leonardwarren Chapter 104 The Dream of Lingshan Academy
Chapter 104 The Dream of Lingshan Academy
The snow became increasingly dense after the 20th of the twelfth lunar month.
Lin Yan and Su Qingyao, a group of six, ventured deeper into Canglang Mountain through the vast snow-covered landscape. The snow was ankle-deep, and each step required considerable effort. Four Black Stone Guards led the way, while Lin Yan walked half a step ahead of Su Qingyao, occasionally clearing away the fallen branches weighed down by the snow for her.
Today, Su Qingyao was wearing a fox fur coat made from the skin of a golden flame demon fox—after the battle of Qixing'ao, Lin Yan personally processed the demon king's fur and secretly commissioned a craftsman to make it. That day, when he handed her the fox fur coat, her fingertips touched the exceptionally warm and smooth fur, and upon hearing his casual remark, "It's a pity to throw away that beast's fur," her eyes suddenly reddened. Since the Su family's misfortune, she had swallowed her tears to her very bones, but at that moment, perhaps it was the lingering scent of blood and battle on the fur that was too real, or perhaps it was the suddenness of this subtle sentiment, that made her turn away, her shoulders trembling slightly, and she choked back sobs for a long time.
The fox fur coat she wore now shimmered with a faint, dark gold hue at the tips of its fur, appearing and disappearing in the snowy light. The stand-up collar protected her slender neck, and the hem reached below her knees, completely covering her except for her fair, jade-like face. Walking brought warmth, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks, like two cherry blossoms blooming in the snow. Her breath condensed into frost on her eyelashes; she occasionally raised her hand to brush it away, and with that movement, the fox fur coat rippled with a soft glow, as if shielding her from the surrounding wind and snow.
The deeper they went, the more difficult the mountain path became, but the surroundings gradually changed. The biting cold seemed to be blocked out, and the white breath no longer condensed so quickly; there was a refreshing and invigorating scent in the air. Lin Yan and Su Qingyao exchanged a glance, both seeing understanding in each other's eyes.
Pushing aside several clumps of withered yellow vines encased in thick ice armor, a bright and clear view suddenly appeared before me.
Outside, the wind and snow were fierce and desolate, but stepping into this secluded valley felt like entering another season. The wind had stopped and the snow had ceased—a thin layer of snow also covered the valley, but it was fluffy and moist, and the air was crisp without any harsh, razor-sharp edge. Most remarkably, the light in the valley was soft and bright, and the leaden clouds had thinned, letting in a hazy glimmer of light.
Following his memory, Lin Yan led Su Qingyao deeper into the valley. After passing several reclining rocks covered in dark green moss, they arrived at the entrance to a cave hidden behind vines on the rock walls.
The cave entrance was hidden by dense vines, making it virtually impossible to spot without prior knowledge. Lin Yan parted the vines, and a spiritual aura, even richer and purer than that in the valley, carrying a faint milky fragrance, wafted towards him. Su Qingyao followed him in. At first, the cave entrance was narrow, and the rock walls were slippery and permeated with cool moisture. After walking several dozen steps, the space suddenly opened up before them, as if stepping from a secluded path into a celestial abode.
Even though she was mentally prepared, Su Qingyao couldn't help but hold her breath at this moment.
This natural cave boasts a high, expansive dome, adorned with countless stalactites and stalagmites. Some are as thick as jade pillars supporting the sky, while others are as thin as a dense forest, shimmering with a soft glow under the light filtering in from an unknown source. Though there is no external light source, the cave is not dark; the stalactites themselves seem to absorb the faint light, emitting a soft, milky-white sheen. The air is cool and moist, filled with the clean scent of stone and moisture, mingled with the pervasive fragrance of milky essence. A single breath feels as if one's entire being has been cleansed by a clear spring.
In the center of the cave, the sacred spring rests quietly.
The spring pool was about ten feet square, its water crystal clear. A milky-white mist, of varying thickness, perpetually shrouded its surface, slowly swirling and dissipating a foot above the water. At this moment, a faint beam of morning light slanted across the pool from a tiny crack high in the cave ceiling. Dust motes floated within the beam, the mist becoming translucent and shimmering with a faint iridescent glow. Several clumps of resilient spiritual herbs grew in the crevices of the rocks beside the pool, their leaf tips glistening with dewdrops formed from the mist, sparkling like shattered diamonds in the dim light.
