71: Chapter 71 Thank you for the invitation. Talent seventeen, Grandmaster at perfection!

As Principal Beigong Mo's voice fell, the entire scene plunged into a deathly silence.

Everyone's gaze fell squarely upon the white-haired elder, their eyes filled with awe.

The Prefecture Head of Chengtian Academy, Principal Beigong Mo!

The publicly acknowledged number one person in the entire Chengtian Prefecture martial arts world, a veteran Great Grandmaster who had been famous for over a hundred years!

It was said that he had already stepped into the Great Grandmaster Perfection realm thirty years ago, only a single step away from the legendary Martial King Realm.

Usually, this Prefecture Head lived in seclusion, spending his years in deep cultivation behind the Prefectural Academy, rarely even concerning himself with the daily affairs of the academy.

No one expected that today, he would actually step out of the academy gates in person for a youth who had just arrived from a county town!

"Prefecture Head Beigong has actually come out of seclusion!"

"My heavens! I have been in the Prefectural Academy for three years, and this is the first time I have seen the Prefecture Head in person!"

"What exactly is Chen An's background? Not only did he trigger Headmaster Mo Xuanchen's Extinction Blade Intent, but he even made the Prefecture Head come out personally to snatch him!"

"Grandmaster Pei Wendao is a Great Grandmaster! Is it worth it for the Prefecture Head to clash head-on with him for the sake of a new student?!"

The observing Disciples of the Prefectural Academy lowered their voices, discussing the matter excitedly.

Those who had previously mocked Chen An as a bumpkin and said he wasn't worthy of entering the Prefectural Academy were now pale, hanging their heads and not daring to speak, fearing they would be noticed.

Grandmaster Pei Wendao's expression was so gloomy that it seemed water could drip from it.

He stared fixedly at Principal Beigong Mo, the Qi within his body beginning to rise slowly. A terrifying pressure, like dark clouds pressing down from above, covered the entire scene, causing everyone's complexion to turn pale and their breathing to hitch, as if they were bearing a thousand-jin weight.

"Brother Beigong, this young friend Chen An has not yet entered the gates of your Prefectural Academy, so he shouldn't be considered a student of your academy yet, right?!"

Grandmaster Pei Wendao looked at Principal Beigong Mo and said in a deep voice, "Furthermore, everyone has the freedom to choose. Isn't it a bit too overbearing for you to act like this, Brother Beigong?!"

"This seat is being overbearing, so what of it?!"

Principal Beigong Mo smiled faintly and took a light step forward.

There was no earth-shattering momentum, nor was there any violent leakage of Qi.

But with this simple step, it seemed to carry the force of a thousand jun. The terrifying pressure released by Grandmaster Pei Wendao melted away into nothingness instantly, like ice meeting the scorching sun.

"Grandmaster Pei Wendao, this is Chengtian Academy, not the backyard of your Pei family."

Principal Beigong Mo's voice remained calm, but it carried an unquestionable majesty and dominance as he said, "You are running wild in front of my academy gates and even want to forcibly abduct my student. Do you really take me, Principal Beigong Mo, for a dead man?"

Boom!!

Before the words had even faded, a more majestic and profound pressure, like a tsunami, swept out from within Principal Beigong Mo's body.

Grandmaster Pei Wendao's expression changed abruptly, and his body involuntarily took half a step back.

He was shocked to the core; he could clearly feel that Principal Beigong Mo's cultivation had improved significantly compared to thirty years ago!

It was likely that he was truly only one step away from the Martial King Realm!

"You..." Grandmaster Pei Wendao looked at Principal Beigong Mo, trembling with rage, but unable to say a single word.

He knew that with Principal Beigong Mo here today, it was absolutely impossible for him to forcibly take Chen An away.

If he really were to start a fight, he was no match for Principal Beigong Mo at all.

"Hmph!" Grandmaster Pei Wendao let out a cold snort, forcefully suppressing the anger in his heart, and turned his gaze toward Chen An, his tone softening significantly.

"Young friend Chen An, you have already seen the sincerity of my Pei family."

