Chapter 927: Three Minutes for You

Before they even reached the training ground, they could see a sea of people. Almost all the students of the academy had gathered, the crowd surging with even more excitement than the day of the succession ceremony.

The selection of war masters was a once-in-a-century event. It showcased the strongest combat power at the same level, and no renowned master would willingly miss it.

Not only people from the academy, but also renowned masters from the Hongyuan Empire's Master Hall, and even some from neighboring empires, had come to watch, each filled with excitement.

"Although war masters are just an ordinary branch of the Master Hall, being selected means access to more resources and faster cultivation. Many are willing to become one..."

Zhao Bingxu said.

Under normal circumstances, war masters did not hold as high a status as renowned masters. After all, they were only war specialists, formidable in combat but not skilled in auxiliary subjects.

But once one became a member, they would receive focused training and progress quickly... easier than the normal advancement of a renowned master.

Because of this, becoming a member was the dream of countless renowned masters.

Unfortunately, the requirements were too strict, demanding too much combat talent. Out of ten thousand renowned masters, perhaps not even one could qualify.

"Dean, do you have any intention of taking the war master assessment?"

Halfway through his words, suddenly recalling the dean's fearsome abilities, Zhao Bingxu couldn't help but look over.

He had little confidence in the academy's many students, but... this man before him, if he took the assessment, was guaranteed to succeed one hundred percent.

"Me? Not interested!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He wanted to learn from Master Kong, master many professions, and then become a true renowned master, educating all directions and teaching the world.

If he became a war master, only knowing combat, how would he resolve the innate fetal poison in his body?

He truly had little interest in this profession.

"That's good..."

Zhao Bingxu breathed a sigh of relief.

If the dean took the war master assessment and left, the academy would likely fall back into chaos.

Finding another person recognized by all ancestors and admired by all teachers and students would probably be impossible forever.

"Greetings, Dean! Greetings, Elder Zhao!"

As they spoke, the two arrived at the training ground. Seeing them, the students all bowed in unison, respect in their eyes.

"The dean is back!"

"I heard the dean went out this time to take the exam and the promotion to empire-level six-star renowned master. Coming back now, has he already finished the assessment?"

"He must have finished. Do you even need to think about the dean's strength? A six-star renowned master is nothing!"

"Yeah! I wouldn't be surprised if he took the seven-star exam right now..."

...

As the word spread, almost all students knew the dean had arrived, excitement shining in their eyes.

Toward the many elders, they might still feel some awe, but toward this dean, who was even younger than them, they felt only admiration, even to the point of blind worship.

Having witnessed the dean create miracles with their own eyes, nothing he did now would surprise them; instead, it seemed only natural.

"Where are the other elders and the people from the three academies?"

Nodding briefly to the enthusiastic students, Zhang Xuan frowned.

Almost everyone here was from Hongyuan Academy, along with many from the Master Hall, but he did not see the students or elders from the other three academies.

"On that flying ship..." Zhao Bingxu pointed.

Following his finger, Zhang Xuan immediately saw a massive flying ship suspended in the air, supported by eight sacred beasts at the front and back, blotting out the sky and exuding an invincible aura.

Earlier, he had only been paying attention to the students, and the ship was flying high, so he hadn't noticed it.

Focusing his gaze, he saw three old men standing on the deck, hands clasped behind their backs, looking as if they were commanding the world.

As for Elder Mi and the others, they were floating in front of the ship, seemingly in conversation with them.

"They haven't come down?" Frowning, Zhang Xuan's face showed displeasure.

Having come this far, yet not disembarking from the ship, clearly showed they did not take Hongyuan Academy seriously, a sign of contempt.

"Elder Mi should be negotiating with them, but after all this time, it seems... ineffective," Zhao Bingxu said, his expression also sour.

Coming to Hongyuan Academy without a proper visit, instead arriving in a flying ship, was like riding a horse into someone's living room—a great disrespect.

Before going to find the dean, he had asked Elder Mi and the others to negotiate, but now the other party was still on the ship, and the elders hadn't even set foot on the deck, clearly unsuccessful.

"Tell them that I, the dean, invite them to come to the spectator stands to watch the selection."

Zhang Xuan said.

"Alright!" Zhao Bingxu nodded. "But... what if they still don't come down?"

Even Elder Mi and the others had gone and failed. Even if he mentioned the dean's name, it probably wouldn't have much effect.

Frowning, Zhang Xuan raised his finger: "Give them three minutes."

"Three minutes?" Zhao Bingxu was startled, then his mouth twitched.

Judging by the dean's tone, this... was going to cause trouble!

But... among the four academies, Hongyuan was the weakest. If a conflict really broke out, they would be the ones to suffer.

Hesitating, he quickly tried to dissuade him: "Dean, they have come from afar. If we make a move, it will easily invite criticism..."

