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Dong...
Everyone heard the melodious bell resonating in the sky.
"It's the sound of the Taixu Dao Bell, why has it rung?".
"The last time the Taixu Dao Bell resonated was eight hundred years ago, during the testing of the fifth director.".
"That's right, the fifth director was a stunning talent with a nine-star gift, and during the third test, it only took him thirty seconds to break the Taixu Illusion Realm, which is why the Taixu Dao Bell resonated. Now that it resonates again, could it be related to Lin Feng?".
"Unless Lin Feng also broke through the Taixu Illusion Realm in a very short time".
The deputy directors of the Four Major Divisions all brightened their eyes, looking toward the Taixu Illusion Realm.
The deputy general director's gaze also turned to the Taixu Illusion Realm, full of anticipation.
However, Lin Feng had not come out.
Inside the Taixu Illusion Realm, Lin Feng had already opened his eyes. From the moment he entered the Taixu Illusion Realm to breaking the Divine Demon Illusion, it took no more than ten seconds.
Lin Feng intended to leave the Taixu Illusion Realm, but at this time, an elder appeared silently in the Taixu Illusion Realm.
"Senior...". Lin Feng's heart throbbed, and he quickly clasped his fists.
Anyone who could appear here was undoubtedly a hidden powerhouse of the academy.
"Little guy, well done, breaking the Taixu Illusion Realm in a mere ten seconds. However, if I were you, I would delay a bit before leaving."
The elder squinted his eyes, looked at Lin Feng, and said with a smile.
Lin Feng paused slightly and then understood the deeper meaning of the elder.
His third test was too astonishing, even triggering the resonance of the Taixu Dao Bell. If he left now, it would clearly signal to everyone that the resonance of the Taixu Dao Bell was related to him.
In the first and second tests, Lin Feng had already performed amazing feats!
The saying "The brightest tree in the forest is easily destroyed" was something Lin understood.
The elder advised him to stay a bit longer, to dispel people's outside doubts about his connection to the Taixu Dao Bell's ringing, allowing him to walk away unscathed.
"Thank you, senior, for the advice!".
Lin Feng expressed his gratitude.
Looking up again, the elder had vanished without a trace.
The melodious bell sound disappeared after resounding three times.
"Huh, the bell sound vanished. It's really strange. Back then, the Taixu Dao Bell, resonated for three full hours when the fifth director triggered it, and now it only rang thrice."
"It seems that Lin Feng has nothing to do with the ringing of the Taixu Dao Bell."
"Indeed, but what exactly caused the Taixu Dao Bell to ring? It remains unknown. Oh, look, Lin has come out, and it took him just a minute, even less time than Bai Yifei. Lin Feng, with ten-star talent and a Martial Artist's Sixth Level, reaching nine thousand jins of fist force, and only taking a minute to conquer the will of the Ancient Demon in the Taixu Illusion Realm. It's simply a prodigious miracle."
The deputy directors of the Four Major Divisions discussed excitably.
Now, the vice directors of the Four Major Divisions were all contemplating how to recruit Lin Feng.
Of course, these vice directors didn't know that the mysterious elder had sealed the sound of the Taixu Dao Bell, preventing outsiders from hearing it. Otherwise, the bell would have continued ringing continuously.
"Lin Feng came out, and that was the Ancient Demon. He defeated the Ancient Demon's will so quickly."
"A prodigy indeed, Jialan Academy produced an extraordinary talent…".
Many students were talking, their eyes filled with awe looking at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng, despite delaying, had caused a huge sensation, and if the real time he spent passing the test were known, one could only imagine the uproar it would cause.
Meanwhile, Bai Yifei looked extremely sullen.
A fire of jealousy burned fiercely in his heart.
His face twisted slightly.
After Lin Feng came out, the test continued!
One by one, the students entered the Taixu Illusion Realm for testing.
Eventually, a total of three hundred and twelve students successfully passed the test.
These three hundred and twelve students would be joining the Four Major Divisions of the Inner Academy.
"Lin Feng, our Purple Light Branch lets you name the terms, are you willing to join us?"
