Chapter 263 The Summit of Zhangtian Pillar Peak! Exclusive Deacon and Amazing Authority!

Jiang Yun disappeared from the center of the testing square along with that soft white light.

Leaving behind a square still boiling with discussion and eyes filled with various thoughts.

Now that the person had been taken away by Dean Ming Jing,

The other deans also began to leave one by one.

Under the presidency of Elder Mo Chen, the reception Elder,

The testing continued.

However, because three Testing Stones were destroyed,

The students from those three channels had to re-queue in other lines,

Leading to a small wave of complaints.

But they were soon drowned out by even more heated discussions.

"He was just taken away like that? Personally taken away by Dean Ming Jing!"

"He must be going to arrange the special treatment for a Heavenly Saint Student! Immortal Cave, resources, privileges... Tsk tsk, I can't even imagine it, I simply don't dare to imagine!"

"Top ten on the Heaven Ranking in one month... this is too ridiculous. Is the Dean trying to give him a show of authority?"

"I don't think so. Maybe the Dean wants to see Jiang Yun's potential and is deliberately using this extreme task to stimulate his potential?"

"Regardless, the young generation of the Provincial Capital is likely in for a major shift. The days when Feng Xingyun and Qian Luoyun dominated the scene are probably going to be challenged."

"The Su Family's ancestors must be truly smiling upon them this time..."

The sound of discussion was like a tide,

Surging in every corner of the square.

The teachers, while presiding over the tests,

Also couldn't help but converse in low voices,

Lamenting the shock of today's events.

Within the audience area,

Representatives of various major families were seizing the time to exchange information, adjusting their attitudes and subsequent strategies toward the Su Family, as the light of many messaging jade talismans flashed frequently.

In the Su Family's student contingent,

On Fox Immortal's cool and elegant face,

Her brows furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.

"Taken away... spatial transfer?"

She thought to herself.

She tried to sense Jiang Yun's position through the contract of the Fox Heart Moon Vow, but found that the connection had become extremely weak and distant,

As if blocked by a powerful spatial barrier or Formation.

"This Core Area of Sky Dome Academy likely has isolation methods set up by experts... even my contract sensing can be weakened."

A trace of contemplation flashed deep within her golden eyes.

Jiang Yun being so highly valued,

Was both a good thing,

And meant he would be under stricter protection and monitoring; some of her own actions might need to be more careful.

However,

Since she had successfully entered the academy,

There would always be opportunities to contact him later.

"I'll let him be for now."

She withdrew her focus,

Her gaze calmly looking toward the testing channel she was about to enter.

To her,

Passing this human academy's test

Was nothing more than a formality.

Not far away,

Su Mingxuan kept his head down,

His expression shifting between dark and light,

His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white.

The amazement and envy of the surrounding clansmen toward Jiang Yun,

Every word was like a needle pricking his heart.

"Why... a matrilocal son-in-law of unknown origin, a country bumpkin from City C... an SSS-Rank Talent... a Heavenly Saint Student... even Dean Ming Jing personally received him..."

The venomous snake of jealousy gnawed frantically at his heart.

"When my Elder brother entered the academy back then, he only caught the attention of an Elder from the Beast Taming Institute... What right does he have?!"

Extreme resentment almost made him lose control,

But his remaining reason and fear of his father forced him to suppress it.

He could only bury all his hatred deep in his heart,

Turning it into even deeper jealousy toward Jiang Yun.

"So what if you entered the academy? So what if your talent is high? Top ten on the Heaven Ranking in a month? Hmph, I'll watch how you die! How you become everyone's laughingstock!"

On the other side,

Lin Tao finished his test.

His results were decent;

B-Rank talent, gaining admission qualification.

Yet there was no joy on his face, which instead grew even gloomier.

Looking at the spot where Jiang Yun had disappeared,

His eyes were filled with venomous malice and a trace of fear.

"Jiang Yun... you wait! So what if you're Gold Rank? So what if you have an SSS-Rank Talent? My brother Lin Feng is already a Peak Gold Rank 9 Genius, only one step away from Amethyst! He's even a top five presence on the Earth Ranking! When I meet up with my brother, I'll definitely give you what's coming to you! A Heavenly Saint Student? I'll see how many days you can remain arrogant!"

He cursed maliciously in his heart,

As if this could give him some hollow courage.

