Deacon Youu let out a bitter laugh at these words.

"What’s the difference between this and outright refusing me?"

Xiao Yi smiled faintly, "Since Deacon Youu understands my intention, there’s no need to say more."

"Alas." Deacon Youu sighed, "That kind of smile directed at me is worse than a frown or a cold face. Are you blaming me?"

Xiao Yi shook his head, "Deacon Youu is just here to play the persuader, I don’t blame you."

Xiao Yi had somewhat expected that the Heavenly Hidden Academy would come to persuade him.

Fifteen years ago, the various elders could persuade Mo Youu, so naturally they can do it now.

At this moment, a voice suddenly rang out.

"What if this is my request?"

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi frowned, looking at the person who spoke.

It was none other than the Vice Dean.

"Old man, what are you saying?" Qing Lin erupted instantly.

"Shut up." The Vice Dean, who usually had a friendly demeanor, coldly reprimanded.

"You..." Qing Lin’s face showed anger.

The Vice Dean stared coldly at Qing Lin, "If you don’t shut up, I’ll make you shut up."

Given the Vice Dean’s power, subduing Qing Lin was a trivial task.

"You... hmph." Qing Lin snorted coldly, but kept silent for the time being.

The Vice Dean ignored Qing Lin and turned back to Xiao Yi.

"What if this is my request?" the Vice Dean asked.

Xiao Yi paused for a moment, shaking his head, "Still no."

"Give me a reason." The Vice Dean said in a deep voice.

Xiao Yi’s expression was indifferent, "I think it should be the Vice Dean giving me a reason."

The Vice Dean frowned, "I’ll give you the reason, but only if you agree first."

"No." Xiao Yi shook his head again.

The Vice Dean frowned, "You don’t want to withdraw from the third round, is it because of Qing Lin?"

"Partly." Xiao Yi replied calmly.

The Vice Dean smiled playfully, "Partly or mostly?"

"Either works." Xiao Yi replied lightly.

A sly look flashed across the Vice Dean’s face, "What if Qing Lin asks you to withdraw from the third round?"

"He won’t care about what happened in the second round, and you don’t have to target the disciples of the various academies anymore."

The Vice Dean seemed to be casually recounting the matters.

Xiao Yi took a deep breath suddenly.

After a moment, Xiao Yi nodded, "Alright."

"Good." The Vice Dean smiled broadly and looked at Qing Lin, "Come over."

"Did you hear what was just said?"

Qing Lin nodded, but also shook his head.

"Why are you shaking your head? Speak." The Vice Dean glared at Qing Lin.

Qing Lin thought for a moment, then looked at Xiao Yi, saying nothing, but with an inquisitive tone.

"Junior Brother Xiao Yi himself, do you want to withdraw from the third round?"

Xiao Yi shook his head.

"Since Junior Brother Xiao Yi is unwilling, then it’s a no-go." Qing Lin looked earnestly at the Vice Dean, shaking his head.

"Nonsense." The Vice Dean’s face showed anger, and he rebuked.

"Do you think I’d harm Xiao Yi?"

"As long as he’s willing to withdraw from the third round, he will gain numerous benefits."

"I will explain the reason later."

Qing Lin still shook his head, "Of course, I trust you, old man."

"However, since Junior Brother Xiao Yi is unwilling, then no reason will suffice."

"Is it acceptable for a reason to easily change someone’s decision?"

"Just because there’s a reason, does it mean that anything can be done?"

"Willing is willing, unwilling is unwilling, what does it have to do with reasons?"

"If a reason can change things, then it becomes an excuse, and it’d be better not to say it, better not to know."

"You..." The Vice Dean showed a face of anger.

Qing Lin laughed, "What is it? Do you find my words reasonable?"

"Such philosophical words could usually only be said by you, old man."

"Indeed, these were words you once said to me."

"If you want to detain me for this, then just do it."

Saying this, Qing Lin stood with a fearless posture.

"You brat." The Vice Dean angrily waved his sleeve, ignoring Qing Lin, and looked at Xiao Yi.

At this moment, a smile appeared on Xiao Yi’s face.

"What are you smiling about?" The Vice Dean’s face darkened immediately.

"Fine, you want to know the reason, I’ll tell you."

"Everything is for the next grand event."

"The next grand event?" Xiao Yi muttered, showing neither approval nor disapproval.

The Vice Dean nodded, "Do you think the Hundred Schools Competition is merely about disciples competing among themselves for rankings?"

"What significance does the Hundred Schools Competition hold if it stirs such a commotion?"

"Everything is for the next grand event."

"Is it about to start?" At this moment, Elder Yun Yuan asked solemnly from the side.

"Indeed." The Vice Dean nodded without elaborating.

The Vice Dean seriously looked at Xiao Yi, "Across this vast Central Region, you, Mo Youu, Guu Feifan, and others, are all top supreme geniuses."

"The Hundred Schools Competition is your battle."

"The upcoming grand event is instead for the top true powerhouses in this vast Central Region."

Supreme geniuses and powerhouses are two different matters.

Powerhouses are those who have truly grown and can make a name for themselves across the Central Region.

The difference between the two is significant.

So obviously, the two grand events are bound to have vast differences too.

"What grand event?" Xiao Yi asked.

"Agree first, and I’ll explain in detail." The Vice Dean said in a deep voice.

Xiao Yi frowned, "If I forfeit the third round, what will happen afterward?"

"What will happen?" Deacon Youu chuckled from the side.

"I’ve already said, the Heavenly Hidden Academy is willing to grant you anything."

"I won’t bargain with you anymore, I’ll tell you directly."

"As long as you withdraw from the third round, you can immediately leave the Black Cloud Academy and return to the Heavenly Hidden Academy."

"Moreover, you won’t join under any elder, you’ll directly be under the Old Dean, your status surpassing the Twelve Peaks Chiefs, equal to the academy elders."

"The cultivation items provided by the academy will also be the same as those for the elders."

"Within the academy, you may freely enter any Treasure Pavilion or Cultivation Method Hall; any cultivation technique or martial technique you require, you may freely request."

"Within the academy, any martial arts elder, including the Twelve Peak Elders, and all martial arts great powers of Heavenly Hidden Mountain, anyone you consult must guide you until you unlock any martial arts doubts."

Hearing this, Xiao Yi was taken aback. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Return to the Heavenly Hidden Academy? To be under the legendary Old Dean, whose disciples even include martial arts great powers?

Status equal to the elders, with matching cultivation items?

It’s known that the Heavenly Hidden Academy elders are all at the peak of the Saint Emperor Realm; the cultivation items required for martial artists of this level are an astonishing amount.

Furthermore, freely obtaining any cultivation techniques, martial techniques, freely consulting martial arts elders?

This amounts to the Heavenly Hidden Academy promising to fully support Xiao Yi, this martial arts genius, with all its capabilities.

"Are you willing now?" Deacon Youu chuckled, "Just nod your head, and all this is yours."

"However, there is one more requirement."

"What is it?" Xiao Yi asked with a frown.

"Hehe, it’s quite simple." Deacon Youu smiled, "For the next grand event, you will represent the Heavenly Hidden Academy."

...

Third update.