by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu
And yet that was not all. The nine stars were actually incredibly clear and were even bringing them a dreadful pressure. This was a high-grade nine-star physique, an absolutely perfect physique. Since ancient times, the number of times such physiques had appeared could be counted on one hand. Each holder of such physique had eventually become a legendary god of the dominion.
"Impossible! How can he have such an excellent physique?" Di Lin roared, losing his mind.
Xia Yunxi was also greatly taken aback. Her face paled, and thick remorse surfaced in her heart. Once upon a time, this young man had been her lover. She had personally pushed him away. Not far away, Tang Longfei, Ning Wenhuang, Lady Shura, Shou Xie, and the others were completely dumbstruck. They knew Xiang Shaoyun was extraordinary, but they had never imagined that he would have such a physique. They felt like they were dreaming.
"I-I'm not seeing things, right? Shaoyun...has a high-grade nine-star physique?" Tang Longfei gulped.
Ning Wenhuang rubbed her eyes. "If you're seeing things, I must be seeing things as well."
"You're not seeing things. I'm not seeing things either. This is the truth," said Lady Shura firmly.
Chapter 562: Natural Phenomenon
When Xiang Shaoyun triggered the nine-star phenomenon, everyone in the Dragon Phoenix Academy sensed it. This was an extremely rare phenomenon, and the pressure it exuded caused everyone to shudder.
Numerous dreadful auras surged out from various spots in the academy. At the same time, several figures appeared midair as they gazed at the nine-star phenomenon with excitement in their eyes.
"How many years has it been? It has been so long since I last saw a physique so excellent! The heavens have blessed our Dragon Phoenix Academy!" said an old man whose face couldn't be seen clearly.
"Yeah, the last time a high-grade nine-star physique appeared was during the ancient times. Now, one has actually appeared here at our Dragon Phoenix Academy? Looks like old folks like us will need to get busy personally this time," said a different man whose face similarly couldn't be seen clearly.
A woman with an hourglass figure said, "Who's the recruiter of this child? Why had he not confirmed the child's physique before the assessment? By revealing the child's physique, he will only attract the attention of the other disciples. Those ancient factions would also try their best to recruit him. If they fail, they would rather kill him. After all, someone this talented can also be extremely threatening."
"No, I have to stop that from happening. I'll just take him as a hidden disciple and release him to the world 1,000 years later," said an old man as he suddenly flew toward Xiang Shaoyun. But before he could go far, he was stopped by a few figures.
"Dream on. Charging out like this will only scare the child. In any case, you don't even know what power he cultivates. How can you take him as a disciple so casually?" said someone unhappily.
"That's right. We should continue observing and determine what power he cultivates before making a decision," said a middle-aged man.
"No. With our strength, we will be able to guide him in whatever power he cultivates. He is still a tiny Skysoar Realm cultivator!" said the person who tried flying toward Xiang Shaoyun earlier.
"There's no hurry. In any case, the child has already joined our Dragon Phoenix Academy. He won't be able to escape us," said the woman calmly.
"That's right. Keep observing. I think he definitely cultivates the power of water," said someone.
The entire Dragon Phoenix Academy seemed to have transformed into a boiling pot. Liu Xutian, Xiao Wei, and the other elders were filled with excitement. They had never imagined that Xiang Shaoyun would create such a commotion. They knew very well that a disciple of this caliber was not someone they could take as a disciple. Even so, they were still filled with a desire to have him as a disciple.
As for Feng Huosuo, he had an extremely unsightly expression. With his fists clenched tightly, he thought, How is this possible? A high-grade nine-star physique? Damn it! This must be a dream!
Xiang Shaoyun felt like it was time to stop showing off, but his nine stars suddenly erupted with a massive suction force, absorbing a certain power hidden within the assessment stone. To be precise, his stars were absorbing the power of the nine stars in the sky. The stone was merely serving as a medium.
The rays of light shining from the sky started undergoing some changes. One of the nine pure and unblemished rays suddenly turned purple, as if it had turned into a bolt of lightning. One of the hidden old fellows cried out in excitement as if he had won a lottery, "He cultivates the power of lightning! Splendid!"