Su Qingyao stood quietly by the spring for a moment, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. After a long while, she opened her eyes, her gaze bright and clear: "The 'Hidden Spirit Locking Array' is functioning perfectly, even more so than when I left. The purity and richness of the spiritual energy here is probably far superior to those so-called 'blessed lands' in Qingzhou Prefecture."
Lin Yan nodded, his gaze sweeping across the entire cave. Apart from the central spiritual spring, the cave was extremely spacious, with many branch caves and natural terraces of varying sizes all around.
The two walked slowly along the edge of the spring. Su Qingyao took out a charcoal pencil and thick paper from her leather bag, carefully scanning the rock face, the depth of the cave, and the flat ground as they walked, occasionally stopping to quickly sketch a few lines.
"Brother Lin, look here." She led Lin Yan to a cave entrance on the west side, half-hidden by a large stalagmite. "I used my spiritual sense to explore it briefly. It's quite deep inside, and the stone walls are dry with no risk of water seepage. What's even more remarkable is that the depths are naturally divided into several stone chambers of varying sizes. This place would be perfect as a workshop area for talisman etching and material pretreatment."
Lin Yan leaned over to take a look and nodded in agreement.
Su Qingyao then led him to the due north direction of the Spirit Spring. Here, the rock walls were flat and steep, and the stone was dense. "The stone here is of the best quality, and it is directly opposite the center of the Spirit Spring where the spiritual energy is most concentrated. I want to set up the core research and testing facility here. The main cavern needs to be excavated from here inwards, but the project is not small. We need to be extremely careful during the excavation, and it would be best to use an array to stabilize the rock.
Her thinking was clear and her plans were meticulous. Lin Yan pondered and said, "The artisans' living quarters and cultivation areas don't need to be crammed into the vicinity of the core. Although the side caves to the south are not as well-organized as this place, they are quieter and drier, and with a little modification, they can become excellent residences. Separating them from the workshop area will not only avoid interference, but also make them safer."
Su Qingyao marked the southern area on the parchment as instructed, her delicate brows furrowing slightly: "Such a division layout is certainly good. However, maintaining a balanced flow of spiritual energy in different areas of such a large cave, while ensuring isolation and protection between areas, requires extremely high-level formations. I originally only wanted to set up the 'Gathering Spirit' and 'Tranquilizing Spirit' formations, but now it seems that I will probably need a 'Minor Five Elements Circulation Formation' as the hub."
"You are the master of array formations." Lin Yan's eyes were filled with complete trust. "You decide what materials are needed and how to arrange them. This time, the supplies allocated by Steward Zhou specially prepared a batch of top-quality jade pieces and deep-sea silver sand. I entrust the construction inside the Spirit Spring Base entirely to you. You make a list of how many people are needed and what materials are required, and give it directly to Zhou Fu. In addition, I will assign a team of the most reliable Black Stone Guards to be responsible for the outer perimeter of this valley and the internal patrols. Without your permission, no one is allowed to approach within ten miles."
Su Qingyao listened quietly. The dim light in the cave illuminated her fair cheeks, and something flickered slightly in her clear eyes. She nodded vigorously, her voice low but each word clear: "Brother Lin, rest assured, Qingyao will do her utmost."
Lin Yan paused for a moment and then said, "By the way, Steward Zhou has transferred a group of experienced, skilled, and clean-cut craftsmen from Qingzhou Prefecture, and they have been settled in Black Stone Town. From now on, you will be in charge of their management and deployment."
A look of surprise flashed across Su Qingyao's eyes, which quickly turned into gratitude.
The two discussed a few more details for a while, and Su Qingyao's sketch was beginning to take shape. As the sun rose higher, the beam of sunlight filtering through the crack shifted slightly, making the spiritual mist on the spring pool appear even more hazy and ever-changing.
Lin Yan strolled to the edge of the flat stone platform on the east side, bent down and brushed away the snow to reveal the dark soil. The soil felt heavy and damp in his hand, carrying a fertile and spiritual moistness.
He straightened up, his gaze sweeping across the seemingly naturally formed cave, finally settling on Su Qingyao's serene and focused profile. Suddenly, he spoke, his voice exceptionally clear and steady in the empty cave:
"Qingyao, once this workshop is on track and the foundation of Blackstone Town is somewhat stable, I intend to... use this Spirit Spring Valley as a base to build an academy."
