Bang!
Just as Su Yu was contemplating how many apertures would be enough to open, a loud slam resonated in the research building of the Single Divine Character Faction.
Zhou Pingsheng struck the desk with his palm, shouting furiously, "First Huang Qifeng, then Liu He, Zhu Hong, Yang Sha, Chen Qi... Does our faction have any dignity left? And all because of a single student! What are you all good for?"
Inside the large conference room, dozens of researchers sat in attendance.
"Huang Qifeng has only just regained consciousness, and Senior Brother Zheng still hasn't woken up! How much trouble has a single Su Yu stirred up for us?"
There was another sentence he swallowed back: was that damned research data even real?
He couldn't see the slightest chance of successfully producing results from it!
Zhou Pingsheng raged, "Tell me, how do we solve this Su Yu problem? He's barely been enrolled for two months, yet he's caused this much chaos and dragged our reputation through the mud! Right now, he's merely a student. In a few days, will we researchers be dragged down by him too?"
The crowd maintained a heavy silence.
Zhou Pingsheng turned his glare toward Liu Hong and snapped, "Liu Hong! Didn't you say earlier that you'd handle Bai Feng and his student? Look at what's happened now! That bastard Bai Feng actually killed Zhang Yu!"
"Huh?"
Liu Hong froze for a second, genuinely startled. "Bai Feng killed who?"
"Zhang Yu!"
Liu Hong looked shocked. "That can't be right. Isn't Senior Brother Zhang in the Lingyun Second Layer?"
Zhou Pingsheng said coldly, "I'd like to know why, too! You've clashed with Bai Feng for so many years—don't tell me you had no clue?"
Liu Hong was shaken internally, but he put on an aggrieved front. "Senior Brother Zhou, if I knew he was that strong, I wouldn't have dared cross him! That fellow is ruthless. I've exchanged moves with him a few times before, and he definitely wasn't this powerful! If he can kill Senior Brother Zhang, he can easily kill me. Would I have kept provoking him if I knew that?"
Zhou Pingsheng scowled and lowered his voice in a reprimand. "Bai Feng concealed his strength right under your nose without you noticing. The faction allocates you so many resources each year—what have you been doing with them?"
Liu Hong smiled sheepishly. "Senior Brother, I've been cultivating as hard as I can. Reaching the Tengkong Ninth Layer is just around the corner. After this trip into the Sea of Will Mystic Realm, once I come out, I'll have a shot at Lingyun. I really didn't expect Bai Feng would actually be able to kill Senior Brother Zhang..."
Frowning, he asked, "Senior Brother Zhou, where did he kill him?"
The others also turned their eyes toward Zhou Pingsheng.
Killing someone... That was not something one could casually do without extraordinary circumstances.
Just as they were discussing it, the conference room door pushed open, and an entrant spoke indifferently: "He killed him at Eighteenth Middle School! That area has been designated a war zone by the Xia family. Anyone can enter, anyone can die, and it doesn't matter how many fall!"
A collective jolt ran through the room!
Liu Hong raised his eyebrows slightly, looking at Xia Yuwen with a light smile. "Senior Brother Xia, does the Eighteenth Middle School you mentioned happen to be the intermediate academy I once attended?"
Xia Yuwen could not be bothered with him. Walking straight to the front, he pulled out a chair, sat down, and said flatly, "To make a long story short, whatever is happening at Eighteenth Middle School is your business, not mine. However, Bai Feng killed Zhang Yu there and openly declared that anyone below the Lingyun Third Layer can come as they please, and he'll slaughter them one by one. Dean Zhou wants me to head over and help..."
Surprise flickered across the faces in the room, followed quickly by understanding.
No wonder Xia Yuwen had returned so swiftly!
Bai Feng was undeniably powerful. Whether he was invincible within the same realm was hard to say—after all, no one knew if Bai Feng and Wu Qi had ever fought each other at full strength. But now that even Zhang Yu had been slain by Bai Feng, sending anyone else would only lead to a grim outcome.