"Lin Feng, if you join our Falling Moon Branch, I can immediately teach you the secret technique of the Nine Heavens Falling Moon Technique."
"Lin Feng, join our Star Branch. We will certainly nurture you to our fullest capacity, whatever resources you need, no matter how difficult, our Star Branch will do everything it can to meet your needs."
"Lin Feng, join our Changhe Branch. Although we are currently weak, our director knows the Qihuang Xuan Array technique. With your strong will and talent for learning Spirit Array, he will be more than happy to teach you when he returns."
The deputy directors of the four major branches all did their best to invite Lin Feng.
Each offer made surrounding students envious.
And on the side, Bai Yifei, his face twisted. If not for Lin Feng, he should be the one receiving attention now, right?
But because of Lin Feng, he had become neglected.
Everything was because of Lin Feng!
Bai Yifei harbored deep resentment toward Lin Feng.
At this moment, Lin Feng was caught in a dilemma. With four major branches to choose from, which one should he pick?
Logically, the Purple Light Branch should be the one to rule out, mainly because Changhe Branch specializes in sword-centric techniques, often considered a lesser avenue.
Among the Four Major Divisions, the Changhe Branch had the fewest students and the weakest influence.
As for what Deputy Director Gongyang Ming mentioned about the Spirit Array, it was merely a lure.
As everyone knows, the director of the Changhe Branch has a quirky personality, unpredictable whereabouts, and although he understands Spirit Array Skills, he never takes students.
Even the general director's requests for him to mentor some students to cultivate Spirit Array Masters were refused repeatedly.
Nevertheless, despite all of this, Lin Feng still decided to choose the Changhe Branch.
Firstly, because Lin Feng had an affection for swords.
Traveling the world relying on a sword.
Revenge taken in a single outburst.
Blood spilled within five steps.
A jug of wine, a sword, and a horse, how free and unrestrained?
The second reason was that Gongsun Changge was a student of the Changhe Academy.
Previously, when Lin Feng clashed with Bai Yifei, and they were about to fight, it was Gongsun Changge who intervened and stopped them, seemingly impartial, but was actually subtly aiding Lin Feng.
After all, Bai Yifei's genius reputation was well known.
While Lin Feng's cultivation had plummeted, he was already considered a waste.
…
All eyes were on Lin Feng, even Deputy General Director Wang Lin. If not for his old age and need for frequent isolation to seek a breakthrough, Wang Lin might have even wanted to take Lin Feng under his wing.
The deputy directors of the Four Major Divisions looked even more eager.
"I choose the Changhe Branch!"
Lin Feng said.
"Haha, great, very good, Lin Feng, rest assured. Our Changhe Branch will certainly nurture you diligently."
After a momentary pause, Gongyang Ming burst into laughter.
These years, all the talented students had been snatched away by Purple Light, Falling Moon, and Star divisions, while the Changhe Branch students were merely the leftovers from the three other divisions. As the actual overseer of the Changhe Branch, Gongyang Ming was naturally very aggrieved.
Now, with the demon-level genius Lin Feng choosing the Changhe Branch, all Gongyang Ming's previous grievances were swept away.
"Did you hear that, senior brother? Lin Feng chose our Changhe Branch."
Students maintaining order at the Changhe Branch surrounded Gongsun Changge, speaking excitedly.
Gongsun Changge also had a smile, "Haha, great, very good. With Lin Feng joining our Changhe Branch, our strength can be greatly enhanced, and there will be a good show to watch during the Four-Branch Competition."
"Lin Feng, reconsider, joining our Purple Light Branch is the best choice."
"Lin Feng, you are still young, and decisions might be impulsive. Think thrice."
"Lin Feng, think carefully, don't decide too quickly."
The deputy directors of the Purple Light, Star, and Falling Moon Divisions all called out in great reluctance, hoping Lin Feng would change his mind.
"Thank you, three deputy directors, for the invitation. My mind is made up and shall not change." Lin Feng stated.
Upon hearing Lin Feng's assurance, Gongyang Ming let out a sigh of relief.