He had barely celebrated when a different ray of light turned into a golden ray.
"He cultivates the power of gold as well? Excellent!" the middle-aged man exclaimed in joy.
It was understandable that someone with such a freakish talent would cultivate two powers. But soon they saw red, gray, green, blue, yellow, white, and black rays appearing one after another. The rays of light looked incredibly wondrous, presenting an exceedingly enchanting sight. The other eight stones in the area were affected as well. A resonance formed between them as they started shining brightly, accepting the incoming rays of light.
Immediately, a power that greatly resembled both the natural spiritual energy in the air and the astral energy of the stars started spreading out. The surroundings became flooded with energy. The old trees in the area grew new leaves, the spiritual herbs advanced into the next tier, the flowers instantly bloomed, and the numerous demonic beasts all stopped everything they were doing. They released their demonic cores, allowing their cores to be nourished.
Even the young geniuses in the area could sense their cultivation growing rapidly. Those who were near breakthrough were suddenly hit with a sudden bout of inspiration, as if they were going to break through at any moment. As for Xiang Shaoyun, he sank into a unique state. He felt incredibly comfortable, as if he was soaking in a hot spring or bathing under the first ray of the sun in the morning.
His nine stars started growing at an inconceivable speed. Even more unbelievable was the nine-colored energy in his astral cosmos sea. It started growing rapidly, and Money started devouring it hungrily. Under this process, Money started undergoing some changes as well.
The vicious tiger gold lotus, blaze flower, ghostbloom, and the other plants in his astral cosmos sea started shining with a glistening radiance. Not only had new buds sprouted out of them, they had even advanced to a higher tier. Everyone was stunned, and nobody could explain everything that was happening.
None noticed that beyond the sky, an additional star had appeared, its appearance vaguely discernible. The new star was completely covered by the nine colors, and it seemed like it was absorbing the power contained in the nine colors in a completely concealed state. Not even the experts at the Dragon Phoenix Academy could detect that star.
At the same time that star appeared, the powers shining upon the world below turned berserk. The nine stones suddenly exploded, and Xiang Shaoyun who was caught by surprise was sent flying. Everyone panicked, thinking that they were under attack. They started scattering everywhere in panic.
As for the nine overseers and the disciples standing near the stones, they suffered the brunt of the impact. It was unknown if they were still alive or not. With the explosion of the nine assessment stones, the nine stars in the sky vanished noiselessly. The nine colors vanished, and peace returned, as if nothing had happened.
Chapter 563: I Would Rather Die Than Submit
The explosion of the nine assessment stones was something completely inconceivable. These stones were genuine saint-grade items. Not even sovereign weapons could deal any kind of damage to them, yet they had all been destroyed just like that. Everyone blanked out, not knowing what to think of it. Not far away, Xiang Shaoyun got back on his feet. He had not suffered many injuries, as if the explosion wasn't as scary as it had seemed.
He couldn't help but to curse, "What damnable stones are these? Why
are they exploding suddenly? Are they trying to kill me? This young master was nearly killed! I need to demand justice from the academy! I need them to compensate me for the damage my body and soul has suffered! I can't let this rest!"
The young geniuses near him were able to remain standing even in the face of the sudden explosion, but they all staggered at what he said. They had seen a lot of shameless people, but they had never seen one so shameless before. He actually dared to utter such shameless words? Where had he gotten such guts?
The nine stones were incredibly valuable. The destruction of any one of them would cause the academy elders immense pain. Yet this kid still demanded compensation? He was truly someone who did not know the immensity of heaven and earth! The overseers and young geniuses that were badly implicated by the explosion wanted to get up and shout at Xiang Shaoyun, but they couldn't even get back on their feet.
The explosion wasn't fatal, but it had still injured them heavily. If they weren't given immediate treatment, it was unlikely for them to survive. Liu Xutian was the first to react, "Quickly! Treat them before we do anything else!"
At his command, people rushed over to help the injured overseers and disciples.
