Viewpoint (Seeking Recommendations and Collections)

Chapter 18: Impressions (Requesting Recommendations, Requesting Favorites)

Liu Mu Bai had long heard of this legendary figure Mu Yuan—the one who had failed to step onto the path of cultivation for three years, been rejected by Hong Ling, and stirred up storms within the academy.

Sensing a pressuring gaze directed at him, Mu Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, shifting his eyes from Liu Yang to the figure above.

His gaze met that dazzling silhouette, four eyes locking.

Then, instead of the fear other students displayed, Mu Yuan's face carried a lazy calm that surprised Liu Mu Bai.

"It's only been a few days, and this kid's grown some nerve. But I don't get it—what's a waste like him relying on to show no fear toward Brother Mu Bai? Just his Sensing Realm strength?"

Tong Guan had followed Liu Mu Bai here as well.

Hong Ling frowned. Despite the distance she now kept, the two still shared years of friendship, and hearing others call Mu Yuan a waste grated on her ears.

She looked at Tong Guan and said:

"You hold a grudge against him?"

"Of course."

Tong Guan nodded without hiding it.

"I've always hated seeing you so close to him. Hong Ling, you've already made your break with him. From now on, stay out of his affairs."

Hong Ling's emotions were tangled, and she didn't know how to respond.

Dong!

Just then, a crisp bell rang out, snapping many students to attention. The Academy Trial was finally about to begin.

At the north end of the grounds, three figures sat upright. In the central seat was an old man with graying hair.

Looking at the spirited students below, he couldn't help but chuckle:

"Heh heh, this Academy Trial is livelier than the last few."

Yet his gaze wandered slightly.

"Dean, this trial has plenty to watch, but what everyone's most anticipating is the fight for the top seat of the Earth Class."

Master Mo, seated on the far left, said with a smile.

"What's there to anticipate? Liu Yang has a spiritual vein and is already at the initial Spiritual Movement Realm. That Mu Chen is decent, but he can't shake Liu Yang's hold on first place."

The stern-faced man on the right curled his lip.

He was a mentor from the West Courtyard, naturally hoping for better results to bring him face. As for Mu Yuan's challenge, he saw it as a joke and hadn't bothered to take it seriously.

"Master Xi, underestimating someone who earned a spot on the Spiritual Road will cost you dearly."

Master Mo said flatly.

"You can't cultivate spiritual power on the Spiritual Road at all. If Mu Chen had passed the final trial and received the spiritual power infusion, I wouldn't be saying this. But unfortunately, Mu Chen was expelled from the Spiritual Road halfway through."

Master Xi shook his head.

Master Mo frowned, feeling regret for Mu Chen.

If Mu Chen had smoothly passed the Spiritual Road and obtained its most precious spiritual power infusion, he would already be the top young talent of the Northern Spiritual Academy.

Even someone like Liu Mu Bai would have to bow beneath him.

And the quota for the Five Great Academies would have been firmly placed in his hands, with no one else qualified to compete for it.

Watching the two argue, Dean Xiao smiled, clearly long accustomed to it.

His clouded gaze fell on Mu Chen, seated in the East Courtyard's section, and he sighed wryly:

"It is a pity. I wonder what that kid did on the Spiritual Road—I hear it even alarmed the higher-ups of the Five Great Academies."

Master Mo and Master Xi both froze.

They hadn't expected Mu Chen to cause such a stir on the Spiritual Road.

"How has that little one, Mu Yuan, been performing lately?"

Dean Xiao's gaze didn't linger on Mu Chen long before shifting to Mu Yuan.

"Dean, why do you care so much about that kid Mu Yuan? You've even shielded him behind the scenes more than once."

Master Xi and Master Mo were full of confusion.

"That little one..."

Dean Xiao stroked his beard, clearly unwilling to say more.

"Fine."

Master Mo gave a helpless smile but still reported Mu Yuan's situation to Dean Xiao.

