Chapter 312: Xu Caichen — Master, I Wish to Go to the Dragon Palace to Propose
"Yi Shan, you old fellow, you actually crossed that barrier?"
"Chang Mei, what kind of way is that to speak? Now you should be calling him Uncle Yi Shan."
"One-Eye, you rascal, you had to add to it too."
In the dean's other courtyard, the marquises of Wendao Academy, who had been in seclusion for a long time, were all gathered around the Great Sage Yi Shan, engaged in a lively discussion.
The Great Sage Yi Shan acted as though he had not heard them, calmly playing chess with the dean.
When the game ended, the dean spoke. "Yi Shan, it truly was the right decision to have you protect Xiao Chen's path."
At these words, the surrounding marquises felt a pang of bitterness. Many of them had once had the chance to serve as protectors.
But according to tradition, being a protector in Wendao Academy was the same as being abandoned.
In their youth, each of these old fellows had been glorious and outstanding, and none wished to admit they had grown old.
Each one held back a breath in their hearts, determined that one day they would become a Great Sage.
Now, however, the first among them to have been "abandoned" by Wendao Academy—Marquis Yi Shan—had broken through to the Half-Saint realm after protecting Xiao Chen. This was something they found hard to accept.
As the saying goes: you need not fear your brother becoming useless, only fear your brother becoming a Great Sage.
Their hearts were filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Especially when they saw Yi Shan's spirited demeanor—it was more painful than being killed.
The Great Sage Yi Shan smiled. "It's all thanks to the dean for giving this old man the chance. Such great kindness will never be forgotten."
That stung.
The marquises all instinctively clutched at their chests.
The dean naturally noticed their subtle reactions, but he didn't expose them. He thought, I've given you all chances before—it was you who didn't cherish them.
He continued, "Yi Shan, what are your plans next? By custom, you may enter the Holy Academy to cultivate, or you can remain with Xiao Chen to continue protecting his path."
The Great Sage Yi Shan rose and bowed. "Dean, I am willing to protect Xiao Chen until the day he surpasses me."
The marquises all cast looks of disdain at him.
How could this old fellow make leeching off someone's fortune sound so righteous?
"Very well, I will not interfere with your choice. Later, I will report your decision to the Holy Academy."
The dean paused, then said, "Now that the official matter is done, tell me how you broke through to the Half-Saint realm, and share your experience with everyone."
"Yes."
The Great Sage Yi Shan recounted how he had entered the secret realm of Archaic City, obtained his opportunity, and subsequently broken through to the Great Sage realm.
After hearing this, the marquises were left with nothing but envy. Why could such fortune never come to them?
———
On Miaomiao Mountain.
Wang Baole had just served the final dish when Chu Feng announced, "Let's begin."
Everyone took their seats. Before long, the table was filled with toasts and laughter, each person's face beaming with joy.
Chu Feng listened to them recount their experiences training in Archaic City, occasionally offering his own comments.
After some time, he asked, "Now that the trial in Archaic City is over, what are your plans?"
Xiao Chen was the first to rise. "Master, I plan to continue traveling the world to temper my sword path."
"Approved."
Chu Feng's gaze then fell on Cao Youqian.
"Master, the same for me. I plan to travel the entire Xuantian Continent with Zhaoyi," Cao Youqian said, glancing at his dao companion beside him.
Song Zhaoyi's pretty face flushed as she lowered her head.
One after another, the others stated their plans.
Soon, Xu Caichen stood up. "Master, I plan to go to the Dragon Palace to bring my wife back."
"This is a good thing. However, as far as I know, the Dragon Palace is a first-rate power, and there is no shortage of Saints among the dragon clan. Before you go, remember to prepare a generous betrothal gift. If you need anything, you can speak to me."
Chu Feng spoke earnestly. As the saying goes, once a teacher, a father for life—helping his disciple prepare a betrothal gift was only right.
Xu Caichen's face showed gratitude. "Master, if you have the time, I would like you to accompany me."
Chu Feng smiled. "So you finally decided not to be stubborn. Fine, I will go and meet my in-law as well."
