After the Dao Discussion Conference concluded,
Wang Hongtu and the Elders brought Jiang Ye to the Cloud Top Academy's main hall.
"Jiang Ye, now that the Dao Child position is yours, Cloud Top Academy and the Jiang Clan are on the same boat from now on. I can rest assured."
"Director Wang, there's no need to be so polite."
Jiang Ye nodded, his tone calm, without a hint of arrogance in his eyes.
He had a good impression of this Director; he was a practical person.
Wang Hongtu smiled slightly and continued, "Oh, by the way, the Misty Hidden Flowers has been given to the Grand Elder, who is currently comprehending it. If she can gain some insights, it will be a great fortune for the Academy."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ye merely smiled casually, "If Aunt Meng can comprehend it, that would naturally be for the best."
The two exchanged a few more casual words.
Jiang Ye then cupped his hands, not lingering, and turned to leave.
The next moment,
he shimmered, stepped into the Void Realm, and headed straight for Peach Blossom Spring.
In that pure land, like a paradise beyond the mortal world, peach blossoms still bloomed like a sea, and a gentle breeze rustled, sending petals dancing.
In a small pavilion,
Su Qingmeng sat cross-legged, her aura calm and as deep as a still pool of water, the uncontainable Imperial Might growing ever more intense.
A wondrous flower, seemingly born of mist, floated quietly in the center of the stone pavilion. Its petals were half-open, half-closed, appearing both real and illusory, hazy like a dream. On each petal, immortal patterns formed naturally, some radiating hidden light, others displaying the trajectories of heaven and earth.
Hearing Jiang Ye's approach,
Su Qingmeng's brow twitched slightly, and a smile appeared on her lips.
She slowly opened her eyes.
In an instant, the swirling illusory mist in the pavilion completely receded, the immortal flower trembled slightly, its radiance dimmed, as if falling into slumber.
"This brat, he's here to snatch things again."
She murmured softly, her voice gentle, yet tinged with a doting helplessness.
Suddenly, a familiar aura penetrated the peach forest, arriving from outside.
Jiang Ye's steps were light, his face showing a flattering expression, "Sister Meng, your talent is truly exceptional, even stronger than my mother's. You've already entered the Dream Concealment Great Path so quickly?"
Su Qingmeng gave him an exasperated look.
Su Hongye's talent was far superior to hers; how could she not know?
She raised her hand, her slender fingers gently kneading Jiang Ye's handsome face, her tone tender, "You little rascal, you only dare to say such things in front of me, but Sister appreciates it."
"However, the Misty Hidden Flowers, at its core, only has so much to it. For me, I've pretty much comprehended it."
With a wave of her slender hand, the immortal flower, seemingly formed from mist, slowly floated up, its immortal light receding, and settled into her palm. It was sealed with a mysterious incantation, then casually handed to Jiang Ye.
"Take it," she looked at him, her tone containing both the care of an Elder and a touch of a woman's unique playful scolding, "Comprehend it well. Although this thing isn't of much use to me anymore, for you, it's definitely an Opportunity."
"But I must warn you, the Misty Hidden Flowers integrates the Dao of Reality and Illusion with the Dao of Dreams. Its essence is an extremely difficult-to-master Origin of Illusory Dao. Without sufficient Divine Soul will, you might get trapped the moment you touch it."
"If you get lost in the dream, don't blame Sister Meng for not warning you."
Jiang Ye blinked, smiling as he accepted the immortal flower. As he put it into his storage ring, he said, "Then what if I really get lost while comprehending it?"
Su Qingmeng paused, then smiled, her eyes sparkling, her expression full of teasing and indulgence.
"Don't worry, Ye'er, I've planted a Soul Mark on this Misty Hidden Flowers. If you get lost, Sister will personally pull you out."
Her tone seemed lighthearted, but her eyes inadvertently showed a hint of concern.
Jiang Ye silently took all this to heart, yet his expression remained playful, "Hehe, thank you, Sister Meng. Then I'll go comprehend it with peace of mind."
He also realized that
this transcendent immortal item was actually monopolized by Su Qingmeng from the beginning.
It was just intentionally presented as a reward for the Dao Child position, so he could come and become the Academy's Dao Child, and since it belonged to the Academy, he could naturally obtain it legitimately.
