"Academy Master, this disciple is truly mysterious. We've investigated openly and in secret, searching every corner of Southern Heaven Academy, but we still haven't found the slightest trace. No matter how peerless his talent is, if he doesn't show himself, there's nothing we can do." Elders had gathered in the great hall. When they heard that Ji Zhan wanted to find the mysterious disciple, they all frowned. They truly had run out of ideas.
"The academy master naturally has a way, or he wouldn't have summoned everyone here. We're here to discuss an important matter." An academy head rose, his voice carrying authority, and the hall fell silent at once.
"Everyone, what do you think of that disciple's talent and strength?" Ji Zhan swept his gaze across the hall.
"Academy Master, his talent is rarely seen in all the ages. No one can compare to him. So long as he doesn't fall, he has the makings of an Invincible." After exchanging glances with the others, one man rose to answer.
In his twenties, he had single-handedly slain seven great demons of the Mountain and Sea Realm. No one dared question such strength.
"I have now made an important decision. Because of Su Xiuyi, our Southern Heaven Academy was deeply implicated. As a result, no geniuses of outstanding talent appeared at our Jixia Academy for all these years. In recent years, His Majesty the Emperor lifted the ban, and our Southern Heaven Academy has developed greatly. But that is not enough. Our Southern Heaven Academy lacks someone capable of suppressing his entire generation. My son Ji Wuming's talent is not particularly outstanding either. Therefore, I have decided to name that mysterious disciple as the successor to the position of academy master of Southern Heaven Academy." When Ji Zhan finished speaking, a terrifying silence fell over the hall. A pin could have been heard dropping.
The academy master's successor held an extremely high status, comparable to the holy sons of sects. Within the academy, his status was second only to Ji Zhan's and above that of all the elders. He could draw on many of Southern Heaven Academy's resources and was even authorized to enter its scripture repository and cultivate every technique there.
The status of successor was exceptionally exalted.
Yet when Ji Zhan finished speaking, no one objected. Some eyes even flashed with a gleam. This was indeed a brilliant approach: an open scheme, using benefits as bait.
Shen Dong's teacher wanted to speak, but seeing the looks on everyone's faces, he could only hold his tongue. At the palace examination five years ago, Ji Zhan had somehow gained the support of the emperor of Great Zhou. It was no longer possible for him to seize the position of academy master.
"Academy Master, this is a brilliant idea."
"This man's talent is outstanding. He is certain to reach the Invincible Realm. When that happens, Southern Heaven Academy will rank among the foremost academies in the Great Zhou Kingdom. Apart from Jixia Academy, Southern Heaven Academy will definitely be one of the very best, and we will benefit as well."
Some elders and academy heads hurriedly rose to voice their support. They could compete with one another in ordinary times, but the emergence of an expert in the Invincible Realm would bring them greater benefits.
"Since no one objects, it's settled. After you return, summon all the academy's disciples. I will announce this matter before everyone. I refuse to believe he won't be tempted. Our Southern Heaven Academy has a sage's Will Character, after all." A smug smile appeared at the corner of Ji Zhan's mouth.
Before long, Southern Heaven Academy's disciples had gathered.
They whispered among themselves. "Have you heard? There's an important announcement this time. The academy master has already chosen his successor at Southern Heaven Academy. It's that mysterious, powerful disciple, the one with the makings of an Invincible. I wonder whether he'll be tempted to show himself."
"Hiss!"
"The makings of an Invincible? Was he really that outstanding?" Some disciples had not witnessed the battle that day, and they could not help drawing a sharp breath.
"Ah, the academy master has really spared no expense this time. He's even stripped Ji Wuming of his place as successor." Some disciples waited in excitement.
Just as Ji Zhan was about to speak, however, his expression darkened. A terrifying presence had descended upon Southern Heaven Academy, utterly unrestrained.
"Meng Zhige, what exactly are you trying to do? Are you provoking our Southern Heaven Academy?" Ji Zhan's expression was cold, for he had a bad feeling.
"Academy Master, my apologies. I, Meng Zhige, didn't come here to make trouble today, nor would I dare. After all, Academy Master, you are now a trusted confidant of the emperor of Great Zhou. I came to Southern Heaven Academy today to make an announcement." A smile appeared on Meng Zhige's face.
"Hmph!"
"Meng Zhige, do you think nothing of our Southern Heaven Academy? How dare you hover above our academy? What gives you the nerve to act so unrestrained?" The experts of Southern Heaven Academy all wore extremely cold expressions.
"I hover above the academy today not out of disrespect for its sage, but to read the honored words of an Invincible." When Meng Zhige spoke, Ji Zhan's expression turned grim, and his heart sank lower and lower.
"Please present the Invincible's honored words!"
All who reached the Invincible Realm were immensely powerful, and every one of them was a hero of the human race. They had to kneel.
The disciples of Southern Heaven Academy looked on with fervent eyes, wondering which Invincible had sent an edict to the academy.
But the elders' expressions changed. Seeing Meng Zhige's expression, they thought of a possibility they could not accept. Yet they could not offend an Invincible now, or they would be guilty of a grave crime.
"Please descend, Invincible!"
A solemn expression appeared on Meng Zhige's face. He waved his hand, and a black scroll appeared in the air. Meng Zhige hurriedly landed and bowed toward it.
The black scroll slowly unfurled in the air, and a supreme pressure burst from it. The pressure sent a chill through everyone's body.
"Damn it!"
Ji Zhan's heart went cold. It was just as he had expected.
"How is this possible? It's the Saber Saint Wusheng!" The elders of Southern Heaven Academy all turned pale. The disciples did not recognize this presence, but they did. That pressure was filled with the power of slaughter and destruction. This was Xia Wusheng, a human expert of the Invincible Realm, who had comprehended Lifeless Saber Intent. They knew that Xia Wusheng was proud and aloof and had no connection whatsoever to Southern Field Academy. There could be only one reason for his edict to descend: he had taken a fancy to Southern Heaven Academy's mysterious disciple. After all, the saber intent the mysterious disciple (Su Xiuyi) had comprehended was very similar to Xia Wusheng's.
The next moment, terrifying saber intent surged into the sky from the scroll, and the figure of a middle-aged man in black appeared. The terrifying pressure made it impossible to look directly at him.
An indifferent voice rang out, imposing, overbearing, mighty, and unbridled, making hearts tremble. "I, Xia Wusheng, one of the Battle Sect's supreme elders, rose from humble beginnings, fighting my way up one saber strike at a time. I proved my Dao and reached the Invincible Realm. I fought the myriad races and comprehended the Lifeless Slaughter Dao. I have never suffered a defeat in my life, nor have I had a single inheritor. I hear that Southern Heaven Academy has a disciple of outstanding talent who has also comprehended slaughter saber intent. I wish to take you as my disciple. If you accept me as your master, I, Xia Wusheng, will devote all I have learned to helping you prove your Dao and reach the Invincible Realm."
"If you are not interested, I give you this Invincible Will Character as a token of congratulations, young friend. May the human race produce generation after generation of heavenly pride, remain undying, and reign supreme for all ages."
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(End of chapter)