A Ruthless Man

Medium to long chapter; it's been a long time since I've used those words.

"I've gained a lot. The immortal Immortal Master was very kind to me, we drank and chatted, he gave me books and lectured on scriptures..." Wang Xuan looked like he had gained a lot.

Then he noticed that the people around him had changed their expressions.

Is that all there is to it, freshmen and freshmen alike?

However, when they smelled it, Wang Xuan did indeed have a faint aroma of wine, and their expressions immediately became incredibly interesting.

Wang Xuan had a small drink with Zou Ping, and then went to the Heavenly Demon Vermilion Bird's house for a wedding feast. Because it was a rare and fine wine, he didn't want to refine it, so he returned home.

"This..." Even the senior students were filled with envy and jealousy. He actually drank with a powerful figure who Ascension to Immortality? They had performed grand rites and kowtowed directly.

Wang Xuan could tell what was going on just by looking at them. He decided not to mention the captured Falling Immortal Bow for the time being, so as not to provoke them.

Whoosh!

The Flying Boat burst out of the glowing Ascension Cliff and came to the outside world. Due to its excessive speed, it slightly collided with a flying vehicle in the sky. Immediately, someone reached out a large hand and grabbed the old man who was piloting the boat.

"Are you blind? You're just barging around like a madman. If you damage my Sky Piercer Shuttle, can you afford to pay for it?" A very burly young man with short black hair and dark skin spoke up. He had a terrible temper and almost threw the senior student away.

"What are you looking at?" With that, he slapped the divine ape Qi Sheng on the head again, because Qi Sheng was glaring at him.

"I f***ing..." Qi Sheng exploded on the spot. As the grandson of the Ancient Divine Ape, he also had a very powerful background and could be considered a descendant of a living true immortal.

As a result, Mo Lin, an older student who was almost thrown away, grabbed him and covered his mouth.

Only after the Sky Piercer Shuttle gone far away and the dark-skinned, strong man had disappeared did the senior student Mo Lin breathe a sigh of relief and say, "Do you know who he is? Hong Teng from the Upper Academy, one of the most talented students in our class. He has already ascended to immortality but is still lingering in the mortal world. There are not many people who can afford to offend him."

Qi Sheng was quite surprised to hear this, but he was still somewhat indignant. Someone raised their hand and slapped him on the back of the head, just as severely as if someone had touched his monkey's butt.

"This is nothing. You can think of it this way: on a certain day in a certain year, Hong Teng and I fought on the Ascension Cliff and fought our way into the sky." The old man Mo Lin advised him like this, and he himself laughed and said, "I'm not exaggerating, am I? All the elements are correct. I can brag about this for a lifetime."

Everyone laughed except for Qi Sheng, and in the end Qi Sheng couldn't hold back either.

"Be content. Hong Teng was very restrained. Otherwise, as an immortal, he could have easily slapped someone's head off," Hu Mingli said.

The new students had a profound experience. There was a huge gap in strength between the upper and lower academies. Some of the geniuses in the Upper Academy had been immortals for many years. Here, strength was the most important thing.

"If a conflict breaks out at the academy, won't the academy take responsibility?" Wang Xuan asked, not because he was tempted to start a fight, but because he wanted to understand the general boundaries.

Mo Lin cautioned, "Don't ruin someone's foundation, just don't go too far. Once it involves life and death, you can only go to the Bloody Arena. Otherwise, if someone dares to use underhanded tactics to kill someone, the Dean won't care about your background and can uproot all the forces behind you."

The new student nodded, indicating that he understood.

"We must rely on ourselves for everything. The Dean and the senior members of the academy have all established their cave dwellings in the chaos of the outer heavens. Unless there is a major event, they will not descend upon us."

This statement surprised several freshmen.

Wang Xuan understood even better that Dean Yuan Shidao could enter and leave the Realm of the True Immortal Realm and the worlds where Heavenly-level beings ascended as if walking on flat ground, which was terrifying.

When he learned that such a person did not reside in the academy, he felt it was all for the best.

