Chapter 17

At the towering summit of the Phase Power Tree, which resembled a colossal building, Lin Feng and Xu Shan Yue, the heads of the First and Second Institutes, had a dispute over the distribution of the Golden Leaves.

"Xu Shan Yue, you should understand that our First Institute gathers many outstanding students. Their talents far surpass those of the students from the other institutes of Nanfeng Academy. If we can provide them with better cultivation conditions, the results they achieve will far exceed those of other students," Lin Feng said solemnly.

Xu Shan Yue snorted coldly, "The First Institute is indeed outstanding, but that doesn't mean the Second Institute is full of useless people who don't deserve to enjoy the Golden Leaves. Moreover, there are only fifty Golden Leaves on the Phase Power Tree, and forty of them are already in the hands of the First Institute. Are you still not satisfied?"

Lin Feng frowned, "This isn't about being satisfied or not. The students of the First Institute can better leverage the value of the Golden Leaves."

"I'm not targeting the students of your Second Institute, but that's just the reality."

Xu Shan Yue sneered, "You just want to drain all the resources of Nanfeng Academy to teach a few more students who can enter the Holy Profound Star Academy, to add some luster to your resume, and eventually get promoted to the Holy Profound Star Academy, right?"

In fact, not only do many students view the Holy Profound Star Academy as their goal, but even the mentors of these intermediate academies see it as a holy place. Their every effort is aimed at teaching at the Holy Profound Star Academy, which would greatly enhance their status and future achievements.

Having such a goal isn't a bad thing, but Xu Shan Yue felt that Lin Feng was too utilitarian and only cared about his own interests. For example, when he kicked Li Luo to the Second Institute, it was completely unnecessary. After all, even if Li Luo was a Void Phase, he wasn't really holding anyone back.

At that time, Lin Feng did this more to establish his authority and deter the excellent students of the First Institute from challenging his authority, which he had just gained at Nanfeng Academy.

Upon hearing this, Lin Feng's face darkened, and he said, "Xu Shan Yue, don't be unreasonable."

The other mentors of Nanfeng Academy, seeing the two arguing heatedly, hurriedly tried to mediate.

The old dean, Wei Cha, was also somewhat troubled. The Golden Leaves on the Phase Power Tree were scarce, and each institute naturally wanted more. This was understandable, as the achievements of the students also affected the evaluations and promotions of the mentors.

However, Lin Feng had been pestering him for a long time, and he had been stalling. But today, it seemed he had to give an answer.

The old dean looked at the many figures below the Phase Power Tree and pondered for a moment before saying, "The Golden Leaves of the Second Institute cannot be distributed without reason. After all, we can't completely deprive the students of the Second Institute of their motivation to improve just because the First Institute is more outstanding."

"If you all want to compete for the Golden Leaves, then the students must earn them themselves."

"Here's what I propose: the First and Second Institutes each select three students, with their Phase Power levels not exceeding the Sixth Seal. If the First Institute wins, the Second Institute will give up five Golden Leaves. But if the Second Institute wins, the First Institute will have to give up ten Golden Leaves from your share."

The old dean's words made Lin Feng and Xu Shan Yue stop arguing, their brows furrowing.

"Dean, why should the First Institute lose ten Golden Leaves if we lose?" Lin Feng asked, dissatisfied.

Wei Cha smiled, "Because you initiated the dispute over the Golden Leaves. Also, the First Institute is already stronger, so why would the Second Institute compete with you without a higher stake?"

Lin Feng frowned, thought for a moment, and finally said, "Agreed."

Although the competition was limited to the Sixth Seal, the First Institute still had a significant advantage.

Xu Shan Yue was hesitant. Although the First Institute would have to give up ten Golden Leaves if they lost, he knew that the First Institute was the face of Nanfeng Academy, and the quality of its students far surpassed that of the other institutes.

"Dean, we only have two students who have reached the Sixth Seal level in the Second Institute," Xu Shan Yue said helplessly.

Lin Feng smiled, "Don't worry, the students of the First Institute won't let it come to that."

