Chapter 73: One Month Later, the Academy Opens
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Well then, now they didn't even need to compete for the last soul beast.
All the soul beasts Mr. Wu Tong needed had been gathered… Unbelievable. These beasts were so hard to find, yet somehow those people had managed it.
None of the other factions could figure it out.
But regardless of what they thought, it was already too late to do anything.
As for robbery?
Not to mention that Mr. Wu Tong had just issued a warning days ago—these factions were all top-tier powers on the Douluo Continent.
Robbery? Against him? That would be suicide.
[Yuexuan · Tang Yuehua: I wonder when Mr. Wu Tong's academy will officially begin enrollment?]
As a member of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Yuehua also kept an eye on the movements of the four great single-attribute clans.
The recent matter of the Yu Clan being summoned by Xue Qinghe couldn't escape her notice.
As experts in construction, it was perfectly normal for the Yu Clan to be invited to assist with building structures.
But this time, it was the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe, who extended the invitation.
That naturally piqued Tang Yuehua's curiosity. After all, Dugu Bo had just given Xue Qinghe some private guidance, and then immediately afterward Xue Qinghe contacted the Yu Clan for a building project.
If there was nothing suspicious about this sequence of events, no one would believe it.
So, with doubts in mind, Tang Yuehua visited the Li Clan, hoping to learn the truth.
After all, the four great clans were closely connected.
If the Yu Clan made any major moves, the other three clans would definitely hear about it.
And given that the Li Clan had always been utterly loyal to the Clear Sky Sect, it was easy for her to get the full story from Tai Tan, the clan leader.
Sure enough, Tang Yuehua successfully learned the details from the Li Clan.
It turned out Wu Tong was preparing to found an academy, and the Yu Clan had been summoned by Xue Qinghe to help with construction for that purpose.
Upon learning this, Tang Yuehua's mind stirred.
An opportunity.
A monumental opportunity.
Though she was part of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Yuehua had never been truly accepted due to her mutated martial soul.
In the sect's eyes, anyone without the Clear Sky Hammer wasn't worthy of calling themselves a disciple of the sect.
Those without the hammer were at the bottom of the sect's social chain.
Even as the sect master's sister, Tang Yuehua still wasn't recognized. She wasn't hated, but she certainly wasn't respected.
Unable to bear the pressure, Tang Yuehua eventually left the Clear Sky Sect to found Yuexuan in Heaven Dou City.
And the sect had no objections to her departure—on the contrary, her leaving allowed them to maintain the purity of their lineage.
Her Yuexuan also brought financial benefit to the sect, so while they looked down on her, they didn't interfere.
But Tang Yuehua wasn't resigned to a life of mediocrity.
If there was no hope, she might have accepted it—but after seeing Wu Tong a few days ago, that buried unwillingness in her heart could no longer be contained.
However, Tang Yuehua understood well that asking the Clear Sky Sect to use resources on someone like her—a so-called "failure"—was impossible.
Even her brother Tang Xiao, as sect master, wouldn't go against the will of the sect elders.
So Tang Yuehua, unable to gather resources on her own, decided to seize this opportunity to join Wu Tong's academy.
As long as she could get in—whether as teacher or student—she might gain a chance to defy her fate.
Even if that chance was slim, it was still a chance.
No one cared about Tang Yuehua's inner thoughts, but her question was like a deep-water torpedo, stirring up all the lurking "fish" in the group.
[Fengjian Sect · Feng Yulong: What? Mr. Wu Tong is establishing an academy? Then I must send my boys to enroll!]
[Elephant Armored Sect · Huyan Zhen: Exactly! Mr. Wu Tong, please let us know the opening date. I'll bring my children to register.]
[Star Luo · Dai Weisi: I've long admired Mr. Wu Tong. May I apply to study at his academy?]
[...]
Upon hearing the news, everyone began asking Wu Tong for more details.
This group was composed of core members of powerful factions, and their vision naturally wasn't narrow.
Even setting aside Wu Tong's favors and treasure,
Just based on his strength as one of the continent's top experts, and his title as the continent's foremost strategist, his teachings alone were enough to draw massive benefits.
Receiving personal guidance from Wu Tong was a dream for many.
Now that he was establishing an academy, this was clearly a golden opportunity.
Even if their children might not receive Wu Tong's direct instruction, there was at least a chance.
And knowing Wu Tong's personality, if he set out to establish an academy, he would make sure it was exceptional.
No matter how lacking the students might be, Wu Tong would never give up on them.
So anyone who got into his academy was bound to succeed.
Everyone in the group, well aware of Wu Tong's perfectionist tendencies, agreed.
[Wu Tong: I didn't say it? I thought I already did?]
