Chapter 297 Clouds Rise and Dragons Soar! The Holy Son's Flag Is Met with Rivalry?

Jiang Yun's resolute and forceful words,

exploded in the hearts of Zhao Tiezhu and the other two like a thunderclap!

Establish a force belonging to City C!

With Jiang Yun shouldering this great banner!

After a brief moment of stunned silence,

an uncontrollable surge of excitement, elation, and disbelief erupted within their chests like a volcano!

"Jiang Yun! You... you're serious?!"

Zhao Tiezhu abruptly stood up.

His burly body trembled slightly with excitement.

His honest face flushed crimson.

His eyes widened like bronze bells.

Lin Kuo also breathed rapidly.

The sickly pallor on his face was replaced by a flush of excitement.

"We... someone from our City C is finally going to step forward? Jiang Yun, if you take the lead, then we... we'll follow even if it costs us our lives!"

Xiao Yutian clenched his fists tightly.

A long-lost fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.

"Right! Jiang Yun, just give the order, and we'll dare to charge through mountains of blades and seas of fire! Let those arrogant young masters from the provincial capital who look down on others know that the Prodigies from our City C are not soft persimmons to be easily crushed either!"

They understood all too well what a force of their own meant!

It wasn't just a few people banding together.

It would be a solid support.

A platform to make their voices heard.

A harbor for acquiring resources and protection!

It was the hope to break the curse of systemic suppression that City C students had endured for years at Sky Dome Academy!

But after the excitement,

the pressure of reality quickly surged to the forefront.

The excitement on Zhao Tiezhu's face faded slightly.

Replaced by deep worry and a trace of guilt.

He scratched his head, his voice lowering.

"But... Jiang Yun, we... we're all too weak. Just the few of us, Lin Kuo and Yutian are still at Bronze Peak, struggling to even Breakthrough to Silver Rank early stage... With our meager strength, forget about helping you, we'd be lucky not to drag you down. For you to shoulder all the pressure alone, facing the targeting of so many provincial capital forces... we... we can't bear the thought of that."

Hearing this, Lin Kuo and Xiao Yutian,

felt as if doused by a bucket of cold water.

Their excited expressions dimmed.

They lowered their heads, their clenched fists loosening slightly.

Filled with a sense of powerlessness.

Yes!

The ideal is plump, but the reality is that they are indeed a burden now.

Jiang Yun looked at their hesitant and anxious expressions.

and smiled.

But his tone was filled with unwavering confidence.

"Iron Pillar, Brother Lin, Brother Xiao, you're overthinking it. Since I dare to say this, I naturally have my confidence."

He stood up.

His gaze turned towards the vast sky outside the pavilion.

His voice was calm yet carried an intangible force.

"I, Jiang Yun, am now the academy-appointed Heavenly Saint Student, a status equivalent to the Inner Court Dean. The two battles yesterday also served to establish some initial authority. In the future, within this academy, I am destined to become the rival of all Prodigies, a stumbling block in the eyes of certain people. With many lice, one doesn't itch; with many debts, one doesn't worry. Adding the title of establishing a City C force, for me, is merely an additional responsibility to bear, but also an additional motivation to grow stronger."

In truth,

Jiang Yun's considerations were even more far-reaching.

The provincial capital's resources were indeed far more abundant than City C's.

His younger sister would eventually come to the provincial capital.

He needed to secure a stable world for her before she arrived.

He turned his head.

Looking at the three, his eyes sharp.

"As for your strength, there's no need for undue self-deprecation. Who didn't start from weakness and progress step by step? Resources, Cultivation Techniques, opportunities—these can all be fought for. As long as we unite as one, with our own territory and voice, I have my own ways to help you grow stronger as quickly as possible."

"So, what you need to do is not worry about dragging me down, but to cheer up, prepare yourselves, welcome the challenges, and grow stronger quickly!"

Jiang Yun's tone was resolute.

"This matter, my mind is made up. This banner, I will shoulder it! You, are you willing to join me, to fight for a place for all City C students here in Sky Dome Academy?"

These last words,

like the beating of war drums,

instantly reignited the nearly extinguished flames in the hearts of the three!

"Willing! Of course we're willing!"

Zhao Tiezhu was the first to roar out.

His eyes reddened.

"Jiang Yun, from now on, you're our boss! You point, and I, Iron Pillar, will strike there! No hesitation!"

Hearing this, Lin Kuo and Xiao Yutian,

also had a blazing light reignite in their eyes.

With a leader and backer like Jiang Yun,

what did they have to fear?

They just had to do it!

Seeing the three regain their fighting spirit,

Jiang Yun nodded in satisfaction.

"Good! Then from today on, we are brothers on the same boat. In this force, you are the first founding members, the pioneers!"

