Leave It with You for Now

Through the swirling mist, a black-and-white pattern came into view in the distance.

One black, one white, forming a Yin-Yang Diagram.

"Is this the Black and White Academy? It's actually so grand and imposing—the black-and-white diagram covers the entire academy?"

"Look, is that white crane an Earth Fiend Mystic Beast?"

"Look over there, that palace is actually floating in midair."

"This sight rivals a fairyland. No wonder the Black and White Academy can become the number one academy on the Azure Wave Continent."

"..."

These people were like children seeing something new. Their eyes held nothing but shock and curiosity.

Even Ye Han, who had long since gathered information on the Black and White Academy, stood rooted to the spot at that moment, staring at the scene before him and unable to recover for a long while.

Even Qin Jishi's expression shifted slightly as he muttered inwardly.

"As expected of the Black and White Academy. It really has some substance."

"Baihe!"

"That black-and-white Yin-Yang Diagram is an array?"

Though they were separated by a great distance, Qin Jishi could still sense the dense mystic energy radiating from the black-and-white diagram.

"That's right!" Baihe's voice rang out in his mind. "This is the Yin-Yang Profound Gathering Array. It can gather all the mystic energy within ten thousand miles here. There is also a mystic vein beneath this academy. If you can devour that mystic vein, advancing to the Myriad Manifestations Realm should not be a problem."

Devour the mystic vein?

Black lines appeared across Qin Jishi's forehead.

He had better forget such a thing. If he really did that, would the entire Black and White Academy not suffer a crippling blow?

Without vast quantities of mystic energy and resources, those martial cultivators would inevitably head for other continents. If that truly happened, the Azure Wave Continent would exist in name only.

Seeing that Qin Jishi had no interest, Baihe chuckled. "Aren't you going to consider it? This Black and White Academy has countless ties to that little lover of yours. Once the mystic vein dries up, it will surely be like cutting off one of her arms."

Qin Jishi: "..."

Whose little lover?

Liang Simeng?

What a joke!

Was she worthy?

Besides!

Qin Jishi's gaze flickered. "The Liang Family bears no deep-seated grudge against me. Even if they form a marriage alliance with the Qin Family, so long as they do not target me, I will not deal with them."

"Ah..." Baihe sighed. "You... if you don't heed an elder's words, losses will lie right before your eyes."

How could Qin Jishi not understand Baihe's meaning? He merely smiled and let it pass.

Yet inwardly, he muttered that if the Liang Family truly dared to come after him one day, then he could only apologize to those young talents.

This mystic vein... I'll leave it with you for now...

Just as Qin Jishi was conversing with Baihe, the Giant Eagles suddenly dove down.

Chirp—

A crisp cry echoed out as the two Giant Eagles landed steadily in a plaza.

Jiao Ju leaped down, and the others followed close behind.

Chirp—

Their cries sounded again as the two Giant Eagles flapped their wings and departed.

Looking up from the plaza, the endless stretch of palaces exuded solemnity and pressure, fiercely shaking their hearts.

This was the Black and White Academy?

They were now members of the Black and White Academy.

The excitement in their eyes was impossible to suppress.

Jiao Ju, however, found it entirely ordinary. If these people were not shocked, that would have been strange instead.

Just then, two sturdy young men hurried over.

"Steward, you've worked hard this time."

"..."

Their fawning expressions made it clear that they were likely Jiao Ju's trusted lackeys.

"Mhm." Jiao Ju nodded. "Zhou Wen, Liang Kai, take them around to familiarize themselves with the academy first, then bring them to the Sect Hall to complete the procedures."

After saying that, Jiao Ju left without waiting for the two to respond.

"Rest assured, Steward. Leave it to us."

"Take care, Steward."

Only after Jiao Ju's figure vanished into the distance did the two turn around. Their fawning expressions were replaced by icy arrogance as they looked everyone over with their nostrils in the air.

"Listen up. My name is Zhou Wen."

"My name is Liang Kai!"

"From now on, in our Five Elements Academy... no... in the Menial Labor Quarters of our Five Elements Academy, Steward Jiao is the boss, and I'm second-in-command."

"I'm third-in-command!" Liang Kai cut in.

"I assume you still don't know the rules of our Menial Labor Quarters."

"Junior Brother Liang, tell them."

"Understood!" Liang Kai curled his lips into a cold smile.

"Let me tell you, in our Menial Labor Quarters, the most important thing is obedience. If we tell you to head west, you cannot go east. If we tell you to beat a dog, you cannot scold a chicken. In short, our words are imperial edicts. Even if we let out a fart, you have to say it smells sweet. Understand?"

