Chapter 838: Dan Academy is Finished

“We’re not here for a lecture. Zhang Xuan has bewitched the students of the Alchemist Academy, and we’ve come to see what underhanded tactics he’s employed...”

Knowing that arguing further about seniority would only lead to a lengthy debate, Lu Feng flicked his sleeve.

“Enough talk. If you want to attend the lecture, just attend. Why all the grandiloquent speeches? Today, no matter how eloquently you speak, if you wish to enter, you must pay. Otherwise, if I raise my voice, I imagine many students would love to come witness the ‘heroic’ presence of their acting dean!” Sun Qiang stretched and sneered.

“You…” Lu Feng’s face flushed with anger, and he clenched his fists.

If that imbecile really did yell, it was clear he could kiss his acting deanship goodbye. The sheer humiliation would be enough to finish him.

“Dean, perhaps we should enter first and discuss this inside…” Knowing the dean was at a loss for words, Vice Dean Zhou quickly stepped forward and offered five high-grade spirit stones: “Here!”

“Now that’s more like it!” Sun Qiang’s eyes lit up.

Internal members of the Xuanxuan Society were not supposed to take money, and there were hardly any external attendees. The tens of thousands of students and teachers who had flooded in from the Alchemist Academy were, by and large, already members.

Having finally snagged a scapegoat, it was only natural to extort a bit more from him. After all, his relationship with the young master had long since soured, so any extra gain was a bonus.

The distinguished Dean of the Artificer Academy surely wouldn’t dare to openly break ties with the ‘uncle’ of his guest elder in front of so many students. If he did, all the better; it would be a perfect opportunity to vent the young master’s frustration. This fellow had been quite arrogant that morning.

“Hmph!” Seeing Vice Dean Zhou hand over the spirit stones, Lu Feng trembled with rage. Disregarding the visibly excited Sun Qiang, he strode inside.

The Xuanxuan Society’s venue was remarkably spacious; despite housing tens of thousands, it didn’t appear crowded. After a few steps, Lu Feng involuntarily halted, his pupils constricting.

“Alchemist Lu, what are you doing here...?” From the back of the crowd, an old man was gazing forward with bright, eager eyes. Hearing the voice, he turned his head. It was none other than Alchemist Lu Yi, a distinguished elder of the Alchemist Academy.

Even if Alchemist Lu wasn’t as old as You Xu, he was certainly close, easily over nine hundred years of age, and a true pillar and veteran of the Alchemist Academy. Unable to achieve a breakthrough, he had spent the last thirty years recuperating in a separate residence, rarely venturing out. He hadn’t even attended the Pill Institute’s faculty meetings... So how had he suddenly ended up here?

“Shhh, quiet, listen to the lecture... Marvelous, simply marvelous! That alchemy can employ such a method is simply incredible, utterly incredible...” Waving him off, Alchemist Lu Yi disregarded the dean and continued to gaze forward.

“Alchemist Lu...” Lu Feng’s brow furrowed in frustration. He was about to speak when Vice Dean Qi, beside him, tugged his arm: “Dean, look at Alchemist Lu’s attire...”

“His clothes?” With just one glance, Lu Feng’s mouth twitched.

This elder of the Alchemist Academy was still wearing his Master Teacher’s robe, but prominently embroidered on its chest were the three characters: ‘Xuanxuan Society.’ It was clear that even he... had joined!

“It’s not just Alchemist Lu, Dean, look...” Vice Dean Qi pointed again.

Lu Feng quickly scanned the crowd and immediately spotted several familiar figures.

“Alchemist Bai? Wasn’t he away traveling? He’s always been so unwilling to give a lecture, as if it were a death sentence. How did he... end up in Xuanxuan Society attire?”

“Alchemist Ren... His Fire Cleansing Alchemy method remains the academy’s most popular course, and he’s one of the alchemists who has contributed the most, even listed on the academy’s Hall of Fame... He’s joined the Xuanxuan Society too?”

“Alchemist Qiu, I even studied under him once...”

With each familiar figure he spotted, Dean Lu Feng’s face darkened a shade. After surveying the entire crowd, he felt as if he were losing his mind.

Some retired veterans from the Alchemist Academy, whom he usually couldn’t even persuade to attend events, had all ended up here, voluntarily joining the Xuanxuan Society? How?

This student organization’s influence was apparently greater than that of him, the dean...

Most critically, they were utterly engrossed in the lecture... It was utterly insane!

“Dean, isn’t that... Lu Hui?” Just as Lu Feng felt he was on the verge of exploding, Vice Dean Qi pointed once more.

Lu Feng reeled again.