"Haha! Then aren't we shareholders?"

Zhao Tiezhu chuckled honestly.

The atmosphere relaxed considerably.

"By the way, Jiang Yun."

Lin Kuo suddenly remembered something.

"Our force needs a resounding name, right? What should we call it?"

Zhao Tiezhu immediately chimed in.

"Since it's established by you, Boss, the name should naturally be chosen by you! It needs to be domineering, so those provincial capital forces know at the sound of it that we're not to be trifled with!"

Hearing this, Jiang Yun fell into contemplation.

He clasped his hands behind his back, slowly pacing within the pavilion.

The name... was indeed very important.

It not only had to be resounding,

but also represent the spirit and goal of this force.

He thought of a few.

Hometown Association?

Too Common, lacking in Aura.

City C Alliance?

Too regional, and somewhat narrow.

Qingyun Society?

The meaning is good, but not unique enough, and might share names with some small provincial capital forces.

His thoughts drifted.

Thinking of how he emerged from City C,

like a hidden dragon emerging from the depths.

Thinking of how he needed to hold up a piece of the sky for his fellow townsmen,

in this provincial capital academy teeming with strong individuals.

Like a soaring Dragon, sheltering a domain.

Thinking of his own mysterious, growth-accelerating Beast Taming Space that seemed to contain limitless possibilities.

And thinking of his own talent that surpassed SSS-rank, suspected of touching the rules of the Origin... The hidden dragon lies in the abyss; when it soars, it will reach the Nine Heavens.

Gathering clouds to form momentum, sheltering fellow townsmen.

It needed to reflect his existence as the core leader, while also containing the profound meanings of shelter, unity, and rise.

Suddenly,

a flash of inspiration struck his mind, and he stopped walking.

Two ancient and powerful words

leapt forth.

"Long Xiang" (Dragon Soaring).

The Dragon, the leader of scaled creatures, capable of being hidden or manifest, fine or huge, short or long, symbolizing supremacy, strength, transformation, and protection.

"Xiang" means to soar, to raise one's head high, to lift high, implying rising, striving forward, advancing courageously.

The combination of "Long Xiang" holds both the image of a divine Dragon soaring and imposing its might upon the world, and the implication of high-spirited fighting will and forging a new situation.

More importantly,

it faintly resonated with his beast taming companion Little Fire, who was evolving towards a True Dragon, and his own path filled with unknowns and possibilities.

At the same time,

this name didn't directly specify the region, avoiding the potential Innate discrimination and limitations associated with City C, yet it was domineering enough to deter petty individuals and declare the rise of a force.

"Let's call it... Longxiang Pavilion."

Jiang Yun turned around, facing the three.

Slowly uttering this name.

"Longxiang Pavilion?"

Zhao Tiezhu and the other two softly repeated it.

Their eyes gradually lit up.

"Long Xiang... Dragons soar and tigers leap, vigorous and upward! Good! Domineering! Full of Aura!" Zhao Tiezhu clapped and praised.

"Not clichéd, profound in meaning, sounds extraordinary at once!"

Lin Kuo also nodded.

"Longxiang Pavilion... from now on, we are people of Longxiang Pavilion!"

Xiao Yutian's eyes were filled with longing.

Seeing that all three approved,

Jiang Yun nodded.

"Good, then it's settled. Next, according to academy rules, a newly established force needs to register and report to the Student Group Management Division in the Academy Affairs Hall to be officially recognized. Only then can it enjoy the various policies the academy has for recognized groups, such as participating in the group contribution ranking, receiving ranking rewards, and exchanging for group-specific Cultivation venues, etc."

Lin Kuo immediately said:

"Right! I've heard of that place! The Academy Affairs Hall is at the foot of the main peak, not far from here! The Student Group Management Division is inside, responsible for the registration, assessment, and contribution points statistics and distribution for all student groups!"

"No time to delay, let's go now!"

Zhao Tiezhu was full of drive.

The four of them wasted no more time.

They left the pavilion.

Following the map in his memory, Jiang Yun headed towards the core administrative area of Sky Dome Academy.

towards the Academy Affairs Hall.

The Academy Affairs Hall was located within a grand complex of buildings at the foot of the Main Peak, Tianqiong Peak. Its style was solemn and austere, completely different from the lively bustle of the Mission Hall.

The number of students coming and going was noticeably much smaller.

And most walked hurriedly, with serious expressions.

They quickly found the side hall with the plaque "Student Group Management Division".

The hall entrance was wide.

But the interior space wasn't particularly large, decorated simply, exuding an official, business-like atmosphere.

On several light-screen walls,

dense lists of group names were displayed, along with their constantly jumping contribution points values and clear real-time rankings.

This was precisely the academy's group contribution ranking public display area.

