Chapter 504: The Academy’s Decision

Elder Dong was different from Qingfeng and the others; his status at the academy was revered. Cheng Guang had no choice but to soften his tone.

"This isn’t a question of compromise. It’s a matter of dignity," Elder Dong said coldly. "Our Gale Light Academy has stood on the Dream Realm Plain for over a thousand years. Even in our most desperate times, we have never done something like this. Who does the Profound Mystery Sect think they are? Are we supposed to hand over our own student just because they say so? That’s ridiculous."

Elder Dong’s voice was powerful and furious.

"That’s not what I meant. It’s just... dignity is ultimately useless, especially when compared to the academy’s safety. Insisting on saving face will only bring disaster to the academy. I am only thinking of what’s best for the academy!" Cheng Guang proclaimed, his face turning grim.

Elder Dong said icily, "Are you implying that I, Dong Boson, am willing to drag Gale Light Academy down just to save my own pride?"

"Of course that’s not what I meant." Cheng Guang’s face flushed as he waved his hands in dismissal.

"Enough. Say no more. You can’t possibly believe that the reason Duan Tianlang and his people were here today was simply to capture Xuan Ye, can you?"

Just then, Vice Director Ge spoke up, his voice low and his face incredibly grim.

"Vice Director Ge, what do you mean?"

Many of the instructors looked astonished. ’Duan Tianlang and his men didn’t come for Xuan Ye? How is that possible? If it wasn’t for him, why would they have started a massive fight right here at Gale Light Academy?’

Ge Puzi sneered. "What do I mean? Can’t you all see? The Profound Mystery Sect was deliberately looking for trouble this time. The incident with Xuan Ye was just their pretext. Even if Xuan Ye did kill one of their elders, so what?"

"The Profound Mystery Sect has numerous elders. Although Gale was one of them, he was merely a Tier Six Second Layer Martial Venerable. His most significant status was being the son of Crazy Battle. But even so, would the Profound Mystery Sect really dispatch an expert at the level of a Vice Sect Master to rampage through our academy, all for the son of a Supreme Elder?"

"As everyone knows, Gale Light Academy’s founding principle is to nurture the geniuses of the Dream Realm Plain. We never involve ourselves in our students’ personal disputes. Yet, for a single student, the Profound Mystery Sect is on the verge of declaring all-out war on our academy. Does that seem plausible to you?"

The crowd fell silent, their heads bowed in thought.

In truth, they had all felt that something was amiss. They had just been too caught up in their anger to think it through.

Over the years, Gale Light Academy had produced many powerful experts, including a considerable number at the Martial King Level.

While most of them became pillars of major powers, a few had also strayed onto paths of evil.

But no matter the circumstances, not a single power had ever dared to storm Gale Light Academy because of it.

"Perhaps Xuan Ye’s talent is simply too great, and the Profound Mystery Sect doesn’t want to allow him to mature?"

An instructor voiced this idea.

Vice Director Ge’s gaze was deep. "Is there a shortage of talented students at Gale Light Academy? No matter how gifted Xuan Ye is, right now he is only a Tier Five Martial Sect. To grow into a Tier Seven Martial King... even if his talent defies the heavens, it would be impossible in less than a decade."

"Besides, our students frequently leave the academy for training and experience. If the Profound Mystery Sect truly wanted to kill him before he became a threat, they would have plenty of opportunities in the future."

"An ordinary power might worry about the rise of a genius, that’s certainly possible. But given the Profound Mystery Sect’s status and strength, they wouldn’t bat an eye at an unproven genius, or even a fully established expert for that matter."

Vice Director Ge’s words made everyone’s gazes harden with focus.

"So the Profound Mystery Sect’s actions were truly deliberate? But what could their objective be? Gale Light Academy has no real connection to their sect, do we?"

Vice Director Ge shook his head. "That, I do not know. However, from this point forward, I want everyone to stop fixating on the student, Xuan Ye. Whether he caused this problem or not is irrelevant. The Profound Mystery Sect’s actions are tantamount to a declaration of war on Gale Light Academy. If their Sect Master, Tang Zhao, does not give us a satisfactory explanation in one month’s time, then they will learn that Gale Light Academy is not a place they can bully at will."

A cold light suddenly flashed in Vice Director Ge’s eyes.

"Over the next month, I expect all of you to get into prime condition. I have a feeling that the days ahead for Gale Light Academy will be anything but peaceful."

’Since Duan Tianlang and his men from the Profound Mystery Sect dared to act so brazenly within the academy, their goal must be more than simply to humiliate Gale Light Academy.’ Ge Puzi had every reason to believe the Profound Mystery Sect would attack them again.

"Vice Director Ge, what about the inner court assessment?"

Lu Jun asked from the crowd below.

The inner court assessment had already entered its final round. All that remained was the last martial selection to determine which students would join the inner court this year.

"The inner court is a crucial part of Gale Light Academy. Therefore, the answer is simple: we proceed as planned," Ge Puzi said plainly.

