Chapter 23: Senior Disciples of the academy.

Next Day in the academy...

Lin Cangxuan and Mo Qinghe returned to the academy, their eyes in disdain. They weren’t able to find any traces of demonic creatures in the Blackwood Ravine forest.

"There are no traces of demonic creatures other than two dead bats’ remnants, Mo Qinghe," Qing Lin Cangxuan muttered, adjusting his traditional attire.

Mo Qinghe didn’t answer. His eyes fixed on Teng Jiuxuan meditating under the tree.

"Thanks to him, Lin Yuan and Chen Ming are alive," Mo Qinghe wheezed, letting out a low groan. "But something is off, master Cangxuan."

Teng Jiuxuan fluttered his eyes before opening them to see the masters of the academy. He quickly rose up, bowing his head while cupping his fists.

"Yes, master Mo Qinghe. You are right!" Teng Jiuxuan sighed, his expression becoming more focused than before. "Xiao Lingtian said he didn’t kill Qin Yao Mei before getting killed by me. Something happened in the Blackwood Ravine forest."

"More two innocent junior disciples are dead by the heinous activities of some ruthless bastards," Mo Qinghe gritted his teeth tightly.

"Master..." Chen Ming called out, walking out from the medical hall in the academy. He has fully recovered now.

Mo Qinghe tilted his head slowly back toward Chen Ming. Mo Qinghe and the head master reached Chen Ming quickly.

"You need to rest, Chen Ming," Qing Lin Cangxuan smirked, letting out a calm smile. "You can run once you get full strength again. Hahaha!"

"Hahaha!"

Mo Qinghe and Teng Jiuxuan laughed, squinting their eyes gently. Chen Ming chuckled, seeing the masters and the senior Teng.

"Hey, Chen Ming," Lin Yuan’s voice called out from a few paces away. They jolted their heads toward Lin Yuan. He was sprinting while waving his hand. "Are you okay now, Chen Ming?"

"Hahaha... You are kind as well as ruthless, Lin Yuan," Teng Jiuxuan stated.

"Stop teasing, Teng Jiuxuan," Qing Lin Cangxuan patted Teng Jiuxuan’s back.

Lin Cangxuan summoned two filled medium-sized bags. That is the reward of Lin Yuan and Chen Ming’s struggle.

"Here is the promised reward for your Second trial, Lin Yuan and Chen Ming. No one completed this trial in the first attempt until now," Lin Cangxuan smirked, handing a bag of beast essence stones to Lin Yuan and another bag to Chen Ming. "Even your senior Teng took two attempts to clear this trial."

"Master!!" Teng Jiuxuan muttered. "Don’t tease me before your grandson!"

"Hahaha!"

"Hahahaha!"

The laughing sounds echoed across the academy. And Lin Yuan suddenly remembered another word of Mo Qinghe.

"Master, What about the access to the academy library?" Lin Yuan beseeched, clasping his hands in front of his chest frenziedly.

"Yeah! Yeah!" Mo Qinghe’s voice crackled due to the sudden halt of laughing. "I will show it tomorrow, Lin Yuan. Now go to the hall. Apothecary Dan Zhenren will take over, he is master of depth and stability."

"Yes, master!"

Lin Yuan and Chen Ming bowed with resonance. They sprinted quickly toward the academy hall.

"I think he will be the strongest cultivator of the Qinglin continent," Mo Qinghe affirmed, looking at the retreating Lin Yuan.

"No, he will be the strongest in this Origin World," Teng Jiuxuan corrected Mo Qinghe. ’But his demonic nature with immense kindness hinders my thoughts toward him. Lin Yuan... what in the world are you?’

Teng Jiuxuan thought, his eyes in disdain. At the same time, all the seniors strolled near the masters and Teng Jiuxuan.

"Hey, Teng, What the hell are you scheming with the masters, when I am out?" Xiao Rong mocked, his pitch-black hair billowing against his robes.

"You forgot about me, Xiao Rong," Zhen Yueli pouted, her face turned red.

"See who is talking about forgetting, Cao Yunfeng," A black-haired man sneered, walking with his arm around a red-haired man’s shoulder. The black-haired guy was Ji Wuchen, a Core Beast Realm - Lower stage cultivator, and a Deer Beast holder of earth element. The red-haired guy was Cao Yunfeng, a Core Beast Realm - Mid stage cultivator, and a Flame Wolf beast holder.

"Jokes apart, brats," Qing Lin Cangxuan giggled, silencing all seniors in a single wave of hand. "What about the result of your dungeon trial, Teng Jiuxuan? I already discussed your recruitment with the Red Talon Sect master and Green Vine Sect master."

