Chapter 498 The Dean's Admonition! The Dragon Pavilion is in complete chaos?!

Jiang Yun could not have imagined that the Head Dean of Sky Dome Academy, whom he had never met, would bestow upon him a fire attribute Law Crystal as a treasure.

His expression remained calm, but ripples stirred within his heart.

When he was in the treasure vault of the Liu Family's Star Pavilion, he had seen with his own eyes how the Liu Family treated that dark-attribute origin law crystal as their greatest treasure, enshrining it on the seventh floor of the vault, guarded by layers of Restrictions.

That was a Radiant Sun Low Grade Origin Law Crystal.

It was only one minor tier higher than the ordinary fire attribute Law Crystal before him, yet it was already the ultimate heirloom of a first-class Family.

Even Fox Immortal, that knowledgeable member of the Nine-Tailed Fox royal Family, only possessed a few Law Crystals in total.

Each one was a trump card she kept hidden away.

From this, one could tell just how rare Law Crystals were.

This was no longer something that could be measured by Spirit Stones.

To be able to take out a Law Crystal as a reward—such generosity, in any first-class Family in the provincial capital, would be the kind of treatment reserved only for a core heir being nurtured with the entire Family's resources.

Yet the Head Dean of Sky Dome Academy had bestowed such a Law Crystal upon him, a freshman who had been enrolled for little more than a month.

This level of regard, this intent to nurture—Jiang Yun felt it clearly.

Moreover, Little Fire's current situation was in urgent need of such a fire attribute Law Crystal.

Little Fire was now at the Amethyst Eighth Tier.

Under the special effects of the Beast Taming Space, its growth rate was astonishing.

Reaching the Diamond Rank was merely a matter of time.

The most critical hurdle in breaking through from Amethyst to Diamond was the conversion of elemental power into Law power.

If he could use this fire attribute Law Crystal to master the fire attribute Law power and build a solid Foundation before the Breakthrough, then when it finally reached the Diamond Rank, the Law conversion rate would be boosted to at least over seventy percent.

This meant that while at the Early Stage of the Diamond Rank, Little Fire would be able to unleash the pure Law power equivalent to the Peak of the Diamond Rank.

What Jiang Yun cared about even more was the wisp of Heavenly Fire within Little Fire.

In the Medicine God Secret Realm, while being challenged, Little Fire had coincidentally fused with the Heavenly Fire.

Heavenly Fire was the ultimate form of fire attribute power.

Before the fire attribute Law was stabilized, the power of the Heavenly Fire could only be utilized to twenty or thirty percent of its potential.

If the fire attribute Law Crystal could solidify the Law Foundation, to what extent would the power of the Heavenly Fire skyrocket?

It would inevitably make Little Fire's combat power even more terrifying!

This thought flashed through Jiang Yun's mind, giving him an extra sense of confidence for his trip to the Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm.

"Jiang Yun."

Dean Ming Jing's voice pulled Jiang Yun's thoughts back to reality.

This Sun-Level Peak Vice Dean was still seated in the main chair, a faint, indiscernible curve on the corners of his mouth.

His tone was a few degrees more solemn than before.

"Keep this item safe. If you can refine and absorb it while still at the Amethyst Rank, you will be able to master the Law power and build a solid Foundation in advance. When you break through to the Diamond Rank, your Dragon-type Beast will undoubtedly benefit immensely. Its Law conversion rate, Law power, and attribute balance will all be far superior to others of the same rank. Given your Comprehension Ability, you surely understand this point, so I shall say no more."

As he spoke, he handed the Law Crystal, which was flowing with crimson light, to Jiang Yun.

The light circulating on the crystal's surface cast a faint, warm hue between the two of them.

The fire attribute spirit power drifting in the air was still humming happily, as if rejoicing that this supreme treasure had found a new owner.

Jiang Yun did not stand on ceremony.

Facing a treasure of this level, excessive refusal would only be pretentious.

He took the Law Crystal with both hands.

