Seven people from Sheng Ling Academy entered Qian Long City without any attempt to conceal themselves, swaggering in.
They maintained a high posture, even deliberately revealing their auras to announce their arrival, intending for everyone in Qian Long City to know they were here.
This operation was carried out under the banner of avenging Liu Song, which meant that taking action against Lang Ya Academy was considered justifiable, and they were not afraid of being criticized.
Their appearance indeed caused a massive stir.
The formidable lineup of six Peak Spirit Emperors sent shivers down the spines of everyone in the city.
Especially since the six were high-profile, wielding Emperor Weapons and exuding overwhelming might, their bodies radiating killing intent. Wherever they passed, pedestrians quickly made way, fearing to incur their wrath.
As for Liu Song, the person directly involved, he remained very low-key due to his injuries, his face bruised and swollen.
This group did not take Lang Ya Academy seriously. They were well aware of Lang Ya Academy's overall strength, believing only the Dean Song Zhenwei, Vice Dean Zeng Qiyan, and a feathered creature, the Night Owl, possessed any real power. The rest were insignificant.
Of course, they had to be cautious of that Immortal Spirit-grade broken sword.
However, the broken sword was merely a remnant. They all possessed Emperor Weapons or Emperor Artifacts, and their numbers gave them an advantage. As long as they were prepared, the broken sword would not pose a significant threat.
"Lang Ya Academy shamelessly injured our Sheng Ling Academy's delegation and insulted our Sheng Ling Academy elder. They must pay the price for this."
After pinning the blame on Lang Ya Academy and positioning themselves on the moral high ground, the group issued their statement and finally wasted no more time, heading straight for Lang Ya Academy.
"Lang Ya Academy, it seems you are doomed this time."
"Today, Lang Ya Academy will likely face utter destruction. These are six Peak Spirit Emperors! How can Lang Ya Academy resist?"
"Everyone should stay far away to avoid being caught in the crossfire. These individuals from Sheng Ling Academy are not to be trifled with; their malevolence is heavy, and their hands are stained with countless lives."
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
Some chose to distance themselves from the scene of conflict, while others watched from afar. After all, battles between Peak Spirit Emperors were a rare sight.
At Lang Ya Academy, upon hearing the news, someone intended to report to Song Zhenwei.
However, they were intercepted by Zhu Chang and Wu Kong.
This was a golden opportunity. As long as Sheng Ling Academy eliminated Song Zhenwei, the academy would inevitably fall into Zeng Qiyan's hands.
In fact, they had also made contact with Liu Song over the past couple of days, secretly agreeing on certain terms.
Ji Mo, Song Zhenwei, and Song Weixi were unaware that a formidable enemy had arrived.
At this moment, the three were in Song Zhenwei's courtyard, discussing how to repair the broken sword.
A forging platform and a cauldron had already been set up in the courtyard.
Song Zhenwei even spared no expense, incurring great cost to bring in Earth Fire as the heat source for the cauldron.
"Dean, you're truly extravagant, bringing in Earth Fire. It's completely unnecessary. A simple blacksmith's furnace would suffice."
Ji Mo clicked his tongue.
It was just reforging an iron sword; there was no need for such elaborate preparations.
Upon hearing this, Song Weixi's heart skipped a beat, feeling Ji Mo was unreliable.
A blacksmith's furnace would suffice?
Were you joking? Don't you know what grade of ore is being used this time? Could a blacksmith's furnace even melt it?
Song Zhenwei, however, trusted Ji Mo implicitly. He said, "After all, it is the treasure of our academy, passed down by our ancestors. We must be cautious. If it is damaged, it will be difficult to explain to our forefathers."
"Don't worry, Dean. I've forged many cleavers and hoes, so I have plenty of experience. I guarantee I won't break it."
Ji Mo said with full confidence.
As soon as he spoke, Song Weixi's confidence waned even further.
She quickly cast a look at Song Zhenwei, signaling whether he should stop Ji Mo, lest the academy lose its treasured artifact starting today.