"Vice Director Ge, if the Profound Mystery Sect is truly plotting against Gale Light Academy, shouldn’t we ask Director Huangfu Xiuming to return?" an instructor suddenly asked.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly grew heavy.

Director Huangfu Xiuming. To the instructors of Gale Light Academy, that name belonged to a figure who was practically a god.

A century ago, Gale Light Academy had been in decline, nearly to the point of being stripped of its title as one of the three great powers. At that critical juncture, it was the appearance of Director Huangfu Xiuming that single-handedly returned the faltering academy to its former glory.

But for the past several decades, Director Huangfu Xiuming had been traveling the world, returning only occasionally and for very brief stays.

And for the last ten years, the instructors of Gale Light Academy had heard virtually no news of him at all.

In the entire academy, only a vice director like Ge Puzi was qualified to contact Director Huangfu Xiuming.

"I will handle this matter. All of you just need to focus on your cultivation," Ge Puzi said, waving his hand dismissively and saying no more.

Soon, the meeting dispersed, and everyone went about their business.

"Vice Director Ge, the Profound Mystery Sect’s actions are truly strange. If they really are up to something, I think it’s imperative we inform Director Huangfu Xiuming."

After the meeting, Elder Dong and Elder Yao approached Vice Director Ge, their voices grave.

As one of the three great powers of the Dream Realm Plain, the Profound Mystery Sect’s foundation ran deep, a fact that was not lost on Elder Dong and the others.

Furthermore, the fact that the Profound Mystery Sect’s Vice Sect Master, Duan Tianlang, was carrying so many Imperial Soldiers made them feel a faint sense of impending crisis.

"I understand. I’ll figure something out," Vice Director Ge nodded.

"Then we’ll take our leave." Elder Dong and Elder Yao said no more. They trusted that Vice Director Ge had his reasons.

Watching the retreating figures of Elder Dong and Elder Yao, a faint look of worry crept onto Vice Director Ge’s face.

He shook his head, then turned and left, his mind heavy with unresolved concerns.

「After the incident at Gale Light Academy.」

In the days that followed, all of Gale Light City watched Gale Light Academy, waiting to see what it would do.

To everyone’s confusion, Gale Light Academy fell silent, acting as if nothing had happened at all.

Even so, people could feel a surging undercurrent. Those more perceptive noticed that the atmosphere throughout Gale Light City had become strangely tense.

But within Gale Light Academy itself, all was calm.

’It seems Gale Light Academy has no intention of abandoning me for now.’

Ye Xuan waited in his dormitory until the next day. When still no one came for him, he immediately understood the academy’s decision.

If the academy intended to abandon him, things would certainly not be this quiet.

’In that case, my next step is to break through to Tier Six and enter the Martial Venerable Realm as quickly as possible.’

A cold light flashed in Ye Xuan’s eyes.

He had only just broken through to the Third Layer of Tier Five. His original plan was to build up his foundation for a while before attempting to break through to Tier Six Martial Venerable.

He knew full well that the more solid a Martial Artist’s foundation, the greater their future accomplishments would be.

But now, that was clearly no longer an option.

The Profound Mystery Sect’s aggressive posture made it clear they would not rest until he was dead.

They were even willing to make a move openly at Gale Light Academy. Regardless of their true objective, Ye Xuan knew he couldn’t let things continue as they were.

’Right now, at the Third Layer of Tier Five, I’m strong enough to hold my own against a First Layer Tier Seven Martial King like Crazy Battle for a while. But if I were to face a Third Layer Tier Seven Martial King like Duan Tianlang, I’d probably be killed in an instant.’

Ye Xuan was well aware of the difference between a Third Layer Tier Seven Martial King and a First Layer Tier Seven Martial King. They were on completely different levels.

To put it simply, if he faced Crazy Battle and wanted to escape, he was fully confident he could get away using the Void-treading Feather.

But against Duan Tianlang, that would be impossible.

’If I break through to the Tier Six Martial Venerable Realm, things will be different. My strength will take a massive leap forward. Even if I can’t defeat the Profound Mystery Sect’s experts, I’ll at least have the power to protect myself.’

Once he became a Martial Venerable, the strength and concentration of the Profound Power in his body would increase dramatically. The speed of his Void-treading Feather would then reach an entirely new level.

Having made up his mind, Ye Xuan immediately began analyzing how he could break through to the Tier Six Martial Venerable Realm.

’To get from the Third Layer of Tier Five to Tier Six Martial Venerable as quickly as possible, I can’t rely on my own power alone. I’ll need some external help.’

Ye Xuan mused, and images of various pills quickly surfaced in his mind.

’A Fifth Grade Venerable-breaking Pill can increase the chance of a Third Layer Tier Five Martial Sect breaking through to Tier Six Martial Venerable by thirty percent. The only catch is that the Martial Artist must have been at the Third Layer of Tier Five for a considerable amount of time. That clearly rules me out.’