23: Chapter 23: Irrefutable Evidence, Principal's Strong Support Shatters the Slander

In the conference room of Jiangcheng Martial Arts University, the atmosphere was so oppressive it felt like water could be wrung out of it.

Both sides of the long mahogany table were filled with high-level school leaders: the Director of Academic Affairs, the Director of Moral Education, Teaching Research Group Leaders from various grades, and even several School Directors who had been in seclusion for years were alarmed and arrived in person. In the main seat, the principal of Jiangcheng Martial Arts University, and also the school's only legend Peak powerhouse—Zhou Xuanzheng, sat upright. His gray eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and his cloudy gaze swept across the room, carrying an aura of natural authority.

In the center of the conference room, Lin Zhou, Su Ye, and Qin Yue stood side by side. Lin Zhou had a calm expression, playing with a translucent white Jade Slip in his hand. It was the evidence brought out from the City-level Secret Realm, recording the entire process of Zhang Hao hiring assassins and bribing instructors to surround and kill him. Opposite him, the dean of students, Zhao Kun, looked filled with righteous indignation, clutching a Jade Slip in his hand as well, accusing him with spit flying everywhere.

"Principal! Leaders! This matter must not be tolerated!" Zhao Kun slammed the table, his voice shrill. "Inside the Secret Realm, in order to snatch the Legacy, Lin Zhou not only slaughtered his fellow disciples but also ruthlessly killed two instructors! Such a cold-blooded individual is not only unworthy of the title of Martial Arts Tournament champion but even more unworthy of staying in our Jiangcheng Martial Arts University!"

As he spoke, he held the Jade Slip in his hand high, his tone decisive: "This Jade Slip is the best evidence! It records the entire process of Lin Zhou's crime. The evidence is as solid as a mountain!"

As his voice fell, whispers immediately broke out in the conference room.

"Slaughtering fellow disciples? Murdering instructors? This is too outrageous, isn't it?"

"But Director Zhao has brought out evidence; it can't be out of thin air, right?"

"This kid Lin Zhou has high talent, but to be so ruthless at such a young age, I'm afraid he'll become a great menace in the future..."

Quite a few leaders looked at Lin Zhou with suspicion and wariness. Among them, some had received benefits from Zhang Hao's Family, and at this moment, they followed the trend and chimed in.

"Director Zhao is absolutely right! Such heinous behavior must be severely punished!"

"Revoke the champion title and expel him! Let this be a warning to others!"

Su Ye was fuming with rage, his clenched fists cracking. He was about to step forward to argue but was stopped by Lin Zhou's hand. Qin Yue's beautiful eyebrows were also tightly knit, her cold gaze falling on Zhao Kun with a hint of disdain: "Director Zhao, you dare to make a final judgment with just empty words?"

Zhao Kun sneered, glancing sideways at Qin Yue: "Student Qin Yue, you are close to Lin Zhou, so naturally you speak for him. But the evidence is conclusive; how can it be overturned by a single defense from you?"

He turned to Zhou Xuanzheng in the main seat, bowed, and said earnestly: "Principal, Student Zhang Hao's Family has already pressured the school. If we cannot give them an explanation, I'm afraid it will affect the school's future resource allocation! Please reconsider, Principal!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of many leaders changed. Zhang Hao's Family had significant influence in the Jiangcheng martial arts world and donated a large amount of Cultivation resources to the school every year. If they were truly offended, it would indeed be a significant loss for the school.

Zhou Xuanzheng's brow furrowed even tighter. He was silent for a moment, his gaze falling on Lin Zhou, his voice deep: "Lin Zhou, is what Director Zhao said the truth?"

Lin Zhou looked up, meeting Zhou Xuanzheng's gaze, neither humble nor arrogant: "Principal, I did not."

"You did not?" Zhao Kun sneered, pressing closer, "Then do you dare to manifest your Jade Slip in public and let everyone see the content? I guess your Jade Slip was destroyed by you long ago!"

He was certain Lin Zhou had no evidence. After all, in the Secret Realm, those two instructors and the assassins were all killed by Lin Zhou—dead men tell no tales. And the Jade Slip in his hand was forged by a master at a high price by Zhang Hao's Family; the images inside were lifelike and enough to pass for the truth.

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Lin Zhou's mouth. He slowly raised the translucent white Jade Slip in his hand, his voice clearly spreading throughout the conference room: "Why would I destroy it? Because what is recorded in my Jade Slip is the truth."

"Whoosh!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the conference room immediately broke into an uproar. Zhao Kun's expression also changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and sneered: "Humph, still stubborn even when death is near! I want to see what 'truth' you can bring out!"

Zhou Xuanzheng raised his hand and said in a deep voice: "Bring it up."

Lin Zhou stepped forward and handed the Jade Slip to Zhou Xuanzheng. At the same time, Zhao Kun also hurriedly sent the Jade Slip in his hand up.

Zhou Xuanzheng first picked up Zhao Kun's Jade Slip and injected a trace of spiritual power. The next second, a light screen was projected onto the wall of the conference room. In the image, near the Green Fox Mausoleum in the City-level Secret Realm, Lin Zhou held a bow and arrow, his face distorted as he shot arrows at the two instructors and several students. The Lin Zhou in the image had a ruthless gaze and showed no mercy, finally killing them all and snatching the Legacy of the Green Fox Mausoleum.

"It really is him!"

"So ruthless! It's simply insane!"

Looking at the screen, many leaders shouted in righteous indignation again. Zhao Kun even glanced triumphantly at Lin Zhou, as if he had victory in his grasp.