On the high platform,

Elder Mo Chen looked down at the ongoing tests which could no longer stir much of a ripple, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.

Occasionally, a student with B-Rank or A-Rank talent would appear, and although it would still cause small-scale praise, compared to the earth-shaking red light pillar and the shock of the Heavenly Saint Student from before, it was simply like a firefly competing with the bright moon.

Even the test-takers themselves,

After learning their own talent Rank, mostly only showed a slightly awkward and forced smile, their excitement greatly diminished.

Jiang Yun's appearance

Seemed to instantly raise everyone's vision and expectations.

"Alas, a brilliant gem has set the bar too high..."

Elder Mo Chen stroked his beard, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

He knew that after today,

For a long time to come,

The academy's freshman testing

Would likely struggle to see another scene that could make one's blood boil so much.

The name Jiang Yun,

As well as the title of Heavenly Saint Student,

Would surely become a Legendary tale talked about by this class and even many future classes of students.

Meanwhile,

Deep within Sky Dome Academy, at Heaven Pillar Peak.

Jiang Yun only felt white light flowing before his eyes, and the surrounding space seemed to be folded and stretched by an invisible force, bringing a slight sense of dizziness.

This feeling was completely different from when he rode a flying beast; it was more like a direct leap through space.

After a few breaths, the light dissipated, and his feet touched solid ground.

A surge of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, so dense it almost couldn't be dispersed, washed over him like a warm tide, instantly enveloping his entire body.

Jiang Yun instinctively took a deep breath.

He felt a comfortable hum from his limbs, bones, Meridians, and Apertures, and the originally calm Beast Taming Power within him actually began to accelerate its rotation spontaneously, showing a faint sign of improvement!

"What terrifying Spiritual Qi density!"

Jiang Yun was shocked.

He had previously thought the Spiritual Qi in the Su Family's inner courtyard was quite good, and the Provincial Capital square was also much denser than City C, but compared to this place, it was simply the difference between clouds and mud!

The Spiritual Qi here was not only extremely high in concentration,

But also exceptionally pure and gentle, making it very easy to absorb and refine.

What Dean Ming Jing said about it being ten times that of the outer court

Was probably still a conservative estimate!

He looked around.

At this moment, he was standing on a broad platform paved with bluestone.

The platform was located near the top of a towering mountain Peak, with clouds and mist swirling beneath his feet; in the distance, many buildings of the academy with their flying eaves could be seen, and even further away, the outline of the Provincial Capital was faintly visible.

The mountain Peak was a dark cyan color, with a faint jade-like luster, as if the entire mountain was a giant piece of spiritual jade.

The mountain wind brushed past,

Carrying the refreshing scent of plants and dense Spiritual Qi.

This was Heaven Pillar Peak!

One of the main Peaks of the Sky Dome Academy's core Spiritual Vein!

In front of the platform,

Was a grand yet elegant courtyard.

The courtyard walls were built of a certain milky-white jade, about two zhang high, with the top of the walls covered in cyan glazed tiles.

The vermilion main gates were tightly shut.

A plaque hung above the door,

With two ancient and vigorous characters written on it.

"Saint".

The handwriting seemed to contain a certain Aura;

Looking at it for a long time actually brought peace to one's mind.

The courtyard covered a vast area, built along the mountain slope, with pavilions and towers faintly visible, and upturned eaves hidden among ancient trees and spiritual vines.

Just standing outside the door,

One could feel an even more majestic and orderly flow of Spiritual Qi within the courtyard.

"This place... is my residence?"

Besides being shocked,

An indescribable feeling welled up in Jiang Yun's heart.

From the simple dwelling in City C, to the exquisite small courtyard arranged by the Su Family, to this Holy Son Courtyard that was like an immortal's cave-dwelling, it had only been a few short months.

All of this

Stemmed from his awakened talent and the opportunities that followed.

At the same time,

The pressure of the one-month Heaven Ranking top ten challenge

Also weighed heavily on his heart.

He instinctively looked at Dean Ming Jing beside him.

The kind elderly man stood with his hands behind his back, his long robes swaying slightly in the spiritual wind, his Aura perfectly integrated with the surrounding heaven and earth.

Jiang Yun gained a more direct understanding of the strength of an Eclipse Moon Rank Expert.

That method of crossing space in an instant just now

Was definitely not ordinary!

It wasn't just about speed;

It involved profound spatial power!

