The announcement sent a wave of shock through the crowd, their emotions plummeting as if they’d fallen from a mountaintop. The rollercoaster of feelings was indescribable.
Baili He had whipped their expectations sky-high with tales of boundless opportunities and deans rising from the Mysterious Domain Battlefield, only to reveal that only the top thirty and Star List disciples could enter…
If not for fear of Baili He’s strength, the crowd might have erupted in curses.
How many among them could qualify for the Mysterious Domain Battlefield?
The top thirty, plus two Star List disciples present—everyone else was excluded…
Countless disciples felt as if they’d swallowed flies, their hearts churning with frustration.
In truth, Saint Yuan Academy’s decision was entirely reasonable. Limiting entrants to the strongest disciples conserved resources and minimized losses.
In such a perilous environment, weaker disciples would only be cannon fodder. Better to exclude them than let them die needlessly.
“Of course, beyond these, anyone with 30,000 contribution points can exchange for a slot or secure one for someone else,” Baili He added, offering a glimmer of hope.
This sparked renewed hope in many. Thirty thousand points was steep, but not impossible, especially for those in the top fifty, who already had 10,000 points.
With a month left, they could frantically take on missions to earn more.
Disciples from factions could use their elders’ points to secure a slot, akin to using resources to activate the array, granting access to the battlefield.
Factions would undoubtedly spare no effort to send their most promising disciples.
The next month would see countless disciples scrambling for missions and others trading lifelong treasures for contribution points.
Still, the slots would likely remain scarce.
The Mysterious Domain Battlefield was designed for Saint Yuan Academy’s most talented and powerful—Star List disciples and the top thirty.
The top thirty were naturally elated. Others had to pay a steep price for the chance, but they had earned it outright.
The battlefield held countless opportunities for their rise.
With the announcement concluded, the crowd of tens of thousands dispersed, their discussions echoing endlessly.
Amid the chatter, Lin Xiao followed Baili He to the quiet cultivation zone, to a mountain peak where the Vice Dean resided.
Being summoned personally by the Vice Dean was something countless would envy.
Yet, with his current stature, Lin Xiao faced anyone with unshakable composure.
…
Deep in the quiet cultivation zone, a serene mountain peak stood, shrouded in mist and brimming with spiritual energy—a prime cultivation site.
At its summit, the Vice Dean’s robes fluttered, his aged frame still exuding a commanding, regal presence.
“Vice Dean, I’ve brought him. I’ll take my leave,” Baili He said, having escorted Lin Xiao with Yuan force. After the Vice Dean nodded, Baili He departed.
Facing the plainly dressed Vice Dean, Lin Xiao bowed respectfully. “Disciple Lin Xiao greets the Vice Dean!”
“Heh, no need for formalities!” The Vice Dean gave a kindly smile. “After so many years, Saint Yuan Academy has finally produced a peerless genius capable of turning the tides.”
“Vice Dean, you flatter me. But what do you mean by turning the tides?” Lin Xiao asked, puzzled.
“A spirit controller who can refine and fuse spiritual energies naturally has that potential,” the Vice Dean sighed, then asked lightly, “Tell me, have you heard of the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Spiritual Energy?”
Lin Xiao’s heart jolted. The Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Spiritual Energy—he knew it well. In fact, it was his very reason for being here. But why was the Vice Dean bringing it up?
“I’ve heard of it,” Lin Xiao replied, suppressing his emotions and nodding honestly.
“I suspect, like An Miao, you’re here for the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Spiritual Energy.”
Lin Xiao’s heart skipped again.
Did the Vice Dean know his intentions?
But it made sense. Spiritual energies were irresistible to spirit controllers, and having refined spiritual energies himself, it wasn’t hard to guess his goal.
As for An Miao, Lin Xiao had heard of her—Zi Ling’s master, known as Master Lingmiao, a sixth-grade spirit controller, a level Lin Xiao had never encountered.
Was An Miao also after the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Spiritual Energy, just like him?
“You needn’t worry. In truth, Saint Yuan Academy won’t hinder you—on the contrary, we’ll help you refine the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Spiritual Energy,” the Vice Dean said, shocking Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao was stunned. Wasn’t the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Spiritual Energy the academy’s most guarded treasure? Why would they help others refine it?
“In reality, Saint Yuan Academy doesn’t truly control it. When it erupts one day, we’ll lose it entirely, and that moment is drawing closer,” the Vice Dean explained. “So, rather than let it go out of control, we’d prefer to empower our own disciples.”
“Oh?” Lin Xiao’s heart leaped with joy. Not only was the academy not opposing him, they were offering aid?
“However, the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Spiritual Energy has condensed over countless years, its energy vast and sentient. Even a sixth-grade spirit controller like An Miao can’t subdue it. With your current spiritual force, it’s likely even harder, even with special methods,” the Vice Dean cautioned, tempering Lin Xiao’s excitement.
Lin Xiao was slightly taken aback. The spiritual energy was sentient?
A sentient heaven-and-earth energy, aged thousands or tens of thousands of years, would possess unimaginable power.
Though he had the mysterious Eternal Heaven Spirit Art for refining and fusing spiritual energies, subduing such a formidable force with his current spiritual force was likely far beyond him.
Moreover, with two fused spiritual energies already in his mind, there would be significant resistance.
Refining such a powerful spiritual energy would be daunting.
No wonder even a sixth-grade spirit controller like Master An Miao couldn’t subdue it.
“Where is the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Spiritual Energy?” Lin Xiao finally asked.
The Vice Dean shook his head slightly. “In truth, we don’t know its exact location.”
“What?” Lin Xiao nearly jumped in shock. Even the Vice Dean didn’t know where it was? Wasn’t it supposed to be within Saint Yuan Academy?
