Chapter 97

Ding ding ding ding

Everyone looked in one direction, where Ghostfire, at Bazal's indication, stepped out, facing hundreds of elite members of the Great Universe Empire, a pale smile on his face.

Pausing for a moment, Ghostfire's hoarse voice said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Brother Bazal's first time in the empire. For a considerable period, he will be dealing with all of you present. He has no gifts to offer, but he is willing to share some information about the Star War Academy, so that you won't be too lost."

Everyone was excited; it had finally begun. They had come to the banquet partly to find suitable allies, but more importantly, to gather intelligence about the Star War Academy, which was crucial for the assessment.

Bazal stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over everyone. Strictly speaking, they were all peers, but in Bazal's eyes, they were mere ants. He didn't mind sharing some secrets that only a select few top elites could know.

"The Star War Academy has a long tradition. Eight academies are within the universe, and two are outside. We, the Outer Universe Youth Council, have members studying at the Ninth Star War Academy, so we are not entirely unfamiliar with it. The Star War Academy is more of a place of struggle than a school. There, everything you want must be fought for, not allocated, because there are no dedicated mentors," Bazal said calmly.

Everyone was surprised. No mentors? Is it still a school then?

Bazal smiled, "I'm not sure about other academies, but in the Ninth Academy, you must fight to learn. If you want a mentor to teach you, you must pay a price. The Star War Academy has mentors, but they can choose to teach or not. So, I advise you, fighting is always the main theme of the Star War Academy. Learning must also be obtained through fighting. Don't think of the Star War Academy as a school; it is a battlefield."

"Lord Bazal, is it true that the Star War Academy has ancient trial realms?" someone asked.

Bazal smiled faintly, "These are confidential, and I cannot reveal them."

"Lord Bazal, do you know why the Tenth Academy descended upon the Canglan territory? Is it really the Ten Decisions?" another person asked.

Bazal brushed it off, knowing some information but deeming these ants unworthy of it. They couldn't even enter the Star War Academy, which only accepted the top geniuses of the universe. These people couldn't compete.

Lu Yin watched the scene, Bazal's gaze filled with pity and arrogance, which made him very uncomfortable, but he was powerless to change it.

Gulbah and Gules were about to leave, uninterested in continuing to listen.

Shuz had already left.

Lu Yin also planned to leave, but suddenly, Bazal loudly said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have another announcement to make." He then looked at Lu Yin, "Zishan Wang, please stay."

Lu Yin turned around, his gaze filled with confusion.

Bazal smiled, "Councilor Wendi Yushan of the Outer Universe Youth Council has asked me to inform you that your engagement is canceled, effective immediately."

Lu Yin's pupils dilated, and boundless anger surged, his fists clenched tightly.

Everyone was stunned, including Gulbah and Gules, who had just reached the door.

Hu Xiaoling, Jenny Ona, and others were equally stunned.

No one expected this to happen. Bazal had announced it in front of everyone, which was an insult, a naked insult.

Immediately, various mocking laughter echoed. Lu Yin was the Zishan Wang, but he was just a leisurely prince, and few cared. Especially his desire to marry Wendi Yushan had been mocked by many. Now, this mockery reached its peak, and everyone wore a mocking gaze.

Lu Yin's gaze was icy, staring intently at Bazal.

This banquet was a conspiracy against him, all for this moment. Bazal had no intention of telling these people about the Star War Academy; he just wanted to attract them and then announce this in front of everyone, using the name of the Outer Universe Youth Council, which would spread the news across the universe.

Originally, Lu Yin's desire to marry Wendi Yushan was just a laughing matter in the True Universe Star, but from this moment on, the joke would spread across the universe, because it was announced under the name of the Outer Universe Youth Council.

Las sneered in satisfaction.

Jenny Ona's gaze was dazed, a hint of pity flashing in her eyes.

Hu Xiaoling's gaze was complex, showing a look of sorrow.

Tian Ming and others frowned, finding it too much. Bazal wanted to make Lu Yin a laughingstock across the universe. Unless he could marry Wendi Yushan, this would always be a stain on his reputation.

