Chapter 214: Chapter 148: The Next National Preceptor
"When has our Spirit Academy ever needed to give an account to them at the Celestial Capital?"
In the Dean’s Office at the peak of the Spirit Academy, a man in a green robe shouted angrily, smashing the table in front of him to pieces. Daoist Zhang and Liu Gu, sitting beside him, didn’t dare to speak.
This hot-tempered man was Vice Chancellor Zhu Tong of the Spirit Academy.
The reason for his anger was the issue concerning the Unicorn.
The people from the Celestial Capital, upon hearing about the Unicorn, wanted to get involved.
In the past, the people from the Celestial Capital weren’t so bold, but this time was different.
If Bai Ling had obtained another Immortal Beast, it might have been fine, but the Unicorn is a strategic Spirit Beast, and it holds great significance for the Human Race.
Many forces didn’t want it to remain in the hands of a girl with no substantial background.
Zhu Tong had heard about this matter and rushed back from afar, knowing it was no trivial matter.
"Should I just let them get lost?" Daoist Zhang chimed in.
Zhu Tong glanced coldly at Daoist Zhang and said, "You’re responsible for overseeing the newcomers’ assessment. This time, it was an incident; it took ten days to notice. If not for the united effort of those newcomers, the Unicorn might not even be ours now."
"And you still have the nerve to run your mouth here."
Daoist Zhang smiled bitterly.
This incident was indeed unexpected; who would have thought that another part of the ruins would have a huge breach?
Daoist Zhang dared not speak further, but Liu Gu spoke urgently, "Dean, the Unicorn belongs to Bai Ling, it cannot be given away."
Zhu Tong paced back and forth, evidently hesitating.
"Dean, you don’t mean to..." Liu Gu started to say.
"Impudence." Zhu Tong turned back and glared at him, saying, "Others might not understand me, but don’t you?"
Previously, Zhu Tong was Liu Gu’s mentor.
Liu Gu cupped his hands and quickly said, "I just don’t understand what you are hesitating about, Teacher."
"We can protect her for a while, but can we protect her forever?" Zhu Tong said.
Both Daoist Zhang and Zhu Tong sighed upon hearing this; they had considered this point too.
However, Liu Gu quickly added, "At that time, we can keep her in the academy as an instructor, that would work too."
"This method is feasible," Daoist Zhang said.
"It could work," Zhu Tong remarked. "Let’s settle on that for now."
That night, Zhu Tong had the people from the Celestial Capital who came for negotiations driven out of the academy.
Unexpectedly, that very night, Daoist Zhang came to report again, stating that the Celestial Capital had sent more people.
"Drive them out," Zhu Tong’s attitude was firm.
"This time it’s different," Daoist Zhang said.
"The National Assembly Envoy from Dubhe Pavilion has come; today I’ll still drive them out," Zhu Tong was angry, about to continue speaking, when he heard Daoist Zhang say:
"It’s Zhang Jin."
"From the National Master’s Institute?" Zhu Tong immediately changed his attitude.
He could disregard Dubhe Pavilion, even with a firm stance, but couldn’t ignore the National Master’s Institute.
The National Preceptor is crucial to the national affairs of Cangling Ancient Country, even a matter of life and death.
"They never get involved in such matters, yet this time, they are out for some reason," Daoist Zhang said. "He seemed to have come secretly this time, telling me not to make it public."
"Invite him in," Zhu Tong said.
"Alright."
Daoist Zhang bowed and quickly left.
Soon, Zhang Jin arrived.
As the chief disciple of the National Preceptor Zhong Nan, his status needed no further mention.
After a few courtesy exchanges, both got straight to the point.
"Dean Zhu, you should know I’m here for the Unicorn," Zhang Jin stated directly.
Zhu Tong frowned, not expecting Zhang Jin to continue by saying, "I hope you will let the Unicorn stay with Bai Ling."
Zhu Tong was taken aback and then asked, "Why?"
"It originally belongs to her."
"I mean..." Zhu Tong suddenly recalled previous rumors and, with a shocked expression, asked, "Are you saying Elder Zhong’s condition is truly irreversible?"
"I can’t say much about my teacher’s situation," Zhang Jin said. "Dean, it’s best not to probe."
