Chapter 267: Chapter 267: Senior, You’ve Misunderstood
He made a lot of sense. Since Chen Pingping was an outsider, Lin Yuexin had seized the opportunity to attack him, launching no fewer than twenty assaults so far. Each one had been more powerful than the last, brimming with killing intent. To say she bullied the weak and oppressed outsiders would not be an exaggeration.
But was that really the case? Why did Lin Yuexin attack?
In those twenty-odd attacks, despite appearing ferocious, none had actually landed squarely on Chen Pingping. Instead, he had ended up knocking her unconscious with a single punch.
Chen Pingping was still infuriated. "I demand human rights! I demand justice! Your academy must give me an explanation, or I’m not leaving!"
At this moment, the Dean recovered. Upon hearing the phrase "I’m not leaving," his face lit up with joy.
Not leaving? That would be perfect. The academy is in desperate need of a genius like him.
He had just gathered dozens of teachers for a discussion. Although they had reached no conclusion and couldn’t determine Chen Pingping’s true origins, the Dean brought up a crucial point: Golden Cicada had challenged him.
What did that indicate? That he was indeed extraordinary.
Moreover, it was rumored that Golden Cicada had been so enraged at the time, he had nearly lost control.
Consider this: could an ordinary cultivator provoke such fury in a young prodigy of the Divine Clan of Purple Gold? Obviously not!
Furthermore, regardless of Chen Pingping’s status or background, the mere fact that Golden Cicada wanted to challenge him was something the academy had to capitalize on. First, they would recruit Chen Pingping and have him fight Golden Cicada under the academy’s name. The underlying significance was a confrontation between the academy and the Divine Clan of Purple Gold. This was a major event.
The only hurdle was Chen Pingping’s strength—could he defeat Golden Cicada within a year?
The Dean believed he could be nurtured.
One teacher raised an objection, "If the academy expends massive resources to cultivate Chen Pingping and he loses, what then? And what if he wins by a fluke but then decides to leave the academy afterward?"
"I think it would be better to let our own geniuses challenge Golden Cicada."
"He wouldn’t accept their challenge," another retorted.
The arrogance of the Divine Clan of Purple Gold was infamous throughout the Spirit Realm. Golden Cicada’s challenge to Chen Pingping had already attracted the attention of numerous major powers. Even the figure deep within the imperial palace had refrained from acting against Chen Pingping immediately for this very reason. Otherwise, merely being near Lan Xiuzhi would have been grounds for Chen Pingping to die 10,000 times over.
"I don’t care! Your academy must give me an explanation!" Chen Pingping insisted.
Heh. The Dean narrowed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips. "What kind of explanation do you want?"
Chen Pingping glanced sideways. "Compensation! Your ’genius’ repeatedly attacked me, causing severe harm—not just physical, but mental and emotional too! So... do you have any Sacred Soldiers?"
"No!" the Dean shook his head.
"The King of Medicine, Emperor of Medicine, or something similar will do. Just a dozen or so plants."
"We don’t have those either."
"Don’t tell me you don’t even have high-grade armor?" Chen Pingping’s expression soured, his heart sinking. How can this academy be so poor? It supposedly has a legacy spanning tens of thousands of years! PAH!
The Dean chuckled. "Young friend, what do you think of her?" He gestured toward the unconscious Lin Yuexin.
Chen Pingping: "???"
The onlookers’ expressions turned peculiar, understanding the Dean’s implication.
"Lin Yuexin is young, about your age, fair-skinned and beautiful, with an excellent figure and, well, her physique suggests she’d be good for bearing children. She is also my direct disciple," the Dean said slowly. "How about it? Why don’t you two become Tao Companions?"
"On second thought, I realize I was rude to this... lady earlier. Hmm, I have some other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. Let’s talk another day!" Chen Pingping panicked, desperate to flee.
What kind of joke is this? Pairing me up with this tigress as a Tao Companion? How is that any different from killing me? Besides, I’m filthy, my cultivation level is low, and I’m weak. What on earth does that old man see in me?
Chen Pingping was secretly spitting blood from frustration.