While Xia Yuwen spoke, Liu Hong cleared his throat softly and chimed in, "Wait just a moment. War zone, Eighteenth Middle School, killing... To be honest, I'm completely in the dark. What on earth happened?"
"..."
Several people in the crowd cast odd glances his way.
It seemed he genuinely didn't know!
The other elders were aware, as were nearly all their disciples. But Liu Hong's master was in seclusion, Elder Zhao's lineage had very few members, and with no one bothering to inform Liu Hong, he truly was clueless.
Xia Yuwen frowned. Meanwhile, an elderly researcher nearby chuckled softly and said, "It goes like this. Didn't Elder Zheng suffer an injury recently...?"
The old man briefly summarized the sequence of events.
Keeping his expression smooth, Liu Hong smiled and said, "Thank you for the explanation, Elder Lin!"
It was Lin Yao's grandfather!
Taking Lin Yao under his wing had not been entirely without benefits after all.
Out of the corner of his eye, Liu Hong glanced at another quiet old man in the crowd—Liu He's teacher. Did that old fellow know? Even if he did, he hadn't bothered to send a word of warning!
Liu Hong masked his thoughts and asked no further questions.
Xia Yuwen said coolly, "Finished? If you are, listen to me."
Once the room went completely quiet, Xia Yuwen said calmly, "I can go and take care of Bai Feng. However, you must help me secure the position of deputy curator of the Cangshu Pavilion. This was promised to me by Dean Zhou! Beyond that, I don't care about anything else. If you can't force Chen Yong out, then Curator Zhou will have to step down himself and let me take his place!"
Zhou Pingsheng's expression shifted slightly.
Xia Yuwen continued, "Curator Zhou, there's no need to overthink it. The position of branch head in your lineage is currently vacant. If you become the branch head and break through to the Lingyun Ninth Layer, you'll also stand a chance of becoming an elder!"
A gleam flashed across Zhou Pingsheng's eyes.
Xia Yuwen pressed on, "Still, the ideal outcome is to get rid of Chen Yong. If he refuses to leave and hogs the curator position, an alleged deputy curator is merely a joke! The best scenario is for Curator Zhou to become the curator while concurrently serving as branch head. Two years from now, Curator Zhou can enter the council of elders as a branch head, while I enter as the curator!"
Several people nodded slightly. That was indeed an attractive prospect.
Xia Yuwen continued, "When that time comes, with some elders out on the All-Heavens Battlefield and others in seclusion, adding two more elders from our side will turn the Civilization Academy into the private backyard of the Single Divine Character Faction. In fact... even re-electing the academy principal wouldn't be out of the question!"
The moment those words landed, the researchers' faces changed drastically.
An elderly man in the crowd cleared his throat and cautioned, "Yuwen, do not speak recklessly! Principal Wan has led the academy to unprecedented prosperity. Right now is its absolute peak, and everything is progressing smoothly!"
Xia Yuwen turned his head to glance at him and said flatly, "I merely said there is hope and possibility."
Ignoring the old man, Xia Yuwen continued, "Chen Yong is in the Lingyun Ninth Layer and never steps outside the academy, making him difficult to deal with. His student is his weakness. If you can't even handle a mere student, what right do you have to contest for supremacy over the academy?"
Looking around at everyone, Xia Yuwen said in a cold tone, "After all these years, has the Single Divine Character Faction fallen so low that it cannot even handle a single Su Yu?"
Some lowered their heads in shame, while others silently cursed. *Didn't your own student fail to deal with him, too? He was nearly beaten to death! How do you have the nerve to lecture us?*
Xia Yuwen's sudden intrusion into a meeting of the Single Divine Character Faction had already displeased quite a few people. Seeing him act as if he were their supreme leader rubbed many the wrong way.
They felt Zhou Pingsheng was far too soft!
If Zheng Yuming had been present, Xia Yuwen would never have dared to act this arrogant.
