Chapter 282 - Entrusted with a Heavy Responsibility, Rank 1, Who Is This Person, Causing an Uproar
Ming Imperial Palace.
"Minister Yu Qian pays respects to Your Majesty!"
"Rise, Minister Yu. Now that your identity has been exposed, there's no need to continue using the title of "Scholar Master". You may resume your original identity."
"Do you intend to stay in the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, or return to the Imperial Court?"
"This matter is entirely up to you. What do you think?"
"Your Majesty, it has already been over a hundred years. I am also over a hundred years old now. The affairs of the Imperial Court should be left to the younger generation."
"I am willing to continue staying in the Endless Sea of Learning Academy."
"That's good as well. In my future plans, the status of Endless Sea of Learning Academy is extremely important."
"With you and Wang Yangming in charge, I can rest assured."
"Many thanks, Your Majesty. By the way, I also have another matter to report to Your Majesty this time."
"You must be talking about Zhang Danfeng, right?"
"You may handle that matter on your own. No need to report it to me."
As for Zhang Danfeng, Zhu Houzhao was not particularly interested in him.
At best, he could be considered a usable chess piece.
However, he was not nearly as important as one might imagine.
Perhaps during his time as Crown Prince, he might have paid more attention.
But now...
There was no longer a need for him to personally recruit such people.
Only true geniuses or God Demon Realm cultivators could warrant his personal invitation.
For ordinary Heavenly Human Realm or Mythical Realm individuals, his subordinates were sufficient.
Buzz!
At this moment.
The ranking in the sky once again burst into radiant light.
Zhu Houzhao's heart stirred.
The final name was about to be revealed.
Just who could this person be?
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[Confucian Immortal Ranking – Rank 1]
[Supreme Academic Master]
[Force: Endless Sea of Learning Academy of Ming Dynasty]
[Cultivation: Great Perfection God Demon Realm Land Immortal]
[Technique: Confucian Dao Heavenly Book]
[Reward: Ten wisps of Saint-Tier Righteous Qi (enhances Confucian Cultivation Techniques), 1 Saint-Tier Confucian Skill, 1 Saint-Tier Confucian Divine Weapon]
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"Supreme Academic Master?!"
Yu Qian exclaimed in shock.
"The Supreme Academic Master is actually at the Great Perfection God Demon Realm?!"
He found it hard to believe.
Even after all these years, he had only met the Supreme Academic Master three times.
Most of the time, he had only heard his voice, but never seen him in person.
Across the entire world, perhaps only His Majesty truly knew the Supreme Academic Master's real identity.
He never imagined that this Supreme Academic Master would be so powerful.
Great Perfection God Demon Realm!
No weaker than His Majesty himself!
But at the same time, Yu Qian couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
Isn't this Supreme Academic Master a bit too powerful?
If he ever harbored thoughts that might harm His Majesty or the Ming Dynasty, what then?
"Your Majesty, may I ask, who exactly is this Supreme Academic Master?"
"Why did Your Majesty arrange for him to hold such a position back then?"
Yu Qian asked in concern.
"Rest assured. This Supreme Academic Master has no conflicting interests with me. Do not worry, he will not betray me."
Zhu Houzhao gave Yu Qian a strange look and said faintly.
As expected, he did not disappoint.
The final Rank 1 still belonged to the Ming Dynasty.
And it was still the Endless Sea of Learning Academy.
However, this time, a far more mysterious figure had emerged.
The Supreme Academic Master.
Even within the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, only a few top-level members knew of his existence.
In most situations, matters of the academy were handled by those high-level figures.
Unless it was a matter of life and death for the academy, the Supreme Academic Master would never appear.
Even major commands were delivered through voice transmissions or attendants.
Yet even so, no one dared to underestimate those attendants.
Of course.
Zhu Houzhao would never recruit a stranger at the Great Perfection God Demon Realm.
The Supreme Academic Master was, in fact, his avatar.
When he first established the Endless Sea of Learning Academy.
He naturally had to ensure full control over the academy.
Thus, Zhu Houzhao ultimately decided to personally take on the identity of the Supreme Academic Master and establish the academy.
Then, he sought out individuals with potential and talent to manage its affairs.
Unless it was a crisis, he would not reveal himself.
This way, he could laze around, yet still retain full authority over the Endless Sea of Learning Academy.
Thankfully, his strength was unmatched, ensuring his interests were protected.
"Minister Yu, the Supreme Academic Master generally does not involve himself in academy affairs. He needs to remain in seclusion to cultivate."
"In the future, he may have a chance to advance to the Sage Realm."
"Therefore, matters within the academy will be left to you, Wang Yangming, Cai Yong, Cai Yan, and Li Qingzhao."
"Confucian scholars from across the Nine Provinces will come to study. You must prepare to receive them."
"If you encounter promising talents, recruit them directly."
"As for those who are pretenders or harbor ill intentions, there's no need for courtesy. Expel them on the spot."
"My Endless Sea of Learning Academy is not a place to train spies for other dynasties."
The future of the Endless Sea of Learning Academy would be critical.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"After returning, I will draft a detailed response plan and submit it as a memorial."
"At that time, Your Majesty can assign the Cabinet to assist me."
"The revelation of the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking has made Endless Sea of Learning Academy the sacred ground for Confucian scholars across the land."
"We must not be careless."
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"Oh my god, it's Ming Dynasty again, and again it's Endless Sea of Learning Academy!!"
"There are only ten spots on the entire Confucian Immortal Ranking."
"Endless Sea of Learning Academy alone has taken over half. Isn't that too outrageous?"
"Who wouldn't think so?"
"The top three God Demon Realm cultivators are all from Endless Sea of Learning Academy. They took the entire top tier!"
"Hmph, strength determines everything. Endless Sea of Learning Academy has the power, so of course they took it all."
"Do the other dynasties even have this many Confucian God Demon Realm cultivators?"
"The gap is simply too great."
"By the way, who exactly is this Supreme Academic Master?"
"We've never even heard of him. Endless Sea of Learning Academy hides their aces too well!"
"Indeed. We've heard of Mister Yangming and Scholar Master, their names are well known."
"But this Supreme Academic Master above them... what's going on?"
"Great Perfection God Demon Realm? That's just insane!"
"No way. With such a cultivator overseeing them, who in the Nine Provinces could possibly destroy them?"
"Even if the Nine Provinces are united one day, no future overlord could eliminate the Endless Sea of Learning Academy."
"Let's go to the capital and take the Confucian examination at Endless Sea of Learning Academy!"
"Yes, I'm going too! Why bother with the imperial examination?!"
"Our country's about to be conquered, and the Emperor still shows no sign of concern. It's simply absurd."
"I don't want to become a subject of a fallen nation. I'm going to the Ming Dynasty to test for the Endless Sea of Learning Academy."
"If I do well, I might even become an official in the Ming Dynasty someday."
Upon seeing that the final spot still belonged to someone from the Endless Sea of Learning Academy in the Ming Dynasty.
And that this person was a Grand Perfection God Demon Realm cultivator.
Everyone erupted into an uproar.
All of the Nine Provinces fell into heated debate.
Especially the Confucian scholars. More and more of them journeyed to the Ming Dynasty.
Each one hoping they too could pass the academy entrance exam.
And one day earn a place on the Confucian Immortal Ranking!