Silence filled the large hall as Dean Tai Cang and the rest stared at the Spiritual Energy screen before them. Within it was the scene within the Freshman Area. Clearly, all of the commotion within had been seen by them.
"That little fellow."
Looking at Mu Chen within the Spiritual Energy screen, Dean Tai Cang finally gave a gentle laugh. Within his laughter, there was a feeling of relief.
Ever since he had given Mu Chen that condition, he had, in fact, been observing Mu Chen in the dark. With Mu Chen's current strength, breaking through to the Heavenly Completion Stage within a month was an exceedingly difficult task.
This would cause people to feel an extreme sense of urgency.
Therefore, Dean Tai Cang wanted to see what choice Mu Chen would make when faced with such urgency. Truthfully speaking, they were also slightly flabbergasted by Mu Chen's decision to look for Ling Xi. However, the cultivation method that he had used had caused their hearts to slightly sink.
The path towards becoming a genuine expert was filled with too many thorns and tribulations. However, those that were able to walk through it were all people with firm and tenacious hearts, people that wouldn't easily give up.
In the path of cultivation, one's self was the king. Therefore, Mu Chen's method of relying on Ling Xi's Spiritual Energy to cultivate was a wrong path. Although it might allow his strength to soar in the short term, in the long term, it was a drawback, and would become an inner demon for Mu Chen on his path towards becoming a genuine expert.
If he were to continue on this path, his future achievements would be greatly affected.
A few days ago, even Hallmaster Mo You and the rest had wanted to forcefully stop Mu Chen's actions. However, they were stopped by Dean Tai Cang in the end. If Mu Chen was able to come to his senses, it would be an extremely great boost to his mental state. Others interfering.
On the contrary, it wouldn't be beautiful.
However, even Dean Tai Cang wasn't sure if Mu Chen would truly be able to give up on the temptation of having his strength skyrocket and stop his cultivation. That's because that kind of cultivation was truly too quick and easy for him to increase his strength.
As they quietly waited, half a month went by. In this half a month, Mu Chen's strength was rapidly rising, but there was disappointment in their eyes.
It was also accumulating bit by bit.
If Mu Chen was just an ordinary student, perhaps they wouldn't have reacted this way. However, the current Mu Chen had already surpassed Shen Cangsheng and became the most outstanding student in Hokuang Reiwon.
Even among the previous batches, there were very few students who could compare with him. His path to becoming a powerhouse might be even further than theirs.
Therefore, they had very high expectations for Mu Chen. But now, this kind of expectation.
It was slowly dispersing.
Until two days ago, when Mu Chen suddenly stopped this kind of cultivation method.
"That's rare, I thought that he would sink deeper and deeper." Hall Master Mo You breathed a sigh of relief as he couldn't help exclaiming in admiration. Mu Chen continued to cultivate at the same speed as before.
If he were to cultivate for a few more days, he would have broken through to Heavenly Completion Stage. However, who would have expected that Mu Chen would stop at the most crucial moment?
"However, Ling Xi is really reckless, to actually use such a method.
Exactly what relationship does she have with Mu Chen? "asked Elder Zhu Tian with a frown on his face.
Ling Xi's method.
Excluding the fact that it would affect Mu Chen's cultivation path in the future, she was completely benefiting others at the expense of herself. Such a matter was clearly exceedingly inconceivable. What's more, Ling Xi was famous for her cold and indifferent character. She had never interfered in any of the matters of Hokuang Reiwon. Only when the academy needed to construct a Spiritual Array, and Dean Tai Cang would personally make an appearance, would she give some face and take action.
Dean Tai Cang shook his head. Ling Xi's origins were rather mysterious. However, this was, after all, not harmful to Hokuang Reiwon. He said, "Ling Xi's too young. Although she's extremely powerful, she's still lacking compared to you guys in terms of cultivation. She can't be blamed for this matter. Let's continue to let Mu Chen cultivate at her place. I believe that the matter from before shouldn't happen again."
"If Mu Chen really breaks through to Heavenly Completion Stage, should we allow him to participate in the Divine Spiritual Mountain?" asked Hallmaster Mo You.
"There's still quite a bit of disparity between the strength of a Heavenly Completion Stage Initial Phase and the apex of the younger generation in the Northern Heavens Continent. Although Mu Chen can't be judged by common sense, this is still an extremely dangerous matter," replied Elder Zhu Tian in a deep voice.
"There's still roughly half a year before the Great Academy Competition. If any mishap were to happen to Mu Chen at this time, it would be a huge loss for us."
With a bitter laugh, Elder Zhu Tian continued speaking, "Furthermore, our Hokuang Reiwon has already had an elimination rate of over 80% for the past two consecutive Great Academies. According to the rules, we're not qualified. If this happens again this time, I'm afraid that there might be people who will use this to create trouble and strip us of our title as one of the five Great Academies. After all, the Holy Spirit House has long found us an eyesore. Furthermore, there are quite a few powerful Spiritual Academies eyeing us covetously."
The remaining Elders had also turned silent. Within the five Great Academies, their Hokuang Reiwon was the latest to be established. Compared to them, their foundation was slightly weaker. Back then, the reason why they were able to become one of the five Great Academies was due to borrowing the strength of Lord Northern Sea. However, if their results weren't up to par, they would be stripped of their title. Even Lord Northern Sea wouldn't be able to say anything about it. Furthermore, they didn't have the face to use this as a threat.
If others said that their students did not fight for it and that the academy did not have the ability, it would be enough to shut them up.
