Chapter 2198 - 1188: The Cost (Part 2)

"Additionally, every year the Esoteric Sect is allowed to send ten people to our Academy for further study, and two elder seats specifically for the Esoteric Sect will be set within the Academy, allowing them to station people long-term. In the future, if the Esoteric Sect goes to war with the Dharma Sect, I must also dispatch Academy elders to assist."

Listening to these terms, which seemed like shackles, Yang Xiao couldn’t help but feel his heart sink.

Indeed, the Esoteric Sect is no philanthropist. The price offered to Sheng Yanlin was quite steep.

However, it was unavoidable, as retrieving the Academy without the help of Esoteric Sect was impossible. Over the past year, the Esoteric Sect had provided protection for Sheng Yanlin.

Behind every choice in this world, there is a corresponding price. Human sentiment is useless; only interests reign supreme.

"Elder Sheng, after you reclaim the Academy, you will keep your promises, correct?" Yang Xiao asked.

Hearing this, Sheng Yanlin turned his head to look at Yang Xiao, with a somewhat indescribable meaning in his eyes, and after a moment, he nodded: "Of course, when I, Sheng Yanlin, speak, I always keep my word, whether it’s to you or the High Priest."

"Do you also think these conditions are harsh, that agreeing to them is like selling out Yiling Academy, selling out our ancestral heritage, right?" Sheng Yanlin’s tone became somewhat peculiar.

"No, no, I don’t mean that." Yang Xiao did not want to provoke the elder Dean, as he was already struggling. If it were him in Sheng’s position, he wouldn’t have a better solution either.

Knowing when to act makes one a hero; under the roof, one must bow.

"How can a great man act without considering things carefully? For everything, there’s a price. To speak frankly with you, the price set by the Esoteric Sect is not excessive, even if it were more so, I would have to grit my teeth and agree."

"Taking treasures, opening the Scripture Pavilion, assisting in treasure appraisal, sending people to further study, promising to send people to assist when the Esoteric Sect and the Dharma Sect go to war... These don’t mean much. The one thing about stationing elders in my Academy I personally discussed with the High Priest."

"However, the High Priest is also a straightforward person. He promised that his people would only supervise and assist in fulfilling the other parts of the agreement and would not interfere in the specific affairs of the Academy. The matters within the Academy are still solely under my control," Sheng Yanlin said.

Hearing this, Yang Xiao felt somewhat relieved. This meant that after reclaiming the Academy, the power at Yiling Academy still lay firmly in the hands of the elder Dean, which was fundamentally different from Sheng Jingxuan, who was coerced by secret techniques from the Dharma Sect.

But on second thought, it wasn’t that the Cannibal Buddha didn’t want to do it; it was very hard to accomplish.

After all, Yiling Academy attracted more attention than just from the Esoteric Sect.

The Patrol Defense Office was also eyeing Yiling Academy. Although in terms of reclaiming the Academy, the Patrol Defense Office and the Esoteric Sect were half-allies, once the Academy was in hand, the Patrol General Bureau would certainly not allow Yiling Academy to be controlled by the Esoteric Sect.

If given to the Esoteric Sect, wouldn’t the Patrol General Bureau’s efforts be in vain? How would it differ from having the current Dean, Sheng Jingxuan, who was coerced by the Dharma Sect, in power? They might as well directly side with Sheng Jingxuan, saving them trouble.

The Academy is far, long beyond their reach, and the Cannibal Buddha would not risk a fallout with the Patrol Defense Office over Yiling Academy. So both sides take a step back; good for you, good for me. The end is quite satisfactory.

This topic was unappealing, and Yang Xiao was about to change the subject when Sheng Yanlin suddenly seized his wrist.

The abilities of the Wisdom Stick were activated, and Yang Xiao vaguely saw blood threads appearing at his chest, but just like an illusion, they disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Who was it that inflicted high-level curse technique on you recently?" Sheng Yanlin’s face darkened, urgently asking.

Yang Xiao had not had the chance to discuss this matter with Sheng Yanlin, but unexpectedly he saw through it.

By now, a good amount of time had passed since he had left Japan and returned home.

"It was... Li Lianyue." Yang Xiao withdrew his hand with a bitter smile. As he recalled the scene back then, he still felt a lingering fear.

"Half Compassion Purple Body Buddha?" Sheng Yanlin couldn’t help blurting out, with rare panic flashing in his eyes: "How... how did you get involved with her?"

Yang Xiao narrated to the elder Dean how he acquired the Wordless Heavenly Scripture, what he saw using it, how he succumbed to the curse technique, and finally how he fended off these formidable enemies.

These accounts surprised Sheng Yanlin, and when he heard that the Half Compassion Purple Body Buddha led four Netherworld Envoys following the internet trail to come over, even the well-experienced Sheng Yanlin couldn’t help but feel cold at the back of his head and sweat in his palms.

His gaze towards Yang Xiao had upgraded from initial level to admiration, and he couldn’t resist saying: "Yang Xiao, your fate is truly peculiar. Speaking of good fortune, you always end up entangled with these formidable characters, each more troublesome than the last. When it seems bleak, you... you always manage to turn misfortune into fortune, and not only survive, but you always seem to gain something."

"Last time was truly dangerous. Li Lianyue is a person of great character; she ranks as the second greatest demon under the Black Buddha Mother. She is among the top-level masters of curse techniques in this world. So many famous figures have died by her hand over the years. For you to survive her hand is no ordinary feat," Sheng Yanlin’s tone was filled with amazement.

"It wasn’t me; it was the Jiushan Cangxuan Clan Leader who saved me. The experts of the Ju Mountain Family joined forces to repel the Half Compassion Purple Body Buddha and her entourage."

Recalling the scene from back then, Yang Xiao still felt lingering fear. In a clash of five against five, at the Ju Mountain Family’s mansion, Jiushan Cangxuan not only repelled the second-ranked demon under the Black Buddha Mother but also killed two generals of the opposing side. Such formidable accomplishments were a testament to the Jiu Mountain Family’s power.