Hearing this, Cao Youqian immediately stood up. "Master, I've heard the Dragon Palace is full of treasures. I would like to go too."
Chu Feng replied, "Naturally, that is fine. The more people who accompany Caichen, the more it shows our Miscellaneous Dao Institute's regard for him."
The other disciples quickly voiced their intentions.
"Count me in."
"…"
Xu Caichen had not expected that every fellow disciple present would be willing to accompany him to propose marriage, and he could not help but feel touched.
When he first made this decision, he had been uncertain, for his future father-in-law was a marquis-level powerhouse.
Chu Feng promptly made the decision. "Good. Then we will rest for a few days and depart together."
Amid laughter and cheer, the banquet at the Miscellaneous Dao Institute came to an end, and everyone returned to their residences to rest.
The Holy Academy of Wendao Academy was located within a secret realm of the Xuantian Continent.
Here, the spiritual energy was dense, the environment pleasant, and rare flowers and plants could be seen everywhere.
Disciples of Wendao Academy had to reach the Half-Saint realm to enter for cultivation. Even those of saintly bloodlines had no right to reside here long-term.
Only the descendants of Immortal Emperors, Divine Emperors, or Divine Kings could reside in the Holy Academy for extended periods—and even they faced fierce and ruthless competition.
That night, the twelve Saints responsible for the Holy Academy's affairs gathered here.
After reading the message sent by the dean, all twelve Saints fell into brief silence.
After a while, the elder seated at the head spoke. "Everyone, what do you think of this matter?"
A Saint in blue robes said, "In my view, Wendao Academy will have an Immortal Emperor in this generation."
A red-robed Saint across from him asked, "In your opinion, who will that Immortal Emperor be?"
The blue-robed Saint smiled. "None other than Xiao Chen or Cao Youqian. Right now, everyone favors Xiao Chen, but I believe Cao Youqian also has a chance to contend for destiny. After all, in the Three Thousand Worlds, the two of them need not fight to the death on the Xuantian Continent."
At these words, excitement appeared on the faces of the twelve Saints present.
Two emperors in one era—this had happened only once in Wendao Academy's history, and those two emperors had been twins.
If two more Immortal Emperors were to appear under their witness, they themselves would be remembered in history.
The white-robed elder at the head nodded slightly. "What you say is true. However, Xiao Chen's protector has already been decided. Who do you think should be Cao Youqian's protector?"
"Naturally, it should be my Cao family's Half-Saint," the red-robed Saint said confidently.
Unpleasant expressions appeared on the faces of the surrounding Saints.
Even the blue-robed Saint who had supported Cao Youqian earlier now spoke. "Daoist Cao, Wendao Academy is not the domain of a single family. All matters must be handled according to the rules."
"Indeed. Though your Cao family has a Half-Saint, our juniors are no pushovers."
"Besides, it's only a matter of time for Cao Youqian. Forcing in a protector like this is hardly proper."
"…"
Every person present was a wily old fox.
Many considered Yi Shan's success a coincidence, but in their eyes it was inevitable—following a prodigy with a chance to ascend to the imperial throne could elevate even a dog to the rank of marquis, and for a marquis to become a Half-Saint would be effortless.
"Hmph!"
The red-robed Saint snorted coldly. "Do you even understand Qian'er? Do you know what he needs? Even if you send someone, he might not agree."
He was not an ancestor for nothing—long before Xuan Huo had come to the Holy Academy, he had looked into his junior's situation. After hearing Cao Youqian's deeds, even he had been stunned.
Even with his ten-thousand-year lifespan, he had never heard of something so absurd.
Seeing him waver, the others spoke in unison. "Daoist, you're wrong. Cao Youqian hasn't even met the protector we send—how can you say it won't work?"
Just as the red-robed Saint was about to grow angry, the elder at the head spoke again. "Enough, all of you. Acting like marketplace brawlers—how unbecoming. Since everyone believes their chosen protector can be accepted by Cao Youqian, I will allow you all to send candidates to try. Daoist Cao, what do you think?"
"Heh…"
The red-robed Saint gave a short laugh. "Try, then. Let's see."
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