To others, it was an unreachable treasure.
But Aunt Meng, merely gifted it casually.
This kindness was profound.
"Oh, by the way, Ye'er, there's been quite a stir in the Heavens these past few days. You're behind all of it, aren't you?"
Su Qingmeng changed the subject, looking at him with a smile.
Jiang Ye gave an awkward smile, "These forces in the Heavens have been coveting my Jiang Clan for more than a day or two. Now that the Golden Great Era is approaching, naturally, we have to remove the thorns in our side, otherwise, wouldn't we lose the initiative?"
Jiang Ye, of course, remembered his previous arrangements.
Thoroughly investigating and purging spies within the Clan, annihilating the Hidden Killers Pavilion, diverting trouble to the Ancient Immortal Domain... In his plan, this upheaval was merely a deterrent and a warning, and he hadn't intended to go to war.
It was not only to eliminate internal threats but also to beat the grass to scare the snakes.
After removing all these lurking dangers,
it would be enough to let those with ill intentions know that the Jiang Clan was not a place where chaos could be easily stirred.
Next, there would be continuous unscheduled thorough investigations and purges, at which point no one would dare to easily embed secret agents or plot chaos in the dark.
In the future, even if someone still harbored malicious thoughts,
as soon as they were discovered, people would be sent to demand an explanation and an apology.
They would first have to weigh their own strength.
And how many good things could they offer as compensation?
After emerging from the ancient Secret Realm, Jiang Ye also received a jade slip report from Clan Chief Jiang Yuliang.
After Jiang Yuliang reviewed the various scrolls within the Clan and meticulously tallied everything,
he actually found that this great purge, although it consumed a good deal of the Clan's foundation and resources,
under Empress Hongye's personal supervision and suppression, after these Dao Lineages were confronted and compensated, they actually gained a lot in terms of resources.
As for these Dao Lineages, although they were unwilling,
the dirty tricks they played in secret were now brought to light, with irrefutable evidence, making them utterly speechless.
With no other choice,
they could only accept their fate.
At the same time, after this deterrence, the clandestine activities of many forces also reined in significantly.
More, however, turned their gaze towards the Ancient Immortal Domain.
"Actually, Ye'er, you don't need to worry too much,"
Su Qingmeng's tone was gentle, but her gaze was extremely serious as she looked at him:
"The Jiang Clan is now under your mother's command, with a profound foundation. When the Golden Great Era truly descends, it will still be the Jiang Clan's world."
"Regarding the situation in the Heavens, whether it's the external changes or the undercurrents among the various clans, your parents had long anticipated it and already have countermeasures... All arrangements have been properly made."
"We walk ahead to ensure you can walk more steadily."
Her tone, though light, revealed an undeniable firmness and confidence: "What you should do now is cultivate with a calm mind, and not be held back by these worldly trifles."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ye's heart trembled slightly.
It seemed his parents indeed had long-term plans; they were all old foxes of ten thousand years and couldn't possibly have failed to detect these things.
He didn't have to worry about other things.
But the Protagonist of Destiny, he absolutely had to pay special attention to.
At this moment, his smile receded slightly, and he spoke seriously, "Aunt Meng, I understand."
Su Qingmeng's eyes curved into a smile as she looked at Jiang Ye, speaking with a hint of teasing, "However, your performance since coming to the Academy has surprised me a little."
"Purging the traitors, capturing the Hidden Killers Pavilion's enforcer, and even conveniently framing the Ancient Immortal Domain... Your methods are ruthless and clean."
She hummed, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"You truly are that bad woman's son, exactly alike."
Jiang Ye gave a wry smile, rubbing his nose, "Sister Meng, if you said that in front of my mother, I reckon we'd be having tea on the Yellow Springs Road next time."
"She'd dare to harm you?" Su Qingmeng chuckled softly, her jade hand gently patting Jiang Ye's shoulder, "Ye'er, the waters of the Heavens are too deep. Although you are clever, don't let your guard down; you should know that the true chaos hasn't even begun yet."
Her tone shifted, becoming gentle yet grave: "From now on, don't take any step too quickly."
Jiang Ye's eyes narrowed slightly, and he nodded, "I understand."