No Absolute Stances, Only Absolute Interests

The next day.

Feng Qingyang had two letters delivered separately to Blazing Fire Academy and Skywater Academy.

The letters were extremely concise, merely stating that he had an important matter to discuss and inviting the two deans to visit Godwind Academy.

Although the two deans were puzzled after receiving the letters, they still arrived as requested.

Less than two hours later, the two deans arrived at Godwind Academy's reception hall one after the other.

"Old Feng, you called us here so urgently. What exactly is this about?"

The speaker was a red-haired old man.

He wore a fiery red robe and looked vigorous and spirited. He was Huo Chen, dean of Blazing Fire Academy.

Beside Huo Chen stood an old woman dressed in a light blue gown. Her bearing was gentle and refined; she was Shui Wuyue, dean of Skywater Academy.

Though she did not speak, her eyes were filled with doubt.

"Please, have a seat first."

Seeing the two arrive, Feng Qingyang immediately rose to greet them and personally poured them tea.

After the three sat down.

"Do you two still remember the ideals we once shared?"

Feng Qingyang took a light sip of tea and spoke slowly.

"Of course I remember." Huo Chen raised a brow. "You didn't call us here today just to reminisce, did you?"

"Haha, of course not!"

Feng Qingyang stopped beating around the bush and rose to walk into the open space.

"Awooo—"

A wolf's howl rang out as a terrifying aura suddenly erupted. Nine Soul Rings descended beneath his feet one after another.

"Title Douluo!"

Huo Chen and Shui Wuyue shot up from the sofas in unison, their faces filled with disbelief.

"This... how is this possible?!" Huo Chen cried out. "Old Feng... you broke through?"

Though Shui Wuyue said nothing, stormy waves churned in her normally calm eyes.

As old friends who had known one another for decades, they understood Feng Qingyang's situation all too well.

Ten years ago, Old Feng's cultivation had already stalled at the peak of Soul Douluo. Without a fortuitous opportunity, he would likely never have broken through in this lifetime.

"That's right. This is precisely the benefit brought by the matter I wish to discuss with you two today."

Feng Qingyang withdrew his aura, and the nine Soul Rings vanished one after another as he spoke calmly.

Shui Wuyue's gaze flickered. "Dean Feng, what do you mean by that?!"

"To be honest, I encountered a benefactor. My ability to break through to Title Douluo was entirely thanks to that lord."

"Not only that, but even my grandson Xiaotian has undergone earth-shaking changes in recent days."

Feng Qingyang deliberately paused, then smiled mysteriously. "As for the specifics, you'll see them for yourselves at tomorrow's Exchange Tournament."

This string of revelations left Huo Chen and Shui Wuyue completely stunned.

"Dean Feng, at this point, stop keeping us in suspense. Just who is that lord?"

Shui Wuyue was the first to regain her composure as she gazed at Feng Qingyang.

Feng Qingyang's expression turned solemn, his tone incomparably respectful. "The future Holy Son of Spirit Hall!"

"Spirit Hall?" Huo Chen's expression immediately darkened. "Old Feng, you've pledged allegiance to Spirit Hall?!"

"Do you know what Spirit Hall has been doing all these years?"

"They suppress our elemental academies at every turn. By doing this, are you not betraying the friendship our three great elemental academies have shared for so many years?"

"Dean Huo, please calm down." Feng Qingyang waved a hand unhurriedly.

"To be precise, I follow the future Holy Son, not the Spirit Hall of today."

"His Highness the Holy Son promised that anyone willing to follow him would receive unimaginable resources."

"My breakthrough and Xiaotian's transformation were both opportunities His Highness bestowed upon us casually."

"I invited you two here today." Feng Qingyang looked at them with blazing eyes. "Because I wanted to ask whether you would be willing to follow His Highness the Holy Son alongside me."

"Preposterous!" Huo Chen immediately snapped. "Feng Qingyang! Have you forgotten the shared stance of our three great elemental academies?"

"All these years, we have remained independent because we refused to be drawn into conflict!"

"By doing this, are you not betraying the friendship we have shared for so many years?!"

"Stance?" Rather than getting angry, Feng Qingyang laughed. "Old Huo, you've been stuck at the peak of Rank 88 for a long time, haven't you?"

He then looked at the silent Shui Wuyue. "Dean Shui, you too, right?"

"Are you really willing to stop here? To watch helplessly as your cultivation makes no further progress?!"

Feng Qingyang's words were like a heavy hammer, striking hard against their hearts.

Title Douluo—this was the realm every soul master dreamed of reaching!

How could they not want to break through?

But the further one progressed in soul master cultivation, the more difficult it became.

Without some extraordinary opportunity, one might never be able to cross that natural chasm in an entire lifetime.

Seeing the two waver, Feng Qingyang continued:

"And think of your juniors. Whether it's Huo Wu and Brother or the Shui Bing'er sisters, they are all exceptionally rare talents."

"If they can gain the Holy Son's favor, their future achievements may far surpass anything you or I can imagine."

These words struck even deeper at the hearts of the two.

As elders, their greatest wish was for their juniors to distinguish themselves.

If following the Holy Son could truly bring such enormous benefits as Feng Qingyang claimed, then it was indeed worth serious consideration.

Shui Wuyue gently pressed a hand against Huo Chen's arm, signaling him to stay calm.

She looked at Feng Qingyang. "Dean Feng, this matter is of great importance. We need time to consider it."

"Of course." Feng Qingyang nodded understandingly. "But opportunity waits for no one. After the academy Exchange Tournament, I hope the two of you can give me a clear answer."

After seeing the two off, Feng Qingyang stood alone before the window in the reception hall.

Watching their retreating figures fade into the distance, a meaningful smile touched his lips.

He knew these two old friends far too well.

Before absolute benefits, no one could refuse such temptation.

On the road away from Godwind Academy.

Huo Chen and Shui Wuyue walked side by side, both wearing grave expressions.

"Dean Shui, what do you think?"

Huo Chen was the first to break the silence, his tone carrying a hint of irritation.

"It is a fact that Dean Feng has broken through to become a Title Douluo. There is no doubt about that. As for this Holy Son he spoke of..."

Shui Wuyue frowned slightly, paused, then continued:

"During tomorrow's Exchange Tournament, we might as well carefully observe Feng Xiaotian's performance."

"If Feng Xiaotian has truly made tremendous progress in such a short time, as Dean Feng said, then this matter is worth deep consideration."

Huo Chen nodded, though his expression remained unpleasant.

As they spoke, the two had already reached the academy gates.

As they parted, Shui Wuyue suddenly said:

"Dean Huo, how about this? We can discuss it again after the Exchange Tournament."

"This concerns the academy's future, after all. We must proceed with caution."

"Alright." Huo Chen nodded heavily. "Then we'll discuss it afterward."

Watching Shui Wuyue's receding figure, Huo Chen remained where he was for a long while.

His heart was full of conflict.

On one hand, the benefits Feng Qingyang described were incredibly tempting.

On the other, he was unwilling to betray the stance the three great elemental academies had maintained for so many years.

"Perhaps... this truly is an opportunity..."

Huo Chen murmured softly, a complicated look flashing through his eyes.

At that moment, he suddenly understood Feng Qingyang's choice a little better.

Wasn't their shared ideal to bring each of their elemental academies to greater heights?

Huo Chen's gaze gradually became firm.

Even if not for himself, then for Huo Wu and Brother, for Blazing Fire Academy's future.

Perhaps... he truly should give Feng Qingyang's words some serious thought.