Chapter 34 - The Six Great Academies Gathered
?Cosmic Star Academy took the resurgence of the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform very seriously. Known as a hub for civilian geniuses, the academy acted swiftly, dispatching a mentor to Skyhaven to demonstrate their stance on the issue.
The mentor selected was Sheng Qing, a civilian alumnus of Cosmic Star Academy. His exceptional academic performance had earned him a teaching position post-graduation. At just thirty years old, Sheng Qing was a formidable cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Building Stage.
Sheng Qing had intended to travel to Skyhaven alone, but to his surprise, a student approached him, eager to accompany him. The student was Wen Shanmei, a standout first-year student at the academy, known for her striking beauty and strength. At nineteen, she had already reached the eleventh layer of the Qi Refining Stage and was on the cusp of breaking through to the Foundation Building Stage. Barring any unforeseen events, Wen Shanmei was on track to become a household name.
“Do you wish to join me on the journey to Skyhaven?” Sheng Qing inquired, eyeing Wen Shanmei with a contemplative gaze. “If I recall correctly, you're from Skyhaven, aren't you?”
“Yes,” Wen Shanmei confirmed with a nod. “Please, let me accompany you. The individual behind this Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform is my junior brother.”
Wen Shanmei's feelings about Lu Lixing were mixed. She believed strongly in his potential and looked forward to the day he would join her at Cosmic Star Academy. She hadn't anticipated that, shortly after her departure from Skyhaven, she would receive news of Lu Lixing's ascent to the Hidden Dragon Platform. Immediately, she reached out to Wen Shi for details. Upon learning of Lu Lixing's plight, Wen Shanmei refrained from condemning the Zhang family's vile actions, choosing instead to hold Wen Shi accountable.
Given Wen Shi's influence at school, she was certainly capable of helping Lu Lixing navigate this difficult situation. Yet, she chose not to intervene—for reasons known only to her.
Wen Shi hadn't anticipated such an event.
But what's done is done, and regret was pointless. Now, Wen Shanmei's only option was to see Lu Lixing before the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform and do whatever she could to bolster his strength. While her efforts might not change the outcome of the battle, they were better than standing idly by.
Sheng Qing was somewhat taken aback; he hadn't expected Wen Shanmei's junior to be the one challenging the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform. Observing Wen Shanmei's anxious expression, he offered a reassuring smile. “I understand—you've already taken some time off, and Mr. Jing won't permit another leave. That's why you've come to me, isn't it?”
Wen Shanmei nodded in acknowledgment. “I'm hoping you can assist me just this once.”
“I'll speak with Mr. Jing. Get your things ready; we leave in an hour.”
Sheng Qing was happy to lend a hand to Wen Shanmei over such a trivial matter; all he needed to do was request leave on her behalf.
Three days after the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform was announced, Sheng Qing and Wen Shanmei traveled a great distance and were greeted by Wen Shi outside the Aerial Hall.
After a warm greeting with Wen Shanmei's father, Wen Shi shared some news during their trip to the school: representatives from the other five academies had already arrived—they were the last to reach.
“The other academies seem to take this more seriously than Cosmic Star Academy,” Sheng Qing remarked quietly, a hint of a smirk on his face. Apart from Cosmic Star Academy, the other institutions included Stardragon Academy, Profound Heaven Sect Affiliated University, Divine Sword Academy, Federal Military University, and Blackmoon Academy. With the exception of Blackmoon Academy, the remaining four had the backing of aristocratic sects and were known to have a strained relationship with Cosmic Star Academy. Their early arrival was likely a show of force, eager to witness who would dare challenge the authority of the aristocratic sects.
Sheng Qing had always looked down on the conduct of these individuals.
“They may have arrived, but they haven't met Lu Lixing. I used the excuse that he's deeply immersed in his cultivation to prevent them from seeing him.”
Wen Shi's excuse effectively deterred the delegates from the other five major academies from any rash actions. If Lu Lixing were to lose, there would be whispers that they had sabotaged him during their visit. Although it might not significantly affect them, it would certainly tarnish their reputations. Thus, after being turned away by Wen Shi, they didn't press the issue. They decided to wait until the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform commenced to meet with Lu Lixing.
“However, you folks from Cosmic Star Academy are certainly welcome to see him.” Wen Shi might turn away others, but not those from his own academy.
To Wen Shi's surprise, Sheng Qing shook his head, “Wen Shanmei can go see him. I think it's best if I don't.”
After some thought, Wen Shi agreed with Sheng Qing. If he were to visit Lu Lixing, he could become a target for criticism by the other academies, potentially implicating Cosmic Star Academy as well. It was wiser to avoid the meeting.
Despite his decision not to meet Lu Lixing, Sheng Qing remained intrigued. Watching Wen Shi navigate the Crystal Flying Car, he inquired with genuine interest, “Mr. Wen, what's your take on Lu Lixing? To what extent do you believe he can succeed?”
To date, there had been four occurrences of the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform. In the fiercest of those battles, sixty-four people, challengers included, had perished. Even the least deadly battle claimed nine lives. Sheng Qing was eager to gauge Lu Lixing's potential based on Wen Shi's insights into both him and the school's top hundred students.
Upon hearing Sheng Qing's question, Wen Shi's lips tightened as he offered a cryptic response, “Three days ago, I would have said that Lu Lixing, at his utmost effort, could perhaps defeat twenty opponents. But now, I'm not so certain.”
Wen Shanmei cast a puzzled glance at Wen Shi. What had prompted him to reassess his opinion of Lu Lixing?
Wen Shanmei wasn't the only one brimming with curiosity; Sheng Qing was equally intrigued. What on earth had Lu Lixing done to spark such a notion in Wen Shi's mind?
As they both looked to him, eager for answers, Wen Shi let out a weary sigh and spoke, “I made a promise to him once to keep his secret. There's no use in pressing me for details. However, I can tell you this much—the mystery will unravel on the day the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform unfolds. Perhaps he truly will deliver an astonishing surprise to us all.”
At Wen Shi's cryptic hint, both Sheng Qing and Wen Shanmei's curiosity only deepened. Could Lu Lixing genuinely pull off a miracle?
Yet, the thought seemed almost too incredible to believe.
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