"Hmph, Overlord Academy does not accept trash. A short-lived wretch with only two years left to live—what right does he have to enter Overlord Academy?"
Li Manxiong's expression changed instantly as he sneered.
"Zhenkun Academy will not accept him either!"
"Neither will Profound Yellow Academy!"
"A Heaven-Jealous One is far too unlucky. Southern Mausoleum Academy does not want him!"
In just a few moments, the attitudes of the five great academies' representatives, who had previously been incomparably enthusiastic toward Xiao Chen, underwent a heaven-and-earth reversal. Their initial warmth had turned into icy indifference!
"Zhenbei King, given your son's current condition, I fear he does not have much time left. You should hurry and take him home, so he can finish walking the final stretch of his life!"
Zhang Qitian looked at Xiao Zhentian and softly advised him.
His tone was fairly mild, unlike the strange, sarcastic manner of the other academy representatives.
He had always felt that something was amiss. From what he had seen earlier, the Martial Spirit Mirror's verdict clearly had a second half. Yet the moment it reached the word "but," the Martial Spirit Mirror lost its reaction. That completely defied reason.
If the Heavenly Dao had not been so terrifying, and if there had not been a precedent throughout history of Heaven-Jealous Ones never living past twenty, he might even have considered taking Xiao Chen in.
"This..."
Xiao Zhentian hesitated. Xiao Chen was his son, after all; it was impossible for him not to care at all. But a Heaven-Jealous One would affect the Lineage's fortune.
If he brought Xiao Chen back to Zhenbei King Manor now, not only would Zhenbei King Manor's reputation suffer, even Xiao Lingtian's martial fortune would be affected.
"Father, Xiao Chen is a Heaven-Jealous One—a jinx, a bringer of bad luck! You absolutely cannot let him return to Zhenbei King Manor!"
Xiao Lingtian hurriedly shouted.
"Chen'er, why don't you find somewhere outside to settle down for now? Your father and I will visit you whenever we have time!"
Seeing how strongly her younger son resisted her eldest son, Wen Wanrong hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
Xiao Chen frowned. Zhang Qitian had fucking said he was about to die, yet Wen Wanrong still wanted him to live outside?
How was that any different from treating him like a stray dog with no home?
"Xiao Zhentian, Wen Wanrong, don't worry. I have already severed my ties with Zhenbei King Manor. I will not cling to you!"
Xiao Chen sneered.
"Chen'er, that is not what Mother meant. It is just that your younger brother..."
"Wen Wanrong, have some shame. I do not have a mother! I only have two years left to live, and you still want me to live outside? Just because that little beast Xiao Lingtian cannot tolerate me? When have you ever had a son like me in your eyes?"
Before Wen Wanrong could explain further, Xiao Chen turned and walked straight toward Chou Wantian of Sword Immortal Academy.
He looked at Chou Wantian before him—his hair disheveled, reeking of alcohol, dressed in tattered rags—and said, "Senior, I wish to join Sword Immortal Academy and restore its former glory. Do you dare accept me?"
Chou Wantian was stunned. He had not expected Xiao Chen to want to join Sword Immortal Academy.
Sword Immortal Academy was now stripped bare, with four walls and nothing within. What was Xiao Chen after?
The people present were all dumbfounded when they saw this!
Xiao Chen actually wanted to join Sword Immortal Academy? Its Sword Spirit Stone had already been destroyed, its Sword Dao inheritance severed—what was he going there for?
A hundred years ago, Sword Immortal Academy had still been a giant that shook the world, possessing three thousand Sword Immortals. But during a massive Demon Race offensive, Sword Immortal Academy had fought desperately to protect the Human Race's sacred flame.
In the end, its elites were utterly wiped out before they managed to repel the Demon Race. Before leaving, the Demon Race had even destroyed Sword Immortal Academy's Sword Spirit Stone to vent their hatred.
From then on, Sword Immortal Academy fell with a thunderous crash.
The Sword Dao inheritance of the human world was nearly extinguished.
Though sword cultivators still existed now, no one could ever again recreate the invincible might of the Sword Dao from those days. Fewer and fewer people chose to cultivate the sword as well.
