Chapter 116: Beat Them All Up

The most powerful forces in the Southern Region are the three great academies standing closest to the Southern Sea: the Zixiao Academy, the Tingfeng Academy, and the Xiaoqin Academy. Each of these three institutions resides within one of the three great dynasties. Although it is said that the academies merely borrowed a city from each respective dynasty, if they so desired, they could effectively carve the entire Southern Region into three, turning the land into their own sovereign territories.

However, the three academies have chosen not to do so, preferring to tend to their own corners of the world. Zixiao City, while merely an ordinary town within the Leiling Dynasty, has become its most prosperous hub solely because of the presence of the Zixiao Academy. The city continues to expand day by day, as if it would burst at the seams if it did not grow to accommodate those within it.

Moreover, this city has no city lord or garrison force, for there is only room for one master. The only entity fit to be that master is the Zixiao Academy itself! This is not just a title, but a symbol; as long as the Zixiao Academy stands, no one dares to harbor designs upon Zixiao City.

"I am very sorry, but the enrollment period has passed. You cannot enter."

The gates of the Zixiao Academy are grand and imposing, guarded by two individuals who appear to be students of the academy. Shen Qingyun and Feng Chuxun stand at the entrance, yet the guards remain unmoved by any argument, refusing to let them pass.

Shen Qingyun does not grow angry at the refusal; the guards are at least polite in their rejection, and to lose one's temper would only make him look petty. A great emperor would never lack such composure.

"But the Zixiao Academy has no rule stating that admissions cease entirely once the enrollment period concludes, does it?" Shen Qingyun asks with a smile. He has no idea if such a rule exists, but he speaks with feigned confidence.

"I am truly sorry, but you really cannot enter."

The student guards look at the two men, their faces expressionless, as if no words could sway them from their duty.

The Zixiao Academy has no restrictive barriers; as long as one is a student of the academy, they may come and go as they please. At that moment, a group of students, both men and women, arrives. The men are full of vigor, and the women possess an air of elegance.

This is the Zixiao Academy, a gathering place for the prodigies of the Southern Region; the quality of its students is extraordinary in every sense.

As they pass, they notice Shen Qingyun and Feng Chuxun arguing with the gatekeepers and cannot help but sneer. "Look, more people trying to sneak into the academy."

"Indeed, it happens almost every day."

"Well, who can blame them? We are one of the three great academies of the Southern Region. Such an institution is not meant for just anyone!"

As they walk past, they cast haughty, superior glances at Shen Qingyun and Feng Chuxun—the distinct look of those who belong to the academy looking down upon those who do not.

Even the calm Feng Chuxun finds the attention somewhat embarrassing, but Shen Qingyun ignores their gazes entirely. He turns back to the guards and asks, "What if I have a referral? Can I enter then?"

The guard replies, "I am sorry, but almost everyone who comes here claims to have a referral. We have no way to verify your claims, so you still cannot enter."

Shen Qingyun: "...Very well then!"

He turns and walks away, and Feng Chuxun follows him.

"What now?" Feng Chuxun asks. If they cannot even enter the academy, how are they to deliver the referral to the instructors?

"Let’s find a place to stay and let me think," Shen Qingyun says, glancing back at the imposing inscription of the Zixiao Academy. There must be a way in.

"If all else fails, should we force our way in?" Feng Chuxun suggests. Shen Qingyun sighs at the bluntness of the proposal. "We are civilized people, understand? We cannot solve every problem with a brawl."

"Oh," Feng Chuxun nods obediently.

After walking a few more steps, Shen Qingyun stops and asks, "Does the Zixiao Academy allow duels?"

Feng Chuxun: "???"

Is that not the same thing as a brawl?

However, Feng Chuxun is indifferent to the distinction; the point is that there will be a fight. The students of the Zixiao Academy are the cream of the crop, unlike those of the Cangyun Sect, and he is curious to see just how strong they are.

"Are you confident in your strength?" Shen Qingyun asks, not intending to fight himself just yet.

