Chapter 9

In the Lingshi Academy, Zou Yunhai's voice was as calm as ever, as if he were not teaching the students but explaining his understanding of the Law Soldiers. Every casual remark made the students feel as if they had been enlightened, their minds suddenly clear. However, this intense focus was a bit too much for the new students, who could only take notes first.

By the end, even taking notes couldn't keep up, and many students began to whisper, trying to relax. Wang Baole already understood why the Law Soldier Department had only three major academies. It was because just learning the techniques of refining spirit stones was not something that could be mastered in a few classes.

At this moment, slightly tired, Liu Daobin, who was next to him, finally came to his senses and looked at Wang Baole, unable to help but speak softly.

"Wang Baole, you're in quite a bit of trouble this time. I heard that many teachers have proposed expelling you..." His eyes were full of sympathy, but when he saw Wang Baole's small bag, his face twitched.

"Which teacher said that!" Wang Baole was somewhat angry, though he had already made a decision and was prepared, he still felt troubled.

Liu Daobin patted Wang Baole's shoulder, feeling a deep sigh in his heart, reminding himself to take this as a lesson. Just as he was about to offer a few words of comfort, suddenly, two people walked into the academy's main door.

These two were clearly senior students, wearing black robes different from the other students, with solemn expressions. As soon as they appeared, all the senior students in the academy immediately became alert and attentive.

"What's going on? The Discipline Department is here!"

"It's actually them. Wherever they appear, there's always a storm."

Even the new students, though unaware of the identities of the two, understood from the senior students' discussions and the solemn expressions on the two men.

Wang Baole's heart skipped a beat, sensing something was amiss.

Zou Yunhai frowned, looking at the two black-robed students. They respectfully saluted Zou Yunhai and handed him a jade slip.

Zou Yunhai read the jade slip with a frown, then looked up, his gaze sweeping over the students, finally settling on Wang Baole.

As soon as he did, all the students in the academy looked in the same direction, their expressions varied, but they all knew that Wang Baole's situation had finally caught the attention of the lower academy and was about to be dealt with.

Even though Wang Baole had a plan in mind, seeing this scene still made him somewhat nervous, especially when the two black-robed students looked at him with sharp, unfriendly eyes.

"Student Wang Baole, please come with us," one of the two from the Discipline Department said coldly.

Before Wang Baole could stand up, Zou Yunhai let out a cold snort.

"That's enough. We'll discuss everything after class. For now, you two go out."

The two Discipline Department students hesitated, not daring to offend the teacher. They bowed and retreated to the academy's entrance, waiting there. Zou Yunhai ignored them and continued the class.

Wang Baole felt a sense of relief, looking at Zou Yunhai with gratitude. Although he already had a plan, more time was always better, allowing his thoughts to become more complete and clear. He closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.

During the rest of the class, many students were gleeful, but this was not the majority. Most students felt it was none of their business and continued taking notes.

Liu Daobin sighed inwardly, unsure how to comfort Wang Baole. He knew that if Wang Baole were expelled, he would be in a different world from them. Even if they met in the future, it would be a bittersweet moment.

As time passed, two hours later, when Zou Yunhai finished his lecture and left, all the students immediately looked at Wang Baole. The two black-robed Discipline Department members also fixed their cold, stern gazes on him.

"Do we need to invite you, Student Wang Baole?"

Wang Baole opened his eyes, his expression calm, different from his usual demeanor. Without a word, he walked down and followed the two senior students out of the academy.

As he left, the academy erupted into a buzz of discussion.

"Is Wang Baole really going to be expelled?"

"There's no doubt about it. Didn't you see the Discipline Department come? I've never seen anyone they take away come out unscathed!" In the midst of the discussion, many people ran out, following behind to see the entire process. After all, due to Wang Baole's special admission status, this incident had a significant impact.

It wasn't just the Law Soldier Department that was paying attention; students from other departments also became interested after hearing about Wang Baole's situation.

Ignoring the people following behind, Wang Baole maintained an unprecedentedly calm expression, following the two Discipline Department seniors to the top of the Law Soldier Peak.

The two seniors in front were sneering inwardly. They had taken away many people over the years, and while some, like Wang Baole, were stubborn, they believed that if Wang Baole still remained this way after their session, he would be a true marvel.

The journey was silent, but the number of people following them increased. When they reached the grand hall at the top of the mountain, the two Discipline Department seniors stopped, stepping aside to indicate that Wang Baole should enter on his own.

Looking at the closed doors of the grand hall, Wang Baole took a deep breath. He knew he had to get through this. With a deep breath, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.

As soon as he entered, he immediately felt dozens of eyes fall on him. In front of him, the grand hall was filled with dozens of teachers, both middle-aged and elderly, all with solemn expressions, some even with a hint of sorrow.

Among them were Dr. Lu and the man with the goatee. Compared to Dr. Lu's calm, the man with the goatee looked complex and somewhat reluctant.

In the center, the person in charge of the investigation was a lean middle-aged man in a black robe, with sharp eyes and thin lips. He exuded a noticeable chill, making the temperature in the grand hall seem to drop.

These people were not all from the Law Soldier Department, but because Wang Baole was a special admission to the Law Soldier Department, the investigation was being held on the Law Soldier Peak.