Song Zhenwei stroked his sparse beard, appearing as steady as an old dog, but in the next second, his hand trembled, and he inadvertently pulled off a strand of his beard.
With a clang, Ji Mo struck the already cracked broken sword with his hammer. The sword shattered into pieces, leaving only the bare hilt.
The academy's treasure was gone just like that.
Song Zhenwei and Song Weixi were utterly stunned.
Song Weixi's face was filled with anger, and she was about to argue with Ji Mo, but Song Zhenwei held her back.
"Qianxi, trust in those you employ. We must believe in Mr. Ji."
Song Zhenwei forced himself to remain calm.
Ji Mo tossed the fragments of the broken sword into the cauldron, along with various precious metals and ores that Song Zhenwei had prepared.
"Old man, aren't you going to stop him? If he continues to mess around like this, all these precious materials will be ruined too."
At this point, Song Weixi could no longer hold back.
One must understand that each metal and ore has a different melting point, so the order of their addition is crucial. Otherwise, the final melt would likely be a batch of slag.
This was something even a forging apprentice would know, yet Ji Mo seemed oblivious, clearly an amateur.
As expected, the various molten metals in the cauldron did not fuse, and they were on the verge of becoming a pot of waste.
Song Zhenwei could no longer maintain his composure, his face beginning to fall.
The academy's treasure was gone, and the precious ores accumulated over many years were wasted. He felt he would have no face to meet the academy's ancestors.
"Fine, let Ji Mo take responsibility. He can work for the academy for free for the rest of his life." Song Weixi gritted her teeth.
"Free work for life?"
Ji Mo faintly heard Song Weixi's mumbling and turned to say, "Miss Song, I don't work for free, and I never will. Don't think you can renege on my monthly salary."
Suddenly remembering that he hadn't discussed his salary and benefits with the academy, Ji Mo felt he needed to perform well and diligently repair this broken sword. Perhaps he could even ask for a few more taels of silver each month.
Therefore, with a pang of heartache, he took out a crystal-clear stone from his embrace and threw it into the cauldron.
"Ming Guang Emperor Stone!"
Song Zhenwei, with his sharp eyes, immediately recognized the origin of the stone.
"Stop, don't waste it! Your molten iron is already ruined..."
Song Weixi shouted to stop him. That was a Ming Guang Emperor Stone! Throwing it in at this moment was a complete waste.
Boom!
After the Ming Guang Emperor Stone was thrown into the cauldron, it triggered an incredible reaction.
The cauldron churned like a stormy sea. The various molten metals and liquids completely fused together, brilliant treasure light shot towards the sky, and an ethereal aura enveloped heaven and earth.
"Immortal Spirit Aura!"
The group from Sheng Ling Academy arrived at the gates of Lang Ya Academy, intending to smash down the courtyard gate and flatten Lang Ya Academy.
However, they saw a dazzling light shooting straight into the clouds from within Lang Ya Academy, simultaneously emitting wisps of Immortal Spirit Aura.
"An Immortal Artifact is being born!"
Instantly, the seven figures shot towards the sky, wanting to ascertain what was happening.
Ji Mo poured the molten liquid into the prepared mold, fusing it with the sword hilt.
The artifact spirit within the sword hilt was so excited it wanted to roar to the heavens, feeling more powerful than ever before.
Not only had it recovered to its peak state, but it was also continuing to grow stronger.
"Old man, how did he do that?"
Song Weixi was utterly bewildered.
Transforming a cauldron of scrap iron into immortal gold was beyond comprehension.
"I can only say that Mr. Ji's forging skills have reached the realm of the divine."
Song Zhenwei also couldn't discern the method.
Because Ji Mo's steps were so casual, he couldn't see any special techniques, yet he succeeded. It was truly magical!
"It seems someone is forging an Immortal Spirit-grade weapon. When the Immortal Artifact takes shape, we will move to seize it."
The group from Sheng Ling Academy concealed themselves in mid-air, ready to snatch it at any moment.