Chapter 69

"Could it be that those bastards, Su Ling and Su Yi, are planning something behind our backs?"

Although Zong Ling and Nan Xi were young, as children of the wilderness, they had been accustomed to the arduous training of martial arts, and by the age of twelve or thirteen, they had to participate in hunting and village defense, making them all mature beyond their years.

Wu Gong Zong Tu regarded Zong Ling and Nan Xi as the future hope of the Black Python, and he spared no effort in teaching them, making their minds far more mature than those of their peers.

Although Chen Xun had thoroughly angered Su Ling and Su Yi, Zong Ling and Nan Xi felt uneasy after hearing his words.

Gu Jianfeng sat silently to one side. From the moment the North Mountain tribe's children left Tianma Lake Village, they were destined to face more difficulties than those from other tribes. He did not believe that entering the Canglan Academy would make their path smooth. He sensed that perhaps the true test was just beginning.

Qian Lan, who was slightly weaker in character, might not have been as poised as Cai'er when she first entered this place of extreme prosperity. After parting ways with Zuoqiu and the others, she followed Chen Xun step by step.

Chen Xun stretched lazily and said with a relaxed smile, "What's there to worry about? This is a world where the strong are respected. In two days, we will officially join the Canglan Academy, and you all must strive to bring honor to the North Mountain tribe. In the future, you must train harder. Enduring some cold looks or exclusion now is nothing. As long as someone can advance to the Rebirth Realm, the North Mountain tribe will be able to hold its head high in Canglan..."

***

Two days later, the steward of the guesthouse came early to gather everyone for the entrance ceremony at the academy.

Although the guesthouse had everything they needed, many of the tribal children, who had been confined to the guesthouse since entering Canglan City, were feeling restless after more than ten days.

Today, they would participate in the entrance ceremony, and from this day on, they would all be esteemed students of the academy in Canglan City. The thought of it was exhilarating.

Chen Xun, following his usual routine, completed his morning exercises and organized the scrolls he had read overnight before leisurely enjoying his medicinal meal.

"You should hurry up! Many students have already left..." Seeing Chen Xun meticulously refining the medicinal energy from his meal even as the ceremony was about to begin, Gu Jianfeng couldn't help but marvel at his calmness.

"Zong Ya and the others must have gone to Bind Dragon Mountain early this morning," Zong Ling urged, full of anticipation.

After entering the city, they had been separated from Zuoqiu, Zong Ya, and the others and had not communicated for over ten days. Today, they would have the opportunity to meet Zong Ya and the others, which was something to look forward to.

Unable to resist Zong Ling's urging, Chen Xun put on the cloud cap and ceremonial robe of a new disciple over his Vajra Armor.

The ceremonial robe of a new disciple, though not a priceless treasure, was woven from various exotic silks, with a pure sky-blue color that gave a sense of transcendence when worn.

At the Canglan Academy, disciples wore robes of three colors. New disciples wore sky-blue robes, also known as Blue Robe Disciples, with golden thread embroidered with the emblems of the various halls on the collar.

In addition to the Blue Robe Disciples, each hall also had more core Black Robe Disciples.

New disciples who met the standards of core disciples could quickly change into black robes.

Black Robe Disciples held a higher status in Canglan City and the Martial Warden Halls than Blue Robe Disciples, comparable to guest scholars of the halls.

Without talent and the ability to advance in cultivation, one might wear a blue robe until leaving the Canglan Academy.

Beyond the Blue Robe and Black Robe Disciples, the Inner Court Disciples of the academy wore purple robes.

Purple Robe Disciples were the true elite of the Canglan Academy, holding a status in Canglan City even higher than the stewards of the halls.

Although some Purple Robe Disciples might not have as high a cultivation as the stewards, their potential for cultivation destined them to achieve greater success and glory than the stewards.

The sky-blue robe was extremely light, weighing only two or three ounces, yet it was exceptionally resilient, impervious to ordinary blades. Worn over the Vajra Armor, it provided an additional layer of protection.

Chen Xun then fastened a brown belt.

This belt, like the Vajra Armor, was made from saber-toothed tiger skin. Although only half a palm wide, it was inscribed with numerous mystical symbols, providing dust and wind protection.

Chen Xun also attached the trial iron badge to his belt.

This trial iron badge, from now on, would serve as the identity marker of a new disciple, and together with the belt, could be considered the first two talismans granted to disciples upon entering the academy.

However, the academy seal, which still contained the soul of a wild beast, could not yet be refined by new disciples.

In addition, Chen Xun fastened the Frost Cold Blade to his waist. The only regret was that the bronze alchemy furnace was too large to carry, so he had to store it and other miscellaneous items in the secret chamber of the courtyard.

Chen Xun kept the bronze vial containing six Nine Yuan Nourishing Apertures Pills and a bottle of Essence Gathering Ointment close to his body before leaving the courtyard with Gu Jianfeng and Zong Ling.

***

"Haha, what a bunch of monkeys in robes!"

As Chen Xun and Gu Jianfeng walked to the north gate of the guesthouse to meet the other new disciples, a few mocking voices came from the crowd that had already gathered.

