188: Jiangshui Academy

The battle between Lu Ze and Qu Hongxi instantly caused a huge uproar in the entire Shennong City.

Although Qu Hongxi had already warned everyone not to slander or belittle their fight, privately, everyone was full of doubts about this competition!

Many young and impetuous individuals started to harbor unusual ideas, thinking that while they couldn't defeat Qu Hongxi, this Lu Ze seemed manageable. Why not challenge Lu Ze to a match? If they won, it would mean they had even surpassed Qu Hongxi!

Thus, many people began to inquire about Lu Ze's background.

Lu Ze stayed in the hotel for several days without going out. He had already told Xiong Hao that he had chosen Hidden Thunder as the reward for the previous competition between Xuanyuan City and Shennong City.

Xiong Hao agreed but said that he had been so overwhelmed with the Rookie Competition these past few days that it would have to be postponed for a few days.

After a few days, Lu Ze also guessed that Xiong Hao was stalling for time.

Considering Xiong Hao's previous act of putting up banners overnight, it was clear that if this plan failed, he would come up with other methods. The current delay was probably just preparation for future events.

"Thump, thump, thump..."

A knock came from outside the door.

Lu Ze got up to open the door and saw Cheng Ran, dressed in the specific uniform of the Demon Subduing Division.

"Teacher."

Lu Ze respectfully called out, then stepped aside and retreated a few steps, allowing Cheng Ran to enter.

Cheng Ran had been busy with the Rookie Competition these past few days, so her visit now undoubtedly meant she had something to discuss.

After entering the room, Cheng Ran sat down, then took out an invitation and handed it to Lu Ze.

Lu Ze took it and opened it, scanning all the information inside at a glance. When he reached the last line, Lu Ze couldn't help but frown.

"It seems Director Xiong really wants me to participate in the Rookie Competition!"

Lu Ze sneered, "He's a Director of a city-level Demon Subduing Division, yet he's so untrustworthy, putting the Hidden Thunder, which he originally promised, into the rewards for this Rookie Competition."

The invitation was precisely the one sent to all participants of the Rookie Competition.

It contained only some dispensable introductions, followed by a list of rewards offered by Shennong City, with Hidden Thunder ranked first!

Clearly, this was aimed at Lu Ze.

Cheng Ran hadn't personally questioned Xiong Hao. She only knew that there was likely some friction between the two when the people from Shennong City's Demon Subduing Division delivered the invitation.

"Did something happen between you and Xiong Lu? Why is Xiong Hao so obviously trying to make things difficult for you?"

Cheng Ran also voiced her thoughts.

A few days ago, regarding the banner incident, Cheng Ran had initially thought that Xiong Hao was unhappy about her reporting Xiong Lu's name for the Heavenly Soldier Project, but couldn't directly do anything to Cheng Ran, so he used this method to trouble Lu Ze.

However, it now seemed that this was not the case.

Lu Ze had nothing to hide from Cheng Ran and briefly explained how he had followed Xiong Lu and then snatched the exotic flame.

After listening, Cheng Ran's initial dissatisfaction with Xiong Hao disappeared.

Although such things depended on one's own ability to acquire, from Xiong Hao's perspective, Lu Ze was completely toying with his beloved granddaughter, so his actions to cause trouble were understandable.

Cheng Ran pondered for a moment, "Don't worry about the Hidden Thunder. Since it was already agreed upon, I can make Xiong Hao remove that reward from this Rookie Competition. By the way, tonight, take my jade token and go to Jiangshui Academy."

"Jiangshui Academy?"

Lu Ze had heard of this place. It was a place where cultivators in Shennong City discussed their experiences. It was usually closed and only opened when some highly reputable or powerful individuals visited.

Although Lu Ze hadn't left his room for days, the trending news on his phone had pushed him many notifications. Xiong Hao had already opened Jiangshui Academy, allowing rookies from various cities to come and discuss, and even brought out some powerful Secret Manuals for everyone to observe.

"Yes."

Cheng Ran nodded, "Don't you want to join the Heavenly Soldier Project? Many of the people who came this time have already been nominated as members of the Heavenly Soldier Project. It's beneficial for you to get to know them in advance for your future entry into the Heavenly Soldier Project, especially since as my Disciple, you can choose who your teammates will be."

These words were very clear, instructing Lu Ze to meet these people in advance. If some of them had good character and could work well with Lu Ze, they could then be selected for the same team to carry out missions together.

After all, members of the Heavenly Soldier Project would all leave the Human Base, and many times, they would have to entrust their backs to their teammates. If they were unreliable people, wouldn't it be a futile sacrifice of life?

Lu Ze nodded, "Okay, Teacher, I understand."

Cheng Ran gave a few more instructions, then got up and left.

Lu Ze continued his meditation and cultivation... The setting sun melted into gold, and its afterglow illuminated the sky.

Lu Ze also went out, carrying his Fierce Evil Broadsword. The Demon General swaggered on Lu Ze's shoulder, its unique aura attracting many curious glances.

The closer he got to Jiangshui Academy, the more people he saw who were similar in age to Lu Ze.

Although these individuals had lower cultivation than Lu Ze, each held trump cards. When they saw the Demon General on Lu Ze's shoulder, they also guessed Lu Ze's identity, and their gazes towards him became more scrutinizing.

"Hey!"

A female voice suddenly rang out nearby, drawing everyone's attention.

Lu Ze only felt a powerful surge of Qi rushing towards him, as if it would directly collide with him if he didn't move aside.

Lu Ze didn't move. The Demon General on his shoulder coiled its tail, and that snake-head-like tail instantly exhaled a wisp of green Qi, forming a shield that blocked the incoming Qi!

The figure that had shot over immediately stopped, and a smiling voice rang out, "It's only been a few days, and your little pet has already fully absorbed the Gou Snake Bloodline? That's truly impressive."

Lu Ze found the voice somewhat familiar. He turned his head to see that the person standing not far away was none other than Xuan Yuan Dao Yi, whom he had met not long ago!

By the roadside, some people also recognized Xuan Yuan Dao Yi and immediately gasped.

"What's going on? Listening to their conversation, Xuan Yuan Dao Yi actually has some connection with Lu Ze?"

"If that's the case, we shouldn't even think about challenging Lu Ze. Xuan Yuan Dao Yi is notoriously overbearing. If you provoke a friend she recognizes, who knows what this little girl might do? After all, this little girl is from the Fuxi Xuanyuan Family. If she finds some talisman, gets your birth date, and casts a curse on you, you'll be crying then!"

The murmurs of the crowd were heard by Xuan Yuan Dao Yi. Her eyes darted, and she immediately took out a blank talisman, pretending to write something on it, occasionally staring at the person who had just called her overbearing, muttering to herself.

Instantly, the person's face turned ashen. He quickly cried out apologies to Xuan Yuan Dao Yi. After receiving a 'scram' from Xuan Yuan Dao Yi, he immediately fled the scene.