"My... Thunderfire Tribulation has arrived." Wang Xuan said, feeling that he should make the most of his "buried" genius attributes as soon as possible.

He practiced the Six Tribulations of Thunder and Fire in order to reasonably reveal his talent and the reason why he could become so powerful without going too far.

Otherwise, the Six Tribulations of Thunder and Fire wouldn't be that significant for him; it's estimated that the last two tribulations would allow him to improve.

At the same time, he was also testing the waters during this tribulation to see if there were any old monsters in the academy who could detect his abnormality. If there really was a Separation Spectrum, he would run away as soon as possible.

He had awakened the Dao Control Banner, which was now prepared for counter-detection.

Su Tong's expression changed, and he brought up the old matter again, sighing, "Brother Qin, you've transcended your tribulation so quickly. You should find a Daoist partner as soon as possible, as I mentioned to you. It's time to make arrangements and leave a descendant."

He had a good relationship with Ling Xuan and Wang Xuan, and was quite worried.

The Flying Boat was just outside the Ascension Cliff, so Wang Xuan naturally climbed the cliff. The great calamity of thunder and fire immediately engulfed him, with crimson thunder and fire and terrifying lightning, creating a tremendous spectacle.

Mo Lin sighed, "He practiced the Six Tribulations of Thunder Fire Method? This brother is ruthless. People who follow this path are obviously aiming for the Nine Transformations of Ascension in the academy. Those who master it are naturally Niu Ben and awe-inspiring, but most people die while practicing it. Over many years, many classes of students might not even have one person who can master it and reach the ninth transformation."

"How many tribulations is this?" Hu Mingli asked.

"It's the third tribulation," Ling Xuan told her after understanding the situation.

"Not bad. The Six Tribulations of Thunder and Fire are very difficult. He is undergoing his third tribulation, and it seems that he has not yet reached his limit. Perhaps he can use this to continuously improve his aptitude and eventually undergo a great rebirth, transforming from a snake into a dragon, and finally entering the Upper Academy."

Hu Mingli said that although the consequences of failure are cruel, this strange practice is indeed a remarkable scripture that can change a person's constitution and spirit.

"Someone Ascension to Immortality today. Which junior brother or Junior Sister is it?" Someone flew over. It was a woman wearing Mechanical Armor and cold metal wings. Even her long legs and small feet were covered in active metal. She must be very strong in the academy. She was an immortal.

Her figure was curvaceous, and against the backdrop of her cold, mechanical battle suit, she possessed a certain aloof beauty. Her arrival immediately triggered whispers among the older students.

Mo Lin whispered, "Qi Miao from the Upper Academy Ascension to Immortality for some years now. It is said that she has extraordinary talent and has been recommended to become the Dean's disciple. If she is willing, she can stay in the mortal world and not have to enter the True Immortal Realm."

"Oh, it's the Six Tribulations of Thunder Fire Method. You have quite the ambition. Junior brother, would you be interested in joining our Ninth Legion?" Qi Miao asked. She was cold when she wasn't smiling, but extremely alluring when she did. She was truly the opposite of ice and fire.

A radiant red lotus mark adorned her brow, adding to her extraordinary aura. Some even whispered that she was a powerful being reborn and returning to the mortal realm.

Of course, this claim was refuted by the academy's higher-ups.

"What is the Ninth Legion? The students of the academy... are going to the battlefield?" asked Mao Lin, a rogue cultivator from the demon race who also came from Haichuan Star.

Mo Lin explained, "Qi Miao likes the number nine, so she named her little organization arbitrarily. However, in the future, the students of the academy will indeed need to go hunting, go to the battlefield, solve bloody cases left by history, or create scriptures, whatever they want, to earn points. This is not for graduation, but to exchange for rare treasures and consult various lost books in the academy."

To gain something at the academy, you have to give something in return. The headmaster said he doesn't support useless students, and this is also to hone their skills. If you want to access any scriptures, you have to make the corresponding contribution.

In fact, many classic books are already discounted, at rock-bottom prices. Otherwise, even those who Ascension to Immortality wouldn't have the ability to earn so many contribution points.

