The Coming of a Violent Storm

The Coming of a Violent Storm...

The prospective students of the Emperor Star Academy made their somber exit from the Dark Forest, their departure echoing with the news of Mountain's death, creating a resounding uproar in the Royal Capital.

While Mountain was known within the Emperor Star Academy, he wasn't a widely recognized figure in the broader context of the Royal Capital. So why did his death cause such a stir? It was because of the fragile relationship that currently existed between the Royal Academy and the Emperor Star Academy. The murder of an Emperor Star Academy student within the Dark Forest naturally led to speculations and rumors about the motives behind it.

Various conjectures and theories circulated among the people, but ultimately, the blame was directed at the already tense relationship between the two factions.

The Emperor Star Academy had always held an unrivaled position within Chu. High-ranking entities like the Emperor Star Academy were typically treated with a certain degree of leniency by the Royal Clan. However, with the recent merger of the Royal Academy and the Godly General Martial Palace, it seemed their objective was to diminish the prestige and influence of the Emperor Star Academy, pushing the fragile equilibrium to its limits. Had the Royal Academy finally grown tired of accommodating the existence of the Emperor Star Academy?

The common citizens of Chu had no insight into the Royal Clan's motives for taking action during these turbulent times. The Chu Country was currently grappling with the flames of war as rebels advanced, steadily encroaching upon the Royal Capital. This period was widely regarded as one of Chu's most challenging moments in history.

Rumors circulated, claiming that Chu's military had already withdrawn, apparently prepared to relinquish control of half the country to the rebels. As the old saying went, unity is strength, and divided they fall. The Royal Clan seemingly had no choice but to abandon control in order to preserve their authority.

Inside an opulent hall within the Chu Palace, numerous dignitaries were arrayed on either side. However, the figure seated in the master's chair was not Chu Tianjiao, but instead, Xiao Lan.

Xiao Lan lounged comfortably in his chair, his hands tapping on the armrests in an unpredictable rhythm.

"So, how are the preparations coming along?" Xiao Lan asked in a calm tone.

Chu Tianjiao replied with respect, "Everything is proceeding smoothly on our end, but when should we expect the experts from the Nine Mystical Palace?"

"Give it another two days, I reckon," Xiao Lan replied. His gaze shifted from Chu Tianjiao to Xiao Lǜ, and he continued his inquiries, "What about Snowcloud's side?"

"They'll be arriving within three days," Xiao Lǜ promptly answered.

Satisfied, Xiao Lan nodded and closed his eyes for a moment. When he spoke again, it was with gratitude, "Xiao Lǜ, I'm entrusting you with this mission. If we succeed, I'll personally report to the upper echelons of the Nine Mystical Palace, and your branch may finally be able to return."

Xiao Lǜ's face lit up with a grateful smile. Few knew that Snowcloud's Royal Clan was a branch family of the main Xiao Clan within the Nine Mystical Palace.

"The time is drawing near," Xiao Lan remarked. "Over the next few days, I'll have our people provoke the Emperor Star Academy discreetly, forcing them to make their move." Chu Tianjiao chuckled. His decision to act against the Emperor Star Academy during this turbulent period was a rare opportunity. The Nine Mystical Palace, which had previously remained uninvolved in governing the countries under its administration, was now making a move against the Emperor Star Academy.

Chu Tianjiao didn't question the reasons behind this move; he understood it was not his place to ask. He was well aware that Xiao Lan had a purpose in mind.

Despite his relaxed appearance, Xiao Lan was burdened with concerns. Bringing down the Emperor Star Academy would not be an easy task. In the past, even Luo Tianya had attempted it and failed. The Azure Emperor Palace lurked behind the Emperor Star Academy, ready to intervene if the Nine Mystical Palace sent their Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns. Xiao Lan had never paid much attention to this before, but now he sensed a connection—a secret hidden by the Azure Emperor within the academy.

Within the Emperor Star Academy were three sacred grounds: the Heavenly Star Pavilion, the Astral River Hall, and the Dreamsky Forest. Xiao Lan pondered over which of these held the key to the secret. Qin Wentian had already reached the seventh level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion. They had considered kidnapping him for interrogation but had abandoned the idea due to Gongyang Hong's deterrence. Antagonizing someone at the Heavenly Dipper level was ill-advised. If they wanted to deal with Qin Wentian, they needed to do so without drawing implications. After all, they were uncertain of the depth of the relationship between Gongyang Hong and Qin Wentian.

While the main branch of the Xiao Clan might not fear Gongyang Hong, the wrath of a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign could spell annihilation for their descendants in other branches. It simply wasn't worth the risk. As for Mountain's death, it barely registered on their radar.

However, the Emperor Star Academy took the matter extremely seriously. They had intentionally erected a stone tablet today in memory of Mountain and Zi Jun. Placed beneath the Emperor Star Monuments, this stone tablet commemorated the two young lives. Although Zi Jun hadn't been an official student of the Emperor Star Academy, the inscription on the stone monuments introduced him as one of the most extraordinarily gifted young talents ever to grace their halls.

This was an unprecedented gesture in the history of the Emperor Star Academy. The Emperor Star Monuments were symbols of the academy's achievements and milestones throughout the ages, and never before had a student's death been commemorated on them, not even once.

Yet, this time, the academy made an exception.