The moment it touched his hands, a warm and pure flame Law power permeated through his fingertips into his Meridians, causing the Beast Taming Power within his body to vibrate gently.

He solemnly placed the Law Crystal into his storage ring, then cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Dean Ming Jing.

"Thank you, Dean, for your cultivation. This favor, this student will surely keep in mind."

His voice was steady and earnest, without excessive excitement, yet every word was spoken with conviction.

"Dean, rest assured. Once this student enters the Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm, I will certainly not let you down."

Dean Ming Jing watched Jiang Yun's composed demeanor, a trace of satisfied amusement flashing in his eyes.

He nodded slightly, then abruptly changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of serious warning.

"You child, your talent and Heart-Nature are both top-tier; naturally, I am at ease with you. But there is one thing I must urge upon you. Today, you defeated Sect Master Feng Tianyang on the arena and cleared the entire Jingfeng Sect from it; you have already formed a death feud with the Feng Family. Sect Master Feng Tianyang is a man who seeks revenge for the slightest grievance. Having been defeated by your hand in public, he will never let this matter rest. The Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm is not bound by the Academy's rules. If the Feng Family decides to make trouble for you inside, the Academy will be unable to reach you. Furthermore, although the Secret Realm has been explored by various major forces, it remains fraught with danger. Every time the Secret Realm opens, the Geniuses who enter suffer losses of twenty to thirty percent at the very least, and sometimes nearly half. Once you enter the Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm, you will have to rely on yourself for everything. In all things, be careful."

As soon as Dean Ming Jing finished speaking, Zhan Qiong took over the conversation, a rare look of solemnity appearing on his rugged face.

"Dean Ming Jing is right. Kid, there is no need to rush your natural talent. As long as you are given enough time, you will sooner or later grow to a level where all the forces in the provincial capital will look up to you. No matter how precious the treasures in the Secret Realm are, they are not worth more than your life. If you encounter a Vicious Beast you cannot defeat, just run; there is no shame in that."

Vice Dean Yan Lie also nodded, his tone carrying a sense of earnest advice.

"However, what you need to be most careful of is not those Vicious Beasts, but people. There are no rules or supervision in the Secret Realm. Some people would stab their companions in the back for a Sun-Level material. Although your strength is great, it is easy to dodge an open spear but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. The Feng Family, the Lin Family, and others who are watching you from the shadows—if they make a move on you in the Secret Realm, it will certainly not be in an honorable way."

Dean of Array Department Xuan Jizi stroked his beard, his voice remaining in a measured, unhurried tone.

Every word carried weight.

"Zhan Qiong and Yan Lie speak the truth. I have lived for so many years and have seen no small number of Geniuses perish. Most of them did not die at the jaws of Vicious Beasts, but rather under the schemes of their own Human Race. You are quick-witted, so I am not too worried about that, but I must still remind you: in the Secret Realm, besides yourself and your Beast, you cannot trust anyone completely."

Tie Kuang added in a muffled voice, "Come back alive. You are the most pleasing Junior I have seen in all my years at Sky Dome Academy; don't go dying in that Secret Realm."

These words were extremely direct, even somewhat crude.

Coming from the mouth of this Artifact Institute Dean known for being taciturn, they were more sincere than any polite pleasantries.

Listening to the Deans' words of advice one after another, Jiang Yun felt a slight warmth in his heart.

These Eclipsing Moon Rank and Sun-Level Seniors, each of whom was a major figure capable of handling affairs alone in the provincial capital, were now like Elders instructing a Junior about to embark on a long journey, nagging him to be careful of this and wary of that.

This feeling of being genuinely cared for by others was something he had not experienced for a long time.

They were right.

Treasures were important, but not as important as one's life.

Compared to being careful of Vicious Beasts, he should indeed be even more careful of other Prodigies.

After all, Vicious Beasts killed only to satisfy their hunger, but people could kill for any reason—for treasures, for profit, for hatred, or even just for jealousy.

In an environment like the Secret Realm where there were no rules, any means could be employed.

