NOVPUB"Did you see that young man?" Shi Jian said.
Following the direction of the finger, Xu Zimei saw a young man in a blue shirt sitting on a cushion, his face resolute. n𝚘vp𝚞𝚋.com
He was listening intently to what the woman at the head was saying.
The youth exuded an ethereal aura, with a blue sword strapped to his back.
"What’s the matter?" Xu Zimei nodded, asking in confusion.
"His name is Feng Xiaoxi. He is this generation’s most hopeful contender for Destiny at our Heavenly Dao Academy," Shi Jian introduced.
"Among the younger generation, he is highly esteemed."
"Not bad," Xu Zimei surveyed the young man and remarked.
"And there is the woman in red on the left," Shi Jian once again pointed to another person and said.
"She is the Direct Disciple of the Dean, named Bai Lin, also one of the top figures in our academy."
This small hall had nearly gathered all the upper echelons of the Heavenly Dao Academy.
"The Heavenly Cang Demon Roc can no longer be contained by the seals; we should cease our efforts with the sealing," the woman at the head began to speak.
"The Imperial Rule Immortal Sect that came inquiring doesn’t really intend to destroy our Heavenly Dao Academy.
They just wish to seize the chaos as an opportunity to steal the foundations of our academy."
"Is there really no way to handle the Heavenly Cang Demon Roc?" Vice Dean Li Changhe asked unwillingly from the side.
"This matter will be resolved by our ancestors, it is not something we need to worry about.
All we need to do is handle those from the Imperial Rule Immortal Sect," the woman said lightly.
"I have assigned people to guard each sacred site. If everyone puts in their utmost effort to protect these sites, we shall be victorious in this great war."
Seeing the serious and solemn expressions on everyone in the hall, the woman spoke with a grave voice.
"I will guard the Heart-destroying Pavilion, Vice Dean Li Changhe will guard the Glazed Glass Palace.
Dream Venerable will guard Liushuixie, ...…"
With the woman’s words, the positions of various treasures within the Heavenly Dao Academy were clearly assigned.
Based on the importance of each treasure site and the capabilities of those assigned to defend them.
After the woman finished speaking, the people below slightly frowned.
Because there was still one very important place that the Dean hadn’t assigned.
That was the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
As one of the top three treasure sites within the academy, the treasures it held could shake the entire Yuan Central Continent.
It was probably also one of the main targets the Imperial Rule Immortal Sect wanted to plunder.
"Dean, who will guard the Myriad Treasures Pavilion?" Li Changhe couldn’t hold back and asked in confusion.
The woman’s gaze swept over everyone present.
Both Bai Lin and Feng Xiaoxi had a hint of anticipation.
Guarding the Myriad Treasures Pavilion meant that the Dean had great confidence in them.
Though it was full of dangers, by staying behind during the academy’s crisis, it signified their readiness to face death.
"Xu Zimei," the woman finally rested her eyes on Xu Zimei and spoke with a somewhat smiling expression.
"The Myriad Treasures Pavilion will be entrusted to you for guarding."
"Why?" just as the woman finished speaking, Bai Lin immediately stood up.
Perhaps realizing her inadvertent gaffe, Bai Lin quickly explained, "Master, the importance of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion goes without saying.
No matter what, it shouldn’t be his turn."
"I agree with Bai Lin," Feng Xiaoxi nodded from the side and added.
In the hall, some of the masters had already begun discussing animatedly.
"Are you questioning my decision?" the woman countered.
"Master, I dare not," Bai Lin quickly responded.
"Let me have a duel with him. If I lose, I will accept it willingly.
Otherwise, I can’t understand your decision."
"There’s no need for a duel. I have my reasons for this decision," the woman said placidly.
"Let’s leave it at this for today. Xu Zimei, stay behind; everyone else, leave."
Bai Lin wanted to say something more, but Li Changhe stopped her.
Li Changhe slightly shook his head, leading the group out of the hall.
"Do you think you are up to the task?" the woman asked, looking at Xu Zimei.
"There’s no question of whether I can handle it, only whether I want to," Xu Zimei replied.
"I just love that confidence of yours," the woman said with a laugh.
"Venerable Nu told me about you, and if you hold down the fort, you are allowed to take any item from within."
"Deal," Xu Zimei said with a smile.
"Both Bai Lin and Xiaoxi are still young. Please be patient with them," the woman continued.
"I don’t care, but you better tell them not to provoke me," Xu Zimei waved his hand.
After a brief chat with the woman about Myriad Treasures Pavilion and asking a few questions, he left.
The woman only turned around after watching Xu Zimei’s disappearing figure.
"Come out," she said sternly.
As her words fell, a vague shadow slowly emerged from the seemingly empty space beside her.
The shadow was hazy and indistinct, revealing only a rough outline.
"Do you really trust him that much?" the shadow asked with a laugh.
"He annihilated the Feather Clan," the woman said flatly.
"Neither Feng Xiaoxi nor Bai Lin could have done that.
So I chose him."
"Let’s hope your choice is not mistaken," the shadow replied.
"How are things on the Heavenly Cang Demon Roc’s side?" the woman continued.
"We are doing our best," the shadow replied gravely.
...
Xu Zimei had just stepped out of the hall when Shi Jian was already waiting outside.
"Master has asked me to take you to Myriad Treasures Pavilion," Shi Jian said.
Xu Zimei nodded.
The two stepped through the air and quickly arrived at the location of Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
Myriad Treasures Pavilion was not a real pavilion.
It was a world unto itself,
an expanse of void.
However, Xu Zimei could not enter this void now.
The entrance to this void was located inside a pavilion.
Four red-painted pillars stood at the four corners of the pavilion, with six steps below, and an octagonal pavilion roof above.
Under the glazed tiles, the words "Myriad Treasures Pavilion" were carved.
Inside this pavilion, there was a stone table and four stone stools.
"This pavilion is the entrance to Myriad Treasures Pavilion; you just need to guard it," Shi Jian said with a smile.
"I didn’t expect the dean to think so highly of you to let you guard this place."
Xu Zimei sat in the pavilion, slowly leaning back on a stone stool.
On the stone table in front of him, there was a black and white chessboard.
The black and white pieces crisscrossed each other, like thousands of soldiers battling, or like two giant dragons, one black and one white, fighting.
"You just stay here and guard this place then; I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first," Shi Jian said.
Xu Zimei nodded slightly.
...
During this time, the Heavenly Dao Academy was unusually desolate.
Not a single person could be seen around Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
Xu Zimei leaned in the pavilion, looking up at the sky.
The murky firmament reflected down, and the air was filled with a heavy demonic Qi.
Suddenly, Xu Zimei’s gaze flashed as he turned to look in the northern direction.
He saw a red figure approaching through the air.
