I Can See Your Combat Power-Chapter 1760 - 194: Enlightenment Completed

Top Floor of the Tower, Dean’s Room

During the turbulent times of Unparalleled City, an unexpected visitor arrived.

"Even Sword Venerable has been alerted; it seems the storm is indeed significant."

Tang Luo smiled and said, "Please take a seat."

"The Dean’s earnest efforts in educating the Xu Clan’s disciples deserve recognition from me."

Flame Sun Sword Venerable Xu Changhao settled in gracefully and asked with a smile, "With Ten Thousand Beasts Manor advancing aggressively, how about I pen a letter to Long Valley? I believe Mao Sect would respect Middle Ying City’s face."

"Sword Venerable is considerate."

Tang Luo replied lightly, "But one cannot always rely on divine intervention to resolve all issues. Some paths must be chosen by oneself, some barriers crossed alone. Let us see what Unparalleled City is capable of achieving."

"To rely on the prestige of an ancestral connection from beyond the sacred lands to establish boldness for subordinates at the outset is no small ambition, but alas..."

Xu Changhao initially showed appreciation, then sighed with regret moments later.

"Man is never defeated by hardship; only by indulgence in luck."

Tang Luo replied calmly, "Those who frequently choose shortcuts will eventually perish on the path."

"It seems all affairs rest clearly within the Dean’s heart, making my actions here somewhat redundant."

Xu Changhao smirked self-deprecatingly before speaking in earnest, "My visit to the Dean today is for an important matter."

"Sword Venerable wishes to take the academy disciples who have completed Foundation Building away, yes?"

Seemingly sensing Xu Changhao’s intent, Tang Luo nodded directly. "Although the five-year agreement has not yet ended, the Xu Clan disciples have completed their training in the Five Elements Spirit Foundation Building, so it is about time they returned to Yuanzhou!"

"As expected, nothing escapes the Dean’s insight!"

At the mention of this, Flame Sun Sword Venerable couldn’t suppress his excitement. "The effectiveness of the Five Elements Spirit Foundation Building is even better than I imagined. Once we return to Middle Ying City, the Sword Master will undoubtedly promote it extensively within the Xu Clan!"

"The Five Elements Spirit Foundation Building Method indeed deserves such recognition."

Having ascended to nobility, Tang Luo had grown increasingly unconcerned with pleasantries. His words were direct reflections of his thoughts—perhaps to outsiders they sounded blunt or arrogant, but Xu Changhao clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

After laughing, Flame Sun Sword Venerable continued, "The Five Elements Spirit Foundation Building Method is indeed unparalleled, but to truly implement it extensively in Yuanzhou, there is one matter I must trouble the Dean with."

"Sword Venerable, please proceed."

"I am well aware of the challenging nature of this Foundation Method. Five years is hardly sufficient time. Ying City only agreed to let me take various disciples to attempt it due to the Sword Master’s influence. Yet now, less than five years in, they have all completed this extraordinarily difficult cultivation method. While their effort is commendable, the key lies in that auxiliary training formation."

After circling round and round, Xu Changhao gritted his teeth and resolutely said, "So I ask the Dean for permission to take this formation back with me."

Perhaps realizing that his request might be overreaching, Flame Sun Sword Venerable quickly added, "I understand this request may seem excessive, that the academy may suffer too great a loss from it, but think of the long-term benefits—if the Five Elements Spirit Foundation Building Method is ratified by the Sword Pavilion and Yiren Pavilion, then the Dean will be considered the Xu Clan’s mentor in enlightenment. This matter holds countless advantages..."

After listing benefits tirelessly, Xu Changhao carefully observed Tang Luo’s expression. However, seeing that the latter remained unmoved, he awkwardly fell silent.

When Xu Changhao finally quieted down, Tang Luo smiled and said, "The formation can be taken to Yuanzhou by Sword Venerable."

"Are you serious!?"