Su Qingyao was drawing array patterns on the parchment when she heard this, her pen paused slightly, and she looked up. The charcoal pencil left a faint black mark on her fingertip, but she was completely unaware of it, only looking at Lin Yan with her clear eyes.
"An academy?"
"Indeed." Lin Yan nodded. "The demonic beasts of Canglang Mountain have been largely eradicated. Now it seems that this place is not only not a desolate and dangerous place, but also a rare treasure land. According to the reports from those old craftsmen who investigated, the spiritual energy of this mountain's veins has not been lost, and there are more signs of spiritual trees, spiritual herbs, and even various rare mineral veins than expected. I guess that this is probably because Senior Qingyangzi set up the 'Seven Star Locking Spirit Array' back then, intercepting and nourishing the vital energy of this mountain and river, thus preserving its essence."
He paused, his tone becoming more profound: "Having a workshop that can produce powerful talismans is not enough. The workshop forges the 'tools.' But what we truly need are the 'souls' that can continuously create, improve, and elevate these 'tools,' and the 'people' who can understand, utilize, and even surpass these 'tools.'"
Su Qingyao listened quietly, unconsciously putting down the parchment and charcoal pencil in her hands, and slightly straightening her back.
Lin Yan's gaze returned to her face, his voice clear and powerful: "My understanding of the Way of Talismans is not limited to a shield or a sword. It is a 'Way,' a 'Way' that combines the wonders of talismans, the power of formations, and the carriers of all things. From the soft armor we wear to the formidable passes and fortresses; from the weapons we hold to the spaceships that may traverse the stars in the future... all these principles are interconnected."
Su Qingyao's breathing quickened slightly, and her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.
"And all of these," Lin Yan's voice was calm yet firm, "requires generations of people to study, inherit, and carry forward. The treasures left by the elder Qingyangzi, your Su family's 'Demon-Slaying Manual,' and even the wisdom and experience accumulated by the human race in its bloody battles with the demon race over thousands of years, should not be old papers locked in boxes. They should become seeds, sown, taken root, sprouted, and eventually grow into towering trees that protect the human race."
He pointed to the deep, dark rock walls surrounding the cave and to the misty spring: "I want to build a 'Spirit Mountain Academy' here. First, select children and teenagers with simple hearts and good spirits from Blackstone Town and the surrounding area, and you will be in charge of their teaching. In the beginning, teach them the most basic rune identification, the principles of formations, the properties of materials, and even the essential knowledge suitable for enlightenment from Qingyangzi's inheritance and the 'Demon-Slaying Manual'. I don't expect them to become masters immediately, but I hope to plant a seed in their hearts—a seed that understands why our human race stands, why we fight, and why we have a future."
Su Qingyao stood motionless, the dim light from the cave casting shadows on her face. Her nose was slightly red, and her chest heaved with turbulent emotions. Her usually calm and clear eyes were now swirling with complex feelings—shock, realization, the comfort of being deeply understood, and the excitement of being entrusted with a noble mission.
After a long silence, she took a deep breath of the clear spiritual energy in the cave, her voice lower than usual but unusually firm: "Brother Lin... if my father could know this in the afterlife, he would surely feel that his and my Su family's ancestors' efforts had not been in vain. I, Qingyao, would gladly die for the position of headmaster of the academy. I only fear that I am too incompetent to shoulder such a heavy responsibility."
"You can handle it," Lin Yan said with unwavering certainty. "This matter isn't urgent. Right now, the priority is to establish the Talisman Workshop firmly and secure Eagle's Beak Pass, giving Blackstone City the confidence to protect itself and develop. The Academy is a long-term project, and we can only proceed with caution once its foundation is solid. The workshop is the sword, and the Academy is the soul. With a sharp sword, the soul is protected; with the soul's guidance, the sword's path will be illuminating."
Su Qingyao nodded emphatically, her mind clear: "I understand. The workshop is the sword, and the academy is the soul. With the sword protecting the body, the soul can be nourished; with the soul guiding the way, the sword will not lose its way."
The two exchanged a smile, and many unspoken words and shared aspirations were already understood in the misty valley and in the clear exchange of their eyes.