"Hmph, the Holy Spirit House has resorted to unscrupulous means in order to recruit talented students over the years. They have even secretly interfered with the Spiritual Road. Back then, they had taken a liking to Ji Xuan, which was why they had secretly helped him, almost causing Luo Li to lose his life. They had also forced Mu Chen to create the Spiritual Road's Blood Calamity, which resulted in a massacre. In the end, he was expelled from the Spiritual Road." Hall Master Mo You coldly snorted. It was obvious that he was extremely dissatisfied with the Holy Spirit House.
"There's also Shen Cangsheng, Li Xuantong and the others. They're also good saplings. Mo Longzi's matter this time was quite a blow to them."
Faintly narrowing his eyes, Dean Tai Cang gently waved his hand and said, "Regarding the matter of the Divine Spiritual Mountain, let's see whether or not Mu Chen is able to break through to Heavenly Completion Stage in the remaining time. As for Shen Cangsheng and the rest, I have my own plans. If we give those kids some time, what can the peak generation of the Northern Heavens Continent amount to?"
Hearing his words, Mo You, Elder Zhu Tian and the rest didn't speak any further, nodding their heads in agreement.
The next day, Mu Chen arrived once again at the secluded mountain peak where Ling Xi was. Over there, Ling Xi was already waiting for him. Upon seeing his figure, a smile surfaced on Ling Xi's face.
"And here I thought that you wouldn't come."
Hearing that, Mu Chen scratched his head.
"I'm sorry. I didn't consider the matter this time."
Looking towards Mu Chen, Ling Xi spoke out in a soft voice. Although her cultivation experience wasn't comparable to that of Hokuang Reiwon and the other Heavenly Seated Elders who had been cultivating for many years, she was, after all, an expert of that level. After calming down yesterday, she was able to sense that the method she had used might bring some disadvantages to Mu Chen.
"I was the one who made the request, so I should be the one to apologise."
Shaking his head, Mu Chen said. Although the matter this time had nearly caused a huge problem for him, it was a good thing for him. Ever since he had arrived at Hokuang Reiwon, his cultivation speed had increased too quickly. His state of mind had also fluctuated after defeating one opponent after another. This time, it could be considered as tempering his state of mind, allowing him to be able to control his own heart.
With a faint smile, Ling Xi replied, "For the sake of making amends, I'll do my best to help you. Naturally, I won't use that method again."
Looking at Ling Xi's beautiful smile, Mu Chen's mood relaxed as he replied with a smile, "As long as it doesn't involve Spiritual Energy fusion, I'm actually quite fond of that cultivation method."
Ling Xi gawked, before a faint blush appeared on her lovable face. Faintly raising her red lips, she said with a grin, "Are you teasing this big sister?"
"It was a slip of the tongue. Let's begin." Giving a dry cough, Mu Chen hurriedly changed the topic.
Glancing at Mu Chen with annoyance in her beautiful eyes, Ling Xi walked towards the back of the mountain, with Mu Chen quickly following behind her. Ten minutes later, they came to a stop in an empty and spacious area at the back of the mountain.
Arriving at this place, Mu Chen looked towards the sky in amazement. The sky here gave off a faint feeling of distortion. Faintly, one could see countless rays of light crisscrossing in a complicated manner, as if there were fluctuations from a Spiritual Array.
Furthermore, Mu Chen could feel that the Spiritual Aura of the world here seemed to be exceedingly dense. Even the leaves in the surroundings had Spiritual Energy condensing into liquid, while a thin layer of mist enveloped the entire region.
"The Spiritual Aura here …" Mu Chen looked towards Ling Xi in astonishment.
"You should know that there's an Eighth Grade Spirit Convergence Array in Hokuang Reiwon, right?" asked Ling Xi with a faint smile.
Mu Chen nodded his head. An Eighth Grade Spirit Convergence Array was an extremely frightening thing. Within the entire Northern Heavens Continent, there might only be one of it. However, ever since he had entered Hokuang Reiwon, Mu Chen had never entered that Eighth Grade Spirit Convergence Array. It's said that the Eighth Grade Spirit Convergence Array wasn't open to the public, and was hidden within the deepest region of Hokuang Reiwon.
Could it be that the Eighth Grade Spirit Convergence Array was located here?
"All of the Spiritual Aura of the world in Hokuang Reiwon is supplied by the Eighth Grade Spirit Convergence Array. Therefore, it can be said that the Eighth Grade Spirit Convergence Array is the foundation of Hokuang Reiwon, and can be considered as the most important thing in Hokuang Reiwon. Unless there's a special situation, it's absolutely not open to the public," explained Ling Xi.
Only then did Mu Chen understand. No wonder he had never heard of anyone truly entering the rumoured Eighth Grade Spirit Convergence Array.
"Then … this place …" Mu Chen looked towards Ling Xi in doubt. Since the Eighth Grade Spirit Convergence Array wasn't open to the public, why did Ling Xi bring it up?
"Indeed, the Eighth Grade Spirit Convergence Array isn't open to the public. However, I'm able to use some methods to steal some of the Spiritual Aura from within," replied Ling Xi with a sweet smile.
"Steal it?" Mu Chen's eyes widened. There was actually such a thing?
"I've stayed in Hokuang Reiwon for so long, and the only thing that has piqued my interest is the Eighth Grade Spirit Convergence Array. Therefore, after studying it for a period of time, although I haven't completely grasped it, I've grasped some of its rules. Therefore, stealing some Spiritual Aura from it isn't too difficult."
Ling Xi placed her hands behind her back, slightly tilting her head to look at Mu Chen. As she did this, her head of fine black hair flowed down like a waterfall, a beautiful and moving sight. Her beautiful eyes stared at Mu Chen as she smiled sweetly.
"If that's the case, it should be considered as proper training, right?
You won't object anymore, right? "
(Begging for monthly votes!