The Four Great Academies Were Forced to Accept the Challenge

He paused, then said each word distinctly, "Snow Spirit Province is not the exclusive domain of your four academies. There are dozens of other advanced spirit master academies here. Today, we speak for all of them. This represents the attitude of most soul masters in Xue Xing Province."

"I came today merely to offer you some advice. Accept the challenge, and if you lose, leave Snow Spirit City. Refuse..."

He left the rest unsaid, but his icy gaze said it all.

If they refused, Spirit Hall would join forces with the other advanced spirit master academies to suppress the Four Great Academies with everything they had.

When that happened, simply leaving Snow Spirit City would no longer be enough.

Shui Yuntian's expression darkened considerably.

Behind him, the board members of the other three academies stepped forward, their faces grave.

"Headmaster Shui, this..."

"Spirit Hall is trying to drive us out—or force us to join them."

"Damn them!"

Shui Yuntian raised a hand to silence their discussion. Looking at Salatos, he asked gravely, "Bishop Salatos, aren't you afraid this will provoke public outrage?"

Salatos laughed.

"Public outrage?" he said softly. "You think far too highly of yourselves, Headmaster Shui. In Snow Spirit Province's spirit master world, which academy doesn't resent your Four Great Academies? You monopolize the best students, the best resources, and the best teachers. The other academies can only scrape up the crumbs you leave behind."

He looked around, raising his voice. "These dozen or so headmasters came here of their own accord today. They merely want to secure an opportunity for their students—a chance to prove themselves. I am merely..."

He turned to Shui Yuntian, a cold smile curling his lips. "Merely giving them my support."

The atmosphere in the square grew utterly tense.

The students of the