Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 150 - 146 Candidness

Chapter 150: Chapter 146 Candidness

The students of Bai Lu Academy felt a bit shaken upon seeing Yun Zhiqiu’s corpse.

Although Yun Zhiqiu was not considered a top genius, being able to enter Bai Lu Academy was no small feat. Moreover, he hailed from the Yun Family in Yun Meng City and was in the Foundation Establishment Realm, yet due to a moment’s folly, he was hammered to death by Huang Xiong here.

Huang Xiong’s combat strength had increased once more. Yun Zhiqiu, losing the upper hand, was left utterly without a chance until his death.

With a disdainful glance at Yun Zhiqiu’s body, Huang Xiong’s eyes betrayed contempt. Such a petty person deserved to die. He felt no ripples in his heart.

Returning to the academy, Huang Xiong bowed to Mr. Lu and said, "I acted impulsively. Please, sir, administer punishment."

If punished for this, Huang Xiong would harbor no resentment.

"Yun Zhiqiu is no longer a student of Bai Lu Academy. The grievances between you are not the academy’s concern," the elder replied indifferently. Previously, his words to Li Fan had, in fact, already acquiesced to Li Fan being able to kill.

After speaking, the elder’s gaze shifted to another direction.

Xiao Qiang’s brow furrowed. Seeing Yun Zhiqiu’s death, she felt a twinge of unease in her heart. Bai Lu Academy, as the holy land of cultivation in Jiangzhou, it was unexpected that the Academy Master would also allow such a thing to happen.

"You were not previously a student of the academy, so the academy’s regulations naturally do not bind you. However, should not the actions of the Imperial Extreme Sect provide an explanation?" the elder’s voice continued.

Clearly, the matter was not yet concluded.

Yun Zhiqiu had revealed Li Fan’s identity with ulterior motives, something that could not be dismissed as simply ’unintentional.’

The Imperial Extreme Sect, as the force spreading the news, had insidious purposes.

What goals did they harbor?

"This has nothing to do with the Imperial Extreme Sect," Xiao Qiang continued to deny.

"Whether you admit it or not is irrelevant. Have your father come to the academy," the elder said to Xiao Qiang. "Though the Imperial Extreme Sect has no connection with the academy, and the academy cannot restrain the Imperial Extreme Sect, since the Imperial Extreme Sect is a sect force in Yun Meng City, Bai Lu Academy, even for Yun Meng City’s sake, needs an explanation from the Imperial Extreme Sect. Are they colluding with demons?"

"How could you speak such, sir?" Xiao Qiang’s face slightly changed.

If such a label as colluding with demons was affixed to the Imperial Extreme Sect, they would be in trouble.

"Why I say so is something you should understand, and perhaps the many cultivators of Yun Meng City also understand. I won’t make things difficult for you; just inform your father and have him provide an explanation," the elder continued. Xiao Qiang wanted to say more but saw the elder wave his hand.

"Go," he said, then said no more, turning to leave.

The matter had apparently reached a conclusion, with no room for negotiation.

Xiao Qiang’s face was distressed. She watched the elder’s back, glanced once more in the direction where Li Fan was, and finally turned to leave Bai Lu Academy.

Outside, many cultivators had gathered by now. They also heard the conversation inside the academy and saw Xiao Qiang exit, many pointing and commenting at her.

"The Imperial Extreme Sect, being the top sect in Yun Meng City, was not seen in the battle against the demons that day, but behind the scenes, they are so treacherous as to frame Yang Xia."

"The Imperial Extreme Sect harbors sinister intentions. Xiao Qiang’s arrival at the academy is indeed suspicious, and Bai Lu Academy needs to scrutinize it and provide Yang Xia with an account."

The crowd discussed fervently. These voices were particularly harsh to Xiao Qiang’s ears. She quickened her pace to leave, but feared the matter would soon spread throughout Yun Meng City, damaging the Imperial Extreme Sect’s reputation.

Bai Lu Academy would go this far for Yang Qingshan?

Yang Qingshan was not even a student of the academy. Before the news spread, Yang Qingshan did not reside within Bai Lu Academy and had no connection with it.

It was only after the news spread that the academy invited Yang Qingshan in.

Therefore, when the Imperial Extreme Sect spread the news, they did not consider the academy’s influence.

Even Bai Lu Academy students looked at Yang Qingshan with some envy.

The academy treated him so well.

Even academy students had never received such treatment.

To stand up for an outsider under the name of Bai Lu Academy, when had such a thing ever happened?

Was it because of that battle against the demons?

Li Fan saluted the departing elder and said, "Thank you, sir."

"What I promised you, I would naturally accomplish," the elder replied coolly without looking back. "You fought for Yun Meng City, yet someone in the city betrayed you. Some things must be done; if left undone, Yun Meng City would have no order."

Yun Meng City is a city of cultivators. For years, many cultivators have protected this city, resisting demons until a balanced situation was reached.

But if such a thing were allowed to happen, then the city would lose its purpose.

Thus, it was not just for Li Fan’s sake.

Li Fan watched the elder leave and turned back into the courtyard, with Lu Yuan, Huang Xiong, and others following him.