The academy established this Rules simply to make students understand that although there are many classic texts, not everyone can browse them at will. Students should let the academy see their efforts and talents.

Of course, when a powerful expert of the Sky Curtain Realm imparts teachings, or when the Dean or even the Supreme Lord personally attends to preach on the high platform, everyone can listen, ensuring fairness and impartiality without any restrictions.

This alone makes it worthwhile for countless geniuses to want to enter Pingtian Academy.

Normally, it is open once every twenty years, allowing people to compete for admission and fight for it based on their hard skills.

As for the eligibility of students sponsored by the government, it is open once every fifty to one hundred and fifty years.

After Wang Xuan survived his tribulation, the lightning and fire subsided, and he replied, "My strength is weak, and for now I only want to go into seclusion to master this current technique."

He wasn't really interested in joining those organizations, but he was curious about the secluded retreats of the institute's higher-ups.

He appeared sincere, not wanting to offend anyone.

Qi Miao smiled, a tiny lotus flower between her brows flowing with rosy clouds, making her radiant and alluring. She said, "Oh, it's nothing. These things are all about mutual consent. There's no bullying in the academy. When you ascend to immortality and practice the Nine Transformations of Ascension, you can consider joining us to explore the ancient ruins together."

She piloted her mechanical suit and used her metal wings to pierce through the void and depart.

Wang Xuan was moved. Ancient relics of the sages—she could bring something like this into the open? Did she have clues about it? The students of the Upper Academy seemed to have many connections.

Meanwhile, he had received feedback that neither he nor Dao Control Banner had discovered any outrageous old monster lurking, nor had they seen any terrifying gazes directed their way.

"I thought someone was undergoing the Immortal Ascension Tribulation, but it turns out it's someone from the Master of Nurturing Life Domain who has practiced the Six Tribulations of Thunder and Fire. Another one with ambitions higher than the sky but a life as fragile as paper... Hmm, a commissioned student?" someone said, their words quite unpleasant.

Once lightning appears on Ascension Cliff, it will naturally attract the attention of both the upper and lower academies. For the higher-ups, becoming an immortal is not unusual, but for the students, this is no small matter.

Several powerful figures and geniuses in the Upper Academy are paying attention; it's impossible that only Qi Miao will be here.

"Didn't you say there was no bullying? Someone is very disrespectful to me and wants to kill me," Wang Xuan whispered. Of course, this mental fluctuation could be sensed by many people.

"I didn't lay a hand on you, nor did I damage your foundation. You weren't struck by lightning and fire, were you? Don't try to extort me!" A man in black spoke from a distance, his vigilance high.

He was very strong, with one foot already in the realm of Ascension to Immortality. Dressed in black with a cold expression, he looked Wang Xuan's foundation was intact. He then sneered and said, "There are always people who are like moths to a flame, vainly hoping to transform from snakes and insects into dragons. Little brother, let me give you some advice: this is a technique for burning away useless wood. If you are not good enough, you are not good enough. Don't expect to ascend to heaven through this. In the end, you will only be burned to ashes."

"None of your business." Wang Xuan glanced at him and replied just as rudely.

"Are you looking for death?" The man in black, with a cold expression, suddenly turned icy and stared at him.

Nearby, some Flying Boat exuded an ethereal aura. Someone chuckled, "Isn't that the Black-faced God by An Hong's side? He deliberately came here to cause trouble, has his eye on this newcomer? Is he planning to subdue him and recruit him indirectly?"

"An Hong ..." Hu Mingli said in a low voice with a solemn expression that An Hong was one of the top experts in the Upper Academy and had already become an immortal. His subordinate, the Black-faced God, was also very fierce and would become an immortal soon.

The Black-faced God denied it to the death, saying, "True Immortal Cheng Tian, don't wrong me. I didn't do it on purpose today. I was just trying to give him a friendly reminder. He not only didn't appreciate it, but he also humiliated me. This is truly outrageous. A freshman bullying an upperclassman. I have to fight back and teach him a lesson."

