"Big Brother Ye, weren't you planning to take a closer look at the Sword Pavilion? This opportunity is perfect," Gu Yao felt that this opportunity had come knocking, and someone of Chi Changye's caliber shouldn't stay silently by his side managing spiritual stones for him. They had long left Yuanyang Town, and Chi Changye didn't need to stay by his side anymore.
Chi Changye glanced faintly at the astonished faces of Tian Feirong and Xiao Pangzi, picked up a piece of beast meat for Gu Yao, and said, "No need to worry. Someone will come to us, and it's still too early to enter the Sword Pavilion now. Little Yao, you don't have to worry about me."
Gu Yao just realized that Chi Changye's injuries hadn't fully healed, and it wouldn't be the optimal time to enter the Sword Pavilion. Indeed, it was too early. He nodded and said, "Regardless, it's good for Brother Ye to enter Sword Peak sooner. There, you should be able to learn more about the Sword Pavilion."
The two of them chatted while sharing dishes, completely unconcerned and relaxed. It took Tian Feirong and Xiao Pangzi quite a while to come back to their senses. They exchanged glances, realizing they had worried for nothing. Wasn't Chi Changye here specifically for the Sword Pavilion?
No wonder Chi Changye, such a powerful cultivator, willingly stayed by Gu Yao's side. It was all for smoothly entering the Tianfu Academy and then finding an opportunity to enter the Sword Pavilion. Now, his wish had come true. However, wasn't he afraid of the terrifying reputation of the Sword Pavilion? The outcome of going in could be madness or insanity, something not everyone could endure.
On the Unnamed Peak where the dean's office was located.
Dean Yu, who was fishing with closed eyes by the lake, finally opened his eyes. Well, everyone had gathered, and he wouldn't need to handle it in several batches, disrupting his cultivation.
Elder Yi hurriedly approached, "Dean, you can't ignore this matter. Such a good sword cultivator seedling should enter our Sword Peak, shouldn't he? I don't know how these teachers do things, burying such a talent underneath."
Cai, the head of Wufeng, disagreed, "A seedling this good shouldn't enter Sword Peak. It's also fine for him to enter our Wufeng. At least our Wufeng..." Under Elder Yi's fierce gaze, he swallowed the last few words. Still, everyone understood the unspoken meaning – at least Wufeng wouldn't turn people into idiots or lunatics.
Dean Yu, with keen interest, took the communication stone, and his divine sense delved into it for observation. Chi Changye on the arena had clearly concealed a lot, but Dean Yu, with a raised eyebrow, noticed something. He commented, "His aura is stagnant, probably an old injury that hasn't healed. It's not suitable for him to enter the Sword Pavilion right now."
Elder Yi suddenly realized. No wonder he felt something off about Chi Changye. He then wondered about the strength Chi Changye demonstrated now. It should be comparable to the completion of Qi Refinement. What was he like before the injury?
Others listened, their hearts pounding, especially Professor Fang. What kind of creature had he recruited? Turned out to be such a young Foundation Establishment cultivator? Didn't those two Foundation Establishment cultivators from Changxian School look proud?
Dean Yu stroked his chin and said, "Hard to say."
Elder Yi, dissatisfied, suggested, "Then let's ask Danfeng Peak Master to refine healing pills for him, speeding up his recovery. If it drags on, will there be any sequelae?"
Lin, the master of Danfeng Peak, who came here just to join the fun, didn't expect to be dragged into this. When he suggested making pills, he snorted disdainfully.
Elder Yi, still unhappy, looked at Lin Peak Master. "Lin Peak Master, that student may not have this qualification. Is there a problem with me?"
Lin Peak Master, in a displeased tone, retorted, "Even this good seedling shouldn't enter Sword Peak. It would be fine for him to enter our Wufeng. At least our Wufeng..." Under Elder Yi's fierce gaze, he swallowed the last few words. Nevertheless, everyone understood the unspoken meaning—that at least Wufeng wouldn't turn people into idiots or lunatics.
Dean Yu intervened, "What? Our Tianfu Academy can't attract talented cultivators? Coming in means having ulterior motives? Then, Lin, how did you enter? Don't you also have ulterior motives?"
"You... you're distorting the facts!"
"You have a narrow mind!"
"Enough, both of you."
Dean Yu spoke, finally ending the argument. If they continued, it would escalate into a fight. Elder Yi had a fiery temper.
Dean Yu's eyes flashed with a smile as he took out a token and threw it to Professor Fang. "Give him this token. Don't restrict his movements. Let him choose for himself whether to enter the Sword Pavilion. Once he decides to enter, he bears the consequences himself. Lin Peak Master, don't worry. Even if he has ulterior motives, the things in Tianfu Academy aren't so easily obtainable."