In the crowd, he saw a young man gazing excitedly at the stage, his eyes gleaming as if he’d just encountered his idol. Who else could it be but Lu Hui, his direct disciple who had just reported to him?

He hadn’t been with this fellow when he left the library and headed to the Alchemist Tower. When did he get here...? And what on earth were those Xuanxuan Society robes he was wearing? How long had it been since he’d left? Could it be... he’d already defected?

“Lu Hui!” He couldn’t help but shout in rebuke.

Hearing the voice, Lu Hui realized his teacher had arrived. He hurriedly stepped out of the crowd and bowed: “Teacher, I... I just saw so many people coming for the lecture and couldn’t resist. After listening, I felt... it was truly excellent, so I joined the Xuanxuan Society...” Fearing his teacher’s reprimand, Lu Hui quickly cupped his fists.

“Truly excellent...” Lu Feng choked, his face scarlet and almost bleeding with rage: “Are you going to drop my classes too?”

“Well... if Master could permit it, that would be ideal!” Lu Hui scratched his head.

“Permit your sister...” Lu Feng was so enraged his teeth nearly ground to dust; he felt he was going mad.

Just moments ago, he was swearing allegiance, questioning Zhang Xuan’s methods, and now, less than ten minutes later, he’s defected... Are you truly my student?

“I’d like to see what kind of magic this fellow truly possesses...” Unable to contain himself, he looked up at the young man lecturing on the elevated platform.

At that moment, the young man had finished his lecture and was answering questions.

“Master Zhang, when I refine the Quenching Yang Pill, the pill body consistently turns yellow after formation. How can I resolve this?” an alchemist couldn’t help but inquire.

“The Quenching Yang Pill refines the Yang meridians, purifying them. To achieve this effect, the refiner must possess exceptionally strong Yang fire. While your cultivation itself is unimpeded, you’ve suffered from a lingering cold illness since childhood, leaving your body somewhat frail. When refining this particular medicine, your vital essence is insufficient; thus, while the pill forms, its medicinal potency is not strong!”

The young man on the platform glanced at him and stated, “If I’m not mistaken, the Quenching Yang Pills you refine are quite unremarkable in their efficacy, aren’t they?”

“That’s right!” The alchemist nodded in haste.

What the young man described perfectly matched his own experience, with no discrepancies whatsoever.

“In that case, since you’ve joined the Xuanxuan Society, I cannot forsake my own members. Here is a level-six Scorching Yang Pill. After consuming it, you’ll be able to purge the cold qi from your body. Not only will this eliminate future issues with refining Quenching Yang Pills, but it will also allow your cultivation to advance further, breaking through the shackles of the Stepping Void realm!”

Zhang Xuan flicked a finger, and a pill soared through the air.

“That pill is mine...” Upon seeing the pill fly out, Vice Dean Qi’s mouth twitched violently, and he involuntarily blurted out.

This very pill was none other than one he had meticulously refined and placed in the pill repository, awaiting sale...

“Yes!” No one heeded his outcry. The alchemist reached out, took the pill, and swallowed it whole.

Gurgle gurgle! Shortly after, spiritual energy converged above his head, followed by a great roar, and his aura shot straight into the sky. The Silkworm Sealing Realm—achieved!

“Thank you, Master Zhang!” Having not only resolved his chronic ailment but also achieved a breakthrough in one fell swoop, the alchemist was overcome with gratitude for the young man on the platform, bowing low in reverence.

“Master Zhang, I...” Instantly, several more individuals posed their questions.

The young man on the platform addressed each person’s constitution and specific issues with remarkable ease, and even bestowed level-six pills upon those on the verge of a breakthrough.

The sounds of breakthroughs from the audience below were incessant. This caused Lu Feng and the other vice deans a sharp pang of distress.

The pills the other party was bestowing were all ones they had painstakingly refined at immense cost; each was invaluable. And now... this fellow was simply giving them away freely...

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, on the verge of exploding. But Lu Feng knew that if he rushed over to demand the pills now, he would undoubtedly be expelled on the spot by the sheer number of students!

“We’ll go back first!” Gritting his teeth, he turned and left.

Not only had the other party lured away his students and teachers, but he was also using his pills to win over hearts... The more Lu Feng pondered it, the more he felt driven to distraction.

If he kept watching, he would surely die of indignation on the spot!

Yet, if he reported this matter to the Master Teacher Pavilion, not only would he be in the wrong, but he might even receive a scathing reprimand.

The greatest value of pills wasn’t to be kept for display in a room, but to be applied practically.