There were several other Lingyun Ninth Layer experts scattered among the crowd, but unfortunately, none of them wished to stick their necks out at this moment. They remained quiet, allowing Xia Yuwen to boast unchallenged.
Seeing them keep silent, Liu Hong chuckled and said, "Earlier, Dean Zhou also discussed this matter with me. I offered a suggestion back then, and the dean said he would consider it. I'm not sure what the dean thinks of it now."
Xia Yuwen cast a sidelong glance at him and said indifferently, "Liu Hong, let's hear it. Among that batch back then, you had the sharpest mind, even if your combat strength was somewhat lacking."
Liu Hong took no offense and smiled. "Make Su Yu advance to the Tengkong Realm!"
"Nonsense!"
"Absurd!"
Outcries instantly broke out among the researchers. Liu Hong remained completely unfazed, sighing, "To be honest, our current students... how should I put it? They really are somewhat inadequate. On the Top 100 Rankings, only Zhai Feng sits in the top ten. The others are either over thirty years old or have already broken through to Tengkong!"
"In truth, there are quite a few geniuses and powerhouses among our Tengkong students!"
"Yet when it comes to the Top 100 Rankings right now—pardon my bluntness, Senior Brother Zhou—even Zhai Feng falls considerably short compared to Zhan Hai and the others at the very top."
Liu Hong smiled. "That is precisely why we're facing this trouble! But what if Su Yu advances to Tengkong?"
"Can a single newly minted Tengkong change anything?"
"Not only can he not, but once he's in Tengkong, we'll have countless ways to discipline him!"
Liu Hong chuckled. "Tengkong practitioners must take on mandatory missions, including annual assessments. Just toss a difficult mission his way, and Su Yu will have more trouble than he can handle! If that doesn't work, assign him to be stationed on the All-Heavens Battlefield for a few years. But as long as he remains below Tengkong inside the academy, no matter how powerful we are, what can we do to him? Senior Brother Xia, even you wouldn't dare strike at a student inside academy grounds, would you?"
Liu Hong continued with a grin, "So, while this might appear to be aiding the enemy on the surface, in reality, it's meant to shackle Su Yu. And right now, we have the perfect opportunity. Throw him into the Sea of Will Mystic Realm! With the sheer purity of willpower in that mystic realm, even if Su Yu doesn't directly enter Tengkong, he'll be pushed right to his limit. When that happens, with just a few gentle pushes, he'll be forced into Tengkong—perhaps before he can even finish outlining a divine character battle technique!"
Liu Hong said in a meaningful tone, "Helping someone doesn't necessarily mean you're truly helping him! Clashing stubbornly with Su Yu at this stage makes little sense; it only depletes our own strength. Geniuses like Huang Qifeng and Zhu Hong originally had high hopes of advancing to Tengkong soon, but look at what this commotion has done... How much have their plans been delayed?"
Following his explanation, the expressions of several people shifted subtly.
A few researchers stared at him, feeling that it actually made a lot of sense.
Even Xia Yuwen gave a slight nod, finding the proposal quite sound.
Zhou Pingsheng, however, frowned and countered, "Let him enter the Sea of Will Mystic Realm? That is a sacred cultivation ground! Furthermore, who can guarantee he'll definitely break through to Tengkong? What if he doesn't? From what I can tell, he seems to have mastered the Expanding Will Art! None of us know the exact details of that art, but we all know Zhao Li's situation—his realm even degraded because of it! Liu Hong, be careful that your cleverness doesn't backfire!"
Liu Hong pondered for a moment and nodded. "Fair point! In that case, if worse comes to worst, we can only enlist the help of the top ten students on the rankings, or perhaps recruit students from the Myriad Races Academy, or the veteran students lingering in the retirement area..."
At these words, Zhou Pingsheng murmured after a moment's thought, "Our faction does have quite a few senior veteran students! Several are stuck at peak Yangxing or the Wanshi Ninth Layer. In terms of sheer combat power, they might not even be weaker than Zhan Hai!"
