347: The sage has come out of seclusion, and you are questioning me?

"Chu Jiang, you've crossed the line!"

Ri Yue Ruzun's face turned cold, and a vast Aura of Confucian righteousness erupted from him, with a sun and moon appearing behind him.

As the sun and moon emerged, the entire Void Realm of the Hall of Literary Profundity came under his control, Si Tu Hao Yuan's Aura multiplied several times, and an extremely powerful pressure descended upon Chu Jiang.

"It's Ruzun's Sun and Moon Dharma Idol!"

Several Academicians in the Hall of Literary Profundity exclaimed in surprise. Si Tu Hao Yuan's Sun and Moon Dharma Idol was among the top ten in the academy, capable of boosting Confucian Qi severalfold, making his future entry into the ranks of the Ancient Sword Sages a certainty.

Everyone exchanged glances.

In Jixia Academy, publicly slapping an Academician was an immense humiliation, something that hadn't happened in a thousand years.

Today, even if Chu Jiang was a candidate for Deputy Commander of the Demon Suppression Division, he could not escape this charge.

However, Chu Jiang's expression remained as calm as still water.

"What? Are you furious and unwilling to give this Lord True Phoenix Blood, so you want to attack me? If the founder of Jixia Academy knew of this from the springs below, he would personally deal with you troublemakers."

"The very foundation of Jixia Academy has been trampled upon by you all."

Chu Jiang sneered and said.

"You..."

"The Academicians of the academy are all upright and honorable. How dare you question them? Who do you think you are?"

"Chu Jiang, don't think that just because you have the Demon Suppression Division backing you, you can act so arrogantly in my Jixia Academy!"

An Academician's face turned red as he angrily denounced Chu Jiang's audacity.

Hearing Chu Jiang's undisguised words of humiliation, belittling the Academicians of the academy to worthlessness, most of the Academicians in the Hall of Literary Profundity showed fierce expressions.

If it were anyone else who dared to act so wildly in the Hall of Literary Profundity, they would have been directly suppressed and killed without Ri Yue Ruzun needing to intervene.

"Chu Jiang, that's enough. Our academy has always prioritized rules, and we never said we wouldn't give you the exchange!"

"Since the academy doesn't have True Phoenix Blood, we will give you a bottle of diluted Flood Dragon Essence Blood, which is also a top-grade precious blood."

"But you slapped Mingde Great Confucian and insulted the reputation of the academy's Academicians, so you must give the academy an explanation."

"Today, you will be punished to go to the Cliff of Contemplation and be confined for seven days. We will release you the day before the Shao Si Commander assessment!"

Ri Yue Ruzun's tone was steady, but it was filled with bone-chilling coldness.

Mingde Great Confucian, supported by two Academicians, staggered to his feet and rejoiced upon hearing this.

This way, how could Chu Jiang still be qualified to compete for the position of Lord Shao Si? He would be directly confined by the academy for seven days.

With his reputation ruined, how could he lead the Demon Suppression Division in the future?

Although he didn't believe Chu Jiang could become Deputy Commander of the Demon Suppression Division, this move indeed cut off his path to competition.

As for the other candidates, they would probably have to thank Jixia Academy for eliminating one person for them in advance.

As soon as he thought of this.

He couldn't help but smile, but that half of his old face was throbbing with pain.

Damn it.

No, that bottle of Flood Dragon Essence Blood is gone. I'll secretly replace it with Merman Essence Blood later. They look the same anyway, just a different, inferior species.

Clap, clap, clap!

"Good, good, good!"

"The academy's handling of this is truly impartial!"

"So, do I have to thank you?"

Chu Jiang clapped his hands, his eyes filled with sarcasm.

These old Confucian scholars truly took shamelessness to the extreme. The Saint Edict was issued by Jixia Academy, allowing for any item to be exchanged in the academy, but these old bastards refused to acknowledge it and even wanted to imprison him.

Who knew, Ri Yue Ruzun actually took his words, "The academy is naturally impartial, fair, and strict, never favoring anyone."

"Since you understand, then come with me!"

Ri Yue Ruzun's voice was old, and the Confucian Qi on his body rapidly condensed. A pair of large white hands reached forward.

"The academy is truly a bunch of parasites, utterly shameless. This Lord wants to see how you'll capture me today!"

Chu Jiang's expression turned cold, and his Aura surged like a turbulent wave, about to erupt and fight Ri Yue Ruzun.

"Enough!"

"Do you still want to fight in the academy?"

Just then, from the depths of the academy, a deep, ancient voice resounded, and a young figure appeared out of thin air.

The newcomer wore a green Confucian robe and had an antique longsword at his waist. His demeanor was both refined and valiant, giving off an unfathomable impression.

With his appearance, the Void Realm of the Hall of Literary Profundity was completely suppressed, and all attacks were effortlessly neutralized.

"Greetings, Ancient Sword Sage!"

Ri Yue Ruzun quickly bowed, and the other Academicians also bowed. How had this person been disturbed?