"He finally stepped into the Sensing Realm a few days ago. Now, many students are looking forward to his performance today—it's also a major highlight of this Academy Trial."

Dean Xiao let out a long sigh.

"That little guy has finally stepped into the Sensing Realm. Being this dean really isn't easy—now I can finally stop bearing the pressure."

In truth, no one knew that this dean of the Northern Spiritual Academy was a devoted fan of Mu Yuan.

The reason Mu Yuan had been able to stay at the academy for three years without sensing Spiritual Energy was, in large part, because Dean Xiao had overruled all objections to keep him there.

Why?

Because he had unwittingly fallen into Mu Yuan's trap.

Thinking back to those days, the stories of "Battle Through the Heavens" and "Wu Dong Qian Kun" had captivated Dean Xiao to the point of obsession.

He read late into the night by lamplight, tying his hair to a beam and pricking his thigh with an awl just to keep chasing the story.

When he reached the most thrilling parts, the chapters ran out.

He remembered wanting to go to the Mu Domain to ask the little guy for the rest of the story.

But then he thought—how could he, the dignified dean of the Northern Spiritual Academy, stoop so low for a mere tale?

So he waited, and waited, until finally the little guy came to study at the Northern Spiritual Academy.

Whenever Mu Yuan wrote a new volume, he would be the first to read it.

"Being this dean is truly too difficult."

Just last night, he had been reading by lamplight again.

"But that little guy seems carefree and unrestrained on the surface, yet harbors a tiger in his heart."

"Lying dormant in the Northern Spiritual Academy for three years, enduring countless scornful looks—with his temperament, after three years of silence, he's bound to make a stunning debut now."

A sharp glint flashed in Dean Xiao's eyes.

"This time, the first place in the Earth Class is going to catch you two off guard."

Hearing Dean Xiao muttering to himself, Master Mo and Master Xi were taken aback.

Could today's Academy Trial still see some unexpected turn?

But Dean Xiao was unwilling to reveal more, leaving them in suspense.

"The bell has rung. Announce the start of the Academy Trial!"

Dean Xiao waved his hand.

Master Mo nodded, then stood up, sweeping his gaze across the entire venue, and spoke in a deep voice:

"The time has come. The Academy Trial begins. Between fellow students, this is a sparring match—no lethal force is permitted, remember that!"

"You all know the rules. Those who step onto the stage each have one chance to challenge an opponent. But only one chance, so choose wisely and pick a suitable adversary."

His voice rang out like a great bell, shaking the air.

"Yes!"

All the participating students in the arena responded respectfully.

"Begin."

Dong!

As Master Mo's words fell, another clear bell toll resounded, spreading across the entire Northern Spiritual Academy.

Swish, swish, swish!

Figures shot up onto the arena platform one after another, and all sorts of shouts rang out without pause.

"Liu Xiong, get down here! I've had it with you for a long time!"

"Chen Tong, you come out too! I'm settling last time's score for sure!"

"..."

These students had often clashed with each other in the past.

But compared to Mu Chen and the others, they were just ordinary students.

The truly formidable figures had yet to appear.

Take Liu Che, who had provoked Mu Yuan before.

Though his talent wasn't bad, in the grand scheme of the Northern Spiritual Academy, he was merely average.

He had originally planned to challenge Mu Yuan, but who would have thought that Mu Yuan was no longer the same as before—he was no match at all.

All he could do was vent his anger on the other students of the East Courtyard.

Unfortunately, luck wasn't on his side. The student he picked was very strong.

His defeat was only a matter of time.

PS: Thanks to reader Xi Yue's Light for the 788 book coin tip! Thanks to reader Addiction for the 688 book coin tip! Thanks to reader Heavenly Immortal for the 400 book coin tip! Thanks to reader Rui Tao for the 200 book coin tip! Thanks to reader Buddha Speaks Without Taboo for the 100 book coin tip!

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