đ˘ New Novel Launch!
The elder glanced at Xu Zimo and his panions, looking rather troubled.
Although he was the academy's vice dean, expelling students in front of such a large crowd would damage the academyâs reputation.
After all, these people had traveled great distances to take the entrance test. If Yu Zhe had spoken to him about this in private, he might have considered it.
But with so many eyes watching, the elder had to think about both the academyâs image and his own.
Yu Zhe seemed to notice the elderâs hesitation and quickly added, âTeacher, Iâm not trying to target them on purpose. Itâs just that their conduct is improper. Last night, they arrived late and didnât have a room. They took advantage of their numbers, slandered me, and stole my room. How can people like that be admitted into the academy? That would only tarnish our reputation.â
The elder nodded in agreement upon hearing Yu Zheâs explanation and walked toward Xu Zimoâs group.
The crowd parted to create a path, and Xu Zimo watched it all with a calm, amused expression.
âWhat he said just now, was it true?â the elder asked sternly, his presence overwhelming and deep as the ocean.
âWhile Iâd love to say âdonât slander people without proof,â I thought about it and figured, why bother,â Xu Zimo replied with a smile. âItâs true. So what?â
âWhere are you from?â the elder frowned, displeased with Xu Zimoâs attitude.
âTrue Martial Sacred Ground,â Little Gui answered proudly from the side.
The moment he spoke, those in the crowd who had been waiting to watch the drama unfold were all stunned.
pared to Celestial Tiger Academy, the name of True Martial Sacred Ground was far more illustrious and prestigious.
Ever since the man named Zhen Wu founded the sect tens of thousands of years ago, the sect had been like a blazing sun over the entire Western Region.
Even during the sectâs low points, before the reign of Grand Empress Hongtian, no one dared to challenge it.
Even during the era of the Grand Emperor Shen Ri, who bore the Heavenâs Will, he still treated True Martial Sacred Ground with respect.
Of course, Celestial Tiger Academyâs philosophy was to teach all, regardless of background, be they heirs of great clans or mere beggars from the roadside. As long as they passed the entrance test, they could be admitted.
But in reality, disciples of major sects rarely cared to attend the academy.
âŚâŚ
âSince you admit what happened, we at Celestial Tiger Academy cannot accept you,â the elder said with a grim face.
âNo need for you to say it,â Xu Zimo replied with a light chuckle. âEven if your academy wanted to recruit me, I wouldnât join.â
âWhat do you mean by that?â A flash of light passed through the elderâs eyes as a powerful aura of the True Meridian Realm steadily rose from his body.
âYouâre rejecting a student solely because of a flaw in their conduct? What is a school for? What is the duty of a teacher?â Xu Zimo laughed and slowly said, âA teacherâs job is to pass on knowledge, explain principles, and resolve confusion. If everyone were already gifted and well-behaved, why e to school? Isnât your responsibility to plant the seed today and nurture a tree over a hundred years? And by the way, Iâve taken a look around your school, the students youâve trained arenât exactly impressive.â
The elder was silent for a long moment before slowly replying, âYoung man, donât speak too arrogantly.â
âHow about this,â Xu Zimo turned to the crowd, then said to the elder, âLet your academyâs strongest student e out and fight me. Iâm just an ordinary outer court disciple from True Martial Sacred Ground. Iâm not betting anything, I just want to prove a point.â
âProve what? That you look down on my students?â the elder snorted coldly.
âNo, no, donât misunderstand,â Xu Zimo quickly waved his hands and grinned. âIâm not targeting any specific person here, I'm saying all of you are trash.â
As soon as he finished speaking, the elderâs face darkened, and the students erupted into chaos.
Glaring eyes, clenched fists, and indignant roars, everyone was furious at Xu Zimoâs arrogance.
âFine then, donât say I didnât give you a chance,â Xu Zimo smiled. âPick your strongest student. If he can make me take even one step back, Iâll admit defeat.â
âGo get one of the Heaven Ranking students,â the elder said after a short pause, turning to the teacher in charge of the test.
His tone was calm, but there was a storm brewing beneath that calm, a stillness before a violent tempest.
Inside Celestial Tiger Academy, there were two student rankings: the Heaven Ranking and the Earth Ranking. The Heaven Ranking was exclusively for third-year senior students. It listed the top 100 strongest among them.
The petition was fierce, and the rankings changed often.
âŚâŚ
Not long after, a young man in a purple robe strode over confidently.
He carried a long spear on his back, his expression stern and unyielding, walking with the rigid posture of a trained soldier.
The spear on his back was seven feet long, entirely black. Its tip was forged from high-grade Black Tortoise Iron and gleamed with a chilling, deadly light.
Along the spearâs shaft was a carved silver dragon with eight claws, so fierce it looked ready to burst from the weapon at any moment.
âVice Dean,â the youth greeted respectfully upon approaching the elder.
âVice Dean, the top three Heaven Ranking students are still out training and havenât returned yet,â the searching teacher said. âThis one is ranked fourth on the Heaven Ranking, at the peak of the True Meridian Realm, an elite among our senior students.â
The elder nodded. Anyone who made the Heaven Ranking was undoubtedly extraordinary, especially those in the top ten.
Still, he couldnât help feeling some regret. The top three were all in the Desolate Meridian Realm, true monsters.
âŚâŚ
The youth stepped forward toward Xu Zimo and said coldly, âHeaven Rank No. 4, Zhang Xianjun.â
âYouâll need to survive three of my moves before youâre worthy of knowing my name,â Xu Zimo replied with a smile and shook his head.
Zhang Xianjun studied him for a moment, then snorted and slowly unslung the long spear from his back.
The crowd instinctively backed away, giving the two enough room to fight.
âCan Senior Zhang really handle this guy?â a newly admitted student asked curiously.
âYeah, that guyâs so arrogant, he must be strong.â
An older student who knew the situation sneered and explained, âSenior Zhang is ranked fourth on the Heaven Ranking. Though heâs not on par with the top three monstersâŚ
He did create his own three-move technique called Threefold Spear Art. Just watch.â
âHe created his own technique?â The new students were stunned.
To them, who had just started their cultivation journey, even practicing someone elseâs technique was difficult, let alone inventing their own.
Reviews
All reviews (0)