Shennong Hall wasn't the only place in the city recruiting apprentices—Tiangong Artifact Pavilion was also accepting students. The entry requirements were relatively lenient. Neither institution was looking purely for cheap labor; they were answering the City Lord's call to provide low-level cultivators and ordinary people with opportunities to learn new skills, thereby nurturing talent and contributing to the prosperity of Kunwu City.
It had to be said that Tang Wenhua was indeed a capable city lord—anything that benefited the city's development, he would push for.
Tang Yue liked creating things that couldn't easily be bought. Making them herself was far more satisfying than bothering artificers with minor custom orders. Low-level craftsmen couldn't meet her standards, and high-level ones didn't care for her tiny requests. So, in the end, "doing it yourself" really was the best route.
She went to register at the Tiangong Pavilion on East Street. The process was smooth; the staff and manager all knew her identity, though they tried to advise her to think it through—apprenticeship could be grueling, and they worried she might not be able to handle it. Still, no one dared turn her away—after all, who would miss a chance to get close to the City Lord's family?
Thus, her schedule became one day a week at Shennong Hall, and one day at Tiangong Pavilion, with plenty of time left for her cultivation.
Lady Shui had originally hoped Tang Yue would focus more on the sword path. Though she herself practiced internal alchemy, the dominant cultivation path in Liuzhou was sword cultivation. Xuanyuan Mountain, the region's foremost sect, was a sword sect, and Kunwu City, as a sword city, naturally expected the City Lord's daughter to pursue that path.
But after Tang Yue's serious injury, Lady Shui became more accommodating—anything was better than her daughter being depressed or returning to her previous frivolous ways. So she simply sent word to both the medicine and artifact halls to take good care of her daughter.
Because of this, the apprentices assigned to the same shifts as Tang Yue were quite fortunate—being able to ride the coattails of the City Lord's daughter meant they got to learn more and work less. Their assigned tasks were mostly for practice, not tedious chores.
Tang Yue even improved her microscope using the techniques she learned at the artifact hall—and as expected, she could now see even smaller microorganisms.
When she had time, she posted her observations and microscope design on the Mirror of All Things, which amazed her at first. The mirror looked like an ordinary bronze hand mirror, but inserting one's spiritual sense into it allowed one to read or publish articles. The spiritual requirement was low—anyone who had drawn in Qi could use it.
The spiritual mirror was essentially a primitive tablet: though it displayed only in black and white, it could receive content from various newspapers and periodicals—like Liu Continent Daily, or Kunwu City's own Kunwu Bulletin.
Cultivators could submit articles for review, and if accepted, their content would be published. Authors received some spirit stones as payment, though most wrote simply for fun—cultivation was still their main priority.
It was said that the spiritual mirror was created by a great cultivator from Penglai Continent, who used the simplest materials to forge this text-transmitting magical device. It only needed a small number of spirit stones to function, making it highly affordable and widespread. Now, nearly every cultivator owned one to stay informed about worldly affairs.
Tang Yue submitted her article to a publication called Casual Musings. Unlike other publications that focused on cultivation, pill refining, or artifacts, this one recorded interesting life tidbits. She figured microorganisms and microscopes counted as "fun facts," so she sent it in.
That afternoon, her article was approved. The Casual Musings editor said they were very interested. Apparently, high-level cultivators had mentioned such "micro spirit bugs" before, but since they were busy preparing for ascension, they hadn't pursued the topic deeply.
The editor praised her microscope design. High-level cultivators could see micro spirit bugs with their naked eyes thanks to their power, but low-level cultivators and mortals couldn't—most thought them fictional. Her microscope allowed even mortals to witness them, which was a real contribution.
Tang Yue replied that she'd merely borrowed others' ideas—she didn't want to take credit for Leeuwenhoek's work. She also sent the detailed blueprint to the editor.
Elsewhere, the young palace lord of Kunlun Palace, Yu Yuan, received the microscope instructions and thought the contributor seemed generous and sincere. Since he was in a good mood that day, he casually sent her a cultivation method for enhancing eyesight, hoping she'd publish more articles about micro spirit bugs. Most people knew nothing about them, and with her contributions, Casual Musings would gain exclusive content.