The other party was using his pills to play the benevolent benefactor, but even Lu Feng had to concede that they were being utilized perfectly, precisely to maximize their medicinal efficacy.

“Go back?” The vice deans exchanged bewildered glances.

Weren’t they here to cause trouble and reclaim the students? Just leaving so abruptly?

“What else can we do but go back? Do you honestly believe we can drag these students away now?” Dean Lu Feng ground his teeth.

“Well...” The vice deans shook their heads.

They couldn’t even pull the teachers away, let alone the students.

“What will we do when we go back? All the Pill Institute’s teachers are here, and all the students are here; the entire Alchemist Academy is effectively crippled... We’ll be left with nothing but an empty shell!”

“What to do? I’ll return immediately and convene the Elder Council!” Lu Feng gnashed his teeth.

The other party had completely won over the people. With tens of thousands of students gathered, even Lu Feng dared not cause a commotion now. He could only return to convene the Elder Council and deliberate on a strategy. Otherwise, what kind of order would prevail in the entire Master Teacher Academy, with teachers no longer acting as teachers and students no longer acting as students? It would cease to resemble a Master Teacher Academy in the slightest!

“Understood!” Vice Dean Qi nodded.

If this issue isn’t resolved, the Master Teacher Academy is bound to descend into utter chaos... What a mess! All because of one You Xu, the Master Teacher Academy has been brought to this state. He truly wished he could hack that fellow to bits and feed him to dogs.

“Back!” With the decision made, the group turned and departed.

Leaving the Xuanxuan Society and returning to the Alchemist Academy, they beheld the once bustling hall, now utterly deserted, not a soul in sight. The deans felt tears welling up at any moment.

The esteemed Alchemist Academy—when had it ever been reduced to such a deplorable state?!

“Dean, perhaps... you should go and apologize to Master Zhang! Otherwise... I fear the Alchemist Academy will be utterly ruined!” After an indeterminate period, Vice Dean Zhou couldn’t help but suggest.

“Apologize? He can dream on!” Lu Feng gnashed his teeth, letting out a prolonged roar: “You all wait here. I’m going to convene a meeting of the Ten Grand Elders immediately! Oh, no, I must also summon Master Mu. Unless this fellow, who undermines our academy’s rules and discipline, is apprehended and brought to justice, I’ll no longer be called... Lu!”

The highest and most majestic building in the Master Teacher Academy, within its finest chamber.

All eleven seats were occupied, with the ten deans prominently among them.

“Dean Lu, you summoned us so urgently; what exactly is the matter?” Dean Mi couldn’t help but inquire.

“Could it be... you’ve already discovered traces of Senior Purple Sun Beast?”

“That would be splendid; we still haven’t received any news...” The other deans’ eyes all shone with eagerness.

From Zhang Xuan’s arrival at the Alchemist Academy to the entire faculty and student body joining the Xuanxuan Society, only two or three hours had passed. The speed was so astonishing that other academies hadn’t even processed the events, let alone heard the news.

“It’s not about Senior Purple Sun Beast, but a matter of grave importance concerning the very survival of our Master Teacher Academy. Please wait a moment; I’ll elaborate once Master Mu arrives!” Lu Feng waved his hand.

“Concerns the academy’s very survival?” “Could it be that the Spirit Race members who captured Senior Purple Sun Beast have been located?” “If that’s the case, I fear a major battle is inevitable...” Seeing Lu Feng’s solemn expression, and that he had even invited Master Mu, the many deans exchanged concerned glances, their faces grim.

The Master Teacher Pavilion exists to propagate knowledge throughout the world, but more importantly, to safeguard humanity.

The Spirit Race, having abducted Senior Purple Sun Beast a few days prior, must be planning a major move. Should they emerge, the Master Teacher Academy is duty-bound to commit its entire force to battle for the protection of humanity.

Creak! Amidst their discussions, the door opened, and Master Mu entered.

“Greetings, Master Mu!” Everyone rose and cupped their fists in unison.

Master Mu was a Seven-Star Master Teacher from headquarters, overseeing the grand transition of the new dean. Everyone accorded him the respect befitting a teacher, daring not to overstep.

“Hmm, Lu Feng, what has happened that you summoned us so urgently?” After motioning for everyone to be seated, Mu Yuan’s brows furrowed.

“Master Mu, now that all the deans are present, I shall proceed with the matter!” Lu Feng nodded: “Among this year’s new students, there’s an individual named Zhang Xuan. I presume you’ve all heard of him by now?”

“Naturally!” The many deans nodded, but only Mu Yuan’s brow furrowed.

