NOVPUB"Everyone, stay calm," Jiang Mozi stopped the crowd, quickly stepping forward to speak.
"The Heavenly Saint Academy was originally a branch of the Nine Ghosts Academy, so we are all students of the same path. We should coexist peacefully."
"And yet, a mere disciple from a branch dares to speak like this to disciples of the main academy?
Besides, now that the evil intent has dissipated, your branch academy is essentially obsolete," Xuan Min said indifferently.
"Just participate honestly in the Nine Ghosts Academy examination. If you pass, consider it your good fortune.
If not, then leave quickly."
"Is this Lord Ye Mi’s order?" Jiang Mozi asked, somewhat angered.
"What? Does an issue like this need to trouble Lord Ye Mi?" Xuan Min replied coolly.
"I myself was once a disciple of the Nine Ghosts Academy and descended to the Mortal Domain to guard against the evil intent.
All these years, even if there were no merits, there were certainly hardships," Jiang Mozi said.
"Now I’ve returned with students. I’m not asking for extraordinary resources for cultivation and training, but at the very least, we should be granted a place to settle. Surely, the academy would not forsake us."
"If your strength were intact, your words might carry some weight," Xuan Min laughed lightly.
"But look at you now—your current state is barely defensible. What qualifications do you have to make demands?"
With those words, Jiang Mozi froze in place.
He felt as if he had underestimated everything. His current self indeed resembled nothing more than a useless being.
"You insulting us is one thing, but insulting our principal—that’s truly crossing the line," came the indignant outcry from Heavenly Saint Academy.
More than ten students stared furiously at Xuan Min and exclaimed, "We’ll duel with you!"
Before Xuan Min could respond, a languid voice suddenly appeared from the side.
"Little Xuan, are you bullying the new junior students again?"
The crowd turned their heads to see a young man descending the steps ahead. He wore a white robe and carried a three-foot Green Peak blade at his waist.
His black hair was tied together with a rope, while strands near his temples fell freely.
His eyes glinted like that of a leopard, radiating a certain heroic aura.
Most notable were his hands, which appeared almost burnt, glowing a vivid red.
The fiery-red hands were strikingly eye-catching.
"Senior Fei, Fei Lin," Xuan Min stammered as he greeted him.
Hastily, he explained, "What junior students? They’re all people from below."
"Below?" The man called Fei Lin seemed intrigued, pondering for a moment before saying, "Heavenly Saint Academy, right?"
"Yes," Xuan Min nodded and answered.
"And I wasn’t bullying them. They’re the ones who want to challenge me."
"Is that so?" Fei Lin chuckled and said.
"Since there’s a challenge, I happen to enjoy a good show. How about I act as the referee?
Don’t worry—I pride myself on fairness. What do you think?"
"Do I even have a choice?" Xuan Min replied with some irritation.
"No," Fei Lin said with a pat on Xuan Min’s shoulder before looking toward the Heavenly Saint Academy group.
He asked, "What do you think?"
"You act as the referee along with our principal," a student from Heavenly Saint Academy suggested.
"Alright," Fei Lin smiled and replied.
"Let’s head to the Arena Stage. I’ll call more people to cheer for you.
New junior students challenging senior ones—now that’s intriguing."
As Fei Lin walked off, Xuan Min shrugged and, with a provocative glance toward the group, said, "What are you staring at? Let’s go."
Jiang Mozi sighed and walked up to Xu Zimei, speaking softly, "These students are reckless. If anything truly serious happens, please watch over them."
"You, you’ve knelt for too long. You kneel when you should, and kneel when you shouldn’t,"
Xu Zimei said. "But these students—they stand too upright.
They stand when they should, and even when they shouldn’t."
Hearing Xu Zimei’s words, Jiang Mozi fell silent.
Sometimes, weakness and being under someone’s thumb leave you no choice.
Compared to dignity, life is undoubtedly more important. As the saying goes, ’As long as the green hills remain, the woodcutter will have wood to cut.’
Unfortunately, as the principal, he’d failed to teach them properly.
The group arrived in front of the Arena Stage.
The so-called Arena Stage was a low-lying valley.
The ground below was flat and paved with black Conduction Thunderstone.
Suspended from the top, there hung an Azure Dragon Blade.
The blade’s body looked as though molded from stone, and at its hilt coiled a long Azure Dragon.
This dragon was no mere sculpture—it was a genuine Azure Dragon.
Someone had slain it, preserved its complete corpse through sealing, and merged it with the blade.
Such a feat was far beyond mere words.
Judging by the Arena Stage’s appearance, it seemed ancient indeed.
Besides the Azure Dragon Blade hovering above, the surroundings featured numerous statues.
Each one resembled Acala, with furious eyes and golden anger, exuding malicious intensity. They were terrifying.
"Why do these Buddhas look so furious?" a student from Heavenly Saint Academy murmured softly.
"When dealing with evil, Buddhas become ferocious demons. Otherwise, they wouldn’t hold their ground.
Kindness and compassion—that’s reserved for the good," Jiang Mozi explained.
......
Xuan Min leaped downward and landed directly on the Arena Stage.
Beside him sat a large drum.
Scarlet-red with red cloth fluttering in the wind, Xuan Min grabbed the drumstick and pounded it vigorously.
The "boom boom boom" echoed loudly around.
Half of the Nine Ghosts Academy disciples were drawn to the scene.
"Who’s that? Another duel on the Arena Stage?"
"I heard from Senior Fei Lin that some people from Heavenly Saint Academy want to challenge us at Nine Ghosts Academy."
"Heavenly Saint Academy? What’s that?"
"Isn’t it part of our Nine Ghosts Academy? How do you not know this?"
"Damn it, some branch academy actually wants to step over our main academy. Let’s go and take a look." 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
Voices of gossip buzzed in every direction as the crowd gathered.
With Fei Lin’s promotion, word spread quickly, and more and more people began to gather.
"Come down here and accept death!" Xuan Min snarled, pointing at the dozen students from Heavenly Saint Academy.
"Let’s go," came the reply from the Heavenly Saint Academy group. A group of young men couldn’t tolerate such provocation.
Besides, their numbers were on their side, leaving little to fear.
All at once, the dozen leapt onto the Arena Stage, each exuding an aura of powerful determination.
"Oh, it’s already begun!" Fei Lin laughed heartily as he strolled over from a distance.
"Fei Lin may be unworthy, but today I am the judge of this contest.
Once you’ve stepped onto the Arena Stage, there are no restraints on life or death, until one party chooses to yield.
The battle will determine both victory and survival."
The surrounding crowd gathered further, cheering and shouting words of encouragement from above.
Not a single spectator hesitated to fuel the drama.
......
"Allowing you into Nine Ghosts Academy is already an insult to the academy," Xuan Min said coldly.
He scanned the group with his gaze. "I might as well sweep away this trash."
"Who are you calling trash?" Heavenly Saint Academy’s students exclaimed in fury.
"You know perfectly well," Xuan Min replied indifferently.
"Teach him a lesson!" The students of Heavenly Saint Academy exchanged a glance and began to circulate their Spiritual Energy.