Chen Xun glanced over and saw Su Ling, who had only been honest for a few days, looking at him with a mocking smile.

Chen Xun, wearing the cloud cap and ceremonial robe, exuded a transcendent aura; Gu Jianfeng, Zong Ling, and Nan Xi, who had been accustomed to wearing animal skins since childhood and had never worn coarse linen, felt extremely uncomfortable in their first long ceremonial robes.

Gu Jianfeng, Zong Ling, and Nan Xi had been training in martial souls since childhood, which were extremely fierce and had greatly altered their physical bodies.

Even the youngest Zong Ling, after ten years of martial training, had thick, tough skin and large, sturdy bones, standing a head taller than Chen Xun, like a half-tower.

When they put on the ceremonial robes, the sleeves were too short, making them look less than appealing.

Their rough and rugged nature made them unable to tolerate public ridicule.

Even though they knew it was the entrance ceremony, Zong Ling and Nan Xi were furious, glaring at Su Ling, wishing to drag him out of the crowd and beat him up to vent their anger.

Qian Lan, who was small and slender, with the hem of her robe almost touching the ground, blushed deeply at Su Ling's laughter and instinctively tried to hide behind Chen Xun.

Chen Xun's eyes flashed with cold light, scanning Su Ling. He knew that if this continued, Zong Ling and Qian Lan's cultivation hearts would be affected. The surrounding crowd, hearing Su Ling's ridicule, looked at them with disdain, clearly finding them crude.

Isolating them and undermining their cultivation hearts, Chen Xun guessed this might be Su Ling's malicious intention in constantly provoking them.

"What, can you wear the ceremonial robe like monkeys and not be criticized?" Su Ling raised his sword-like eyebrows, challenging them, unafraid of Chen Xun's fierce gaze.

Gu Jianfeng, though calmer than Zong Ling and Nan Xi, was also enraged by Su Ling's words. His right hand gripped the sword at his waist, his knuckles cracking, and veins bulging on his forehead, ready to drag Su Ling out of the crowd.

"Today is the entrance ceremony. He is deliberately provoking us to violate the rules and get expelled from the academy," Qian Lan pulled back the furious Gu Jianfeng, whispering to calm him.

Chen Xun's heart stirred, realizing Qian Lan was right.

No matter how arrogant Su Ling was or how much he hated him, he wouldn't provoke them to this extent. If they were provoked to draw their swords, it would benefit him in the future at the Canglan Academy.

Chen Xun's gaze swept over the crowd at the gate, which included three stewards in bright yellow robes who would accompany them to Bind Dragon Mountain in the north city for the entrance ceremony.

Seeing this, Chen Xun's heart tightened.

In addition to the two stewards responsible for the guesthouse, there was a stranger with a cold, fierce gaze, seemingly waiting for any movement to pounce.

This man, around thirty years old, with a hooked nose and eagle-like eyes, had a pale complexion that gave a chilling feeling.

His robe collar was embroidered with the emblem of the Martial Warden Hall, but his face was unfamiliar, and he had not been seen in the guesthouse for the past ten days.

Chen Xun knew that since they had just entered Canglan City and had been confined to the guesthouse without contact with the outside world, the most likely ones to target them, besides Su Yi and Su Ling, were the Gui Xi tribe, who had suffered a great defeat at his hands.

Could it be that Su Ling's frequent provocations were a trap set by the Gui Xi tribe, aimed at getting them expelled from the academy?

This was the only reasonable explanation.

Only if they were expelled could the Gui Xi tribe freely take revenge on them.

Chen Xun lowered his voice and said to Gu Jianfeng, "It might be a trap set by the Gui Xi tribe..."

After being reminded by Qian Lan and Chen Xun, Gu Jianfeng calmed down and laughed bitterly, saying, "If the Gui Xi tribe can only resort to such tactics, it shows that we are indeed useful in the academy..."

Seeing that Gu Jianfeng's anger had not gotten out of control and that he could see through the Gui Xi tribe's pretense, Chen Xun thought that his resolve would only strengthen his future cultivation.

Understanding this, Chen Xun only gave Su Ling a fierce glance and ignored him.

***

Feeling a chill invade his soul, Su Ling's back hair stood on end, and he couldn't help but look back at Lou Jiao.

Lou Jiao was also secretly alarmed, not expecting these North Mountain boys to be so composed.

Lou Jiao had entered the academy to study secret techniques over a decade ago and was now a steward of the Martial Warden Hall. A few days ago, he had accompanied the leader, Lou Li, to the Black Python Mountain in the North, and Lou Li had instructed him to pay attention to Chen Xun. He had not taken it seriously, never expecting the Gui Xi tribe to suffer such a defeat at his hands.

Now, the North Mountain tribes were showing signs of uniting, and the Gui Xi tribe, bound by the rules of the Su family, could not use force against the North Mountain tribes. More troubling was that the Gui Xi tribe's reputation had been damaged, and their dominance in the southern foothills of the Black Python Mountain was at risk.

