Volume One: Entering the Dao Chapter 128: A Fine Season in the Mortal Realm

That night, after concluding his demanding practice, Ye Junze bid farewell to Meng Yuan and departed from the Taixu Illusionary Realm.

Emerging from the realm, Ye Junze turned toward the window. Gazing at the brightly lit surroundings and the brilliant stars and moon outside, he rubbed his brow, appearing weary.

"Gurgle~"

Just as Ye Junze was lost in thought, his stomach gave an ill-timed growl. He smiled helplessly at the sound.

"Forget it, filling my stomach is more important," he mused to himself.

He climbed down from the bed, skillfully ordered his dinner, and headed off to bathe and freshen up. By the time he returned, his meal had already been delivered. Upon catching the aroma, his stomach let out another cooperative growl. Ye Junze chuckled, sat down, and began to enjoy his dinner.

...

It did not take long for Ye Junze to finish every bite. Even though he had eaten well at midday, the recent mock combat and lengthy practice had consumed a vast amount of energy. It was no wonder his appetite remained so hearty despite the late hour.

Satisfied, Ye Junze let out a contented sigh and a small burp. After lounging in his chair for a while, he stood up, ready to rest.

"Today has been truly exhausting," he murmured to himself. "I should turn in early tonight."

With his mind made up, he didn't hesitate. After a quick tidy-up, he turned and collapsed onto his wide, soft bed. As he lay there, feeling the comfort seep into every inch of his skin, a sense of satisfaction he hadn't even realized he was seeking washed over him. Enveloped in this comfort, his breathing gradually steadied, and he drifted into a deep sleep. In his dreams, his brow smoothed, suggesting he was having a blissful, happy dream.

...

The next morning, the warm sun climbed diligently into the sky until it hung halfway, as if reminding those still in the land of dreams that it was time to wake up for the day’s labor. The silent Anze Academy began to stir, filled with the faint, chattering sounds that added a touch of vitality to the otherwise quiet morning.

Students and teachers alike were waking up across the campus, preparing for the day ahead. People like Ye Junze, Yun Tianhan, Li Ling, and others from the Daoist Arts Department rose one after another. Since today was the final day of classes for the week, many were looking forward to finishing their lessons and relaxing during the rare upcoming break. Even those who usually loved to sleep in were awake early today, eager to get ready.

Ye Junze woke up, rubbed his bleary eyes, and squinted at the dazzling sun outside the window. After a moment of adjustment, he slowly sat up, stretched his arms, and finally began to feel energized. He checked the time on his phone, then quickly got dressed. Since it was still early, he ordered breakfast and stepped into the bathroom to wash up.

"I wonder what today's class will be like," he thought while brushing his teeth. "‘Introduction to the Dao Canon’—that must refer to the Profound Heaven Dao Canon, right?"

Shaking his head, he cut off the train of thought. "Whatever, no point in guessing. I’ll find out when I get there."

After freshening up, he emerged from the bathroom.

...

Seeing his breakfast steaming on the table, Ye Junze smiled in satisfaction. He sat down and began his meal.

...

Once finished, Ye Junze dressed and headed toward the classroom. He walked toward the Daoist Arts Department building at a steady, moderate pace. If anyone else were watching, they might have noticed a subtle, indescribable rhythm to his stride—a quality only Ye Junze understood, though perhaps someone with deep cultivation, such as Bai Ze, Li Xi, Yin Jia, or Lei Fan, might have recognized the underlying principle.

He didn't run into anyone he knew on the way, only groups of students from various departments moving together. Anze Academy was finally radiating its true vitality, brought to life by these spirited students. This vibrant energy was perhaps the very reason people felt such a strong sense of belonging at the massive academy.

With willows swaying and grass growing, Anze felt like a paradise on earth. Walking alone, Ye Junze savored the scenery, his eyes filled with genuine contentment. The gentle smile on his face reflected his excellent mood, whether due to the beautiful sights, the pleasant sounds, or the lively crowd. His state of mind was, in a word, perfect.

Watching the scenery, he arrived at the Daoist Arts Department building. Just as he located his classroom, he considered continuing onward, but a familiar voice called out.

"Ye Junze!"

He turned and saw someone waving at him. He waved back, and the person jogged over.

"Morning," the person said upon reaching him.

Ye Junze smiled. "Morning to you too."

It was Fan Yan. She smiled playfully and said, "Since it's finally the last day of class, I thought I'd come a bit early. I didn't expect you to be even earlier."

Ye Junze waved a hand dismissively. "Not at all. I’m just in the habit of doing things early."

"Alright, alright, I know," Fan Yan laughed. "Shall we head to the classroom?"

Ye Junze nodded, thinking it was on the way anyway. "Sure."

The two headed toward the building, chatting casually. They had grown quite familiar with each other over the past few days and treated one another as friends, so their conversation flowed naturally. They greeted fellow classmates they passed, receiving warm responses in return.

The classroom was not far. After entering the building, they navigated a few turns and climbed several floors. They checked the sign on the door, confirmed it was the right room, and entered together.

The room was already filling up. Ye Junze noticed the floor was scattered with meditation cushions, just as before. They found a spot to stand and continued their conversation until they were joined by others they knew: Yun Tianhan, Li Ling, and Lu Renjia.

As they approached, Li Ling laughed, "You two are quite early today."

"And you three are as slow as ever," Fan Yan retorted with a smile.

The trio laughed sheepishly. Ye Junze mediated, "Alright, since we're all here, let's just wait. Class is about to start, and the teacher should be here soon."

"Speaking of which," Lu Renjia suddenly asked, "who do you think the teacher will be today?"

Yun Tianhan shook his head. "How would we know? We never find out until the class actually starts." The others nodded in agreement.

Seeing their reactions, Lu Renjia pressed on, "I don't know why, but I have a feeling the teacher today is someone we already know."

Li Ling looked at him with interest. "Oh? That’s interesting. Where does this feeling come from? Is it reliable?"

Lu Renjia shrugged. "I'm not sure, but it hit me as soon as I woke up. I've had these strange hunches before when things were about to happen, and they've always turned out to be correct."

The group marveled at this. Just then, the familiar bell rang. Everyone instinctively looked toward the door, where a teacher was already waiting.

When Ye Junze and the others saw who it was, their eyes widened, their jaws dropped, and they slowly turned to stare at Lu Renjia in disbelief. Simultaneously, everyone gave him a thumbs-up.