Chapter 81: The Unfathomable Power of the Immortal Clans

Back then, before he collapsed and lost consciousness, those people quickly covered him up, so the most humiliating scene was never captured on camera. The short videos circulating now are all of his miracles. Although the videos were quickly blocked, forces like Dragon Tiger Mountain and others were already intent on promoting their own disciple, Zhang Ruofeng, as a model, so the spread of Zhang Ruofeng’s footage was tolerated to a degree, and the dissemination, though selective, was still quite widespread.

That is why Zhang Ruofeng could be easily recognized—there are still plenty of his videos circulating online.

Seeing the crowd’s fervor, their worshipful gazes, Zhang Ruofeng was delighted. Along with him, Jin Huishan also found himself the focus of many admiring eyes. Stroking his graying beard, he burst out in hearty laughter.

“I am Huang Kuang of the Bajimen!”

“I am Black Bear of the Hengjian Sect!”

“I am Li Ao of Mount Hua!”

“I am Song Wanjun of Mount Emei!”

“I am Shangguan Shaobao of Kongtong Mountain!”

“I am Deng Ruoyu of the Wind and Thunder Sect!”

...

Dragon Tiger Mountain, Little Thunder Monastery, Star Sect.

Bajimen, Hengjian Sect, Mount Hua, Mount Emei, Kongtong Mountain, Wind and Thunder Sect, Long Blade Sect.

These are the names of the ten great sects.

All have come to Shengjing Academy!

Clearly, Dragon Tiger Mountain, Little Thunder Monastery, and the like stand at the forefront, and only after them do sects like Bajimen follow.

“Am I at a public school talent selection and aptitude test, or is this a gathering of all my enemies?”

“Let me see—Pang Wudi, that brat, woke up and has even started flattering Zhang Ruofeng and the others. Zhang Ruofeng is an enemy, Jin Huishan even more so. Now these two are together, and wait, who’s that in the distance? Isn’t that Zhang Qiang? That weakling actually came too! After yesterday’s incident, Jin Huishan still let him tag along. No, and beside him is Song Yuyan…”

Only Lin Yi sensed something was very wrong. To him, this wasn’t a school selection or aptitude test—it was a grand gathering of all his foes.

Daozi Zhang Ruofeng of Dragon Tiger Mountain was his sworn enemy.

Jin Huishan—no need to mention. And Zhang Qiang had a mortal feud with him.

One after another, and now Pang Wudi had wormed his way to Zhang Ruofeng’s side.

Pang Wudi—Lin Yi had slapped his face and broken his arm before, and now he was circling around Zhang Ruofeng, his vicious expression saying it all.

Just moments ago, these people were banding together to flatter each other and mock Monk Xuanku of Little Thunder Monastery—it was obvious they were in league.

Didn’t this mean that all these sects—Hengjian and the rest—were in collusion with Zhang Ruofeng?

If so, then he was truly an enemy to the world, just like the protagonist template in a novel!

A protagonist is nothing if not at odds with the whole world!

But this was never what he wanted!

Lin Yi had plenty of opportunities to reap the benefits in secret; he’d reached a crucial stage in his cultivation. He’d only planned to check in at school, casually reveal his status as a cultivator, inform the principal and his advisor, and then he’d have unlimited leave from classes.

He could go straight to the demon prison, or finish the unfinished business at the City God Temple beneath the artificial lake at the Talented Garden.

But now Lin Yi realized he’d have to waste some more time.

When old enemies meet, tempers flare.

With a sigh, Lin Yi thought: I really don’t want to show off—please, don’t give me the chance to. I just want to keep a low profile…

Having made up his mind, Lin Yi was ready to leave.

But before he went, he felt he should have a proper word with Li Chunfeng on the other side.

---

Beside Li Chunfeng stood the young monk Xuanku from Little Thunder Monastery, his face dark.

But soon Xuanku rolled his eyes at Zhang Ruofeng and the others, and moved closer to Li Chunfeng.

“Once again, I want to know the exact location of the dead woman in the deserted village you mentioned.”

“And by the way, you may only tell me—not a word to anyone else.”

As he spoke, the young monk Xuanku made a show of defiance, glancing at the approaching Zhang Ruofeng and his group.

This expression made Zhang Ruofeng and his companions look rather displeased.

Jin Huishan, who had been stroking his beard and chuckling like a transcendental master, now pursed his lips and knitted his brows.

At such a distance, they had no idea what Xuanku was saying.

Swish, swish, swish—

As they were about to approach, the old principal Gu Leiming and others had already come over with a “welcome, welcome,” so Jin Huishan, Zhang Ruofeng, and the rest began to converse with Principal Gu.

But every so often, Zhang Ruofeng and company would shoot sidelong glances at Xuanku.

Daoists and Buddhists are not of the same family.

Each for their own gain—how could they ever unite?

After a brief exchange, the group decided to begin the student assessment.

There was no choice—the people gathered were simply too enthusiastic.

The earlier performances of Xuanku from Little Thunder Monastery and Liu Changfeng from Long Blade Sect had astounded the crowd, and now with Daozi Zhang Ruofeng’s appearance, the excitement had reached its peak.

Pang Wudi had made everyone realize that, after the red mist veiled the sky, anyone might suddenly awaken, their talents and bodies transformed.

