Thanks for the invitation, but at seventeen, I was already at the peak of the Great Grandmaster Realm!

Thanks for the invitation, but at seventeen, I was already at the peak of the Great Grandmaster Realm! As soon as Beigong Mo finished speaking, the entire scene fell deathly silent.

Everyone's eyes turned in unison toward the white-haired old man, their gazes filled with awe.

The Prefect of Chengtian Prefecture Academy, Beigong Mo!

The acknowledged number one figure in Chengtian Prefecture's martial world, an old-established Great Grandmaster who had been famous for over a century!

Rumor had it that he had entered the peak of the Great Grandmaster Realm thirty years ago, only one step away from the legendary Martial King Realm.

Normally, this prefect lived in seclusion, spending all year cultivating behind closed doors in the academy's back mountain. He rarely even involved himself in the academy's daily affairs.

No one had expected him to personally step out of the academy gates today for a youth who had only just arrived from a county town!

"Prefect Beigong really came out of seclusion!"

"My heavens! I've been at the academy for three years, and this is my first time seeing the prefect himself!"

"Just who is Chen An? Not only did he stir Professor Mo's Extinction Blade Intent, he even made the prefect personally come forward to snatch him!"

"Ancestor Pei is a Great Grandmaster! Is it really worth it for the prefect to go head-to-head with him over a new student?!"

The surrounding academy disciples lowered their voices as they discussed the matter excitedly.

Those who had mocked Chen An as a country bumpkin and claimed he did not deserve to enter the academy were now pale-faced, their heads lowered, not daring to speak for fear of being noticed.

Pei Wendao's expression darkened until it seemed ready to drip water.

He stared fixedly at Beigong Mo as his