After everyone finished their meal and were about to leave, they saw a dusty figure walk in from outside.
"Big Brother!"
The moment he entered the attic, everyone in Tianqi Academy exclaimed in surprise.
It was Meng Junyi, Tianqi Academy's Big Brother. He had returned from the Tianguan Tower. Eager to see how much Meng Junyi's cultivation had improved, everyone eagerly surrounded him.
"Yes, I'm back."
Meng Junyi wore a confident smile. It was clear that his training in the Tianguan Tower had yielded considerable results. Although he hadn't broken through the shackles and entered the Xiantian realm, his aura suggested he was not far off.
Seeing Meng Junyi's progress, everyone felt hopeful. This time, Ming Qi's strength and Meng Junyi's breakthrough ignited the fighting spirit of the Tianqi Academy.
"Senior Brother, can our Tianqi Academy participate in this Golden Autumn Festival?"
Tang Qi asked without missing a beat.
At the mention of the Golden Autumn Festival, the veteran disciples of Tianqi Academy fell silent.
Five years—the five years since Mo Qingchen's disappearance—Tianqi Academy hadn't participated in the Golden Autumn Festival.
Four years isn't long, but it's not short either. In those four years, Tianqi Academy has lost more than just the right to participate in the Golden Autumn Festival. They've lost so much, so much, so much that they've become disheartened.
And right before them was a rare opportunity. When Tang Qi asked this question, Qiu Ling and the others showed a hint of anticipation.
Meng Junyi knew this too well.
These fellow disciples who had shared the same low point as Tianqi Academy didn't want to see the outcome of the Golden Autumn Festival or the prizes, but rather a chance to fight for their place.
Indeed, Tianqi Academy had been suppressed for far too long, and a fire welled up in the hearts of almost everyone. This was both a good sign and a dangerous one. If mishandled, Tianqi Academy's last remaining source of confidence could be shattered.
Although Meng Junyi desperately wanted to prove Tianqi Academy's existence and strength at the Golden Autumn Festival, he also knew that each academy would send its most talented disciples to compete, with the Dean standing by to intimidate them.
But as for Tianqi Academy, Dean Mo Qingchen was no longer likely to suddenly appear at this moment to offer support and encouragement. Although every Tianqi Academy disciple held onto the hope that one day Mo Qingchen would return, leading Tianqi Academy back to the pinnacle of outer sect status and once again imbuing the Tianqi spirit with supreme brilliance,
However, these Tianqi Academy disciples knew how slim this hope was.
Five years, five years!
The joy of advancing in cultivation was instantly diluted by a complex mix of emotions. Yes, it was time to fight for it.
However, he knew full well that even a small fight would be incredibly difficult.
"Senior Brother..."
Ouna hesitated.
"Senior Brother, there's still a month until the Golden Autumn Festival. We still have time to prepare!"
This was Qiu Ling, whose fighting spirit had never waned with the decline of Tianqi Academy.
Meng Junyi knew this girl would fight to the bitter end, even if it meant she was crying.
To be honest, the older disciples of Tianqi Academy weren't particularly talented; after several years, some hadn't even reached the ninth level of the Acquired Realm. However, their character, their faith in Tianqi's will, was deeply rooted, unshakable by any difficulty.
"Senior Brother, let's give it a try. No matter what, we must be worthy of Tianqi's will!"
The usually silent Sang Yue'er spoke firmly at this moment. She was a man of few words, often silently devoting herself to Tianqi Academy. Her cultivation wasn't high, but she never flinched when facing an opponent.
She was a woman of such quiet devotion, yet equally willing to risk everything for her faith.
Meng Junyi remained silent, his gaze fixed on Ming Qi and Yue Qinglong, who had joined only this year.
"I have no objection. Let's fight, who's afraid of who?"
Yue Qinglong threw his hands up, a gesture of extreme belligerence.
In the end, only Ming Qi remained silent.
Meng Junyi's gaze finally settled on Ming Qi.
Ming Qi remained silent for a long time.
Ming Qi didn't express his opinion immediately, not because he had no feelings for Tianqi Academy, but because a question still lingered in his mind: Ge Chuncheng's words upon his return.
Ling Yun of Qionghua Academy and Zhao Fenghua of Xuanwu Academy had a high chance of appearing at the Golden Autumn Festival as innate masters.
What about the other academies?
Although they had no contact, it was important to understand that neither Xuanwu Academy nor Qionghua Academy ranked first among the outer sects of the Biyou Sect. Since these two academies will have innate masters appearing at the Golden Autumn Festival, the other academies will surely have some too!
"Senior Brother Meng, will there be any innate masters at the Golden Autumn Festival?"
"Innate!"
Meng Junyi shuddered, suddenly realizing he had overlooked a serious issue.
Yes, innate masters—a title that completely surpasses acquired cultivators. A single word makes a world of difference.
With their magical powers, innate masters possess combat prowess beyond the reach of acquired cultivators. If an innate master appeared at the Golden Autumn Festival, Tianqi Academy's chances of survival would be as daunting as plucking a tooth from a tiger's mouth, a task as difficult as ascending to heaven.
