Chapter 534: The Headmaster’s Disciple

"Why is this happening? There must be some misunderstanding. Elder Yao, Elder Dong, are you two mistaken? How could Xuan Ye possibly mean harm to Gale Light Academy? And Xuan Ye, hurry up and explain what’s going on!"

As she watched the three men in a tense standoff, Dongfang Zisi spoke anxiously from the side.

"Since you refuse to cooperate, we’ll have to do this the hard way. Do you really think we have no other means just because you won’t talk?"

Elder Dong snorted. He looked at Xuan Ye, the young man he had once saved, and a flicker of sorrow crossed his eyes. But in the next instant, his expression hardened, and an invisible thread of Soul Power emanated from his gaze.

HUMMM!

An astonishing wave of Soul Power, at the peak of Sixth Grade, instantly assailed Ye Xuan’s mind.

"The Soul-Catching Skill. Are you trying to read my memories?"

Ye Xuan said coldly as an equally astonishing surge of Soul Power radiated from him, blocking the invasion of Elder Dong’s own.

"Sixth Grade Soul Power! How is this possible?"

Elder Dong shouted in shock, his eyes filled with utter disbelief. He was so agitated that his hands began to tremble.

On the Celestial Profound Continent, Soul Refiners and Alchemists were undoubtedly the two noblest professions.

And becoming a Soul Refiner was considered even more difficult than becoming an Alchemist.

The Sixth Grade Alchemist abilities Ye Xuan had previously displayed had already stunned Elder Yao and Elder Dong. But now, he was revealing Sixth Grade Soul Power, a feat even more staggering.

However, the more power Ye Xuan displayed, the deeper their suspicions grew.

’His talent is terrifying, and his skill in both Alchemy and Soul Refining is simply astounding. He’s definitely not someone our Dream Realm Plain could ever produce. He must be from a higher-level region, and there has to be an even greater power backing him.’

The thought that such a formidable power had planted a disciple in their Gale Light Academy filled the two elders with alarm and fury.

For a power of that magnitude to go to such lengths, their ambitions must be enormous.

’No, I absolutely cannot let their conspiracy succeed. I must find out this person’s true purpose for infiltrating Gale Light Academy.’

At this thought, Elder Dong’s resolve hardened.

"Do you think you can block my attempt to read your mind with merely Sixth Grade Soul Power?"

"Myriad Transformation Soul Source—Infiltrate Everything!"

With a sudden roar from Elder Dong, BOOM! The might of his Sixth Grade Soul Power skyrocketed, growing even more berserk. In an instant, the surging Soul Power became a tidal wave crashing violently into Ye Xuan’s mind.

Elder Dong’s Soul Power was at the peak of Sixth Grade, while Ye Xuan’s was only at the early-Sixth Grade. Boosted by his Soul Skill, the might of Elder Dong’s Soul Power surged, steadily forcing Ye Xuan’s back.

"Hmph. Formless Soul Skill—Impregnable Fortress!"

If Elder Dong had tried to suppress him with his Tier Seven Second Layer Profound Energy, Ye Xuan might have struggled. But to think he could overpower Ye Xuan with Soul Power... that was a grave miscalculation.

As the former Carefree Soul Emperor, if Ye Xuan couldn’t even withstand the pressure of Soul Power just two minor realms above his own, he would be unworthy of the title.

Inside Ye Xuan’s mind, his formless Soul Power instantly circulated, forming what felt like a shield that blocked Elder Dong’s assault. No matter how violently the elder’s power surged, Ye Xuan’s defense remained steadfast.

’How is this Xuan Ye’s strength so terrifying? And that Soul Skill of his... it can even block my Myriad Transformation Soul Source. This is unbelievable.’

Elder Dong’s expression was grim. Amplified by his Myriad Transformation Soul Source, his Soul Power had nearly reached the absolute zenith of the Sixth Grade, just a hair’s breadth from the Seventh Grade.

He had been certain that with such power, suppressing and reading the mind of an early-Sixth Grade practitioner would be effortless. But to his astonishment, he had made no progress at all.

’With such a terrifying Soul Skill, this person is definitely not from our Dream Realm Plain.’

’I have to find out where he comes from. The power behind a genius like this is something Gale Light Academy simply cannot afford to offend. If we wait until his backers arrive without even knowing who they are, Gale Light Academy will surely be destroyed in the near future.’

If they used their cultivation to suppress him, Ye Xuan wouldn’t be able to resist Elder Dong and Elder Yao at all. But Elder Dong didn’t want to kill Ye Xuan; he only wanted to read a part of his memories to learn his origins.

At this thought, Elder Dong steeled himself. His eyes suddenly turned blood-red, and a strange power began to emanate from his body, causing the very air around him to twist and distort.

Simultaneously, his Soul Power skyrocketed once more.

"Elder Dong, are you trying to get yourself killed?!"

Ye Xuan’s expression changed at the sight, and he shouted urgently.

Of course Ye Xuan recognized the Secret Technique Elder Dong was using. It was a forbidden art that endlessly overtaxed one’s potential to achieve another surge in Soul Power.

However, while this method could grant another explosive increase in Soul Power, the backlash was immense.

If his Soul Sea couldn’t withstand the strain, the best-case scenario was a collapse of his Soul Power, crippling him as a Soul Refiner. The worst-case scenario was his soul dispersing entirely—instant death.

"Elder Dong, what are you doing?"

Elder Yao, who was standing by, also noticed something was wrong with Elder Dong and grew tense.

Unfortunately, he knew nothing about Soul Refining and was powerless to intervene.