Since his arrival at the academy, he had only sensed the Purple Sun Beast’s aura leave once. He typically cultivated within the courtyard, so this Zhang Xuan... he genuinely hadn’t heard much about him.

“Master Mu, this Zhang Xuan is...” Dean Mi quietly offered an explanation.

“A Master Teacher who comprehended the Eye of Discernment? The Master Teacher Academy actually produced such a genius?” Master Mu’s eyes lit up upon hearing the explanation.

He cared little for things like challenging the Artificer Academy, the Physician Academy, or single-handedly fighting You Xu. No matter how excellent auxiliary professions might be, they were still auxiliary! To Master Mu, Master Teacher talent was paramount.

For a Master Teacher who has comprehended the Eye of Discernment, their future achievements are highly predictable, provided they don’t perish. A genius of this caliber is so rare that even the Saint Clan Factions might not produce one in a millennium, let alone a mere branch of the Qingyuan Conferred Empire.

“Master Mu, I advise you not to be too quick to rejoice; please allow me to finish... This individual’s talent is indeed formidable. If he uses it for good, that would be acceptable—even a fortunate development for the Master Teacher Pavilion. But once he turns to evil, I fear our entire academy will be unable to withstand it and could face ruin at any moment!”

“Turns to evil?” Master Mu nodded gravely.

A Master Teacher possessing the Eye of Discernment can see through disguises, discern the falseness of matters, and grasp their true essence. They can lecture publicly and cultivate techniques, succeeding effortlessly in all endeavors... However, should they turn to malevolence, they would become truly dreadful.

While there are currently no similar recorded instances on the Master Teacher Continent, there have been cases of genius Master Teachers betraying humanity.

Seven thousand years ago, a humble genius from humanity successfully passed the Seven-Star Master Teacher assessment before the age of thirty, causing quite a sensation. It was believed this individual would eventually reach Eight-Star status, or even higher. However... the Master Teacher Pavilion made an erroneous judgment regarding a certain incident, enraging him. He proceeded to slaughter all thirty-seven Master Teachers who had wronged him.

In that battle, an imperial capital spanning three thousand li was reduced to dust, and over a hundred million lives were lost. The sheer brutality of the situation was comparable to an invasion by tens of thousands of Spirit Race members!

Given the excessively severe consequences, the Master Teacher Pavilion could not conceal the matter. They were compelled to issue a Master Teacher hunt order, dispatching higher-ranked Master Teachers to encircle and eliminate him.

Upon learning of the hunt order, this genius fought and fled, using himself as bait to lure over nine thousand Master Teachers of Six-Star rank and above. He then colluded with the Spirit Race to set up an ambush in Fubo Ridge.

That battle was earth-shattering. While they succeeded in slaying this genius, the Master Teacher Pavilion incurred immense losses, with a total of three hundred and thirty-four Seven-Star and seven thousand six hundred and twelve Six-Star Master Teachers perishing!

This event is historically known as the Fubo Calamity!

It is arguably one of the Master Teacher Pavilion’s most significant losses in tens of thousands of years since Master Kong unified the continent. Even the entire Master Teacher headquarters was profoundly shaken.

Following this incident, the Master Teacher Pavilion also revised its rules. When recruiting new Master Teachers, although talent remained crucial, temperament and moral character also became key assessment criteria.

If these two aspects were found lacking, the more extensive the cultivation provided, the greater the peril it would pose to humanity.

Master Teachers possessing the Eye of Discernment have been rare throughout history; each was exceptionally brilliant, a colossal figure who created a sensation for centuries. If such an individual were righteous, they would undoubtedly strengthen humanity. However... if they turned to malevolence, the ensuing consequences could potentially be even more catastrophic than the Fubo Calamity!

“Could it be that this Zhang Xuan possesses an impure mind and questionable moral character?” Master Mu voiced with a hint of doubt.

If that truly is the case, then extreme caution is warranted. Otherwise, even a minor oversight could unleash immense catastrophe upon the entire continent.

“How could that be!” Dean Mi couldn’t help but exclaim: “This Master Zhang, in his desire for more students to join the academy and for humanity to grow stronger, freely gifted the forty thousand points he earned from his assessment. With such magnanimity, how could he possibly turn to malevolence?”

“Dean Mi, do not be misled by his outward appearance! He’s merely doing this to win over people’s hearts and establish his so-called Xuanxuan Society!” Lu Feng dismissed.

“The Xuanxuan Society?” Master Mu directed his gaze.

“The Xuanxuan Society is a student organization founded by Zhang Xuan! While the academy does not interfere with students forming societies to unite Master Teachers and promote collective progress, this fellow... he’s been currying favor and forming cliques ever since he entered the academy, clearly with malicious intent!” Lu Feng declared.

