Chapter 51: You Are Insulting Me

Han Yu could only manage a bitter smile. He was all too aware of his own abilities and character. Now, Principal Xia was asking him to challenge the top students of each academy? Was that not just sending him to his death?

“If you don’t want to join, then get lost.” Xia Jiuxuan was not one to indulge others; his rebuke was sharp and direct.

Han Yu’s gaze drifted into the distance, landing on the young girl in the green dress. He sighed. Remembering the despairing words she’d once spoken, he suddenly wondered what the point of living was anymore. With a resolute expression, he steeled his heart and declared, “Principal Xia, I am willing to issue the challenge!”

The crowd erupted in laughter and scornful whispers.

“This idiot doesn’t even realize he’s being played.”

“What is he, just a bookworm, daring to accept a challenge against the new generation’s top disciples from each academy?”

“He’s probably so crushed by defeat he wants to die.”

Joining such an academy was already humiliating and pointless; agreeing to such a foolish condition was even more idiotic than a donkey.

“Good, come up here,” Xia Jiuxuan beckoned, ignoring the jeers.

Han Yu, embracing the attitude of a pig unafraid of boiling water, walked onto the stage with resolve.

“Issue your challenge,” Xia Jiuxuan said coolly.

Han Yu glanced over the assembly—there were at least a thousand disciples below, even the weakest among them more capable than he. Among these, some stood out above the rest, their names celebrated by all.

“I hereby announce my challenge to Luo Fei of the Green Lotus Sword Academy!”

“I hereby announce my challenge to Ye Wu of the True Martial Academy!”

“I hereby announce my challenge to Yao Xingyu of the Myriad Arts Academy!”

...

“I hereby announce my challenge to Lu Junfei of the Spirit Pill Academy!”

Han Yu named seven in one breath, each the new generation’s champion of their respective academies. Their reputations were well known, so Han Yu could easily recite their names. As for the champion of the Nirvana Academy, Han Yu did not know who it was, so he refrained. To challenge the seven academy champions at once was shocking enough—one more wouldn’t make a difference.

“Very well,” Xia Jiuxuan nodded.

“My disciple, Han Yu, has issued his challenge to the new champions of each academy. Whether they dare to accept is their own affair.”

No sooner had Xia Jiuxuan finished speaking than a youth in white leaped forward, landing beside Han Yu. This was none other than Luo Fei, new champion of the Green Lotus Sword Academy.

“Principal Xia! Forgive me for being blunt, but this is an insult. You let some random nobody challenge me?” Luo Fei’s youthful pride flared—being challenged publicly by such a waste felt a grave affront.

“You feel insulted?” Xia Jiuxuan laughed coldly. “Then beat him first before you complain.”

“Hmph.” Luo Fei sneered, “You rely on luck and the backing of some expert—why put on such airs? You’re a waste yourself, and now you have an even more worthless disciple challenge me! I refuse. I will not endure this insult!”

“If you won’t accept, then leave. Stop whining here.” Xia Jiuxuan’s retort was icy.

Han Yu felt increasingly uncomfortable, but suddenly, with newfound courage, he looked Luo Fei in the eye. “You keep calling me a waste, but you don’t even dare accept my challenge. Doesn’t that make you even more pathetic? How laughable!”

At these words, Luo Fei flew into a rage. “Are you seeking death?”

Han Yu, undaunted, replied, “That’s exactly what I want, but you’re not qualified to kill me!”

Luo Fei gritted his teeth. “You trash—you’re trying to goad me? Fine, I’ll grant your wish. I accept your challenge—life or death, no matter!”

Han Yu’s heart skipped; sorrow welled within him. His path in this life had reached its end—he couldn’t even withstand a single move from Luo Fei. Still, after years of timidity, this moment of boldness felt exhilarating.

Luo Fei drew his sword immediately, his voice cold. “Make your move. I’ll let you have three attacks, then kill you with one strike!”

Sword intent swirled, and Han Yu sensed the presence of death looming.

“What’s the hurry?” Xia Jiuxuan suddenly interjected. “Han Yu has just joined my tutelage and has yet to learn a single technique. I hereby declare all challenges are to be held three months from now.”

Luo Fei narrowed his eyes, a trace of cruelty in his gaze. “Delaying for time? Fine, three months. I don’t believe a chicken like him can become a phoenix in that span.”

With that, Luo Fei gestured a throat-slitting motion at Han Yu before stepping back.

Han Yu managed a bitter grin. He’d sought death but now had three more months to live. The feeling of surviving a disaster was not unpleasant.

“Principal Xia, is this farce over yet?” Master Lu, scowling, finally spoke up.

Just now, when Xia Jiuxuan had Han Yu challenge Luo Fei, not only had Luo Fei felt insulted, but Lu Wufeng, head of the Green Lotus Sword Academy, felt deeply humiliated as well. Allowing a waste to challenge his academy’s champion? It was more than an insult—it was a trampling.

“Not satisfied? Feel free to challenge me,” Xia Jiuxuan said contemptuously. Then, as if suddenly remembering, he added, “Oh, wait—I forgot. You’re beneath me and have no such right.”

Lu Wufeng’s face flushed with rage; he wanted nothing more than to flatten Xia Jiuxuan with a slap. Unfortunately, Su Hongde’s watchful presence made him wary.

“Principal Xia,” Lu Wufeng ground out between clenched teeth, “The wheel of fortune always turns. Enjoy your moment. When the academies compete, you’ll be wailing for mercy.”

The other heads, too, detested Xia Jiuxuan. He was like a clown they could do nothing about.

“Principal Xia, I advise you to behave. Now that your precious niece has joined your academy, she’ll have to compete as well. You’d best think of a way to keep her alive,” one academy head said coldly.