Tang Yue was surprised to receive the technique. Could the culture world be so wholesome—everyone eager to share knowledge and teach others? Then she recalled how cultivators often fought to the death over half a technique, and decided it must be this editor's personal virtue that made him so generous.
(If Yu Yuan heard her thoughts, he'd probably laugh himself to death—someone actually thought he was a good person?)
The next day, her mother came to discuss going to Zixiao Academy.
Although she hadn't reached the first stage of Qi Refining and couldn't yet use spiritual power freely, cultivator children always got special treatment. The City Lord couldn't stand seeing her idle at home and arranged for her to attend classes—just like modern parents sending their kids to cram school when they seemed too relaxed.
Tang Yue thought structured learning was a good idea and agreed.
Zixiao Academy not only recruited disciples but was also in charge of educating cultivators within the city—essentially Kunwu City's university. It admitted all talented cultivators, regardless of background. Since cultivation paths varied greatly, foundational education was crucial—covering topics like alchemy, talisman and array crafting, astrological physiognomy, Daoist texts, and the insights of predecessors.
Graduates of Zixiao Academy would be associated with the institution—being able to name-drop the academy helped forge connections. As such, the school held high prestige. Loose cultivators and sect disciples alike competed for a spot, proud to make a name for themselves at Kunwu's premier academy.
Tang Yue wasn't going alone. Naturally, Yue Yanling was sent to attend class with her. So was Shang Fangling, the only daughter of the Shennong Hall master. Lady Shui invited her to help Tang Yue adjust.
At the Qi Refining level, students could only take one class: General Dao Studies, taught by Golden Core cultivators. The aim was to expose Qi Refining disciples to various Dao paths so they could decide on one by the time they reached the Golden Core stage.
Though sword cultivation was most common in Kunwu City, Lady Shui's arrival brought more alchemists and artificers into the fold. This broadened the local cultivation scene.
Today's class was taught by a sword cultivator. Yue Yanling usually didn't attend sword lectures, and Shang Fangling had already taken this one. They were clearly there just to accompany Tang Yue. General Dao Studies was structured around rotating topics from various paths. If you missed a class, you could catch the next one. Attendance wasn't mandatory—students were encouraged to attend only what benefited them and would take exams at year's end based on their chosen path.
Tang Yue was surprised at how flexible and logical the curriculum was—quite a modern setup.
While waiting for class to start, she asked, "Senior Sisters, this is my first time here. Is there anything I should be aware of?"
Yue Yanling answered first: "Nothing special—don't cause a disturbance, focus on the key points, and pass the end-of-year exam. This class is taught by a Golden Core sword cultivator—it might help your future cultivation."
Yue Yanling assumed Tang Yue would choose the sword path. In the original novel, she had. But now Tang Yue hadn't decided yet, so she just smiled, "Got it. I'll listen carefully."
Shang Fangling, normally quiet, added, "Indeed. As Senior Sister Yue said, just pay attention."
As they chatted casually, a voice suddenly cut in from her left.
"Tang Yue! You haven't even apologized to your own sister, and now you shamelessly show up to the academy, acting like nothing happened?"
She turned and saw a boy of about twelve in a blue brocade robe standing beside a desk. His face was ordinary, but his expression was full of righteous fury.
"Who are you? Why can't I come to class? Is this academy your private property?"
The boy was infuriated that she didn't even recognize him. "You dare act arrogant just because you're the City Lord's daughter!"
Tang Yue scoffed—she certainly had to live up to that identity. "Since you know I'm the City Lord's daughter, then you should also know this academy was founded by my father, funded by my mother's Qionghua Hall. And yet I'm not allowed here? Are you planning to replace the City Lord and drive me out of the city?"
The boy looked even more flustered. "You're twisting words—I would never disrespect the City Lord!"
Just then, Tang Wan stood up and said, "Sister, how can you slander Junior Brother Jinbao like this?"
So the female lead was here too—and of course, the first thing she did was take someone else's side.
"Elder Sister, what do you mean? I don't even know this person, and he wants to drive me out on my first day. Are you helping him bully me too?" She looked tearful and wronged, then quietly asked Yue Yanling who the boy was—she truly didn't remember every side character from the novel.