“Dean Lu, as a Master Teacher, I implore you to weigh your words carefully!” Dean Mi’s expression turned grim.

“What do you mean by ‘forming cliques’? Does a group of students organizing themselves automatically imply malicious intent?”

“Precisely. If my information is correct, Master Zhang wasn’t even aware he was going to establish the Xuanxuan Society. He was compelled to form it after witnessing numerous new students being relentlessly pressured by their seniors...” Wei Ranxue’s expression was also rather displeased.

Master Teachers should refrain from making accusations without evidence; otherwise, once a conviction is made, it can be impossible to recover.

“Weigh my words? I’ve been extremely careful as it is! Very well, since we’ve come this far, I shall no longer conceal anything. I will recount today’s events, and you may all judge whether I have wronged him!”

With a cold snort, Lu Feng then meticulously recounted everything he had witnessed that day.

“You mean... every single teacher and student from the Alchemist Academy has joined the Xuanxuan Society? They’ve all become members? Even numerous esteemed elders weren’t spared?”

“And now... the Alchemist Academy has become an empty shell?”

A stunned silence fell over the room. All ten deans, along with Master Mu, were utterly dumbfounded.

It sounded like a fantastical tale, almost beyond belief.

“Precisely! Master Teachers place the highest importance on the legacy of their teachings. To compel so many individuals to simultaneously drop their courses, abandon the academy, and join a mere student organization... I fear this fellow must have employed some insidious, unknown methods!”

Lu Feng’s expression was grotesque. “If this isn’t dealt with promptly, once it spreads to other academies, won’t every teacher and student in the entire Master Teacher Academy become his disciples, turning it into his personal domain?”

A hush fell over the assembly. Even Dean Mi, Dean Zhao, and the others were too astonished to utter a word.

Previously, they had considered it acceptable that Master Zhang had challenged the academies, causing a few buildings and passages to collapse. But they had never in their wildest dreams imagined that... after just one lecture, he would lure away every single teacher and student from the entire Alchemist Academy!

This was utterly terrifying! If he were to give a few more lectures, wouldn’t the entire academy become his direct and indirect disciples?

“Did you attend his lecture?” After a moment of silence in the chamber, Master Mu couldn’t help but inquire.

“This Zhang Xuan allows free attendance for those who join the Xuanxuan Society, but charges exorbitant fees for those who don’t. Zhou Qing and I, along with others, each had to pay one high-grade spirit stone just to enter!”

Lu Feng snorted: “Of course I attended the lecture. However, the content was mediocre, disorganized, and primarily consisted of ingratiating and deceptive rhetoric!”

“Mediocre content?” Master Mu’s brows furrowed.

“Precisely. Didn’t I mention earlier that he used contemptible means to steal the academy’s Six-Star pills? To win over people’s loyalty, he freely distributed these elixirs to students on the verge of a breakthrough, creating a false impression of magnanimity, thereby making people even more devoted to him!”

Lu Feng then described the scene he had witnessed at the Xuanxuan Society.

“Applying knowledge to practice, it’s certainly beneficial if pills can be used by those on the verge of a breakthrough. However... using them to win over loyalties clearly indicates ulterior motives!”

Master Mu nodded in agreement.

The Master Teacher Academy’s purpose is to cultivate students, and their rapid advancement is naturally a welcome sight. However... if it’s solely for the purpose of winning over loyalties, then it is unequivocally ill-intentioned.

“He absolutely has ulterior motives!” Lu Feng asserted urgently: “Otherwise, how could he possibly make tens of thousands of teachers and students utterly devoted to him simultaneously?”

“Cultivators are a mixed bag; each individual’s comprehension varies, and thus, courses naturally differ. This is precisely why Master Kong proposed the concept of teaching according to aptitude. For a single lecture to command the admiration of all teachers and students, prompting them to willingly join the Xuanxuan Society, is indeed highly improbable.”

No matter how formidable a Master Teacher, they will naturally have admirers and detractors. As long as one is human, it’s impossible to be liked by everyone, unlike money.

Yet... Master Zhang accomplished precisely that, and it would be disingenuous not to find it surprising.

“Since this incident occurred within your Alchemist Academy, how do you intend to proceed?” With a grave expression, Master Mu looked up at him.

“My stance is quite straightforward: the ten academies should unite to expel this Zhang Xuan from the academy, never permitting him to set foot within its gates again!”

Lu Feng sneered: “Following that, we should revoke his Master Teacher qualifications and forever bar him from any future assessments!”