After hearing those words, all the Spirit Road trial participants finally felt an indescribable sweetness after so much bitterness.
For over a year, they had lived every day with their hearts in their throats, terrified that someone might slit their throats while they rested, afraid they might not survive the next day unscathed.
Only now, when they stood before the deans of the Five Great Academies and heard the announcement themselves, did their lingering dread subside. They realized that the dust had finally settled on the Spirit Road.
"Which academy are you going to? Come to the Martial Spirit Academy. Some old men just sent me voice transmissions, telling me to do my best to bring you in." Wu Ling smiled, making no attempt to conceal anything. The elders from the Martial Spirit Academy watching him could not stop coughing awkwardly.
Yun Mo had not yet decided. He merely turned toward Wen Qingxuan as she flew down from the platform, his calm expression gradually softening.
Wen Qingxuan's expression remained unchanged, but when she saw his face, she pressed her red lips together and gave a soft huff. "Most heavenly demon grass is either in extremely distant Demon Lands or somewhere others have interfered with even the Mirror of Judgment's probing, making it impossible to locate. The only place you have a chance of getting it is on a Ruins Continent."
"A Ruins Continent?" Yun Mo frowned slightly, puzzled. If it was a Ruins Continent, surely it would be difficult to find. Why would he have a chance there?
"That Ruins Continent is under the control of the Five Great Academies. It's also the venue for the next Academy Tournament. Heavenly demon grass grows inside a Demon Hall there, enough for you to condense your Supreme Dharma Body," Wen Qingxuan said coolly.
"Uh... the Academy Tournament?" Yun Mo's lips twitched. He remembered that tournament, but he had never imagined there would be heavenly demon grass there.
"The Academy Tournament is a competition that countless academies participate in together. Actually, rather than a competition, it's more like another trial ground. There are plenty of opportunities inside. It's just that the final results are tied to the honor of your academy."
Wu Ling gave a brief introduction. Many students from the Martial Spirit Academy had participated in previous Academy Tournaments, and their results had been quite good.
"So? Have you decided which academy you're going to? Another old man just sent me a voice transmission, saying there are plenty of benefits if you join the Martial Spirit Academy. They even promised that you'd become one of their innermost core disciples as soon as you entered."
"You're going to the Martial Spirit Academy?" Wen Qingxuan glanced at Wu Ling, making him smile sheepishly, then turned to ask Yun Mo.
"What else would I do, go to the Ten Thousand Phoenix Academy? Dean Tang Qiu would probably tear me apart," Yun Mo said with a laugh.
Wen Qingxuan stared at him for a long while before smiling. "It's not impossible. I could take you in. Once she sees how talented you are, perhaps she'll open a back door for you."
"Then forget it. I think the front door suits me better."
By then, most of the students had chosen their preferred academies, and the deans of the Five Great Academies turned their attention to the last few remaining participants.
Every one of them possessed king potential, especially those in Yun Mo's group. If an academy could recruit them all, it would become the strongest contender in the next Academy Tournament.
"Student Yun Mo, have you decided which academy to choose? Why not join the Sacred Spirit Academy? I believe your talent would not go to waste here," Dean Tian Sheng said, having also recognized certain realities.
"The Sacred Spirit Academy is rather too sacred, after all. Perhaps the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy would suit you better." Dean Taicang likewise extended an olive branch.
Dean Tang Qiu had been smiling all along, though she paused slightly when she noticed the meaning behind Wen Qingxuan's expression.
"You flatter me, deans. I had already set my heart on the Martial Spirit Academy, so all I can say now is thank you for thinking so highly of me."
"Hehe, you have chosen the Martial Spirit Academy, and the Martial Spirit Academy has chosen you. It will be the best place for you to grow. With your talent, I believe you'll make unimaginable progress there." Dean Tianwang smiled, casting an approving glance at Wu Ling and Wu Yingying before making his promise to Yun Mo.