"The teachings of all the Deans, this student will surely keep in mind."

Jiang Yun cupped his hands and bowed to the Deans once more, his tone filled with heartfelt respect.

"This student understands: no matter how great the Opportunity, it is not greater than one's own life. Inside the Secret Realm, one must guard against Vicious Beasts, but even more so against the human heart. If treasures are before me but I lack the strength to obtain them, I will never force it. Please rest assured, Deans."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhan Qiong slapped his thigh hard, a bright smile blossoming on his rugged face.

"But we Old Fellows don't need to worry too much! This kid's strength is not weak. Just think, even someone like Sect Master Feng Tianyang, who was ranked sixth on the Heaven Ranking, was crushed by him head-on. In the entire Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm, the only one who might be able to firmly suppress him is probably just Feng Xingyun, the first on the Heaven Ranking among the younger generation! As for others? Even those in the top five of the Heaven Ranking, if they face this kid, it's hard to say who would win and who would lose!"

Vice Dean Yan Lie also nodded slightly upon hearing this, a trace of agreement appearing on his face.

"Feng Xingyun is indeed a variable."

"Not necessarily; Feng Xingyun may not necessarily make a move against the Sacred Student," Dean of Array Department Xuan Jizi said slowly.

"Feng Xingyun is different from Sect Master Feng Tianyang. He is indifferent by nature and seeks only to become stronger, not caring much about Family feuds. As long as the Sacred Student does not provoke him, the two may not necessarily clash."

Jiang Yun silently committed the words of the Deans to heart.

Feng Xingyun, first on the Heaven Ranking, the eldest legitimate son of the Feng Family.

This was not the first time he had heard this name.

Based on the current information, Feng Xingyun was indeed quite different from the other Feng Family descendants.

But regardless, he still needed to be on guard.

At this moment, Vice Dean Ming Jing suddenly spoke again.

His voice was not loud, yet it caused all the Deans present to fall silent at once.

"It is not just the Feng Family. This time, in the Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm, I fear that the Prodigies from the two Hidden Families, the Liu Family and the Huang Family, will also participate."

The Liu Family? The Huang Family?

These two names were like a basin of cold water poured over the hearts of the Deans, causing the previously relaxed atmosphere to suddenly become a few degrees heavier.

Zhan Qiong frowned, a flash of apprehension crossing his rugged face.

"Those two families... indeed. The Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm itself is located deep within the Bone Burial Area, and the Bone Burial Area overlaps with the spheres of influence of both the Liu Family and the Huang Family. If they send people to participate, it is within reason."

"The Liu Family and the Huang Family have existed for a very long time; their Foundations are far beyond what these first-class families in the provincial capital can compare to," Vice Dean Yan Lie's voice also sank.

"Their core Prodigies, whether in terms of Beast Bloodlines or their own strength, are likely extremely terrifying. They are far from being comparable to the likes of Sect Master Feng Tianyang. If the Sacred Student encounters the Prodigies of these two families in the Secret Realm, it is best not to offend them."

Dean of Array Department Xuan Jizi nodded slowly.

"Although the Huang Family and the Liu Family live in seclusion, they occasionally send Prodigies inside when the Secret Realm opens throughout history. Their Prodigies usually do not actively conflict with others, but they are by no means easy to deal with. The Sacred Student only needs to maintain courtesy and keep to himself."

When Jiang Yun heard the words "Liu Family," his heart stirred.

The Liu Family?

He had, of course, come into contact with the Liu Family.

In the guise of Grand Tutor Dongxuan, he had stayed with the Liu Family for two whole days, driving the Liu Family's Grand Elders into a frenzy.

When he left, he had even personally accepted the Glazed Jade Pendant that Liu Qingyun had shoved into his hands.

As for the Huang Family, he had not had any contact with them.

But as another Hidden Family, the Liu Family's number one Prodigy, Liu Ruyan, was already such a Heaven-Defying existence.

Her Beast possessed the ancient Nether Phoenix Divine Beast Bloodline, a top-tier Bloodline on par with the True Dragon.

