Who is Daoist Hongjun

Stepping out of the Trial Tower, a somewhat distracted Zhang Zhi noticed that there seemed to be far more people around than when he had first arrived.

Many were looking up at the top of the tower, so he followed their gaze and discovered that ten fireworks-shaped flowers had appeared above the Trial Tower, looking exceptionally brilliant.

Curious, he grabbed a passerby to ask what was going on.

The man shot Zhang Zhi a sidelong glance: "You're terribly out of the loop. This is the 'Ten Flowers Celebrate Together' display, triggered because our academy's 'Daoist Hongjun' just achieved the feat of 'Kicking the Nursing Home, Punching the Kindergarten'."

Zhang Zhi listened to the man finish with a smile on his face, thanked him, and turned to head toward the subway station.

He didn't know if the man felt awkward saying those words, "Kicking the Nursing Home, Punching the Kindergarten," but as the "Daoist Hongjun" in question, hearing others mention this achievement made his toes curl so hard he felt like he could dig through his shoe soles.

Walking to the subway entrance, he turned back to glance at the ten shifting fireworks above the Trial Tower. Listening to a group of girls who had just emerged from the station, chattering excitedly as they rushed over to see the display and debating who this Daoist Hongjun might be, an inexplicable feeling welled up in his heart.

It was a feeling he had never experienced since arriving in this world—a feeling that could only be described as pride.

Not long after Zhang Zhi left the Trial Tower, a figure appeared at the entrance and said to the Tower Guardian: "Give me a copy of today's entry list."

The Tower Guardian responsible for registration was startled by the sudden appearance, but immediately realized who it was and hurriedly handed over the log: "Realm Lord, this is today's entry list."

The Tower Guardian was, in fact, a Retainer from this man's Small World.

The identity of this person was now obvious: Headmaster Yang Botian of the Seven Dragons Academy.

Headmaster Yang scanned the list quickly, returned it to the Tower Guardian, and instructed: "Destroy today's registry, and keep a record of everyone who comes asking for it."

The Tower Guardian bowed respectfully: "As you command, honored Realm Lord."

Headmaster Yang nodded slightly, and in the next instant, he vanished from the spot.

After the Headmaster left, the Tower Guardian wiped cold sweat from his forehead and looked around, noticing that everyone nearby seemed oblivious to what had just happened. Clearly, Headmaster Yang had used a divine ability to shield the area from perception.

Appearing high above the Trial Tower, Headmaster Yang muttered to himself: "There were nine new students who entered the Trial Tower for the first time today. Which one of them is this 'Daoist Hongjun'?"

"I'll start with Li Qianjun. If I recall correctly, Zhang Zhi was the one he brought in via the Special Enrollment Quota—the only time he's used it in over twenty years. It's highly likely to be him."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and vanished once more.

Not long after returning from the Trial Tower, Li Qianjun was informed that the Headmaster had come to visit.

He felt a bit uneasy about the Headmaster paying a private visit.

As a Realm Lord of a Lesser Thousand World in the Late Stage, with the potential to ascend to a Middle Thousand World, he certainly held some status within the Seven Dragons Academy.

However, there was still a massive gap between his status and that of Headmaster Yang Botian.

If there were matters to discuss, Headmaster Yang could have just sent a word and he would have scurried over; there was no need for the Headmaster to visit him personally.

This visit was giving him a great deal of face.

Unless, the matter was of grave importance to the academy and deeply connected to him!

At this thought, a realization surfaced in his mind, becoming clearer by the second.

The biggest news in the school recently was the "Kicking the Nursing Home, Punching the Kindergarten" achievement unlocked in the Trial Tower earlier today.

This uniquely named achievement could only be completed by someone who had just enrolled.

And Zhang Zhi, whom he had brought in via the Special Enrollment Quota, had just enrolled!

In other words, the Headmaster suspected that Zhang Zhi was the one who had achieved that feat?

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind as he walked quickly to the door to welcome the Headmaster into his residence.

Headmaster Yang smiled at Li Qianjun: "Qianjun, I imagine you've already guessed why I'm here."

Li Qianjun hesitated: "Are you saying that Zhang Zhi might be that 'Daoist Hongjun'?"

Headmaster Yang nodded: "Today is the first day of school, and the vast majority of new students are still choosing their courses. Only nine people entered the Trial Tower."

"Zhang Zhi was one of them."

"No wonder you hadn't used your Special Enrollment Quota for so many years; it turns out your standards are this high!"

Li Qianjun remained calm: "There are eight other people, after all. It might not necessarily be Zhang Zhi."

Though he said this, the image of the Mortal Transformation Realm cultivator Zhang Zhi had summoned during the assessment appeared in his mind. He had realized back then that the projection's cultivation had already reached the Late Stage of the Mortal Transformation Realm.

That was the fundamental reason why he had been willing to give Zhang Zhi another chance even after being offended by him.

But if Zhang Zhi really was Daoist Hongjun, then the situation within his Small World might be far more prosperous than he had originally estimated.

At this moment, Headmaster Yang's voice continued: "The fact that you were willing to use your Special Enrollment Quota shows that Zhang Zhi must have extraordinary qualities. He is the most likely candidate."

"You surely know why I've come to see you specifically."

"Our Main World is currently being heavily infiltrated by the Main Worlds of several other races."

"If a talent as good as Daoist Hongjun is exposed too early, he will easily be targeted by other Main Worlds!"

"Find a time to talk to him and confirm whether he is indeed Daoist Hongjun."

"If he is, do not take any action. If he is not, then have him publicly claim that he is."

"I am asking you to do this because Zhang Zhi was brought in by you, and he is the most likely candidate among them all."

Upon hearing the Headmaster's request, Li Qianjun was stunned for a moment before he understood the Headmaster's intent.

After pondering for a moment, he said to the Headmaster, "If he truly isn't Daoist Hongjun, I will attempt to persuade him, but if the Academy intends to use him as a shield, the corresponding rewards must not be lacking in the slightest!"

"However, if Zhang Zhi does not agree, the Academy cannot force him."

Headmaster Yang nodded with a smile, "That goes without saying. We aren't capitalists; we believe in Equivalent Exchange. It is impossible to make a horse run without letting it graze."

"Furthermore, I believe the possibility of Zhang Zhi being Daoist Hongjun is the highest. You should have a good talk with that child later."

Finally, Headmaster Yang produced an item and handed it to Li Qianjun, "This is the reward for this mission. If that child is Daoist Hongjun, you may use this reward to apply for a Special Enrollment Student quota for him."

"If that child is not Zhang Zhi, this reward will be given to him by the Academy. I imagine that upon seeing this reward, the child will not refuse."

Having said this, Headmaster Yang waved his hand at Li Qianjun, and the next moment, he vanished without a trace.