As his voice fell, the black scroll slowly rolled itself up. Wrapped in an invisible force, it floated silently in the air.
"Everyone, I've finished what I came to do, so I'll take my leave. I won't stay for tea!"
Meng Zhige rose, a hint of anticipation on his lips, and strode away through the air. He felt immensely satisfied. What a coincidence! Ji Zhan had tried to lure the mysterious disciple with the position of successor, and Meng Zhige felt he had finally settled the score. Slapping his face felt great.
"Whoa!"
With Meng Zhige gone and the black scroll rolled up, not a trace of pressure remained. After a brief silence, the entire Southern Heaven Academy erupted in excitement.
"Did you hear?"
"The strongest of the human race, Senior Xia, the Saber Saint Wusheng, actually... actually sent a jade decree to our Southern Heaven Academy in person, hoping to take that mysterious disciple as his own! He's at the Invincible Realm! I'm so jealous."
"Who on earth is he, to be so lucky? Even the Saber Saint Wusheng's decree was so tactful, leaving the decision up to him. But there's no question what he'll choose. He cultivates the Dao of the Blade, and the Saber Saint Wusheng is the foremost cultivator of the Dao of the Blade among the human race. No one can stand shoulder to shoulder with him in the Dao of the Blade. He'll definitely go. But now our academy is in an awkward spot. There's too great a difference in status between the academy's successor and the disciple of an Invincible Realm expert." Some disciples muttered among themselves, their gazes falling on Ji Zhan atop the raised platform.
Ji Zhan's expression was a complicated mix of emotions and embarrassment. He had never expected that after gathering all the disciples and spreading the word that he would make the mysterious disciple the successor, his offer would look so ridiculous beside an Invincible Realm expert's decree to take a disciple.
But Ji Zhan had prepared for a long time and was deeply unwilling to give up. He still announced in a loud voice, "Although the academy has no hope now that Senior Lifeless wishes to take you as a disciple, I, Ji Zhan, must still make this announcement. From today onward, if you are willing to become the academy's successor, all its resources will be directed toward you, and the saint's Will Character will be yours. Of course, what we offer cannot compare to Senior Lifeless's offer. The decision is yours!"
Ji Zhan felt awkward even as he spoke, but he finished with a flushed face. After all, he had gathered everyone today precisely to make this announcement.
Ji Zhan left, his face black as could be. He was truly unlucky to run into something like this.
Ji Zhan knew that nine times out of ten, the other party would choose the Saber Saint Wusheng. After all, not only did the Saber Saint Wusheng cultivate the Dao of the Blade, but as his disciple, one could freely study Invincible Realm Will Characters. The Southern Heaven Academy had only one, while there were countless ones there. Such an opportunity and status were simply beyond the reach of a mere academy successor. Even an imperial prince would struggle to obtain such an opportunity; only the crown prince of the imperial dynasty or someone of exceptional talent could receive such treatment.
"Who do you think that mysterious disciple is?"
"How about a bet on how long it'll take him to come out and claim the Invincible Will Character?" A round-faced disciple came over and said with a smile.
"Come on, come on, I'll take the bets! I bet he'll come out to claim the Invincible Will Character within three hours. As the Saber Saint Wusheng's disciple, I doubt anyone in the human race would dare covet him anymore, not even the imperial family. He went into hiding because of what happened to Senior Brother Su Xiuyi, but I doubt he'll stay hidden now. After three hours, I'll pay two to one; after six hours, three to one!" the round-faced disciple said excitedly.
"I'll bet ten gold he shows up in three hours!"
"Three gold on him showing up after six hours."
"Twenty gold he shows up in three hours."
The disciples hurried to place their bets, their faces full of anticipation. Few bet on him appearing after six hours; almost all bet on three. But they all knew he probably wouldn't even need three hours. They were only betting for fun.
The Southern Heaven Academy disciples showed no intention of leaving. They gathered in twos and threes at the training ground, some chatting and shooting the breeze, others cultivating, all waiting for the mysterious disciple to appear. But three hours soon passed, and the black scroll still hung in the air, with no one coming to take it.
Every disciple on the training ground was astonished. None had expected this.
"Haha, I bet thirty gold. Looks like I'll make a good sum this time! Fatty, you're going to lose even the pants off your backside." They looked at the fatty and couldn't help smiling.
A wry smile appeared on the fatty's face. He hoped the man wouldn't appear, but that was impossible. If an Invincible expert took a fancy to him, he'd come running with his tail wagging.
But as everyone waited expectantly, six hours soon passed, and still no one appeared.
"Fuck, he still hasn't shown up? Could he even be looking down on the Saber Saint Wusheng?"
"Is he that proud?" Some disciples took ten thousand points of damage.
The Saber Saint Wusheng had sent an Invincible Will Character to show his intentions, yet the other party still hadn't appeared. The disciples were so jealous they wanted to spit blood. In his place, they would have rushed off to find the Saber Saint Wusheng long ago.
Yet under the watchful eyes of countless disciples, a day soon passed, and the next arrived. Still, no one touched the black scroll floating above the training ground.
"Th-this..."
"He can't really be refusing to consider the Saber Saint Wusheng, can he?" In the distance, Ji Wuming stood beside Ji Zhan, looking at the black scroll with immense jealousy. The man was an Invincible Realm expert, and a formidable one at that.
"Father, do you think our Southern Heaven Academy still has a chance?" Ji Wuming couldn't help asking Ji Zhan.
"Aren't you afraid he'll take your position as successor?" Ji Zhan asked with a smile.
"Why should I be? My talent isn't especially outstanding to begin with. With a heaven's chosen like him appearing, having him become the academy's successor would be a blessing for the academy," Ji Wuming said with a smile.
"I truly hope he refuses and chooses our academy, though that thought is stupid, selfish, and laughable," Ji Zhan said without concealing it.
On a ruined battlefield filled with an ancient, primeval presence, numerous Invincible Realm experts had gathered. Beside the Saber Saint Wusheng, who was dressed entirely in black and looked utterly cold, sat a disheveled drunkard. The drunkard said with a smile, "Old Xia, do you think this fellow is doing it on purpose? A day has passed, and it's almost been two, yet he still hasn't gone to claim your Will Character. I know you put a lot of thought into that Will Character."
"Old Xia, if no one goes to claim the Will Character after three days, will you spit blood?"
"How about we make a bet too?"
A gambler came over, grinning.
"Scram!"
"Or we could exchange a few pointers!"
The Saber Saint Wusheng's expression was hostile.
"All right, I'll scram right now!" The gambler fled at once. He really couldn't afford to provoke him.
"Seriously, if he really refuses, that'll be interesting." The drunkard chuckled, ignoring the Saber Saint Wusheng's displeased gaze.
The Saber Saint Wusheng suddenly felt a little uneasy. Damn it, he isn't really going to make me lose face, is he? If he does, he'd better watch out. I'll have plenty of chances to deal with him. I don't believe he'll stay hidden forever.
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(End of chapter)