Not only to avenge Shi Yi and eliminate the grudge, but the Gui Xi tribe also needed to eliminate the隐患 by targeting these boys.

Clearly, the North Mountain tribes' secret alliance was mainly due to their high hopes for these boys.

If these few entered the academy and cultivated successfully, and if someone could advance to the Rebirth Realm and become a Heavenly Martial Stronger, the Gui Xi tribe's dream of unifying the Black Python Mountain in the North would be shattered!

Watching Chen Xun and the others head to Bind Dragon Mountain, Su Ling lagged behind, approaching Lou Jiao and whispering, "What if these boys don't fall for the trap?"

"Once we enter the academy, just follow the plan," Lou Jiao said.

Su Ling was hesitant. He wasn't afraid of causing trouble at the guesthouse, but the situation at Bind Dragon Mountain was different.

Not to mention the important figures from the Three Orders and Six Warden Halls, even elder-level figures might attend today's entrance ceremony for new disciples.

Even if he dragged Chen Xun and the others down and got them expelled from the academy, if the strict clan elders also punished him, what would he do?

"It might not be possible, Uncle Thirteen really admires this boy..." Su Ling hesitated.

"The Martial Warden Hall is divided into internal and external affairs by the Fourth Lord and the Thirteenth Lord. The Thirteenth Lord handles external affairs, while the Fourth Lord handles internal affairs," Lou Jiao smiled coldly, his voice low and direct, reaching only Su Ling's ears, "Do you think the Fourth Lord would also admire the Thirteenth Lord's favorite?"

"..." Su Ling's heart stirred, thinking Lou Jiao was right, but he had a deep respect for the Su family clan from a young age. The thought of causing trouble in such a grand setting made him uneasy.

"Rest assured, if the Fourth Lord punishes you, the Gui Xi tribe will not let you down," Lou Jiao whispered, "The Martial Warden Hall has been declining for the past few decades, ranking last among the Three Orders and Six Warden Halls. Even if you stay to cultivate in the Martial Warden Hall, how much cultivation resources can you obtain? Why not show your talents and gain the favor of other halls?"

***

Feeling Chen Xun's gaze, Su Ling felt a chill invade his soul, his back hair standing on end, and he couldn't help but look back at Lou Jiao.

Lou Jiao was also secretly alarmed, not expecting these North Mountain boys to be so composed.

Lou Jiao had entered the academy to study secret techniques over a decade ago and was now a steward of the Martial Warden Hall. A few days ago, he had accompanied the leader, Lou Li, to the Black Python Mountain in the North, and Lou Li had instructed him to pay attention to Chen Xun. He had not taken it seriously, never expecting the Gui Xi tribe to suffer such a defeat at his hands.

Now, the North Mountain tribes were showing signs of uniting, and the Gui Xi tribe, bound by the rules of the Su family, could not use force against the North Mountain tribes. More troubling was that the Gui Xi tribe's reputation had been damaged, and their dominance in the southern foothills of the Black Python Mountain was at risk.

Not only to avenge Shi Yi and eliminate the grudge, but the Gui Xi tribe also needed to eliminate the隐患 by targeting these boys.

Clearly, the North Mountain tribes' secret alliance was mainly due to their high hopes for these boys.

If these few entered the academy and cultivated successfully, and if someone could advance to the Rebirth Realm and become a Heavenly Martial Stronger, the Gui Xi tribe's dream of unifying the Black Python Mountain in the North would be shattered!

Watching Chen Xun and the others head to Bind Dragon Mountain, Su Ling lagged behind, approaching Lou Jiao and whispering, "What if these boys don't fall for the trap?"

"Once we enter the academy, just follow the plan," Lou Jiao said.

Su Ling was hesitant. He wasn't afraid of causing trouble at the guesthouse, but the situation at Bind Dragon Mountain was different.

Not to mention the important figures from the Three Orders and Six Warden Halls, even elder-level figures might attend today's entrance ceremony for new disciples.

Even if he dragged Chen Xun and the others down and got them expelled from the academy, if the strict clan elders also punished him, what would he do?

"It might not be possible, Uncle Thirteen really admires this boy..." Su Ling hesitated.

"The Martial Warden Hall is divided into internal and external affairs by the Fourth Lord and the Thirteenth Lord. The Thirteenth Lord handles external affairs, while the Fourth Lord handles internal affairs," Lou Jiao smiled coldly, his voice low and direct, reaching only Su Ling's ears, "Do you think the Fourth Lord would also admire the Thirteenth Lord's favorite?"

"..." Su Ling's heart stirred, thinking Lou Jiao was right, but he had a deep respect for the Su family clan from a young age. The thought of causing trouble in such a grand setting made him uneasy.

"Rest assured, if the Fourth Lord punishes you, the Gui Xi tribe will not let you down," Lou Jiao whispered, "The Martial Warden Hall has been declining for the past few decades, ranking last among the Three Orders and Six Warden Halls. Even if you stay to cultivate in the Martial Warden Hall, how much cultivation resources can you obtain? Why not show your talents and gain the favor of other halls?"