There were many senior students. Tengkong was a formidable bottleneck, and many were stuck there for decades without finding a breakthrough. Yet these older students possessed formidable divine characters, potent willpower, and exceptionally strong physical bodies. With numerous battle techniques and divine characters under their belts, their combat strength was arguably superior to Zhan Hai's in every way except for their inability to advance!
Zhou Pingsheng frowned as he spoke, "However, academy rules dictate that students under thirty belong to one category, while those over thirty belong to another..."
Liu Hong smiled. "Senior Brother Zhou, I am well aware. I also know that kid Su Yu is exceptionally skilled at exploiting the rules."
At this, both Xia Yuwen's and Zhou Pingsheng's expressions darkened.
Liu Hong chuckled. "However... we are the ones who write the rules! We can simply organize an open competition, not restricted to those under thirty—anyone below Tengkong can join! As long as we offer rewards that Su Yu covets, could he possibly resist? Once he is tempted, the rules will be entirely under our control!"
Radiating the confidence of a master strategist, Liu Hong said, "For instance, Su Yu wants to break through to Wanshi. Merging apertures in Wanshi is exceedingly difficult. Heavenly Origin Fruits offer immense help for merging apertures, as do Aperture Merging Pills and Aperture Clearing Talismans... Would Su Yu want those?"
"He would! And with his immense confidence, would he decline to participate?"
Liu Hong continued, "Furthermore, we can even put up slots for the Sea of Will Mystic Realm as rewards! When that happens, non-human students, geniuses from various years—anyone below Tengkong—will flock to enter! We could even trade a single slot to convince Zhan Hai and the others to target Su Yu in the ring!"
"Who wouldn't want to enter? Who wouldn't want to advance to Tengkong?"
Liu Hong laughed. "When the time comes, will our people even need to lift a finger? Those desperate for a slot will naturally strike at Su Yu with everything they have, being as brutal as possible, because Su Yu is undeniably one of the strongest contenders!"
After speaking for a while, Liu Hong took a sip of tea and resumed, "There are plenty of ways to deal with Su Yu; it simply comes down to whether we are willing to part with the resources. Truth be told, we've already suffered massive losses. If this continues, the damage will far exceed the value of a single slot in the Sea of Will Mystic Realm!"
Many researchers nodded in agreement. One chimed in, "Indeed! Liu Hong's ideas are solid; I support this!"
"I think it's viable as well. We can't keep risking the futures of our own students. If they're crippled for months, they fall behind, and the Top 100 Rankings will be thrown into further disarray. That would only bring us greater losses!"
Voices of approval rose from all around. They agreed that these measures were well thought out.
Letting Zhan Hai or the veteran students from the senior quarters deal with Su Yu at the cost of some rewards—without having their own people risk life and limb—was truly the best path forward.
Zhou Pingsheng furrowed his brow. "My only concern is that this might end up benefiting Su Yu! That kid is extraordinarily talented. Just look at the strength he's attained in such a short time! If he really snatches a slot or secures those treasures..."
Liu Hong laughed. "Then he breaks through to Tengkong, which brings us right back to square one. Tengkong... Senior Brother Zhou, are we truly afraid of a Tengkong? What we fear is Su Yu disrupting morale among our ranks!"
"No matter how strong a Tengkong is, what can he achieve? Bai Feng is strong enough, isn't he? But has he been able to change anything?"
Xia Yuwen suddenly interjected, "Then we do it this way! Whether Su Yu wins or loses, if he loses, someone will have dealt with him; if he wins and enters the Tengkong Realm, Wu Jia will have no one left to support her on the Top 100 Rankings, and we can seize the opportunity to pull Chen Yong down!"
He found the plan excellent.
Liu Hong indeed possessed a sharp, opportunistic wit. Others in the room might have thought of it, but none had dared to speak up—if this maneuver backfired and ended up benefiting Su Yu, whoever proposed it would bear the blame. Everyone else was only thinking of self-preservation, lacking all initiative.