In the distance, the True Immortal Cheng Tian on the Flying Boat was clearly a very powerful figure in the Upper Academy.

"It's pointless, what's the point of arguing?" In the distance, several ships flew away, their forms indistinct in the mist.

However, the person who spoke was identified as Fairy Cai Wei from the Upper Academy.

Someone is undergoing tribulation today, attracting the attention of powerful figures in the Upper Academy.

The Black-faced God stretched out his large hand and reached towards the Ascension Cliff.

Although Wang Xuan kept a low profile, it was still relatively low-key. He directly took out the Falling Immortal Bow, intending to shoot the giant hand apart.

"Fine, I always try to win people over with virtue. To avoid anyone saying I'm bullying newcomers, I'll let you off the hook for now." The Black-faced God withdrew his large hand.

Then he shook his head and said, "A person who has cultivated the Six Tribulations of Thunder and Fire is destined to destroy himself. Why should I bother to pay attention to him or recruit him?"

"Oh, I bet he can survive the Six Tribulations of Thunder and Fire." In the distance, Qi Miao, who had just left, spoke again.

After she spoke, some influential figures in the Upper Academy once again took notice of the area.

"Fairy Qi, although you are very strong, you may have misjudged him this time. I don't believe he can successfully transcend the tribulation. He hasn't accumulated enough Light of Creation yet. If he succeeds, I will give you an astronomical amount of contribution points to help you exchange for that legendary 'Primordial Spirit Atlas'."

Behind the Black-faced God, white mist swirled, and someone spoke from inside a flying vehicle. It was An Hong, and even the Black-faced God, who was halfway to immortality, had pledged allegiance to him.

"Okay." Qi Miao hesitated slightly before nodding in agreement, promising to send out a massive amount of contribution points if she lost.

"A bet? Count me in. If I succeed, I'll give you the Nine Transformations of Ascension Scripture, how about it?" Wang Xuan immediately chimed in. Why should he get anything out of it when he's being used as a gambler?

Many people chuckled. Even the powerful figures in the Upper Academy who had become immortals thought this troublesome new student had quite the appetite. The Nine Transformations of Ascension was one of the most precious secret manuals in the academy, requiring an exorbitant amount of contribution points to view.

"Alright, if you succeed, I'll help you exchange for the first volume of the Nine Transformations of Ascension," An Hong said.

Many people were moved, but even just the first volume was enough to deter them, because the required contribution points were too high to afford.

Wang Xuan did not accumulate the so-called Creation Light because his own strength was strong enough; he had already become an immortal. Unless the last two tribulations of the Six Tribulations of Thunder and Fire arrived, they would not have a significant effect on him. He knew this very well.

"Okay, thank you." Wang Xuan nodded.

Many people were speechless. This freshman was too confident. Many estimated that in a few more months, he might have already lost his mind.

"Hey, have you heard? There's this sponsored student who made a bet with An Hong, an extremely powerful figure in the Upper Academy. He's really a newborn Little Ox. Is he fearless or just too stupid? But I guess he's also very easygoing. If he loses, he'll be gone, so it doesn't matter."

"A newbie, huh? Energetic, arrogant, and I heard he even wants to bully the Black-faced God."

"Screw your immortal aura! Who dares to bully me? Anyone who spreads rumors again, I'll beat them to death!" Upon hearing this, the Black-faced God's face truly turned black.

Three months later, Wang Xuan successfully survived the four tribulations of thunder and fire.

In the fifth month, he announced that he was ready again and would soon undergo the five tribulations of thunder and fire. This immediately moved many people in the Upper Academy and drew their attention to him.

Some exclaimed, "He's ruthless! Is he going to bully the Black-faced God and extort a huge amount of contribution points from his boss An Hong?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? Just wait and see! He's about to die, so don't talk nonsense!" The Black-faced God jumped out. He couldn't stand such words the most. How come he was the one being bullied in the end?

In fact, Wang Xuan's decision to undergo the fifth tribulation of thunder and fire has truly made many people take it seriously, with various bets being placed and everyone waiting for the outcome, and a great deal of attention being focused on it.