As for Feng Huosuo, he jumped out and shouted at Xiang Shaoyun, "You're dead! You have actually destroyed the academy's assessment stones? These are saint-grade stones! Not even your life is enough to pay for them! I suggest you save us the trouble and cripple yourself!"
As he said that, he erupted with a massive pressure that wrapped around Xiang Shaoyun. As an elder of the Dragon Phoenix Academy, there was no doubt that Feng Huosuo was an expert of massive strength. The spiritual pressure he unleashed was completely beyond the pressure exerted by the stairs. Even with the help of his Nether Soul Domain, Xiang Shaoyun could still feel the invasion of a certain will into his mind.
Fortunately, he still had the protection of the Nether Dragon Soul Headband. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to resist the invading will.
"Are you an elder of the academy? How unreasonable are you being? The stones have obviously exploded by themselves! What? Are you trying to say that a puny King like me has destroyed them? All nine stones have exploded, yet I wasn't anywhere near the other eight stones! It is obvious those stones were inferior products! They even nearly killed me! Look, my expensive clothes have been turned into rags! Also, look at my handsome and lovable face! It's bleeding! And yet you have the galls to criticize me? Are you crazy? Or are you simply deciding on the life of a disciple in accordance to your whims just because you're an elder?" Xiang Shaoyun shouted back unrelentingly.
Since the other party was obviously trying to make things hard for him, there was no need for him to hold back.
When Xiang Shaoyun was done speaking, Xiao Wei clapped and said, "That's right. Well said! The only thing some people are good for is bullying the young. Thank you, Feng Huosuo, for broadening my horizons with your shamelessness."
"What are you trying to say, Xiao Wei? Don't you know the value of these assessment stones?" Feng Huosuo questioned.
"Of course I know, but I also know that Xiang Shaoyun is worth more than these stones. To be precise, Xiang Shaoyun is invaluable!" said Xiao Wei firmly.
"Fine, fine. I don't care anymore. Do whatever you want," said Feng Huosuo when he noticed that the other elders were all looking at him with a look of amusement. It caused his face to flush red. After saying what he had to say, he quickly left.
His initial plan was to cripple Xiang Shaoyun when nobody was paying attention. He had not expected that Xiang Shaoyun was actually able to resist his spiritual pressure. Since that was a case, he had no choice but to give up. If he made another move, the other elders would probably gang up on him. After all, a freak this talented was too rare. The academy would definitely nurture him like a hidden treasure and would not allow him to suffer any harm.
At this time, Xiao Wei arrived beside Xiang Shaoyun and patted his shoulder before saying, "Well done! You're an excellent recruit! I like you!"
Xiang Shaoyun quickly dodged to the side and looked at Xiao Wei cautiously as he said, "I am not interested in men. Forget it. I would rather die than submit!"
Some of the disciples couldn't hold their laughter in when they heard his words.
Xiao Wei's face turned ghastly as he said, "I say, kid, can your brain not be so dirty? The like I said is not that kind of like. It's a different kind of like. Do you understand?"
Xiang Shaoyun rubbed his nose and said, "What kind of like? You're confusing me."
Xiao Wei was about to say something else when a voice rang out, "Elders, heed my command. The assessment will be put on pause. Settle all the new disciples. Bring the child that triggered the nine-star phenomenon to the meeting hall."
"Yes," the elders did not dare to disobey the owner of that voice. They bowed and started doing as told.
There were more than 10 disciples who had yet to take their assessment, but they no longer needed to do so. In any case, they were all special-recruits that would be core disciples. They wouldn't suffer much losses by not taking the assessment.
"Xiao Wei, bring Xiang Shaoyun to the meeting hall," said Liu Xutian.
Liu Xutian wanted to personally lead Xiang Shaoyun over, but Xiang Shaoyun was after all one of Xiao Wei's recruits. It wouldn't be proper to snatch this contribution from Xiao Wei.
"Come with me, Xiang Shaoyun. I'll take you to the meeting hall," said Xiao Wei with a nod. He then grabbed Xiang Shaoyun's hand and flew toward the meeting hall. The remaining disciples had a look of envy as they gazed at Xiang Shaoyun departing.