Seeing Xia Yuwen's approval, Liu Hong smiled again. "Senior Brother Xia, in fact, the best outcome remains forcing Su Yu to advance. Otherwise... if he continues rampaging up the rankings and gravely injuring Top 100 students round after round, it won't matter to ordinary researchers, but for those senior brothers holding important posts whose students fall off the list, passing the secondary assessment might become very difficult!"
For those in ordinary positions or holding no vital posts, it wasn't a major issue. But those occupying key administrative roles had reason to worry.
Take Zhou Pingsheng, for instance!
As deputy curator, if his students dropped off the Top 100 Rankings, he would be subjected to a secondary evaluation.
These assessments were spearheaded by researchers from the neutral factions.
A primary, standard assessment was easy enough to pass. But once a secondary assessment was triggered—questioning one's teaching competence and probing for dereliction of duty—the scrutiny became agonizingly strict!
This was an essential mechanism maintaining the academy's operation.
If your students made the Top 100 Rankings, it proved you were fulfilling your responsibilities and performing your duties as a teacher. But if your students lacked strength, where had the funding allocated to you each year gone?
Even the research centers were subject to the same oversight!
The academies of various prefectures had operated smoothly for years, producing an endless stream of experts precisely because the secondary assessment hung over them like an executioner's blade. Ordinarily, the academy rarely interfered with instructors, but failing the year-end assessment meant immense trouble!
Liu Hong's words caused the faces of several attendees to pale.
Even Zhou Pingsheng spoke in a deep, grim tone, "I have nothing to hide! I don't fear a secondary assessment! However, once a secondary review begins, those fellows love nitpicking and blowing minor issues out of proportion. Resolving Su Yu is of paramount importance!"
Liu Hong and the others sneered inwardly.
*Not afraid?*
*You're the deputy curator of the Cangshu Pavilion; can you honestly claim your hands are completely clean?*
*Bringing unauthorized people into the pavilion, even swapping out ancient texts of will for newly crafted ones—you've done it all! Chen Yong did similar things, but primarily to support the Multiple Divine Characters Faction, so people turned a blind eye. If a true investigation were launched, Chen Yong wouldn't escape, but neither would you! Chen Yong at least replenished his deficits; you probably haven't even covered yours, and heaven knows how much you've pocketed! Would you dare face an audit?*
Zhou Pingsheng continued, a chilly glint flashing in his eyes. "Su Yu must be dealt with! As for matters outside, our master and the others will take care of them. Wu Yuehua and her circle won't hold out for long. Over the years, they are the only ones who have consistently opposed us. As long as Liu Wenyan is dealt with this time, they will lose their pillar. Among themselves, they don't even share much of a personal bond..."
Liu Wenyan was the linchpin!
Without Liu Wenyan, those figures would not stand united.
It would be ideal to resolve the issues both inside and outside the academy smoothly this time.
If that succeeded, the Great Xia Civilization Academy—and even the entire Great Xia Prefecture—would have nothing left to worry about!
Liu Hong chuckled. "Naturally! I believe the dean and the others can resolve them without issue. Liu Wenyan has only just entered the Tengkong Realm after all! Thus, our task remains keeping our backyard peaceful. To be thrown into disarray by a single Su Yu... we wouldn't be able to face the dean and elders when they return!"
Zhou Pingsheng asked abruptly, "Is Su Yu's father serving in the military?"
"..."
Liu Hong and the others glanced at him, none uttering a word.
Xia Yuwen also cast an eye his way and warned calmly, "Cast away those thoughts. You should know that the Demon Suppression Army is the personal reserve of the Prefect! Anyone who dares interfere with it dies!"
"I know!"
Zhou Pingsheng was no fool. He offered a light laugh. "I wasn't planning on anything reckless. I merely meant assigning Su Yu's father to a few more missions, assisting Civilization Masters in their tasks—that's standard duty, isn't it?"