The Changhe Branch students were also relieved.
"Alas, what a pity…".
The deputy directors of the Purple Light, Star, and Falling Moon Divisions shook their heads repeatedly.
"As for the upcoming recruitments, you'll be in charge. We're heading back."
The three division deputy directors said to the stewards of their respective divisions then left disinterestedly.
They didn't even spare Bai Yifei another glance.
In the eyes of the three major division deputy directors, compared to Lin Feng, Bai Yifei was nothing.
Deputy Director Gongyang Ming conversed warmly with Lin Feng for a few more words then left with the deputy general director.
Seeing the four deputy directors, who had argued fiercely over him earlier, leave directly, the contrast made it unbearable for Bai Yifei.
The culprit who caused this was Lin Feng!
Bai Yifei leaped out and shouted loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen deacons, every year after the assessment, I hear there's a challenge session. Is there one this year?".
Deacon Song Canghai nodded and said, "Indeed there is a challenge session. You may challenge others, either as a spar or to settle personal grudges. However, there are two conditions: first, both parties must consent; second, combat is restricted to unarmed combat and must remain a friendly spar, causing no injury."
"Since there are such rules, I wish to challenge someone."
Bai Yifei turned to Lin Feng, sneering, "Lin Feng, do you dare accept my challenge?".
"Boom…".
Around them, the atmosphere erupted instantly. No one expected Bai Yifei to challenge Lin Feng.
However, Lin Feng had nine thousand jins of fist force, whereas Bai Yifei only had five thousand jins—challenging Lin Feng? Isn't this courting death?
This bewildered everyone.
Bai Yifei seemed afraid Lin Feng wouldn't agree, taunting him dismissively, "Lin Feng, during the test, you had nine thousand jin of fist power, and I only had five thousand. Are you scared to fight when I challenge you? You are simply a coward."
Lin Feng's brows twitched slightly. He sensed some trickery involved. Bai Yifei wasn't usually reckless, and his provocation seemed to suggest he feared Lin Feng's refusal. There must be some secret, Lin surmised. Though Bai Yifei might have hidden cards, Lin Feng was fearless, responding indifferently to Bai Yifei's provocation, "Since you're looking for a beating, I don't mind stepping on you."
Hearing Lin Feng's acceptance, Bai Yifei had a sly victorious expression, ignoring Lin Feng's provocative words altogether, and sinisterly stated, "Fine, if you dare accept, why not sign a life-and-death gamble? During the duel, punches and kicks won't show mercy, and any death or injury will be at your own risk."
Bai Yifei's declaration shook the surroundings deeply, startling everyone.
His words implied the signing of a life-and-death contract.
What was meant to be a mere sparring session could become a deadly battle if Lin Feng consented.
Everyone's gazes were fixed on Lin Feng.
"Perfectly fitting," Lin Feng replied quietly.
Song Canghai stated, "Originally, academy dueling was meant to be a spar, but with your mutual agreement on self-accountability for injuries or deaths, the academy guidelines shall not bind your duel any longer."
Lin Feng and Bai Yifei both nodded.
Whoosh, whoosh.
They both arrived at a platform near the Taixu Cliff.
Countless eyes watched the two face off, all eagerly anticipating this match between geniuses.
"Hahaha, Lin Feng, did you really think my cultivation was only at Martial Artist Sixth Level? Did you think my strength was merely five thousand jins? If so, you are gravely mistaken. I tell you now, I've broken through to the Martial Artist Seventh Level, and my power has peaked at Ten Thousand Jins of Great Strength. Let's see how you die today!".
The voice faded.
Boom.
A terrifying aura emanated from Bai Yifei's body.
Inhaling and exhaling, Bai Yifei's breath was like a sword.
His movement produced a sound like rolling thunder.
"To breathe like a sword, to move like rolling thunder." This was the mark of reaching Ten Thousand Jins of power.
"Ten Thousand Jins of Great Strength, Bai Yifei reached Ten Thousand Jins of Great Strength, now Lin Feng is finished…".
Many students felt the tremendous aura from Bai Yifei and shouted passionately.
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