This is the true immortal of the Taoist sect.

"Wang Yangming, a tribute student of the Imperial Academy, is renowned for his beautiful prose and elegant style. He is hereby granted a cup of imperial wine and invited to enter the palace to drink with us..."

From the entrance of the Qianqing Palace to the palace gate in the square, three eunuchs successively summoned the guests.

In an instant, all eyes were on Wang Yangming in the corner.

Wang Yangming's spirits lifted instantly, and his eyes, which had been slightly drunk, cleared up in an instant.

He quickly stood up, straightened his clothes and composed himself, and then followed the young eunuch who came to guide him towards the main hall amidst the envious and even jealous gazes of everyone.

After crossing the threshold, Wang Yangming looked up and his first reaction was that the light was a bit dazzling.

He blinked, looked down at the gold bricks beneath his feet, and the glaring sensation subsided slightly.

"Kneel here..."

The young eunuch who had led him over whispered a reminder.

Wang Yangming knelt down silently as instructed, never raising his head.

Inside the main hall, singing and dancing filled the air, with drums and flutes playing, and the hall was filled with people in red and purple robes, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

It seemed that no one noticed him, the boy dressed in a blue and white scholar's robe.

After an unknown amount of time, a voice finally came as if from the heavens above.

"Your writing is good; keep up the good work. Here's a toast..."

Wang Yangming looked up in confusion and finally saw who was speaking.

It was the emperor sitting on the high platform, dressed in imperial robes.

Perhaps the surrounding lights were too dazzling, for Wang Yangming could not make out the emperor's appearance.

A eunuch handed Wang Yangming a cup of wine and whispered a reminder:

"Quickly, thank En..."

Wang Yangming then realized what was happening and respectfully raised his wine glass, saying:

"Student Wang Yangming thanks Your Majesty for your divine grace..."

After finishing that glass of wine, Wang Yangming didn't even know how he got out of there.

As soon as he left the Qianqing Palace and arrived at the square, people immediately came up to him and offered him wine.

Wang Yangming was unable to hold his liquor and could only politely decline each drink.

He tried to say some polite things, so he didn't seem too arrogant.

The banquet finally ended in the middle of the night.

All the foreign officials and students left the palace one after another. After parting ways with several students from the Imperial Academy, Wang Yangming went to the post station where he was staying.

The autumn night wind already carried a hint of chill.

The streets were deserted, with no passersby in sight.

Only the bright moon hangs in the sky, casting shadows in rows.

As Wang Yangming walked, he circulated his internal energy to dispel the effects of the alcohol. He disliked drinking because it numbed his mind, and he hated that hazy feeling.

Fortunately, the internal cultivation method given by the master, combined with the Qi-replenishing pill, allowed him to cultivate true Qi very smoothly. The Qi in his body circulated continuously, and the slight alcohol intoxication was quickly cleared away.

Speaking of the internal energy within his body, Wang Yangming sighed with emotion.

When he left Anyi County, Li Daoxuan gave him a bottle of Qi-replenishing pills and a bottle of Qingling Fusheng pills.

Originally, these two items were intended for Wang Yangming as his trump card, but one day, while spending the night in a deserted village after leaving the territory of Lijiang Prefecture, he unexpectedly encountered a wandering ghost seeking his life.

Although Wang Yangming has not yet entered the Dao, he has at least been able to enter a state of tranquility and focus his mind. Since he has not yet cultivated into a vengeful ghost and cannot cause physical attacks, he can only use methods such as bewitching and interference.

Wang Yangming then used his own spirit to fight against it, and finally recited the Golden Light Divine Mantra to destroy the wandering soul.

But he himself was exhausted and weak.

In a daze, Wang Yangming recalled the cultivation methods mentioned in the book Li Daoxuan had given him, and realized that this was the perfect time to nourish his essence and refine his energy.

So he forced himself to enter a meditative state and practice his skills, and swallowed a Qi-replenishing pill.

Sure enough, the technique that he had been unable to master before suddenly became easy for him, and he successfully mastered it.

The residual medicinal power of the Qi-replenishing pill provided Wang Yangming with a continuous supply of nutrients. Now, more than three months later, after taking the second Qi-replenishing pill, Wang Yangming's internal energy has reached a considerable level.

This made his studies and daily life much more convenient.

However, Wang Yangming was well aware that the internal cultivation method given by his master was somewhat different from ordinary martial arts techniques.