Professor Fang, upon seeing the token, realized that it was almost like becoming the dean's direct disciple. He could go anywhere within and outside the academy. This treatment was astonishing. So, Elder Yi's favored seedling was taken away by the dean?
Elder Yi also saw the token but remained calm. He just couldn't stand seeing talents go to waste. If the dean valued him, that was good. He didn't believe the dean wouldn't persuade Chi Changye to enter the Sword Pavilion in the end.
Lin Peak Master, however, furrowed his brows upon seeing the token. He already had opinions about these two people he hadn't even met. He wanted to see what extraordinary abilities these two possessed to make the dean take notice. Did any of Danfeng's students have such an honor?
"Dismissed." Dean Yu waved his hand.
Elder Yi caught up with Professor Fang, mumbling and grumbling on the way, indicating that Professor Fang should take care of the person. He didn't want Chi Changye to be bullied, as that token was incomprehensible to students. As long as it wasn't made public, Chi Changye would still be Gu Yao's follower. Elder Yi was dissatisfied with this arrangement. What kind of identity was a follower? Why did he have to be so stubborn about it?
"It's better to remind him. Even if he becomes an outer court student, it's okay," Elder Yi said discontentedly.
Professor Fang chuckled inwardly. Elder Yi still had such a maternal side. On the surface, he agreed, "Yes, yes, Elder Yi. I'll advise him properly, and I'll make sure he's looked after."
Gu Yao and Chi Changye thought they would be summoned by the academy's big shots, but instead, Jiang Yan personally came, bringing a token and handing it to Chi Changye. He explained the purpose of the token, leaving Gu Yao, Tian Feirong, and Xiao Pangzi envious. This token represented a considerable savings in spiritual stones.
Jiang Yan smiled, "I don't know why the dean convinced Elder Yi not to bring you into the Sword Pavilion immediately. Elder Yi has been wanting to find good seedlings to enter the Sword Pavilion for trials, but as you are aware, that place is challenging. Now, it seems the dean has given you enough time to grow, brother Chi. But since you've caught the attention of the dean, entering the Sword Pavilion is just a matter of time."
Chi Changye calmly accepted the token, "Thank you, Brother Jiang, for making this trip."
Jiang Yan waved his hand, offering a reminder, "However, because of the attention you've attracted this time, the opinions of the peak masters and elders above are not unified. So, in the future, you and Brother Gu will face more challenges rather than fewer. Trying to calm things down is probably not very possible."
Professor Fang had subtly hinted at the attitudes of the others when he went to meet the dean. Jiang Yan understood that Chi Changye had gained the dean's favor, but this favor had made others unhappy. People's hearts were fickle, especially when it involved the distribution of internal academy resources. So, the opinions of these higher-ups couldn't be unified.
"Thanks for the reminder, Brother Jiang." Gu Yao and Chi Changye expressed their gratitude.
Jiang Yan stayed for a moment and then left, leaving the others in thoughtful silence.
"Ah, it seems the three of us are too weak, dragging down Brother Ye," Gu Yao sighed.
"It's not like that," Chi Changye disagreed. Without Gu Yao, he wouldn't have recovered so quickly.
"But our cultivation is a bit weak. There's not much we can do to help Brother Ye, so I think the three of us need to improve our cultivation as soon as possible. What do you think, Brother Tian and Little Fatty?" Gu Yao asked.
Both had difficult expressions. Gu Yao was right, but cultivation wasn't something you could improve just by deciding to. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many students working hard in the academy for months and years.
Chi Changye understood what Gu Yao wanted to do. He glanced at Tian Feirong, realizing this guy probably didn't know his own issues. Gu Yao had to worry about him. Really foolish!
Tian Feirong felt uncomfortable under Chi Changye's gaze and cautiously asked, "Brother Ye, what's wrong with me?"
Gu Yao tried to gently bring it up, "Tian Er, do you know what's wrong with yourself?"
Tian Feirong's expression stiffened for a moment, and he awkwardly said, "What could be wrong with me? Is my aptitude too poor?"
Chi Changye, looking at him coldly, said, "Your problem is that you need a good beating. A few good beatings, and you'll be fine."
Tian Feirong had an awkward expression, not expecting to be bullied like this. Little Fatty shamelessly chuckled, but quickly corrected his posture; otherwise, he'd be next.
Gu Yao chuckled, poked Chi Changye, and told him not to bully Tian Er. Chi Changye, as if hit by an electric shock, felt a tingling sensation where he was poked.