"What?"

The surrounding spectator seats erupted in uproar.

The Martial Arts Arena had just been repaired, and as Xiao Yi stepped onto the stage, the spectators wore angry expressions.

Because, it meant that the nightmare for all the Academic Disciples present was about to continue.

The continuous ’bang’ ’bang’ sounds of instant defeat had become the most dazzling melody of the Hundred Schools competition, yet it was the most grating sound for the other academies.

And at this moment, with a shout from the Vice Dean.

The entire spectator seating instantly fell into astonishment.

What followed was an explosive exclamation.

"What? Expel Xiao Yi from Black Cloud Academy?"

"They want to expel this Sword Dao Demon from Black Cloud Academy?"

The exclamations were filled with shock, doubt, and confusion.

Such a demon surely has an unlimited future and will shock the Central Region.

Even now, it brings endless glory to any power.

Such a demon, in any power, would be treated as a treasure.

Now, being publicly expelled?

Among the exclamations, some carried joy.

Because, this nightmare seemed to be ending.

This overbearing, ruthless, even presumptuous brat, finally met his day.

On the Martial Arts Arena.

At the center of the exclamations, Xiao Yi stood indifferently.

Amidst his indifference, a trace of astonishment flashed across his face.

However, this trace of surprise was fleeting, and his handsome face was as indifferent as always.

On the Heavenly Hidden Academy spectator benches, several elders sneered.

"As expected, he couldn’t be persuaded." The Sky-reaching Peak Elder sneered with a curled lip.

"We knew long ago this brat wouldn’t agree."

"What couldn’t be negotiated?" Just then, Huoo Linlang frowned and asked.

"Oh, nothing." The Sky-reaching Peak Elder shook his head, but the sneer and smugness on his face remained unshakeable.

On the Martial Arts Arena.

Whoosh... a figure instantly leaped to Xiao Yi’s side.

It was Qing Lin.

"Xiao Yi, step down for now." Qing Lin’s face was anxious.

"It’s not a big deal to agree with those two old guys." Qing Lin lowered his voice, looking earnestly at Xiao Yi.

"There’s not much point in participating in this third round."

"Rather than dealing with the bastards from other academies, I’d prefer you stay in the academy."

"I’ll go and get the old guy to retract the order."

Below, the faces of the Vice Dean and Deacon Youu were extremely grim.

They didn’t expect that their countless persuasions and concessions would never change Xiao Yi’s decision even a bit.

Not even hesitating to take the stage.

The Vice Dean also did not hesitate to issue the expulsion order.

Slap...

As Qing Lin turned to leave, Xiao Yi grabbed his arm.

"No need." Xiao Yi shook his head.

"Why?" Qing Lin gritted his teeth, "Is it worth being expelled from Black Cloud Academy over such a small matter?"

"It’s just about withdrawing from the third round of competition."

The compensation and Heavenly Talents offered by Heavenly Hidden Academy are much better than the rewards for this third round.

Qing Lin lowered his voice.

He knew that since the previous Vice Dean had set a barrier, it was to prevent outsiders from knowing.

So he lowered his voice now, advising Xiao Yi.

As for the second round, he had long since thrown it behind him.

"It’s different." Xiao Yi shook his head, his tone indifferent.

The conditions offered by the Heavenly Hidden Academy were not just good, they were generous and even tempting.

Just...

"There are some things I am unwilling to accept," Xiao Yi said indifferently.

"It has nothing to do with the Heavenly Hidden Academy, nor with the Academy, nor with the competition."

"Then why..." Qing Lin pursued.

Xiao Yi smiled, "As you said before, just because there’s a reason, does that mean you must change your decision? Does that mean anything can be done?..."

Xiao Yi’s words stopped abruptly, not continuing. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Since I am no longer a disciple of Black Cloud Academy, I am not qualified to participate in the third round, there is no need for me to stay."

"If there’s a chance in the future, see you then."

Xiao Yi said with a light smile, calmly turning his back and leaving.

Qing Lin was stunned.

Originally, he wanted to continue questioning and persuading.

But at this moment, when he saw Xiao Yi’s back and recalled his previous calm smile, he suddenly understood and gave up the idea of persuading.

That figure, not very broad, yet powerful and steady.

The whole body exuded unparalleled pride.

Yes, pride.

After spending so much time together, he called "Xiao Yi," or "Junior Brother Xiao Yi" without thinking; subconsciously forgetting, this was a demon of unparalleled pride.

This was a demon that never let anyone down, arrogant to the extreme.

This was a demon who, with a sword in hand, dared to venture the world with almost no defeats.

Why should he withdraw from the third round?

Why should he compromise?

He did nothing wrong, so why expel him from the academy?

If expelled for this, then he will just leave.

There are very few things that can make this demon willingly set aside his pride, very few.

This does not include the mere identity of a Black Cloud Academy disciple; it does not include the identity of a disciple of the Old Dean of Heavenly Hidden Academy; nor does it include those so-called tempting conditions.

So he left, without hesitation he left.

"Xiao Yi," Qing Lin murmured to himself, his expression complicated.

"Want to leave?" At this moment, a shout rang out from the seats.

A figure appeared instantly.

"Boy, you can leave, but return the Heavenly Hidden Nine Mysterious Fruit."

"You are not a disciple of any academy, have no right to participate in the Hundred Schools competition, nor do you have the right to obtain anything from the Heavenly Hidden Secret Realm."

It was the Sky-reaching Peak Steward who suddenly appeared.

That tone of provocation, that sneer, was exactly the same as when he had provoked Xiao Yi outside the Twelve Peaks two years ago.

On the spectator stands, Elder Tongtian curled his lip in a sneer.

"Bastard," Qing Lin shouted angrily, "That was something I picked up in the Heavenly Hidden Secret Realm."

"According to the rules, it’s mine."

"I can give it to whoever I want."

The Heavenly Hidden Nine Mysterious Fruit had already been given to Xiao Yi by Qing Lin.

Xiao Yi originally didn’t want to take it, but after considering that Qing Lin saved it with all his injuries, he took it.

"Hmph." The Sky-reaching Peak Steward snorted coldly.

"If you give it to your Black Cloud Academy disciple, that’s fine."

"But to an outsider who is no longer a Black Cloud Academy disciple, that’s not possible."

"You..." Qing Lin’s face turned cold.

"Heh." Xiao Yi instantly turned back, his icy eyes fixed on the Sky-reaching Peak Steward.

"If I remember correctly, two years ago, you were also trying to make me return the Sky-reaching Jade."

"I never cared about the Sky-reaching Jade, so I returned it."

"This time, I care about the Heavenly Hidden Nine Mysterious Fruit, so I won’t return it."

"If you want it, we’ll see if you have the capability."

Clang...

A cold white sword light flashed by.

"What? Still want to injure others with your sword like two years ago?" The Sky-reaching Peak Steward was unafraid, instead coldly sneering.

"Before all the Martial Artists of each academy, causing trouble at my Heavenly Hidden Academy? Abandoned disciple Xiao Yi, you have a lot of nerve."

As the words fell, a powerful aura suddenly pressed down from the Heavenly Hidden Academy’s seats.

...

Second update.

The third update will be in an hour.