Heh. The Dean smiled faintly and waved his sleeve, blocking Chen Pingping’s path. "Weren’t you demanding an explanation?"
"No, not at all! Did I ask for one? I certainly didn’t!" Chen Pingping said sheepishly. "Senior, you’re mistaken."
"I heard you. Everyone here heard you," the Dean stated.
"No way?" Chen Pingping scanned the crowd.
The crowd nodded vigorously, exclaiming in unison, "Yes, we heard you!"
Chen Pingping’s face stiffened. "You’re fabricating this! If you don’t let me go, I’m going to get angry!"
The Dean chuckled. "This is the academy."
The implication was clear: I am the Dean, the most powerful person in the academy. What’s the use of you getting angry?
"Shall we chat?" the Dean said, smiling at him.
Without waiting for Chen Pingping’s response, the Dean waved his large sleeve, and they were transported to a deserted courtyard.
Chen Pingping, slightly panicked, forced an awkward laugh. "Senior, you’ve misunderstood. I was just kidding earlier."
The Dean nodded, still smiling. "You’re not from the Spirit Realm."
Chen Pingping was shocked. How had he given himself away? No, he hadn’t really done anything to expose himself!
"The Emperor has investigated you. There is no information about you in the Spirit Realm, so you are clearly not from here," the Dean stated. "From the Heaven Martial Continent, correct?"
"..."
"You’re very brave, venturing here alone. Are you not afraid of death?" he asked Chen Pingping.
"Sigh," Chen Pingping said helplessly. "Since Senior already knows my identity, kill me if you wish! I can’t beat you anyway."
"The Emperor has no suspicions," said the Dean.
"???"
What did that mean? Did it imply the Emperor had no suspicions, and so far, only the Dean knew?
Chen Pingping’s eyes suddenly widened. "Were you bluffing just now?"
The Dean laughed. "Correct."
"I..." Chen Pingping cursed internally for a full minute, snorting and glaring, almost ready to draw his sword. But he didn’t dare. That old man is too strong.
"It wasn’t entirely about tricking you," the Dean said, his eyes narrowing. "Before this, the three Great Empires took action together, and several State Preceptors revived the Phoenix Cauldron. It was precisely at that time that you appeared by the little princess’s side. That’s bound to spark some thoughts."
"That’s the first point. Later, a senior from the Purple Gold Divine Clan sent word that there is still a living Great Emperor on the Heaven Martial Continent—whether true or false, we don’t know. After some discussion, the three Great Empires decided to search for the Undying Furnace to confront this Great Emperor from the Heaven Martial Continent. Throughout this period, you’ve remained inseparably close to the little princess."
"Only the Phoenix Cauldron can resonate with the Undying Furnace; this is a crucial lead. You’re trying to destroy this lead, aren’t you?"
Smiling, the Dean continued, "Thirdly, I’ve heard that Golden Cicada repeatedly told the little princess you are not from the Spirit Realm, but from the Heaven Martial Continent. This happened every time he faced you. He must have noticed some trace of your true origin, but the little princess wouldn’t believe him. She used the Phoenix Cauldron to protect you, even risking her life. Golden Cicada was furious but helpless, so he ultimately challenged you."
Chen Pingping: "..."
"The little princess is kind-hearted; she believes in you. But your allegiances differ. Eventually, you will have to act against her," the Dean said, lifting his gaze. "After all, there are countless living beings on the Heaven Martial Continent, and you must prevent this disaster from occurring."
It’s over! Chen Pingping’s face turned deathly pale.
With a faint, unreadable smile, the Dean said, "You have the courage to venture into the Spirit Realm alone, fighting for the billions of lives on the Heaven Martial Continent, yet you lack the courage to face an old man like me?"
Is that even the same thing? Chen Pingping rolled his eyes and said despondently, "Senior, you know everything. Just make it quick!" Though he said this, he remained vigilant, searching for an opportunity to escape.
But when his Divine Sense reached out, he was stunned.
There’s a powerful Array in this courtyard! And what’s worse, my Earth Chicken isn’t with me.