Chapter 67: Do You Dare?

Ye Feng refused Jian Chengfeng's invitation for two reasons: first, he had promised Mentor Li, and second, he did not look up to someone who acted superior. That innate sense of superiority had no effect on Ye Feng.

After registering, the group of nineteen found a secluded spot to wait for Mentor Li and the others to arrange their accommodations. It did not take long, about half an hour, before Mentor Li and three other mentors approached, accompanied by two more people.

"Have you all finished registering?" Mentor Li asked everyone.

"Done!"

"Good. Let me introduce you to these two mentors, Qi and He. They will take care of you in the academy. Get to know them."

It turned out that Mentor Li had called in old friends to look after them in the academy, to prevent them from being bullied. This was a well-intentioned move.

"Greetings, Mentors!" Over a dozen people bowed together. Each of them was a shrewd individual and understood Mentor Li's intentions, showing great respect. Being able to connect with inner court mentors would provide them with more options in the future.

"You don't need to be so formal. We are outer court mentors, but we can still help you with matters in the outer court. Since Mentor Li has spoken, we will do our best. However, whether you can survive in the academy depends on your own efforts," Mentor Qi said, his eyes scanning everyone, finally settling on Ye Feng. Mentor Qi had a keen eye.

"Since everyone has registered, let's go to the rest area and wait for the assessment in two days. Only those who pass will become inner court disciples. If you fail, you will have to return home and try again next year," Mentor He, who seemed less talkative, said to everyone.

Led by the two mentors, the group moved deeper into the mountains. Outer court disciples usually had this advantage; if they knew someone in the inner court, they could find a place to stay. As for the independent cultivators or disciples from large families, they were not as fortunate and had to wait on the square for two days.

"This year is good. There are a few promising ones, much better than last year. I estimate about half of them will pass," Mentor Qi, who seemed familiar with Mentor Li, said with a smile as he looked at the young people in front of him.

"You noticed too!" Mentor Li smiled mysteriously. "Which one do you think is the best?"

"That guy is good. Although his realm is not the highest, I noticed his inner strength and the potential in his body. His future achievements will be boundless," Mentor Qi pointed at Ye Feng and said softly.

"Good eyesight. I also think this guy is not simple. To grow so much in just three months is a miracle," Chapter 67: Do You Dare?

Mentor Li admired Mentor Qi's keen eye, which could spot Ye Feng's outstanding qualities among the crowd, even noticing his inner strength. Most people only looked at realms, and since Ye Feng was only at the Ninth Level of the Later Heaven stage, many others had reached the Half-Step先天 stage, yet they did not catch the mentors' attention.

Ye Feng and the others were completely unaware of the conversation behind them. They were stunned by the scene before them. Countless buildings were scattered across the Black Yan Mountains, stretching for about a thousand miles. The entire complex was vast, with towering peaks, pavilions, and terraces built along the mountains, as well as numerous bamboo houses and courtyards nestled in the hills.

Huge squares appeared before Ye Feng, about fifteen or sixteen in total. On these squares, many disciples were practicing. Dozens of towering peaks pierced the clouds, each covered with numerous buildings, and disciples moved through them. Immortal cranes soared into the sky, with people sitting on them, flying through the mountains.

This was a scene of a fairyland, with a faint mist and a dense aura of spiritual energy. Ye Feng and the others felt as if they had entered a paradise, completely enchanted. The Heavenly Spirit Academy's outer court was incomparable to the inner court, which was so vast that the outer court was not even as big as one of the inner court's peaks.

"Hey, isn't that Old Li? Where are you going?" From a side path, another group of people approached. Suddenly, a cold voice came from the direction of Ye Feng, with a hint of sarcasm.

Everyone looked over. The road was wide enough, and the other group, about twenty people, quickly joined them. The one who spoke was a Half-Step先天 realm cultivator, likely a mentor, and seemed to be quite familiar with Mentor Li.

Mentor Li looked annoyed, seemingly disliking this person, and responded with a cold snort.

"Nice, you managed to gather over a dozen this year, but they don't look impressive! Not even a Half-Step先天 realm cultivator among them," the man said, seemingly flattering but actually mocking.

"Meng Zhonghai, don't get too cocky. Just because you have a Half-Step先天 realm cultivator doesn't mean you're great. We'll see who wins during the assessment," Mentor Li replied with a cold snort.

