Five days passed in the blink of an eye.
The semifinals of the Southern Domain Academy Ranking Competition began. This year's event was unusually low-key, with everyone feeling a sense of unease.
The tragic death of Tan Yun'ao, the Holy Son of Floating Sky Mountain, in Scarlet Amber City had cast a shadow over everyone's minds.
Many were waiting to see how this matter would ultimately be resolved.
As a result, a throng of curious individuals who had heard the news flocked to Scarlet Amber City, eager to witness the spectacle.
The Seven Fiends Alliance's third in command was, naturally, the most excited by this situation.
The more people that poured into Scarlet Amber City, the better. These individuals would eventually become "food" for that Demonic Artifact.
The more people there were, the more essence and vitality there would be, allowing the spatial Demonic Artifact to unleash even greater power!
Scarlet Amber City.
The central plaza was packed with people!
It was rumored that the people from Floating Sky Mountain were still en route. Since everyone was idle, they decided to watch the semifinals for entertainment.
Song Wei Qian looked at the bamboo slip in her hand, which bore the name of Lang Ya Academy's opponent for this match. Her expression was grim.
There was definitely foul play!
It was highly likely that the Tang family was behind this, arranging such an opponent for Lang Ya Academy.
Wei Yang Academy!
The number one academy in the Southern Domain!
They were incredibly strong and had been the champions for four consecutive years.
Their goal was to become the five-time champions.
They were determined to win first place this year.
Furthermore, according to the analyses of various academies by renowned scholars, it was believed that no academy, except for Sacred Plume Academy, would be a match for Wei Yang Academy.
"The Tang family is really going too far. This is clearly targeting Lang Ya specifically."
"That's right. All the matches have been arranged with strong opponents for you. They claim it's the result of a draw, but it's clearly rigged. How shameless."
"It's a pity. With Lang Ya's strength, you should have had a chance to break into the top five. Who would have thought you'd face Wei Yang Academy in the very first semifinal match!"
Several academies that were on good terms with Lang Ya Academy had also arrived at the scene to cheer them on.
However, upon learning that Lang Ya's opponent was Wei Yang Academy, they all showed sympathy, voiced their indignation on behalf of Lang Ya, and cursed the Tang family for their shamelessness.
"Alas, it's fine. After all, we won tens of millions of taels of gold from the Tang family. It's understandable that they would pull a few strings."
Ji Mo was not overly bothered and calmly stroked the睚眦 in his arms.
After all, competitions were about strength. No matter who the opponent was, it ultimately came down to power.
All schemes and tricks were merely bubbles in the face of true strength.
Ji Mo had immense confidence in his three students, possessing a blind faith: My students are the most awesome in the world!
"Ever since Tang Qian took over as the head of the Tang family, the Tang family has become increasingly insidious and shameless."
Song Wei Qian was not as magnanimous, spitting in disdain.
Ji Mo said impartially, "Actually, only some people in the Tang family are bad; there are still good people."
Ji Mo thought that Miss Tang Xue Yi was quite good.
"Heh, your good sister Xue Yi is sweet and beautiful, so of course she's a good person."
Song Wei Qian's tone was sour, and she was clearly a bit jealous that Ji Mo had been visiting Tang Xue Yi these past few days.
In the distance, Zeng Qi Yan showed a satisfied smile.
Lang Ya Academy facing Wei Yang Academy was partly due to his efforts.
He had proactively approached the Tang family, proposing a collaboration where the Tang family would support Sacred Plume Academy.
Because Wei Yang Academy had high odds of winning the championship, the amount bet on Wei Yang in the Tang family's gambling houses was unimaginably high.
If Sacred Plume Academy were to pull off an upset and win the championship, the Tang family would profit immensely.
Thus, both parties colluded and reached an agreement.
Zeng Qi Yan did not underestimate Lang Ya, knowing that the three students from Lang Ya were extraordinary geniuses. However, the students from Wei Yang Academy were also the strongest in the Southern Domain, making it a clash of titans.
When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits.
After these two academies clashed, they would inevitably suffer some losses.
No matter who won in the end, their strength would be greatly diminished, making Sacred Plume the ultimate victor.
"Lang Ya will stop here."
Tang Heng walked over, a smile of vengeance on his face, and then turned to Zeng Qi Yan, saying, "Our Tang family has high hopes for your Sacred Plume. Please don't disappoint us."
"Rest assured, the true strength of my Sacred Plume is not inferior to Wei Yang Academy. The championship is already within our grasp."
Zeng Qi Yan was full of confidence.
The two exchanged smiles and then began discussing the distribution of profits.
The people from Wei Yang Academy appeared.
This immediately drew cheers from the entire crowd.
After all, they were the four-time champions, with numerous supporters, and everyone would give them face.
The Wei Yang Academy entourage was clad in luxurious attire and made a grand entrance, with people lining the way to welcome them.
Cheers erupted one after another, and everyone's gaze was fixed on the young man leading the group.
His aura was immense, as if he radiated light, making him incredibly dazzling.
Many young people in the arena gazed at him with fervent eyes, filled with admiration and fanaticism.
They wished they could rush forward and kneel before him, begging him to take them as his disciples.
Du Mu Bai, the Vice Dean of Wei Yang Academy, was the most renowned master in the Southern Domain, bar none.
His reputation was solely based on his strength.
He had led Wei Yang Academy to four championships in the Southern Domain Academy Ranking Competition, elevating it to the position of the number one academy in the Southern Domain.
Du Mu Bai was as gentle as jade, exceptionally handsome, with a smile like the warm sun in winter, giving people a feeling of spring breeze. He waved approachable, greeting the surrounding supporters.
He was actually not young anymore, but due to his considerable strength and good maintenance, his appearance was still that of a youth, making him particularly popular with girls.
In the crowd, some female cultivators fainted from excitement.
Others, less reserved, loudly declared their desire to become Du Mu Bai's Dao companion.
The atmosphere at the scene was extremely fervent.
Du Mu Bai was the center of attention, surrounded by a constellation of admirers, becoming the focal point of the entire arena.
Ji Mo watched with a hint of envy, feeling he had found his career aspiration.
If, one day, someone also shouted about wanting to have children with him, he would be content!
"Pah, show-off!"
Song Wei Qian seemed to know Du Mu Bai and, seeing his demeanor, spat in disdain.
"Miss Song, what's wrong? I think this person is quite good."
Ji Mo felt something was off with Song Wei Qian and tentatively asked, "Could it be that you're jealous because you can't have him?"
"Jealous? I'm jealous of your dead head."
Song Wei Qian glared fiercely at Ji Mo and said, "You don't understand. This person is named Li Mu Bai. His name is very 'Bai' (white/pure), but his heart is very dark. Moreover, he's old but likes to pretend to be young. Utterly shameless."
Ji Mo felt there was a story behind this and was about to inquire further.
But Du Mu Bai was already walking directly towards them.
"Wei Qian, long time no see."
Du Mu Bai arrived in front of Song Wei Qian and greeted her enthusiastically.
Song Wei Qian snorted and ignored him.
Ji Mo stared at the two with gossip in his eyes, but soon felt something was amiss.
Indeed, one cannot judge a book by its cover. Whether Du Mu Bai was dark-hearted or not was unknown, but he was certainly lecherous.