If Sacred Spirit Institute Doesn't Listen to You, Will It Perish?

Outside the Spiritual Road space, in a great hall, five Supreme experts wreathed in Spiritual Light and possessing distinct temperaments sat in a row, watching over a hundred shimmering screens before them.

"Everyone, it seems the quality of geniuses in this Spiritual Road is far higher than in previous years. I am quite looking forward to their future performances."

A voice filled with sacred resonance broke the silence in the hall. The speaker was an elderly man whose face was aged, yet still rather handsome.

He was vigorous and alert, holy light surrounding his body. Seated in the middle of the five, he carried the bearing of a leader commanding the realm even as he chatted and laughed. He was none other than Heavenly Saint, the dean of Sacred Spirit Institute, the strongest of the Five Great Academies—a Clone formed from his spiritual essence.

"Dean Heavenly Saint is right, but aren't you being a little too greedy? You've already reserved Ji Xuan, yet you're still having your subordinates sing the praises of Sacred Spirit Institute to other geniuses?"

The white-robed middle-aged man seated first from the left was Dean Tai Cang of North Cang Spiritual Institute, one of the Five Great Academies. He had always been at odds with Dean Heavenly Saint. At that moment, mockery showed on his face as his index finger tapped rhythmically against his chair, producing crisp sounds. He continued with a smile, "The Five Great Academies have always been spoken of as equals. Isn't Dean Heavenly Saint's conduct a little against the rules?"

"The people of Sacred Spirit Institute naturally favor our institute in their hearts, so their words will inevitably be somewhat biased. How can one person's actions be pinned on the institute? Dean Tai Cang, aren't you being overly nervous?"

Heavenly Saint did not look kindly upon this irritating old rival, but he did not bluntly admit that he had ordered it either. Instead, he claimed it was merely the personal conduct of an employee.

After all, the other three deans were present. He could hardly say outright that he wanted to be the leader and trample the other four beneath his feet.

"Hehe, Dean Heavenly Saint's words are not without reason. Dean Tai Cang, let us not pursue the matter too deeply. We should not harm the harmony between us."

Seated between Heavenly Saint and Tai Cang was Tian Song, dean of Azure Sky Spiritual Institute. He held a green tree in one hand, looking rather like Li Jing with his pagoda. Though he appeared extremely old, his cultivation method was special, leaving his skin fair and translucent like that of an infant. Smiling warmly, he attempted to smooth things over.

"Indeed. Since Heavenly Saint has said it was merely the spontaneous conduct of his subordinate, we naturally cannot wrong a good person. What does Dean Tai Cang think?"

The speaker this time was a graceful, noble beauty who appeared to be in her thirties.

She wore a red gown with broad sleeves and a wide collar, its hem trailing along the floor and revealing her lush, alluring curves. Her features were gorgeous and seductive, and every smile and gesture carried the charm of a mature woman.

As she spoke, she placed particular emphasis on the words "good person."

"Haha, since Dean Tian Song and Dean Tang Qiu have both said so, how could I persist in making trouble without reason? I only hope Dean Heavenly Saint will restrain his subordinates more in the future. It would not be good if another misunderstanding arose."

Two deans had already offered him a way out, while also subtly insulting Heavenly Saint alongside him. Dean Tai Cang chose to stop while he was ahead.

After all, he could not truly do anything to Heavenly Saint over such a minor matter. A few barbed remarks to express his dissatisfaction were already the limit.

"Hehe, North Cang Spiritual Institute need not concern itself with the affairs of Sacred Spirit Institute. I will naturally discipline my people afterward.

However, Dean Tai Cang, it is true that the Five Great Academies are known as equals, but if one wants fame, one must possess strength to match it. In the recent Spiritual Academy Competitions, North Cang Spiritual Institute's performance has likely been less than satisfactory, hasn't it?"

After being provoked time and again by this thorn in his side, Dean Heavenly Saint had long wanted to kick North Cang Spiritual Institute out of its position among the Five Great Academies and replace it with an obedient Spirit Academy, clearing the path for himself to officially ascend as the foremost of all Spirit Academies.

Over the years, he had continuously worked in secret against North Cang Spiritual Institute. During the previous Spiritual Academy Competition, not a single team sent by North Cang Spiritual Institute had successfully entered the top eight and advanced to the finals.