Zhu Tong nodded, but from Zhang Jin’s words, he essentially got the answer.
His mood was not calm.
The National Preceptor guides the country’s fortune and direction; a good National Preceptor can bring prosperity to all, while a bad one can bring disaster.
Who knows what the next National Preceptor will be like.
"To be honest, Bai Ling is a candidate for the next National Preceptor, but she isn’t the only one, the final outcome remains uncertain," Zhang Jin said. "For the future of the Cangling Ancient Country, I hope Dean Zhu can bear this pressure; if it becomes impossible, our National Master’s Institute will intervene."
"If the National Master’s Institute steps in, things can only get worse," Zhu Tong shook his head and said. "Rest assured, you need not say more, I will protect Bai Ling. As long as she is with our Spirit Academy, no one can take her away."
Zhang Jin bowed and left.
Yet, Zhu Tong couldn’t remain calm.
He had a vague premonition that the heavens over the Cangling Ancient Country were not so stable.
....
After Xiaobai’s Eternal Damnation Demon Horn breakthrough, Lin Chen rarely went out. Hearing about the academy sending away guests, he understood Bai Ling had secured the Unicorn.
The next day, Daoist Zhang came to visit.
"Your reward has been determined. The Spirit Academy appreciates your merits and offers rewards accordingly. You and Fang You are credited as the top contributors, exceptionally granted a month in the Level 2 Spirit Spring, and your resources have been elevated to Level 6. You can now access the herb library in advance to acquire materials, and the reward items have increased from three to five."
Lin Chen was overjoyed upon hearing the latter, asking, "Can we get the main materials?"
"Of course not," Daoist Zhang said. "You’re too greedy."
"...." Lin Chen deflated instantly.
Unexpectedly, Daoist Zhang dangled another carrot, saying, "The registration for the Six Nations Beast Fighting Conference has begun. If you get the final spot, you’ll be awarded a main material."
"You leaders are all alike, always making empty promises..." Lin Chen sighed.
This tactic was exactly like Lee Zhen’s.
Daoist Zhang squinted and said, "The Spirit Academy has always been fair; if you don’t participate, I won’t force you. I just remember there is a top-grade main material in the academy’s treasure vault that suits your Flame Fox well."
"....." Lin Chen was speechless, saying, "If my Ox were to evolve, would you say there’s a Heart of the Ox King inside?"
"There actually is a Heart of the Ox King in there," Daoist Zhang said. "But compared to that, it lacks a certain flavor."
"You win," Lin Chen sighed.
This aroused a desire that couldn’t be quelled, compelling participation.
Daoist Zhang saw this and was secretly pleased.
From the students’ accounts, Lin Chen’s performance was nearly perfect this time, with the Plowhorn Beast’s top-tier combat prowess and Lin Chen’s adaptability...
Such talent couldn’t miss participating in the Six Nations Beast Fighting Conference.
"Instructor Zhang, can I choose my mentor now?" Lin Chen asked as Daoist Zhang was about to leave.
Daoist Zhang’s expression turned a bit awkward upon hearing this.
Lin Chen’s performance was so excellent that every instructor would want to take him on.
Previously, these instructors were all just watching the students’ performance in the ruins, leading to this situation.
Then Liu Gu took the initiative, directly telling Zhu Tong:
"He already agreed to let Bai Ling enter as a connection household, so a combat-type presence is needed to stabilize things."
Zhu Tong didn’t know if it was because of the Unicorn, but he agreed to Liu Gu’s request.
As long as Lin Chen agreed, he would be under Liu Gu’s tutelage.
Upon hearing this, Lin Chen narrowed his eyes, pondering, and asked, "What’s Liu Gu’s character like?"
Daoist Zhang didn’t speak ill of Liu Gu, although he wanted Lin Chen, the Spirit Academy instructors were very united. He said, "He is a Catalyst Master."
Lin Chen was stunned, and then his eyes lit up.
"Do you still need to know his character now?" Daoist Zhang smiled.
Lin Chen, without blushing or guilt, said, "Since he can be an instructor at the Spirit Academy, he is naturally exceptional, with exemplary conduct. As a junior, how can I be choosy? I’m willing to follow the academy’s arrangement..."
"...."