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Chapter 117: Chapter 88: Dragons have reverse scales, touch them and you shall die!
Hao Jianhua felt awful and thought to himself: You’re already making such a big commotion just by "cultivating" alone, and you want to involve other students too?
Just look at the current public opinion on the internet.
He could already foresee...
If he really agreed to the establishment of this club.
The comments about Imperial Capital University online would definitely be overwhelmingly negative, and Imperial Capital University would become a laughingstock among other universities across the country, especially its arch-rival Huaqing University.
Completely become a joke!
He couldn’t let that happen!
Hao Jianhua didn’t want the hundred-year-old reputation of Imperial Capital University to be seriously damaged under his watch.
However, he had just said something reassuring like "freedom of speech, don’t worry" to comfort Lin Beichen, so he couldn’t reveal his true thoughts.
He would talk with him properly after this period.
Hao Jianhua smiled and said, "Lin Beichen, your idea is good, but the establishment of a club is a very serious matter, I need to think about it more."
He really needed to consider it carefully.
If this decision wasn’t made well...
It would truly cause big trouble.
Seeing the public opinion online, Lin Beichen had already anticipated that creating this club wouldn’t be an easy task, and didn’t expect that just by coming to the principal now, he would get approval.
But not being refused was a good sign, and it looked like the principal might agree.
Lin Beichen knew how to advance and retreat, so he didn’t persist. He stood up with a smile and said, "Alright, Principal, I won’t disturb you any longer then."
After saying this, he walked towards the office door.
At the moment he opened the door.
An elder was standing outside, with a slightly surprised expression on his face, raising his hand in the act of knocking.
The elder was lean, energetic, with kind eyes.
And he...
Was the old man who had previously taken his granddaughter to Shangqing Ancient Town and Dragon Tiger Mountain, Elder Cai.
They exchanged glances.
Lin Beichen paused for a moment, then turned his entire body sideways, nodding slightly to indicate for him to go ahead first.
Elder Cai smiled and walked into the office. Lin Beichen brushed past him, closing the door behind him.
"Click——"
Hao Jianhua had already stepped forward, holding one of the elder’s hands with both of his, respectfully saying, "Teacher, what brings you here?"
"Why, can’t I come?"
Elder Cai joked.
He was Hao Jianhua’s mentor and also had another identity—the former principal of Imperial Capital University, Cai Peiyuan.
"Of course, you definitely can."
Hao Jianhua, in front of Cai Peiyuan, seemed like a child, completely devoid of the principal’s imposing presence.
"I wish you could come every day."
"Come on, my old bones can’t take that much."
Cai Peiyuan laughed and then said, "I saw the trending topic on the internet, and since I had some errands nearby the Imperial Capital University, I thought I’d drop by."
"Teacher, about this matter..."
"Where do you think the problem lies?"
Before Hao Jianhua could say anything, Cai Peiyuan threw him a question.
Hao Jianhua sighed, "The problem lies with me. I shouldn’t have allowed Reporter Hu to interview Lin Beichen."
"Then the problem lies with Reporter Hu?"
"This..."
"Actually, it’s not anyone’s fault."
Cai Peiyuan smiled kindly, explaining, "It’s the societal atmosphere at fault—too impetuous, too noisy. The slightest stir causes an uproar, which is truly incomprehensible. Imperial Capital University is situated within society, indeed at its very center. We might not be able to change the entire societal atmosphere, but at least we should remain untainted amidst the noise, being a sanctuary in this chaotic world."
"Teacher, I understand."
Hao Jianhua bowed sincerely to Cai Peiyuan.
The issues that had troubled him due to the internet’s trending topics dissipated with Cai Peiyuan’s explanation.
The problem wasn’t solved, but it was no longer a problem in itself!
"A promising student."
Cai Peiyuan patted his shoulder, then remembered something and asked, "When I arrived just now, I saw Lin Beichen leaving. What did he come to see you for?"
"Oh, that’s it, Teacher. Lin Beichen wants to establish an Immortal Cultivation Club."
"Immortal Cultivation Club?"
Cai Peiyuan instantly recalled the scene of Lin Beichen observing the landscape on the Observation Platform at Dragon Tiger Mountain, the figure as if transcending worldly matters, and thought of the Celestial Master’s evaluation of him. In a moment of reflection, he subconsciously said, "Not a bad idea."
If it was before Cai Peiyuan’s clarification.
Hao Jianhua would definitely be completely baffled by his words, but now, he could understand.
It doesn’t matter what the secular opinion is.
Hao Jianhua comprehended this point, and no longer had any qualms about Lin Beichen establishing the club. He nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, I think it’s good too."
...
...
After leaving the principal’s office, Lin Beichen returned to the empty dormitory to retrieve his Thunderstruck Wood, and carried it to the sports hall.
At this time, the crowd outside the sports hall hadn’t dispersed despite his absence. Instead, it had grown larger.
"He’s back, look, he’s back again."
"And he brought something with him."
"Did he leave just to get what he’s holding?"
"..."
The previously quiet surroundings suddenly buzzed with murmurs.
Lin Beichen didn’t mind and went straight into the sports hall. He took the Thunderstruck Wood out of the canvas and placed it on the ground, then crossed his legs and started cultivating.
