556: Chapter 556 is too low

The Academy.

Refined Study.

Liu Xuan paced into the room. Ji Bingzheng was sitting cross-legged inside, healing his injuries, while Chen Beiming stood in the front hall with his arms crossed and eyes closed, resting his mind.

Waving for Chen Beiming to leave, Liu Xuan continued into the inner room, heading straight to the chamber where Ji Bingzheng was recuperating.

Ji Bingzheng opened his eyes. Seeing it was Liu Xuan, his gaze was very complex.

He, a dignified Great Scholar of the Academy and a Named Disciple of Saintess Yaoguang, had actually been scared into begging for mercy by a junior from the Southern Border!

At the time, the situation was critical, so he hadn't thought much of it, but thinking back now, he had truly lost all Face.

"Dean Liu!" He remained seated on the prayer mat, merely cupping his hands casually. "How else do you wish to punish me? Do it quickly. If you aren't going to kill me, I hope you will let me leave."

"Why is Fellow Daoist Jingshan in such a hurry to leave?" Liu Xuan sat down on a nearby chair and smiled. "We can consider this a case of 'no discord, no concord.' I was impulsive before; I hope you won't mind."

Liu Xuan had already investigated Ji Bingzheng's background. This man was a local from the Beast Taming Sect's Main Mountain. Since childhood, he had entered the Academy due to his talent and spent his entire life studying there.

However, he came from an ordinary background with no influential support. His only loyalty was to the Academy, making him a core member with a clean and upright record.

His previous actions against Liu Xuan weren't at anyone's behest; he simply felt that a lecherous person like Liu Xuan was unworthy of the position of Branch Dean of the Academy.

While Ji Bingzheng was still dazed, Liu Xuan placed a token and a Jade Slip in front of him.

"Didn't you want to be the Dean of the Academy? This is the Vice Dean's token. I don't usually involve myself in affairs, so from now on, you will essentially be the Dean."

"As for this Jade Slip, it contains a special secret art that shares similarities with the Confucian Righteous Qi you Cultivate. Consider it my apology!"

According to Liu Xuan's investigation, Ji Bingzheng's reputation in the Academy was quite good. By resolving their misunderstanding, he might even become an ally.

Even if they couldn't turn from enemies to friends, having him Cultivate the Heaven-Seizing One Qi Secret Art would still be useful.

"A secret art?"

Ji Bingzheng examined the token and Jade Slip, making no effort to hide the suspicion and wariness in his eyes.

Liu Xuan's sudden change in attitude, promising the position of Vice Dean and offering a special secret art, made it hard not to suspect ulterior motives.

"There's no need to rush to a conclusion. You'll understand my character, Liu Xuan, in time."

Liu Xuan stood up and walked out, leaving behind a final remark: "I will explain the previous misunderstanding through the Academy. I hope you recover quickly and return to teaching."

Ji Bingzheng valued Face above all else. To resolve the previous misunderstanding, the past had to be put to rest.

If this succeeded, Liu Xuan might be able to use him to promote the Heaven-Seizing One Qi Secret Art within the Academy, allowing the technique to spread faster.

Every Cultivator who practiced the Heaven-Seizing One Qi Secret Art was future nourishment for the Liu Family; naturally, the more, the better, and the higher their cultivation, the better.

After Liu Xuan left, Ji Bingzheng read the introduction to the Heaven-Seizing One Qi Secret Art. He was drawn to the described effects: doubled cultivation speed and doubled technique power. It was too exaggerated!

However, he still refrained from cultivating it. It wasn't because of the side effect of doubled Lifespan consumption, but because he didn't trust Liu Xuan and felt he might be trying to harm him.

"If the description of this secret art is true, it is a top-tier auxiliary art. How could he just give it to me so easily?"

Ji Bingzheng shook his head. He initially wanted to destroy the Jade Slip, but after some thought, he put it away.

Liu Xuan was fickle. If he found out the Jade Slip had been destroyed, he might cause trouble again.