Zhou Xuanzheng's face darkened, then he picked up Lin Zhou's Jade Slip and injected spiritual power.

The light screen on the wall switched instantly.

The scene was still the Green Fox Mausoleum, but the content was completely different. Zhang Hao was seen leading two instructors and several students, sneakily lying in ambush outside the Green Fox Mausoleum. Zhang Hao was even whispering something to the two instructors, and the words 'After it's done, the Zhang Clan Chief will surely offer a heavy reward' could be faintly heard.

Immediately after, Lin Zhou walked out of the Green Fox Mausoleum. Having just obtained the Legacy, his aura was still somewhat unstable. Zhang Hao and the others lying in ambush immediately launched a surprise attack! The two instructors struck first, releasing Epic Mid-stage pressure to crush Lin Zhou, while several students also cooperated by releasing skills to block Lin Zhou's retreat.

In the image, Lin Zhou's expression was calm. Relying on his exquisite archery and the Void-Splitting Arrow Domain, he struggled to resist the crowd's siege. Especially when those two instructors used their killing moves, wanting to put him to death, Lin Zhou finally erupted, shooting Demon Core Arrows and killing them in return.

The entire process was clear and plain. From beginning to end, Lin Zhou was forced to fight back and had no intention of taking the initiative to commit a crime.

The light screen slowly dissipated, and the conference room was deathly silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Everyone's expressions became incredibly vivid, especially those leaders who were just filled with righteous indignation; they were now flushed with embarrassment, wishing they could find a hole to crawl into. Zhao Kun's face was even as pale as paper, his body trembling slightly, muttering to himself: "Impossible... this is impossible..."

He couldn't understand how Lin Zhou still had such a Jade Slip!

Zhou Xuanzheng's gaze fell on Zhao Kun, his eyes bone-chillingly cold. The pressure of a legend Peak powerhouse instantly erupted, enveloping Zhao Kun. Zhao Kun felt his whole body sink, as if pressed down by a great mountain, unable to move at all, with cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

"Zhao Kun!" Zhou Xuanzheng's voice exploded in the conference room like a thunderclap. "As the dean of students, instead of thinking about teaching and educating, you accepted bribes, forged evidence, and framed a student! Do you know your crime?!"

Zhao Kun's legs went soft, and he fell to his knees with a "thud," kowtowing like a woodpecker: "Principal! I was wrong! I was momentarily confused! Zhang Hao's Family forced me! Principal, spare my life!"

"Confused?" Zhou Xuanzheng snorted coldly, his eyes full of disappointment. "You aren't confused; you are blinded by greed! From today onwards, you are removed from your position as dean of students and expelled from Jiangcheng Martial Arts University! In the future, if you dare to step into the martial arts world again, don't blame me for being heartless!"

Zhao Kun's face was ashen as he collapsed on the floor and was dragged out by two security guards.

Having dealt with Zhao Kun, Zhou Xuanzheng's gaze swept over those leaders who had just chimed in with Zhao Kun. Those people immediately lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze. Zhou Xuanzheng didn't say anything more; he just snorted coldly and turned his gaze to Lin Zhou.

The pressure from just now instantly dissipated, replaced by a hint of approval.

"Lin Zhou, you've been wronged." Zhou Xuanzheng's voice softened significantly. "In the Secret Realm, you were forced to fight back; there's nothing wrong with that. As for the title of Martial Arts Tournament champion, you deserve it, and no one can shake that."

As he spoke, he took out a golden token from his storage space and handed it to Lin Zhou. The words "Ten Thousand Beast Ridge" were carved on the token in ancient, simple characters, emitting a dense Secret Realm aura.

"This is the entry token for the Provincial Secret Realm 'Ten Thousand Beast Ridge'." Zhou Xuanzheng looked at Lin Zhou and said earnestly, "In three months, the Genius Martial Artists of the entire province will gather at Ten Thousand Beast Ridge to compete for the ancient Legacy and Cultivation resources inside. You have outstanding talent; grasp this opportunity well and do not fail your talent."

Lin Zhou took the token; it felt warm in his hand, and a heavy energy came through. He bowed and said with a powerful voice: "Thank you for your trust, Principal! I will certainly not fail your expectations!"

Zhou Xuanzheng nodded with satisfaction, then turned to the whole room and said loudly: "Today's matter ends here! Pressure from Zhang Hao's Family? Humph! My Jiangcheng Martial Arts University trains Martial Artists who protect a region, not sycophants who curry favor with the powerful! From today onwards, all cooperation with Zhang Hao's Family is severed! Anyone else who dares to bend the law for personal gain will end up like Zhao Kun!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room broke into an uproar, followed by a chorus of agreement. Everyone knew that Zhou Xuanzheng was determined to protect Lin Zhou.

Walking out of the conference room, Su Ye breathed a long sigh of relief and patted his chest, saying: "That scared me to death. Just now, that guy Zhao Kun spoke as if it were true. I thought something big was going to happen!"

Qin Yue also breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the golden token in Lin Zhou's hand with a smile in her eyes: "Congratulations on getting the entry token for Ten Thousand Beast Ridge. The Provincial Secret Realm in three months will surely allow you to go a step further."

Lin Zhou gripped the token in his hand and looked up at the sky. The sunlight was just right, dispersing all the gloom. His gaze was as sharp as an arrow, carrying a hint of expectation.

Zhang Hao's Family, Zhao Kun... these jumping clowns were nothing more than stepping stones on his path to growth.

The Ten Thousand Beast Ridge in three months would be the real stage.

There, there would be stronger opponents, richer resources, and a broader world.

And he would surely bloom with an even more dazzling light there!