Gules immediately walked to Lu Yin's side and pulled him, "Let's go."

Gulbah also held Lu Yin, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect this to happen."

Bazal smiled, "I apologize, but this is the order of Lady Wendi Yushan. As compensation, I can promise you that if you successfully enter the Star War Academy, I can be your sponsor and help you join the Outer Universe Youth Council."

Everyone's expressions changed again, unsure of what to think. This statement was too malicious. Even if Lu Yin entered the Outer Universe Youth Council on his own merit in the future, he would still be labeled as compensation. Bazal was determined to ruin him.

Lu Yin's pupils were bloodshot, and he rarely felt such anger. The first time was because of Liu Shaoge, who brought him extreme pain. The second time was in a dream, where a jade finger crushed the stars. The third time was now.

Gulbah held Lu Yin, whispering, "Don't be impulsive, he is an Explorer."

Lu Yin stared at Bazal, the icy gaze making Bazal's back chill. His face changed, feeling as if he had done something he would regret for life, but he quickly dismissed it with a laugh. A mere Explorer, no matter how talented, could he surpass Ghostfire? There were too many geniuses in the universe. Such a person couldn't even enter the Star War Academy, let alone threaten him.

In the end, Lu Yin said nothing and left amidst the mocking and pitying gazes of everyone.

Outside the hotel, Gulbah patted Lu Yin's shoulder, "I'm sorry, I persuaded you to come, and I didn't expect this to happen."

Gules also looked at Lu Yin, her eyes filled with concern.

Lu Yin shrugged, smiling, "It's fine, it's just a canceled engagement. I didn't want to marry him anyway."

Gulbah sighed, "Brother Lu, the universe is cruel. Without strength, you are always the weak. The weak have no sword to defend their dignity. Princess Wendi said this to us five. Before you have your sword, don't think too much about it." He then left with Gules.

Lu Yin stood there, his inner turmoil far from the calm he showed on the surface. What had just happened was enough to make him unforgettable for life. He had experienced extreme humiliation, from Bazal and—Wendi Yushan.

Soon, the news spread, quickly reaching everyone. Lu Yin became the object of everyone's ridicule and mockery, a toad that dared to dream of swallowing the sky.

Five days later, a massive spaceship crossed the Three Rings Continent, entering the boundless darkness of space. The ship carried the young elites of the Great Universe Empire, bearing the empire's hopes for the Star War Academy.

At that moment, even the Immortal Yushan appeared at the space station to see them off.

No one knew how many would enter the Star War Academy; they only hoped it wouldn't be a total failure.

Bazal also came, and Ghostfire boarded the spaceship. He came to see them off, and he was confident about Ghostfire. No one in the Explorer realm could defeat him, not even the prodigies from the Inner Universe. Entering the Star War Academy should not be difficult.

"Councilor Bazal, I heard you held a banquet a few days ago. How are the young elites of our Great Universe Empire?" the Immortal Yushan asked Bazal.

Bazal smiled, "They are good, very motivated."

The Immortal Yushan nodded, "Is that so?" He then coughed twice, raising his hand to lightly press on Bazal's shoulder, "Thank you for your hard work, especially for announcing the cancellation of the engagement to Little Yin. However, this is an internal matter of our Great Universe Empire, and it's not your place to announce it." As he spoke, his tone grew colder, and the hand on Bazal's shoulder pressed harder.

Bazal initially didn't care, but as the Immortal Yushan's hand pressed harder, his face changed. He tried to resist but couldn't break free from the Immortal Yushan's right hand, which felt like a mountain pressing down on his shoulder, immobilizing him. Suddenly, a terrifying pressure descended, and Bazal's face turned pale. He spat out a mouthful of blood, and a violent star-swallowing bear appeared on his body, trying to resist, but it was shattered in less than a second.

The Immortal Yushan slowly removed his hand, smiled at Bazal, and left.

From start to finish, Bazal had no ability to resist, even using his talent, but nothing changed. The ground didn't even crack.