"There are countless powerhouses on the All-Heavens Battlefield. For an ordinary soldier, accidents happen far too easily!"
"If that happens, would Su Yu still have the heart to cause trouble here?"
"..."
Liu Hong felt pure disdain inside. *What is this old scoundrel thinking? If an investigation reveals deliberate tampering, you can die all you want, but don't drag the rest of us down with you!*
Xia Yuwen frowned. "Do not stir up unnecessary trouble! Why concern yourself with a mere foot soldier? Dealing with Su Yu is enough. If the Demon Suppression Army senses foul play, let alone you, even your master couldn't afford the consequences!"
After a moment's reflection, Zhou Pingsheng nodded. He had a point.
It was indeed too dangerous.
Forget it. If someone investigated and found something amiss—even if it looked like an ordinary deployment—trouble would follow once rumors spread.
"Then we shall proceed as Liu Hong suggested... The best option is to host a tournament without age restrictions. As long as no Tengkong cultivators participate, it complies with academy regulations!"
With that, Zhou Pingsheng added, "I will submit a request to my master for slots in the Sea of Will Mystic Realm, along with additional rewards. I will oversee the event. Furthermore, no matter what happens, even if Wu Jia makes the rankings now, she must be knocked off before the end of December!"
Xia Yuwen did not care about the rest of their discussion. Rising to his feet, he said, "I only need that guarantee. As for Su Yu, I leave him to you! Also, Curator Zhou, make arrangements so that my student can access the ninth floor of the Cangshu Pavilion."
"Zhou Hao?"
"Yes."
Zhou Pingsheng frowned. "That... the ninth floor is Chen Yong's private domain. He guards it zealously. When I brought people there last time, he threw a temper. If we provoke him again, I'm afraid it will cause complications!"
"Then force Chen Yong out of the academy."
Xia Yuwen remained entirely calm. Without another word, he turned and strode out.
Once he was gone, someone muttered in an undertone, "The Xia family is overbearing as always—coming and going as they please!"
A meeting of the Single Divine Character Faction had turned into Xia Yuwen's personal stage.
Zhou Pingsheng frowned at the speaker and said coldly, "Are you going to drive him out, then? We are currently cooperating, and my master is away. Do not escalate conflicts!"
"Hmph!" Someone sneered.
Liu Hong watched the spectacle, seeing through it completely. It was all a struggle for the position of branch head.
With Zheng Yuming severely wounded, Xia Yuwen appeared ready to back Zhou Pingsheng's bid for branch head. But there were several other Lingyun Ninth Layer experts present—how could they possibly accept that?
Last time, Zheng Yuming had secured the position because his strength was sufficient, and Zhou Mingren had backed him.
Now, Zhou Mingren's direct lineage wanted to monopolize it again. How could the other factions stand for it?
A branch head had a very high chance of becoming an elder.
Once one became an elder, their treatment and status transformed entirely.
It could even serve as a stepping stone to enter the Quest Realm. Without becoming an elder, one could technically still visit the Quest Realm, but it was pointless—they wouldn't retain you, and no one would pay you any mind. But an elder from the Great Xia Civilization Academy carried significant weight there.
Going to the Quest Realm for advanced study offered an immense probability of advancing to the Shanhai Realm.
Among the thirty-six Shanhai experts of the Great Xia Civilization Academy, nearly half had studied at the Quest Realm before breaking through.
Zhou Pingsheng could not be bothered with the bickering and impatiently declared the meeting adjourned.
Once everyone had left, however, he held Liu Hong back.
As soon as the others departed, Zhou Pingsheng lowered his voice and barked, "Was that research data from last time real or fake? Earlier, Su Yu claimed you..."
"Senior Brother, I'm innocent!" Liu Hong pleaded helplessly. "I already explained everything to the dean, and he believed us..."
Zhou Pingsheng frowned. "Did you tell him how many merit points were traded for it?"
"I did..."
"Hmph!"