At this moment, there weren't many people inside the hall, only a few scattered students handling business at the counters or standing before the light screens discussing the rankings in low voices.

The atmosphere was quiet, almost oppressive.

Directly facing the main entrance, a row of counters was set up.

An Elder with graying hair, wearing a single-sided crystal eyeglass, and a stern face was sitting behind the counter, leisurely flipping through a thick ledger.

Jiang Yun, leading Zhao Tiezhu and the other two,

walked straight over.

The counter happened to be unattended.

Zhao Tiezhu took a deep breath.

Stepped forward.

Facing the Elder behind the counter.

Following Jiang Yun's prior instructions,

he tried to speak in as steady a tone as possible: "Esteemed Elder, greetings. We... would like to apply to establish a student group and have come to register and report."

The Elder,

the managing Elder of the Student Group Management Division.

Upon hearing this, did not immediately look up.

He only asked in an aged and flat voice.

"Name."

"Longxiang Pavilion."

Zhao Tiezhu answered.

Only then did the Elder slowly raise his head.

Through the crystal lens,

his gaze swept indifferently over the four before him.

When his line of sight fell on Jiang Yun's face,

it seemed to pause for half a second, but he showed no particular reaction, soon lowering his eyelids again and picking up a pen to record.

"List of core members, and their respective academy identity numbers. Brief description of the group's purpose. Which provincial capital Family or force are you affiliated with or dependent upon?"

He inquired step by step.

His tone was official and businesslike.

Carrying a trace of barely noticeable routine.

Zhao Tiezhu hurriedly answered according to their pre-planned response.

"Currently, the core members are the four of us. I am Zhao Tiezhu, this is Lin Kuo, Xiao Yutian, and our boss Jiang Yun. Academy numbers are... The purpose is unity and mutual assistance, Common progress, striving for a fair Cultivation environment and development opportunities for members."

He paused, puffed out his chest.

Raising his voice a bit.

"We do not belong to, nor are we dependent upon, any provincial capital force! We are all from City C! What we want to establish is our own group for City C students!"

As these words came out,

within the originally quiet hall,

it was as if a stone had been thrown into water.

"City C?"

The hand of the managing Elder, ready to record,

jerked to a halt.

He raised his head again.

This time, his gaze carefully swept over the faces of Jiang Yun and the other three, especially lingering on Jiang Yun a few more times. A clear look of astonishment and... incomprehensible surprise appeared on his aged face.

City C?

Building their own group?

Not dependent on any provincial capital force?

Within the hall,

the few scattered students handling business or looking at the ranking board were also attracted by Zhao Tiezhu's earth-shattering declaration. They turned their heads to look over, their faces revealing undisguised surprise, astonishment, which then turned into amusement and... undisguised scorn.

Right at that moment,

a sneer full of superiority and thick mockery came from a corner of the hall, shattering the silence.

"Hah... truly the biggest joke in the world!"

"I wondered who had such a big mouth, turns out it's a few bumpkins from City C?"

"What, not comfortable living in the Servants Quarters, want to learn from others to form a group, huddle together for warmth?"

"Longxiang Pavilion? The name sounds quite intimidating, aren't you afraid of twisting your tongue with such big talk?"

"A bunch of trash, hardly even a few at Silver Rank, dare to talk nonsense about establishing a force? And an independent one not dependent on any Family?"

"Have you forgotten the lesson from over a decade ago, when that overambitious Hometown Association from your City C was disbanded within three days by the joint efforts of our provincial capital Families, and the leaders had their Cultivation crippled and slunk out of the academy in disgrace?"

"Truly reckless fools who don't know what's good for them!"

The mocking words were like icy, poisonous arrows.

Sharp and venomous.

Ruthlessly shot towards Jiang Yun and the other three.

The speaker,

was a young man standing before the contribution ranking light screen, dressed in luxurious clothes, with handsome but mean features. He was accompanied by two companions with strong Auras, who also crossed their arms, wearing undisguised contemptuous smiles on their faces, looking at Jiang Yun and his group as if watching clowns.

The other few students in the hall,

also revealed expressions of either sympathy, anticipation for a spectacle, or similar disdain.

Clearly,

in their view,

these few kids from City C,

were simply daydreaming and inviting humiliation.

Zhao Tiezhu and the other two were infuriated by this sudden malicious mockery, their faces flushing red, fists clenched tightly, glaring angrily at that young man.

However,

they also recognized the maple leaf-shaped Family crest emblem on the other's lapel.

Their hearts couldn't help but sink!

It was someone from the Feng Family!

Jiang Yun's expression, however, remained calm.

He slowly turned around.

His gaze indifferently looked towards the Feng Family young man who had spoken mockingly, his eyes deep, revealing no joy or anger.