"See that young man?" Rock Solid said.
Xu Zimo followed the direction of his finger and saw a young man in a blue robe, with a resolute face, sitting on a meditation mat.
He was listening intently to the words of the woman seated above.
The young man carried a faint ethereal aura, and on his back was a long green sword.
"What about him?" Xu Zimo asked curiously.
"His name is Feng Xiaoxi," Rock Solid explained.
"In this generation of our Heavenly Dao Academy, he is the one entrusted with the greatest hope, a contender for Heaven’s Will itself. Among the younger generation, he is regarded as the foremost."
"Not bad," Xu Zimo sized him up and replied.
"And that woman in the red dress on the left," Rock Solid continued, pointing to another figure.
"She is the direct disciple of the dean, named Pure Water. She too is among the strongest within the academy."
Inside this single grand hall, nearly all the high-ranking strength of Heavenly Dao Academy had gathered.
"The Sky Blue Demon Roc breaking free of its seal can no longer be stopped. As for the matter of sealing, let us set it aside," the woman at the top said.
"Those imperial lineages who came are not truly here to destroy Heavenly Dao Academy. They merely wish to seize our foundation amidst the chaos."
"Is there really no way with the Sky Blue Demon Roc?" Vice Dean Li Changhe asked unwillingly.
"The forefathers will handle this matter. It is not something we should worry about. What we need to do is deal with those imperial lineages," the woman said calmly.
"Now I will assign people to guard each sacred ground. As long as we can hold them, we will have won this war."
Seeing the serious expressions of everyone in the hall, the woman’s tone grew solemn.
"I will guard Radiant Heart Tower. Vice Dean Li Changhe will guard the Glazed Hall. Elder Meng will guard Flowing Water Cliff, …"
As she spoke, the sacred sites across Heavenly Dao Academy were distributed clearly. Each was assigned based on its importance and the strength of the one defending it.
When she finished, however, the crowd frowned slightly.
Because there was still one important place unassigned, the Myriad Treasures Tower.
As one of the top three sacred sites within the academy, the treasures stored there could shock the entire Primordial Heartlands. It was certain to be one of the main targets for those imperial lineages.
"Dean, who will guard the Myriad Treasures Tower?" Li Changhe finally asked.
The woman’s gaze swept across everyone present.
Pure Water and Feng Xiaoxi both looked faintly expectant.
To guard the Myriad Treasures Tower meant the dean recognized their worth. Although the danger was great, staying behind to defend the academy showed fearlessness.
"Xu Zimo," the woman’s gaze finally landed on him, her lips curling slightly. "The Myriad Treasures Tower will be entrusted to you."
"Why?" Pure Water immediately stood up as soon as she heard this. Realizing her reaction was impulsive, she quickly added, "Master, the importance of the Myriad Treasures Tower is beyond doubt. No matter what, it shouldn’t be him."
"I agree with Pure Water," Feng Xiaoxi nodded.
The elders in the hall began murmuring as well.
"Are you questioning my words?" the woman asked coldly.
"Master, I dare not," Pure Water hurriedly said. "But at least let me spar with him once. If I lose, I will accept it. Otherwise, I cannot understand."
"There is no meaning in sparring. I have my reasons for this decision," the woman replied indifferently. "That’s enough for today. Xu Zimo stays. The rest of you may leave."
Pure Water still wanted to speak, but was stopped by Li Changhe, who shook his head slightly and led the others out.
"Do you think you can handle it?" the woman asked Xu Zimo.
"It’s not about whether I can or cannot. It’s about whether I want to or not," Xu Zimo replied.
"I like your confidence," the woman smiled.
"Venerable Nu has told me about you. If you succeed in guarding it, you may take any item you wish from within."
"Deal," Xu Zimo smiled.
"Pure Water and Xiaoxi are still young. Be tolerant with them," the woman said again.
"I don’t mind, but you’d better make sure they don’t provoke me," Xu Zimo waved dismissively.
After a brief exchange about the Myriad Treasures Tower, he left.
Only when his figure disappeared did the woman turn her head and speak seriously, "Come out."
At her words, a shadowy figure emerged from the empty void nearby.
The figure was hazy, its appearance indistinct.
"You really trust him this much?" the shadow asked with a smile.
"He destroyed the Feather Race," the woman replied evenly. "Neither Feng Xiaoxi nor Pure Water could do that. That is why I chose him."
"Let’s hope your choice is not wrong," the shadow answered.
"And the Sky Blue Demon Roc?" the woman continued.
"We are doing our best," the shadow said gravely.
…
As soon as Xu Zimo stepped out of the hall, Rock Solid was already waiting outside.
"Master asked me to take you to the Myriad Treasures Tower," Rock Solid said.
Xu Zimo nodded.
The two flew through the air until they arrived at the location of the pavilion.
The Myriad Treasures Tower was not a true building.
It was its own world, an independent space.
But Xu Zimo could not yet enter this void.
Its entrance was set within a pavilion.
Four crimson pillars stood around it, six stone steps led upward, and above, the eight-sided roof was tiled with glazed tiles.
On its eaves were carved the characters, "Myriad Treasures Tower."
Inside, a stone table and four stone stools stood.
"This tower is the entrance. You only need to guard here," Rock Solid smiled. "I didn’t expect the dean to value you so much, assigning you here."
Xu Zimo sat inside, leaning back against a stone stool.
On the stone table was a black-and-white chessboard.
The black and white pieces crossed intricately, like armies clashing, or two giant dragons fighting.
"Then I’ll leave you to it. I have other matters," Rock Solid said.
Xu Zimo nodded slightly.
…
During this time, Heavenly Dao Academy felt unusually desolate.
Around the Myriad Treasures Tower, not a single soul was in sight.
Xu Zimo leaned in the pavilion, gazing up at the sky.
The turbid skies hung heavy, and the air was thick with baleful aura.
Suddenly, Xu Zimo’s eyes flashed as he turned northward.
A red figure was stepping across the sky toward him.