"Unless I am overwhelmed by sheer force like I was against the Three-Eyed Berserker Ape, I should be able to handle a few," Feng Chuxun says after a moment of reflection. The ape had given him no chance to show his full strength, but he had been soundly crushed. Against human opponents, he is confident that if he goes all out from the start, he can handle several. Besides, fighting stronger opponents is better for tempering his sword intent.

"Good. Watch for my signal and take care of those two guards," Shen Qingyun says calmly.

"Understood!"

They return to the gates. The guards, seeing them return, remain calm, assuming they are simply being persistent. As long as they don't let them in, there is no issue.

"Does the Zixiao Academy allow duels?" Shen Qingyun asks without preamble.

The guards are puzzled by his intentions but answer honestly: "The Zixiao Academy forbids private feuds between students but encourages fair competition. Duels are permitted, provided they do not result in death or permanent injury!"

Shen Qingyun nods, acknowledging the information, and gives a signal: "Chuxun!"

The guards look on with confusion. A non-student coming to challenge the students of the Zixiao Academy is unprecedented. Usually, those who are not part of the academy are the ones who end up beaten.

Feng Chuxun draws his sword, *Chixue*, steps forward, and declares, "I am ready!" When the guards ask which of them he wishes to challenge, Feng Chuxun replies, "I will challenge both of you at once."

The guards are stunned, then indignant. To challenge them both? "Since you are so determined to humiliate yourself, we shall oblige!" one of the guards says coldly.

Feng Chuxun releases his sword intent. Sensing the strength of his aura, the guards turn serious. They form seals, and two spells manifest in the air, rushing toward him. One spell creates two green vines that attempt to bind him, while the other transforms into five arrows of light.

Feng Chuxun does not retreat. He charges forward, *Chixue* glowing, and his sword intent snaps the vines instantly. With a roar, he strikes, shattering the arrows in mid-air.

Realizing their opponent is no amateur, the guards grow wary, but it is too late. Feng Chuxun is already upon them, his overwhelming pressure causing their minds to falter. Before they can recover, Feng Chuxun—not even using his blade—channels his spiritual energy into his fists and strikes them squarely in the face.

*Bang!*

*Bang!*

Both guards collapse. Feng Chuxun stands over them, looking down. "You have lost."

The guards lie on the ground, bruises forming around their eyes. Feng Chuxun had been ruthless, targeting their eyes, but he had held back enough that they would recover after a brief spell of dizziness.

Shen Qingyun walks forward without stopping, heading straight for the gate. "Chuxun, let's go."

The guards scramble to their feet, shouting, "What are you doing? You cannot enter!"

Shen Qingyun pauses, turns his head, and offers a grin. "We came for the Zixiao Academy, and now we intend to challenge its students until we lose. You two have already lost, so you have no right to stop us." He turns and continues walking.

"Ugh..."

"Do you know how we lost?" one guard asks.

"No idea!" the other replies, lying back down and staring at the sky. "I just know I lost. They can't punish us for losing, can they?"

The other considers this. They aren't the best in the academy, but they aren't the worst either. If they were defeated, many others would likely fall as well. Based on that person's strength, it wasn't their fault—the man was simply too strong.

Reasoning this, he lies back down as well.

The Zixiao Academy is vast. Beyond the gates, the architecture is grand and imposing, with palace-like structures linked by towering stone staircases. Yet, Shen Qingyun sees no one. He looks around, searching. Feng Chuxun is also looking, hoping to find an instructor to hand over his referral, which had been their original goal. It seems, however, that finding one will be difficult.

"If we can't find anyone, what do we do?" Feng Chuxun asks.

"We keep looking. I refuse to believe that in a place as large as the Zixiao Academy, we can't find a single student."

"That's not what I meant," Feng Chuxun says, exasperated. "I mean, what if we can't find an instructor?"

Shen Qingyun turns to him, a smirk playing on his lips. "Instructors are easy to find. Once we’ve beaten everyone we see, the instructors will naturally show themselves."

Feng Chuxun realizes the logic and, though it feels slightly off, decides it makes sense.

"Aren't you two the ones from the gate?"

A voice calls out from behind them. Shen Qingyun and Feng Chuxun turn to see the very same students who had looked at them with such disdain earlier.

They had been searching high and low, only to have the solution find them.