"As long as you are willing to come with me, all the conditions I mentioned just now still count!"

"Moreover, I can personally guide your Cultivation, guaranteeing that you will step into the Grandmaster Realm before the age of thirty!"

Once these words were spoken, the entire scene erupted in an uproar again!

The Grandmaster Realm!

What a height that was, one that many Martial Artists could not reach in a lifetime?!

Grandmaster Pei Wendao actually dared to guarantee that Chen An could reach it before the age of thirty! This was simply a temptation of heavenly proportions!

Even Headmaster Mo Xuanchen and the other Grandmasters had moved expressions on their faces.

Although they also thought highly of Chen An, they would not dare to make such a guarantee.

However, Chen An merely shook his head faintly and did not speak.

Thirty years old?!

Sorry!

Thanks for the invite, but this talent is seventeen and already at the Great Grandmaster Perfection!!!

To others, Grandmaster Pei Wendao's guarantee was indeed shocking, but to him, it was like a joke.

Besides, it was just a guarantee; who could ensure that Grandmaster Pei Wendao wouldn't turn around and go back on his word?!

Moreover, the reason he participated in the Martial Examination this time was for the Imperial Dynasty Martial Arts Academy, for the four great Martial Arts Holy Lands.

Compared to these, a mere Pei family?!

Just something on the side of the road!!!

Seeing Chen An shake his head, the smile on Grandmaster Pei Wendao's face instantly stiffened.

He never imagined that even after offering such generous conditions, Chen An would still refuse!

"Young friend Chen An, you must think clearly!"

Grandmaster Pei Wendao said, unwilling to give up, "Although the Prefectural Academy is not bad, its resources are limited after all, and they must be shared among thousands of students. But if you go to my Pei family, the resources I can give you are ten times, a hundred times that of the Prefectural Academy! Which is superior and which is inferior is clear at a glance!"

"Brother Pei, that is where you are wrong!"

Principal Beigong Mo smiled slightly and said, "My Chengtian Academy is the highest martial arts academy in the Imperial Dynasty's Chengtian Prefecture, backed by the entire Great Luo Dynasty. Within the academy, there are countless Cultivation Techniques and Secret Manuals left behind by sages of past generations, as well as massive amounts of Cultivation resources allocated by the Imperial Dynasty every year."

"Earth Rank Cultivation Techniques, Martial Skills, and Divine Weapons—everything is available!"

"These are things that a mere small Pei family cannot compare to."

"What's more!"

Principal Beigong Mo paused, his gaze falling on Chen An, his eyes filled with appreciation, "For truly peerless geniuses, my academy has never been stingy with resources."

"Young friend Chen An, as long as you are willing to stay in the Prefectural Academy, I can make an exception and take you as my closing Disciple, personally teaching you everything I have learned in my life. Moreover, the academy's library can be opened to you completely free of charge, with no limit on the number of times!"

"What?!"

"The Prefecture Head wants to take Chen An as his closing Disciple?!"

"My heavens! This is a supreme honor! The Prefecture Head has not taken an apprentice in fifty years!"

"The library is open for free! There are Earth Rank Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills in there!"

As soon as Principal Beigong Mo's voice fell, the area in front of the Prefectural Academy's main gate was once again in an uproar!

Everyone looked at Chen An with eyes full of envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Principal Beigong Mo's closing Disciple!

This meant that in the future, Chen An would not only inherit Principal Beigong Mo's supreme skills but also become the most valued Disciple in the entire Chengtian Academy, with a future that was limitless!

Headmaster Mo Xuanchen was also stunned for a moment, and then a smile appeared on his face.

Although he failed to take Chen An as his apprentice, Chen An was staying at the Prefectural Academy, so at least the benefits stayed within the family!

"Haha, I didn't expect both Old Ghost Pei and Brother Beigong to be here. It's truly lively!"

Before Chen An could make a choice, a hearty laugh came from the Void again, and then everyone saw a silver-haired elder and a middle-aged man stepping through the air toward them.

"Xiao An?!!!"