A War of Words

Back then, the Ten Core Competitiveness Theory proposed by Grandmaster had, to a certain extent, summarized the patterns governing spirits.

However, since these theories could not directly increase one's strength, and Grandmaster himself was rather weak, many people dismissed them with scorn.

Still, the major powers of the Spirit World basically understood that the Ten Core Competitiveness Theory held a certain value, and that Yu Xiaogang was a talented man.

It was simply because he came from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan that no one dared set their sights on him.

Now, another academic grandmaster had emerged out of nowhere, and this academic grandmaster's work was all solid substance. Thus, the powers present were stirred into action and came here to see what was going on.

They had actually suspected a connection between Chen Feng and Sword Douluo Chen Xin, but since everyone knew that the Seven Kill Sword was passed down through a single line, they still decided to come and try their luck.

What if this Grandmaster Chen Feng had no backing? Wouldn't that give them an opportunity?

Yet they never expected to find Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin blocking the school gates the moment they arrived, filling everyone present with an ominous sense of foreboding.

Just as Yu Luomian voiced the doubt in his heart, Gui Mei spoke in a mocking tone.

"Hmph, everyone knows that Sword Douluo's lineage is passed down through a single line. Don't tell me Sword Douluo thinks that just because this Grandmaster Chen Feng is surnamed Chen, he should belong entirely to your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Ning Fengzhi revealed a faint smile. "As it happens, Grandmaster Chen Feng is indeed Uncle Sword's blood relative."

"Really? I don't believe it," Gui Mei said coldly.

"Whether you believe it is your business. Do you expect me to prove it to you?" Chen Xin said blandly.

He played the bad cop, while Ning Fengzhi smiled and smoothed things over. "Everyone should know that Grandmaster Chen Feng's research mainly falls within the realm of Biological Spirits, while our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect possesses Tool Spirits. We actually have no need to involve ourselves in this matter. We only had no choice but to come because Grandmaster Chen Feng truly is Sword Douluo's blood relative."

Among the crowd, Tai Tan, the Power Clan's patriarch, sighed and was the first to turn and leave.

He had known from the moment he arrived that his chances were slim, because every force present was stronger than his own.

Their Li Yu Min Three Clans had merely once been subordinate to the Clear Sky Sect. Even their strongest members, the clan leaders, were only Spirit Douluo level. They normally did not even have opportunities to speak on equal terms with forces like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. It was best not to get involved in something like this.

Once he left, the leaders of the Defense and Agility Clans followed close behind. They all understood that this was no longer something they had the ability to participate in.

Other forces that considered themselves insufficiently strong also gradually withdrew, including the Four Great Elemental Academies.

Chen Feng's thesis was like a morning bell and evening drum to the Four Great Elemental Academies, giving them tremendous inspiration.

They regarded the Foundation Building Method as a classic and required all students to cultivate according to it. They believed that the Foundation Building Method would surely take the Four Great Elemental Academies to greater heights.

However, compared to a thesis, the Four Great Elemental Academies naturally wanted to invite Chen Feng himself back with them even more.

But judging by the current situation, that likely would not go as they wished.

After some forces had withdrawn, those remaining were the Star Luo Empire's royal family, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Dugu Bo, Gui Mei, and Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, who were serving as gatekeepers.

"It seems you all still have some ideas," Ning Fengzhi said, adjusting his glasses.

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is a sect, while our Star Luo Royal Academy is an academy. I believe we do not truly have any conflict," the Star Luo Senior Steward said. "In fact, we are acquainted with Grandmaster Chen Feng."

"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi raised his brows.

The Senior Steward stepped aside, revealing Dai Mubai behind him. "This is the Third Prince of our Star Luo Empire. He is well acquainted with Grandmaster Chen Feng. Grandmaster Chen Feng's submission to our Star Luo Empire was also made through a letter to the Third Prince."

"I see." Ning Fengzhi nodded, already half convinced.

Because he had never mentioned Chen Feng's age, referring to him only as Grandmaster Chen Feng, those unaware of the truth would assume that Chen Feng was at least middle-aged. In any case, they certainly would not guess that he was a child.

Yet the Star Luo Empire claimed that their Third Prince was acquainted with Chen Feng, which meant that the Star Luo Empire at least knew Chen Feng's age.

If the matter of the letter was true, then there was a strong possibility that they really were acquainted.

"Since they are acquaintances, then naturally they should be treated as acquaintances." Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Why not let the Third Prince go inside and catch up with Grandmaster Chen Feng?"

The Senior Steward frowned, but Dai Mubai eagerly answered, "Sure!" before charging directly through the school gates. The Senior Steward could not stop him even if he wanted to.

Ning Fengzhi then turned his gaze toward Gui Mei. "Ghost Douluo, may I ask what brings you here?"

Gui Mei said in a deep voice:

"His Holiness the Pope has ordered that Grandmaster Chen Feng be invited to teach at Spirit Hall."

"Hmph, Spirit Hall truly is domineering. Whenever you see talent, you try to pull them over to your side," the Star Luo Senior Steward snorted.

Since the Third Prince had already gone inside to catch up with Grandmaster Chen Feng, he naturally had to stand with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. After all, His Majesty's order had been to build goodwill, not hostility.

Besides, he had never liked Spirit Hall in the first place.

"This is His Holiness the Pope's order. Do you have an objection?" Gui Mei asked coldly.

"I wouldn't dare. I simply think that some things are best when both sides are willing. A forcibly twisted melon is never sweet," the Senior Steward shot back.

Gui Mei frowned. He felt that the task the Pope had given him would probably be impossible to complete.

Setting aside Chen Xin, who stood there like a door god, neither the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan nor the Star Luo Empire was easy to provoke. Not to mention that Dugu Bo had been silently standing to one side the entire time, making it impossible to tell what his stance was.

As Gui Mei pondered a solution, he suddenly remembered that the Pope had mentioned someone else while giving him his instructions.

He asked Ning Fengzhi:

"Is Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang also here?"

Yu Luomian also looked over, clearly caring greatly about this question.

"Indeed. Grandmaster is serving as a guest advisor at this academy," Ning Fengzhi said.

"Then what is the relationship between Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang and Grandmaster Chen Feng?" Gui Mei pressed.

"They are friends. He was the one who helped Grandmaster Chen Feng submit this thesis," Ning Fengzhi replied without hesitation.

Gui Mei fell silent for several seconds, then nodded. "In that case, farewell."

With that, his figure swiftly vanished.

He was leaving just like that? Ning Fengzhi was somewhat puzzled.

What he had not expected was that Yu Luomian would also bid farewell and leave with his people.

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat bewildered. They could only vaguely guess that it might have something to do with Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang.

After Gui Mei and Yu Luomian left, aside from the Star Luo Empire and Ning Fengzhi's side, only Dugu Bo remained. He had not uttered a word the entire time.

"Poison Douluo, may I ask what your purpose is in coming here?" Ning Fengzhi asked with a smile.