Chapter 782: Fusion God's Revolt

At dusk, the number of students within the Grand Academy gradually dwindled. While some rarely returned to the outside world, choosing to reside long-term within the academy's space, most still returned at dusk. After all, the trivialities of the mundane world ultimately tether people, making it difficult to fully disengage.

At the slightly emptier far end of the Grand Academy, a group from the Fusion Stream was slowly making their way forward. The head of the Fusion Stream, who walked at a measured pace and exuded an aura of elegance, was surrounded in the center. Because of his status within the Grand Academy, nearly all students he passed on the way paused and bowed respectfully. Each time, the Fusion Stream head would respond with a gentle gaze and a slight nod. If he encountered students from his own stream, he would even stop to observe their cultivation progress and offer a few pointers. His conduct, both in word and deed, perfectly aligned with the Grand Academy's definition of a teacher, which was one reason for his widespread respect.

His outing at dusk also drew the attention of various streams within the Grand Academy, as his path led directly eastward, where the Heretic Immortal Stream was also located. Consequently, many students who had planned to leave changed their minds and followed behind, with speculations rising in their hearts. This speculation was not hard to form, as the Fusion and Heretic Immortal Streams were ideologically at odds, especially now that the revival of the Heretic Immortal Stream had become a clear trend.

Thus, with an increasing number of students following, the group from the Fusion Stream gradually arrived outside the Heretic Immortal Stream's White Pagoda. Inside the Heretic Immortal Stream, Xu Qing and his fellow disciples had just bid farewell to their stream master and were about to leave. However, after a glance outside, a subtle, almost imperceptible glint appeared in his eyes, and he retreated a few steps to stand behind someone else. Beside him, dozens of core disciples were cultivating. Each of them had a "Clear Snow Garden" within their bodies, which, under its enhancement, caused their spirit threads to grow significantly. Consequently, the entire White Pagoda was filled with the dense aura of Heretic Immortal cultivation techniques, creating a tangible pressure that could be clearly felt from outside.

With the arrival of the Fusion Stream, the divine aura emanating from them entered the White Pagoda, clashing with the Heretic Immortal cultivation aura. Both auras seemed to devour each other, creating rumbling sounds. These muffled rumblings, like distant thunder, drew the close attention of other core disciples within the White Pagoda. They all opened their eyes from their cultivation and looked outward. Noticing the Fusion Stream outside the gate, these Heretic Immortal core disciples' expressions shifted, and most of them stood up.

Outside the White Pagoda, the Fusion Stream head paused and did not step in directly. The high-ranking members of the Fusion Stream and the Seventh Prince's chief attendant entered the Heretic Immortal White Pagoda first. The divine fluctuations from their Fusion Lineage created an even greater storm, suppressing the Heretic Immortal Stream and filling the entire Heretic Immortal White Pagoda with a sense of oppression, forcing the Heretic Immortal disciples to retreat several steps.

Xu Qing's eyes narrowed slightly. This scene felt to him like a group of powerful aberrations from the Chu lands, cloaked in human skin, had invaded the human world.

"There are indeed evil entities within the Heretic Immortal Stream!" the Seventh Prince declared indifferently after sensing the Heretic Immortal fluctuations here. As soon as he spoke, Xu Qing shot a cold glance, and the core disciples of the Heretic Immortal Stream all showed sharp glints in their eyes, their gazes at the Fusion Stream becoming increasingly stern. Although they had not joined the Heretic Immortal Stream long enough to feel deep identification, the benefits the Heretic Immortal Dao Seed brought them in terms of growth were incomparable to other streams. They were unwilling to give up such tangible benefits now, so the Fusion Stream, with its obvious malicious intent and disrespectful words, naturally became their adversary.

"Seventh Prince, even if you are a prince outside, within the Grand Academy, you are merely a student. Please mind your decorum," a student from the Heretic Immortal Stream said coldly. With an indifferent expression, the Seventh Prince turned and retreated a few steps, clearing the path. Beside him, the high-ranking Fusion officials also moved, revealing the figure of the Fusion Stream head who had remained outside the gate.

The Fusion Stream head, with a calm gaze, raised his foot and stepped into the White Pagoda. He did not look at anyone present but instead raised his head to the upper levels of the White Pagoda and spoke indifferently. "Heretic Immortal Stream Master, Fusion Stream pays a visit!" His voice was not loud, but the intangible pressure emanating from his status suppressed everything, forcing the Heretic Immortal students to lower their heads.

From behind the crowd, Xu Qing's gaze subtly lingered on the Fusion Stream head. This was his second close observation of this stream master, and that familiar feeling resurfaced in his mind. "This person's identity is questionable!" Xu Qing mused. But the next instant, his mind stirred, and his gaze retracted, falling upon the upper levels of the White Pagoda. He felt a fluctuation of a green soul seed suddenly appear there.

"This is..." At this moment, the voice of the Heretic Immortal Stream Master emanated from the upper levels of the White Pagoda. "Our paths diverge; I have no time to meet you. Please leave immediately and do not disturb my students' cultivation!" Compared to the Fusion Stream head's calm demeanor, the Heretic Immortal Stream Master's tone was far more arrogant. This was determined by their status: the Fusion Stream, as the current leading stream, naturally maintained composure, whereas the Heretic Immortal Stream, seeking to rise, had to be aggressive.

These words were somewhat grating to the ears of the Fusion Stream members, but the Fusion Stream head's expression remained unchanged, showing no offense. He instead redirected his gaze to the Heretic Immortal students within the White Pagoda and spoke gently. "The Grand Academy advocates for a flourishing of diverse ideas. Therefore, I welcome the revival of the Heretic Immortal Stream. Only through the contention of various streams can new ideas be brought forth and paths emerge that suit the current state and future of humanity. However, if this revival proceeds through evil methods or methods that disregard life, I cannot accept it, the Grand Academy cannot accept it, and humanity cannot accept it! I have consulted ancient texts and verified historical records, finding that the so-called Heretic Immortal Dao Seed never appeared in the Heretic Immortal Stream before. This is a newly emerged, external object. The so-called Heretic Immortal Dao Seed within your bodies fundamentally has immense problems! I have researched this Dao Seed; it is a malevolent method that absorbs your life force, your cultivation, and even allows your thoughts to be controlled by others! Moreover, with a single thought from its origin, you will bear immense consequences: at worst, you will perish; at best, your soul will be dimmed. Therefore, I have come here today to warn the Heretic Immortal Stream not to resort to such extreme measures, and also to inform you students to extract the Dao Seed from your bodies as soon as possible, or a fated calamity will befall you!"

As soon as he spoke, most within the Heretic Immortal Stream felt their minds stir. They had indeed considered what the speaker said, but the explosive power brought by the Dao Seed and the comparison with imperial-grade cultivation techniques had led them to overlook these concerns. Now, the Fusion Stream head's identity and his words brought the matter back into focus, compelling them to ponder deeply. Xu Qing also admitted that this Fusion Stream head, whom he suspected was familiar to him, was not particularly skilled at verbal manipulation, yet these words undeniably caused unease in people's hearts.

He wondered how the Heretic Immortal Stream Master would resolve this. Xu Qing looked up towards the upper levels of the White Pagoda.