Although he had not fought her head-on, he knew without thinking that her combat power must be extremely terrifying, far beyond what these Prodigies in the provincial capital could compare to.

Furthermore, just a few days ago, she had received the Legacy of her ancestral lands.

Before the seclusion, his strength had already reached the Purple Crystal Ninth Rank Peak.

Now, I fear that with the help of the Secret Realm Legacy, he will definitely break through to the Brick Stone Rank...

As for the core Prodigy of the Huang Family...

Liu Ruyan of the Liu Family is already this formidable.

The Prodigy of this Huang Family naturally won't be any worse.

Hidden Families and the top-tier families of the provincial capital are simply not on the same level of existence.

No matter how strong the Feng Family is, in front of the Liu Family and the Huang Family, they are merely small fry.

Those Hidden Families that have truly been passed down for nearly ten thousand years.

What kind of trump cards and Bloodline they hold in their hands.

Even the academy's intelligence System might not be able to figure it out.

Dean Ming Jing specifically reminded him to be careful of the Prodigies from these two families.

It is by no means alarmist.

Dean Ming Jing saw the look of contemplation on Jiang Yun's face.

And spoke again:

"You don't need to worry too much. You are a Heavenly Saint Student of my Sky Dome Academy, and this identity holds a certain weight in the provincial capital and even the entire federation. If you truly encounter Prodigies from the Hidden Families in the Secret Realm, you can freely declare your identity. Even the Liu Family and the Huang Family must give my Sky Dome Academy some face, and they won't make things difficult for you."

He paused slightly, his tone softening a bit.

"The Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm will open in three days. For these three days, go back and rest well, consolidate your Beast Taming Power, and prepare for the trip to the Secret Realm. At that time, I will personally lead the team to the Bone Burial Area."

Jiang Yun nodded and didn't say anything more.

He cupped his hands and respectfully bowed to every Dean present.

His movements were meticulous, without any hint of perfunctoriness.

"This student will take his leave. Thank you all Deans for your guidance and care today."

The Deans nodded one after another, their eyes full of approval and expectation.

Jiang Yun straightened up, the wind attribute spiritual power within his body quietly circulating.

His figure drifted down from the high platform like a light feather.

He landed steadily on the square below the Colosseum.

Little Skylark let out a clear, melodious cry.

It manifested from the Beast Taming Space.

Its divine feathers, intertwined with azure and purple, shimmered in the sunlight.

Jiang Yun flipped onto Little Skylark's back.

Its huge wings flapped violently.

The person and the bird transformed into a streak of cyan-purple light.

Speeding towards the direction of the Longxiang Pavilion base.

On the high platform.

The Deans watched the cyan-purple light gradually fade away, remaining silent for a long while.

"This kid, I truly like him."

Zhan Qiong was the first to break the silence.

His rugged face was filled with undisguised appreciation.

"His talent is monstrous to this degree, yet he has no arrogance at all. His strength crushes the sixth place on the Heaven Ranking, yet in front of us Old Fellows, he is still respectful, calling himself a student at every turn, bowing meticulously. Such character is rare in this day and age."

Vice Dean Yan Lie nodded.

His tone was full of emotion.

"Indeed, thinking back to those top Prodigies on the Heaven Ranking, which one of them didn't have their tails stuck up in the sky? Let alone bowing modestly, just being able to speak like a normal human being would be good enough. This calm demeanor of the Sacred Student is truly rare."

"High talent is not rare; what is rare is a person with high talent who is also humble."

Dean of Array Department Xuan Jizi stroked his beard.

A glimmer of deep meaning flashed in his eyes.

"However, having said that, the more he displays this unarrogant and unimpulsive temperament, the more I look forward to seeing how far he can go. He was able to rush from the Gold Rank to the Amethyst Rank in seven days, and now he has another Law Crystal in his hand. You tell me, what Realm will he be at when he comes out of the Molten Fire Grotto?"

