Huang Quan: “…”
Nangong Yan and Nangong Mian were not surprised by this, while Jing Chen expressed his blessings.
Feng Jiuyuan looked at Huang Quan with a half-smile and said, “Are you asking for my blessing, or what?”
Huang Quan glanced at him and said, “I want you to stop talking.”
Feng Jiuyuan: “…”
“Fine, as you wish.”
True to his word, Feng Jiuyuan didn’t say anything more on the matter.
After everyone had said what needed to be said, they each left and returned to their rooms.
—
The next day.
The day off from their training was over, and everyone was heading to class.
Sacred Spirit Academy.
The teacher entered the academy, seeing that all of them were present, with no one missing. He smiled in satisfaction and then said, “Given your excellent performance during this training, the academy is giving you a half-month break.”
Everyone: “…”
Why didn’t they mention this earlier?
Why couldn’t they have said this when they returned?
That way, they wouldn’t have had to come to class today!
“It’s obvious this was a last-minute decision,” Chu Lang, familiar with the academy’s tactics, said. “Teacher, did you discuss what to do yesterday?”
If it wasn’t for some purpose, the teacher wouldn’t have given them a break.
Since they hadn’t mentioned a break before returning, it was clear they had decided it just yesterday.
“The South Yuan Empire is holding a competition,” the teacher didn’t hide anything from Chu Lang and the others, mainly because the news would spread soon anyway.
The teacher continued, “The competition is organized by the South Yuan Empire Academy. As long as you have reached the level of a Sacred Spirit Master, you can participate. The final reward is a cultivation manual.”
After hearing this, Chu Lang was a bit incredulous. “Teacher, you’re giving us a break… Does this mean you’re going?”
The teacher who taught them was the most skilled among the teachers at the Imperial Academy. If the teacher wasn’t going, there would have been no reason to give them a break.
“Mm,” the teacher nodded. “The academy is very interested in the final reward of the South Yuan Empire Academy, so they want me to go and take a look.”
Chu Lang, both incredulous and even more curious, asked, “Teacher, what cultivation method is the South Yuan Empire offering as a reward?”
The Imperial Academy is even interested in it!
The teacher replied, “A dark attribute cultivation method.”
At these words, Huang Quan lifted her head.
Feng Jiuyuan, Jing Chen, and Nangong Yan also looked toward the teacher.
Chu Lang furrowed his brows. “How could there be such a method?”
A dark attribute cultivation method—this was a cultivation method for those with dark spirit roots. As everyone knew, dark spirit roots were the most destructive among all the spirit roots. Those with dark spirit roots often became destroyers due to the darkness within their hearts.
Because of this, the Central Continent was very hostile to both dark attribute cultivation methods and those with dark spirit roots. In fact, the most extreme groups would even hunt them down.
It could be said that those with dark spirit roots were in a worse position than even the demon races.
The demon races could escape back to their homeland if they came to the Central Continent, but those with dark spirit roots could not. Once they were targeted by extremists, they would be pursued to the ends of the earth and would never be let go.
Since those with dark spirit roots were excluded, naturally, their cultivation methods would be as well.
The South Yuan Empire Academy’s people couldn’t possibly be unaware of the consequences of using dark attribute cultivation methods!
Knowing full well the consequences, why would they deliberately offer such a cultivation method as a reward and encourage others to participate?
Chu Lang said, “Teacher, that’s not something good.”
The teacher replied, “I know.”
413
“Not only do I know, but the academy also knows. However, because of its unique nature, this type of cultivation method is now impossible to find. After some discussion, the academy believes it holds significant value as a collectible, so they want me to retrieve the method,” the teacher explained.
“As for you…” the teacher looked at them and said, “During the time I’m gone, focus on cultivating on your own.”
Then, the teacher added, “To be honest, I’d really like to take you with me.”
“But dark attribute cultivation methods tend to attract some maniacs, which could be unsafe for you.”
Though they were all Saint Spirit Masters, considered the pinnacle of the younger generation, this competition wouldn’t just attract young people. There would also be more powerful individuals, whose strength far surpassed that of Saint Spirit Masters.
Bringing the students along made him uneasy, especially considering their esteemed backgrounds. If anything happened, not even the Imperial Academy could bear the consequences. The academy definitely didn’t want anything to happen to its top students.
“So, there won’t be any class today,” the teacher said. “You can head back directly.”
Chu Lang looked at the teacher, wanting to say something, but considering that this decision came from the Imperial Academy and not the teacher himself, he held back. The Imperial Academy’s influence was no less than that of the Pill Pavilion, with vast connections. They surely understood the gravity of the situation.
Leaving the Holy Spirit Academy, Chu Lang and Qing Le left first.
Huang Quan looked at the others and said, “You go ahead. I have something to take care of.”
Feng Jiuyuan glanced at her. “You want to go to the Southern Yuan Empire?”
Huang Quan looked back at him without saying a word.
Seeing her look, Feng Jiuyuan smiled. “I want to join the fun too.”
“Dark attribute cultivation methods are rare.”
Jing Chen looked between Feng Jiuyuan and Huang Quan, frowning. “Why are you two so interested in a dark attribute cultivation method?”
Huang Quan wanted to go to the Southern Yuan Empire because of that dark attribute method, and so did Feng Jiuyuan.
That method wasn’t good. Why were they both so intrigued by it?
Nangong Yan looked at the two of them without speaking.
The others didn’t know why Quan Quan was interested in the dark attribute cultivation method, but he did…
“How about it?” Feng Jiuyuan looked at him. “Why don’t we go together?”
Before Huang Quan could say anything, Feng Jiuyuan continued, “The identity of the young master of Jiuyuan City is very useful in those kinds of situations.”
“It’s even more useful than the title of Crown Prince of the Tianqi Empire,” Feng Jiuyuan added. “After all, that place is the Southern Yuan Empire. Some people aren’t afraid of the empire, but they will be wary of Jiuyuan City.”
Jiuyuan City, also known as Demon City.
Jiuyuan City wasn’t part of the Four Great Empires. In certain situations, the power of Jiuyuan City could be even more influential than that of the Four Empires.
Huang Quan didn’t need to borrow any external power, but if Feng Jiuyuan was going, she couldn’t stop him. Besides…
Her gaze shifted to Jing Chen.
If Feng Jiuyuan went, he would surely bring Jing Chen along as well.
Not long ago, Jing Chen’s father had entrusted him to her care…
Rather than letting Jing Chen go with Feng Jiuyuan, it would be better for them all to go together.
With that thought, Huang Quan said, “Do as you please, as long as you can get the teacher’s approval.”
“Don’t worry.” Feng Jiuyuan smiled. “I guarantee there’ll be no problem.”
Huang Quan nodded without saying more.
The four of them returned to the courtyard together.
After returning, Nangong Yan didn’t head to his own room but went to Huang Quan’s instead.
“Quan Quan.”
“Second brother.” Huang Quan saw him come in and asked, “Are you going to come with us?”
