Meeting with Tai Cang Dean

Three days later, outside Northern Azure Spiritual Academy.

Three streaks of light crossed the sky and descended into a gigantic city called Northern Azure City.

Northern Azure City stood at the boundary between the inner and outer regions of Northern Azure Spiritual Academy. It was extremely famous throughout the Northern Azure Continent, serving as the academy's first line of defense beyond its grounds and as a commercial district where countless factions traded with Northern Azure Spiritual Academy.

The streaks of light descended into the city and transformed into two men and one woman. They were Lu Chen, Mu Chen, and Luo Li, who had come from White Dragon Hill.

White Dragon Hill was located in the central region of the Northern Azure Continent, and Northern Azure Spiritual Academy likewise sat at the heart of the continent, so the distance between them was not great. They could arrive in just a few days.

After arriving at Northern Azure City, Lu Chen looked up toward Northern Azure Spiritual Academy within the city. High in the sky, the fluctuations of worldly spiritual energy were somewhat peculiar. Clouds churned, and within them, he could vaguely sense strange ripples—the fluctuations of a spirit array.

Those spirit array fluctuations were as vast as the sea, obscure and incomparably complex. At a single glance, Lu Chen's expression changed. Even the spiritual energy within his body showed signs of stirring, and he hurriedly suppressed it.

"At the very least, it's a Heaven Grade Grand Array. As expected of Northern Azure Spiritual Academy, the oldest of the Five Great Academies."

Lu Chen's eyes narrowed, and his appraisal of Northern Azure Spiritual Academy rose another level.

"Lu Ge, we'll go in first. Wait here a moment, all right? I'll go ask Array Spirit Lord and see if I can get you an Academy Pass. Only with that can you enter Northern Azure Spiritual Academy."

Mu Chen scratched his head and spoke with utter sincerity.

"There's no need. I'll simply wait for your dean here."

"This is a token from my faction, the Da Luo Territory. It represents my identity. Take it to your academy's higher-ups. You're merely a student, after all, and your words carry little weight. With this token, your academy should believe what you say."

As he spoke, Lu Chen took out the Great Lo Token engraved with his name and infused it with a wisp of his Sovereign aura to make it more credible.

Then, he handed the token to Mu Chen.

"Northern Azure Spirit Array is one of the Five Great Academies of the Great Thousand World. Its connections are widespread and its intelligence network is well-informed, so I'm sure you'll be able to verify my identity soon. I'll wait at the city gate for your good news."

Lu Chen smiled and waved farewell to the two of them.

Afterward, he found a tea stall by the city gate and sat down.

A short while later,

Lu Chen sat at the tea stall, tasting the Spirit Tea he had just bought. The tea had a light fragrance and an amber hue, its aroma wafting through the air. Its presentation was excellent.

However, the spiritual energy it contained was far too thin. After taking a few sips, Lu Chen lost interest and quietly listened to the conversations around him.

"Have you heard? The spiritual treasury left behind by the White Dragon Sovereign hundreds of years ago was discovered at White Dragon Hill recently!"

"Of course. Who doesn't know about that? The mercenary groups in Northern Azure City have gone mad rushing over there lately. They don't even stop to think—this is a legendary Sovereign Spiritual Treasury. How could a pack of hyenas like them dare covet it..."

"Ah, who knows? I heard that a Sovereign senior took away the item needed to open the spiritual treasury. Several days have already passed, yet there's still no sign of it opening. Who knows what he's planning..."

"Hmph, perhaps he simply doesn't dare open it. I heard that several hundred years ago, the White Dragon Sovereign was one of the two palace masters of the Dragon Demon Palace. Later, for some unknown reason, he fell out with the Black Dragon Sovereign, defected from the Dragon Demon Palace, and even took away the Dragon Demon Palace's treasured artifact—the Great Sumeru Demon Pillar..."

"Gasp, does that mean the White Dragon Spiritual Treasury might contain the Dragon Demon Palace's treasured artifact?"