Furthermore, the secret art was explained very logically and didn't look like a fake. What if it was real? Regardless, as long as he didn't Cultivate it, there was no harm in keeping it.

One month later.

True Lord Jingshan's injuries were fully healed, and he officially became the Vice Dean of the Academy's Star Branch, resuming his lectures.

The previous conflict was explained by Liu Xuan as a difference in opinions and a mutual discussion on the Dao, rather than a personal grudge.

The Academy students present at the time didn't dare speak recklessly, and those who came later didn't know the truth, so they truly believed the Vice Dean and Dean had a good relationship.

Through his detailed understanding of Liu Xuan during this period, Ji Bingzheng felt that he wasn't as demonic as the rumors suggested. Compared to others in the Southern Border, he could even be considered good.

The Star Academy was currently the area with the best order in the Southern Border, which was proof. He began to understand why Lady Yaoguang would make an exception to promote Liu Xuan.

Ji Bingzheng also figured out the Heaven-Seizing One Qi Secret Art. Not only did Liu Xuan give it to him, but his own family members were cultivating it, and he even sold it to his own people in the Merchant Alliance as well as outsiders.

The effects had already been verified. It wasn't some evil technique with hidden traps, but an upright and grand method.

The conception of this secret art was profound, capable of harmonizing with any Cultivation Technique and directly comprehending the Great Dao of the world's Origin. It was even more high-end than Confucian Righteous Qi. He just didn't know if there was a subsequent Legacy.

Many techniques had profound conceptions in the Early Stages and seemed incredibly powerful, but in reality, they had no follow-up. No matter how high the conception was, it was useless.

Jingshan Study of the Academy.

Ji Bingzheng and Liu Xuan sat opposite each other, chatting casually. Since he had started cultivating the Heaven-Seizing One Qi Secret Art, the two were not exactly friends, but they could be considered acquaintances.

"Dean Liu, my defeat to you last time was entirely because the Formation here was too strong. I'm curious, if you didn't use the Formation, could you still defeat me?"

"Is Fellow Daoist Jingshan unconvinced?" Ji Bingzheng really did value Face; he acted like he didn't care on the surface, but he likely would never forget that incident.

"It's not that I'm unconvinced, I just feel it was unfair. I want to know how big the gap between us really is."

Liu Xuan took a sip of spiritual tea and said calmly, "Your level is too low. You will never be able to understand the gap between us. Just focus on teaching and don't think too much!"

Ji Bingzheng's mouth twitched. If it weren't for his good upbringing, he would have stood up and started cursing!

After all, Liu Xuan had only just been promoted to the Early Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, and his cultivation was even slightly inferior to his own. Saying this wasn't just arrogance; it was deliberate posturing.

"Rumor has it that Dean Liu is the Saint of the East Sea Joyful Union Sect. Could it be true?"

"If that's the case, the Early Stage of the Nascent Soul definitely isn't your true cultivation. I wonder if it's convenient for you to tell me your true Realm?"

Liu Xuan was about to argue with him when he saw two stunning women enter the door.

"Husband, I have an important matter to report!"

You Ruo was dressed in black with flowing hair, while beside her was Bai Jie, dressed in pure white with a cold aura.

"Farewell! Let's meet again next time."

Liu Xuan stood up and left. After he stepped out, the two women followed behind him.

"One Nascent Soul Demon Lord, one Nascent Soul Ghost Cultivator... How exactly did Liu Xuan do it?" Ji Bingzheng stared at the doorway, his thoughts incredibly complex.

On a small path in the Academy, Liu Xuan strolled like an ordinary student, asking while feeling the atmosphere of the Academy, "Speak, what is the important matter?"

You Ruo didn't answer directly but looked at Bai Jie beside her. Bai Jie said nothing, using an escape technique to vanish.

You Ruo was still uneasy. She waved her hand to set up a barrier around them and then sent a voice transmission, "The Master wants to see you!"

Liu Xuan's footsteps paused. "Ghost King Lianyue?"

You Ruo nodded gently.