55: Lao Zhao, how was your practice last night?

“Yes, Vice President. News came from the Academic Affairs Office saying they approved a location for Prism today. With all personnel in place, they’re expected to start recruiting members tomorrow.

However, their building is in a somewhat remote location, and the space isn’t very large. It seems the higher-ups haven’t shown them much favoritism.”

Opposite, a young man stood, holding a stack of documents. After reporting the information he gathered, he waited for Yao Tianlun to speak.

Yao Tianlun nodded, his expression unchanged.

In his original guess, he thought the school, considering Chen Qing’s strength displayed in the rankings and his status as Yang Chen’s student, would allocate him a better location.

However, contrary to his expectations, he didn't know what the higher-ups were thinking, but they didn't give him any special treatment.

But this was also good news for their Qian Xiu Hui (Secluded Cultivation Society).

That new student openly challenged the Qian Xiu Hui (Secluded Cultivation Society)’s Face on opening day, making many members feel they had lost Face.

With the President absent, he, as Vice President, had an obligation to reclaim their Face.

Initially, he was worried the school would show favoritism, making it difficult to act.

Now it seemed the school’s attitude was ambiguous, so he could handle the matter calmly.

“Tomorrow, find some people to spread negative rumors and lower everyone’s opinion of them. If no one thinks highly of them, I’d like to see who would be willing to join them.”

Yao Tianlun was not a rash man. A group of new students, and not many of them at that, a little guidance of public opinion was something a new force couldn't withstand.

The young man opposite frowned, feeling the Vice President’s approach was a bit too gentle.

In his opinion, a new force, with no real backing, even if they directly declared war, no teacher would stand up and say it was wrong.

After all, forces themselves are in a competitive relationship, where the strong prey on the weak, with no Dao to speak of.

Even Chen Qing’s teacher, Yang Chen, couldn’t possibly get involved just because of a conflict between students.

“Vice President, I think that Chen Qing is very arrogant. On the first day of school, he almost killed one of our members, completely disregarding us.

I specifically asked around below, and this year, our Qian Xiu Hui (Secluded Cultivation Society)’s recruitment plan for new members has become somewhat difficult.

Many new students feel we are spineless and easy to bully.

Do we really need to be soft with them?”

Yao Tianlun waved his hand, offering no further explanation.

It wasn’t time yet. If they rushed to attack when another force had just been established, it would negatively impact their own force’s reputation.

It would be easy for others to make an issue of it.

After a while, once Prism had stabilized a bit, it wouldn't be too late for them to find a Breakthrough point.

At that time, it wouldn’t be called suppressing new students, but rather a conflict between forces.

Then, as long as they completely crushed them, the Qian Xiu Hui (Secluded Cultivation Society)’s reputation would naturally take a turn for the better.

The young man stopped speaking upon hearing this and silently left the room.

Outside the room.

“Old Liu, how was it? What did the Vice President say?” The person who asked was someone Chen Qing and the others had seen before. He was another Qian Xiu Hui (Secluded Cultivation Society) member at the arena that day, named Li Xiangnan, and he was also the one who felt Lu Hao was too embarrassing and came back to report.

Liu Che waited until they were far away, then shook his head: “Not good. The Vice President doesn’t plan to act directly but wants me to stir up public opinion first.”

Li Xiangnan’s expression was somewhat displeased, and he said: “The Vice President is still too indecisive!

In this regard, he is not as decisive as the President.

That Chen Qing clearly wants to step on us to rise!

If we don’t directly suppress him now, once they gain momentum, our days won’t be easy!”

Liu Che quickly interrupted him: “Watch what you say! Li Xiangnan, neither you nor I are Vice Presidents yet. If you dare to openly discuss the Vice President in private, do you not want to stay in the Qian Xiu Hui (Secluded Cultivation Society)?”

“Let’s just follow what the Vice President said for now. What he said isn’t without Dao. Chen Qing and the others are new students after all. Even if we wait a few more months, they won’t surpass us. Then, when we find an opportunity to act, we won’t be accused of suppressing new students.”