So the old restriction that no one under twenty could cultivate might now be utterly broken.

Everyone wanted to try their luck—maybe, just maybe, they might succeed.

With excitement running so high, Principal Gu Leiming gave the order to begin testing.

After all, the aptitude testers could easily evaluate everyone present; there was no need to keep the crowd pressed together in chaos.

On the sidelines, Pang Wudi was already pouring out his grievances to the young disciples he’d just befriended, flattering and currying favor.

“Lin Yi, this time you’re dead. Just wait and see. Imagine that—I’ve already gotten acquainted with Daozi Zhang Ruofeng of Dragon Tiger Mountain, and even the big shot Jin Huishan of Star Sect. Awakening a talent feels amazing! I just don’t know if my arm will heal. Lin Yi, you really messed me up!”

“If my arm doesn’t recover, Lin Yi, I’ll hate you for life. I’ll haunt you forever.”

Feeling the pain in his arm, Pang Wudi was unsure if the medicine he’d taken would heal him, and his hatred for Lin Yi only grew.

As he poured out his woes, he saw the sympathetic faces of the many genius disciples present.

Seeing the resentment on their faces, Pang Wudi knew he’d played his hand well.

Despite the rise of the red mist and the world’s upheaval, only a handful had awakened talents. This made him a rare commodity.

Think about it—in all of Shengjing City, how many had truly awakened? Even within Shengjing Academy, few had revealed themselves as gifted, so he was undoubtedly the brightest star—hence the attention.

This time, he was certain of success.

Lin Yi, be ready to pay the price!

“Excellent, excellent! Someone dares bully our brother? That’s courting death. I’ll see justice done for you.”

“That’s right! We’re disciples of the immortals. If someone messes with you, they mess with me. We’ll just break their arms and legs!”

...

These scions of the immortal sects wore haughty expressions, their gazes fierce and unyielding.

The more they spoke, the happier Pang Wudi became.

---

Xuanku’s words earlier had gone unanswered by Zhang Ruofeng and the others—perhaps they hadn’t heard.

But Zhang Ruofeng, Jin Huishan, and the rest directed meaningful, threatening glances at Xuanku, making his expression flicker, though he gritted his teeth and held his ground.

“I repeat, you may only tell me. Yes, you must come with me. You can’t stay here, or you might tell a second or third person.”

Though a young monk of Little Thunder Monastery, Xuanku’s sect was not the orthodox Great Thunder Monastery; its ranks were filled with all manner of wild spirits and strange beings—one could only imagine the chaos within.

Still, individually or as a whole, their strength was undeniable.

Li Chunfeng had never expected that, after telling his story and seeking help, these immortal disciples would be so domineering. He wasn’t even allowed to continue, and they wanted to take him away—what was this, an interrogation in some dark room?

Li Chunfeng’s face turned anxious, and he stumbled backward in alarm.

Xuanku’s expression darkened further. Having already endured much scorn from Zhang Ruofeng and the others, he was simmering with anger. Seeing Li Chunfeng retreat, the scars atop his head seemed to bulge with rage.

“You brat, get over here! What are you backing away for? Come with me—now!”

All the while, Xuanku kept watching Zhang Ruofeng and Jin Huishan, as if fearing they might intervene at any moment.

This only made Lin Yi all the more puzzled.

Why was Xuanku so interested in Li Chunfeng’s story of the dead woman in the deserted village? Liu Changfeng from Long Blade Sect seemed equally intrigued.

Was there some secret here?

No matter—when there’s profit to be made, Lin Yi would never leave empty-handed.

With a sly grin, Lin Yi, who had been about to depart, stepped forward and placed himself squarely between Xuanku and Li Chunfeng.

“Who’s this fool? Are you stupid? Get lost, didn’t you hear me? Can’t you see who I am? I’m Xuanku of Little Thunder Monastery. Out of my way!”

Xuanku, confronted by Lin Yi, could only lower his voice and scold him.

The leadership of Shengjing Academy had already arrived, and old Principal Gu Leiming was not only president of the Spiritualist Guild of Shengjing, but also a near-master—or perhaps even stronger—in spiritual arts.

Xuanku dared not act out.

These students of Shengjing Academy were off-limits; he could take Li Chunfeng for questioning, but never resort to violence in public. All he could do was threaten.

Finishing, Xuanku shot a glance at Principal Gu Leiming.

Lin Yi saw through him—Xuanku feared not only Zhang Ruofeng and Jin Huishan, but also Principal Gu.

All his bluster was mere bravado.

So Lin Yi shook his head and said to Xuanku, “What, you dare make a move in public? All you can do is threaten. Try it—see if our principal doesn’t beat you so badly you’ll never recover!”

“And I can’t stand by while you treat my classmate like this!”

With that, Xuanku opened his mouth as if to speak, but quickly fell silent. Then, with a flicker in his eyes, he suddenly changed tactics and, with a swish, darted forward.

Xuanku, nimble as a cat on water, merged technique and inner strength to a new level; in a blink, he was before Li Chunfeng.

With a large hand, he seized Li Chunfeng, laughing loudly.

“You think you know how strong the disciples of the immortals truly are? You wanted to protect him? Can you, an ordinary man…?”