Wu Tong, seeing everyone's questions, looked confused. Had he been so busy he forgot to mention it?
[Wu Tong: Alright, let me say it again.]
[Wu Tong: The official start date is one month from now. Please help spread the word. Anyone with a heart for learning is welcome to apply.]
[Wu Tong: As for admission requirements, aside from mindset, there are no criteria. Talent, aptitude, and appearance are all irrelevant.]
[Wu Tong: As long as the child wants to learn, I'll make sure they gain something from it.]
Before anyone could respond, Wu Tong directly announced the academy's opening date.
He had already calculated that one month would be enough to finalize the academy's preparations and still participate in the Luo Tian Grand Assembly.
If things went smoothly during the assembly, he might even be able to recruit a few teachers from the One-Person World. After all, the teaching professionalism in the Douluo world… left much to be desired.
Initially, Wu Tong had considered setting many requirements for students, but he eventually rejected all of them.
As Li Bai once said—every being born has its value.
Who could guarantee that someone untalented in the soul master system wouldn't be a genius in another cultivation path?
Precisely because of this line of thought, Wu Tong decided not to impose any restrictions on his students. As long as someone had a heart for learning, they could come study at the academy.
However, temperament and character still needed to be carefully evaluated. Wu Tong had no intention of raising a group of murderous maniacs.
He had already prepared for this.
The Wisdom King, using abilities collected from Quanxing's Si Kuang, had created a Heart Inquiry Formation that could assess a person's disposition.
Once placed in the testing ground, students' inner nature would be revealed instantly.
[Seven Treasure Glazed Tile · Ning Fengzhi: Mr. Wu Tong is truly magnanimous.]
[Elephant Armored Sect · Huyan Zhen: Mr. Wu Tong is truly magnanimous.]
[Blazing Fire Academy · Huo Yuan: Mr. Wu Tong is truly magnanimous.]
Everyone was surprised that Wu Tong wouldn't impose any entry requirements, instead opening the academy's doors wide.
As for the matter of temperament, everyone understood. After all, none of them wanted to train ungrateful wolves under their own banners.
This made them all sigh in admiration. As expected of Mr. Wu Tong—his breadth of mind was truly vast beyond compare.
…
Spirit Hall.
Bibi Dong read the message Wu Tong sent and couldn't help but feel a sense of respect.
Then, she recalled the intel her subordinates had reported about Yu Xiaogang.
Living off free food and drink at Nuoding Academy, refusing to teach even a single class. Ridiculing and looking down on students with weak talent. Arrogant, scornful of commoners…
Compared to Wu Tong, these actions painted a stark contrast.
The difference in character was immediately clear.
"Xiaogang… so this is who you really are?"
Bibi Dong's crimson lips parted as she muttered in quiet disappointment.
She often compared Yu Xiaogang to Wu Tong.
She had hoped that by comparing the two most knowledgeable men in the world, she could find her own answers.
But time and time again, in every comparison—
Instead of finding strengths in Yu Xiaogang, she found flaws, endlessly.
Be it in character, temperament, conduct, knowledge, or strength—Yu Xiaogang couldn't compare to Wu Tong.
And so, with disappointment after disappointment, the once-perfect image of Yu Xiaogang in her heart crumbled completely.
Only now did Bibi Dong realize that what she felt for Yu Xiaogang was more a projection of her first love than genuine admiration.
A twisted affection born from unfulfilled love, turning the other person into an idealized being.
Once that illusion shattered, the real person beneath became impossible to accept.
Having seen through it all, Bibi Dong's rationality reasserted control over her emotions. The haze of infatuation finally cleared.
She began recalling their past relationship in detail.
Only now did she notice all the strange behavior and terrifying implications she had overlooked during her time blinded by love.
Her eyes narrowed, and a cold glint burst forth, as if it could freeze the very air—an overwhelming murderous intent filled the room.
"Yu Xiaogang, was our relationship ever real? Or… was it all part of your scheme from the start?"
As that dark possibility took root in her mind, Bibi Dong's killing intent could no longer be contained. It surged outward, flooding the entire Pope's Hall.
Frost began to form on the surrounding walls. Cracks spread across the tables and chairs.
A terrifying, formless pressure lashed out at everything nearby.
This was the Slaughter God Domain—capable of manifesting murderous aura into real, destructive force.
If Wu Tong had witnessed this scene, he would've mourned Yu Xiaogang for exactly 0.1 seconds. Not a moment more.
Yu Xiaogang, your reckoning has arrived.
…
This story teaches us: never fall in love with a yandere. And never toy with someone who's deep in love.
Otherwise, what starts as a story… may end in tragedy.
(End of Chapter)
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