Yue Yanling whispered, "That's Shen Jinbao, third disciple of the Zixiao Palace Lord. We've attended banquets with him during festivals—you really don't remember?"
Tang Yue still didn't recall, but she remembered that the Zixiao Palace Lord was her father's senior brother—arrogant and always critical of Lady Shui for holding power as a woman. His top disciple, Luo Jianye, was an extreme misogynist who believed women couldn't cultivate properly and should stay home and raise children.
Zixiao Palace leaned toward Xuanyuan Mountain and supported Zhuang Qiaohui, a cousin of the female lead. They disliked Lady Shui and Tang Yue and often sided with Tang Wan. Clearly, Shen Jinbao was here today to force Tang Yue into apologizing publicly. With Tang Yue homebound for a month, this was the first chance they had to corner her in public.
Tang Wan noticed her sister's sharp tongue today—very unlike her past self who'd get flustered easily. But she couldn't let her own reputation take a hit. "Sister, I'm just speaking reason."
"Elder Sister, if this is reason, then why is someone trying to expel me on my first day? What kind of reason is that?"
Shen Jinbao flushed with rage. "You plotted against your own sister, putting her in danger. You haven't even apologized, and now you show your face here—such disgrace! I demand you apologize to Wan Senior Sister!"
"You're slandering me! Everyone knows I was seriously injured and bedridden for over a month. Are you saying I faked that too?" Tang Yue's eyes brimmed with tears—this was the original Tang Yue's mess, not hers.
"Is Zixiao Palace so powerful now that it can't tolerate me and my mother? Must we be humiliated in public just to be driven out of the city?" Her words shocked the whole classroom. Everyone knew that was probably the intent, but no one had ever dared say it out loud.
Tang Wan panicked. "Sister, it's not that serious. Jinbao is just seeking justice for me and Taoge."
Tang Yue ignored the bait. "Shen Jinbao, after my mother married into Kunwu City, she worked tirelessly—contributing people, money, and effort. The very robes you wear today were funded by her. And this is how you repay her?"
She didn't even know if his clothes were from the recent batch Lady Shui had paid for—but knowing Shen Jinbao, he probably didn't either.
"This is my first day at the academy. I've done nothing to you. Yet Zixiao Palace is aggressive and wants us gone? Where is the justice for me and my mother?"
Yue Yanling and Shang Fangling stood behind her. Even if they felt this was going too far, the situation had escalated—it was now a matter of whether Lady Shui's faction still had a place in the city. They had no choice but to support Tang Yue.
Everyone was shocked. Things had escalated drastically, and Shen Jinbao was red-faced and speechless. Tang Yue pressed the attack:
"If you truly want justice, then come for it. I'll stand right here. But if you don't dare, then admit you were slandering me and apologize!"
People began to wonder if this was going to turn into a public duel. Should they step in? Whose side should they take?
Shen Jinbao sputtered, "Don't think I won't!"
"That's exactly what I'm hoping for. If you don't, you're a coward."
Provoked, Shen Jinbao raised his sword—he was at Qi Refining Stage 8 and wielded a decent spiritual sword. If he struck, Tang Yue would likely be gravely injured.
Tang Wan's eyes flickered but she didn't stop him. Yue Yanling froze. Shang Fangling tried to block the strike, but Tang Yue held her back.
Just as the sword was about to fall, a loud boom rang out. Shen Jinbao was flung back by an invisible force, crashing into a pillar. The entire building shook. When the dust cleared, he lay unconscious in a pool of blood.
Tang Yue, crying, fled the room. "I only wanted to argue my case, but he tried to kill me! If not for my defensive artifact, I'd be dead now! Zixiao Palace really won't tolerate us!"
She waited outside a while for Yue Yanling and Shang Fangling. If they didn't come, she'd send a servant to fetch them—she didn't want them to be dragged down by this mess.
Fortunately, they came out soon after, saying they were escorting her back to the estate for safety. The incident was far too serious—it concerned the very survival of entire sects within Kunwu City, not something low-level cultivators like them could afford to get involved in.