Mu Yun stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Ling Si across the way, and said mockingly:
"How many more can you withstand? How long can you delay?"
The other eight all wore cold smiles, their powerful auras soaring skyward.
The nine stood in one place, facing the solitary and unsupported Ling Si.
This scene rendered the many from the Saint Academy silently speechless.
At the literary gathering, the earlier rounds were contests of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs.
With Ling Si’s talent and wit, she had passed each hurdle to reach this point.
But the ensuing battles of strength... they concern life and death!
Ling Si was not weak, already possessing a Divine Form Realm cultivation.
Yet of the nine opposite her, all but the two weakest were in the Divine Skill Realm!
And the strongest among them, Mu Yun, was at the peak of the Divine Skill!
Fighting across such a great realm, and against opponents of this caliber — how could this battle be won?
Even if she could delay, how long could Ling Si hold out?
All the numerous cultivators of the Confucian path present watched unblinkingly.
For the Saint Academy... defeat was certain, beyond redemption!
And those powerful figures watching secretly also focused their attention, their divine thoughts frequently sweeping the surroundings, awaiting the arrival of Su Changqing.
The world fell silent, as Ling Si alone bore unimaginable pressure, slowly stepping forward.
She reached the center, took a deep breath, and a vast, magnanimous righteousness surged from her being.
"Even if I die today! I shall not retreat one step!"
The woman’s gentle voice carried a steely resolve.
Shu Han, Bo Gu, Yin Feng, and all the members of the Saint Academy stood up.
This battle today was supposed to be fought by them, disciples of the Confucian Immortal.
Yet the rules bound them, and they could only press down the anger in their hearts, watching from below.
Watching... that woman who was not a disciple of the Confucian Immortal, but was fighting for the honor of their line.
"Master Wei... I apologize."
Shu Han glanced at Wei Cang, who stood with fists clenched, and lowered his head in shame.
"The debt is owed by Li Qingchen, not your Saint Academy."
"My student fights for the orthodox path of Confucianism, and my heart swells with pride too!"
Wei Cang slowly rose, an overwhelming force gradually rising.
He glanced into the distance and spoke, "Whether Chang Qing comes today or not."
Shu Han shook his head, "I don’t know, but at this moment... I’m afraid he won’t make it in time."
"Very well, he is not as obstinate as his teacher."
Wei Cang chuckled, then took a deep breath, murderous intent flaring as he said:
"Prepare for battle!"
Shu Han, Bo Gu, and the others said nothing, but their powerful auras quietly rose.
The Mu family members opposite, and the great scholars present, stood up with cold smiles as well.
Two mighty forces gathered in the void, the rift within the Confucian path of many years was finally reaching its unification!
The tension in the heavens and earth was also perceived by everyone in Central Province City.
In an unnoticed corner, Xian Banmeng glanced into the distance, muttering,
"Is Chang Qing not coming anymore?"
Entropic Oblivion shook his head, speaking softly, "With his nature, how could he not come."
Xian Banmeng looked puzzled toward the literary platform above, "The Saint Academy is about to lose."
"Once the fight begins and Ling Si falls, the Grand Cause of the Saint Academy will be lost, and salvation will be impossible."
"If Chang Qing doesn’t arrive soon, then I’m afraid..."
Before Xian Banmeng’s words fell, a massive wave of clouds surged across the sky like tides from afar.
Upon them, two figures rode the waves, rushing forward. Google seaʀᴄh 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚·𝔫𝔢𝔱
Countless people in Central Province City changed their expressions slightly, looking up.
At the same time, a clear, youthful voice resonated thunderously from the void.
"Direct disciple of the Confucian Immortal, Su Changqing!"
"Comes to seek guidance!"