"I bet on Diamond Rank."

Zhan Qiong spoke without hesitation.

"This kid was able to break through several tiers in a place like the Bone Burial Area, and the Opportunity in the Molten Fire Grotto is only more than that of the Bone Burial Area. With his growth speed, he will be at least at the Diamond Rank after coming out, maybe even reach the mid-stage of the Diamond Rank!"

"Diamond Rank mid-stage? You are too optimistic. The jump from Amethyst Rank to Diamond Rank is a major Realm leap; it's not something you can just break through whenever you want."

Vice Dean Yan Lie shook his head.

But a smile of expectation appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"However, given this kid's habit of constantly refreshing our perception, I really don't dare to jump to conclusions. Perhaps he really can break through again in the Secret Realm."

"Regardless of the Realm, one thing is certain."

Tie Kuang said in a muffled voice.

"After he comes out, the landscape of the younger generation in the provincial capital will likely be completely reshuffled."

Hearing this, the Deans were silent for a moment.

Then they all showed meaningful smiles.

Yes.

The appearance of the Heavenly Saint Student was like a giant boulder falling from the sky, smashing into the originally calm waters of the younger generation in the provincial capital.

The crushing victory in the tournament was just the beginning. When he returns from the Molten Fire Grotto fully loaded, the Prodigies of all factions in the provincial capital will have to re-weigh their own weight in front of this teenager.

Longxiang Pavilion, this emerging force, will also completely transform from a fledgling organization that could be bullied at will by the Jingfeng Sect into a force in the Sky Dome Academy that cannot be ignored.

And at this moment.

The base of this force.

Had been completely submerged by a tide of people.

Grade A Lingqi Valley.

Longxiang Pavilion base.

When Jiang Yun rode Little Skylark flying over from the direction of Yunqi Courtyard, he saw a scene from afar that made him involuntarily raise his eyebrows slightly.

From the entrance of Lingqi Valley to the main gate of the Longxiang Pavilion base, the entire road was densely packed with people.

At a rough glance, there were at least three hundred people, and more people were constantly rushing from all directions of the academy, converging into this long line that was already crowded to the point of being impassable.

Among these people, there were ordinary students of Gold Rank, Prodigies of Amethyst Rank on the Heaven Ranking, and even a few low-tier Deacon Elders wearing deacon uniforms.

They were here to watch the excitement, but they were also stunned by the spectacle before them.

From time to time, fierce arguments erupted in the crowd; some people roared at the top of their lungs, some waved their arms forcefully, and some simply jumped onto the stone piers by the roadside to stand higher so that the people of Longxiang Pavilion could see them.

The whole scene was like a pot of boiling oil, and every droplet of oil was a contestant scrambling to sign up.

"I want to join Longxiang Pavilion! I am twenty-third on the Heaven Ranking! Purple Crystal Tier 5! My Beast Taming is a Sun-Level Low Grade thunder-attribute war beast! I want to be an Elder!! This Elder position must be mine!"

A burly youth with a face full of flesh pounded his chest forcefully, his bell-like eyes filled with matter-of-fact confidence.

On his chest hung the badge of the twenty-third place on the Heaven Ranking, and that badge was flashing with dazzling silver light in the sunlight.

Twenty-third on the Heaven Ranking; with this strength, one would be a respected existence wherever they went in the academy.

"Elder?! Get lost!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, another lean youth beside him retorted unceremoniously, his expression full of contempt and disdain.

"You dare to ask for the Elder position just because you are twenty-third on the Heaven Ranking? You can't even beat me! Have you forgotten the ranking battle last month? Your thunder-attribute war beast was suppressed by my Beast Taming from beginning to end, and it didn't even last ten rounds! A defeated opponent still wants to be an Elder?!"

"You!!"

The burly youth's face instantly turned the color of a pig's liver, his fists clenched with a clicking sound, but he was unable to refute.

Because what the other person said was indeed correct.

Last month's ranking battle.

He was suppressed by the lean youth in front of him without any power to fight back.