"Xiang Shaoyun is going to reach the top with a single step. Looks like in the future, we will need to fawn on him whenever we see him."
"That's right. It's best we check his origins. If we can befriend him, it will only benefit us."
"I remember he came with a few friends. Let's start befriending his friends first. That should be easier."
"Stop dreaming. A person at his level is not someone anyone can befriend. You're better off focusing on your own cultivation."
"That's right. A true cultivator relies not only on talent, but on one's unrelenting will. Only then can one stand at the peak of cultivation. My accomplishments in cultivation won't necessarily be worse than his in the future."
Chapter 564: This Kid Is Someone With a Character
The meeting hall of the Dragon Phoenix Academy was located at the central location of the academy. It was a place with an excellent environment, surrounded by ancient trees on all sides. The space in between the hall and the trees were decorated with rock gardens, bonsai trees, and flowing streams populated by numerous carps. As a whole, the location was tranquil and peaceful.
The hall was grand and imposing, with the ancient architectural design of its curved roof and grated windows. The walls were decorated with the paintings of dragons and phoenixes, exuding a majestic and ancient ambiance. There were no guards present, yet this place was akin to a forbidden zone where people with no business here would not approach. Dragged by Xiao Wei, Xiang Shaoyun moved as fast as lightning and arrived in a short period of time.
"We're here. Tidy yourself up and enter with me," said Xiao Wei.
The current Xiang Shaoyun looked incomparably sorry. His clothes were in rags, revealing the broken armor he wore inside, which looked even worse. His image as a pretty boy was greatly discounted in such get-up. If this was any other time, he would most definitely get changed before doing anything else. But this time, he was unwilling to do so.
"I need to ask for compensation from the academy. How can I remove the proof? Let's enter like this. I believe the elders will be fair," said Xiang Shaoyun, still stubbornly insisting to be repaid for the damage his soul and body had suffered.
Xiao Wei shook his head helplessly. "This is an important location of the academy. You best watch your mouth when you talk. Don't create trouble for yourself."
He then brought Xiang Shaoyun into the main hall.
The inside of the hall was akin to an entirely independent space. It was incomparably expansive, with a unique aura drifting about in the air as if actual dragons and phoenixes were flying around the hall. On the beam at the very top of the hall were the statues of a dragon and a phoenix. The two looked exceedingly lifelike and exuded a massive pressure on everyone in the hall.
Numerous jade chairs were lined within the hall. These chairs were actually made of top-quality star congregation jades. Even Xiang Shaoyun was astonished by this display of wealth. One ought to know that top-quality star congregation jades were emperor-grade items. Just a tiny piece was enough to increase one's energy gathering speed by about 10 times.
There were 99 such chairs in the hall. One ought to acknowledge how luxurious this was. This was especially true for the jade tree at the very middle of the room. It was more of a couch than a chair, and it looked incomparably majestic and luxurious.
The 12 pillars in the hall decorated by carvings of dragons and phoenixes also looked extraordinary. Xiang Shaoyun was confident these pillars were made of materials of a sovereign, or even higher, grade. Even if he attacked with all his strength, he probably wouldn't be able to damage any of the pillars. There were also various other ornaments in the hall, and not a single one of them was ordinary.
Oh heavens, they are really rich! Xiang Shaoyun thought as his eyes lit up. He had the urge to take everything in the hall for himself.
Xiao Wei had a helpless look on his face as he said, "What are you looking at? Quickly greet the principal and the elders!"
Only then did Xiang Shaoyun reluctantly move his gaze away from the expensive decorations and focused on the old man seated on a chair and the elders surrounding him. With a salute, Xiang Shaoyun said, "Xiang Shaoyun greets the principal and the elders."
"H-he resembles that kid greatly!" someone said immediately.
That remark seemed completely random, yet someone else replied, "To be precise, he looks completely the same. If it wasn't not for his age of only 19 years old, I would have suspected that the other fellow is still alive."