After several consecutive defeats, if North Cang Spiritual Institute still failed to send a team into the finals at the next Spiritual Academy Competition, he could rightfully remove North Cang Spiritual Institute according to the rules and demand a new selection for the Five Great Academies.

In contrast to North Cang Spiritual Institute's bleak state, Sacred Spirit Institute had been strong and well-equipped in recent years. Its teams had claimed the championship of the Spiritual Academy Competition several times. If it won once more, he could formally propose ascending to the top position among the Five Great Academies.

By then, even if the other three tried to restrain him, they would be unable to stop him!

That was precisely why he had made a special trip to the Sacred Spirit Dynasty, the Super Power backing Sacred Spirit Institute, and eventually found Ji Xuan, this genius from a collateral branch of the imperial family.

His talent of five Heavenly Veins might not have been particularly stunning within the Sacred Spirit Dynasty, but in the outside world, he was already a genius seen once in a thousand years. His temperament and methods were also first-rate.

As for finding a way to win over Shi Luo, that was naturally to ensure nothing could go wrong.

"I will consider Dean Heavenly Saint's words. I believe that in the next competition, North Cang Spiritual Institute's performance will not disappoint you or the other three deans."

Thinking of North Cang Spiritual Institute's current condition cast a shadow over Dean Tai Cang's heart, but his expression remained calm as he smiled in response to Dean Heavenly Saint's aggressive words.

Dean Heavenly Saint's self-control was decent enough. He forced out an insincere smile and said in an oddly mocking tone, "If that is the case, then naturally it would be for the best."

"This institute has no interest in the grievances between your two sides. Just don't let the conflict become real. However, Dean Heavenly Saint, I believe we should still observe some rules in our conduct."

An abrupt voice interrupted the two men's confrontation. Wu Tianwang, dean of Martial Spiritual Institute, who sat at the far right among the five, suddenly spoke, drawing all four others' attention to him. His voice was low and distant.

"It was not easy for me to have a pair of grandchildren at my age. A few days ago, my youngest granddaughter was bullied quite badly in the Spiritual Road.

Though I was furious, I did nothing to that brat who bullied my granddaughter. Dean Heavenly Saint has always liked to protect his own, so do not break the rules over a student you favor."

Heavenly Saint had not expected that a single instruction he had given earlier would provoke such resentment from so many people. Tai Cang was one thing, but even that old fool Wu Tianwang had stepped forward.

It seemed this Shi Luo who had appeared out of nowhere truly mattered greatly to them. Otherwise, matters would not have reached this point.

"Oh? Then I must ask for guidance. Could it be that, in your eyes, Wu Tianwang, I would do something improper?"

Wu Tianwang sneered and cast a sidelong glance at Heavenly Saint.

"That Ji Xuan you reserved is proud and arrogant. He likes gathering followers and excluding those who disagree with him.

There is nothing wrong with young people being a little wild, but a major variable has appeared in this Spiritual Road. If he runs into Shi Luo... hehe, I only hope you will not break the rules when the time comes."

"Hehe, if such a thing truly happens, I indeed cannot guarantee that I will not intervene to save him. But that is only human nature, isn't it? Would none of you do the same?"

Heavenly Saint frowned, then quickly relaxed. At this point, he could no longer keep denying it, lest his words come back to bite him later. He might as well lay everything bare.

That damned old fool had immediately brought up his own granddaughter, leaving him no room to lie with his eyes open.

Just then, an irritating voice carrying unmistakable firmness rang out, worsening his mood even further.

"This institute has never done such a thing. Never."

Dean Tai Cang raised his head and stared blankly at the ceiling, as though speaking to himself, but the mockery on his face was obvious to everyone.

"Hehe, and even if this institute wanted to, the ever-impartial Dean Heavenly Saint would certainly never permit it!

In the Spiritual Road, life and death are left to fate. This was the only rule we established from the beginning, so it is best not to violate it. Otherwise, the consequences may not be pleasant."

At those words, Dean Heavenly Saint turned and glared furiously at Dean Tai Cang. He gave a cold laugh, no longer suppressing the anger in his heart, and said word by word in a sinister tone, "If Sacred Spirit Institute doesn't listen to you, will it perish?!"

Dean Tai Cang curled his lips dismissively, closed his eyes, and pretended to rest. "That is hard to say."

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