"We passed the trial, Head master," Teng Jiuxuan took out a bag from his back. "This bag has eight Rank 4 beast cores, and the rare Golden Spirit Fruit — High-Tier food."

"Hahaha... Congratulations! Okay, now select which Sect you all want to join: Red Talon or Green Vine," Lin Cangxuan asked, extending both hands with a token in each. On one hand, there was a red token embedded with a rumbling red talon; on the other hand, a green token embedded with four entangled vines.

Xiao Rong came forward first and selected Green Vine Sect, followed by Teng Jiuxuan. And the remaining three senior disciples — Ji Wuchen, Cao Yunfeng, Zhen Yueli, selected the Red Talon Sect.

The Red Talon Sect was one of the strongest three sects across the entire Qinglin Continent. The sect was built upon the Drizzle Peak, a gigantic mountain located at the center of the continent where endless beast essence storms and rain lingered throughout the year. The sect was feared for its ruthless disciples and overwhelming combat techniques. Many beast cultivators from powerful clans dreamed of entering the Red Talon Sect. The current Sect Master of Red Talon Hall was Xue Hongzhao — a True Beast Realm Peak Stage cultivator and the holder of a Legendary Beast Pathway — White Tiger.

Xue Hongzhao originated from Xue Clan, a clan that possessed far less political influence compared to powers like the Teng Clan and Qing Clan. Despite his weak background, Xue Hongzhao climbed through countless battles using pure strength and determination. It was said that during his younger years, he challenged seven sect elders consecutively and stood victorious while covered in blood. Because of his undeniable resolve, the name "White Tiger Sovereign" became infamous across the Qinglin Continent.

Unlike the powerful nature of the Red Talon Sect, the Green Vine Sect carried a different reputation throughout the Qinglin Continent. Even though it was not ranked among the strongest three sects politically, no cultivator dared to underestimate it. The sect was located deep within the forests near the eastern mountains of Qinglin Continent, surrounded by green spiritual vines and beast territories overflowing with natural essence. The true reason behind the sect’s fame was its Sect Master, Teng Lingshan, a True Beast Realm — Mid Stage cultivator and one of the rarest men in the continent, because he was a Divine Beast holder — Flame Dragon Pathway.

Three decades ago, when Teng Lingshan walked into the River of Origin, the river itself rippled with crimson flames that shimmered half the continent’s sky. Since that day, his name has become legendary. He was the only cultivator in thirty years, other than members of the Mu Yue Clan, to receive a Divine Beast prophecy from the River of Origin. Even the mighty Qing Clan failed to prophesize another Divine Beast holder after the death of their previous Clan Head. Rumours said that whenever Teng Lingshan released his full beast aura, the surrounding forests would ignite into crimson fire while dragon roars echoed across the mountains. Because of him alone, Green Vine Sect remained feared by every major power in the Qinglin Continent.

"Oh... Teng Jiuxuan, you selected your uncle’s sect... Magnificent selection!" Lin Cangxuan smiled, seeing the farthest city from the academy. "You all start your journey to their sects as selected tomorrow. Here take these tokens and show them to the sect guards if they restrain any of you!" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Lin Cangxuan took another red token and two green tokens to give to his disciples. Teng Jiuxuan and others took the tokens gently.

"Okay! Take rest for today, brats," Lin Cangxuan smirked, patting the backs of Xiao Rong and Zhen Yueli. "From tomorrow, the true journey of the beast cultivation begins!"

****

In the academy hall.

"Something is wrong with Gu Shiyan, Chen Ming," Lin Yuan sneered, darting his eyes toward Chen Ming, then toward Gu Shiyan. "I suspect he was the one who killed Mei Jian Li, but why blood-draining?"

"Why do you suspect him, Lin Yuan?"

"I don’t know, but I sense something strange from him..." Lin Yuan scorned, his eyes skimming across the hall.

Lin Yuan felt something strange from Gu Shiyan’s evil grin the day before. It felt like a demonic smile. In Gu Shiyan, Lin Yuan recognized a reflection of his own ruthless, demonic nature, a bone-chilling nature to kill anyone to gain an advantage. But, he still struggled to understand why Gu Shiyan seemed like a threat to him.

"Ni hao, Good Morning... my dear disciples," A calm, slithering voice cut through the noises of the hall and Lin Yuan’s panic. Dan Zhenren entered the room, his hair whipping like an ocean wave against the slight gust of the wind.

"I am Apothecary Dan Zhenren, master of depth and stability, and a Core Beast Realm - Mid Stage Cultivator." Dan Zhenren beamed, walking toward the centre of the hall. "Let’s begin our class. What is Stability?"

The entire hall felt silent listening to the dumbest and easiest question. But it was the most twisted question according to Dan Zhenren.