Only minutes had passed since Kai was expelled before Thunder Peak trembled under an immense pressure. Dark clouds began to gather overhead—not by nature, but due to the violent Qi released by someone descending from the sky like a thunderbolt.
"Eric Strom! How dare you lay a finger on my direct disciple?"
Pharos descended from the sky like a meteor, followed by four academy elders with faces full of rage and hostility. Pharos looked at the fallen, broken Kai, then turned his gaze toward Eric, who stood completely calm, placing his hands behind his back like an immovable mountain.
"You've overstepped your bounds, you piece of junk," Pharos growled, stepping forward and causing the ground to crack beneath his feet. "I thought you'd leave with your dignity, but it seems you want to be dragged out of this academy."
Eric looked at Pharos coldly, his voice echoing through the area. "Pharos, you've forgotten your place. Thunder Peak belongs to me by the decree of the former Director. Your disciple is the one who dared to kick my gate. I was merciful to only break a few of his bones."
"Merciful?" Pharos laughed bitterly. "You are a broken cultivator in the Foundation Building realm... how dare you speak to me with such pride when I am in the Nascent Soul realm?"
Suddenly, Pharos sensed something strange. He looked behind Eric at Elia, and his eyes widened in shock as he saw the faint lightning aura surrounding her. "Impossible! Three days ago, she was a mortal... how did she reach Qi Refining - Stage 5? What did you do to her?"
Eric gave a mysterious smile. "That is none of your business. Now, did you come for the inspection or for small talk?"
"I'll show you small talk!" Pharos summoned his purple sword and lunged at Eric with terrifying speed, aiming for Eric's shoulder to humiliate him in front of his disciple.
But before the sword could strike Eric's emerging golden aura, space itself seemed to split. A massive white feather fell between them, unleashing a shockwave that completely stopped Pharos's attack.
"STOP!"
A majestic, authoritative voice echoed from the sky. A massive white crane descended, and standing upon it was an elderly man with a long silver beard. It was Director Alaric, a powerhouse in Stage 3 of the Nascent Soul realm.
"Director!" Pharos gasped, quickly sheathing his sword and bowing, though rage still burned on his face.
Director Alaric ignored Pharos completely. His eyes were fixed on Eric—specifically, on the golden lightning sparks that were fading around him. Even though Alaric was in Stage 3 of Nascent Soul, he felt a strange pressure emanating from that lightning, a pressure that made his own blood turn cold for a second.
"Eric..." Alaric said softly, his voice full of complex emotions. "I heard a disturbance on Thunder Peak. I didn't expect to see you... standing so tall again."
"Director Alaric," Eric nodded slightly, showing the respect due to the head of the academy. "I am simply defending my home and my disciple."
Alaric glanced at Elia, and his eyebrows shot up. "Stage 5 Qi Refining in three days? Eric... it seems the rumors of your 'shattered' core were greatly exaggerated."
"Director!" Pharos interrupted angrily. "He injured a direct disciple! He must be punished!"
"Enough, Pharos," Alaric said firmly. "Thunder Peak still belongs to Eric. The 'Peak Inspection' will happen in one month as originally planned. Until then, no one is allowed to set foot on this mountain without Eric's permission. Is that clear?"
Pharos gritted his teeth, his eyes full of venom. "Yes... Director."
Alaric turned back to Eric, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "We will speak soon, Eric. I hope you can show me more 'sur
prises' in a month."