288: Graduation Ceremony

After catching up, Mo Ming brought Fang Bai to the conference room.

The high-level officials of the Martial Academy had already gathered there.

The Dean, Vice Dean Qi Baichuan, several Board Members, and several instructors were present.

"Oh? Everyone is here?"

Fang Bai was somewhat surprised.

The Dean said with a chuckle, "You've probably toured the whole place by now, haven't you?"

Fang Bai nodded and said, "Yeah. If there's nothing else, I should get going."

He held an important position now and was busy every single day.

The Dean smiled and said, "There actually is one thing, so don't be in such a hurry to leave."

"Hmm? Something else? You're not going to ask me to do something for you, are you? Forget it!"

Fang Bai immediately refused, as if he had foreseen their intentions.

Everyone burst into laughter.

The Dean said with a smile, "That's not it. Are we the kind of people who exploit students?"

Fang Bai said meaningfully, "You are capitalists, after all."

His current strength had reached such a height that basically no one below the Ninth Rank could do anything to him. As a result, he was now in a state where he had half-forgotten his roots.

No matter who tried to order him around, it wouldn't work! Unless he was in a good mood!

"We don't have anything we need you to do, but the Martial Academy still owes you something."

Vice Dean Qi Baichuan spoke up with a smile.

"Oh? Is that so? Then I really should sit down and listen!"

Hearing that the Martial Academy owed him something, Fang Bai's expression changed instantly. He sat down with a grin, crossed his legs, and said, "Go on, what is it?"

Mo Ming shook his head and laughed, "You kid..."

The Dean stopped smiling, a touch of seriousness appearing as he said earnestly, "As far as I know, when you went missing a few months ago, it was because you were undergoing the Martial Academy's graduation assessment. Quite a bit of time has passed now. According to the decision of the academy council, we will be holding a makeup graduation ceremony for you."

A graduation ceremony?

Fang Bai was stunned for a moment before he remembered. It seemed there really was such a thing.

He had been sucked into the Demon Realm during that graduation assessment. Su Su had been with him at the time, and she had already successfully graduated.

After that, Fang Bai was either fighting or on the run from pursuers, so he hadn't given the matter any thought.

The Dean smiled slightly. "You were recruited by our Martial Academy, after all. We should give you a formal graduation ceremony. My Martial Academy will not mistreat any student."

Fang Bai was just beginning to feel touched when his expression suddenly turned odd. "You're not using me for advertising, are you?"

The Dean said sincerely, "Of course not. This is an account given to a hero."

Qi Baichuan asked directly, "Just say whether you want it or not."

Fang Bai said affirmatively, "I want it! Of course I want it!"

The Dean chuckled. "Good. Then get ready."

Fang Bai asked in confusion, "Now?"

"Right now!"

Bang!

As soon as the words left his mouth, the sound of a ceremonial cannon rang out from outside.

An aged voice echoed through the Martial Academy: "All instructors and students, assemble on the training grounds!"

Everyone was somewhat confused and surprised, but they followed the order and rushed to the training grounds one after another.

A moment later, the training grounds were filled with people.

To their surprise, a high platform had already been set up on the training grounds, complete with a red carpet, fresh flowers, and ceremonial cannons, looking just like a banquet scene.

"Holy crap! Did the Dean get a promotion?"

"Promoted to where? It's probably the Vice Dean becoming the official Dean, right? With this kind of setup, what are they playing at?"

"This scene looks a bit familiar. I feel like I've seen it somewhere before."

"It's a graduation ceremony, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes, yes! I was just about to say that!"

"Which senior is graduating? I'm so jealous."

"It's probably a student from the Gemini Class, right? Only they have the qualifications for early graduation."

"I don't know. Look, the Dean and the others are here!"

...Several figures flew in from the distance and then hovered above the high platform.

It was the Dean and the others.

Everyone's eyes fell on him.

Except for the Dean, the other leaders and instructors landed and stood by the edge of the red carpet.

The Dean cleared his throat, and his deep voice spread across the entire training grounds through amplification: "I have gathered you all here today for no other reason than to hold a makeup graduation ceremony for a special student."

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd below exploded into a frenzy.

"It really is a graduation ceremony? Didn't we already hold one this year? A special student? Does our Martial Academy have some big shot who left school without graduating?"

"Could it be Senior Fang Bai, who was rumored to be missing?"

"Stop guessing and listen to the Dean!"

Amidst the discussions, the Dean's gaze fell not far away, and he smiled slightly. "Kid, it's time for you to make your entrance!"

As the Dean's voice fell, the sky above the training grounds suddenly turned pitch black, and a familiar thunderous roar sounded.

Seeing this display, everyone immediately understood. The person graduating this time was Fang Bai!

Under a heart-palpitating pressure, a figure flashed into existence in the sky. Lightning flickered around him; he was like the son of a thunder god. The lightning focused on him, making him look majestic and awe-inspiring!

The crowd's gazes were filled with both admiration and envy.

It was the first time they had ever seen such a powerful graduating student!

The aura on Fang Bai's body indeed surpassed everyone else on the field!

After showing off for a bit, Fang Bai's figure slowly descended.

The Dean's gaze fell on Fang Bai. "This is Fang Bai. A few months ago, he accidentally entered the Demon Realm during his graduation assessment. He returned after enduring many hardships and dangers. He has performed great services for the human race and has repeatedly earned various military honors. Now, his strength has reached the Eighth Rank, yet he was always missing a formal graduation ceremony."

Fang Bai took two steps forward and nodded slightly to the crowd below.

In the eyes of the lower-year students, this senior's presence was staggering. Their eyes were full of respect—to be able to return alive from the Demon Realm and even break through to the Eighth Rank, this experience was legendary.

The Demon Realm was a forbidden zone for the human race!

"According to the rules of the Martial Academy, graduation requires an instructor to present the graduation certificate and medal."

Vice Dean Qi Baichuan held a gold-stamped certificate and a silver medal engraved with 'Martial Academy.' He walked up to Fang Bai and said with a smile, "Fang Bai, congratulations. You have officially graduated."

"You are also the student who has graduated the fastest in the history of the Martial Academy's founding!"

Fang Bai took the certificate and medal with both hands. As his fingertips touched the cold metal, his gaze became somewhat complex. He suddenly remembered what he was like when he first entered the Martial Academy—back then, he was just a freshman who had just awakened a First Rank ability, plunging into this prosperous world of high martial arts like a country bumpkin entering the city. Now, however, he was a powerhouse capable of standing on his own.

He had graduated.

The Dean added at this point, "Student Fang Bai is now the Chief Instructor of the Dragon Country's Guardian Alliance. That place will also be your ultimate goal! He is also the goal for all of you!"

The Dean looked at Fang Bai with a sincere gaze. "Fang Bai, I hope you will not only be the pride of the Martial Academy but also become the pride of the entire human race. May your path ahead be brilliant! May you reach the peak of the Martial Path!"

"Congratulations on your graduation, Senior Fang Bai!!"

Fang Bai looked at the cheering crowd, and the corners of his mouth curled up.