Chapter 314: Great Sage Jiaoyang
Above Wendao Academy, sword energy, blade light, giant palms, and other dazzling radiances flashed in the sky.
The sight left the academy's disciples and instructors dumbfounded, and even the nine chiefs were alarmed.
Seeing the powerful auras appearing overhead, curiosity showed on many faces, and discussions broke out.
"What in the world is happening in Wendao Academy today, for so many experts to make a move?"
"Ruocheng, doesn't that palm technique look like your Ninth Great-Uncle's?"
"It does, but isn't Ninth Great-Uncle supposed to be in the Holy Court?"
Inside the dean's private residence, Cao Youqian watched the moves of the group of elders, his expression showing not the slightest ripple.
The eleven Great Sages looked at the youth with anticipation.
To their disappointment, the boy seemed entirely accustomed to such techniques, as though they were nothing new to him.
Sensing the subtle atmosphere in the courtyard, the dean spoke. "Xiao Qian, have you decided which one to choose as your guardian?"
Under the gazes of the eleven Great Sages, Cao Youqian shook his head. "To tell the truth, Dean, I do not know who to choose. Every uncle here is strong—surely I can't have them fight it out?"
You really dare to say that!
Such a thought rose in the minds of everyone present.
From start to finish, Chu Feng said nothing. Though the eleven were not as deep in their understanding of the Great Dao truth as himself, they were more than capable of serving as this boy's guardians.
Still, anyone would feel conflicted in such a situation.
At that moment, a commanding voice came from the main hall. "Xiao Qianqian, don't tease your fellow sect members—state your choice."
Hm?
The eleven Great Sages who heard that voice silently cursed—how had they forgotten that woman?
Cao Youqian trembled all over and said respectfully, "Dean, this disciple has decided. I choose Ancestor Jiaoyang."
The dean did not seem surprised by this answer, but just as he was about to announce it, the other Great Sages protested.
"Nephew Cao, if you are being threatened, just blink. With me here, Jiaoyang wouldn't dare touch you."
"Nephew Cao, stand firm in your own will. Don't be swayed by outside forces."
Cao Youqian remained silent, turning his gaze to his master.
"Everyone, there's no need to quarrel. I did not threaten Xiao Qianqian."
With those words, a woman in a fiery red gown walked to Cao Youqian's side. She was breathtakingly beautiful, mature and alluring, her figure as striking as her attire.
Sensing her aura, Cao Youqian instinctively edged closer to Chu Feng.
Noticing the change, Chu Feng smiled, stepped half a pace to the side, and placed himself between them. "May I know how to address you, senior sister?"
The red-gowned woman, seeing herself blocked, examined Chu Feng closely. Finding no trace of cultivation on him, she narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Chief Chu, I am Cao Qiuwan."
Hearing the name, Chu Feng instantly understood—the pressure came from bloodline suppression. No wonder the other Great Sages had looked so grim upon hearing her voice.
"So it is Senior Sister Cao. Xiao Qian, are you willing to have Senior Sister Cao as your guardian?"
Such a simple question filled Cao Youqian with a sense of security.
After some thought, he finally nodded. "This disciple is willing to have Ancestor as my guardian."
Compared to the elders of other academies, Cao Youqian still trusted his own kin more.
The eleven Great Sages around them felt a twinge of frustration but could only accept the result.
The dean, seeing the matter settled, smiled. "Then I'll trouble you, Nephew Jiaoyang."
Great Sage Jiaoyang cupped her hands. "Dean jests. This is simply my duty."
After a round of polite exchanges, the eleven Great Sages returned to the Holy Court, while Great Sage Jiaoyang accompanied Chu Feng and his disciple back to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.
Upon reaching Miao Miao Mountain, she concealed her presence completely, no different from any other guardian.
Seeing this, Cao Youqian let out a long breath and looked visibly relieved.
Chu Feng patted his shoulder with a smile. "Boy, there's no need to be so tense. Your ancestor has lived for many years—she knows her responsibilities. You just continue cultivating as before."
Cao Youqian nodded. "This disciple knows what to do."
When the two returned to the courtyard, everyone from Miao Miao Mountain had already gathered.
Bing Yan was the first to step forward and ask, "My lord, what happened?"
Chu Feng replied with a smile, "It's good news. Da Qian is about to become a Holy Son candidate of Wendao Academy."
The disciples instinctively turned their gazes toward Xiao Chen, curious to see his reaction.
Xiao Chen smiled. "Da Qian, congratulations."
"Senior brother flatters me. Compared to you, I'm still far behind," Cao Youqian said.
"Work hard. The future is yours," Xiao Chen said seriously.
Cao Youqian: "…"
That afternoon, the dean publicly announced that Cao Youqian had become a Holy Son candidate of Wendao Academy.
The academy's disciples were not surprised. After all, Cao Youqian's record of tearing apart a Nirvana cultivator barehanded was well-known. If such a prodigy could not become a Holy Son candidate, they would instead doubt the dean's fairness.
On Miao Miao Mountain, many elders and stewards arrived with gifts to offer their congratulations.
Chu Feng, with a wave of his hand, instructed Wang Baole to prepare a banquet.
Joy filled the entire mountain, though Great Sage Jiaoyang found it puzzling. In her experience, every prodigy was forged through harsh training.
A peerless saint capable of producing such prodigies was invariably strict, yet Chu Feng and the Miscellaneous Dao Institute's relaxed style was something she had never encountered.
Although the Holy Court had given her no mission beforehand, after reviewing all information about the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, she became curious about it.
Especially about Chief Chu—being able to cultivate so many prodigies in such a short time meant he surely had secrets unknown to others.
Such a secret could very well help her become a Divine King, or even a Divine Emperor.
After the banquet, as the guests departed, Great Sage Jiaoyang began observing each disciple of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.
When her divine sense followed Xiao Chen into his courtyard, an aged voice sounded beside her.
"Fellow Daoist, you've crossed the line. Xiao Chen's safety has always been my responsibility."
Great Sage Jiaoyang was momentarily startled, then showed an apologetic expression. "This junior brother, I apologize. I was merely curious. If I have offended, I ask your pardon."
"It's no matter."
She continued, "May junior brother show himself so we can meet?"
At her words, Great Sage Yishan appeared before her and bowed. "Yishan greets Senior Sister Jiaoyang."
"Mm."
Great Sage Jiaoyang could tell he had only recently broken through to Half-Saint, but she did not look down on him. "So you are Junior Brother Yishan. Might you share some experience on serving as a guardian?"
"???"
Yishan looked at the senior sister before him, feeling a strange sense he couldn't quite explain.
After gathering his thoughts, he said, "Senior sister, serving as guardian to the disciples of Miao Miao Mountain requires only a few things: watch less, ask nothing, don't be curious. When the opportunity comes, you will naturally gain something."
Great Sage Jiaoyang: "…"
It sounded like he had spoken, yet said nothing at all.
Seeing her distracted, Yishan explained, "Senior Brother Chu is a master of a hundred arts, rare in this world. What we guardians must do is simple—so long as no Half-Saint makes a move, we stay out of all other matters."
"Ah?"
Great Sage Jiaoyang was taken aback. "In that case, aren't we little more than decorations?"
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