The true energy he cultivated was remarkably effective in nourishing the body, strengthening the spirit, and promoting health.

However, if used for fighting, it is clearly inferior to the powerful and domineering martial arts true qi.

Wang Yangming was quite satisfied with this. He disliked fighting and killing by nature, and he was happy that it could be used for health and wellness.

And so, Wang Yangming leisurely walked back while circulating his internal energy to dispel the effects of the alcohol.

After passing a street corner, you will find yourself in an alleyway.

He walked through the alley and returned to the inn where he was staying.

However, Wang Yangming stopped, stood at the alley entrance, and looked towards the other side with a somewhat solemn expression.

Under the moonlight, a figure stood at the end of the dimly lit alley, dressed in black night clothes, his face covered except for his eyes. He was shorter than an average man and even looked somewhat thin.

But that's not the point. The point is that the other party was holding a long sword.

The sword's edge gleamed with a chilling light under the moonlight.

Wang Yangming became highly vigilant. Although he didn't understand why someone would suddenly appear and block his way, he instinctively felt that the other person was coming for him.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, the man in black suddenly moved.

Judging from his speed, he is clearly no ordinary person; at the very least, he is a martial artist who has entered the realm of martial arts.

The longsword flashed with a cold light and aimed straight for Wang Yangming's chest.

Wang Yangming was shocked, not expecting his opponent to use a deadly move right from the start.

He asked himself, since he had not made any deadly enemies during his time in the capital, who would want to kill him?

Without time to think, Wang Yangming could only dodge.

He was unwilling to learn martial arts, but that doesn't mean he was incapable of it.

Wang Yangming had practiced boxing under Master Luo for many years. Later, when his younger sister Wang Jingshu practiced swordsmanship, he also practiced swordsmanship with her. Now, with the internal cultivation method given to him by Li Daoxuan, he has cultivated true qi. Therefore, Wang Yangming is not actually a useless scholar who is weak and powerless.

He had never fought anyone before and was unaware of his own strength, let alone such a life-or-death battle.

Therefore, when faced with the assassin, Wang Yangming's first reaction was panic. After dodging the sword, he was clearly unsteady on his feet, staggered, and almost fell.

Actually, this was the best time to kill him, but for some reason, the assassin did not continue to draw his sword. Instead, he kicked Wang Yangming, knocking him to the ground.

Looking at Wang Yangming, who was rolling on the ground in a sorry state, the only eye of the assassin that was exposed clearly carried a mischievous smile.

At this moment, after taking this kick, Wang Yangming's panic gradually faded, replaced by a surge of anger.

He was only here to study and never intended to make enemies. Why would anyone rob and assassinate him under the emperor's nose?

How can there be such an unreasonable person in the world?

When people are angry, they forget their fear.

Even Wang Yangming, who is usually very good-tempered, is like this.

Seeing the assassin raise his foot to kick again, Wang Yangming finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Ah...you're so insolent..."

With a roar, Wang Yangming slammed his palm into the ground, unleashing a burst of true energy that lifted his body to stand upright.

The assassin seemed stunned by this scene and subconsciously said:

"You know martial arts?"

Wang Yangming was also taken aback when he heard this.

"A woman?"

But in an instant, he couldn't help but fly into a rage.

"They even try to kill me because of a woman? Do they really think I'm that easy to bully...?"

After roaring, Wang Yangming transformed into a raging bull and charged towards his opponent.

The assassin was shocked and hurriedly raised his sword to meet the attack.

Wang Yangming, with his years of martial arts training, instinctively lowered his body, feinted closer, and then reached out, managing to grab the assassin's wrist around the sword's edge.

"Let go..."

Wang Yangming shouted sharply, his inner energy erupted, and he exerted force with his palm. The assassin cried out in pain, and his long sword fell from his hand.

Wang Yangming swiftly reached out with his other hand, grasped the hilt of the longsword, and used a grappling technique to pin the assassin's arm behind his back.

Then the longsword was pressed against the other person's throat.

The assassin clearly hadn't expected that a single moment of carelessness and underestimation would allow Wang Yangming to counter him. He was still deeply shocked and somewhat annoyed.

Wang Yangming's eyes still held a hint of anger, his sword pressed firmly against the assassin's throat, and he said coldly:

"Who are you? Why did you try to assassinate me?"