A cold wind swept through, carrying a sense of desolation with it. A group of figures stood before the Emperor Star Monuments, including several Elders, their expressions solemn as they gazed upon the stone tablet.

The idea to erect this stone tablet had come from Ren Qianxing. He wanted the Emperor Star Academy to etch this memory into their history. This was no ordinary assassination; it bore the signs of a silent declaration of war. A thousand years from now, if the academy still existed, this chapter of its history would likely still be recounted. But if the academy disappeared, then this would all become irrelevant.

When Ren Qianxing proposed the idea, the Elders unanimously agreed.

Behind the Elders, a crowd of students had gathered. They were bewildered at first as to why both Mountain and an as-yet-unenrolled student would have a stone tablet erected beneath the Emperor Star Monuments. However, after the explanations, they understood that this incident had the potential to become a significant moment in the academy's history, sparking violent storms of conflict and momentous events.

"The 3rd Prince of Chu, Chu Tianjiao, pays a formal visit to the Emperor Star Academy!" A voice rang out across the academy, causing a stir among the crowd.

Soon, the figures of Chu Tianjiao and his entourage came into view. Their unexpected arrival took the Emperor Star Academy by surprise, and the crowd instinctively parted to create a path. Chu Tianjiao and his group approached the Emperor Star Monuments.

The Elders of the academy pivoted to face Chu Tianjiao and his entourage, their expressions unreadable. When Ye Wuque, Wu Chong, and Wang Teng were spotted among the visitors, an intense chill and a palpable air of hostility seemed to radiate from Qin Wentian's very being.

By his side, a delicate hand slipped into his own, gently brushing against his palm. The warmth of that touch momentarily stunned Qin Wentian, and as he turned, he found Mo Qingcheng smiling at him, her eyes conveying a message of patience. Only then did he suppress his surging aura.

Chu Tianjiao pressed forward, approaching the monuments. However, a figure stood before them with his back turned, blocking their way. This figure was none other than Mustang.

With no other option, Chu Tianjiao and his companions bowed and paid their respects to the stone tablet. They hadn't expected the Emperor Star Academy to erect a monument beneath the Emperor Star Monuments solely for Mountain and Zi Jun. The actions of the academy weighed heavily on their shoulders, silently proclaiming their resolve.

This had become a powerful symbol, uniting the Emperor Star Academy like never before. Chu Tianjiao turned his head to survey the sea of faces in the crowd, sighing inwardly.

"Respected Elders, Chu Tianjiao has something to say, if it pleases you?" he inquired, addressing the crowd.

No one replied, and the oppressive silence seemed to want to crush him into insignificance.

"Speak," Ren Qianxing finally uttered coldly.

"Currently, the Royal Academy of Chu has merged with the Godly General Martial Palace, pooling their influence. The Royal Clan wishes to establish an even more formidable martial academy and hopes for the Emperor Star Academy's consent to merge with us," Chu Tianjiao continued slowly. "This would create an ultimate institution consolidating the power of all three academies. In terms of teachers, resources, and opportunities, we would have nearly limitless provisions for our students. I also pledge that everything about the Emperor Star Academy will remain untouched."

Chu Tianjiao's words elicited cold smiles from many. He wanted to absorb the Emperor Star Academy? Was such a thing even feasible?

"As long as the Emperor Star Academy agrees, all teachers and students from your academy will receive a bountiful monthly supply of cultivation resources," Chu Tianjiao added, but the same eerie silence greeted his words.

"Get out," a frigid voice pierced the silence. It was Mustang speaking, still with his back turned. He dared not face them, afraid that he might lose control and unleash the boiling rage within him.

Chu Tianjiao froze momentarily, but soon a smirk played on his lips. He bowed once more to the Elders of the Emperor Star Academy and said, "Chu Tianjiao of the junior generation takes his leave."

With that, Chu Tianjiao and his group began to depart. However, Ren Qianxing's voice rang out, causing Chu Tianjiao to halt.

"From this moment forward, none of you are permitted to set foot in the Emperor Star Academy. Trespassers will be killed on sight, regardless of their identity," Ren Qianxing declared, his words laced with murderous intent. The coldness in his voice sent shivers down Chu Tianjiao's spine. But his lips curled into a sly smile, and he continued walking, leaving the Emperor Star Academy behind.

The Emperor Star Academy refrained from taking direct action against Chu Tianjiao and his group at this point. Firstly, they lacked sufficient justification, and secondly, they knew that an immediate confrontation could result in the slaughter of their innocent students. This was their bottom line, and even if a war erupted, they would hold firm unless one party's bottom line was shattered.

Francis arrived at the academy and, given his relationship with Qin Wentian, was granted unrestricted access. He brought all the cultivation resources that Qin Wentian had requested, gathered painstakingly by the Divine Weapon Pavilion.

Upon receiving the resources, Qin Wentian delved into his cultivation. His heart brimmed with bitter anger, but he knew he needed to become much stronger.

In the days following the incident, a deceptive calm enveloped the Royal Academy, but many sensed that it was merely the calm before a violent storm.

Both the Emperor Star Academy and the Royal Clan remained inactive, as though they were awaiting something.

During this period, some flew into Chu's airspace, heading straight for the Chu Palace. Simultaneously, several students from the Emperor Star Academy chose to leave. These deserters were mostly from the Knight's Association, shifting their loyalties. Observers within the academy couldn't shake the feeling that a storm of immense proportions was looming on the horizon.