Seeing the three elders beside him, Lin Xiao’s face lit up with astonishment. “Vice Dean Xu, Elder Lei, Elder Wei?”
These were the trio he’d met at the Tenth Outer Academy: the sleazy Elder Wei, the stern Elder Lei, and the low-key Vice Dean Xu, guardian of the library.
He’d assumed only Vice Dean Xu was a Martial Monarch, with the others at Martial Venerable.
To his shock, all three were Martial Monarchs, holding three of Shengyuan Academy’s eight Martial Monarch seats, ranked above Eighth Elder Baili He and Seventh Elder Xiahou Lan.
It was hard to fathom that three Martial Monarchs had been concealed in a mere outer academy.
The fourth figure, unfamiliar to Lin Xiao, was a hunched, ancient-looking elder whose aura nearly matched the Vice Dean’s. Likely, this was Shengyuan Academy’s First Elder.
Perhaps, like Vice Dean Xu’s trio, he’d been secluded in an outer academy or deep in the cultivation zone.
“Hey, kid, we didn’t misjudge you. In just two or three years, you’ve grown to this level,” Wei Elder said with a sleazy grin, eyeing Lin Xiao.
“I didn’t expect you to master the Thunder Three Forms and reach Martial Venerable so quickly—faster than I imagined,” Elder Lei nodded.
“Heh, we three dug up a peerless genius for Shengyuan Academy. That’s a huge merit!” Vice Dean Xu chuckled, beaming with approval.
“Thank you, Vice Dean Xu and Elders. I owe my progress to your early support,” Lin Xiao replied with a grateful smile.
But then, You Mo’s chilling voice cut through the air. “You’ve prepared well, summoning everyone back. But you and I are both Sixth Realm Martial Monarchs, and our companions are evenly matched. How will your eight stop our eleven?”
“Can your Youtian Demon Palace recruit Martial Monarchs, and Shengyuan Academy cannot?” the Vice Dean retorted.
You Mo’s brows furrowed. Did Shengyuan Academy have more Martial Monarch allies?
“Xuan Cloud Valley arrives!” A booming voice echoed, and seven figures soared from the horizon.
Six flew with faint yuan qi wings, while a black-haired elder glided through the air—a Martial Monarch.
They swiftly reached Holy City Plaza.
“Vice Dean!” The black-haired elder saluted respectfully.
“Greetings, Vice Dean Rong!” The other six bowed.
“No need for formalities,” the Vice Dean nodded.
“Wang Xuanyun?” A Guan family Martial Monarch from the Youtian Alliance recognized him, surprised. “Your Xuan Cloud Valley rarely meddles in chaotic lands’ conflicts. Why join today?”
Martial Monarchs were scarce in the chaotic lands, and beyond Youtian Demon Palace and Shengyuan Academy, few could be swayed. Even the Guan and Yuan family Martial Monarchs had joined only for steep rewards.
Wang Xuanyun, known for reclusive cultivation, was notoriously hard to enlist.
Yet here he was, aiding Shengyuan Academy.
At the Guan elder’s words, Wang Xuanyun turned, facing him calmly. “Because I, too, was once a Shengyuan Academy disciple.”
The crowd gasped. This aiding Martial Monarch was a former student?
The Guan elder frowned, silenced. Wang Xuanyun’s past as a Shengyuan disciple was unexpected.
His reason outshone the Guan family’s mercenary alliance with Youtian Demon Palace.
With Xuan Cloud Valley’s Martial Monarch, the Holy City gained another top-tier powerhouse.
“Liao Family arrives!” Another resonant voice sounded, and eight figures approached.
A Martial Monarch, appearing only fifty, flew freely, joined by seven Martial Venerables with yuan qi wings.
They reached the plaza swiftly.
“Vice Dean Rong!” They saluted.
The Vice Dean returned a nod.
“Liao Sheng? Were you also a Shengyuan disciple?” The Yuan family Martial Monarch frowned, recognizing him. The Liao family, distant rivals of the Yuan, occasionally clashed.
“Indeed,” Liao Sheng smiled.
Another shock rippled through the crowd. Another former Shengyuan disciple.
Shengyuan Academy’s renown was unmatched, its centuries producing countless powerhouses. In the chaotic lands alone, two Martial Monarchs emerged. Across the continent, their numbers were likely vast.
Given time to spread word, more might rally to Shengyuan’s aid.
This was the difference between an academy and a clan. Disciples, taught and sent forth, returned to aid their alma mater in crisis, converging from all corners.
This was a venerable academy’s true strength.
You Mo’s brows knitted. He’d expected to overwhelm Shengyuan Academy, but they’d rallied two Martial Monarchs, narrowing the gap to one.
Their forces—Martial Venerables and Kings—now nearly matched the Youtian Alliance. Victory would come at a steep cost.
He knew this campaign wasn’t just for the Youtian Demon Pillar but to topple Shengyuan Academy itself.
“Heh, I happen to have a Martial Monarch ally too,” Lin Xiao’s voice rang out, a sly chuckle breaking the tension.
The crowd froze, stunned. Lin Xiao, with a Martial Monarch ally? Had they misheard?
