Chapter 127: The Black and White Image

Stepping out of the cave with effortless ease, Yun Tian arrived in the mid-air outside. As he gazed upon the boundless mountain scenery, his eyes narrowed slightly. From this moment on, he was a disciple of the Black-White Academy!

Only a moment later, sensing something, Yun Tian turned his head to see a youth dressed in beast skins emerging from the cave—it was Ji Ning.

"Brother Yun, I knew it! With your space-shifting abilities, you were bound to be the first to break through," Ji Ning said, flying over to Yun Tian. He couldn't help but shake his head and smile. "It feels as though the Black-White Academy’s trial was practically nonexistent for you. You became a disciple without ever truly making a move. I suspect you might be the easiest recruit in the history of the Black-White Academy!"

Yun Tian smiled calmly. "Ji Ning—or rather, I should call you Junior Brother Ji Ning from now on. You weren't slow yourself! And it seems you had to force your way out? That Black-White Academy disciple who blocked your path was so pressured that he lost face and couldn't bear to stay in the cave anymore. Impressive!"

As the two spoke, the Primal Daoists who had been observing the events through their divine sense began to discuss it with laughter.

"Ha! Excellent! This Ji Ning is truly formidable, worthy of being a genius who has comprehended the Domain of the Dao. Although I haven't heard of that sword formation technique before, it is clearly a complex and incredibly powerful one. To control over seven hundred flying swords requires an extremely high level of soul strength and comprehension of the Dao," a short, stout elder remarked, shaking his head. "He is only at the early Zifu stage, yet he forced Yin Xue Wen Jian, who is at the peak of the Zifu stage, to use a sword formation just to defend himself, to the point where Yin Xue Wen Jian had no choice but to leave in shame. Remarkable, truly remarkable!"

"Indeed! He is impressive! However, this Yun Tian is even more extraordinary. With just a single move of space shifting, he passed with ease," a long-bearded middle-aged man added with admiration.

The other Primal Daoists nodded in agreement. "We must guide and train them well. Both Ji Ning and Yun Tian have the potential to become Immortals. We must be diligent; it would be a pity to ruin these two uncut gems through indulgence."

"Let's go! Mu Zishuo has passed as well. Let us head over," the six Primal Daoists said, moving toward the cave entrance.

As Yun Tian, Ji Ning, and Mu Zishuo conversed, the six Primal Daoists arrived, accompanied by hearty laughter.

"Ha! It is rare indeed to have three people join our Black-White Academy in a single day!" the short, stout elder said with a smile.

A black-haired, middle-aged man looked toward the three. "Yun Tian, Ji Ning, Mu Zishuo, from today on, you are disciples of the Black-White Academy."

Ji Ning and Mu Zishuo were filled with joy, while Yun Tian remained calm and composed.

"The apprenticeship ceremony will be held after the recruitment concludes in two days," the black-haired man said, flipping his hand to reveal three jade tokens. One side was black, the other white. "These are the tokens for disciples of the Black-White Academy. Once you refine them, you will be able to move freely through many areas of the Academy without being attacked by the various restrictive formations."

The three accepted the tokens and refined them. Upon doing so, Yun Tian clearly perceived the vast, hidden formation spanning the entire Academy. Even the subtle fluctuations emanating from the formation that shrouded the Black-White Academy felt terrifying. At this moment, Yun Tian had truly been accepted by the Academy.

"Wu Xiu, I leave the arrangements for their living quarters to you. We shall take our leave," the long-bearded man said, departing with the other four Primal Daoists.

Wu Xiu, the black-haired man, gestured, and clouds rose beneath them, lifting the four of them into the distance.

"The Black-White Academy is divided into many regions and governed by many rules," Wu Xiu said, flipping his hand to produce three books, which he tossed to the three youths. "The rules of our Academy and other necessary information are all recorded within these volumes."

The books were inscribed with the characters for 'Black' and 'White.' Yun Tian, Ji Ning, and Mu Zishuo curiously began to flip through them.

...

On a small mountain peak stood an elegant courtyard surrounded by various pavilions, yet Yun Tian was the only one on this peak.

"From today, I am the master of this mountain," Yun Tian stood in mid-air, looking down at the peak. Since full disciples of the Black-White Academy were rare, they were permitted to choose a mountain as their own dwelling. Yun Tian had selected this one and named it Qiankun Peak.

"Official disciples of the Academy are granted ten servants to handle chores like boiling water and cleaning. It is a pity that I am here alone. I wonder if the Yun Clan will send anyone over," Yun Tian said with a smile, then turned to look into the distance. "It is time to see what mysteries the Black-White Diagram holds."

The Black-White Diagram was located in the most restricted core area of the Academy, accessible only to official disciples; servants and spirit beasts were strictly forbidden.

A short while later, Yun Tian arrived at the vast plaza where the diagram was kept, standing before a massive stone wall.

The wall, made of an unknown material, emitted a black, glossy sheen. Dense lines of black and white continuously traced across the surface. These two colors intersected with such ingenuity that they formed a colossal, circular grindstone.

Black and white, like night and day, like Yin and Yang, like water and fire, like darkness and light.

Ever since Pangu opened the heavens, all things in the world have possessed dual aspects of black and white. As he gazed at the intersecting lines, Yun Tian felt a grand, overwhelming aura rushing toward him, causing his soul to feel momentarily dizzy. The Black-White Diagram fused together a vast multitude of Daos. Many of these Daos were incomplete, as if only parts were taken and woven together with others to form this great grindstone.

In terms of the fusion of Daos, the diagram was undeniably profound. The integration of so many different paths easily stirred the mind, leading one to grasp various subtle techniques.

Shaking his head slightly, Yun Tian looked at the diagram again. This time, he focused on a single corner, staring at a small section. The black and white lines, completely opposite yet perfectly complementary, possessed a natural mystery that drew Yun Tian in. He sat down and began to meditate in earnest.

Every disciple of the Black-White Academy gained something upon their first viewing of the diagram; their past accumulations and insights into the Dao naturally blossomed into new realizations.

As a clone of the Ancestor Qiankun, Yun Tian shared the same memories and high level of cultivation, and thus his harvest from this meditation was unique.

The本体 (original body) of Ancestor Qiankun had comprehended countless Daos—water and fire, Yin and Yang, life and death, creation and destruction, darkness and light. The mysteries of these diverse Daos sparked in Yun Tian's mind, deepening his understanding of the world’s various paths and the harmony between them.

Time flowed slowly. Yun Tian was unaware of Ji Ning and Mu Zishuo’s arrival and departure, nor did he realize that his unwavering posture before the diagram had gradually drawn the attention and astonishment of many in the Academy.

His meditation lasted for three full years before he finally awakened.

Opening his eyes to look at the Black-White Diagram, Yun Tian couldn't help but exclaim with burning eyes, "What a magnificent Black-White Diagram. Truly extraordinary."

"Heh, you brat, you’ve finally woken up," a sudden voice rang out. A short, elderly man dressed in rags like a beggar appeared beside him, staring at him. "Kid, you spent three years contemplating the diagram—you must have gained quite a lot, right? Come, tell me, what exactly have you realized?"