Chapter 18

When Tang Gu arrived at the Martial Academy, it was still early. A thin layer of morning mist covered the entire training ground, the green stones were cold, and the vermilion paint remained unchanged.

Tang Gu stood there, feeling as if a thousand years had passed in an instant.

Although he had only been away for a little over ten days, when he returned, he was no longer the same person.

From the Qi Sensing Realm, he had broken through to the First Stage of the Qi Dao, and then reached the peak of the First Stage. Even the most outstanding geniuses in the Outer Academy would find it hard to achieve such a feat.

Although Tang Gu knew that much of his progress was due to the elixirs and the Red Fruit, having such opportunities was also a form of strength.

Tang Gu believed that even among the Inner Academy disciples, few could match his rapid cultivation methods.

He glanced at the sky; it was just past the hour of Chen.

There was still about a quarter of an hour before the Outer Academy disciples would wake up to practice, and more importantly, there was still about half an hour before that place would open.

"Never mind, I might not have such an opportunity again. I'll do my duty one last time."

With that thought, he bypassed the front courtyard and returned to the secluded service room. Although he hadn't touched it for over ten days, his skills were not rusty. He picked up the wooden bucket, fetched clear water, cleaned the stone floor, wiped the tables and chairs, and tidied up the weapons.

Only after everything was spotless and neatly arranged did he stop. At that moment, the other service disciples finally woke up and saw Tang Gu, they were startled, "Tang Gu!"

Seeing all the doors and windows already cleaned, the tables and chairs tidied, and the weapons arranged, they were all dumbfounded.

"You, you, you..."

Tang Gu smiled, ignored them, and turned to leave the service room. He had no lingering attachment. As he walked out, he met Yan Shan, who was about to leave the front courtyard. Seeing Tang Gu, Yan Shan was also surprised and quickly looked around before pulling him aside and whispering, "Tang Gu, why haven't I seen you for so long? Did something happen?"

"Nothing, I just made some progress in my cultivation."

Tang Gu smiled slightly. He still had a good impression of this third disciple of the Outer Academy. He remembered the words the other had said, which he had never intended to use.

He probably wouldn't need to use them in the future either.

Hearing Tang Gu's words, Yan Shan patted his chest and sighed in relief, "That's good."

"But..."

He soon looked at Tang Gu with concern, "Do you know that during the past ten days, Wang Zheng has been causing trouble for you? Yesterday, he formally suggested to his uncle, Wang Zhenwu, to revoke your status as a service disciple in the Outer Academy. If nothing unexpected happens, the result will be announced today."

"Ha ha."

Tang Gu showed no surprise. He had always been diligent, leaving no room for criticism, but now, with such a major absence, it would be strange if Wang Zheng didn't act.

However, moved by Yan Shan's concern, Tang Gu bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Yan, but it's fine. I came back to resolve this matter."

"Really?" Yan Shan looked at Tang Gu with disbelief, "You have a way?"

He paused and said, "Actually, Tang Gu, if you're not in a hurry, you might as well wait a month before coming back. I have no power now, but in a month, the Outer Academy will hold a small competition to select five outstanding disciples to enter the Inner Academy. I should be one of them, and then I can help you retain your position, or even get you into the Inner Academy."

"In a month?"

Tang Gu's eyes flickered, and he said noncommittally, "Thank you, Senior Brother Yan. If I can't resolve it today, I'll definitely trouble you then."

"Alright." Yan Shan thought he had agreed and patted his shoulder, "I'll continue practicing. The competition is approaching, and time is tight. Don't worry, it's just a month, not long. Be careful of Wang Zheng. If it's too difficult, you might as well wait at home for a month before coming back."

"Okay."

Hearing Tang Gu's agreement, Yan Shan was relieved and left the courtyard, heading for the Shouyang Mountain outside the town.

Seeing his back, Tang Gu's eyes moved slightly, but he did not return home as suggested. Instead, he headed directly to the Outer Academy's training ground.