As he spoke, Liang Kai released the pressure of the Mystic Spirit Realm.

Even a fool could see that the two were trying to knock them down a peg.

But what could they do? They could only submit obediently, because the two men's strength was right there before them.

Seeing everyone nod in acknowledgment, the two were very satisfied.

Since the desired effect had been achieved, they did not continue wasting words. "Good. Now we'll take you around to familiarize yourselves with the academy's surroundings. Stay close behind us. Without our orders, you are not permitted to leave on your own. Otherwise, bear the consequences yourselves."

"Move!"

With a sweep of their hands, Zhou Wen and Liang Kai led everyone into the Black and White Academy.

Along the way, Ye Han frowned and lowered his voice. "Senior Brother Qin, my information wasn't wrong, was it? Look, they're already trying to knock us down a peg the moment we arrive. I'm afraid the days of oppression are still ahead."

"Since we're here, we may as well make peace with it." Qin Jishi smiled at him.

"Fine!" Ye Han could only shrug helplessly. What else could they do?

The two continued talking for a while when a cry of surprise suddenly rang out.

"Quick, look! Is that our academy?"

"It can't be wrong. Could the four words 'Five Elements Academy' possibly be wrong?"

"..."

In the distance along the broad road, everyone turned to look left, where a massive stone stele seemed to pierce the clouds as it rose from the ground.

The sky above it was filled with dazzling colors, different elements gathering there.

Five Elements Academy!

The four words carved upon it inspired involuntary reverence.

"See that? That's where our academy is located." Zhou Wen wore a proud expression. "Let me tell you, the Black and White Academy has five major academies. Our Five Elements Academy is absolutely the undisputed one."

As he spoke, Zhou Wen raised his thumb.

"Senior Brother Zhou speaks the truth," Liang Kai echoed. "In the entire academy, if our Five Elements Academy claims second place, no one would dare claim first."

Qin Jishi: "..."

Ye Han: "..."

The old king sold melons and praised his own wares. Did they really take them for greenhorns?

With no choice but to yield to the two men's tyranny, everyone could only echo them against their hearts.

Each academy covered a thousand miles. Only after walking for a long time did the scenery before them finally change.

Everyone turned to look toward the right. If the skies above the Five Elements Academy were filled with varied elements, then the area ahead was shrouded in gloom.

Likewise... a towering stone stele rose from the ground, and the four words "Dusk Academy" carried an oppressive air.

"I'm telling you, if you encounter menial workers from the Dusk Academy in the future, and they dare to stir up trouble, do not disgrace our Five Elements Academy."

"That's right. Go head-to-head with them."

From their tone, it was clear that the two academies had conflicts.

"..."

After a long while, everyone looked toward the left.

Profound Harmony Academy!

Zhou Wen's voice weakened considerably. "Well, if you run into menial workers from the Profound Machine Academy, and they bully you too much, try not to confront them head-on."

"Don't confront them head-on!" Liang Kai said weakly.

No matter how they listened, everyone could hear that the two had no confidence at all.

To the right!

Earth Nether Academy!

"Well... forget it..." Zhou Wen had wanted to say something, but after thinking it over, he ultimately gave up.

"Keep your voices down." Liang Kai frowned and quietly reprimanded them.

To the left!

Heavenly Mechanism Academy!

Zhou Wen stopped, pondered for a long while, then quickly led everyone onward.

Everyone could see Zhou Wen and Liang Kai quickening their pace without pause. Only after they passed Tianhe Academy did they finally let out long breaths.

After everyone proceeded for another stretch, the clamor of voices reached them.

"See that? The plaza ahead is our Black and White Academy's marketplace. Any disciple who wants to buy or sell things can go there."

"Further ahead is the academy's cultivation tower. If you have enough mystic stones, you can cultivate inside."

"And over there are the buildings for our academy's Earth Rankings and Heavenly Rankings. Anyone capable can issue challenges."

"..."

After wandering around and around until dusk fell, they had still not finished touring half of the Black and White Academy. Zhou Wen and Liang Kai simply gave up and led everyone to the Sect Hall to complete their enrollment procedures.

Once that was done!

Zhou Wen and Liang Kai waved their hands. "You may explore freely now. When night falls, gather at the academy entrance."

At those words, everyone formed groups of twos and threes and headed off to the side.

At Ye Han's invitation, Qin Jishi walked toward two towering pavilions in the distance.

A'si and A'wu watched Qin Jishi's retreating figure, a fierce glint flashing through their eyes. They exchanged a glance, then turned and headed toward the Profound Harmony Academy.