The elders lived in the deepest corners of the campus and hardly ever came out.

They would only make an appearance when they found a student they were interested in.

Elder Mei was one of the mysterious elders.

The teachers were familiar with him because he was in charge of maintaining Imperial College’s formation.

Of course, ordinary students still didn’t know who he was.

“Master!” A middle-aged man stepped out from behind Mr. Duan.

He was Mr. Xu, who taught formations and inscriptions in Imperial College. Elder Mei used to be his teacher.

Mr. Xu worked in the War Academy, whereas Mr. Wu, whom Feng Wu had met, taught formations in the junior years.

Mr. Xu had tried to solve the formation in the Secret Essence Mine, but he couldn’t comprehend any of it and had to ask Elder Mei for help.

If Elder Mei didn’t know what to do, no one would.

Although Gongsun Mu was the vice-director of the War Academy, he was only in charge of daily errands.

All of the 36 elders were more senior than him.

Zuo Qingluan had become a vice chief because Zixuan recommended her before her voluntary retirement, and also because people believed her to be Jun Linyuan’s future wife.

However, to become an elder, one had to have adequate capability and seniority. One’s connections didn’t matter.

Gongsun Mu’s career path would lead him toward becoming an elder one day.

Elder Mei walked toward them at an unhurried pace.

Despite his old age and white hair, he had a youthful complexion and seemed to be in high spirits.

“Elder Mei.” Everybody greeted the old man.

They hardly had the chance to meet such a prominent figure.

Elder Mei nodded and waved them off, caring little for formality.

Zuo Qingluan was thrilled to see Elder Mei.

She had learned formations and inscriptions in Firmament Palace. Her tutor had instructed her to become acquainted with Elder Mei when she came to the imperial capital and to learn formations and inscriptions from him.

She had come to the War Academy as a vice chief not only to humiliate Feng Wu, but also to try and meet Elder Mei.

Her eyes lit up when she saw the old man.

She quickly stepped forward and greeted him. “It’s an honor to meet you, Elder Mei.”

All Elder Mei cared about now was solving the formation in the Secret Essence Mine. He frowned a little when a pretty teenage girl suddenly blocked his way.

To someone so obsessed with formations, every face was the same as the next, and Zuo Qingluan’s stunning looks didn’t leave an impression on him.

He only nodded before turning his attention to the Secret Essence Mine.

His top priority was to stop the wind.

He could only reach the entrance after the wind stopped. After that, he would have to face the intricate tunnels in the mine.

Meeting Elder Mei was such a rare chance that Zuo Qingluan desperately wanted to impress him.

She was displeased when Elder Mei ignored her.

She had always been the center of attention. All her seniors appreciated her talent, and no one had ignored her like this before.