Li Xiangnan pouted and said nothing.

Seeing that he was no longer speaking carelessly, Liu Che asked: “How is that Wang He doing now?”

“He’s recovering quite well. The wood-element teacher personally treated him, and his injuries have almost healed.

However, he must have accumulated a lot of debt and favors this time.

Also, I’ve asked that guy a few times, and he’s not really interested in joining the Qian Xiu Hui (Secluded Cultivation Society) anymore.”

“Why?”

Liu Che was a bit surprised.

The Vice President had previously instructed him to try and keep Wang He.

In such an unusual period, abandoning the chosen candidate again would greatly affect their reputation in the eyes of others, making them think the Qian Xiu Hui (Secluded Cultivation Society) didn't care about its members' lives.

“That guy said that because of his loose tongue, he caused trouble for the Qian Xiu Hui (Secluded Cultivation Society) and had no Face to join anymore.”

Li Xiangnan frowned slightly, wondering: “Why does the Vice President want to keep Wang He? I was there the whole time that day and personally saw him flinch! Jinling Martial Arts University is fine in other aspects, but cowardice is absolutely intolerable! Why does the Vice President still want to protect him?”

“Blockhead! Have you trained your martial arts until you’re stupid? Is it Iron Head Cultivate you’re doing? He was a prospective member we had decided on long ago. If you suddenly change your mind and give up on him, how will others who originally intended to join the Qian Xiu Hui (Secluded Cultivation Society) view us?

Besides, did he go on stage later or not?”

“He did.”

“Then that’s it! He didn’t just run away, no matter what others said; he went on stage to fight. On what grounds do you say he flinched?

Just based on your imagination and speculation?

If he flatly denies it, can you provide evidence?”

Li Xiangnan was rendered speechless by his words.

It seemed like there was some Dao to that.

Also, how did Liu Che know he was recently considering how to Cultivate his head to strengthen its defense?

Li Xiangnan glanced at Liu Che, his expression strange. Was this guy spying on him?

Liu Che looked at his inexplicable expression, somewhat speechless.

“What are you looking at? Let’s go! Get ready to do business. What the Vice President instructed needs to be carried out first thing tomorrow morning.”

...The next morning.

Chen Qing and the others all arrived early, discussing the day’s recruitment matters.

Tang Wu, Xia Xuan, and Zhu Yulin, among others, sat around Chen Qing, discussing the matter.

Fu Mingyu, not well-versed in this, joked around on the side, saying to Zhao Yuanyue, who was also idle: “Old Zhao, how was your Cultivate last night?”

Yesterday, everyone had eaten a lot of Spineback Dragon meat, and they all went back to Cultivate with full vigor.

His Cultivate speed had increased significantly, and he was a little smug at the moment.

Zhao Yuanyue frowned, her hands perpetually crossed over her ample chest, and said: “Fu Mingyu, watch your tone! Who is ‘Old Zhao’?”

This guy was getting out of hand, calling her ‘Old Zhao’ right off the bat. It seemed he had been too light-handed yesterday.

“Hehe, we’re all on the same side now, why bother with titles?

I’m telling you, Master Fu, my Cultivate made rapid progress last night; I feel the first-tier Peak is not far off!”

This guy couldn't hide it now, and he was too lazy to hide it. He would show off whenever he got the chance.

For no other reason than being suppressed by Chen Qing.

Zhao Yuanyue sneered, not bothering to pay him any mind.

First-tier Peak?

Rapid progress isn't just your privilege, Fu Mingyu.

Beside them, Chen Qing, though discussing matters, kept one ear perked.

Hearing Fu Mingyu’s intention to show off, he pressed his hand, signaling everyone to pause their discussion.

He smiled and looked at Fu Mingyu.

Fu Mingyu’s somewhat smug expression suddenly stiffened, and he had a bad premonition.