here.
Besides, none of them feared he would resort to violence. Not only did they have their own protectors standing by, but members of the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy were present as well.
"Who is this?"
From the eastern platform, an old man with white hair and youthful features stood in a moon-white Dao robe embroidered with intricate cloud patterns. His expression was calm but faintly displeased.
"Senior," said Anande, his silver hair gleaming under the light, his eyes sharp like tempered steel, his voice coarse and rough, "this is Yang Cheng, Crown Prince of Great Zhou—the one who recently slew Su Lingchen."
"Su Lingchen? I've never heard of him."
Chen Jimin spoke faintly, his tone indifferent. "Today's Alchemy contest—you are the best among them. Therefore, the site of the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy shall be set in Western Luo."
"Many thanks, Senior," Anande said respectfully, bowing low.
Yang Cheng's voice cut through the air. "I haven't even made my move yet. How can he already be declared the best?"
"You?"
Chen Jimin turned a cold gaze upon him. "Everyone else arrived here days ago, while you saunter in only today. Even if you do possess some talent in the Alchemy, you've already lost your qualification."
Laughter rippled through the onlookers—mocking, gleeful, and dripping with schadenfreude.
So what if Yang Cheng's name shook the Wasteland Realm? In front of someone like Chen Jimin, his fame meant nothing.
Yang Cheng opened his mouth. "I was delayed for a reason—"
"You don't need to explain," Chen Jimin interrupted flatly, his tone sharp enough to cut through the wind.
Chen Jimin cut him off sharply. "You dare argue before me? My impression of you grows worse by the moment. The Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy will never choose Great Zhou. In fact, you're not even qualified to enter the academy."
His tone carried open disdain. "A mere child—just because you've made a bit of a name for yourself in that little mayfly world, you think you're something great? Let me tell you this—once you step into the myriad heavens, no one will indulge your arrogance."
Yang Cheng wasn't angered. Instead, he smiled faintly. "Dean Chen, we'll meet again."
He had come here simply to see Chen Jimin and Anande for himself.
In his previous life, his standing had been far too low to ever perceive the true faces of such people.
Now, at last, he could see their nature clearly.
All that high-sounding talk from Chen Jimin was nothing but self-interest. His ties to Western Luo ran deep, and everything he did was driven by benefit and alliance.
There was no point wasting words with a man like that.
Without another glance, Yang Cheng turned and left.
To the onlookers, he seemed dejected, leaving in humiliation, his figure retreating down the mountain path like a defeated man.
But not long after Yang Cheng departed, a new figure appeared—none other than Li Xiang himself.
"Grand Chancellor, you've come at the perfect time," Chen Jimin said respectfully, bowing low. "After thorough evaluation, I've concluded that Western Luo has the strongest foundation in the Alchemy among all regions of the Wasteland Realm. Therefore, I believe the Dao Academy should be established there."
Li Xiang looked at him coolly. "Have you even evaluated the alchemists of Great Zhou?"
"This…"
Chen Jimin froze for a moment before forcing a smile. "I did meet Great Zhou's Crown Prince once, but the young man was frivolous in conduct and completely ignorant in the Alchemy. If even the Crown Prince is so unrefined, I doubt Great Zhou has much to offer."
"He's completely ignorant of the Alchemy?"
Li Xiang's gaze turned colder. Then he said calmly, "The Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy will be established in Great Zhou."
"Ye—wait—what did you just say?"
Chen Jimin's eyes widened, his composure breaking.
Li Xiang's voice didn't rise, but it cut like a blade. "The Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy will be established in Great Zhou. Do I need to repeat myself again?"
Chen Jimin lowered his head at once, face pale.
All around, the others stared at one another, stunned into silence.
At that moment, they couldn't help but recall Chen Jimin's earlier mockery of Yang Cheng—and Yang Cheng's departing words: "We'll meet again."
Could it be that he had foreseen this outcome?
Impossible—or so they told themselves—but disbelief lingered in their eyes.
Anande's expression was especially grim, though he dared not let Li Xiang see it.
If Western Luo lost the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy to Great Zhou, it would be a devastating blow to his nation's influence.
Once Li Xiang departed, Anande turned to Chen Jimin, his voice low and urgent. "Senior, the Dao Academy must not be built in Great Zhou."
"But the one who decided it was the Grand Chancellor himself!" Chen Jimin's face darkened, his tone frustrated. "What would you have me do?"
Anande pressed on. "Senior, if the Dao Academy is established in Western Luo, then all future pill and herb supplies will flow through us. When that happens, as long as you're willing, nearly half of the procurement profits could end up in your pocket…"
Chen Jimin's eyes flickered. "Enough. I'll try my best to do something about it."
He could only resort to his personal network, secretly contacting the Great Yan Dao Palace.
Soon after, Li Xiang began receiving pressure from the Dao Palace.
His face darkened when he realized what was happening.
He knew well that if the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy wanted to relocate safely into the Wasteland Realm, it would need the Dao Palace's protection.
The Dao Palace's demands couldn't simply be refused.
After rounds of negotiation, Li Xiang finally reached an agreement with them.
The Dao Academy would be built on the border between Great Zhou and Western Luo.
That borderland would be declared a neutral territory, open to both sides.
The Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy would recruit disciples from across the entire Wasteland Realm.
When this news reached Yang Cheng, he wasn't surprised in the slightest.
He remembered clearly—if not for Li Xiang later creating the Myriad Phenomena Alchemy Canon, the academy would have nearly fallen under Chen Jimin's control.
One month later, the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy was officially established atop Qilin Volcano.
Its foundation integrated perfectly with the mountain's natural earth fire—no need to extract it artificially.
The announcement shook the entire Wasteland Realm.
After all, this was a Dao Academy from beyond the heavens themselves. Countless cultivators went mad with excitement, rushing toward the fiery mountain.
Three months later.
"Virtuous Brother," Li Xiang's message reached Yang Cheng, carrying a trace of warmth. "How about joining my Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy—as An Alchemy Master?"