"Student Wang Baole!" The black-robed man's voice was icy as he slowly spoke.

"Here, sir!" Wang Baole took a deep breath, stepped forward, and saluted, speaking in a deep voice.

"After investigation, it has been confirmed that you engaged in serious and malicious cheating during the sectional examination. According to the academy rules, you should be immediately expelled. However, since you are a special admission student, you have been called here to listen in!"

The black-robed man did not give Wang Baole a chance to explain, turning to look at the other teachers.

"Colleagues, we can begin. For the punishment of Wang Baole, I suggest revoking his special admission status, expelling him from the academy, and notifying the four major academies to never hire him again!" His words were decisive and icy, echoing in the grand hall. Wang Baole's expression changed, thinking that this was the first time he had met this man, and they had no grudges, yet the man was so ruthless, trying to ruin his future.

After a brief silence in the grand hall, a teacher spoke coldly.

"He should indeed be expelled. Such a despicable and shameless person has no right to enter the academy!"

"Agreed, I also suggest expulsion!"

"Although the punishment is severe, if we do not strictly punish this behavior, it would be irresponsible to the Federation!" Other teachers voiced their opinions. To them, Wang Baole was a minor figure, and since the black-robed man had set the tone, they saw no need to contradict him.

Listening to the teachers, Wang Baole breathed slowly, standing still, as if he were in a daze. His hands were clenched, and when the man with the goatee sighed, he spoke.

"Revoking the special admission status is enough. Who can be without fault? There's no need for such harsh punishment."

However, the man with the goatee's words did not gain the support of the others. Soon, the majority of the teachers in the grand hall were advocating for Wang Baole's expulsion.

Only the old doctor remained silent, and the black-robed man did not ask for his opinion. He stood up, about to announce the result, but at that moment, Wang Baole suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with sorrow and anger.

"Colleagues, can I have a chance to speak?"

The black-robed man frowned. His harshness was because he had originally planned to recommend another person to the Law Soldier Department as a special admission student, but before he could implement it, Wang Baole had taken the spot. He let out a cold snort, about to ignore Wang Baole, but Dr. Lu suddenly spoke.

"Go ahead."

With this, the black-robed man could only acknowledge it and looked at Wang Baole.

"Colleagues, I know that everything in the examination was fake, but what could I do!" Wang Baole took a deep breath, his body trembling.

"Could I tell all the students that the so-called examination was actually fake! Could I?!!" The last sentence was almost a shout.

Before the teachers could reprimand him, Wang Baole, in his agitated state, seemed almost berserk.

"If I told them, the school's examination plan would be ruined, and I would become a sinner to the school. What should I do?!"

"In a crisis, I saw my classmates injured and bleeding. I couldn't tell them it was fake. I could only save them. Was it wrong for me to save them? Tell me, what should I do?"

Wang Baole's forehead veins bulged, his body trembling, as if he were about to go mad, trying to vent all his sorrow and anger.

"Is saving people wrong? Should I not save them? If I, Wang Baole, knew everything was fake and still considered whether I was cheating, thinking about my own gains and losses, and watched my classmates get injured, cry, and die without doing anything, would I still be human!!" Wang Baole almost roared, his emotions bursting, his voice echoing in the grand hall.

All the teachers were stunned.

"You saw me acting, but I want to ask the teachers, what would you do in my place! Ignore the deaths coldly, or save people like me!"

"I am a student of the Ethereal Dao Academy. I won't claim to change the world, but I, Wang Baole, am a man who stands tall and proud!" Wang Baole's eyes were filled with tears, his right hand raised, pounding his chest, the sound resonating. His words were sincere, touching many of the teachers.

Especially the last two sentences, spoken with a bitter smile, moved everyone deeply.

"If self-sacrifice is a crime, I admit it!"

"If being smart and perceptive is a crime, I admit it!"

"If that's the case, I, Wang Baole, am willing to accept the punishment!" Wang Baole's voice was firm, and he bowed deeply to all the teachers.

The grand hall fell silent, and all the teachers drew a breath, their expressions changing, staring at Wang Baole in shock. Wang Baole's words were righteous and logical, deeply impacting their hearts.

Only the man with the goatee and others who had seen Wang Baole's performance felt something was off, though they were moved.

The black-robed man narrowed his eyes, staring at Wang Baole, wanting to say something but unable to. Wang Baole's words, though flawed, were tightly bound to morality and righteousness, a technique he recognized from high officials but rarely from students.

Opposing him felt like opposing justice, leaving the black-robed man speechless. Seeing the others' reactions, he knew Wang Baole had passed this time. He sighed, realizing that what he thought would be an easy task had turned into a thorny situation.

The old doctor smiled meaningfully and closed his eyes.

Soon, when Wang Baole walked out of the grand hall, thousands of people were waiting outside, many of them jealous of his special admission status and gleeful at his misfortune. But from inside the grand hall, a沧桑 (weathered) voice echoed throughout the Law Soldier Department!

"After our investigation, Student Wang Baole did not violate the rules during the new student examination. His special admission status is retained. This is hereby announced!"

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That... Someone said that when I, a 85er, call them "little brother" or "little sister," they get a shock. Well, I'll be more modest. Cough, little brothers and little sisters, do you have any recommendations or favorites?