The newcomers had come so quickly the people in the area did not even notice them arriving. There were four of them, three men and one woman. Two old men, one middle-aged man, and one adult woman.
One of the old men had snow-white hair and a rosy complexion, his temperament ethereal, his poise divine, his features like a sage’s. The other old man was dressed in a robe with nine palaces embroidered on it. His eyes would occasionally lit up with vitality, completely unlike the eyes a man his age would usually have.
The middle-aged man had a robust build, and his veins were visible on his explosive, muscular arms. He also had a pair of bright,imposing eyes. As for the woman, she was about 30 years old and was dignified and dainty. She had an hourglass figure, and there seemed to be a halo around her at all times, further highlighting her beauty.
“You are?” Xiang Shaoyun asked. The four were staring at him with glistening eyes, causing his hairs to stand on end.
He did not think that these were Yang Shuo’s people as well. After all, it was quite clear they were no ordinary individuals. At this time, Du Xuanhao and Han Pojun arrived beside Xiang Shaoyun. None of them dared to take any rash actions, as they couldn’t even begin to see the cultivation levels of the four before them. That could only mean that these four were much stronger than them.
“Kid, are you willing to join the True Martial Academy?” asked the white-haired old man.
“Kid, are you willing to join the Nine Palace Academy?” asked the old man in the robe embroidered with nine palaces.
“Kid, are you willing to join the Dragon Phoenix Academy?” asked the robust middle-aged man.
“Kid, are you willing to join the Sacred Deer Academy?” asked the beautiful woman.
The four questions seemed similar, yet they were also very different at the same time. When the people in the surroundings heard them, their faces were covered with respect, and when they looked at the young man standing before the four, their hearts were filled with envy.
Xiang Shaoyun was completely stunned. He had not expected that a single battle would attract the attention of all four ancient academies.
“Young Master Xiang is indeed a giant among men,” whispered Han Pojun to Du Xuanhao, his eyes filled with envy.
Du Xuanhao replied joyfully, “Of course. I wouldn’t have remained so loyal to him otherwise.”
Xiang Shaoyun quickly recovered his calm. While scratching his head, he smiled and said, “Thank you for showing me this favor, lords. But I have already gotten an entrance test quota for the Dragon Phoenix Academy using contribution points.”
The robust middle-aged man was overjoyed. “Excellent choice, young man! Our Dragon Phoenix Academy is—”
Just as he was about to start praising his academy, the white-haired old man interrupted him, “Young man, you have only gotten a qualification to take the test. Come to the True Martial Academy. You don’t even need to take the test. I will take you in as a special-recruit disciple. Come with me!”
He then reached for Xiang Shaoyun’s hand, attempting to drag him away. But before the old man could grab Xiang Shaoyun’s hand, a different hand swept in and stopped him.
“This young man is more suited for my Nine Palace Academy. I am taking him in as a special-recruit disciple as well!” said the old man in a robe. Evidently, he was not going to back out of this.
“Why are you two old men bickering in front of a young man?” said the beautiful woman. She then flashed Xiang Shaoyun an enchanting smile. “Young man, I am also offering to take you in as a special-recruit disciple of the Sacred Deer Academy. You might not know this, but the Sacred Deer Academy is filled with beauties. All of them are as talented as you with powerful backgrounds to boot. With your great looks and talent, you will definitely be able to earn the favors of those beauties! Think of how beautiful your life would be!”
The beautiful woman was practically laying a honey trap before Xiang Shaoyun.
The robust middle-aged man was getting impatient. He loudly said, “This young man has already purchased a quota of the Dragon Phoenix Academy. It can only mean that he prefers my academy! Why are you poaching my recruit? Come with me, kid! Let’s see who dares to stop you from coming with me!”
After saying that, he tried bringing Xiang Shaoyun away.
The white-haired old man shouted solemnly, “Xiao Wei, stop making up facts. This young man has only purchased a test quota. He is not yet a member of your Dragon Phoenix Academy. In any case, the True Martial Academy is the strongest of the four academies. Therefore, we will be the best choice for this young man!”
After saying that, he erupted with an imposing aura.
The old man from the Nine Palace Academy was also unwilling to back off. He said, “The Nine Palace Academy was founded by the number one name on the Contribution Stele. Of the Four Great Ancient Academies, we have the most ancient tradition. Our academy will be the best choice for this young man.”
“The Sacred Deer Academy may be the youngest of the four academies, but our cultivation system is the best of the best. Not one of our disciples has failed to reach the Saint Realm. In fact, many of our disciples have reached even higher realms! Kid, if you join the Sacred Deer Academy, I will accept you as my personal disciple!” The beautiful woman gave the best offer she could think of.
As far as they were concerned, Xiang Shaoyun was already a War Emperor when he was a seventh-stage Skysoar Realm cultivator. Before long, he would be a Super War Emperor with boundless prospects. More importantly, Xiang Shaoyun was still young. He was not even 20 years old. His talent for cultivation could be considered top tier even in the entirety of the dominion.
“Hmph. Our Dragon Phoenix Academy is not much weaker than your academies. So who wants to be my enemy today? Come at me!” said Xiao Wei in a displeased manner.
After saying that, he erupted with an imposing aura as well, and it seemed like he wasn’t any weaker than the two old men.
Just as a fight was about to break out, an ethereal voice rang out, “Although this kid is decent, he is not good enough for all of you to fight over. Just let him decide by himself.”
The four looked in the direction of the contribution exchange platform as a look of respect surfaced in their eyes, and nodded.
Xiang Shaoyun followed their eyes, and his gaze landed on the old man at the platform. Inwardly, he sighed, Looks like this person is the actual hidden expert of the fort.
“Alright, young man. Think it over and make your pick. Remember, our True Martial Academy is the strongest. Nobody can deny that,” said the white-haired old man.
The other three were displeased, but they couldn’t offer any retort. In terms of overall strength, the True Martial Academy was indeed the strongest.
The old man from the Nine Palace Academy said, “Look at the Contribution Stele. The number one name is our chairman. I believe you’re a smart man. Don’t make a decision you’ll regret.”
“A hero should always be matched with a beauty. Don’t miss out on this chance, young man,” said the woman.
The robust middle-aged man loudly said, “The Dragon Phoenix Academy is the place dragons and phoenixes among men are born. Since you have already selected this academy, you should stick to your heart and brace ahead bravely, becoming a dragon and soaring to the heavens!”