"We don't necessarily have to win the championship," said Qiu Ling.
Indeed, participating is enough to prove Tianqi Academy's existence. As for winning the championship, they haven't considered it for a long time.
"I'm worried they'll tamper with something behind the scenes, since our dean isn't here."
Ming Qi saw through the key point and directly expressed his concerns.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's heart sank. It was as if they were back to square one. They immediately thought of Tie Mohan and Lin Wan's deaths. While the Golden Autumn Festival, like the disciples' duels, prohibited any casualties, covert tactics were unchecked and difficult to prevent.
Without the Dean's presence and the presence of innate masters, the Golden Autumn Festival was undoubtedly rife with traps and every step was fraught with danger.
Silence fell again.
"Let's reconsider this matter. After all, without the Dean's presence, we can't deter others from shady dealings."
Meng Junyi ultimately decided against it. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but in his opinion, it was impossible. Tianqi Academy was already in a precarious situation, and if given an opportunity, they wouldn't miss it.
To rashly participate in the Golden Autumn Festival would be tantamount to thrusting Tianqi Academy directly into the spotlight.
"Qinglong, can you find a powerful figure to oversee Tianqi Academy?"
While everyone was silent, Ming Qi was thinking of a solution. He had long seen that Yue Qinglong had a strong connection with the inner sect core of the Biyou Sect. If that figure could appear at the Golden Autumn Festival to oversee Tianqi Academy, Tianqi Academy would have no worries.
But the key question here was whether that figure was willing to come.
Ming Qi also knew that that figure's two appearances were entirely due to Yue Qinglong's signals. Her favor for Yue Qinglong didn't necessarily mean she favored Tianqi Academy.
"Uh."
Yue Qinglong was stunned, momentarily unsure how to respond.
It was clear from Ming Qi's change of address that he was taking this matter very seriously.
"I don't know if we can invite her."
Yue Qinglong knew there was no need to hide anything. After the bet at the Xuanwu Academy gate, everyone in Tianqi Academy knew that the person behind Xiao Canglong was coming because of Yue Qinglong.
"Let's give it a try," Ming Qi said.
Yue Qinglong pondered for a moment, then said, "We need to talk to her face to face about this. I'll give it a try."
"Yes."
Everyone nodded.
With this, there was hope, and everyone's gloom eased. Meng Junyi then gave a few more instructions, and everyone returned to their own quarters to cultivate in peace.
As they left the attic, Yue Qinglong grabbed Ming Qi.
"Come on, let's fight. For our bet!"
Ming Qi was stunned, remembering a rather outrageous bet he and Yue Qinglong had made. The stakes were truly outrageous, and they'd just joked about it. Who would have thought Yue Qinglong would bring it up again now?
Although Yue Qinglong looked like a scoundrel on the surface, Ming Qi knew he wasn't that kind of person. His progress in cultivation over the past few months alone showed that he was also very diligent.
Yue Qinglong, now at the eighth level of the Acquired Realm, was no less capable than Ming Qi in terms of realm. Common sense would suggest a truly evenly matched battle between the two.
However, Yue Qinglong was also well aware that Ming Qi's eighth level of the Acquired Realm couldn't be judged by common sense. Ge Chuncheng, Du Qingyun, and Zhao Fenghua, all masters of the ninth level of the Acquired Realm, had easily defeated him, proving that his own eighth-level Acquired Realm strength was simply no match for Ming Qi.
Ming Qi was about to say something like, "You can't beat me," but thought better of it and held back.
"Come on!"
As they spoke, they formed a formation in the open space of Tianqi Courtyard.
The result was predictable. Ming Qi didn't even need to perform the Blood Shadow Step; with just two Wolf Fists, he had already cornered Yue Qinglong.
"Get serious!"
Ming Qi suddenly shouted during the fight.
Yue Qinglong's fighting spirit wasn't high. Knowing he was bound to lose, he seemed to have given up hope. Although his display of strength wasn't obvious, how could it escape Ming Qi's notice?
The results came quickly, and Ming Qi emerged victorious.
"You have no fighting spirit! You're such a disappointment."
Ming Qi looked expressionlessly at Yue Qinglong, who was lost in thought.
"No fighting spirit? I simply can't beat you!"
A hint of dejection flashed across Yue Qinglong's eyes as he spoke. For him, losing to Ming Qi was a foregone conclusion, irreversible.
"Even if you can't win, you still have to fight for it. You still have to give it your all. How can you possibly impress Dao Yu with your current attitude? Don't you like Dao Yu very much? You have to fight for it, make her look up to you!"
Yue Qinglong's body trembled violently, and a cascade of thoughts flooded through his mind. His father's expectations, Xue Ying's words, his own responsibilities, his own mission—none of these could be achieved by someone without confidence or strength.
I must shoulder the responsibility of the Qing Mansion's future. I must be strong and strive for something! What am I doing?
Yue Qinglong suddenly realized, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes.
"Yes, I must strive for something."