A visitor from afar is a guest. If we get beaten at our own doorstep, wouldn't we face the same treatment a hundred years later when we go to their place?

"Fight? You're overthinking it!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head: "We are renowned teachers, civilized people. How can we resort to violence at the drop of a hat? Besides, the three deans on the other side are all七星 renowned teachers; we'd have to be able to beat them first!"

The opposing side had七星 renowned teachers, with strength at least at the Saint Realm second layer. Unless they could have Jinyuan Ding and Ziyang Beast launch a siege, victory was impossible.

Besides, talking about fighting and killing right from the start—couldn't they be a bit more refined?

We are all teachers, people with status and reputation. No matter what, we should act with some maturity!

Zhang Xuan shot a contemptuous glance.

"Cough, cough!" Seeing that look, Zhao Bingxu felt dizzy and couldn't help but say: "But the dean said... three minutes..."

If another dean claimed to be a civilized person, he would believe it!

But this one... how could he not be skeptical?

A civilized person who starts a life-or-death duel at the first word; a civilized person who, at the first move, turns the Physician Academy into ruins?

A civilized person who clears the Record Mountain and smashes the disobedient puppets into pieces?

Could he be any more civilized?

"Oh, what I meant was, if they don't come down in three minutes, I'll use other methods to make them come down!"

Zhang Xuan waved his hand: "Alright, go ahead as instructed!"

"Uh, alright!"

Frowning deeply, Zhao Bingxu had no idea what method the dean would use, his face full of distress.

But since he had said so, he could only follow orders. Without further ado, he leaped straight toward the flying ship.

...

In the air.

Elder Mi and the others looked helplessly at the three old men on the deck and the many students behind them.

As Zhao Bingxu had said, they had been persuading for a long time, but the three deans refused to come down. Everyone was a renowned teacher, and they couldn't afford to break relations, so they could only waste time up here.

"Esteemed elders, please go down now. We won't see you off!"

Wu Tianqiong stroked his beard and smiled.

"This..." Seeing that persuasion was futile, Elder Mi and the others were about to give up when Zhao Bingxu flew over.

"Three deans, I am Elder Zhao Bingxu of the academy. Our dean hopes that you and the students will come down for a gathering!"

Dean Zhao clasped his hands in a salute.

"Your dean has arrived?"

The three deans looked down in unison, trying to spot the legendary new dean, but there were too many people below; even they couldn't recognize him without knowing him.

"Yes!" Zhao Bingxu nodded.

"Since he's here, we won't make things difficult for you. Pass on a message: the competition will begin, and we will send people down to participate. We won't delay the selection of war teachers!"

Wu Tianqiong said.

"This..."

Seeing that they were clearly refusing to come down, and recalling the dean's words, Zhao Bingxu grew anxious and couldn't help but say: "Three deans, please come down. Our dean... has a bad temper and is somewhat eccentric. I'm afraid... if unpleasantness arises, it won't be good!"

Although the dean hadn't mentioned his method, he always had a foreboding feeling.

He spoke sincerely, but to others, it sounded different—clearly carrying a hint of threat.

"Bad temper? Unpleasantness? Just became dean and already looking down on everyone?"

Shen Pingchao was the first to flare up, his face darkening: "Young man, don't think that just because you have some achievements, you can look down on everything. Our Luoqing Academy is not your Hongyuan, and I am not one of your elders who must obey his orders! Today, I won't come down. Can he force me off the ship?"

"Dean Shen is right. If we don't go down, will Hongyuan resort to force? Tell your dean: a young man should be cautious in words and deeds. I had admired his deeds before, but now I see he is so arrogant. Don't ruin your own future!"

With a flick of his sleeve, Wu Ran also turned pale.

Bad temper, unpleasantness... as if they were easy to deal with?

If unpleasantness really arose, with the three academies joining forces, it would be you who suffer, wouldn't it?

"I... I didn't mean that..."

Unexpectedly, his well-intentioned persuasion was misunderstood. Zhao Bingxu wanted to explain but didn't know how, growing even more anxious.

The dean had only given three minutes. Given his personality, who knew what he might do?

What if he mobilized the many spirit beasts of Cloud Mist Ridge to launch a siege? Before the four academies even started the selection, they would be locked in fierce battle, facing life and death!

If that happened, the four academies might become the laughingstock of the entire continent!

"If not that, then what? Tell us, what did your dean send you to say?"

With sharp eyes, Wu Tianqiong saw at once that Zhao Bingxu had something to say but couldn't voice it, and looked over.

"The dean..."

Full of distress, Zhao Bingxu knew concealment was useless and would only cause more chaos, so he gritted his teeth: "He said, you must come down within three minutes, otherwise... he will use other methods to solve this problem..."

"Three minutes?"

Thinking the dean might have some good words, Elder Mi and the others' faces darkened upon hearing this.

It's over... This is going to lead to a fight!