’This man’s strength might not be enough to help me against Young Master Qi, but he’d be an excellent asset against Qian Yiru and Lei Shouren.’
"Elder Xu, stay here in the mountains," he said softly, turning his head.
"Understood, my lord. You can rest easy."
Elder Xu cupped his hands respectfully, his eyes filled with a hint of joy.
Although he didn’t know why, he could clearly sense the change in his master’s way of thinking.
Only those who had truly suffered the hardships of the Demon Path could understand just how precious the sliver of peace and tranquility offered by Dragon Ridge was to all demons.
...
「Anren Prefecture City, Qiankun Academy.」
On that night, a graceful Cyan Simurgh had soared into the sky, stunning all who witnessed it.
It spread its wings, its cyan feathers shimmering with a crimson-gold luster. Like a blazing sun hanging high in the sky, it illuminated the entire Prefecture City as if it were day.
Its melodious cry echoed in all directions, even startling the rarely seen Academy Headmaster.
The immense Magical Power, unique to the Golden Core Realm, swept out with a dense, oppressive aura, as if announcing the birth of a Celestial Pride.
Even now, days later, it remained a topic of fervent discussion.
However, the Mountain Master’s attitude was rather perplexing.
Logically, the emergence of such a supremely talented Immortal Descendant from the academy was an event worthy of a grand celebration.
But the Mountain Master had yet to make an appearance.
After a long period of confusion, the students and instructors finally discovered a clue.
Vice Mountain Master Mingxuan’s courtyard had, at some point, been completely abandoned.
After all, he was the Mountain Master’s confidant. Before Yu Sheng’s arrival, he was even being groomed as the successor. Yet, within a short span of time, he had been expelled from the academy.
"Read this first."
Inside an elegant courtyard, a stern-faced old man gently pushed a farewell letter in front of Yu Sheng.
"I am not here today to take his side. I am simply a little perplexed. You are supremely talented and want for no resources, so why go to such lengths?"
"Aren’t Celestial Prides supposed to protect their clansmen? Why are you so fond of suppressing your own kin?"
"From Duchuan at Yongzhou Pass to Mingxuan here at the academy, wherever you go, your fellow clansmen are inevitably disgraced. Is that truly just a coincidence?"
Though Yu Dongjun was the Academy Headmaster and held a lofty position, he had no desire to offend a budding Celestial Pride.
It was just that some things had to be said.
Before he sent word to the clan, and before the Yu Family threw its full weight behind her, he wanted to have a proper talk with this junior.
"Wasn’t he disgraced because he secretly arranged for disciples to attack Lin Shu while Lin Shu was out slaying demons?" Yu Sheng looked up in confusion.
"That is true, but he did it for your own good. Surely you can’t deny that," Yu Dongjun said, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Huh?" Yu Sheng blinked. She almost laughed in exasperation.
"Of course, it has since been proven that Lin Shu does indeed possess the strength to be a Mountain Master Disciple, but that’s another matter."
Yu Dongjun continued in a slow voice, "There is a saying: ’The unknowing are held blameless.’ But you fanned the flames from behind, leaving him no room to maneuver. You really went too far."
He stood up. "I came here today not just to congratulate you, but also to ask you to be magnanimous. Write a letter to the clan and explain that the conflict between you and Mingxuan was merely a misunderstanding."
"If word gets out that he has made an enemy of a Celestial Pride, it will severely impact his future. Mingxuan has been at the academy for many years. If he has no great merits to his name, he at least has years of hard work. He doesn’t deserve to end up like this."
This was Yu Dongjun’s true purpose.
If he were to report Yu Sheng’s true circumstances to the clan, then Yu Mingxuan would be finished.
As the Mountain Master of the academy, he was too old. The shackles of his bloodline had long since reached their limit; he would never reach the Nascent Soul Realm in this lifetime.
To maintain his position, he had to rely on the network of clansmen who had passed through his academy.
Suppressing Yu Mingxuan was tantamount to clipping his own wings.
However, Yu Sheng was not part of that network.
Because no one would ever believe that a Celestial Pride would be a mere supporter of his, Yu Dongjun.
On the contrary, it should now be Yu Sheng’s turn to find a way to win him over and expand her own influence.
Therefore, Mountain Master Yu was quite confident that she would agree to this insignificant request.
Even a true Celestial Pride wouldn’t easily pass up the opportunity to win over a Late-stage Golden Core clansman.
He could become this junior’s staunchest supporter, even serving as her Military Advisor, guiding her to the very pinnacle of Yongzhou.
The only condition was that Yu Sheng must show this potential supporter the proper respect.
...
Yu Sheng suddenly gave a small laugh, but her voice was firm. "I refuse."

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