“He’s right. The Divine Phoenix Academy used to accept warriors from the Heavenly Dragon Continent, but the rules have changed recently. No one from the Heavenly Dragon Continent is allowed,” the Divine Phoenix Academy teacher said indifferently.
“No exceptions?” Ling Xiao frowned. He had heard that Mo Wushang, Qin Bixue, Bai Qianjiao, Hong Li, and others were at the Divine Phoenix Academy.
“Too much talk. Even if there were exceptions, they wouldn’t apply to you lot. Scram!” the teacher hadn’t finished speaking when Leng Chan started cursing again.
Ling Xiao was puzzled. He hadn’t offended this idiot. Was it just because Leng Chan was a noble that he could trample on others’ dignity?
“Hahaha, well said! For trash from the Heavenly Dragon Continent to enter the Divine Phoenix Academy, you’d need a recommendation or introduction letter. You fools came here with nothing, thinking you could join in? Are you out of your minds?” At that moment, someone emerged from the academy—Dao Wuming, a former core disciple of the Heavenly King Sect.
Back then, Dao Wuming wouldn’t have dared raise his voice to Ling Xiao or Ji Mingkong. Now, having joined the Divine Phoenix Academy, he acted like a pheasant turned phoenix, forgetting who he was.
Ling Xiao looked at Dao Wuming, his expression laced with mockery and amusement. “Heh, on the Heavenly Dragon Continent, you were a dog. Now, on the Divine Phoenix Continent, you’re someone else’s dog again? No surprise there, hanging out with dogs who rely on others’ power. Truly a den of snakes and rats. How interesting!”
His biting words made Dao Wuming and Leng Chan freeze.
Especially Leng Chan.
He hadn’t expected this refugee cur to dare talk back in front of so many people.
To call him a dog?
This guy had some guts.
Leng Chan glanced at Feng Mingyu, noticing she didn’t speak, which puzzled him. Normally, her throwing knife would already be lodged in this guy’s forehead.
“Brother Leng, he’s calling you a dog,” Dao Wuming seized the chance to stir trouble.
Leng Chan, already arrogant, knew Dao Wuming was goading him but couldn’t stand it.
Being insulted by trash from the Heavenly Dragon Continent and not responding? He’d lose face in the Imperial City.
“You brat, who’re you calling a dog?” Leng Chan said, releasing a chilling aura, ready to fight at the slightest disagreement.
“I know who I’m cursing. With your potential, you wouldn’t even qualify for the Twelve Sects on the Heavenly Dragon Continent. I thought the Divine Phoenix Academy was impressive, but it’s just a filthy dump. I’m better off not joining!” Ling Xiao hadn’t wanted to argue with Leng Chan to avoid leaving a bad impression on the academy.
But with no recommendation letter, his chances of entering were clearly gone. Why hold back?
Leng Chan had called him trash repeatedly. Once or twice, he could ignore it, but after so many times, he couldn’t stay silent.
“Hmph, still bringing up the Twelve Sects’ old history? Don’t forget, your Twelve Sects were wiped out by the great True Demon Empire. If it weren’t recruitment day at the Divine Phoenix Academy, I, Dao Wuming, would’ve crippled you on the academy’s behalf!” Dao Wuming, emboldened by his status as an academy student, had forgotten how terrifying Ling Xiao was and dismissed Ji Mingkong entirely, speaking with brazen arrogance.
“Finished? If you’re done, those not from the Divine Phoenix Academy can get lost!” The teacher behind the stone table was already impatient. Though he didn’t name names, it was clearly aimed at Ling Xiao and his group.
Then he turned to Leng Chan and Dao Wuming. “You two, really. A few stray dogs scavenging for food, and you can’t show a bit of pity?”
“But, teacher, you heard it. Some people aren’t just targeting us, they’re even insulting the Divine Phoenix Academy,” Leng Chan said, bowing.
“You’re right. Let me put it this way: if anyone causes trouble at the Divine Phoenix Academy’s gate, every disciple has the right and duty to make them leave!” The teacher’s words made his stance clear.
He was essentially telling Leng Chan and Dao Wuming that fighting here would be seen as defending the academy, not breaking rules.
Hearing this, Ling Xiao sighed. “If I’d known the Divine Phoenix Academy was like this, I’d have gone straight to Qingxu Academy. With teachers like this, the students are no surprise. Let’s go!”
He was truly disappointed.
He came to the Divine Phoenix Continent to advance his training, hoping both the Divine Phoenix and Qingxu Academies were reputable institutions.
Yet first, Feng Yanran from Qingxu Academy’s Fledgling Phoenix Class favored her kin over reason, and now this happened at the Divine Phoenix Academy’s gate.
No wonder he was disillusioned.
“Leave? You insulted our Divine Phoenix Academy and think you can just walk away? Do you think I, a disciple of this academy, don’t exist?” Leng Chan, with the teacher’s permission, had no more reservations.
To him, a few nobodies from the Heavenly Dragon Continent were easy pickings. This would not only vent his anger but also boost his reputation.
Even if it was hollow fame, people craved it.
Unnoticed, a crowd had gathered around the Divine Phoenix Academy, mostly well-dressed martial artists.
They were either tied to the royal family or prodigious talents.
Seeing someone dare cause trouble on the academy’s recruitment day, they grew excited.
Such spectacles were rare, as most wouldn’t dare act this way at the academy’s gate.
“Pathetic. Comparing the lowly Qingxu Academy to our royal Divine Phoenix Academy? That kid’s not just stupid, he’s got a foul mouth. Leng Chan, slap him hard a few times. Teach him what this place is!” a distinguished-looking youth shouted from the crowd.
No doubt, another Divine Phoenix Academy disciple, and a noble at that.
To these nobles, the academy shouldn’t have opened its doors to commoners a century ago.
A royal academy should look the part.
Unlike Qingxu Academy, which was less discerning.
“Idiots. If the Divine Phoenix Academy hadn’t opened to commoners a hundred years ago, it would’ve been crushed by Qingxu Academy long ago. You arrogant fools bring shame to your families, yet you think you can change the tide!” The sharp retort came from none other than Feng Yanran.
After leaving Feng Yinshan, she had been searching for Ling Xiao, worried when she heard he was at the Divine Phoenix Academy.
Arriving here, she breathed a sigh of relief.
The Divine Phoenix Academy had rejected Ling Xiao for being from the Heavenly Dragon Continent without a recommendation letter, not even giving him a chance to test. This was Qingxu Academy’s opportunity.