This was the strongest Sword Confucian among the twelve Ancient Sword Sages in seclusion, who had created his own killing techniques, making him almost unrivaled in the world.

"This is one of the twelve Ancient Sword Sages of the academy?"

Even Chu Jiang was slightly surprised by this person.

The twelve Ancient Sword Sages of the academy were the foundation that suppressed all Confucian cultivators in the world, and each of them was extremely powerful.

And had a long Lifespan.

He had originally thought it would be an old man, with white hair, exuding authority without anger.

However, he was surprisingly young and had an exceptional demeanor.

He subtly merged with heaven and earth. This was the fourth person he had encountered with such Divine Might.

Marquis Shenwei, Qi Dachun, Lord Chief Zu Cang of the Demon Suppression Hall, and the fourth was the person before him.

Such people were considered the first tier of the Heavenly Ranking, as mentioned by the Lord Chief.

What he said was indeed true; if people from the imperial court were included in the Heavenly Ranking, more than half of the Heavenly Ranking might be occupied by them, which was not an exaggeration.

"Ancient Sword Sage, this Chu Jiang..."

Ri Yue Ruzun was about to explain when the Ancient Sword Sage interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

"Chu Jiang, what do you wish to exchange with the Saint Edict?"

"A bottle of True Phoenix Blood!"

Chu Jiang said calmly.

"You..."

The Academicians, led by Ri Yue Ruzun, were indignant. This Chu Jiang was truly asking for too much, daring to boast even in front of the Ancient Sword Sage.

"In the academy, only four drops of True Phoenix Blood remain. It's unrealistic for you to ask for a bottle. One drop was already allocated to Heavenly Paragon Little Saint and cannot be taken away."

"The remaining three drops were reserved by two Ancient Sword Sages and one Academician; they have been waiting for hundreds of years."

"However, the Saint Edict allows for the exchange of any item in the academy. Our academy will not break its promise. Aside from the drop for Heavenly Paragon Little Saint, you may take all three remaining drops. What do you say?"

The Ancient Sword Sage looked at Chu Jiang, his tone unhurried.

"Ancient Sword Sage, no..."

"Ancient Sword Sage, how can you give him three drops of True Phoenix Blood!"

"..."

The Academicians all tried to persuade him.

This was practically emptying their entire treasury. To give him three of the only four remaining drops was simply unacceptable.

"Ancient Sword Sage, this also involves Ancient Sages Tai Yi and Hong Yun. Should we not consider this carefully? Half a drop would suffice!"

Ri Yue Ruzun spoke under pressure. He hadn't expected the Ancient Sword Sage to actually intend to give Chu Jiang True Phoenix Blood.

If he really had to give it, half a drop would be enough to make a point.

The two Ancient Sages could still enjoy it, and that Academician could also get half a drop, which would be more reasonable.

Giving three drops was too exaggerated.

"Are you questioning me?"

"The academy's rules cannot be abolished!"

"As for Ancient Sages Tai Yi and Hong Yun, I will explain it myself!"

The Ancient Sword Sage said in a deep voice, his tone suddenly turning cold.

"I wouldn't dare!"

Sensing the Ancient Sword Sage's coldness, Ri Yue Ruzun lowered his head, not daring to utter a second word of rebuttal.

He could only retreat, filled with reluctance.

Although they were both at the Qiankun Tenth Level, any Ancient Sage could instantly obliterate him, let alone this strongest Sword Confucian.

"Alright!"

Chu Jiang agreed to the Ancient Sword Sage's suggestion. He had originally asked for a bottle of True Phoenix Blood just to have room for negotiation.

He also knew that the academy couldn't possibly have a whole bottle, as this wasn't True Phoenix Blood, but True Phoenix Essence Blood.

In the end, the academy not only didn't have a bottle but didn't even plan to give him half a drop, instead offering him some diluted Flood Dragon Essence Blood.

How could that compare to True Phoenix Blood?

Three drops already exceeded his expectations.

The Ancient Sword Sage nodded slightly and sent someone to retrieve the True Phoenix Blood.

"How could this be?"

As for Mingde Great Confucian, he was already dumbfounded, screaming hysterically internally, unable to comprehend. The Ancient Sword Sage not only gave Chu Jiang True Phoenix Blood, but it was three drops!

His heart was bleeding.

It seemed Chu Jiang not only obtained True Phoenix Blood to Perfection but also wouldn't be punished? If Chu Jiang didn't become a laughingstock, didn't that mean he himself would become the joke!

As an Academician, he was publicly slapped, yet the other person suffered no consequences and even left with the academy's top treasure.

He, on the other hand, became the laughingstock of the academy and even the entire imperial capital.

Why! (ง ᵒ ̌ dish ᵒ ̌ ) ง ⁼ ³ ₌ ₃

But he only dared to grumble in his heart, not daring to show the slightest dissatisfaction with the Ancient Sword Sage on his face.