Zhou Pingsheng showed a trace of anger and muttered darkly, "Telling our master is one thing, but you are forbidden from blabbing about it to anyone else! Junior Brother Liu, you're a smart man. You understand what I mean!"
A flicker passed through Liu Hong's eyes as he nodded. "Understood! Rest assured, Senior Brother, I wouldn't gain anything from spreading this around either. If it truly turns out to be fake... which seems highly probable right now, you'll be in trouble, and I'll be a grasshopper tied to the same string! My situation is already difficult; if accountability is pursued, I'll suffer even more than you. I'm not an idiot!"
"Good that you know!"
Zhou Pingsheng nodded. That was true enough; if he went down, Liu Hong wouldn't escape either.
Lowering his voice to a willpower transmission, Zhou Pingsheng said, "The Sea of Will Mystic Realm can accommodate at most fifty people at once. If there are stronger individuals entering, the number of slots must be reduced. Every single slot is vital. This time, I will do my best to apply for a few extra slots from my master under the pretext of dealing with Su Yu."
"The top three, or even top five, can each receive a slot. But... I want those winners to be our own people! Junior Brother Liu, you and I are tied together now. Other factions will definitely want a hand in this tournament, or they'll watch me like hawks."
"You are different. As Elder Zhao's disciple, you have the standing to participate. If a dispute arises, I will do my utmost to hand the organization of the tournament over to you. You know what needs to be done!"
Zhou Pingsheng said meaningfully, "You care deeply for that younger brother of yours. If we secure enough slots, it's not impossible to reserve one for him! As for the rest, I want the people I choose to enter. Do you understand?"
Liu Hong wore a look of shock, replying via transmission, "Senior Brother, countless eyes will be watching this! Rigging it won't be easy. If people find out, outsiders might not be able to do much, but if the dean or the other elders find out, I... I won't be able to shoulder the blame!"
Zhou Pingsheng said impatiently, "Do you lack even that much ability? On paper, this is meant to target Su Yu. If you manipulate the matchups slightly, no one will object. Making Su Yu face powerful opponents consecutively is something everyone will understand. Using that chance to weed out outsiders and competitors—is that really so hard?"
"But... Senior Brother, even if Zhai Feng and Qiu Yun don't run into those powerhouses, they might not necessarily win a slot... Besides, doesn't Zhai Feng already qualify for one?"
"It's not for them!"
Zhou Pingsheng frowned. "Don't ask about things you shouldn't. Once the tournament is arranged, I'll provide you with a list! No one will know, and I won't make it too obvious."
Liu Hong speculated privately. *Is he planning to sell them off, or are these experts he's cultivating in secret?*
*Cultivating in secret... seems unlikely.*
*Selling them off?*
*Damn!*
*This old bastard's greed knows no bounds!*
If a slot in the Sea of Will Mystic Realm were put up for sale, countless cultivators desperate to reach Tengkong would jump at the chance. It wouldn't be surprising if someone bankrupted themselves for a spot—two to three thousand merit points would be snapped up instantly.
In fact, if he found someone wealthy who had been barred from Tengkong for years, selling one for five thousand merit points was entirely possible!
For some people, what was lacking was never merit points, but opportunity.
The opening of the Sea of Will Mystic Realm was not simply a matter of money.
Having deduced Zhou Pingsheng's underlying intention, Liu Hong hesitated briefly before saying, "Alright. If Senior Brother can fight for me... then I'll... I'll see if I can secure a slot. My brother... sigh, he's worried me sick!"
Zhou Pingsheng patted his shoulder with a smile. "Rest easy. If I truly become branch head, I will look after your lineage as well!"
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Liu Hong hastily expressed his gratitude, looking profoundly moved.
Zhou Pingsheng didn't take it to heart. Chuckling, he turned and walked away.
Once he left, Liu Hong strolled back at an unhurried pace.
His mind, however, was racing.
What an elaborate play!