"What 'you'?! "

The lean youth lifted his chin without showing any weakness.

Revealing the even more dazzling badge on his chest.

Twenty-first on the Heaven Ranking.

"My ranking on the Heaven Ranking is two places higher than yours! This Elder position won't be your turn no matter what! It must be me! My strength is stronger than yours, my seniority is deeper than yours, the Elder of Longxiang Pavilion should be occupied by the strong!"

"Bullshit!!"

A tall female student squeezed out of the crowd, hands on her hips, her Aura not losing at all to the male student beside her.

"Twenty-first and twenty-third on the Heaven Ranking, and you have the nerve to fight for the Elder position?! Don't forget, the three current Deacon Elders of Longxiang Pavilion, Liu Qingshuang! Lei Qing! Xiao Chen, although they just promoted to the Heaven Ranking, they all have the strength of the top fifty on the Heaven Ranking! Do you think the Pavilion Master will look at the Heaven Ranking when choosing Elders? Let me tell you, the Pavilion Master looks at character! At loyalty! At whether you held on and didn't retreat when Longxiang Pavilion was in the most difficult time! You people who only come now to hug thighs, want to be Elders? Ask yourselves first if you are qualified!"

"Well said!!"

A chorus of agreement immediately rang out in the crowd.

"The Elder position is not something anyone can take just because they are strong! Liu Qingshuang and the others were the ones who were targeted in turns on the arena and didn't retreat! When the Pavilion Master came back, he directly handed the arena to them! It's not easy for those of us who just joined to even get a Deacon position, and you want to be an Elder right away?!"

"But there has to be a first-come, first-served order!"

A tall and thin student shouted at the top of his lungs.

"I am someone who paid attention to Longxiang Pavilion before the tournament! Although I didn't dare to join at that time, I am at least earlier than you people who came after the tournament ended! A Deacon position must be allocated to me!"

"Do you still have any shame?! You didn't dare to join and you have the nerve to talk about first-come, first-served?!"

Another student immediately retorted.

His tone was full of contempt.

"Where were you when the Jingfeng Sect blocked the gate of Longxiang Pavilion? Where were you when Feng Ziyue targeted the members of Longxiang Pavilion in turns? You hid further than anyone else! Now that the Pavilion Master has driven the entire Jingfeng Sect out of the arena, you run faster than anyone else! You call this first-come, first-served? You call this being an opportunist!"

"What did you say?! Say it again if you dare!!"

"What about you? You opportunist villain!!"

The two argued more and more fiercely, and it looked like they were about to roll up their sleeves and start a fight.

Several students nearby hurriedly stepped forward to pull them apart, but more were just egging them on and watching the excitement, and the whole scene was as chaotic as a pot of boiling porridge.

In the center of the crowd, at the gate of the Longxiang Pavilion base, Zhao Tiezhu was standing on a temporarily moved stone pier, shouting at the top of his lungs to maintain order.

Beside him stood Lin Kuo, Xiao Yutian, and Shang Xiaoxiao; the four of them were surrounded by hundreds of people, like four lonely boats in a vast ocean.

"Fellow students! Seniors! Calm down! Calm down!! I said, those who want to join Longxiang Pavilion, register one by one! Don't push! Don't argue! The appointment of Elders and Deacons will have to wait for the Pavilion Master to come back and decide personally! It's useless for you to argue until the sky breaks!"

"When will the Pavilion Master return?!"

"Isn't the Pavilion Master still in the academy?! Why hasn't he returned yet?! We are all waiting for him to come back and preside over the overall situation!"

"If the Pavilion Master doesn't come back, this group of people will start fighting!"

Zhao Tiezhu wiped the sweat from his forehead and was about to say something, when suddenly his eyes widened, staring fixedly at the cyan-purple light rapidly approaching in the air behind the crowd.

He slapped his thigh hard.

Roaring at the top of his lungs until his voice cracked.

"Pavilion Master!! It's the Pavilion Master!! The Pavilion Master is back!!"