Dean Taicang sighed inwardly, but he had not come away empty-handed. Luo Li had already chosen to join the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, which had truly delighted him.
In fact, the major spiritual academies had all gained something. Ji Xuan had joined the Sacred Spirit Academy, and Wen Qingxuan had joined the Ten Thousand Phoenix Academy. Only the dean of the Azure Heavens Spiritual Academy felt somewhat disappointed, though he still offered his blessings.
Once every student had confirmed their academy, the Mirror of Judgment erupted with light, forming five illusory, hazy teleportation arrays on the platform.
"Tomorrow, each dean will take their students to their respective spiritual academy. Spend the rest of today saying goodbye to your teammates. After all, meeting again won't be easy."
Yun Mo and the other four arrived at a new courtyard outside the Spirit Road and began drinking again.
In truth, four of the five had joined the Martial Spirit Academy. Only Wen Qingxuan would be heading to the Ten Thousand Phoenix Academy alone.
"Qingxuan, don't worry. Once we get back to the Martial Spirit Academy and enough time has passed, we'll ask the academy elders for permission to visit the Ten Thousand Phoenix Academy," Wu Yingying said, sitting before the bonfire.
"Actually, I could also lead a group to visit your Martial Spirit Academy." Wen Qingxuan took a sip of fruit wine, her face flushing as she smiled.
"Then you have to stay at the Martial Spirit Academy for a while, Qingxuan. Ideally, you could stay until the Academy Tournament begins. Then we could form our little group again and go adventuring together."
"That will depend on whether your Captain Yun Mo is willing to bring along an outsider from the Ten Thousand Phoenix Academy." Wen Qingxuan glanced at Yun Mo, who was drinking with his head lowered.
"Heh, of course he will. Captain Yun Mo might have some dirty thoughts, but he isn't the sort to turn his back on people. We've spent quite a while with him, after all." For the first time, Wu Yingying put in a good word for Yun Mo-one that left him speechless.
"Perhaps you can know a person's face without knowing their heart. Still, you guessed correctly. He really does have some dirty thoughts. He's nothing like what his face lets on." Wen Qingxuan smiled brightly.
Yun Mo spoke the least that evening. He barely exchanged any words with Wu Ling or Qing He, merely sitting to one side, silently watching the moonlight and drinking the fruit wine in his hand.
When the night grew late, Wu Ling and the other two returned to their temporary lodgings as before, leaving Yun Mo and Wen Qingxuan alone.
"I've told you several times already. If you can't handle your wine, don't drink. It's not like we're parting forever. Now you can't even sit upright." Yun Mo rolled his eyes slightly and gently caught Wen Qingxuan as she nearly toppled over, speaking in a low voice.
Wen Qingxuan pressed her red lips together and gazed steadily into his eyes. In the end, she finally let down her
guard and slowly leaned against his shoulder.
"I'm from the Northern Region Wen Family in the Great Thousand World. Even if the Five Great Academies joined forces against it, they would still be no more than an ant. Coming here was merely a chance to temper myself."
"Heh, then I suppose you're an immortal maiden descending to the mortal world. I'm a far cry from that."
Yun Mo smiled and continued, "This humble fellow was born an orphan, but fortunately, a kind old man picked me up. I grew up in the Azure Wood Academy. My family consists of just the old man, Qing He, and a little maid I count as kin. And now I've been branded with an Evil Clan mark, so I might not live to see tomorrow..."
"Then you're far too weak. Someone could slap you dead someday." Wen Qingxuan's gaze gradually grew hazy, though her expression remained calm.
"Yes. And if I don't hurry up and improve my strength, I won't even need anyone from your Wen Family to slap me dead. The Extraterritorial Evil Clan will rob me of my sanity, and I'll fall completely."
"Then what should you do?"
"What else can I do? I'll just have to become the mighty leg everyone wants to cling to."
"...Are you even capable of that?"
"You can try me."
"Get lost!"
Before you continue