Meng Zhonghai was also a mentor in the Heavenly Spirit Academy's outer court, but he was based in the northern part of the Southern Divine Land, where it was cold and harsh. Despite the tough conditions, it was very suitable for cultivation, as cultivators had to endure extreme cold daily, forcing them to cultivate to resist the cold.

These two were once inner court disciples and had some unpleasant history. Over the past decade, they would meet at the end of the year during the disciples' assessment. Meng Zhonghai's disciples always outperformed, leading to constant sarcasm and ridicule.

"Oh, you seem very confident, even without a Half-Step先天 realm cultivator. Looks like you're getting old and losing confidence, or maybe you're just content with the status quo?" Meng Zhonghai continued to mock, and his disciples joined in.

"Mind your own business. Whether I'm content with the status quo is none of your concern!" Mentor Li's face turned pale with anger.

"Forgot to tell you some good news. In a year, I'll return to the inner court, receive rewards, and even advance in realm. Don't you want to congratulate me?" Meng Zhonghai was extremely provocative, his tone unfriendly.

"What are you, a nobody? You need a year, but Mentor Li will return in half a year. What are you boasting about?"

Seeing Mentor Li being constantly belittled, Ye Feng could not stand it. If this continued, it would not only hurt Mentor Li but also demoralize all the disciples, who were already looking dejected. When a mentor is bullied, the disciples feel ashamed.

"Ye Feng, no!" Mentor Li tried to stop him, but Ye Feng had already spoken. With his current points, it would take more than ten years, not half a year, to return to the inner court.

"Old Li, is this the disciple you've trained? He doesn't know his place, speaking so disrespectfully to his elders. Shouldn't he be slapped?" Meng Zhonghai glanced at Ye Feng with a questioning tone, even demanding that Ye Feng slap himself.

"The young one is ignorant, don't take it to heart!" Mentor Li gave Ye Feng a look, signaling him to be less confrontational. This was the inner court, full of geniuses, and he did not want Ye Feng to get into trouble.

"The young one is ignorant, but it's the elder's responsibility. Since you're protecting him, what should be done? He insulted me, and this can't be left unresolved," Meng Zhonghai was being unreasonable, thinking Ye Feng had insulted him. As a mentor, he was a higher rank than Ye Feng.

"One must take responsibility for one's actions. What do you want? I'll take it all!" Seeing Mentor Li's dilemma, Ye Feng knew that no matter what he did, these people would not let it go. They would not leave without humiliating Ye Feng and the others, and he had seen through their intentions.

"Courageous, but courageous people often die young. Don't say I didn't give you a chance. Kneel and kowtow three times, and I'll let it go."

Meng Zhonghai was extremely arrogant, not acting like a mentor at all. He demanded that Ye Feng kneel and kowtow.

More people were passing by, as the Heavenly Spirit Academy had several outer courts, and most were returning to the inner court for the assessment. Most were just watching, hoping for a spectacle. No one intervened, as the outer courts were in competition, and they hoped for a mutual loss, giving them more opportunities.

"Afraid you can't handle it!" Ye Feng laughed coldly, emitting a killing aura, his eyes piercing Meng Zhonghai, who felt intimidated and dared not meet his gaze.

"Arrogant brat, our mentor is giving you a chance. Since you don't know your place, I'll teach you a lesson. You should go back and drink milk," a young man from the crowd, about twenty years old, stepped forward, pointing at Ye Feng angrily.

"Being taught by a senior is what I seek!" Ye Feng laughed coldly. The young man was only at the Half-Step先天 realm, yet he wanted to teach Ye Feng a lesson.

Meng Zhonghai did not stop him but signaled his disciples to clear a space, clearly satisfied with the young man's actions.

"If you can withstand my punch, we'll forgive your insult to our mentor. If you can't, you'll have to kneel and kowtow. Do you dare?" The young man, much taller and more muscular than Ye Feng, glared at him.

All the disciples behind Ye Feng wanted to rush out, as the ridicule of Mentor Li was also a ridicule of them. They did not want Ye Feng to face this alone.

"Stay where you are. He's just an ant, boasting so much." Ye Feng stopped his fellow disciples. "I'll accept your challenge. If I lose, I'll kneel and kowtow. If you lose, all of you will have to kneel and kowtow, apologize, and admit your mistake. Do you dare?" Ye Feng countered, his tone commanding.