"That is indeed possible. It is said that if they hadn't lost that item back then, the outcome of the battle between the Dragon Demon Palace and Northern Azure Spiritual Academy would still have been uncertain..."

"Young friend, you seem to be in quite the mood."

Just as Lu Chen quietly listened to the idle chatter around him, an aged voice suddenly appeared in his mind.

Lu Chen's vision blurred, and a white-robed old man appeared before him. His hair and beard were both white, his expression calm, while a faint gleam flickered in his placid eyes.

The moment this man appeared, Lu Chen felt an oppressive force spreading from the depths of his heart.

Lu Chen looked around and saw that the people nearby continued chatting as usual, completely unaware of the man's presence.

He immediately understood. Cupping his hands, he respectfully said to the white-robed elder, "Lu Chen, commander of the Nine Nether Palace of the Da Luo Territory, greets Tai Cang Dean."

The white-robed elder nodded and did not deny the title. Clearly, he was the current dean of Northern Azure Spiritual Academy, a peak Fifth Grade Sovereign expert—Tai Cang!

"I already know of the matter you mentioned. I have also heard of the Da Luo Territory. One of the top factions in the Northern Region of Tianluo Continent, a major power with an Earthly Supreme overseeing it, and its reputation is not bad either. I doubt it would deceive an old man like me."

"However, there is one matter I do not understand. Could young friend clear up this old man's confusion?"

Tai Cang stroked his beard and asked with a smile.

"Please speak, Senior."

Lu Chen nodded, his expression turning serious.

"Young friend went to such lengths, laying a trap to hunt several Sovereigns of the Dragon Demon Palace, all to exchange for that little bit of Sovereign Spiritual Liquid from my Northern Azure Spiritual Academy?"

"Or do you seek something else?"

Tai Cang lifted the teapot, poured himself a cup of clear tea, and spoke unhurriedly.

Lu Chen smiled. "I couldn't hide it from the dean after all. My actions were indeed not solely for the Sovereign Spiritual Liquid. I also hope to have Northern Azure Spiritual Academy owe me a favor and help me with a small matter."

After all, using merely a little Sovereign Spiritual Liquid to hire a Sovereign to hunt Sovereigns of the same rank was far too cheap a price.

If it had been possible, Northern Azure Spiritual Academy would have long since used the wealth it had accumulated over the years to eradicate the Dragon Demon Palace completely. They would not have allowed it to wreak havoc for so many years.

"Help? What sort of matter is it that even a faction like the Da Luo Territory, with an Earthly Supreme overseeing it, cannot accomplish, forcing young friend to come to Northern Azure Spiritual Academy?"

Tai Cang raised his brows and laughed.

"This matter truly cannot be done without Northern Azure Spiritual Academy."

Lu Chen smiled as well.

"Oh? Then young friend may as well explain in detail. What exactly is it?"

Tai Cang stroked his beard, his expression calm.

"With Senior's cultivation, you must have noticed that I have yet to cultivate a Supreme Sovereign Celestial Body."

"It is not that I am unwilling, but that I cannot."

"I heard that Northern Azure Spiritual Academy possesses an ancient treasure known as the Mirror of Judgment. It can reflect the Great Thousand World and illuminate countless lower planes. Whether searching for a person or an object, it is unparalleled."

"What I seek is to borrow the Mirror of Judgment to locate the two treasures I need to forge my Supreme Sovereign Celestial Body."

Lu Chen explained slowly.

"So that's how it is..."

Tai Cang nodded slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Young friend's request is not excessive. I agree to it. However, the Mirror of Judgment is jointly controlled by the Five Great Academies, so it is not for me alone to decide. This old man must discuss it with the deans of the other academies first."

"But young friend need not worry. Our Five Great Academies have always stood together, so I believe they will agree."

Hearing this, Lu Chen smiled and nodded. "Then I'll have to trouble Senior."