"Does Dean Ming Jing's beast have something to do with spatial attributes? Or has his own cultivation reached a Realm where he can manipulate space?"

Jiang Yun speculated privately,

Feeling even more longing and awe toward the Peak powers of this world.

"Jiang Yun."

Dean Ming Jing's gentle voice interrupted his thoughts.

He pointed to the Holy Son Courtyard ahead.

"From now on, this will be your residence in the academy. The facilities inside are fully equipped, with a Cultivation Quiet Room, a Beast Taming Garden, an Alchemy and Armory Room, a Study, and Guest Rooms. The Spiritual Qi is drawn from one of the cores of our Heaven Pillar Peak's Spiritual Vein; cultivating beasts here will yield twice the result with half the effort."

Jiang Yun quickly gathered his thoughts and bowed respectfully.

"Thank you for the arrangement, Dean! This place... is far beyond my imagination."

Dean Ming Jing smiled slightly.

"As a Heavenly Saint Student, you naturally deserve matching treatment. Daily matters in the courtyard, resource collection, security, and so on will be managed by a designated Steward Elder. You can ask him about any issues regarding life or academy affairs."

Jiang Yun nodded and noted it down.

After hesitating for a moment,

He still spoke up: "Dean, I have one more bold request."

"Oh? Feel free to speak."

"May I... bring someone to live with me in this courtyard?"

As Jiang Yun spoke, he paused slightly,

Seemingly weighing his words.

"It is my... fiancée, Su Qingxue."

When he mentioned the word 'fiancée',

Jiang Yun felt his cheeks grow slightly warm, and he did feel a bit awkward in his heart.

His relationship with Fox Immortal was complex and unclear;

They were linked by a contract and shared a common fate, but to speak of romantic feelings or being a true engaged couple was not quite right.

However, in the eyes of outsiders,

Especially the Su Family,

This identity was the most appropriate.

Hearing this, Dean Ming Jing

Showed a meaningful smile.

His gaze seemed able to see through people's hearts, but he did not pry, only nodding kindly.

"Naturally, you may. Since this place has been allocated to you, it is your private domain. Whom you choose to live with is your freedom; the academy will not interfere. You only need to register with the Steward Elder."

Jiang Yun breathed a sigh of relief and bowed again.

"Thank you for your understanding, Dean!"

"Mm."

Dean Ming Jing looked with satisfaction at the young man who was unfazed by favor or humiliation and knew how to seize reasonable opportunities to fight for the interests of those around him, and patted his shoulder.

"Cultivate well and put your heart into raising your beasts. I and the other deans are all looking forward to your one-month agreement. I hope you do not fail this expectation, nor fail your own unprecedentedly Rare talent."

His palm was warm and powerful, as if carrying a force that could calm the mind and soul.

Jiang Yun could feel the sincere expectation and heavy pressure contained within.

"I will certainly do my utmost and not fail your high expectations, Dean!"

Jiang Yun promised solemnly, his eyes firm.

"Good, good."

Dean Ming Jing said 'good' twice, the look of appreciation in his eyes growing stronger.

He spoke no more,

And that familiar soft white light began to emanate from around him.

"If there is anything important, you can inform the Steward Elder, and he will pass it on. For your daily cultivation, you will have to rely on yourself."

As his voice fell,

The white light suddenly flared up, and Dean Ming Jing's figure became blurred and transparent, finally vanishing without a trace as if merging into the air, without even stirring a single spatial ripple, as if he had never appeared.

The methods of an Eclipse Moon Expert were truly miraculous!

Jiang Yun stood in place,

Bowing once more toward the direction where Dean Ming Jing had disappeared.

When he straightened up and looked around at this mist-shrouded mountaintop platform and the grand Holy Son Courtyard before him, a brand new academy life full of challenges and opportunities officially began.

Just then,

On a small path next to the courtyard leading to a side court,

The sound of steady footsteps could be heard.

An elderly man dressed in grey Elder's robes, with white hair and a gaunt face, walked over with composed steps.

The old man's Aura was restrained, but his eyes were clear and spirited, and there was a steady air in his stride; clearly, his cultivation was not weak, at least at the Diamond Rank or above.

He stopped about three paces in front of Jiang Yun, with a perfectly appropriate level of respect on his face, bowed slightly, and spoke in a calm and clear voice.

"This old man is Si Bo. Greetings, Lord Saint."