Lu Yuan whispered, "Why not consider joining the academy yourself?"

Li Fan looked at her, and Lu Yuan smiled, saying, "It’s just a name. The academy is a place of learning, not a sect. Whether you join or not makes no difference. Better to allow the academy to act with rightful authority."

"Very well."

Li Fan saw the wisdom in Lu Yuan’s words. Joining or not joining indeed made little difference.

The academy had treated him well; what more could he ask?

Seeing Li Fan agree, Lu Yuan chuckled lightly. Li Fan was the Li Mountain Sword Son and could one day master Li Mountain, becoming the new generation’s Li Mountain Sword Master.

Should the world one day know that the Li Mountain Sword Master once studied at Bai Lu Academy, it would be a boon for the academy.

Returning to the courtyard, Li Fan found Qu Qingfeng seated there, sipping tea.

"Sir," Li Fan sat down opposite Qu Qingfeng.

"I had some suspicions before; through this incident, we can discover if there’s another force behind the Imperial Extreme Sect," Qu Qingfeng said, handing Li Fan a cup of tea.

Li Fan nodded, realizing it was the academy’s intention.

If there were indeed a court background, it would likely be exposed.

Additionally, this incident would badly affect the Imperial Extreme Sect’s reputation, making it harder for them to maintain their foothold in Yun Meng City.

"Sir, if there really is a background, I’m a bit worried," Li Fan said.

Would a court background pressure the academy?

"Bai Lu Academy has existed in Yun Meng City for hundreds of years, free from worldly matters and seeking no fame or fortune, solely dedicated to teaching. Even if one wished to accuse Bai Lu Academy, there’s no angle to do so," Qu Qingfeng said, smiling as he shook his head. "Should anyone forcibly act against Bai Lu Academy..."

Reputation can sometimes be quite useful. In Yun Meng City, Bai Lu Academy is the holy land.

Bai Lu Academy differs from Li Mountain; Li Mountain is secluded, while Bai Lu Academy is worldly.

Furthermore, before moving against Li Mountain, the court already tagged Li Mountain with colluding with demons.

They couldn’t possibly give Bai Lu Academy the same label, could they?

Even if they wanted to, there was no way to begin.

Li Fan nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.

"Sir, will my killing Yun Zhiqiu affect the academy?" Huang Xiong asked for guidance.

Huang Xiong killed Yun Zhiqiu because he deserved it and did not think he was wrong.

However, the academy is a holy place, and he did not wish this to tarnish its reputation.

"How does one repay kindness if they repay grievances with virtue?" Qu Qingfeng said with a smile. Huang Xiong didn’t quite understand but saw from the teacher’s expression that he wasn’t being blamed.

"Sir, I’m joining Bai Lu Academy. Will the academy accept me?" Li Fan asked Qu Qingfeng.

Qu Qingfeng looked up at him and smiled, nodding: "Of course."

"However, having stirred these troubles, I’m worried it might burden the academy," Li Fan expressed some concern.

"Even if you don’t join the academy, will the academy abandon you?" Qu Qingfeng said: "What’s the difference?"

Li Fan sighed, speechless.

"I understand your concern about your identity. No worries, I have already guessed where you came from," Qu Qingfeng said with a smile.

Li Fan looked at him, but wasn’t too surprised.

It was expected.

Lu Yuan was a bit startled looking at Qu Qingfeng.

It turns out that the teacher already knew.

Huang Xiong and Ji Xue were both stunned, looking at Li Fan with surprise. So, Li Fan had an extraordinary background?

Yes, with such a gifted sword cultivator, how could there be no background?

They should have thought of that.

"If I can guess, then so can others with interest," Qu Qingfeng said. "So, there’s no need to worry."

"Okay." Li Fan nodded.

Qu Qingfeng turned to look at Ji Xue and Huang Xiong, saying, "This matter, let us not speak of it to outsiders."

"I understand," Ji Xue bowed.

"Don’t worry, sir," Huang Xiong nodded earnestly.

Qu Qingfeng had figured out a bit of their character and had no concerns. Besides, they witnessed Yun Zhiqiu’s end and wouldn’t dare to gossip.

Moreover, Ji Xue admired and Huang Xiong respected; they wouldn’t act like Yun Zhiqiu.

"If you join the academy, is there anything to do?" Li Fan asked.

"No need, the academy will release the news to the public, and that will suffice," Qu Qingfeng said. "Those formalities can be dispensed with."

"Alright." Li Fan nodded.

Soon after, the news of Yang Qingshan becoming a student of the academy spread within the academy and then to Yun Meng City.

Simultaneously, the events outside the academy also quickly spread throughout Yun Meng City.

For a time, many discussed the matter.

However, this was somewhat expected; someone like Yang Qingshan, a prodigy, naturally needed the academy’s protection, so becoming a student was only reasonable.

As for Yun Zhiqiu, someone who revealed Yang Qingshan’s identity, his death was just that — a death. The Yun Family probably would not dare say much.

As for the Imperial Extreme Sect, Bai Lu Academy awaited their explanation, and the people of Yun Meng City also wanted to see what the Imperial Extreme Sect would account for.