Xia Jiuxuan stared ahead, his tone indifferent. “For that remark, I’ll have my niece slaughter all your disciples.”

“How laughable…” the academy head scoffed repeatedly.

“Enough. This matter ends here. There’s no need for further words,” Jiang Qingyang, unwilling to hear more pointless quarrels, cut them off. All fell silent at his command.

He then turned to Xia Jiuxuan. “Principal Xia, resources and land at the Grand Profound Academy are limited, so I can only temporarily allocate you the land on the northwest side. As for cultivation resources, I will do my best to secure some for you.”

“The northwest side? Isn’t that where the toilets are built? Ha!”

“Brilliant, Lord Principal! Sending him to build an academy by the toilets, hinting that this so-called Ninth Academy is nothing more than a latrine.”

“No faculty, no resources, no facilities, and only two disciples—how can I not laugh?”

“When the academy competition arrives, the Ninth Academy will be wiped out for sure!”

“In future, never mention the Ninth Academy to outsiders—it’s disgraceful beyond words.”

Xia Jiuxuan did not bother arguing. In name, his status was equal to the principal, but all resources were controlled by Jiang Qingyang. Arguing was pointless. Besides, Xia Jiuxuan didn’t need these things; what he sought, this broken academy could never provide.

...

The commotion eventually dispersed, and everyone left the Green Lotus Sword Academy.

In Jiang Qingyang’s residence—

“Bring me everything there is to know about Xia Jiuxuan!” Jiang Qingyang’s expression was grim, and the eight academy heads present dared not speak lightly in the chill of his presence.

“Principal, please look.”

The moment Xia Jiuxuan produced the Profound Order, the academy’s secret agency had swiftly gathered all his records.

Jiang Qingyang scanned the dossier.

“How strange!”

After reading, Jiang Qingyang found his perception of Xia Jiuxuan altered.

“You all take a look,” he said, passing the file to the eight heads.

“What? In less than a month, this boy advanced from the second level of Innate to the sixth level of Palace Entry!”

Indeed, Xia Jiuxuan’s realm was advancing rapidly; he had already reached the sixth level of Palace Entry.

“He went from being a universally despised waste to comprehending spear intent in just a few days? And he knows a bit about formations?”

The eight heads, upon reading the report, were astonished.

“Moreover, he possesses a demonic blood cultivation method and, upon entering the Nirvana Academy, immediately challenged Gu Ku!”

Having reviewed all the data, the eight heads now realized that Xia Jiuxuan was far stranger than they’d thought.

In their understanding, someone advancing three minor realms in a month was already extraordinary. But from second level Innate to sixth level Palace Entry? That was a leap of thirteen minor realms! And between the Innate and Palace Entry stages was a major barrier—some lacked the talent to ever overcome it in their lifetime. Even geniuses could not break through without pause.

“This boy is incredibly odd,” Lu Wufeng remarked with a frown.

“Could it be that Su Hongde has already emerged from seclusion and personally selected this boy as his disciple?” someone suggested.

Everyone found this plausible. Jiang Qingyang nodded slightly. “That’s the only reasonable explanation. I suspect Su Hongde returned at least a year ago. Why he would go to a remote town to accept Xia Jiuxuan as a disciple, I do not know.”

Lu Wufeng pondered. “Su Hongde’s nature is eccentric; he flouts convention and loves to be mysterious. Such an action is not surprising.”

The others agreed. “Lu is right. This must be Su Hongde’s arrangement, using this as an opportunity to contend with our principal.”

Jiang Qingyang snorted. “Let’s see what Su Hongde can stir up.”

“Principal, what should we do about Xia Jiuxuan? We can’t really let him become the head of the Ninth Academy, can we?”

“Yes, Principal—we must find a way to eliminate him.”

“If we don’t, not only will our academy’s reputation suffer, but we as heads will be humiliated as well! He cannot be allowed to stay!”

Jiang Qingyang stood, thinking for a moment. “To eliminate him is simple.”

“Oh? Please enlighten us, Principal,” Lu Wufeng said eagerly, wishing he could grind Xia Jiuxuan to paste immediately.

Jiang Qingyang sneered. “First, he killed Yang Yi of the Yang family; they won’t let him go and will find a way to kill him. Second, he has a grudge with the Pill Masters’ Hall. We need only send them his whereabouts, and they’ll eradicate him with ease. Third, and most likely to kill Xia Jiuxuan quickly—”

Lu Wufeng immediately stood. “May I ask, what is the third method?”

Jiang Qingyang looked up, his gaze cold and mocking. “Have you all forgotten? Before becoming the Ninth Academy’s head, he challenged Gu Ku of the Nirvana Academy. According to academy rules, that challenge remains valid!”

The others were momentarily puzzled. Lu Wufeng said, “Gu Ku is quite capable and now close to the Third Prince. But Xia Jiuxuan is strange, and with Old Man Su behind him, I’m not sure Gu Ku’s challenge will kill him.”

Jiang Qingyang paced slowly. “Gu Ku is already much stronger than Xia Jiuxuan. If we lend him a few treasures, killing Xia Jiuxuan will be easy. As for old Su, I will handle him. A challenge within academy rules is beyond his interference—should he try, both my authority and the will of the Grand Profound itself will crush him instantly!”

If it came to a duel, Jiang Qingyang knew he couldn’t guarantee Su Hongde’s defeat. But if the academy rules were invoked, and Su dared intervene, the will of the Grand Profound would descend and destroy him without hesitation.

“Brilliant, Principal!” The head of the Myriad Arts Academy’s eyes lit up. “I’ll go find Gu Ku now and give him a few toys to play with, haha!”