Chou Wantian tilted his head back and took a gulp of wine. "Sword Immortal Academy has slain countless demons and is hated to the bone by the Demon Race. If you join Sword Immortal Academy, you will face the Demon Race's endless pursuit. Are you afraid?"
Xiao Chen frowned upon hearing this. There was that too?
He had only fucking wanted to get some rewards, yet he would have to be hunted by the Demon Race as well?
But things had already come to this. He had no other choice, so he could only grit his teeth and say, "The Demon Race slaughters my compatriots. Every son of Great Xia should slay demons and exorcise evil, protecting the Human Race's sacred flame. What have I to fear?"
"Damn, he really knows how to brag. A piece of trash like him wants to kill demons? He would probably piss himself the moment he saw one!"
"A cripple and a crippled academy—an absolute match! Sword Immortal Academy's people have nearly been wiped out by the Demon Race over the years! Restore its glory? Xiao Chen probably has no idea what impossible fantasy he is spouting!"
"Sigh, he does not even have two years left to live. What is wrong with letting him enjoy talking big?"
A wave of discussion immediately rose from the crowd.
Chou Wantian gave Xiao Chen a deep look. "Sword Immortal Academy has thirteen immortal swords that were seized by the Demon Race. Can you bring them back?"
The moment Xiao Chen heard that, he was overjoyed.
There were even immortal swords to claim?
He hurriedly nodded. "I can."
Chou Wantian stared at Xiao Chen for a long time before slowly nodding. "From this moment onward, you are a student of Sword Immortal Academy! Come back to Sword Immortal Academy with me!"
Xiao Chen nodded. "Alright!"
Just as the two were about to leave, Xiao Lingtian suddenly sneered from the side. "Sword Immortal Academy really is trash. It even accepts a piece of trash that none of the five great academies wanted! Could it be some kind of trash collection station?"
Chou Wantian's body abruptly froze. He suddenly turned to look at Xiao Lingtian, and two fierce streams of Sword Qi shot from his eyes. Terrifying sword intent tore through space, reducing the void inch by inch to nothingness.
Everyone present felt an incomparably sharp edge, like a divine sword leaving its sheath—unstoppable and invincible!
Watching the Sword Qi fly toward him like arrows, Xiao Lingtian's legs went weak. He collapsed straight onto the ground, his eyes filled with boundless horror.
Hadn't the Sword Dao declined?
Why did this old man possess such terrifying might with merely a glare?
"Lingtian, be careful!"
Xiao Zhentian's face changed drastically. He flashed in front of Xiao Lingtian, then threw a punch at the Sword Qi. A domineering and terrifying fist intent swept outward, while the force of his punch stirred rolling peals of thunder.
The Sword Qi and fist intent collided violently, setting off a terrifying ripple of energy that rapidly spread in all directions.
Xiao Chen was enveloped by the sword intent released by Chou Wantian and was not affected. But quite a few unlucky people standing too close were directly thrown through the air, smashing heavily into the ground and coughing up blood.
In the blink of an eye, Xiao Zhentian's punch scattered the Sword Qi, but blood also dripped from his hand.
Some of the more observant people present were instantly struck dumb when they saw this!
The Zhenbei King was injured?
How was that possible?
He was one of Great Xia's ten Martial Kings!
Xiao Zhentian also looked at Chou Wantian opposite him in shock, his heart churning like stormy seas!
This old man, who looked like a beggar, actually possessed cultivation at such a terrifying level!
A casual strike had actually injured him!
One had to know that throughout Barren North Province, there were only a few people who could injure him.
People said Sword Immortal Academy had already declined, but it seemed that was not entirely true.
Chou Wantian glanced at Xiao Lingtian and said coldly, "Boy, if I hear you insult Sword Immortal Academy again, I will certainly kill you. Not even the Zhenbei King will be able to protect you!"
With that, Chou Wantian led Xiao Chen away, drifting off like the wind.
Throughout the entire process, Xiao Lingtian trembled like a leaf and did not even dare breathe loudly. Only after Chou Wantian had gone far away did he say with a face full of unwillingness, "Father, why did you not stop that old man? He nearly killed me!"
Before you continue