What seemed like a hopeless situation suddenly turned into a breakthrough. Xu Changhao was overjoyed and quickly promised, "Rest assured, Dean. Upon returning to Yuanzhou, I will report this matter directly to the Sword Master. Ying City will surely provide substantial rewards!"

"Unparalleled City lacks for nothing."

Tang Luo waved his hand. "It’s just that there are still many Tang Clan disciples within the forty-nine districts south of Ying City. If I calculate their age correctly, these individuals have also reached the time to cultivate their skills. I hope the Ying City Sword Sect will disregard past grievances and accept them!"

"That is a trivial matter; it should not be conflated with the matter of the formation."

Xu Changhao said earnestly, "The Xu Clan has always conducted itself honorably, regardless of status. Furthermore, you are a direct disciple—this matter will follow Middle Ying City’s procedures. No need for ceremony."

After exchanging additional pleasantries with Tang Luo, Xu Changhao left the Dean’s room in high spirits. Once classes ended, he gathered the Xu Clan disciples and led them for a walk around Unparalleled City, bidding farewell to classmates, teachers, and even staff.

Finally, he returned to the Dean’s room, where everyone took turns bowing in gratitude.

From the early winter of 1992 to the early spring of 1996, three years of study had turned many young children into adults.

The arrogant pride they wore on their faces from the sacred lands upon arrival had now transformed into gratitude and reluctance.

Deeply sentimental and sensitive children had long come to see Red Cloud Mountain as a second home. Upon hearing of their departure, many wept openly.

But they understood that Unparalleled Academy was merely a stage in their lives, and there were even greater distances yet to be traveled. Despite their sadness, they forced big smiles upon their faces.

This mixture of tearful laughter during farewell was enough to soften the hardest hearts, but Tang Luo remained unmoved.

Although the children regarded him as their mentor in enlightenment, the past two years’ teaching had been conducted entirely by Yun Xiu and several instructors. As for him, he could not even recall the children’s names.

Such superficial emotions would be insincere to feel, so Tang Luo maintained a polite and serene smile throughout.

Three hundred disciples taking turns to pay respects consumed an entire morning. When the Xu Clan’s large ship docked at the harbor, Du Ting rushed into the Dean’s room in a panic.

"Dean, the Flame Sun Sword Sect’s ship is departing, and it’s taking all the disciples with it!"

Du Ting, alarmed, burst into the Dean’s room and asked incredulously.

"When Flame Sun Sword Venerable decides to leave, who could possibly stop him?"

Tang Luo, resting his chin on his hand, tilted his head and smiled. "You charged over here all flustered just for this?"

"I’ve come because the City Hall has just drafted two plans they need the Dean’s approval on."

Saying this, Du Ting stepped forward and placed two documents from his coat onto the Dean’s desk.

Tang Luo glanced down at the neatly arranged documents in front of him, then looked up at Du Ting and asked, "Are these two plans the best solutions the City Hall has come up with?"

"Yes, Dean!"

Seeing that Tang Luo didn’t seem interested in reading them, Du Ting gritted his teeth and explained, "Fighting to the death would be the worst option. If Ten Thousand Beasts Manor truly attacks, with Unparalleled City’s current military strength, we won’t be able to defend even the eastern and western banks. Fortunately, Shi Muzhi doesn’t seem intent on exterminating us; based on correspondence from Long Valley, their primary aim seems to be extorting resources and apprehending the culprit."

"City Hall’s suggestion is to send a letter to Ten Thousand Beasts Manor. If they agree to forgo pursuing the culprit, then handing over some resources could bring the matter to a resolution—this would be the best approach!"

Tang Luo stared intently at Du Ting, making him visibly uneasy before finally saying with a smile, "If that’s the best plan City Hall has developed, then proceed as suggested."

Hearing his idea approved, Du Ting nodded repeatedly and left at once.

After the chairman departed, Tang Luo muttered to himself in the empty Dean’s room, "Go find someone. He should be in one of the cities along the Lingjiang area, living by providing medical consultations and teaching calligraphy. His name is Mi Bai, and his wife’s surname is Lu. Find him, and invite him to visit Unparalleled City."