At this time, due to the upcoming competition, the Outer Academy disciples were more diligent than usual. They were practicing boxing, swordsmanship, and combat techniques on the training ground.

Among them, two young disciples on the left side were fighting the most intensely.

One was a calm-faced young man in a green robe, wielding a sword, and the other was a wild-looking young man in a yellow robe, using his fists.

Their skills were evenly matched, and they fought with speed. The clash of fists and sword often produced sparks, and the power was astonishing. No one dared to approach within fifty paces of their battle circle.

Many Outer Academy disciples gathered around, watching the fight with envy and discussing it.

"Senior Brother Wang's Small Thunder Fist is getting more powerful. I bet this punch has at least five hundred pounds of force. It could turn iron and stone to powder. Victory is not far off."

"Heh, not necessarily. Senior Brother Xiao's Qi Sword Technique is even stronger. I bet this sword could pierce a three-inch-thick steel plate. He's clearly at the middle stage of the Second Stage of the Yellow Qi Realm."

"Rubbish, Senior Brother Wang is also at the middle stage of the Second Stage of the Yellow Qi Realm. Their skills are evenly matched. The competition is about combat techniques and experience."

"Hmph, we'll see. I bet on Senior Brother Xiao."

"I bet on Senior Brother Wang."

The two groups argued, each with their own supporters. At this moment, the battle in the circle became even more intense. After a moment, there were two muffled thuds. The calm-faced young man in the green robe stepped back several dozen paces, smiling and bowing, "Senior Brother Wang, you've been generous!"

"You..."

The "Senior Brother Wang" left behind on the spot had a pale and angry face. A small triangular sword hole appeared three inches below his left chest.

Clearly, if "Senior Brother Xiao" hadn't held back, he would have been lying on the ground by now.

The situation was obvious, and the surrounding crowd was momentarily speechless. Even the disciples who had most strongly supported "Senior Brother Wang" lowered their heads, having nothing to say.

"Senior Brother Wang" had never been so humiliated in his life. His eyes flashed, and he was about to say something, but the young man in the green robe was clearly extremely powerful, making him hesitate.

At that moment, his peripheral vision caught sight of Tang Gu walking into the front courtyard.

His eyes flickered, and he instantly thought of a way to shift attention and regain his authority. Ignoring the young man in the green robe, he turned and floated in front of Tang Gu.

His face was full of anger, and he said coldly and arrogantly, "Boy, where have you been? How dare you not show up for over ten days? Do you not want to work anymore? Even if you regret it now, it's too late. Absent without leave and neglecting your duties, the punishment is severe. I've already reported to my uncle to revoke your status as a service disciple. You don't need to come back. Get lost!"

Seeing him, Tang Gu's eyes flickered, "Wang Zheng!"

If it were usual, Tang Gu would not have been afraid of him but would not have confronted him head-on. This time, however, he just shook his head indifferently, "Expel me? Whatever!"

With that, he turned and headed toward a strange, dark courtyard on the left side of the front courtyard.

"Hey!" Wang Zheng was about to get angry, but Tang Gu ignored him and walked straight to the dark courtyard.

In front of the dark courtyard was a stone plaque with three dark red characters: "Snowman Cave."

A cold and eerie aura constantly emanated from it. Even some Outer Academy disciples, if they had no business, would never dare to approach this courtyard, as if they were deeply afraid of it.

"What is he doing there?"

At this moment, not only Wang Zheng but also the dozens of Outer Academy disciples practicing in the courtyard were stunned. They watched Tang Gu's figure slowly disappear into the courtyard, and they stared at each other in surprise.

"Could he actually be trying to enter the Snowman Cave in the Martial Academy?"

"Ha, let's go and see!"

A group of people rushed over, clearly very curious about Tang Gu entering the Snowman Cave. Only Wang Zheng remained where he was, his face pale and angry.

PS: Second update of the day. More to come in the evening. Please follow and recommend!