Xiang Shaoyun had arrived riding on the waves, or to be precise, he was riding atop a blue-scale jiao. The blue-scale jiao was sticking close to the sea surface, making it look like he was stepping on water.
He was heroic and noble; his young face, combined with his slender and slim figure, made him look like the child of a god. He looked every part an extraordinary young man. He stood tall with his hands clasped behind him, and his calm eyes seemed to contain a sense of spirituality that one couldn’t describe with words. The female disciples were bedazzled by the sight of him, with some falling for him at first sight.
“What a handsome young man. How can the Dragon Phoenix Academy expel him? What a pity.”
“Wouldn’t it be great if he had joined our Sacred Deer Academy instead? I will definitely treat him with kindness.”
“Maybe he only has looks without any talent? On top of that, he must have committed great crimes for the Dragon Phoenix Academy to expel him.”
…
Most of the people speaking were Sacred Deer Academy disciples. After all, this was the academy with predominantly female disciples. They also had some good-looking male disciples in their ranks, but few of them were as extraordinary as Xiang Shaoyun.
Jiang Qi and her group also saw Xiang Shaoyun, and looks of astonishment flickered in their eyes. They had evidently not expected Xiang Shaoyun to really come. It turned out he was an abandoned disciple from the Dragon Phoenix Academy.
However, they had all heard what the Dragon Phoenix Academy elder had said. They felt that Xiang Shaoyun was unwise to come, but they were further surprised when a different expert came to defend Xiang Shaoyun. The newcomer was none other than the wolf guard. He had been waiting in hiding for Xiang Shaoyun’s arrival before showing himself.
“Who are you?” questioned the elder of a different academy.
Unsightly expressions covered the faces of Shadowflash and Feng Huosuo. They had not expected to see the wolf guard here.
The wolf guard ignored everyone and landed before Xiang Shaoyun. He said respectfully, “Young master, congratulations on your arrival. Next, you will have to get through the furred claw crabs and arrive at the secret space on the island. You will enter and fight for what you need. Lastly, you will take part in the competition of the four academies and fight for first rank.”
“Ok, got it,” said Xiang Shaoyun with a nod.
When the others heard what the wolf guard said, they had clear expressions of displeasure. An elder from the Nine Palace Academy said, “Are you trying to spoil the competition between the four academies?”
“What’s the point of wasting time talking with him? Just kick them away,” said an annoyed True Martial Academy elder.
“Elders of Dragon Phoenix Academy, this is your internal affair. You guys should deal with it,” said a gorgeously dressed female elder from the Sacred Deer Academy.
Shadowflash nodded and looked at the wolf guard with a sinister glint in his eyes. He said, “Elder wolf guard, what is the meaning of this? Are you creating trouble for our academy? Get him away already.”
When the others heard Shadowflash addressing the wolf guard as an elder, they were stunned. An abandoned disciple and an elder. What was going on here?
The wolf guard looked at Shadowflash with disdain before sweeping his eyes over the elders from the other academies. A token appeared in his hand as he said, “This is my master’s token. He is entitled to a quota in the competition of the four academies. My young master will represent my master alone instead of any of the academies.”
The token was not a Dragon Phoenix Academy token. Rather, it was an ancient token exuding a primordial aura. It abruptly shone and formed an ancient symbol in the sky. A majestic aura rippled outward, reaching everywhere as it gave everyone the urge to kneel down in worship of the symbol. It was as though an ancient powerhouse had descended upon them, and the pressure emanating from the symbol was incredibly dreadful.
The elders of all four academies exclaimed in alarm, “Guardian token!”
“Are you not showing your respects before the guardian token?” snapped the wolf guard coldly.
The many elders hurriedly saluted and said, “Greetings, lord guardian.”
The overseers and disciples were completely confused, but they followed suit when they saw their elders paying respects. Inwardly, they wondered, Who is this lord guardian? Why is he such a big deal that all the elders are showing him such respect?
“Do you have an issue with my young master getting a spot in this competition?” questioned the wolf guard haughtily.
“No, we have no issues,” the elders hurriedly replied.
“Good. My master said that the young master is here to temper himself. You don’t have to restrict your disciples and do not need to give him any special treatment. Anyone capable of defeating or robbing him may do so. My master will not retaliate. Of course, that is on the premise that you old guys don’t get involved,” said the wolf guard.
The smile on Xiang Shaoyun’s face collapsed when he heard the wolf guard’s words. He was still feeling all proud of his master’s status, but the feeling did not last long, as he suddenly became all the disciples’ target. Being their target was definitely not good news for him.
“We obey the lord guardian,” answered the elders uniformly.
“Very well. You may start now,” said the wolf guard as he put the token away. He looked at Xiang Shaoyun and said, “Young master, I hope you don’t disappoint the master.”
Without waiting for a reply, the wolf guard vanished into thin air. With his departure, everyone looked at Xiang Shaoyun in astonishment. Suddenly, Xiang Shaoyun seemed much more mysterious to them, and they couldn’t see through him at all.
“It is a surprise that your academy still has a lord guardian. That has been disrespectful of us,” lamented a True Martial Academy elder.
The so-called lord guardians were also known as the guardians. They were the strongest of the dominion and had once contributed greatly to the dominion’s peace, which was how they had come to earn their titles. Someone like that commanded respect and reverence wherever they went. As the disciple of one such guardian, it was more than acceptable for Xiang Shaoyun to be granted a spot in the competition.
Shadowflash and Feng Huosuo were speechless, their emotions complicated. One ought to know that they were the ones who had personally expelled Xiang Shaoyun from the academy. But now, Xiang Shaoyun’s new identity was bearing down upon them to the point it was suffocating.
“Alright, stop wasting time. The lord guardian only requires a slot. This is not an issue at all,” said a Nine Palace Academy elder.
“That’s right. It is obvious what the lord guardian wants. Disciples, do not hold back and fight with all your strength for what you want,” said a Sacred Deer Academy elder.
Just as everyone was about to set off toward the island, someone from the Sacred Deer Academy suddenly shouted, “Boss, you’re absolutely amazing. You are indeed worthy of being my best friend! Haha!”