Xu Shan Yue's face darkened, and anger flashed in his eyes.

The old dean sighed, "Xu, don't worry. Even if you lose, I'll make up for it next year. The academy's major exam is only a month away."

Hearing the old dean's words, Xu Shan Yue fell silent for a moment and finally nodded dejectedly. Clearly, in the old dean's mind, the First Institute, as the face of Nanfeng Academy, indeed enjoyed some privileges that the Second Institute did not.

Xu Shan Yue knew he couldn't blame the old dean, as it was only natural to favor the most outstanding institute. Why would he favor the Second Institute over the First?

"Then I'll make the arrangements," Xu Shan Yue said, and he leaped down from the tree house.

Lin Feng smiled and turned to make his own arrangements.

Meanwhile, below, Bei Kun, looking somewhat disheveled and unwilling, led his group away. After all, Li Luo completely ignored his provocations, and his unconventional tactics made his people uneasy.

Young people are the most impulsive. In the conflicts between students, they would endure even broken heads for the sake of their pride. Who had ever seen someone who would immediately call in family members to fight?

It was completely without rules!

As Bei Kun and his group fled, many students from the Second Institute looked at Li Luo with strange expressions, clearly not expecting him to resolve the situation in such a way.

"Isn't this a bit too unconventional?" Zhao Kuo scratched his head, coming to Li Luo's side and whispering.

Li Luo gave him a lazy glance, "Is it okay for them to bully me, a Void Phase, but not for me to use my advantages?"

"That's not what I meant..." Zhao Kuo wanted to argue but was at a loss for words, shaking his head. This young lord's methods were indeed a bit wild.

As they spoke, Xu Shan Yue appeared in front of them, clapped his hands, and gathered all the students of the Second Institute. He then briefly explained the upcoming competition with the First Institute.

As soon as he finished, the students erupted in anger.

"The First Institute is going too far! They already have forty Golden Leaves, and they're still not satisfied? They want to take ours too?"

"This competition has no chance of winning. We only have two students at the Sixth Seal level in the Second Institute."

"Sigh, we might as well just admit defeat."

"..."

After the initial anger, many students of the Second Institute became pessimistic. After all, the strength disparity was clear, and even with the Sixth Seal limit, the Second Institute was still at a disadvantage.

Seeing the low morale of the Second Institute students, Xu Shan Yue sighed helplessly and arranged, "The competition will be led by Zhao Kuo and Yuan Qiu."

"Teacher, rest assured. I won't disgrace the Second Institute. I'll show them that the Second Institute isn't to be trifled with," Zhao Kuo said, his blood boiling with determination.

Yuan Qiu, a tall and slender girl, remained calm and asked, "What about the third person?"

Xu Shan Yue's gaze swept over the students of the Second Institute, and those who met his eyes quickly looked away, clearly lacking confidence to participate.

Finally, he looked at Li Luo. Although Li Luo was a Void Phase, he was proficient in Phase Techniques, and in terms of combat power, he was second only to Zhao Kuo, and now Yuan Qiu as well.

"Li Luo, you're up."

Xu Shan Yue decided, "Don't feel pressured. It's okay to lose. You'll be the first to go. When you can't hold on, just admit defeat. If possible, try to drain as much of the opponent's Phase Power as you can to increase the chances of the others."

Li Luo wasn't surprised to be chosen, as there were indeed only a few capable students in the Second Institute.

However, it was clear that Xu Shan Yue saw him as cannon fodder, meant to drain the opponents' Phase Power.

Li Luo's eyes became more profound. He had intended to be low-key, but it seemed that even the heavens wouldn't allow it.

Old Xu, you have no idea what kind of existence you've just picked... The light on your face today might be brighter than the sun.

Slap.

Xu Shan Yue's hand landed on Li Luo's shoulder, making him stagger, and an unsatisfied voice came, "Why are you looking so dazed? Are you scared?"

Thus, the momentum Li Luo had just built up was immediately shattered by a single slap.