As for Dongfang Zisi, the terrifying pressure of the Soul Power prevented her from even getting near.

"Elder Dong, Xuan Ye won’t harm the academy, believe me! Stop!"

All she could do was shout repeatedly, trying to stop him.

"For the sake of Gale Light Academy, what does it matter if I, Dong Boson, must be sacrificed? No power will ever lay a hand on my Gale Light Academy!"

Elder Dong roared ferociously.

"Sigh."

Ye Xuan couldn’t help but sigh. Looking at Elder Dong, he said, "Why must you go this far?"

"You don’t understand. I, Dong Boson, am forever indebted to Headmaster Huangfu Xiuming. I will never allow Gale Light Academy, his legacy, to be destroyed."

Elder Dong said, gritting his teeth, his expression resolute.

"Just stop."

Ye Xuan shook his head and gave a wry smile. In an instant, his eyes flashed azure as he discreetly activated the Eye of Illusory Prohibition.

Simultaneously, the Soul Power in his mind began to circulate rapidly, transforming into what seemed like a starry sky to halt the surge of Elder Dong’s power.

"Star Derivation Divine Skill, this is the Star Derivation Divine Skill."

When Elder Dong felt the Soul Skill Ye Xuan was using, his frenzied state vanished, and he froze completely, his eyes filling with excitement.

His mouth hung slightly open, his face a mask of utter shock, as if he’d just seen a ghost.

"How do you know the Star Derivation Divine Skill?!"

He blurted out, his voice filled with agitation. The Soul Power coursing through him began to fluctuate wildly, suddenly becoming unstable.

"You’d better retract your Soul Power first."

Ye Xuan frowned. He had intended to use the Star Derivation Divine Skill to help Elder Dong rein in his power. He never expected the sight of it to make the elder so agitated, which only accelerated the collapse of his Soul Power.

If this continued, it wouldn’t be long before Elder Dong’s Soul Power collapsed completely, leaving him crippled.

At that thought, Ye Xuan immediately began to circulate his own Soul Power at full force.

"Star Derivation Divine Skill—Return to Nothingness!"

HUMMM!

Ye Xuan’s Soul Power, which had been as solid as a rock, suddenly grew pliable. It swiftly enveloped Elder Dong’s own Soul Power and began to neutralize its violent energy, counteracting the effects of the Secret Technique.

"Star Derivation Divine Skill, it really is the Star Derivation Divine Skill."

Elder Dong seemed completely stupefied. As Ye Xuan’s Soul Power worked to neutralize his, he remained utterly still, allowing Ye Xuan to do as he pleased.

Elder Yao, at the side, also had a stunned expression after hearing the name Star Derivation Divine Skill, then said with shocked excitement, "Star Derivation Divine Skill? Headmaster Huangfu Xiuming’s Star Derivation Divine Skill."

He looked Ye Xuan up and down, the suspicion in his eyes gradually disappearing, and muttered, "Could you be the disciple Headmaster Huangfu Xiuming took in the Profound Domain?"

Ye Xuan, who was busy stabilizing Elder Dong’s Soul Power, nearly stumbled. ’What? Since when am I Huangfu Xiuming’s disciple? If I remember correctly, Huangfu Xiuming begged to be my disciple, and I never even agreed!’

The moment Elder Yao spoke, Elder Dong’s expression grew even more agitated.

"That’s it, I understand now! Xuan Ye, you must be Headmaster Huangfu Xiuming’s disciple! Could it be you’re here to inspect the academy on the Headmaster’s behalf? Yes, that must be it! Besides Headmaster Huangfu Xiuming, who else in this world could possibly mentor such a genius?"

Elder Dong rambled on excitedly, his Soul Power continuing to fluctuate.

"Shut up! Rein in your Soul Power now! Are you trying to die?!"

Ye Xuan couldn’t help but curse out loud. Elder Dong was simply suicidal. To not retract his Soul Power at a time like this... if he continued, even Ye Xuan wouldn’t be able to guarantee his safety.

Unexpectedly, after being berated by Ye Xuan, Elder Dong immediately fell silent. He became as meek as a student who had done something wrong, a stark contrast to his earlier fury.

It took a great deal of effort, but Ye Xuan finally managed to calm Elder Dong’s rampaging Soul Power.

Ye Xuan let out a breath, wiping the cold sweat from his brow. If it weren’t for him, Elder Dong would most certainly not have survived that.

"Xuan Ye, no, Young Master Ye, how is Headmaster Huangfu Xiuming now?"

The moment his Soul Power stabilized, Elder Dong fixed Ye Xuan with an intensely eager gaze and asked excitedly.

"That’s right, did Headmaster Huangfu Xiuming send you to Gale Light Academy? When did he take a disciple like you? We never even knew," Elder Yao also chimed in from the side.

"I’m not his disciple..."

Ye Xuan was speechless. ’It would be more accurate to say he’s my disciple,’ he thought.

"Impossible! The Star Derivation Divine Skill is Headmaster Huangfu Xiuming’s unique, secret art. If you’re not his disciple, how could you know it?"

Elder Dong wore a look of disbelief. Then, as if a new thought struck him, his and Elder Yao’s eyes widened in alarm.

"Could it be... did something happen to Headmaster Huangfu Xiuming? Did you... take the Star Derivation Divine Skill from him?"

The dangerous glint that had just vanished from their eyes flared up once more. This time, a dense killing intent filled the entire refinement chamber, so cold it could almost freeze a person solid.

Ye Xuan sighed with a wry smile. It had taken so much effort to get them to calm down, only for them to get worked up again a moment later.