"Gongsun pierces the Chong vessel through the stomach, heart, and chest; Neiguan links the Yin Linking vessel below, its path the same; Linqi of the Gallbladder meridian connects to the Dai vessel; Yang Linking meets the outer pass beyond the sharp corner of the eye; Houxi opens the Governing vessel from the inner canthus to the neck; Shenmai lets the Yang Motility vessel and its collaterals flow free; Lieque guides the Conception vessel along the lung system; Yang Motility and Zhaohai traverse the diaphragm and throat."
Each vessel corresponded to vital regions of the human body. Though the eight extraordinary meridians were naturally connected from birth, the links between them were thread-thin, impassable by internal energy. In
Among the eight, the four most critical were the Conception vessel, the Governing vessel, the Chong vessel, and the Dai vessel. Through his assessment of the positions involved, Tang San deduced that the
Opening the Chong vessel meant the heart meridian was unlocked. Though the effect was not as dramatic as opening the Conception and Governing vessels, the benefits to Tang San were beyond words. Just as a Soul Master cultivated best at the youngest possible age, so too were the eight extraordinary meridians easier to open the younger one was. As a person aged, the body was shaped by external influences, the meridians within growing increasingly rigid, making passage ever harder to achieve.
With the Chong vessel now open, the benefit to Tang San's future cultivation was enormous. His appearance had already taken on a quality of restrained brilliance, light held inward rather than displayed. Of course, this was all born of fortunate circumstance. The Great Master had intended for him to fuse the external spirit bone under these conditions, but neither he nor anyone else had expected Tang San to actually open an entire meridian in the process — a far greater gain.
On the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's side, the delegation was naturally led by
Meng Shenji said, "Then the matter is settled. Teacher Qin, I'll trouble you to make the arrangements."
Just as the Shrek Academy group was preparing to take their leave and return to their quarters, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside. It sounded like two people.
"Is Chief Meng Shenji present?" The voice reached them before its owner appeared — loud, resonant, full of confidence. But there was a note of lofty superiority woven through it. Not quite overbearing, yet entirely devoid of courtesy or deference.
Meng Shenji froze for a moment. He recognized the voice at once and thought to himself, Why is he here? He immediately rose to his feet and moved to greet the visitor. The two deans followed behind him, and both of their expressions had shifted slightly.
Soon, three figures entered the hall. One of them was someone the Shrek Academy group had already seen — the young man
The young man now stood at the left, his face a mask of arrogant disdain, hatred blazing openly in his eyes.
Walking in the center was an elderly man in magnificent robes. He wore a grand yellow brocade robe embroidered with densely clustered floral patterns, yet it did not look the least bit gaudy. His white hair was neatly combed back. He was of average build, slightly portly, with an imposing face — dignified and commanding.
Only his eyes seemed too small, spoiling the overall impression of his features. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, and even facing three Soul Douluo deans, he showed not a trace of respect. If anything, his bearing suggested he was looking down from above.
When the three appeared, the first reaction from the Shrek Academy group was shock. Not because of the way any of them looked, but because of the person walking on the right side of the richly dressed elder.
Earlier, whether it was
What did that prove?
Standing to the right of the richly dressed elder was another old man, but unlike his companion, he was tall and gaunt, straight as a thrown spear. His hair and beard were a dark, almost black green, and his eyes gleamed like emeralds.
His entire person gave off an illusory quality, as though he were a phantom. No movement of his feet was visible, yet he kept pace effortlessly beside the robed elder.
His face was expressionless — or rather, it seemed entirely rigid, frozen in place. His cheeks were deeply hollowed, the green hair atop his head a wild, unkempt tangle, and he wore only a plain gray robe, a stark contrast to the finery of the man beside him.
His hands were tucked inside his sleeves. As he entered the dean's hall, he kept his eyes closed, never once glancing at anyone present.