With Zhang Ruoling's grave dug up, it seemed the Single and Multiple Divine Characters Factions were truly going to fight with blood in their eyes!
It was even beginning to pull in forces outside the Great Xia Prefecture!
"Zhang Ruoling..."
A figure flashed through his mind.
He truly had known Zhang Ruoling. What he had told Su Yu earlier wasn't a lie. Who would have thought that this deceased man would become the spark for this entire explosion?
*Once that kid Su Yu finds out, he'll probably question why I didn't step in to help...*
Chuckling silently, Liu Hong's thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Now that that bastard Bai Feng had suddenly revealed such monstrous strength, Liu Hong's own value had shrunk. He needed to find someone to substitute for Bai Feng, and Su Yu was an excellent candidate!
If he couldn't suppress Bai Feng, suppressing Su Yu would do just as well, wouldn't it?
He was a genius assistant researcher after all!
*The Single Divine Character Faction... what are they really thinking?*
Liu Hong muttered internally.
What was Zhou Mingren scheming?
With the Xia family and the Zhou family both entangled, did he truly believe he could snatch chestnuts from the fire?
Making such a massive scene—did he really think Principal Wan was so broad-minded?
Bypassing the principal to contact various academies... One had to remember that Wan Tiansheng was the true leader of Civilization Masters in the Great Xia Prefecture. Zhou Mingren had overstepped his authority!
Even if they succeeded in wiping out the Multiple Divine Characters Faction, who would truly lead the Civilization Masters of the Great Xia Prefecture in the future?
*Zhou Mingren cannot be unaware of this, unless... unless he has the confidence to break through to the Sun Moon Realm!*
Liu Hong's heart skipped a beat!
If Zhou Mingren was certain he could reach the Sun Moon Realm, then what Xia Yuwen had mentioned earlier about replacing the principal was not entirely out of the question. Could it be that eliminating the Multiple Divine Characters Faction was merely a pretext, and the true goal was pushing Zhou Mingren into power?
With so few clues, it was impossible to be certain.
Yet if Zhou Mingren genuinely had a chance to reach Sun Moon—or had already broken through—his ultimate motive was anyone's guess!
The Great Xia Civilization Academy operated under dual leadership: the Great Xia Prefecture and the Quest Realm.
And the Zhou family...
Could the figure from the Zhou family be aiming to drive a wedge into the Great Xia Prefecture?
*Surging undercurrents!*
*In times like these, even a Tengkong is nothing more than a pawn!*
This involved a clash between two prefectures!
A clash between the strongest prefectures!
The Great Zhou, Great Xia, and Great Qin... These three dominant prefectures had likely planted numerous operatives in one another's territories. Were they setting their sights on the Great Xia Prefecture now?
Did the Great Zhou Prefecture intend to seize control over the Great Xia Prefecture?
The more he thought, the more terrified Liu Hong became.
*Better stop guessing!*
Prying any further would invite immense trouble. The stakes involved might exceed his wildest imagination. It was far wiser to look out for his own interests.
He likely wasn't the only one pretending to be a fool while seeing everything clearly.
*I might as well keep playing my own game. Time to find Su Yu. To think my master's grave has been desecrated... How utterly grief-stricken and outraged I must be!*
In the next instant, Liu Hong's face morphed into an expression of profound sorrow and righteous fury!
It vanished in a flash, reverting to a faint, playful smile.
Fairly satisfied with his disguise, Liu Hong chuckled. Nowadays, without wearing a few masks, one could hardly step out to face the world.
Who could tell which fool was truly clever, or which clever man was a supreme schemer?
Take Zhou Pingsheng, for instance... Heaven only knew what that fellow was plotting deep down.
"Lingyun..."
"The Sea of Will Mystic Realm!"
Liu Hong murmured softly. Perhaps it was time for him to step into Lingyun as well. Xia Yuwen had made it, Wu Qi was close, and even Bai Feng had slain a Lingyun expert. If he didn't advance soon, he would lose all face.
Chapter 184